Thymesia certainly isn't the worst indie Souls-like money can buy. Especially for its reasonable price point, players get a handful of really fun and challenging boss battles, but I wish the levels in between didn't come across as filler. Thymesia ends up feeling like Bloodborne's younger, less-gifted cousin -- he may not be all that great, but he still has some redeeming qualities.
Kao the Kangaroo offers a pretty solid platforming experience and its graphics and soundtrack offer a pleasant nostalgic experience. Its environmental design is so charming, and the characters are loveable despite their poor voice acting. However, this experience is stopped short by bugs, repetitive gameplay, and poor storytelling. With a number of fantastic 3D platformers released in recent history, it's hard to recommend Kao the Kangaroo. If Tate Interactive would have kept this game in its developmental pouch a little longer, a lot of its big issues could have easily been resolved. Heck, we already waited almost 20 years for this game, we could have waited a few more months.
Outside of some minor issues, it's hard to find fault with Hardspace: Shipbreaker. It's not a game for everyone, but it does a fantastic job at what it's attempting to be, and could be all-consuming for the right player. It's an engaging sandbox with a compelling narrative and addicting gameplay. They say if you love what you do, you'll never work a day in your life. Players will easily fall in love with the blue-collar spaceship salvager lifestyle making every shift in the yard feel less like work and more like a dream come true.
Glyph is a 3D platformer that offers players a unique gameplay experience set in a barren wasteland. What the game lacks in charm, it makes up for in satisfying mechanics.
Eldest Souls is a challenging boss-rush title set in a beautiful pixel-art world. It may not offer the most dynamic combat or gameplay mechanics, but it makes up for that with intense and creative boss battles.
New Pokémon Snap feels like seeing Pokémon for the first time and takes trainers on a beautiful and exciting journey through the Lental region.
Oddworld: Soulstorm's repetitive gameplay doesn’t make it a bad game, but it does limit the demographic of players that will thoroughly enjoy the game all the way through. Its story and visuals are very impressive and help carry a lot of the game's weight, but playing through hour-long levels with little story elements in between can make Oddworld: Soulstorm a very slow burn. Fans of the Oddworld franchise and 2D platforming games won't be disappointed, but Oddworld: Soulstorm won't keep everyone hooked for very long.
There's a lot of content in Balan Wonderworld, but the amount of backtracking and costume swapping makes returning to previous levels feel too demanding. Pairing Balan Wonderworld's small environments with its lackluster 3D platforming fails to provide the AAA entertainment players come to expect from similar modern titles. The main issue with the game isn't its outdated take on an already niche genre, but that its core gameplay isn't fun and its supporting elements aren't amusing. Balan Wonderworld is hard to recommend to anyone outside of diehard genre fans considering the quality of other 3D platformers on the market.
Paradise Lost is a beautiful yet unsettling story.
Eximus: Seize the Frontline blends FPS and RTS.
Unspottable is a sub-par party game.
Worms Rumble may not be the same Worms fans have come to know and love, but it is still a wacky action-packed game that everyone can enjoy.
Moonlighter remains great on iOS.
Bugsnax may not have what it takes to be a chart-topping hit, but it does have the makings of an instant cult classic. Its goofy nature won't be for everyone, but players who take Elizabert Megafig up on her offer will be pleasantly surprised by Bugsnax's interesting gameplay mechanics and loveable characters. If nothing else, one thing is for sure: Bugsnax's ending is bound to surprise anyone who dares brave Snaktooth Island.
Bakugan: CoV is a step down for the series.
Struggling's difficulty and intense nature will have players on the edge of their seats gripping their controller as they helplessly attempt to flop Troy's arms away from danger. Or, if they bring a friend, it will incite some hilarious gaming memories. Struggling is easily an instant classic from Chasing Rats studio, and anyone who is up for a challenging and memorable experience should give this game a whirl.
Monsieur PAF is a semi-difficult puzzle-platformer.
Creepy Tale is an ominous story with frustrating puzzles.
Goosebumps Dead of Night brings R. L. Stine's creations to life but fails to meet the quality of content expected from the Goosebumps franchise
While Disintegration promises a fresh take on the sci-fi FPS genre, it delivers an underwhelming experience with an incoherent storyline