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.
It's possible that nostalgia has quite a bit to do with it, but I had a great time with FullBlast. Those who miss the genre, or who simply aren't quick-reacting enough for the more punishing bullet hell style, should certainly give it a look.
All told, Punch Club was a surprisingly deep and well-constructed simulation that kept me on my toes trying to manage the life of my unfortunate protagonist, Phteven (that's "Steven, with a 'ph'). While it wasn't at all what I expected, I found myself enjoying it more than I probably would have, had it been the brawler I anticipated.
With its beautiful art, curious level design, and numerous challenges, Volvox is an appealing and fascinating game for both established puzzle fans and curious outsiders. For a reasonable $7.
All told, Concrete Jungle is solid in its execution, especially considering the apparent mismatch of genres at play. There's a lot here for those who love unique strategic play. The amount of content and available randomly-generated maps certainly helps fill out its total content. It may not do enough to draw in those who aren't already strategy fans, but it's a great pick-up for those who are.
With its mix of board game and RPG mechanics, there's a little something for everyone, and if you've found yourself wondering where the idea of games being made just for fun has gone, look no further. It's an easy recommendation for anyone who'd like some relaxing, enjoyable game time.
Putting it all together, Gemini: Heroes reborn is a good game. It is not a great game, and there's certainly some areas that could have used improvement, but it's a far cry from as terrible as I've come to expect from TV spin-off titles or other licensed titles.
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 around, Toukiden 2 feels like it takes a lot of what made the earlier games feel a bit flat and fixes it up. New features and open-world exploration set it further apart from the Monster Hunter franchise — not because there’s anything wrong with Monster Hunter, of course, but because it’s important for a game to feel like it’s own unique thing.
Suffice it to say, Herald's narrative focus and somewhat dark themes may not be everyone's cup of tea. Having said that, I really can't stress enough how well-done the game is within this scope.
Detention’s only real drawback is its length. Most of the puzzles are pretty straightforward, and I completed my initial playthrough in just over two hours; that said, they were two very well-spent hours, and the game’s unique setting, gorgeous aesthetic, and emotional story were more than enough to make the experience worthwhile.
All told, Epic Manager is a great fusion of two genres that I wouldn’t otherwise expect to go together. The complexity of its underlying systems is well-masked by the ease with which players interact with the game, and there’s plenty of replay value with so many different paths to choose from to help your agency succeed. Epic Manager is available now on Steam for a pretty fair $17.99.
While Oh…Sir! isn’t a particularly extensive or detailed game, it’s a blast to play if only to see how ridiculous and over-the-top your insults can become. A colorful cast with full voice-acting support, a small yet varied selection of stages, and the unique humor come together to create something that’s a fun time-killer and easy to get the hang of.
All in all, Reus is a deceptively complicated game that seems to get more complex the longer you play. Completing more games and earning achievements allows longer play times, unlocks new abilities for your Giants, and generally gives you a deeper experience.
While its story and approach play it safe, the smooth gameplay and optional “perma-death” Hard Mode still bring plenty to enjoy. With a wide variety of weapons and spells to choose from and a unique experience behind each randomly-generated door, it keeps things fresh without stepping too far outside of established comfort zones.
All in all, Halcyon 6: Starbase Commander is a deeply-involved game with a huge number of things to keep players busy. With a freshly-generated map and sequence of events for each new start, the experience is ever-changing and presents a wide variety of ways for players to approach it.
All in all, NHL 17 continues the overall trend of the series, but brings some much-needed new content that builds on what’s already there. Teams, players, and arenas can be customized to your heart’s content, or you can simply dive in to a variety of different styles of interacting either online, solo, or with local co-op. NHL 17 is available now in the PlayStation Store for $59.99.
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.
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.
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.