I found the plot meaningful, and it drove the game forward despite being doled out in tiny pieces and told in so few words. If you think of regular RPGs as epic novels, I’d say A Dark Room is a short story, one of those 100-words-only “short shorts.” It’s about humanity, sort of. It’s about discovery and survival. The Switch is a great way to play this game, with either Joy-Cons or touchscreen as options. I much preferred the touchscreen for speed. I enjoyed lying in bed with A Dark Room as much as with any title with fancy graphics. If you’re looking for an indie title that’s different, give this a go. Light the fire.
Among roguelike deck builders, Griftlands is an ambitious one. But it actually pulls off those ambitions. The gameplay is unique, combining a two-deck system with a relationship system. Visuals, sound, and controls get one thumbs-up, while the writing gets two thumbs. Even run-of-the-mill conversations have a spark of wit, or at least a dash of snark. More importantly, it’s fun to play (though there’s lots of terminology to digest at first) and enough reason to replay on a higher difficulty if you love a good challenge. At $19.99, this is seriously a steal.
Is The Banner Saga for you? Could be, if you’re into SRPGs, stories with tough choices and real consequences, or Viking stuff. The combat isn’t what I’d call super addictive or mind-blowing fun, but it’s nevertheless unique and engaging. I like that it’s fairly simple yet quite challenging (unless you play on Easy difficulty). I love that the visual novel element is very, very substantial. It’s half the game’s weight, even if not half the game’s length. Combat isn’t merely broken up by cutscenes where you’re passively watching. Here, you’re directing the story. Or at least the details, if not the overall plot. Most notably, you decide if major characters live or die. The Banner Saga trilogy is an all-rounder. Despite an initially confusing plunge into the deep end, I came out gasping at its beauty, most of all the landscapes and hand-drawn combat animations. Both story- and combat-wise, expect a meaty game lasting 30 to 40 hours or more.
Is there a place in 2021 for old-school point-and-click adventures? Absolutely, and Dexter Stardust proves it. This is a great title for kids and adults alike, with a likeable protagonist and well-designed puzzles. If you like story-driven puzzle games, go for it!
I couldn’t recommend this game more. Definitely check out Primordia if you like point-and-clicks, post-apocalyptic settings, or philosophical themes. What it may lack in visual appeal, it makes up for twice over in writing. Lead voice actors Logan Cunningham (Hades and other Supergiant games) and Abe Goldfarb really bring it all to life. The characters, conversations, and well-developed themes were a delight. I enjoyed the puzzles and was thankful for a great hint system. Lastly, the Switch port is excellent.
Lamplight City has given me an appetite for more detective work, and for more work by Grundislav Games designer Francisco Gonzalez. Both the story and puzzles are well-written. Variant endings make the game even more interesting, though there’s little reason to replay if you get the best endings on the first try. I recommend the game not only to genre fans but also to players who don’t usually play point-and-click adventures (or any games at all). Just be forewarned that the game contains mature themes and is darker than the 12+ age rating suggests. The game is great for handheld play. The font is legible even on the Switch Lite. While there are touchscreen controls, Joy-Con controls are much more precise.
You don’t have to be a logic puzzle buff to enjoy this. For a game with such challenging puzzles, Treehouse Riddle does a fantastic job of offering assistance to players who need it. The hint system is great, the presentation is solid, and the overall execution is polished. So even though I didn’t enjoy some puzzles (math riddles just aren’t my cup of tea), I can’t help but give this Two Thumbs Up.
This unique work of interactive fiction is realistic, relevant, and wholesome. Amazing voice actors and great writing have made the characters so real and got me to care about them. Wayward Strand is a game about being there for people. Sometimes that involves being still and doing (seemingly) nothing. These are abilities I feel I’m losing in the age of smartphones. It can be hard to sit with someone in silence, especially when they’re suffering. But this game has given me a little nudge, a little practice, towards being present.
Considering the base game had 60 levels, the DLC’s 30 new levels are a very generous offering. I recommend both to Sokoban lovers looking for a tough challenge. Considering the quality of puzzles and the asking price on Steam, both Sokobos and Aphrodite’s Trial are a steal for their price.
Triangle Strategy is absolutely worth the asking price, even if you only play it once. It performs well in so many departments: gameplay, story, visuals, music, controls, and replayability. I’ve had no major complaints. It may take inspiration from venerable classics like Tactics Ogre and Final Fantasy Tactics, but Triangle Strategy feels modern enough to be accessible to newcomers. And thanks to the adjustable difficulty, it’s suitable for both SRPG veterans and beginners alike.
An adventure Indy Jones would be proud of. While Curious Expedition may not dress to impress, this game’s the real deal when it comes to a fun experience with replay value. Tough but entertaining, it will scratch the itch for folks who like decision-making dilemmas. Like with any roguelike, you’ll fail often and there’s lots to learn—but that’s exactly where the fun is. I would have been glad to pay more than $15 for it.
