If you want your fix of Sherlock and don't feel like whipping a book open, this game is a safe bet to whet your appetite. Sherlock Holmes: Crimes & Punishments has a ton of charm, uniqueness, and freedom, and with the right gamer, this will be a dream.
It won't hold your attention for too long. Still, with the massive pool of customizability and readily available downloads from the AAW community, there is enough here to wet a wrestling fans' appetite. If only it had the same depth with its available modes, it would have gone from a good game to a great one.
About an Elf is a tough game to sell and something you must experience to fully understand what it is and why I genuinely loved my time with it; however, I was left wanting more. More of what, I don't know, but what I do know is that if this is Meringue Interactives first go at making games, then I cannot wait to see what they do in the future.
I completely understand and appreciate their intent with this game, and I'm sure there are a decent bunch who will be swept up by this and adore it. For me, once you've played it once, there is no value in ever returning.
If you have not played the first Windjammers game and are interested in the franchise, with all of the new additions to Windjammers 2, you can't go wrong with this one. However, if you've played the first Windjammers and are still having a great time with it, I would suggest waiting for a sale before purchasing this entry.
Bonfire Peaks is a stunning game that I feel will attract many for its aesthetic alone. A large portion of those will stay for the gameplay, but I can fully relate to players who become frustrated with the movement controls and difficulty spike later on. Aside from the gameplay grumps, the world in which Corey Martin has created tells an isolated yet beautiful tale of a man looking for closure by burning his things, and I am glad I got to experience this.
What it lacks in an actual narrative, FILMECHANISM makes up for in everything else. With its addictive puzzles, simple yet thought-provoking mechanics, catchy soundtrack, and retro but modern 8-bit world, you have the complete package when looking for a 2D puzzle-action game.
Timelie is a fantastic game that is close to faultless. Despite the strict preciseness needed for some actions, this is the perfect game to introduce several mechanics found in puzzle, stealth, and adventure games. The art style and soundtrack are sublime.
Planet Quiz: Learn & Discover is aimed at a specific audience and is aware that it's not going to be topping many peoples wishlist, but if you have a love for all things Earth, animals, and culture, I'm sure you'd be able to have a fairly decent, albeit short, time with this. That said, if you are passionate about those subjects, it's likely that this may not be very challenging at all, and just confirm what you know. Its three quiz modes are the same and do little outside of this to keep gameplay fresh and exciting after a short burst of rounds.
I feel that many racers start on a high and the more you play, the less fun the game becomes due to its repetitive nature. I don't feel this at all with Super Impossible Road. It is a game that I will always say, "just one more race" and open when a friend is over. The better you become at finding those shortcuts and taking those leaps of faith off the track - and succeeding - the more fun you'll be having with the tight controls in this action-packed, crazy, and striking space racer.
Om Nom: Run doesn't try to be anything more than it is and does a standard job at being an endless runner. Does it do enough to stand out among free endless runner apps that you can download in seconds on your smartphone or tablet? No, it doesn't.
The Legend of Tian-Ding is an action-packed, kung-fu tale with great writing and an even greater art style. The comic book depicting 1900s Taipei is glorious and such a gorgeous aesthetic to play through; Its use was well executed and added layers of humour, threat, and depth to all characters of this heroic tale. Tian-Ding is a fantastic indie hidden gem that I hope becomes, like Liao Tian-Ding, legendary.
The gameplay is faultless in what it does, but Gynoug doesn't do anything to stand out. If you are nostalgic towards the game or those alike, you'll get much more out of this than someone brand new to Gynoug. Unfortunately, I was the latter.
Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom has an incredible amount to offer, and everything that it does is delivered and executed to the highest standard. The art style is undeniably gorgeous, and the gameplay will have you hooked from the moment you arrive in Ding Dong Dell. A charming adventure that I am so happy to have gone on. All hail King Evan!
SHINRAI – Broken Beyond Despair has an interesting enough narrative. But poor quality visuals and lack of variety make for a hard story to become fully invested in. There seems to be too much text and waffle, and I get the feeling that quantity was preferred over quality in the story. On the whole, the game feels rushed and unpolished.
BATS: Bloodsucker Anti-Terror Squad is fun. It has great humour, doesn't take itself too seriously, and has some great homages to several franchises all whilst cracking a joke or two at their expense. Its gameplay is fine, and I think with a little bit of TLC to tighten the controls and fixing of the blood drops, it would turn BATS from a good game to a great one.
Ayo the Clown is visually adorable and full of so much charm that you can't help but love the little guy and the world that Cloud M1 has created. I am looking forward to what else they can create; I wonder if Ayo the Clown 2 could be on the horizon? With a little polishing of controls, character models and the town function, who knows what heights Ayo could float to.
I appreciate the unique control scheme, which made Hoplegs stand out in its promotional videos and material. But overall, it was a frustrating experience, even though I progressed quicker when the controls started feeling more natural and gained more momentum. The repetitive level design, visuals and music become tedious, leaving Hoplegs (sigh) no real leg to stand on.
The cast of characters are all unique and likeable, and alongside the interesting story, the attachment you gain for the cast aids you in your pursuit for answers. The battle system is fun and boss battles are especially tense. Despite the repetitiveness of some enemies, and the overuse of cutscenes, this is a great game that I'll be diving back into the confirmed higher difficulty when released later this year.
The feeling of being stuck emotionally and maybe favoring isolation is a common theme that many can relate to given the last 18 months we have all experienced. Tie that in with this slice of life being shared with us, and you have yourself an incredibly well written and truly unique experience. Stilstand is a brief, yet powerful story that is well worth taking the time to check out.