BeetleQuest: The Puzzle Game is a quirky, bite-sized experience. It’s inexpensive, simple, and clearly made with a younger audience in mind, though oddly, only some of the mini-games are really child-friendly. For adults, it’s probably too light to hold attention for long, but parents might get a bit of enjoyment playing it alongside kiddos. It’s not something I’d recommend as a must-buy, but for under £2, it’s a curious little diversion. If you’re already interested in the BeetleQuest universe, it might be worth dipping in as a companion piece. Otherwise, it’s perfectly okay to skip or check out the main BeetleQuest games instead.
Prism Shift is a neat little puzzle game that proves originality doesn’t need flashy presentation to stand out. It’s a game about patience, experimentation, and solving things at your own pace. If you’re in the mood for something cosy but still smart enough to challenge you, this is an easy one to recommend. Grab a cup of tea, settle in, and let the colours do the shifting.
Storm Lancers isn’t trying to topple the roguelite giants, but it does carve out a fun little niche of its own. On your own, it’s a solid but sometimes punishing adventure with some grindy progression. But grab a friend, and suddenly it transforms into a much more rewarding experience, full of chaotic fights and shared laughter. If you’re hunting for a roguelite you can enjoy together on the couch, this is an easy recommendation. Solo players may find it a bit thin compared to the genre heavyweights, but the core gameplay is still snappy and enjoyable.
What I admired most about Lighthaze World is how it balances story and gameplay. You can engage with its reflections on anxiety as much or as little as you’d like, and either path is rewarding. If you want pure puzzling, there’s plenty here. If you want a touching narrative about finding courage and holding on to what grounds you, that’s here, too. This is the kind of game I think many people will find comforting, especially those who’ve experienced the weight of anxiety themselves. It’s gentle, warm, and genuinely respectful in how it presents its themes, all while offering satisfying puzzles in a charming little world.
Folly of the Wizards is not a game for everyone. Casual players will likely bounce off the steep difficulty curve, and there aren’t really any accessibility features to ease new players in. But for hardened roguelike fans who thrive on trial and error, this game has a lot to offer. Its quirky humour, challenging gameplay, and moral-choice system give it a unique flavour in a crowded genre. It won’t win everyone over straight away, but for the patient and persistent, it can become oddly addictive. Its spell certainly worked for me.
Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor is exactly what it sets out to be: a survivor-like packed with the flavour of Deep Rock Galactic. It’s simple to pick up, endlessly replayable, and bursting with dwarven charm. If you’re a longtime fan, this is a brilliant single-player companion to the co-op original. If you’re new, it’s still an accessible entry point into the universe, though don’t be surprised if it makes you want to try the full four-player chaos too.
Planetris won’t blow your mind with its mechanics but it might just cool you down. It’s a meditative little puzzle game that achieves what it sets out to do. Toss planets, make them bigger, enjoy the soothing music, and maybe hit that glorious supernova if you line things up just right. Simple, satisfying and easy to recommend for anyone looking for a low-effort, low-stress way to unwind after maybe one of those days.
At its heart, Puzzle Quest is still the same dangerously addictive puzzle-RPG that hooked so many of us back in the day. The Immortal Edition bundles it all up, strips away the modern nonsense (no microtransactions, no energy timers), and gives you a huge, content-packed experience for a very fair price. Is it flashy? No. Is it revolutionary in 2025? Not really. But is it still one of the most compelling puzzle games out there? Absolutely. If you’ve never played Puzzle Quest before, this is the place to start. If you have, well, you already know how easily “just one more battle” turns into three hours gone.
I went into Easy Delivery Co. expecting a quirky, throwaway driving game. What I found was something much more thoughtful. Yes, it’s cosy. Yes, it’s simple. But it also has layers, a world that feels melancholy yet alive, a sense of satire about corporate culture, and gameplay that balances relaxation with just enough challenge to keep you engaged. It won’t be for everyone. The gloomy visuals, lack of GPS, and slower pace will put some people off. But for me, it was refreshing, a cosy game with a personality all its own. If you’re in the mood for something a little different, something that mixes snowy night drives with sly commentary about work, Easy Delivery Co. is absolutely worth your time.
Slime in Abysm shows that games don’t need to be big or complicated to be enjoyable. It’s simple, yes, but that’s what makes it so easy to recommend. It’s cheap, cheerful, and surprisingly satisfying once you get into the rhythm of launching slimes and hauling your cannon upward. Of course, it won’t be for everyone. If you hate losing progress or don’t have the patience for trial-and-error climbing challenges, you may find the constant setbacks frustrating. But if you’re looking for something quick, affordable, and refreshingly straightforward, Slime in Abysm is a slime-sized winner.
