Bakugan: CoV is a step down for the series.
Isle of Spirits is an indie survival game that brings little to the genre and replicates some of the same mistakes seen in other survival games.
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 The main issue with the game isn't its outdated take on an already niche genre, but that its core gameplay isn't fun and its supporting elements aren't amusing.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.
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
Monsieur PAF is a semi-difficult puzzle-platformer.
Creepy Tale is an ominous story with frustrating puzzles.
Touhou: New World is fun at its core. If you ignore the overdone “universal devastation” storyline and are okay with sifting through waves of trash mobs, there are some challenging bits that rival boss fights from some of the highest-praised indie titles. These fights are fun and chaotic and often make me wish this game was just a boss rush.
Eximus: Seize the Frontline blends FPS and RTS.
Unspottable is a sub-par party game.
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.
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.
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.
Paradise Lost is a beautiful yet unsettling story.
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.
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.
Blasphemous 2 feels very satisfying to play, look at, and conquer. It’s a step up from the original title and offers quite the challenge for those brave enough to attempt it. That said, it’s a bit on the short side and suffers marginally from Soulslike tropes. The story, for one, is incomprehensible if you aren’t reading every line of dialogue, and if you miss something important, there’s no going back. I spent my playthrough disregarding the story cause I had gotten too deep, and none of it made sense to me. That said, it was still a super fun and exhilarating experience, even if I had no clue what I was fighting for.
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.
Moonstone Island is a refreshing blend of some of the most beloved cozy genres. It’s art style is gorgeous, the music is fantastic, and the world it’s set in is fascinating. With 100 islands to explore and a hefty amount of creative freedom, there never feels like a lack of things to do, which is great when I hardly feel like leaving my floating home. As precious as Moonstone Island is, it won’t be for everyone. But if you like Stardew Valley and want something a little more adventurous or challenging, I say give Moonstone Island a try. It’s well worth its price of admission, and it’s a game I can see myself coming back to when I feel that cozy itch.