Lee Mehr's Reviews
Metronomik's first tour reveals the heart of an ambitious, stylish band that's consistently playing out of tune.
Dlala Studios' reboot/sequel of these antique amphibians deftly juggles its varied gameplay conceits and meta-humor, with only Rare missteps.
More enticing systemically than it is narratively, Windbound nevertheless succeeds as a sojourner's adventure of striving for survival and greater understanding.
A mechanically-archetypal strategy sim elevated by the potent historical context through which it's examined.
Insatiable Cycle's zeal in tackling dialogue choices is something to appreciate. But that can only go so far when the script is tacky, the game design is clumsy, and the retail price is terribly overvalued.
The Wake: Mourning Father, Mourning Mother is too uncoordinated in the game being made and the story being told. It hits a strange chord with me because I find Somi laudable and his previous work worth investigating. The visual/audio design’s toned-down, retro ethos marries well with the saccharine storytelling and yet, obstructive gameplay frequently flatlined my drive to turn the next page.
Final Strike Games' first title excels at short-lived fun, but monetization practices & current imbalances eventually cause engine burnout.
Despite some grievances, Remedy's newest expansion is a worthwhile compliment to the fantastic base game.
Hones in on my nostalgia goggles while never quite satiating me like the original.
Ambition winds up elevating and harming The Last of Us Part II with respect to its expanded gameplay and uneven narrative.
This may end up as one of R. L. Stine's greatest nightmares yet—for all the wrong reasons.
“Short but sweet” is the emphasis for Neversong, both in its three-or-four hour runtime and the yarn it’s weaving. This comes at the cost of its substandard gameplay never invested in any particular idea. Each new bauble and character share the same story: neither feels like enough stock was given. But as an indie auteur’s expansion of a historical flash game, the effort poured into its revitalized presentation and atmosphere is something platforming fans could still admire.
From storytelling to game design, Those Who Remain's tepid approach to its overabundant tropes made me want to leave Dormont as soon as I arrived. My best advice to horror fans: ignore the exit—even if your tank is running low.
For all the pustulous boils and decrepit flesh, Invader Studios put out something I subconsciously feel they hoped honors a well-beloved series. Wishing can only get you so far though.
Jumbled, infuriating, and unfinished are a few choice adjectives I can attribute to Doug Hates His Job. The panoply of gameplay styles it wants to flex should be treated as a canary in the coal mine for other young developers. The mockumentary approach makes its dull humor more of a mockery than of the white-collar job climate it’s lampooning. As a result, Super Villain Games succeeded in helping me relate to Doug's plight in one crucial way: hating my reviewing job — if only for a short time.
Pixel Reef's origami-filled adventure consistently maintains its audio-visual splendor, but often folds under closer scrutiny of its gameplay.
Cyan’s latest is another confident puzzle adventure you can't help but appreciate—even if there's some Myst potential.
A robotic-themed adventure game composed of well-oiled and rusty parts.
Separation is an apt title to illuminate its central problem. The adventure beckons you to experience a desolate world, utilize a VR headset, tingle your sensory stimuli in a way you can almost touch, and engage with a narrative tackling uncomfortable emotions. But, despite this magical potential, all of the accumulated shortcomings reveal the integral quality it sorely lacks: authentic connection.
Slender launch content aside, Ninja Theory's first venture into competitive multiplayer ranks among the most joyously-frenzied brawlers of this generation.