Captain Blood is a reminder of a lost era of gaming, one that is sure to make you feel nostalgic and may even win you over with its unique world and characters. However, nostalgia alone does not make a game great, and the game feels dated even for the era it meant to release in. Some may enjoy this title, but for others, it’s going to be a hard pass
Revenge of the Savage Planet was a blast to play, and even more fun just sitting back and watching the game’s many hilarious cutscenes. Full of absurdist humor, slapstick visual comedy and a genuine sense of adventure, this game took me by surprise and got me hooked.
Though I don’t agree with every decision the game makes, its hard to deny that Spirit of the North 2 is a beautiful and relaxing romp through a world that feels very real, where players can interact with what appears to be living history and collect cool fox powers along the way.
Omega Crafter is full of creativity and potential, but unfortunately falls short on delivering many of the mechanics players have come to expect from the genre, making the game feel rather dated and unfinished in many areas, which overall outshines its interesting player-programming gimmick.
Empyreal is an interesting take on its genre with a unique focus on everyone’s favorite part of an RPG, dungeons. However, the simplistic combat is poorly balanced, with a difficulty curve that becomes very difficult as early as the game’s second level.
As far as monster collection games go, Creature Keeper is certainly an interesting one that does things differently than other titles in the genre. However, bugs and poor AI on the monsters themselves kept me from fully enjoying the experience and made my monsters feel more like pets than valuable combat companions.
Deck of Haunts has a solid foundation, but I feel as though it fails to fully deliver on its own promises. The deckbuilding gameplay is solid, if repetitive, and the game doesn’t do much to capitalize on its unique identity as a haunted house simulator, leaving this reviewer severely disappointed.
While Siegecaster’s learning curve and twists on the genre won’t appeal to everyone, its creative mechanics, chaotic gameplay, and clear, passionate design make it stand out. For those open to something different, it’s a rewarding and memorable experience worth trying.
Whether you’re chasing leaderboard scores, working through the campaign, or just squeezing in a short session during a break, Drop Duchy is right for you. There’s a quiet brilliance to the way it unites so many simple on the surface yet subtly complicated gameplay systems without letting any of them spiral out of control. It is rare for a puzzle game to offer this much substance while remaining this approachable, but Drop Duchy makes it look easy.
Batman: Arkham Shadow is not only a worthy entry into the Arkham series, but by far the best VR game I have ever played. The game looks great, has faithfully remastered mechanics to translate the original Arkham experience into VR, and has a story that keeps you so engaged you do not even notice you have worked up a sweat beating down Gotham’s bad guys.
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered is the best remaster of Oblivion that fans could ask for. The spirit of the original is held intact and delivered with amazing new visuals and slight gameplay improvements; just beware the occasional performance issues, and remember that the improved gameplay is still 19 years old.
Steel Seed has a lot to say and a lot to show you, presenting a narrative-heavy game with some incredible scenery and cinematic moments. However, I personally found the gameplay a little underwhelming, and was a bit polarized by the story and characters. It’s a game I can certainly see others enjoying, even if it wasn’t really for me.
Tempest Rising feels like a nostalgic tribute to the classic RTS games of yesterday, with familiar gameplay that should appeal to old-school players and an incredible amount of polish that no classic can compare to. However, it may feel less-than-innovative to some, and there has been noticeable community backlash regarding the terms of the game’s EULA.
Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree is a unique and fun-to-play side-scrolling Soulslike, with great gameplay and an original world that’s easy to get immersed in. While I’d make some minor changes, the intrusive EULA policy is the biggest downside and prevents me, in good conscience, from giving it a higher score.
Bionic Bay is my new favorite in a genre I rarely enjoy, captivating me with its setting, unique mechanics, and fun physics system. With a competitive speedrunning mode alongside its 12-hour campaign, you’re sure to find something to enjoy in this standout title.
Chains of Freedom is a turn-based action game with incredible art and good storytelling, but its gameplay may be too familiar, missing opportunities to make its combat more exciting or original.
Kaya’s Prophecy is an incredibly unique game, combining two familiar genres to create a title that’s greater than the sum of its parts. Deckbuilding and colony sim enthusiasts alike should find something to enjoy in this very special game published by the Yogscast team.
Crashlands 2 is full of character and lets players explore and progress on a strange alien world completely at their own pace and in their own way. While the combat can feel a little stat-checky, and early progression can be slow, players should generally enjoy Crashlands 2 for all the freedom and creativity it offers.
Incredible in its narrative and gameplay, Leila is a must-have game for puzzle enthusiasts as well as those simply looking for a great story to experience, though it is one that will trigger introspection and emotions both happy and sad.
Though its puzzles are simple and the gameplay uncomplicated, Koira delivers a heartwarming little story that is sure to win your heart over a relaxing afternoon, forming a bond between players, the forest, and their little light-up doggy in an artistic little story about friendship and nature.