By focusing on the gameplay experience first, On Rusty Trails has put together a rather simple yet cunningly effective game.
Don’t expect to get hours of interesting play here, but so long as you know what you’re in for, it can be a pretty enjoyable break from more seriously-minded games that provides some reasonably-priced fun.
To be fair, it seems that the developers over at Astronomic know that they’re not exactly hitting a home run with Outrage. By slapping on a $3.
Overall, Deponia Doomsday is an expertly-crafted point and click that holds itself to pretty high standards. The production value is great, and Daedalic has created a wonderful response to fan criticism.
With its soothing overall look and feel, Koi isn’t likely to appeal to those who prefer their games gritty, dark, or driven by intense stories. For fans of a more casual sort or those who just want a break, though, it fills its niche very well. The exploration aspect means there’s plenty of time to waste searching the pond for secrets, and the relatively stress-free play offers a respite from more demanding games.
The Descendants may not stand up to Telltale's nearly-uncontestable mastery of the interactive drama, but I definitely feel that genre fans owe themselves a look.
While Shutter probably doesn’t fit in well with most modern horror games, it does a great job of packing a good, creepy punch that’s reminiscent of early horror games.
All things considered, Collider 2 is an easy recommendation for those who either love the sprint-runner genre or are simply looking for a great timekiller. The simple pick-up-and-play blends well with the game’s increasing challenges, and the online tournament mode is a great buy-in for the competitive among us.
I certainly can’t recommend Mushroom Wars to everyone, but for those who have a passing interest in real-time strategy, it’s a great option. The game includes a lengthy campaign mode, quick-battle Skirmish mode, and boasts an upcoming multiplayer option to allow players to challenge each other in battle.
Stikbold may not be your typical sports game, but it’s got a solid backbone of fun and wackiness. The short story mode and cartoonish aesthetic aren’t likely to appeal to players of all types, but it remains a great fit for those who enjoy the lighter side of games. Those interested can pick up Stikbold now on Steam (on sale through April 8th), or on the Playstation Store on April 5th.
Ultimately, Ironcast stands tall as a much more innovative and deep game than I initially expected. A steep difficulty and solid strategy-first combat system take some getting used to, but intuitive controls and a smooth gameplay experience make it easy to get the hang of on a rudimentary level.
All that said, On My Own still manages to create an interesting world that’s never quite the same. Seasonal shifts and different map areas add plenty of variety to the woods, and the more relaxed approach to survival affords players plenty of time to explore it all.
If nothing else, Spacejacked easily meets the most important criteria I have when reviewing games — fun. Its frantic pace, interesting take on the genre, and well-executed mechanics make for an enjoyable experience.
Distant Star: Revenant Fleet is likely not for everyone. With a difficulty that scales to the size and strength of your own fleet, it has no problem seeing your force crushed and your desperate mission ended.
With its puzzle variety, unique aesthetic, and surreal story, I struggle to find flaws in Rusty Lake Hotel’s presentation. I will say that, even as an avid fan of the genre, I did turn to the game’s offered walkthroughs for roughly two of the game’s five rooms, so those who aren’t prepared for a mental challenge may want to seek elsewhere.
If you're a big fan of the puzzle-platformer genre and enjoy titles that focus more on artistry than content, you may find Broken Dreams to be worth your $0.99 over on Steam. Otherwise, you're likely better of saving that dollar to put towards something else and skipping the stiff story, unresponsive controls, and all-around lacking feel of this strange little adventure.
Overall, ChromaGun is an interesting take on a genre that seems to always be brimming with fresh content. While some segments can be repetitive or frustrating, the overall experience shies away from too much rote repetition. The $14.99 price on Steam may be just a touch high for the rough 4-5 hours of gameplay, but not pushing too far given the overall quality.
In the end, Zamarian does a fine job at being what it sets out to be. The unique perspective and gameplay are just enough to make it worth a look for genre fans, and while there's some room for improvement with regards to the interface, it's not the worst design I've seen.
While the $9.99 price on Steam may be a bit high considering the relatively short story mode, Super Galaxy Squadron EX packs in a few extras to make it worth it.
It's tough for me to really recommend for or against Attractio. The $19.