Chip ‘n Clawz vs. The Brainioids is a delightful blend of action and strategy that doesn’t take itself too seriously. With its playful story, colourful world, and flexible gameplay, it’s a great pick for families, co-op sessions, or anyone just looking for a good upbeat time. It may not present itself as overly deep and thought-provoking, but sometimes, that’s exactly what you need.
At the end of the day, SF3RA is fine. It’s a simple, no-frills action platformer that will keep you entertained in short bursts. Gaining new weapons and the asteroid-flying segments between missions add some variety. But once the novelty wears off, the repetition sets in. If you’re in the mood for a straightforward robot-shooting adventure without too many bells and whistles, SF3RA might be worth your time. Just don’t expect it to stick with you long after the credits roll.
Otherskin got under my skin, in the best possible way. It’s the kind of surprise that makes gaming feel exciting again, reminding you that not every worthwhile adventure needs a triple-A budget or a massive marketing push. With creative morph abilities, a captivating alien world, and a story that balances bleakness with hope, this is a sci-fi action-adventure well worth checking out. Even if you’re unsure, I’d recommend grabbing the free demo. Chances are, like me, you’ll hopefully come away pleasantly surprised.
BederSNAKE is not “Snake but better”, despite what its name cheekily implies. It’s something different, a twist on a classic turned into a minimalist puzzle game. The controls can be fiddly, and an undo button would have been a lifesaver, but at its best, it’s a relaxing, clever little puzzler that’s worth dipping into if you’re curious. Want to give it a try? A free demo is available on Steam.
Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution is more than just a lost relic; it’s a reminder of how timeless great game design can be. With its mix of platforming, puzzle-solving, transformations, and memorable characters, it feels both nostalgic and fresh. Sure, it has a couple of quirks like the lack of a minimap, but the vibrant visuals, clever mechanics, and infectious personality more than make up for it. For long-time Shantae fans, this release is a must-buy. For newcomers who just enjoy retro-inspired adventures, it’s a nice, colourful ride that proves some treasures are worth digging up.
Swipepi accomplishes what it sets out to be: a relaxing, casual puzzle game. It doesn’t reinvent the genre, and it doesn’t offer huge amounts of variety, but it nails its niche. With 500 puzzles, an approachable design, and forgiving mechanics like undo and auto-solve, it’s a game that just about anyone can enjoy if you’re in the mood for it. For casual players looking for a stress-free puzzle to unwind with, Swipepi is an easy recommendation. It won’t blow you away, but it’s smooth, simple, and calming, a nice little game for when you just want to switch off.
Gold for Retirement isn’t the flashiest or deepest platformer out there, but it has a lot of heart. It blends old-school simplicity with a couple of clever mechanics and pairs it all with a soundtrack that far outshines expectations. Sure, the gliding can feel a little floaty, and yes, some levels will test your patience, but overall it’s a fun little game that rewards persistence. It’s not going to set the gaming world on fire, but for anyone who wants a no-nonsense platformer with a quirky premise and a fantastic soundtrack, Gold for Retirement is absolutely worth a look. A free demo is also available if you want to try it first.
The Herd doesn’t pretend to be anything other than what it is: a light-hearted, chaotic puzzler about wrangling clueless animals. It can be frustrating, sure, but it’s also hilarious with plenty of fun to be found amongst the chaos if you have the right frame of mind for it. With a free demo on Steam and a budget-friendly price, there’s plenty of incentive to try unless, of course, you don’t like goats, chickens, or absolute chaos.
Herdling is not a flawless game. Some may find it slow, others may wish for more gameplay depth. But for those open to its pace, it’s a beautiful, heartfelt journey. It’s a game about trust, companionship, and moving forward together, even when the path is hard. For me, it’s an easy recommendation. Maybe not for everyone, but absolutely for anyone who wants a game that speaks to the heart rather than the hands.
Mado Monogatari: Fia and the Wondrous Academy is a pleasant, approachable dungeon crawler ideal for casual players or anyone curious about a quirky slice of gaming history that never left Japan, until now. It’s not flawless, and the repetition will be noticeable for some, but as a low-pressure, bite-sized RPG, it delivers a warm and whimsical adventure. One can’t help being drawn in by its positive energy.