Yvonne van Geloven's Reviews
All Hands on Deck is a cozy, clever co-op adventure that’s perfect for friends, partners, or families looking to play together. It’s not about high scores or fast reflexes, it’s about communication, creativity, and shared laughter. This one is great for playing at family gatherings and hanging out with friends.
Unpetrified: Echoes of Nature belongs to the narrative adventure genre, often called “walking simulators,” but it’s so much more than that. With its focus on emotional storytelling, environmental restoration, and gentle puzzle-solving, it fits beautifully into the growing niche of cozy, reflective games that prioritise atmosphere and heart over action. Exactly the kind of games we love over here at LadiesGamers Unpetrified: Echoes of Nature is not about challenge, it’s about connection, restoration, and wonder. If you’re looking for a game to slow down, this one might be for you. You’ll enjoy the surroundings, feel the emotions of the Golem and solve the world’s puzzles.
On paper, Dinkum sounded like my ideal kind of game. I had anticipated that it would be a bit rough around the edges and that the blocky visuals wouldn’t appeal to me, but with the right kind of simulation gameplay, that would be fine. After playing it, it’s clear this is an impressive game, especially considering it’s made by a solo developer. However, Dinkum didn’t grip me like I had hoped it would. I felt the controls were annoying and the quality of life seriously lacking. And though it may sound silly, it didn’t help that I would regularly see dingos or a crocodile hunt down and kill a kangaroo. I’m a fan of cozy games, hence my verdict. But if you are okay with a less polished sim-survival game, I think you can sink many, many hours into building your town in the wilds.
Dream Garden is a lovely sandbox for those who enjoy quiet, creative experiences. It’s not a game that demands constant attention, it offers a peaceful space to build and unwind. Whether you’re crafting a temple scene filled with capybaras or designing a serene koi pond, Dream Garden lets you create your own little world and simply enjoy it
As Long As You’re Here does an excellent job of letting us see and feel what a person who has Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia is feeling. This one really struck home for me, as we are currently experiencing the same with my husband’s mother. When I wasn’t playing the game, it still stayed in my mind. I think it’s outstanding how creator Marlène Delrive managed this in what was initially an 8-week student project. She started working on this as a way of processing the grief and trying to understand her grandmother’s perspective in her final years, and you can experience it now, too. Often, we talk about the sons and daughters and their struggle to raise their own kids, and meanwhile, take care of their elderly parents. As Long As You’re Here goes into that angle as well, and I can sympathise with Annie’s daughter. But the main focus is Annie, not explaining her condition directly in the game, but letting you feel it yourself.
I have hesitated quite a while before giving my final verdict. I love that with Atelier Resleriana: The Red Alchemist and the White Guardian, Gust catered to us fans of the original series. As I understand it, this doesn’t mean that they won’t move along in the direction taken with Atelier Yumia; the two can exist very well together. In the end, I decided on our highest rating. The turn-based fights, the new alchemy system and the depth of the characters and NPCs, plus the added Fairies and their hard work, make this an excellent cozy addition to the Atelier series.
Luma Island has been out on Steam for some time, almost a year in fact. So this time, I wasn’t there when it was first released. However, in this case, I’m happy that the game has been out for almost a year. Luma Island is so complete, keeps surprising you with out-of-the-ordinary additions and has excellent quality of life elements. I think this is the result of listening to players’ input and wishes, of tweaking so that bugs are squashed and tying the entire package up with a beautiful bow. I’m really delighted at how Feel Free Games took the familiar elements of simulation games, gave them their own twist and added some more to Luma Island.
Sokobos 2 is a puzzle based on logic, without overwhelming your senses. And even with a minimalist approach, dark background, and muted colours, the developer managed to tell a story that caught my imagination.
Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar is every bit as fun as I remembered from the original and more. Managing my products to have a weekly smashing bazaar is addictive and most weeks I can’t wait for Saturday to roll by. All the other elements of a good farming sim are there, even socialising feels more fleshed out than in the DS game. If you’re a fan of farming sims and the management part of a game appeals to you, this is one to go for, whether you played the original or not. For this isn’t just a remake, it feels like a new game!
