Though I had mixed feelings about Protodroid DeLTA at first, the game quickly grew on me as all the brilliant little pieces of its design fell together. Lovers of platformers and fans of Mega Man are sure to find something to enjoy in this charming indie title.
It’s hard to think of anything negative to say about CONVERGENCE. The game was clearly made with a lot of love, which shows both in the way the game plays and the portrayal of the world it’s in. CONVERGENCE: A League of Legends Story shines as the gold standard of what a platforming title should be.
The Outlast Trials is going to take the multiplayer horror genre by storm, with a game that’s just as truly terrifying with friends as it is alone.
Darkest Dungeon II will appeal to fans of the old game and new victims. I mean, players, alike. The cosmic nihilism and battle to preserve hope in Darkest Dungeon II’s narrative is paired with solid gameplay improvements that are less likely to turn players into nihilists themselves.
Knight Crawlers is a game I wish I could love. While some players will certainly find a solid, if short, experience in the title, I found myself too distracted by the game’s seemingly untapped potential to really immerse myself in it. I’m not saying skip it, but I personally will be keeping my eyes out for some big updates before I play again.
Super Dungeon Maker is a solid, easy-to-use dungeon maker. Fans of the classic Zelda games will find plenty to do with this title, be it challenging player’s dungeons or challenging players with your dungeons.
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.
If you’re a fan of the XCOM style of games, you’ll find a lot to enjoy in Showgunners. Though lacking some polish in the mechanical side of things and not straying far from a tried and true formula, the game is still solid and has a ton to offer with its style and setting.
The Creepy Syndrome is an ambitious little game, plagued by amateurish writing and cheap jump scares that at best won’t satisfy horror fans and at worse will annoy them. Half of the game’s anthology of stories is held back by the other, and the two decent stories aren’t strong enough to make up for the weaker ones.
Smile For Me is a truly unique experience of a game. It presents players with a dark story hidden behind a surrealist world and absurdist humor. With character met and puzzle completed, you’ll find yourself a little deeper down the rabbit hole in this one-of-a-kind game.
Roots of Pacha is a game that innovates on the farming sim design, offering familiar gameplay with fresh new mechanics and a unique setting. Fans of the genre or those looking to get into it should definitely give Roots of Pacha a try.
Bramble: The Mountain King is one of the best story games I’ve played in a while. If the uniquely tragic subject matter is something you can deal with, you’re in for a uniquely heart-wrenching, tension filled horror story you just won’t find anywhere else.
Varney Lake is a great interactive story, presented in a way that’ll appeal to casual readers and tome-spelunkers alike. The story is interesting, the characters are great, and the modest $10 price tag reflects the game’s shorter run time.
Honkai: Star Rail is a gem I didn’t see coming. While the Gacha system might put some players off, the new setting and tone of HoYo’s latest title is bound to appeal to both Genshin fans who are looking for a change of pace, and players like me who couldn’t get into the game’s predecessor.
Afterimage excels in its presentation but suffers from a genre-wide reluctance to innovate on its gameplay. The story can feel a bit alienating but is nevertheless interesting and presents characters you’d be hard-pressed not to love.
Mr. Sun’s Hatbox is a loving parody to games that came before, which stands out with its unique mechanics and absurdist humor. However, I think those who fail to appreciate Hatbox’s comedy would be hard pressed to find a reason to stick to the game for long.
OTXO is a great roguelike that’s built on the solid foundations of the genre while still being willing to deviate from some design tropes to deliver on its theme. I’m hard-pressed to think of something negative to say about the game, and while not everyone is going to love the game’s style, there is a ton to appreciate here.
Gun Jam is a great rhythm game with a fantastic score that could use a little bit more improving on the FPS side of things. Gun-feel needs a bit of polishing, and I’m not in love with the way the game chooses to balance the three characters, but fans of the rhythm genre definitely have plenty to appreciate in this title.
Dead Island 2 is a huge return for the series. Fans of the first game will find much more to enjoy than just their nostalgia in this new title, and I can see a whole new generation of gamers falling in love with zombie-chopping in Hell-A.
Despite the rough state of balancing, Wildfrost is a game with a lot of love put into it, and rests on a solid foundation. With a little bit of TLC, I could easily see this game being an 8 or 9 out of 10, and I encourage players to keep an eye on the patch notes.