SFB Games knows how to make a great whodunit. Combatting the usual point-and-click slog of characters sluggishly pointing out an observation, everything is wittily described. The Mermaid Mask shines as a murder mystery because of the attention to every painstaking detail. The theatrical cast, stylish art style, and impeccable structure make for one of those cases that beg to be solved.
I am not the target audience of this game. Nevertheless, having a considerable amount of experience as a big fan of platformers, I can say that it lands among the lower tier of them. Looking at it from its endlessly fun premise, though, I can certainly understand the appeal of dashing and jumping as the titular Teeto. Even more so when playing in couch co-op.
It is not hyperbole when I say that every single level introduced a new creative idea to keep things fresh. Telling a cautionary tale of climate change and ruthless corporations juxtaposed with human ingenuity, it is imbued with an undeniable charisma. I cannot underestimate how much love is put into Denshattack! With deep reverence to classics like Sonic Adventure and Jet Set Radio, it built on those foundations to create one of the most endlessly fun games of the year.
Moss: The Forgotten Relic takes players on a magical journey carried by its endearing protagonist Quill. Evoking children’s fairy tale books in the best of ways, it feels like the definitive way for kids and adults to experience such a rich story.
What a joy to discover when a game goes places you did not expect. From the outset, I thought this game would be an unassuming, cozy adventure about a young kid learning about nature. Oh, how I am glad to be wrong.
They say that WWI exotic dancer and spy Mata Hari blew a kiss to her firing squad at her execution. That defiant energy runs through Zero Parades: For Dead Spies. Protagonist Hershel Wilk knows she is not up to the task, yet a sense of remorse pushes her forward. What she finds is a web of deceit that it alone warrants the price of entry. This is no Disco Elysium, but a thrilling beast of its own.
OPUS: Prism Peak is a powerful journey that unflinchingly tells us to embrace change. Its surreal setting only serves to portray that none of our lives are that different. Through photography, memories, and community, its universal message of hope is one that lasts forever.
When all is said and done, WILL: Follow The Light shines in its particular moments of calmness while sailing through the icy waters of the north. Its pitch-perfect soundtrack, evoking Max Richter’s On The Nature of Daylight, leaves a tinge of melancholy. The story itself does not shy away from the inevitability of death.
A daring adventure with something worthwhile to say, Decline’s Drops is a solid debut title from developer Le Moulin aux Bulles. In a sea of side-scrollers, a tale about environmentalism wrapped in a challenging platformer is bold. While the gameplay itself does not always land and difficulty spikes abound, it is still a video game that will satisfy anyone looking for an apparent distraction with a powerful message.
Aphelion is really close to greatness. The narrative itself is impeccable and one that taken on its own might as well be one of the best of the year. I stand by that. The writing is passionate to the point it makes you root for its dual protagonists. The fact the game itself is concise aids it greatly, as it never outstays its welcome. But it’s impossible not to wonder how many times Don’t Nod must try to create a masterpiece only to fall short by a few crippling issues. I do not have the answer, but I long for the day they succeed.
Accompanied by a groovy electronic soundtrack, NTE: Neverness to Everness is a confident anime open world. Jampacked with fun activities enticing replayability, the art of enjoying a free-to-play game’s daily actions seemed lost. Learning from previous entries in the genre, the combat is as engaging and stylish as it allows, rewarding fast reflexes. Finally, the expressive anime aesthetic is captivating.
The underlying message of inclusivity within the game hits hard. Some lines of dialogue cut deep, especially because they talk about loss and change. This could have been a single, one-and-done recreation of a classic minigame. But it isn’t.
Learning about life’s more difficult lessons is never easy. It is said that Tove Jansson believed fear was an important detail to add in children’s books. Losing someone or growing as a person are scary prospects. What Moomintroll: Winter’s Warmth does kindly is show these struggles from different characters’ perspectives, never losing its trademark humor. Delivering a heartwarming message that will resonate with both kids and adults, this is a story that wears its heart on its sleeve.
Along its 15- to 20-hour playthrough, what makes Tombwater hard to put down is its level design. Smartly placing shortcuts that are unlocked once a difficult boss or area is advanced through, it is purposeful in its ravaged layout. Obtaining new abilities, such as rock climbing and a special shot from your gun to light torches, incentivizes you to explore every cursed nook and cranny.
Outerloop Games’ latest entry weaves a heartfelt narrative that reminds us of the cultural act of cooking. One of the more common ways to show love to our close ones, its family narrative has its heart in the right place. Its tight turn-based system moves along at a natural pace, with its active inputs keeping things dynamic.
We are in the presence of a monumental undertaking. It is not only that it offers a tuneful narrative, but that it does so masterfully. Dazzling musical numbers next to a deep combat system pulling from the greats are awe-inspiring. A passionate tale about following your dreams, everywhere you look at proves that Iridium Studios produced a hit. People of Note is a perfect intersection between turn-based games and music.
Not everyone will agree with the handling of this storyline, but developer Deck Nine Games did it for a simple reason: Life Is Strange: Reunion is for those aching to see Max and Chloe have a true happy ending. This comes at the cost of sidelining certain characters. It also honors the series itself, with musical nods, nostalgic dialogues, and artifacts of previous entries.
Much like the ghost stories it tries to tell, Homura Hime amazes at every turn. The riveting boss fights drum up excitement as you make your way to the final battle of every mission. Dodging a barrage of bullet-hell projectiles at a precise moment, when it works well, makes you want to come back for more. And the combat, developing over the course of the game with more skills, combos, and options, accomplishes its goal to keep things interesting over its 10-to-15-hour runtime.
Fighting for an uncertain future is a theme most of us can resonate with. Who will be standing when the rubble settles, and what will be lost in the process? Solateria is a melancholic Metroidvania that borrows heavily from its counterparts but carves its personal path. The damaged characters you meet, the tragic bosses you fight, and the rich biomes you explore all have something to say.
Collector’s Cove is a repetitive game. You will have to do many of the activities described a lot. Like, a lot. But you probably already knew that heading into a game like this. The tropical soundtrack helps you unwind and just lets you focus on the task at hand, be it trying to catch a slippery fish or grinding to collect specific items to trade for funny glasses for your sea turtle.