For what it is, you couldn’t ask a whole lot more from Choo-Choo Charles. It is a game that wants to lure you in with its silly premise and keeps you playing based on solid gameplay and good tension. You won’t get 60 hours of enjoyment out of Choo-Choo Charles, but you don’t need to. It is a good time that doesn’t pretend to be anything but.
High on Life is a surprise hit, blowing away all of my expectations and showing what Squanch Games can really do. Fans of Rick and Morty, Smiling Friends or Oneyplays are going to be drawn to this game because of the names attached to it, but will really be blown away by the fantastic gameplay this title really didn’t need to have.
I have mixed feelings about Crisis Core Reunion. To the die-hard Final Fantasy fan who has yet to experience it or someone whose favorite game of all time was the original Crisis Core, I recommend it. But if you’re just looking to learn the story that came before FF7, you might want to look to Youtube instead.
Blacktail is a game everyone is raving about and with good reason. The stunning little adventure game has a unique experience to sell you and beautiful visuals to show you along the way. While not everyone is going to have the patience to make it through Blacktail’s single-player experience, if any part of it looks interesting to you then I recommend you give it a try, as it’s shockingly cheap.
Aka is a game with a great idea at its core. The promise of a peaceful, directionless experience can be something that greatly attracts a certain type of player, who will definitely find the game worth the time. However, Aka sort of fumbles in the execution. This is a game I recommend picking up after a few updates and quality of life changes, because the potential, much like the game, is limitless.
While the game is not without its faults, held back by a lackluster story and characters, it’s hard to call a racing game bad when it does the racing so well. The style of Need For Speed Unbound is enough to keep me hitting the streets over and over, chasing bigger fame and a bigger payday each time I hit that virtual ignition.
While it wasn’t what I expected, Darktide still does Warhammer 40k well, which is all many fans of the franchise could have asked for. While it could stand to improve in some places, I believe Darktide is fundamentally a good game that many players will enjoy, and given time may improve on many of its faults.
Sail Forth gives you exactly what it promises from its title and more, truly immersing you in a swashbuckling, sea-exploring adventure you won’t soon forget. There truly is nothing quite like it on the market, easily challenging many other sailing and pirate games with its unique mechanics, fleet progression and memorable writing.
Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth is a fantastic game for the right audience. If you’re a huge fan of PS1 JRPGs or a returning Valkyrie Profile player, you will have a fantastic time with this game. It’s hard for me to say what newbies to the genre might think of the game, but as someone who’s dropped a thousand hours in Final Fantasy 7 I can say Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth is definitely a 10.
River City Girls 2 is a fantastic example of a modern arcade beat-em-up, with a ton of spunky personality and great, simple gameplay to back it up. While a little short, you’ll definitely enjoy the game, and get a lot more life out of it if you play with friends.
Lil Gator Game is a cute, fun experience, good for a relaxing night after work. It reminds you to let go of the stresses of adulthood and to reconnect with your inner child, and the relaxing gameplay is complimented well by the charming writing. If you can get past the price point and the short length, Lil Gator Game is a fantastic little indie title that you’re sure to enjoy.
Potion Craft is the best alchemy game on the market. If you’re a fan of alchemy in games like Skyrim but wish there was more to it, you might find that there’s no better way to kill an hour or two than by opening up Potion Craft and running your quaint little shop.
We Are The Caretakers has a lot of really good ideas, However, the gameplay itself is a bit uninspired and can be a drag to get through, even with a pretty short total runtime. Fans of turn-based combat should have fun with this game, even if they don’t find it totally compelling.
Scrap Riders is an interesting game, with fantastic visuals and sound design and a unique take on the beat-em-up genre. However it isn’t without its flaws, and the lack of confidence in its own identity really weighs down the experience. Hopefully Games For Tutti learns from the experience, because I would definitely like to see an improved sequel.
Farlanders has a well-written story and some interesting ideas behind it. However, the game does a bad job of presenting its most important gameplay mechanics and will punish you hard for not knowing them fairly quickly into the campaign.
Dread Templar is a fun, retro shooter for those who want a modern take on a 90s gameplay formula. Simple, sweet, and bloody, this game is sure to entertain despite a few under tuned features.
Path of the Midnight Sun is an indie game full of ambition. While not everything the game tries works so well, you have to appreciate it for trying. With great characters and interesting mechanics, overall I had a good time and I can see this game being someone’s hidden gem favorite.
Dead Space is the perfect video game remake. Whether you’re an old fan or a new player, you will find a fantastically gruesome good time with this title. But look out, this horror classic might just leave some scars alongside that nostalgia.
I can’t recommend Pharaoh: A New Era enough. Whether you’re a fan of the classic game or a city-builder who’s never played it, this game will offer you a fantastic experience for a price point you simply can’t beat.
For Blood Bowl fans, Blood Bowl 3 is the definitive version of the game, so long as you’re okay waiting a bit to get your DLC teams back. If you’re new to the series, however, you may want to try out Blood Bowl 1 or 2 first to get a feel for the game at a friendlier price.