Islets may look like it follows the basic adventure game template. But within the first hour of play you can see it’s so much more. Islets did what few games tend to do, it took me on a gripping adventure of mystery and intrigue. I met memorable characters, fought huge bosses and, most of all got, kind of emotional in places. If a game is able to do that then I could only think of one fitting rating to give it. Of course I’ll step back and admit not everyone may have this experience. But if you love your 2D adventures Islets ticks all the boxes whilst offering a few new sounds on the formula itself, with its regular upgrades and air travel segments. I may have reviewed this on PC but when finances are agreeable I’ll be picking this up on Nintendo Switch too.
Shovel Knight Dig is yet another win for the popular indie icon. A highly enjoyable action roguelike that will keep you busy for a good gaming night or in short bursts. Suitable for gamers of all skill levels thanks to its use of accessibility features. New content is dropped regularly, if not a touch light, but with the game’s addictive gameplay and random generation, I found it hard not to always sneak in another run. Shovel Knight is in the rare comfortable position where his mere presence in a game is a sign of quality. But whether you are a fan of the series or jumping in for the very first time Shovel Knight Dig will not disappoint.
Whether you are a slow typer or a super fast touch typer there is something here for absolutely any gamer at any age. Outshine seems a fitting name for this game as it totally outshines all known competition in this small genre. Typing aside this is a fantastic arcade experience all round. Great for short or long gaming sessions. The game may be single-player only but it’s one that can be enjoyed with friends and family. I found it just as much fun to watch as to play. I could not recommend this enough.
Ship of Fools fits my personal definition of two thumbs up. It is a very entertaining gameplay loop with engaging ship combat. With quirky weapons and challenges which had me keen to jump back into another run even after yet another failure. There are niggles to mention. I found the controls a bit clumsy when the action really heated up and the game does suffer from some pretty nasty difficulty spikes at times. It’s the typical rogue-lite formula, where you gradually improve after a lot of repetition and spending time upgrading back at base. A formula that no doubt is starting to tire. But when I sat back to reflect more, Ship of Fools was just a fantastic co-op game to play with a friend or loved one. My shipmate and I have been going through a pretty rough patch in life in general and Ship of Fools felt like an experience which just allowed us to forget our troubles for a few hours and enjoy ourselves. Just a couple of fools having a good time. Hopefully, you will feel those delights too and if you haven’t tired of rogue-lite yet this is well worth picking up.
Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration, is easily the best retro compilation of games I have ever played. You’re taken on a journey through video game history. Which is not afraid to educate you on both the highs and lows of the company. It raises the bar for compilations being released in the future, it would be great to see this design repeated with other companies or game series. Allowing me to learn more about each game actually made me more interested in playing some of the games I initially wasn’t fond of. This is the museum exhibit experience brought home for you to enjoy alone or with friends at any time. Whether you love Atari or not, this is an essential purchase for anyone interested in gaming history. On a personal level, Atari 50 reminds me why I love video games and I never expected Atari of all companies to remind me of that in such a positive way.
Wonder Boy Anniversary Collection is the best way to experience the retro classics on modern systems. Sure, this is not a totally complete collection. And it would have been nice to see a little more attention given to the galleries. However, one can’t deny these games’ solid emulation and quality that still holds up years later. Yes, it’s a pain; a smaller collection was released last year, and there is no free upgrade to get this collection if you already made the purchase. I’m a huge Wonder Boy fan, so I’m slightly biased on this review. But playing some of these games again, especially Monster Lair III, which holds a very special place in my retro heart, reminded me of better times which I haven’t thought about for some time. The Wonder Boy series is one of my gaming happy places; I can now share it with others for years to come. If you decide to take up the sword, it will hopefully create new gaming memories for you too
Cannon Brawl is pure pick-up and play bliss. It quickly draws you in with its straightforward control scheme and simple objective. But with the varied tools at your disposal, the game offers a rewarding space to experiment and, most importantly, enjoy that process. Some plans worked out surprisingly well for me, and others fell destructively flat. Either way, I never found myself bored or frustrated. Every session I spent on Cannon Brawl felt entertaining. Whether you want to enjoy the game alone or with a friend, I can not recommend Cannon Brawl enough. It’s a game that shoots for the stars and absolutely meets those heights.
