KARMA: The Dark World delivers a mind-bending, unsettling, and utterly heartbreaking experience, the likes of which are rarely seen in the realm of walking sims. Once I started it, I couldn’t put it down. With a runtime of about six hours, it’s perfect for one or two sessions to see everything it has to offer. With a narrative full of twists, compelling mysteries, and a host of well fleshed-out, complex characters, KARMA: The Dark World will have you hooked until the final screen and pondering it long after it’s over.
I cannot stress enough just how much I enjoy Spirit of the North 2. It takes the all the strongest elements of the first game and builds upon them, while simultaneously eliminating the aspects that didn’t work as well before. It’s not without its share of flaws, but those are easily overlooked in favor the remarkable, wondrous adventure that lies before you.
Honestly, I’m really disappointed that The Wickie: Journey of a Lighthouse Keeper wasn’t released more fully developed. I love the concept of being dropped into a strange world with no exposition dumps, and only your exploration and puzzle solving skills being able to guide you through and make sense of things. I’d love to revisit this game someday when it’s in a more playable state, but as of now it’s more of a frustration than a challenge.
I know I might have come off as a bit harsh on Urban Myth Dissolution Center, but that’s only because I had such high hopes for it. There are some truly great and unique ideas in here, it’s just a shame that it’s bogged down by banal and laborious gameplay. Honestly, I really hope this game gets a sequel, because I think with some adjustments it could be a truly remarkable title. Including some actual puzzles, faster dialogue delivery, and featuring some of the more bizarre yokai lore would set this game far above many others.
The puzzles were mostly straight-forward, with a few that did have me scratching my head for a moment, but never outlandish or obtuse in their solutions. The characters are also wonderfully varied, and I found myself enjoying their drama and flaws about as much as I did the main questline.
At first I thought it was going to be a knock-off of Chicken Police, but it turned out to be something completely different. I don’t want to get into spoilers, so let me just say that goes in directions I never saw coming. This game is absolutely bonkers, in the best of ways.
Dragon Age: The Veilguard is just what the franchise needed; a better contained story with some excellent characters. Quite a few decisions actually carried some serious weight, which can vastly affect the outcome of the game. There are multiple endings, and yes, plenty of your companions can die, so there’s a huge replayability factor. The pacing is well-balanced and the combat is a delight, making this game a blast to play from start to finish. Don’t listen to the nay-sayers; if you’re a fan of this franchise, then you simply can’t miss Dragon Age: The Veilguard.
Even though Europa didn’t turn out to be what I’d hoped for, it’s still worth your time if you’re looking for a completely casual experience. I think I was lead astray by the trailers, which make it look more curious and puzzle-centered than it actually is. I was expecting something more along the lines of Omno or RiME, but what we got was something more akin to a Journey knock-off. It’s not bad by any means, just not quite what I was hoping for.
Neva is a fantastic and emotional journey the whole way through. The bond between Alba and Neva feels real and earned, so the stakes feel even higher when danger befalls them. It’s a game that makes us think about the hardships of life and survival, but at its core drives home one main theme: hope. Neva will have you running through a whole gambit of emotions in its four hour run time, so have some tissues handy, but it’s an experience well-worth your time.
I absolutely adored The Plucky Squire. It takes the simplicity of older 2D games and mixes it with the fun exploration found in more modern 3D puzzle platformers. My only complaint is that I found the puzzles to be a bit too devoid of challenge, as I would have loved to have seen more done with the page-turning, book-shifting concepts they introduced. Still, this is a game that is truly something unique and can be enjoyed by everyone, especially with all the accessibility options available.
Despite some confusion and frustration in the beginning, I thoroughly enjoyed my time with The Ten Bells. If you’re a fan of anomaly games, then you definitely shouldn’t pass up this one. There are some truly excellent scares and a hauntingly creepy story to be uncovered. With Halloween around around the corner, now is the perfect time to sip on a pint of beer and unravel the mystery of The Ten Bells.
It’s clear that a lot of love and care has gone into Beyond Good & Evil – 20th Anniversary Edition. The graphics and soundtrack have had a full overhaul, and some much needed QoL improvements make the playing experience far more enjoyable. The inclusion of the treasure hunt that delves more into Jade’s past make me hopeful that we’ll finally get Beyond Good & Evil 2 someday, but I’ll temper my expectations until it’s confirmed.
Killer Klowns from Outer Space: The Game has some creative ideas that wonderfully pay homage to the cult classic film. The Klowns look fantastic and the Klowntalities are fun to watch, but there are still just too many issues that keep it from being something truly special. Playing as the Humans feels like a huge disadvantage unless you can get a good crew together that communicates well. It’s a shame that this game feels like it’s so empty right off the bat because there are some fun times to be had if you can get matched up with other real players and not all bots.
FLATHEAD is a game that piqued my interest with its creepy art design, but I was in no way prepared for just how addictive it can be. Its unique spin on such a simple concept as the Over/Under game makes it great to play in short bursts, but it also adds in enough other overarching story elements to keep you coming back for more. I have loved every second of my time with FLATHEAD, and I’m fully under its spell and won’t be getting over it anytime soon.
There’s nothing more exhilarating than having that “eureka” or “a ha” moment after piecing together something that seemed almost impossible at first glance, and there are plenty of those moments to be found in Lorelei and the Laser Eyes. If you’re at all a fan of ingenious puzzles, then do yourself a favor and pick up your trusty notepad and pencil, and dive into Lorelei and the Laser Eyes.
I enjoyed my time with Duck Detective: The Secret Salami a lot more than I was initially expecting. It proved to be a more engaging experience than what I first thought from the trailer. Sure, some of the gameplay and interrogation elements could have been fleshed out more, but at its core, it’s a game that has more intricacies than it lets on at first.
INDIKA might have been hit and miss with some of its gameplay elements and had some pacing issues, but one thing is certain: it’s definitely a game that swung for the fences and took a lot of risks. It’s weird and bizarre in all the best ways. It’s a game that hooks you right from the start and will hold your attention until the credits roll. I can’t say it’s a happy experience, but it’s one with a very clear vision and strong message, controversial as it might be. INDIKA is one of those rare games that takes you completely by surprise and sticks with you long after you’ve finished it.
Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake is a fine game, and one I recommend playing. What disappoints me most is just how little was done to this version to set itself apart from the original. The gameplay remains untouched, other than a completely clunky and bizarre co-op mode. The main changes were an enhanced soundtrack and graphics, but the large majority of the game is exactly the same as it was before.
Interactive narrative games might not be for everyone, but As Dusk Falls is still one that I’ll recommend to just about everyone. It keeps you constantly engaged, with high stakes and choices that actually matter, no matter how seemingly insignificant they might seem. This is one of the first interactive dramas that’s managed no not only hold my attention, but kept me so captivated that I finished my first playthrough in one sitting. Then I went back for more. If you’re on the fence about checking it out, I implore you to not let the curtain fall on As Dusk Falls.
Yes, it’s completely filled with silliness, often times taking clear inspiration from games like Return to Monkey Island, but there’s a lot more to it than just zany humor. At times it has real heart, especially when it comes to the relationship between Lil and her father. Not every sinister looking monster is truly a villain, some are just poor, misunderstood creatures looking for some compassion. Lil’ Guardsman is absolutely delightful to play, and you should allow it entry into your life.