Again, it's hard to really define what makes Circa Infinity so compelling, but it is. The frantic pace, on-your-toes reactions, and pulse-pounding soundtrack lend themselves to a great overall experience.
At the end of the day, I had an absolute blast playing Overruled! and that, for me, is the most important metric by which any game can be judged. While the first round was a confusing morass of blind fumbling and trying to understand, all the ones after it were an exercise in the best kind of tense, engaging gameplay.
Ultimately, Lowglow is a well-made game that's perhaps remarkable only for the fact that, by and large, there doesn't seem to be a single "correct" solution to each level. While players will have to work within the constraints of the rules, they're also given free range on the placement of their lines, including the length and angle at which they rest.
While some areas begin to feel a bit repetitive when back-and-forth wandering is needed to move beyond a puzzle, this one still gets a hearty recommendation from me.
With its keen writing, dark theme, and wry humor, this is an easy win. Anyone who enjoyed the old LucasArts point-and-click games of old should definitely be keeping an eye on this one. Even those who didn't play those old games, could easily find something worth playing here. The overall design is a testament to its creator's devotion, and it quite handily lives up to the $8.99 price on Steam.
Solidifying the game's overall greatness is Qasir al-Wasat's surprisingly rich lore. The palace and many of its inhabitants hold curious pieces to a complex world, and the underlying themes and story roots create an engrossing place that's worth exploring.
Layers of Fear creates an immersive experience with its stunning graphics, engaging story, and particularly well-crafted story. While players must piece much of the game together for themselves, it's a worthwhile experience.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
By focusing on the gameplay experience first, On Rusty Trails has put together a rather simple yet cunningly effective game.
With its hand-drawn environments, plentiful jokes, and reasonable 8-12 hours of play, Demetrios has a lot going for it.
All in all, WASTED is a very strange and very fun experience. Its irreverent tone, action-first play style, and 1980s-infused over-the-top themes, there’s a ton to love.
VA-11 Hall-A isn’t a game for everyone, and that’s fine. The simple mechanics, pixel-heavy look, and not-so-interactive story aren’t supposed to cater to every audience.
It is tough to get a real feel for the way that The Lion’s Song will continue to play out through only one episode, but Silence still serves as a great introductory chapter. The look and gameplay are firmly rooted in the retro style common for its genre, but it is backed with an artful writing style that captures the essence of the creative process well.
All in all, Zombie Night Terror doesn’t bring a whole lot of full-scale innovation to the table, but it’s an interesting and fun spin on a classic. The changes made to bring the theme to life all fit very well with the overall idea, and those who didn’t grow up with Lemmings as a ubiquitous presence are sure to find some new curiosities here.
Putting it simply, if you enjoyed Layers of Fear and wanted more, Inheritance is exactly what you’re hoping for. It’s a touch on the short side, but makes up for this a bit by presenting three possible endings.