Ninja JaJaMaru: The Great Yokai Battle + Hell is a scrummy chocolate gateau (or insert preferred cake of choice). If you opt for the extra retro collections, they are the extra yummy cupcakes. What I’m trying to say is you’ll be spoiled for arcade and retro goodness for many gaming nights to come. If you can grab a buddy or loved one to share the experience, then I guess you can call that the extra sprinkles on top. So, of course, I recommend this collection and possibly convince you to seek out your favourite dessert. The only area of improvement, like a lot of these retro collections, is not a lot of depth given to the game’s history. Regarding gameplay, the core game offers some of the best modern arcade gaming I have experienced in some time, and the extra retro content feels like a wonderful bonus adding to an already golden package.
I didn’t think the combination of point-and-click and brawler gameplay would work, but BROK the InvestiGator smashed all my cautious expectations. Also, it is a refreshingly original game that provides flexibility to the player, whether you want to enjoy it casually or prefer a more challenging experience. I myself have become a bit tired of the point-and-click genre, but BROK changed my mind. This is thanks to the creativity and multiple ways to tackle the game’s puzzles. This is probably one of the few games in this genre I see myself easily returning to again. BROK is brilliant overall and easily a contender for Game of the Year. Do not miss this one. If you still need convincing, there is a free demo prologue to try on Steam.
My favourite aspect of DREDGE is this is just a great game to chill to. After a long hard day at my real-life job, taking on the life of a fisherman proved to be quite cathartic. I had just as much fun spending sessions fishing, turning in my catches, and gradually upgrading my ship, as opposed to making progress in the game’s narrative. I didn’t feel rushed and was happy to take in the experience wherever my mood took me. Of course, it’s only fair this design won’t appeal to every gamer. Some might find the pacing slow or the gameplay repetitive. For me, the tackle reeled me in and never let go. DREDGE is the most fun I have had in a fishing game to date, and it gets my highest recommendation. If you want to try it for yourself, download the free demo on the eShop.
9 Years of Shadows may not reinvent the wheel with regards to the genre but one can’t deny the quality on display here. The gameplay is fun and addictive, from the game’s tight combat to exploration, encouraging you to seek out every secret possible. On top of all that, you add beautiful pixel graphics and an excellent soundtrack which makes the experience all the more special. 9 Years of Shadows is a great example where it’s ok for a game to play off the same music sheet, so long as the band playing is skilled and brings a top-quality performance. I’m trying to say the game is great and well worth your time. Even if you are tired of adventure games, this may just renew your interest.
I had to do a double take with the price of Wall World. For just over the price of a posh coffee, you’re getting one heck of a gaming deal here. Not only does this feel like something different, but so many aspects of the game’s design and presentation just clicked. I loved the pixel art and mysterious lore surrounding the game. The mix of chilled mining with tense enemy encounters always made each run quite the thrill. To top it all off, you are riding around in a mechanical spider. Possibly the only reason to avoid it is if you are utterly sick of this genre. Otherwise, this is a wall well worth scaling.
Tin Hearts is really something quite special. Even the most hardened of gamers will struggle not to be moved by some aspect of the charm on display here. Whether it’s the heart-felt soundtrack, calm but satisfying gameplay or the emotional beats of the story. Tin Hearts is the sort of title I love seeing in gaming. An original idea that is different from anything that comes before is made all the more memorable with its unique historical premise. The game is single-player only, but I can see this being a fun one to play together with loved ones on the sofa. Pointing at the screen to try to solve the problems together. Tin Hearts is a wonderful feel-good title which might be just what you need on a rainy day.
Mr Sun’s Hatbox is a highly addictive mix of action and management rolled into an amusing premise. It’s a game that keeps on giving the more you put into it. The difficulty is pretty high, especially with the negative perks you have to fight against. But with the regular trickling in of content, there was always an incentive to return for another run. The biggest appeal by far was enjoying the game in short bursts, even though many sessions lasted longer if time allowed. Co-op is also a very welcome feature. I highly recommend this title, even if you’re tired of the rogue-lite formula. This one truly reworks the formula from the familiar action others tend to follow. The greatest lesson I learned from the game is the importance of taking out good insurance.
