Heidi Hawes
The level of creativity and ingenuity is mind-blowing. I can’t remember the last time I had this much fun with a game from start to finish. And for a game that’s about sixteen to eighteen hours long, that is quite a feat. For a title that tackles surprisingly mature themes, there’s a ridiculous amount of charm woven into every aspect of it. So no matter who you are or what games you enjoy, grab a partner and play It Takes Two right away because this is a game in which everyone can find something to love.
This game was not at all what I was expecting, but in a good way. It is definitely not your run-of-the-mill noir drama.There are some truly interesting ideas in here that are presented with a strong scientific basis. As someone who has studied a bit of Astronomy, I was pleased to see such a creative take on cosmological knowledge. For fans of Astronomy, casual adventures, and unique experiences, Genesis Noir is a journey worth taking.
People who like casual games and dark, immature humor might enjoy this, but Freakpocalypse was truly designed with the fans in mind. It’s also worth noting that this isn’t a complete game, but rather the first installment in a trilogy. That being said, it will still take you several hours to complete, especially if you take your time exploring and speaking to everyone. While it’s not a challenging game by any means, the absurdist humor is enough to make it enjoyable the whole way through.
I have to say that Gnosia really impressed me. I completely underestimated it by assuming it was just going to be some monotonous visual novel mystery game. I’ve never been happier to be proven wrong. The steady introduction of new elements, complex characters, and intriguing gameplay make Gnosia delightfully addicting.
The story is one that we’ve all seen before, but the performances from Bryce Dallas Howard and Seth Gabel make it easier to get attached to. Most of the puzzles are beyond easy, but this is a game that’s more about the journey than about stretching your mind muscles. Some might think this game is too short, taking only about three to four hours to complete, but I think its length was perfect.
I was pleasantly surprised by Dry Drowning. The setting was interesting, the choices mattered, and the story was compelling enough to make me want to see it through to the end. While not all of the socio-political story elements were original, there were still plenty of mysteries and twists that kept me captivated.
The combat is uninspired and tedious, as is the music. The time mechanic is a great idea and adds a level of strategy to the game, but it’s poorly explained and results in a lot of wasted time trying to figure things out. If you’re a fan of 80’s and 90’s action/adventure RPGs, especially the Quest for Glory games, then maybe give it a try if it’s on sale.
I feel like I was completely duped by its misleading trailer. The concept does have potential, but they didn’t go dark enough or weird enough with it. The story never gets terribly interesting and it leaves you with a lot of unanswered questions. It’s also incredibly short.
For a game that was clearly inspired by Star Fox, I was saddened to find that it was devoid of the charm that made those games so great.
Teratopia‘s biggest flaw is that it doesn’t know what kind of game it wanted to be. It has beyond basic controls, but it’s too hard for children to play. It looks like an adorable kid’s game and has lots of silly humor, but then there are random moments of adult level jokes and references. I’m honestly not sure who this game is meant for. Let’s just save us all some trouble and say it’s not enjoyable for anyone.
Iris.Fall might not break any new ground in terms of gameplay, but what it brings to the table it does well. There are some pacing issues due to severe difficulty spikes with a couple of its puzzles, but for the most part it delivers an enjoyable (albeit short) experience.
This had the potential to be their best game to date, but due to the direction they chose to take it at the very end, it all fell apart. It’s crazy to think just how much five minutes can kill the whole experience.
For the most part, Spiritfarer is a charming and upbeat game, but it covers the themes of death and loss with seriousness and respect. I was genuinely shocked by just how much I came to care about the spirits in my care. Learning about them and helping them move on gave the management sim side of the game have a lot more meaning.
Call of the Sea wasn’t quite what I expected, but that’s not a bad thing. It surprised me in a lot of ways. While the ending was easy to guess early on, the writing for the rest of the story was so strong that I still found it compelling.
It’s an ambitious game, but one that doesn’t overstay its welcome. Without a doubt, this is one path worth traveling.
Despite not having all of the same humor as the original, it still has the same storylines and puzzles as before. Returning fans to the game should have no problem jumping right into the action. Plus, people unfamiliar with the game will be delightfully entertained by its wackiness and hare-brained schemes (see what I did there?).
With the updated graphics, reworked gameplay mechanics, and new content, Observer: System Redux is a treat for those already familiar with it and newcomers alike. If you haven’t already checked it out, then now would be a good time to do so.
The song list might not be the most varied in terms of genres and styles to choose from, but you can subscribe to their Unlimited service to open much more options. I may have looked like a squid having a seizure while playing it, but I’ve never had more fun doing so.
Even though I guessed what was really going on, I still enjoyed every second of this game. Mostly due to the delightful banter between Sonny and Marty. The end leaves room for a sequel and I personally can’t wait to see what the Chicken Police are in store for on their next adventure.
The only thing I can say for certain is in an ironic twist, all this game really made me want to do is drink a bunch of hipster craft brews. I might have actually gone out and bought a bunch after playing this game. Ok, I absolutely did. Cheers!