Erik Hodges
Pepper Grinder undoubtedly shines as another gem in Devolver Digital’s diverse portfolio, reaffirming their reputation for delivering standout indie games that captivate and entertain. Pepper Grinder is sure to delight platformers with its unique mechanics and treasure-collecting glory.
Children of the Sun is everything I love in a game: Fun mechanics, creative direction, and a fantastic sense of style proudly displayed in the game’s art and story. Fans of gritty storytelling, telekinetic sniper challenges, and just killing cultists will love this pulpy murder puzzle game.
Withering Rooms feels incredibly nostalgic and yet does plenty of new things, making for a horror game that utterly stands out. Its creativity, downright amazing writing, and incredible characters will suck you in, and the tense, ever-present horror of the Dream will keep you on the edge of your seat.
While not your most traditional “game,” Harold Halibut is without a doubt a true work of art, something the likes of which we haven’t seen before and are unlikely to see again.
Another Crab’s Treasure is a Soulslike but for fans and newcomers to the series alike, creating a hilarious, exciting nautical knightly adventure for audiences of all ages.
INDIKA is an utterly unique, psychedelic, and strange title, telling a wonderful, thought-provoking story filled with striking imagery and wonderfully bleak humor.
Little Kitty, Big City sets off to do something simple and does it well, delivering a fantastically cute and charming little cat game where you can do everything you expect a cute kitty to do. Short, sweet, and relaxing, Little Kitty, Big City just might be one of the best games to let out some stress and get up to some adorable kitty hijinks.
Pseudoregalia is truly a one of a kind game, which clearly was the result of passionate development and the unique vision of a creator. Maybe I was the perfect audience to review this game, as I am a fan of similar aesthetics and design choices (likely a result of nostalgia), but I can’t think of a single bad thing to say about this game. For the incredibly modest price of $5.99, you can pick up this standout title with a truly unique setting, fantastic visuals, fast and fluid platforming and combat tech, and a phenomenal soundtrack.
MythForce is a truly unique and exceptionally fun co-op game that I’ll be logging a ton of playtime into in the near future. The clever combination of cooperative shooter and roguelike mechanics paired with a super unique presentation make for a game that is as memorable and interesting as it is fun to play. With near-infinite possibilities for future expansion and no microtransactions, MythForce is a game that could be a staple in your library for years to come.
Campy and full of action, Evil Dead: The Game still manages to throw in plenty of scares and tense moments as a human player, and playing the Demon offers a truly strategic experience where you still feel challenged. Powerful you may feel, but never overwhelmingly so, as humanity’s defenders can easily overcome a cocky and careless demon.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
For what it is, Deck ‘Em! is a solid little game that you can’t ask a whole lot more from. While some sense of progression or something to spend your in-game money on would be nice, the game exists as a fun little time killer and is sure to appeal to plenty of players.
Amanda the Adventurer is a clever little puzzle horror game with plenty of scares and a great story to tell. The tragic story behind this children’s cartoon is bound to keep you up at night, either with questions or a lingering anxiety about what’s behind your closet door.
Future Racer 2000 is a fantastic psychological horror game, with creativity oozing from every pore. Fans of horror have no excuse to skip out on this short, fairly priced, and tension-filled experience.
Chronicles of 2 Heroes: Amaterasu’s Wrath is a solid Metroidvania-type title with a focus on challenging and unique platforming mechanics. Platforming veterans and new players alike have something to enjoy in this challenging and stylish game.
Friends vs Friends is a solid multiplayer shooter with a ton of style with a focus on casual pvp. Casual players as well as sweats should find plenty to enjoy in this funky deck building shooter.