Stephen Tailby's Reviews
Arranger is a delightful puzzle adventure game that we thoroughly enjoyed from beginning to end. Its tile-sliding puzzles are simple but well designed, and new ideas are introduced at a steady rate, adding variety without overcomplicating things. On top of that is a lovely, positive tale that gets its message across with a good dose of humour. There are some narrative loose ends we'd like to have seen addressed, but really there's very little to pick at here. It's a charming, well presented game well worth sliding into your schedule.
Still, even with these small nitpicks, Flock offers a wonderfully serene excursion into a strange but beautiful world. Gliding around in itself is fun and relaxing, and tracking down all the critters feels rewarding without becoming too demanding. Those seeking out a unique, soothing game should flock to this.
Still, the new mechanics rolled out in higher difficulties will keep dedicated players engaged for a long time. The fundamental gameplay is enjoyable enough to carry Spin Rhythm XD through its limited range. This is an energetic and moreish arcade rhythm game that puts a neat new spin on the genre.
NeoSprint is a decent refresh of an aged formula, with simple but fun racing and some neat new features. Unfortunately, the presentation is a little underwhelming, and one or two issues appear in the rear view mirror just a little too often.
Animal Well is an extremely rewarding game — if you're willing to lose yourself in it. The sort of mysteries it's hiding go well beyond finding collectibles, giving you a rich and detailed world to unpack. If you have the patience and the curiosity, it's absolutely worth plumbing its depths.
Another Crab's Treasure is a refreshingly different take on the soulslike action RPG. Its more lighthearted presentation, stronger emphasis on story, and sense of humour don't take away from the genre's core, however - this is equally a stern, challenging adventure with fun combat to master and lots of secrets to discover. Unfortunately, it's let down by some frustrating technical troubles and occasionally janky moments. Despite its flaws, though, we came away having quite enjoyed the adventure; we can already feel the carcinisation setting in.
Dave the Diver, like the sea, is far deeper than you think it is. It charms with its attractive visuals and addictive loop of diving for fish and running a restaurant, but it never rests on its laurels, always finding new ways to enhance the fun. There's never a dull moment, whether it's a whole new feature expanding the gameplay, an unexpected new story beat, or another hilarious cutscene to enjoy. It's this constant reinvention and surprise that makes the game so compelling, even through the occasional rougher moments. If you've yet to experience it for yourself, we'd highly encourage that you take the plunge.
We really wanted to love Harold Halibut, and there are some redeeming qualities. Its wonderful aesthetic is unique and detailed, it has a great sci-fi hook, and there are some good moments throughout the story. Unfortunately, these aspects depreciate due to a prolonged runtime, most of which is filled with slow, repetitive treks from one scene to the next. The narrative is left to hold everything together, but it sadly doesn't quite stick the landing thanks to pacing issues and some iffy writing. This is one fish you might want to let get away.
It's a shame the combat is quite so tough, because it can be discouragingly unforgiving, and there are no difficulty settings to toy with either. However, we definitely get the sense this is a game that masochistic players will love to master. From where we're sitting, Slave Zero X is slightly too hard-edged for its own good, but there's undoubtedly depth to be plumbed if you're so willing.
So, Penny's Big Breakaway is a flawed gem in the end. Once you're comfortable with the controls, the fundamental gameplay works very nicely indeed, and there are some fantastic levels (especially in the latter half) which really accentuate this game's unique ideas. It's a shame it's launched with some unusual bugs, as they take the shine off of an imaginative 3D platformer with lots of potential. Hopefully, after a few updates, this promising debut from Evening Star will please the crowds with a tighter performance.
Between the main game, seeded runs, and a Challenge mode to really test your skills, there's endless fun to be drawn from Balatro. With so many variables to experiment with, sleek presentation, and hypnotically addictive gameplay, this is easily among the best deckbuilders, and possibly among the best roguelikes, we've played yet.
Pacific Drive is an ambitious and rewarding debut from Ironwood Studios. It's an unusual combination of factors that all coalesce; roguelike exploration, deep and challenging survival mechanics, an interesting narrative to follow, and a central vehicle that brings everything together. Fiddly controls and complex UI mean it's not free from annoyances, but the pleasure found in incrementally upgrading the car and throwing it into the unknown trumps the setbacks. It might be an arduous journey at times, but it's definitely worth the trip.
Arzette is a tough game to criticise, because in many respects it has accomplished its mission. The commitment to the bit is admirable, and anyone who gets a kick out of those old CD-i titles will have a good time with this. However, if you're not in on the joke, this is harder to recommend; old fashioned design and uninteresting combat might be part of the brief, but they don't make for an exciting time in 2024. If you're willing to accept this game's warts-and-all approach, though, there's lots to like.
Foamstars is a colourful, unique, and entertaining shooter. The modes and characters on offer at launch are fun twists on genre staples, and the central foam mechanic is a playful addition with some potential for strategy. It's lighthearted, fast-paced fun with plenty of style. While the steep microtransactions and the so-so co-op missions keep it from being squeaky clean, there's a lot to like about this bubbly multiplayer title.
It's very hard not to love Ace Attorney, and that trend happily continues with the Apollo Justice trilogy. The games themselves are steeped in charm thanks to well-written, melodramatic stories and a great ensemble cast. They've been treated with respect, too, with lovely visual improvements and an enjoyable array of extras. While some weak spots here and there are inevitable, and some of the series' flaws are still present, overall there's little to object to.
All told, though, Toy Trains delivers a satisfying experience that'll appeal to players of all ages. If you're after a nostalgic and relaxing VR title, you could do far worse than choo-choo-choose this pleasant little game.
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown puts its best foot forward with rewarding and satisfying gameplay at its core. Combining the series' 2D past with the time-bending powers from later games, this Metroidvania is a brilliant blend that brings the franchise back in a fresh new way. While it can sometimes look a little underwhelming, and the sheer size of the game threatens to slow its own momentum, the fluid, challenging platforming and combat are so fun that any shortcomings fade into the background. This is an overall great action adventure with a lot to offer.
God of War Ragnarok: Valhalla is a brilliant addition to a brilliant game. Not only does it remix the core title's combat in a compelling, highly replayable roguelite mode, it does so with Santa Monica's usual cinematic style, weaving in meaningful story that'll keep you hooked while it lasts. Fans of the series really shouldn't pass on this - and, because it's totally free, there's no reason to do so.
However, there's a good, steady sense of progression, and elevators that take you to the end of each department alleviate some of the repetition. When you get on a good run and build yourself up with beneficial buffs and powerful attacks, the game starts to sing. There's definitely plenty to like about Have a Nice Death, but its flaws prevent it from reaching the heights of its contemporaries.
All that said, KarmaZoo gets a lot more right than it doesn't. Ultimately, it succeeds in delivering a simple but fun experience, and its clever design means players behave positively and altruistically. If you're looking for an online game with good vibes and friendly co-op, this is it.