I meant to buy Thronebreaker for the Nintendo Switch, but a nice deal on Steam swayed me to the PC version. Comparing the mouse against controller, I found it just as easy to use a controller for this game. So, controls-wise, I expect the Switch port to be a comfortable experience as well. Finally, a parental note: The age rating is US Teen and UK 12+ because of the brutality portrayed in war (and generally pervasive in the Witcher games). But blood is hardly shown and only in faded colors; visually depicted gore is non-existent. There are a few images of corpses hanging from trees, but that’s as scary as it gets. The monsters were less grotesque-looking than in The Witcher 3, but a younger child may still find them scary. As someone who loved Witcher 3 and Gwent but detested the ugly monsters and gore, I was thrilled that Thronebreaker was heavily toned down in those areas.
Despite the grim context, the game is suitable for older kids (perhaps aged 10 and above?) and doesn’t go into that brutality much. Playing Flower Collectors might generate interest in learning about Spanish history or about political systems. While the game doesn’t go into the history and politics much, it creates emotional interest in the characters affected by that setting. Would I recommend The Flower Collectors? Yes, if you’re looking for something very story-focused and don’t mind waiting for things to happen. Even if you mind waiting, it might be a good exercise in quiet observation and putting yourself in the shoes of a man like Jorge.
If you haven’t been playing much interactive fiction, just remind yourself to switch mental gears and put on your metaphorical reading glasses. After I made that switch and carved out time to enjoy 80 Days slowly, I really enjoyed the little stories that make up Passepartout’s grand adventure. After six playthroughs, spending about two hours per playthrough, there are still many cities I’ve been thwarted from reaching and mysteries to fully uncover. Perhaps I’ll revisit old cities just to take in the scenery if I had rushed through them earlier. I’ve almost died, but I’ve yet to actually die. Who knows, perhaps I’ll stumble upon a plotline that lets me!
If you’re up for a numbers-based puzzle game, I highly recommend Mystic Pillars. Adding a hint system would make it perfect, but it’s still a good game without one. Not only is the gameplay solid, but the visuals and sound show that Holy Cow Productions went the extra mile to present a polished game.
A short, snappy visual novel in which you commit major mischief, Overboard! makes being the bad girl fun. It taps into the human instinct for self-preservation and perhaps a latent desire to see what badness we can get away with. Good writing, fun gameplay, and a light thinking challenge. The game’s replayability makes it worth the price of admission.
Space Scavenger is a neat little game, made by two guys in Sweden (Jacob Selg and Jonas Holgersson). I’m delighted by this simple but fun space shooter, even if victory lies beyond reach of my current skills. It’s nice to pick up for 30 minutes a day and see what motley ship configuration will emerge each run. Last but not least, Space Scavenger has a great soundtrack! Putting the soundtrack, ship-building, and short but tough levels together: if you play in short bursts, it’s unexpectedly relaxing for a roguelike shoot-em-up.
I’ve gotten the same enjoyment from Curious Expedition 2 as I did from its predecessor: the fun of exploring uncharted lands, the thrill of danger, the satisfaction of shrewd planning. I’ve spent over 20 hours with CE2 and haven’t tired of it. If you like survival, resource management, or elaborate board games, you might enjoy this unique strategy game. The colonial elements might turn some players off but not trouble others. Curious Expedition 2 makes many improvements, like offering an easier game to first-time players. If you can’t endure roguelikes, you can switch off that element by changing the difficulty settings, even mid-game. The lovely new art style and generous offering of new content also make CE2 worth picking up for old fans. My only big complaint is that each run is longer than it needs to be. A word about the Nintendo Switch port: I love playing this handheld. I just have two minor grouses about the UI. Scrolling through inventory takes a bit longer in CE2 than in CE1. And while trading, tool-tips often block half the screen. But overall, it’s an excellent port.
It’s not going to knock your socks off, but Floating Farmer is a decent game with cute visuals and manageable difficulty. Finishing the 50 levels took me slightly under 5 hours. The difficulty is about easy to moderate for a puzzle game. I’d say the only prerequisite is to have a reasonable short-term memory! Young players should definitely try their hand at this, though they might need help with understanding how to move a tile where they want it to go. If they like Floating Farmer, who knows, they might be game for a Rubik’s Cube next! Do check out Mens Sana’s other puzzle games; the Farmer games have a similar concept and look but different mechanics.
Loop Hero is unique and addictive. I’m always up for another round. I love the gloomy but charming art and music. The only thing I find annoying is how expensive Camp upgrades are, which means lots of grinding. Still, grinding doesn’t feel pain because the basic gameplay loop is so enjoyable. It’s fantastic value for money and not a tough game, as roguelikes go.