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.
It is a trap to think that game development is easy when you see it so deftly made. It is strange to feel like a nameless ship has charisma, but the way your ship interacts with others makes it impossible not to draw a smile on your face. To figure out which way to go in each carefully designed level and shoot your way out while avoiding the complex projectile patterns is rewarding.
Not a perfect adventure but close to it, Demon Tides gives you the freedom to explore to your heart’s content. Its expressive platforming is the alpha and the omega. Every level provides an opportunity to try out different ways to show off your increasing mastery of Beebz’s skills. In the end, that is what it is all about.
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, as we know, but thankfully Jimmy and the Pulsating Mass go the mile to not simply be a carbon copy of its predecessors. Its catchy music, sarcastic remarks, and overall shocking story that keeps you on edge throughout make for a solid JRPG.
The movement and possibilities shown within Big Hops feel like a real jolt the genre needed. With high potential to become a speedrunner darling, the foundation Big Hops sits on is one ripe for exploration. It’s clever veggies, each with unique moves that let Hop float, swing, and zip through levels, making not only for an incredibly satisfying experience but, most importantly, for fun.
Warhammer 40,000 is often described as a grimdark universe. It is most palpable in Rogue Trader, where genocide, sacrifice, and abuse are often shrugged at while everyone moves on with their miserable days. What drew me to this militaristic entry is not that, but the power as a new, unexpected entity creating meaningful change in a Kafkaesque world where that seems impossible.