I really liked Nuclear Blaze. On its surface, it seems like a pretty standard platformer. But this is a game that doesn’t waste the player’s time. There was never a moment where I felt bored or felt the mechanics had outstayed their welcome. The game’s pace feels spot-on, keeping levels tight to the point and adding new abilities at the right spot. Even the difficulty is just the right challenge to keep you hooked without becoming overly frustrating. This was a game I didn’t want to put down. It set my heart ablaze, and I could not recommend it enough for all audiences
Abalon is an excellent package that brings the excitement of the tabletop experience without the need for a big table or friends, for that matter. Some may find the difficulty spikes a bit unfair in places with its battles and unfair dice rolls. But for me, this only added to the excitement of the experience. Anyone that has ever sat down for a night of tabletop gaming may recall you can have the worst run possible, but so long as you’re having fun, it doesn’t matter. And I had a lot of fun with Abalon. On appearance, it feels like another familiar fantasy dungeon crawler, yet its attention to its gameplay makes this a wondrous experience to play through. Abalon will whisk you away on an excursion for however much time you can spare.
Batboy is absolutely great. A retro throwback with modern improvements that is suitable for any gamer looking for a fair challenge. The biggest praise goes to its instant satisfaction in gameplay and clever level design. Sure, there are small nitpicks, but these are easily overshadowed by how much fun I had playing this. Even during the game’s tough segments, there was rarely a moment I wasn’t enjoying my time with the game. I can see some comparing this to Mega Man and Shovel Knight. But Batboy makes its own mark standing next to these greats rather than mimicking them. Better still, if you’re still not sure there is a free demo to try before you buy. A home run, indeed.
Not long ago, I watched a film starring Nicholas Cage, The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent. There’s a scene where Nicholas Cage (starring as himself) is talking about his favourite films, and his fan, played by Pedro Pascal, says Paddington 2 (an excellent film which I recommend). Taken back by the response, Cage asks for more information, and Pascal explains the film made him want to be a better person. That quote is probably the best way I felt coming out of Smushi Come Home. On observation, some might not see the point of a game lacking significant challenges. I often feel this way while playing some walking simulators, but Smushi is one that lets the player go at their own pace in a stress-free setting. Explore as much as you want, engage with the quests or simply focus on the main mission. It’s so rare to see a game incorporate education well into the design by learning about real-life mushrooms. The biggest achievement of all is the game just made me feel good. As someone who works a high-stress job, it’s greatly appreciated. So absolutely buy Smushi Come Home, and then consider gifting it to your friend who needs a hug or a smush if you prefer.
30XX is everything a sequel should be. I actually really liked 20XX; some folk were deterred by its style and graphics. If you were one of those people, you may want to consider coming back to 30XX. It’s basically better than everything. It has better graphics, improved level design, tight controls, addictive gameplay and, most importantly, the ability to play it as a rogue-lite or a more standard action platformer. There really is something here for everyone. If you do invest the time to get better the way it’s designed, you will hopefully find a fulfilling gaming experience like I did. The developers’ hard work has truly paid off. 30XX is well worth your time, and I see this being on my gaming rotation until 40XX.
Wargroove 2 is extraordinary value for money. For less than a third of the price of a modern AAA, you’re getting one groovy SRPG. A campaign that is suited to newcomers and experienced players. Then you have the addictive new conquest mode, putting a fresh roguelike spin on things and even the ability to create your own levels and campaigns. All these aspects feel carefully crafted with deep and engaging gameplay that will keep you busy for a very long time. This is all wrapped up with a colourful pixel art style and epic soundtrack. I found myself hooked to the gameplay even when I failed, keen to learn and change up my strategy next time. The game may not divert much from the first in terms of its gameplay, but that’s unlikely going to be a problem for returning fans. Wargroove 2 stands as one of the titans in its genre.