Crazy Jump, just like its name, is a very basic platformer. While I had some fun with it I didn’t feel at all compelled to get all 3 stars on every level. PC is a good place for new developers to start to hone their craft but it’s unlikely Crazy Jump is going to turn heads. The graphics are too plain and the gameplay lacks anything unique. If Crazy Jump was the only platformer you ever played in the 1980s you might think it’s pretty awesome but today it’s just another platformer in a sea of so many others. I guess it is pretty cheap though.
Clan O’Conall and the Crown of the Stag is one of the best games I have played this year. On the surface, it gives the impression of a typical action platformer. But with its unique Celtic design, tight controls, memorable soundtrack and awesome characters this is a game that just gets everything right. Clan O’Conall was a wonderful experience that I hope as many people as possible get to enjoy. Now if you’ll excuse me I’m going to buy a book on Celtic folklore and listen to absurd amounts of Celtic violin music. For now, the game is only available on PC but let’s hope it finds its way to other systems very soon.
In general, I quite liked Skellboy Refractured. It has its fair share of niggles from flimsy combat and difficulty finding the next quest. But with each fault, I often found a fair few things to laugh at. If a game can make you smile despite its faults I see that as a success. A funny adventure worth trying alone or with a friend or loved one.
Scampr to me feels like someone’s portfolio project to help them get a job in the game industry. If that is the case they certainly deserve that job. Scampr has a lot of good ideas in it. But it doesn’t fully form into a complete experience. More just feeling like a proof of concept for possibly something better later. But with rough performance issues and generally little content, this won’t be for everyone. For its ridiculously cheap price, it’s certainly tempting to have a go but there’s not a lot of game here, just a very peculiar squirrel walking simulator.
Out of Line is a beautiful hand-drawn adventure. The game may be short but I see this being very appealing to busy gamers who don’t have a lot of time on their hands and want to see a game to its conclusion. The formula here may be familiar but with a unique art style, enjoyable puzzles and well-crafted gameplay Out of Line is an experience well worth your time.
Dungeons of Clay has some good ideas but in its current state, the game is let down by slow gameplay and a plethora of bugs that make it hard to recommend in its current state. Maybe better later but it’s not there yet.
If you like your challenging platformers Super Magbot comes highly recommended. A unique magnetic hook that stands out from the crowd with a memorable score to boot. Not for the players looking for a relaxing experience so in a fitting way there are aspects that will repel people away but for the most part, there are reasons to be attracted to Super Magbot.
Ynglet is an ideal game to pick up if you’re looking for a relaxing gaming experience, with a beautiful soothing soundtrack and striking art style. If you’re looking for that good Zen gaming experience after a hard day’s work or you just need to dial down those stress levels for a bit, Ynglet is a gaming meditation session worth playing.
Game Builder Garage is a unique title for anyone that wants to create a game with no prior programming knowledge. Whether you’re old or young this game provides lots of tools to let your creative juices flow. A wonderful experience to share with a family or loved one. Whether you’re a brand new budding game developer or you just want to have fun creating games, Game Builder Garage is a great way to express yourself.
Blink Rogues has some good ideas for a space shooter but it’s generally let down by its slow and unrewarding gameplay. It’s possible some patching could improve the ship controls and just make the weapons pack a proper punch but in its current form, it’s just not a very good experience. It might be worth picking up to play the multiplayer mode with a friend but otherwise, this is not a ship you need to fly any time soon.
Sunblaze strikes a good balance of offering a challenging platform experience to old and new fans of hardcore platform fans. The bite-sized design of the levels also makes this an easy game to pick up in short gaming bursts, should you have a busy lifestyle. Sunblaze didn’t make a superhero out of me but I sure did have fun playing it.
If you’re familiar with the Kairosoft formula by now you probably know what to expect. One can’t deny that they are masters of their craft. Basketball Club Story was an entertaining sim that had me cheering for my AI-controlled video game players from the sidelines. If that’s not a sign of a good experience I don’t know what is.
Cosmic Top Secret ended up being a delightful experience for me. Initially, I wasn’t sure what to make of the unusual art style and documentary design. But the more I progressed, the more I learned and became genuinely interested in the subject matter. I think of this game like one of those one off exhibits you see at a museum, only here you can enjoy the experience in the comfort of your own home on the sofa or your favourite chair. Give it a go, you might learn something and possibly get the feels. This is a secret well worth discovering.
Fallen Legion Revenants has some great ideas but they don’t all come together as well as they should. The battle system is deep but not friendly to newcomers. The political talking sections were a good idea but just didn’t seem to compliment the experience. Overall, it’s an original concept with some flaws. Worth a look if you want to try something different from the norm. But for a third entry in a series, it seems it should be a bit more refined at this point.
Cthulhu Saves Christmas is a great example of a game where the developer had a limited budget and possibly resources and just created something pretty darn brilliant. With a funny creative story and gameplay that works for gamers of multiple skill levels, this is well worth purchasing if you need a title to make you smile or just bring the Christmas spirit a little early this year.
Regina & Mac World is not a good game. Awful art design, terrible controls and generic design make this 2D platformer near impossible to recommend to anyone. This game was unpleasant to play in every aspect. Unless extensive patches are done later down the road I would avoid this at all costs.
Klondike Solitaire Collection is a decent collection of classic card games that controls well but does the bare minimum to make itself stand out. The core deep and entertaining card experience is here but whether that’s enough is up to you. For a reasonable price point, one can’t deny you get value for your money here for one of the most iconic card games that will still exist years from now.
Asha in Monster World is a good remake that maintains the heart and soul of the original whilst adding a few quality of life improvements for good measure. If you are a fan of the 2D adventure genre or are a fan of the Wonder Boy series and somehow missed out on this game the first time, this is well worth picking up. As a fan of the series myself, it’s great to see it continue to thrive on modern systems.
Very Very Valet does an impressive job of creating a fun casual game that can be enjoyed by gamers of all skill levels. While playable alone this is a game best enjoyed with up to four other people, especially if someone needs cheering up. Improvements could be made to the content but it’s hard not to crack a smile at the silliness on display. A great start to a new IP. What’s easy to say in this review is Very Very Valet is very very good.
If you’re looking for something to play in short bursts and like your board games, then Guards is well worth venturing into the fantasy realm for. It could use a little more depth to its mechanics but at such a modest price point it’s hard not to recommend this simple turn-based adventure. It got its hooks into me and I have to say I very much enjoyed coming back to this again and again.