Afterlove EP doesn’t always hit the right pitch for me, but its art style is captivating, its gameplay gripping, and its story is authentic.
Keep Driving taps into the road trip fantasy and delivers a game where the journey truly is the destination.
Citizen Sleeper 2 is phenomenal, evocative, and haunting. The minimal visuals are flawlessly supported by the writing. Gut-wrenching expressions and touchingly lonely scenes flow out of the masterful descriptions. The audio design had me rocketing from dawning dread to heart-pumping motivation. And in the end, I was forced into the hero’s dilemma in a way that cemented this game as one of the year’s best.
It’s disappointing how often Tails of Iron 2 leads me to wander the darkened valleys of over-demanding combat and back-track-demanding save points. However, the view from the mountain summits – the game’s secret-filled levels, propelling narrative, and magical visuals – cast sunlight on even my hardest experiences.
The Rise of the Golden Idol continues the series’ stellar legacy and is one of this year’s best. Set decades after the original, and sporting a painterly look that still embodies the first game’s unsettling feel, the developers have managed to construct a world of intrigue and murder brimming with innovative and ambitious puzzles.
It didn’t matter how charmed I was by traveling through a dino diorama, how perfect the art-themed jokes of Artia were, how creative every unexpected genre transition was, because every step of my adventure was haunted by the fear that some technical hiccup would turn my enjoyment into frustration.
Because of everything that is spectacular about Silt – its stunning art style, atmospheric environments, and pensive story – I wanted to love this game. It just wouldn’t let me. Exasperating puzzles with little guidance frequently slowed my progress to a halt and left me banging my head against a wall. Even so, I still encourage players to pick up the title, if for no other reason than to experience so gorgeous a game.
Trek to Yomi looks and feels noticeably outdated for such an aesthetically pleasing game. And its archaic gameplay can’t be completely covered up by its artistic black-and-white filter. Trek to Yomi tried to reach the heights of lauded Japanese filmmaking, but unfortunately, it falls almost as flat as its 2D combat plane.
It took me a little over six hours to get my first victory screen, but that wasn’t the end of the game. Unlocking everything, uncovering secrets, and piecing together the lore are all a part of the almost inexhaustible experience. It can be acutely irritating to fall victim to a first-level foe after nearly making it to the last boss in the previous run, but the game is hard to put down. Loot River reimagines some of its inspirations' best elements, offering players a chance to sail cleverly through each environment, grow powerful enough to slice up once-impossible threats, and unravel a story that smartly weaves into its gameplay.
Tunic brilliantly captures the feeling of that special childhood title that made you fall in love with video games.
Pupperazzi isn't a substantial adventure, but its absurd, playful, and dog-filled world serves as a lighthearted retreat.
Nothing here will surprise seasoned gamers but The Gunk has enough diverting action and puzzle-solving in its brief runtime to keep players' attention
Solutions are often clever and make the player feel smart, even if they call on the robust hint system for guidance. In a delightful surprise, the unfolding narrative connects to the seemingly random puzzles, though the story could be more impactful
This surreal, multifaceted experience has its charms; but technical and storytelling snags that hold it back
There are highlights in this game's visuals and storytelling, though these get bogged down by basic mechanics and uninteresting moment-to-moment gameplay
Self-guided exploration is bolstered by quests that give you an excuse to jump on a speeder, climb mountains, and float through unexplained ruins in a dazzling ecosystem
The lively writing and warm characters show through Lost in Random's spooky façade, offering players an intriguing world shaped with evident care
It won't challenge your platforming skills, and the action boils down to galactic Simon Says, but The Artful Escape is a gorgeous experience that makes you feel utterly cool