Kate Mitchell Jewett
Crossword City Chronicles is a fairy lazy mobile port which pairs repetitive puzzles with lackluster dialogue, "mysteries" which are solved for you, and grind-based mechanics
Strobophagia starts strong by establishing a cool, neon-lit atmosphere, but does not reach its full potential due to pacing issues and a lack of memorable music
Mineko's Night Market features an adorable art style and precious, pettable cats but is held back by overly slow pacing, a reliance on grinding, and extremely bland or outright unlikeable characters.
Creature Keeper is an adorable creature collecting game that sets itself apart with its large number of mechanics and by encouraging the player to thoroughly get to know each type of creature.
Leximan is a fun, chaotic adventure that is an absolute treat for retro gamers. Its Leximancy combat segments are its greatest strength, making the various alternative gameplay segments feel like a let-down in comparison.
Please, Touch The Artwork 2 is a gorgeous hand-painted hidden object puzzler that doesn't overstay its welcome. The puzzles are quite tricky, some punishingly so, and the hint system could use some work, but it's an overall fun experience.
Chronique des Silencieux is a compelling mystery with genuinely interesting twists and an amazing story - but the frustrating gameplay and lack of guide system sometimes holds it back.
My Little Universe is an adorable cozy sandbox adventure with a simple yet addictive gameplay loop that can keep you playing for hours and hours. Harvest resources, fight monsters, and build planets from the ground up!
A Little to the Left's DLC continues to turn organizing and cleaning into satisfying puzzles. Find hidden cubbies, hang tools on hooks, and put everything in its place with the Cupboards & Drawers expansion!
Call of the Sea is a visually stunning game offering a compelling story hidden behind a mixed bag of puzzles and a few frustrating pacing decisions.
Sunlight is an aesthetically beautiful game which does not take full advantage of its beautiful environment. The stunning visuals and audio make the short playtime and lack of true exploration elements somewhat disappointing.
Transient is an ambitious horror game which fans of H. P. Lovecraft will appreciate for its overarching themes and sneaky references.
Hidden In My Paradise is a delightfully cozy hidden object game that stands apart by offering three types of object-finding mission in each of its adorably designed level.
Bahnsen Knights is a high-speed horror thriller that plumbs the depths of a car-obsessed cult and its fanatical "Messiah" in a story that's a little bit The Stand, a little bit Mad Max, and all terrifying.
Anonymous;Code is an excellent entry in the Science Adventure visual novel series. It has a deep story filled with surprising twists and an intriguing central concept - what if you could "save' and "reload" your life like a video game?
Flutter Away is a beautiful cozy game that makes amazing use of its colorful tropical setting. It's laid-back, yet surprisingly educational, and filled with tons of adorable animals to meet - especially a certain capybara!
Master Detective Archives: Rain Code offers truly compelling mysteries in a unique cyberpunk-noir setting. The open world concept falls somewhat flat, but the crimes and puzzles themselves definitely deliver!
Mask of the Rose is a wickedly clever romance/mystery hybrid with an intriguing setting, a twisty story, unique mechanics, and an open approach that is accepting of all genders and identities.
Per Aspera is a stunningly realistic "planet builder" in which you play as an AI tasked with terraforming Mars. Although its pace is sometimes slow, it is an extremely educational game with a surprisingly deep and touching story.
Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory is a pleasant, nostalgia-packed experience providing a plot recap which fans of the series probably need right about now