Doronko Wanko doesn’t bother with epic quests or mind-bending puzzles. It has you gleefully rolling around in the mud; it shines through its simplicity and promotes silliness. It’s a game that invites you to jump in, paws first, whenever you fancy a bit of carefree chaos. No need for deep thinking, just chuckles, playful messes, and the kind of light-hearted fun that feels like a warm hug and a wagging tail.
While Chibi Robo seems to have sadly faded into the background, Misc. A Tiny Tale feels like a hopeful continuation of its legacy. And it’s not just a nostalgic nod, it’s a lovingly crafted adventure in its own right, with a modern polish and a heartfelt message. The game plays smoothly on the SteamDeck and probably equally smooth on the Switch. Misc. A Tiny Tale celebrates the joy of helping others and finding wonder in exploration and finding the small things: they might seem unimportant but not so to someone out there!
If you’re looking for a cosy puzzle game with no stress, awesome visuals and one that can pull you into the story without a spoken word, you should go for Instants. It works well on the Switch 2, but I do feel the button controls were designed with Steam in mind. It’s not a long game, some three hours, but it will be time well spent.
If you enjoy puzzle games with an emotional thread and nostalgic feelings, or simply want a relaxing, heartfelt way to spend an afternoon, puzzle Projected Dreams might be just what you’re looking for. Play with light beams and shadows made by objects, and get your thinking cap on to find the best solution.
Marvelous totally changed direction, and I can say I love it. They kept the essence of farming, exploring, and romance and put a new twist on all of it. Adding a management element into the mix by taking care of various villages and workers is brilliant; it takes away what can ultimately become a tedious chore. To me, the fighting is more difficult, but then I’m never a big fan of action fighting. But by adding story mode, it is very much doable. There really is so much to tell about Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma, I could fill many pages detailing all there is to do in the game. For now, though, I’ll add my verdict to this review.
Coloring Cats: Sports with Friends is the kind of game you can come back to for just a few minutes or get lost in for a cozy afternoon. It’s ideal for when you need something gentle, repetitive in the best way, and wonderfully low-stress. It has the Mens Sana Interactive signature characters and thoughtful additions like the playlist. You really get a lot for your money! Although the game does work on the Steam Deck, it is better played using a mouse. Or maybe, in future, on the Nintendo Switch?
Wind Story has a great description, but sadly, it doesn’t live up to that in any way. This should have gone into Early Access for a much lower price. As it is now, I have no other option but to give a negative verdict.
Tiny Garden ticks all the boxes for me. Gardening in miniature surroundings, approaching it like a casual game with strategic planning to unlock all plant seeds, types of soil and decoration options. It’s very cute, the decorations are just like in a doll’s house, and the added letters tell a good story. Though I like my Steam Deck, I’m always more at home with my Nintendo Switch for handheld gaming. So when I review a game on Steam Deck, I ask myself: would I double-dip if it were released on the Switch? The answer here is a firm yes, so for me, Tiny Garden gets our highest rating.
Einstein’s Cats is a casual game for fans of the logic puzzle genre. The art looks great, the music is relaxing, and the cats look sweet, especially when you pick them up to put in the basket. The sticker book is a nice addition, and the puzzles are accessible and not overly hard. A good game to pick up and play in between your chores, taking a break with a nice cup of your favourite beverage!
I must admit to looking back longingly to the fighting and synthesising systems in Atelier Ryza and earlier games. The fighting feels too much like button mashing for me, and I miss all the complexity of older Atelier games. But I get that Gust wants to insert new things into each game and maybe make the Atelier games accessible to new players, and it all comes down to personal preference. That being said, the building part of Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories & the Envisioned Land is a nice addition. I love the exploration part; I’m just curious about what’s around the corner. The deep narrative and the way alchemy is portrayed made me instantly like Yumia—no overly enthusiastic youngster but a quiet girl with a history. This is a good successor to the Secret trilogy and a great entry point for newcomers.
Fly Corp is a great management game with a minimalist look that does exactly what it promises: allowing you to manage your airlines across the globe. While you probably start out adding airlines to new airports as soon as you can, you’ll have to come up with a strategy as money is always tight. There is a fine balance between the amount to invest to get more income and handling the emergencies that pop up and throw you off your game. If you like this kind of management strategy game, Fly Corp is a good one. As the game is also available on mobile as a freemium with in-app purchases, you can also choose to give it a try there before you buy.