Cave Quest 2 is a great all-rounder in game styles. A little bit of hunting the hidden object, adventuring and match 3 puzzles with RPG mechanics. You won’t get bored that’s for sure. It is presented very well and wraps up into a decent game to spend a few hours with.
I’ve played well over 25 hours of HUMANKIND for this review and I really like the game. While the game isn’t perfect it is certainly an interesting addition to the 4x strategy genre. So to answer my question I asked at the start of this review “is it a Civ clone or does it do enough different to stand on its own?”, I would say, it isn’t an exact clone of Civilization, it has different aspects of play that makes it stand out on its own. It still needs work done on the game’s pacing in various areas. The systems in place are not too complex. Though this does mean that a player that is well versed in the 4x strategy genre will immediately feel at home with what’s on offer here. It would also be pretty easy for newcomers to the genre to pick up the game and become a great empire. HUMANKIND is a welcome addition and the developers plan on supporting it in the future, I can’t wait to see what they come up with!
The Mysteries of Ranko Togawa: Murder on the Marine Express is an enjoyable visual novel that still needs some more development. Obviously, the developers of 1564 Studios are aware of what the game needs since they are continuing to update it, which is great to see. If you are interested in solving the Murder on the Marine Express mystery check out the demo available on The Mysteries of Ranko Togawa: Murder on the Marine Express Steam page.
All in all Mosaic Chronicles is a solid puzzle game. It is enjoyable and fun to play, even more so if you don’t look at the preview picture of the puzzle you have to solve. The music is relaxing to listen to and the game looks beautiful.
Cloud Gardens is a chill, charming experience to play. The music adds to the relaxing gameplay. Finishing each diorama and moving on to the next brings such a sense of satisfaction. Cloud Gardens isn’t just a game it also encourages its players to be mindful of what is around them. To de-stress, chill out while also being creative and having fun!
Tinytopia is more of a puzzle game than a simulation city builder, that’s not a complaint though. It makes a lovely change from heavy stats, with lots of confusing menu pop-ups city builders that we have seen and played before. Tinytopia is a game to have hours of fun with, and it doesn’t take itself too seriously. If you like city-building games that offer something a little different you should check out Tinytopia.
Stories of Mara is a great addition to the Chibig studio portfolio. Being able to meet and learn about the characters in the series other than Koa is a brilliant idea. I’m excited to see how the story develops in the rest of the chapters when they are released. Stories of Mara as a visual novel is a delight to play so go check it out yourself and join in the fun.
Kitaria Fables has a lot going for it. From the cute cast of animals to the combat and the crafting and farming, you won’t run out of things to do. In fact, you’ll probably be pushed to fit it all in as there is just so much in the game. Anyone who has played Role-Playing, adventure, genre before will find what they are looking for in Kitaria Fables.
Patron is an engrossing and very enjoyable survival city builder. Once you can pass the first four to six years or so in the game it seems to get easier to manage everything the game throws at you. With fourteen maps to play through with different rule sets, there is plenty of long-term gameplay on offer. The progress in Patron can be slow, even with a fast forward button, but for those that like to ponder their next move on pause, Patron is perfect for a strategic play-through. Just be careful as there is so much to do and one wrong decision can send you crashing back to the start with an unhappy ending for your citizens. I love it!
Tetragon puzzles are fun and entertaining, until you make a mistake that is. Without any way to rectify a mistake you have made in a puzzle, other than trying to retrace the moves you made backwards it can get frustrating. A rewind feature added to the puzzles would be a great feature to have. You could move back a few steps to remedy your mistake. Tetragon is playable as it is, but it would be so much more playable and enjoyable with a hint or rewind feature.
I think King’s Bounty II falls down slightly in its core game design. Especially the narrative and the RPG elements of it feel stifled and a grind. To me, King’s Bounty II feels like a game that wants to take inspiration from titles like The Witcher 3 with new discoveries and adventures around every corner. But it doesn’t quite hit the mark with its mediocre storyline and wooden characters and semi-linear world. The combat, while tough and unforgiving, I did find enjoyable as I like a good challenge. King’s Bounty II is one of those games I’m not entirely sure how I feel about it one way or the other as it has as many good points as bad points so for that reason King’s Bounty II scores…
Islanders is a great addition to the strategy or even the puzzle genre on the Switch. A lovely game to play a short session with over a cup of tea or coffee. For longer gaming sessions and for more of a challenge you can try to beat the highest score of the online leader board. For the few pounds or dollars, the game is in the eShop it is definitely worth trying out Islanders you won’t be disappointed!
Garden Story is a charming game. While it doesn’t do any one thing perfectly, it does all of it well enough to allow you to enjoy the chilled setting and charming character interactions. It is a delightful RPG, simulation full of fruity goodness, and a very sweet grape named Concord to spend a few cosy hours with!
Memory Lane 2 is a no-frills, no menu, match pairs puzzle game. While it really isn’t anything special to look at, the match pairs aspect of the game does work well. Just don’t expect any bells, whistles or any pizazz, Memory Lane 2 is as plain as they come.
Ambition: A Minuet in Power is an engrossing addition to the visual novel genre. You can tell as you play the game that the era the game is set in has been thoroughly researched by the developers. With 6 suitors to romance, there is plenty of choices to pick the “one”. It’s a fun step back in time, in the ever-shifting alliances that grow more dangerous by the day in the game, just be careful you don’t lose your head over it!
A Monster’s Expedition is a delight to play. The solution to some of the puzzles might not click right away. However, when you do find it, it comes with such a feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment that it’s hard to describe. A game filled with lots of a-ha moments when the solution pops into your head. This is a must-play game for puzzle fans. A Monster’s Expedition is one of the best puzzle games I’ve played this year. I definitely recommend exploring the open-world museum of EnglandLand!
OCO is beautifully designed and is definitely a pick-up and very playable game. You need patience, perception, and rhythm to fully master the game. I also tried out the iOS version of the game and it plays equally well as the Steam version does. I think I might be addicted to it. It keeps me going back to see if I can conquer that level that I’m having trouble completing. To me, that is the sign of a successful puzzle game if it’s got its hooks into you!
As you play Haven Park you can see that a lot of love has gone into the game from developer Fabien Weibel. This being the first game from Fabien, he should be pretty proud of what he has achieved. Haven Park is a great example of wholesome gaming to while away a few hours with.
Button City is a game about friendship, growing up, the importance of community and saving the things that are significant to you. It’s a perfect game for a relaxed, stress-free gaming session, spent in the company of adorable Fennel and his friends in the Fluff Squad.
Lifeslide is an enjoyable game, more so once you get the hang of flying the paper plane. I enjoyed the Zen stages more than the Story Mode, but only because I don’t like timers. Flight or Flying games with physics-driven gameplay are something I wouldn’t normally play, but I’m glad I got to try out Lifeslide. With each level being used as a metaphor for life and the lovely ambient music this is one to try out on Steam.