This game, like any other, has its limitations. That is exactly why it thrives: it has a campaign that can be finished in less than 15 hours, for one, with up to 30 doing side content. It does its best with what it has. It has no bloat at all, and every area is used effectively to throw you a curveball with a quirky side quest, puzzle, or fight. Even the combat that doesn’t have a lock-on button feels snappy once you get used to it. As developer Twirlbound’s sophomore entry, it’s clear where their influences lie, but triumphing beyond a homage is what should be recognized here.
Rushing down a hill with your herd feels exhilarating, if a bit unwieldy. When art direction, music, and gameplay come together, Herdling is an exercise of mindful stimulation.
And Roger is a brief but emotional one-hour visual novel. It does not take long to understand its narrative argument. But the way it is presented is so impactful that it does not need more than that to accomplish its goal. To witness a loved one’s mental decline is devastating, to the point where the game even goes on to mention approaching religion to find solace in times of need.
What Luto does best that sets it apart from the usual first-person psychological horror is how unequivocally human the story is. Depression is as real as it gets, and while effectively using bedsheets in your face to hammer home how inescapable it can be, it is also heartbreaking. Luto is a narrative of loss, grief, and bargaining with that temptation to give up.
Wheel World is committed to the unparalleled sensation of freedom. Hampered by performance issues, it does its best to recreate the joys of cycling.
Deftly carving its own adventure without leaning too hard into the usual tropes, anybody looking for a great challenge should look no further.
An isometric stealth narrative in a league of its own, Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream is a sensational example of what ambitious, cinematic aspirations and expertly plotted gameplay can accomplish together.
A genre-defining adventure, Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo nails that innate arcadey feeling just right. Its inspired puzzles, wacky dialogues, and perfectly recreated GBA soundtrack and graphics do make it feel like someone unearthed this game recently after being lost to the sands of time.
Alas, there is so much more to the world of Fruitbus beyond fulfilling demanding orders from customers. Every character has their own daily routines, preoccupations, and goals. Disrupting their lives with your whimsical food truck also entails listening to their problems, hopefully forging bonds with them in the process. By the end, you will likely even have favorites among the charming cast.
While Instants is basically a game where you solve the straightforward puzzle of how things came to be, at its core, is about letting your creativity run wild. Looking at heartwarming moments in life, such as the first date, the birth of a couple’s first child, or the opening of presents on Christmas Day are the basis of the albums, but your way of decorating each of these stories will give it a personal touch that can make it authentically yours.
Comfort food tastes good, especially in times of need. But talking from a personal perspective and considering the developer’s previous games, perhaps I was hoping for more than what I got. For everyone else, there is a perfectly fine farm sim with charming characters and another farm to live in, if only for a moment.
Sadly, as it stands, Section 13 is marred by technical issues that make it hard for me to recommend, but there is a worthwhile adventure beneath the issues. Perhaps it will be amended down the line.
Fundamentally, a puzzle game with light gameplay elements, Pirates VR Jolly Roger is a short story that tries to recreate the most recognizable highlights of a pirate’s life, but ends up showing only the stereotypes without bringing anything new to the table.
The latest in a line of solid soulvanias, Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree is a gritty challenge that rises to the occasion.
An authentically hardcore FPS where every win feels earned, Atomfall will be heavily enjoyed by fans of the genre despite a few shortcomings.
Wanderstop, the video game, is one of the most important works of our time. The way it succinctly portrays burnout unlike any other piece of media is exceptional.
Lost Records Bloom and Rage (Tape 1) not only recaptures the magic of DON’T NOD'S lightning in a bottle, but it enhances it in every way.
MythWrecked: Ambrosia Island‘s unique take on the mythology of ancient Greek gods is as fascinating as it is refreshing.
As Nomada Studio’s second entry, Neva succeeds in delivering what all studios dream of. Refined controls, a strong art style, and a heart-wrenching narrative. Put simply, it is a perfect intersection between art and interactivity.
Shadow Warrior 3 is a good student of DOOM's first-person action, it's fast, bloody, and has fun moments. Recommended for all those lovers of epilepsy, jumps and shots at point-blank range, although Flying Wild Hog could have risked a little more in its playable formula and not play it so safe. His proposal is more traditional than one might expect.
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