Even if some of Urban Myth Dissolution Center's mysteries are rather straightforward to solve, the overall experience is still reasonably enjoyable to amble through. If you're looking for a more laid-back occult mystery, it's here, but don't expect the myths to be too legendary.
If you’re a fan of more esoteric storytelling and indie point-and-clicks, I think Centum would be really up your alley. While there are slow points in the narrative and rather simplistic gameplay, the game as a whole is still positive, even if I was left with more questions than I had answers to.
Cave Hikers is clearly intended for younger audiences, and while quite simple, it still manages to be a cute and charming bed-time story adventure. It's a point-and-click "mockumentary" that can make for a fun evening, but there's little else beyond the simplicity save for the amusing artstyle and great narrator.
Threshold takes a simple premise and runs with it, mixing a curious blood-soaked mystery with thin altitude air. The mystery of the ceaseless train atop the mountain peak is interesting to uncover, even if some of the gameplay systems try to get in the way at times. The train must run, just don’t look inside.
Bloodless approaches the idea of a brawler with a unique spin featuring its non-lethal combat, but feels like it can be pulling its punches in some areas. Parrying your way through waves of enemies is novel, yet the implementation can lead to some overwhelming moments in an otherwise engaging experience. The path of mercy was never going to be easy though, and Bloodless still manages to be an overall fun journey of finding an end to violence.
While I do believe that there is an intriguing plot underneath it all, The Casting Of Frank Stone is in a weird position for me to recommend. Are you a fan of Dead by Daylight? Then I think you're gonna enjoy this Supermassive-flavored spin on the world of DBD. But for those who lean more as fans of narrative-horror experiences, there may be less here luring you beyond the fog.
Providing some high quality scares and morbidly curious gameplay, The Mortuary Assistant is a good horror game held back by an undercooked port to consoles that can create more frustration than fun.
With camera in hand and a twinkle in your eye, The Star Named EOS guides you down memory lane in a simply sweet, but almost too-short narrative puzzle game. This is a decent voyage for casual puzzle enjoyers and those who don't mind a shorter experience overall.
Taking up the torch of hope against the forces of evil was never going to be an easy task, and Darkest Dungeon II makes sure you feel it. While the roster of heroes creates plenty of opportunities for build crafting, actually interacting with all of the systems in the game can feel like a slog at times. Even so, there's enjoyment to be found in this roguelite spin on the brutally difficult combat and festering world that Darkest Dungeon is known for.
While Still Wakes The Deep doesn't boast the biggest narrative draw, what will really pull you in is the eerie atmosphere it manages to envelope you in. Fighting for your life against the churning sea and the strange creature that rose from the murky depths provided some truly surreal and hair-raising moments.
Providing a short but semi-sweet experience, Buckshot Roulette ups the stakes and the fire power of Russian roulette. While the opportunities for deeper strategies often become muddled by the core mechanic of luck, there are still some worthwhile white-knuckled moments that will test your mettle.
Transcending the line between video game and interactive art piece, Harold Halibut explores the meaning of home on an isolated alien water world. While some pacing issues exist within the larger story, the handcrafted visuals that consistently charm alongside an extravagant cast make this a treat for fans of narrative adventures.
Anglerfish feels like it caters to a very specific patron and ends up poisoning the rest. The strange environments and peculiar denizens within the Anglerfish bar are a high note, but one that becomes drowned out by the frustrating design of its gameplay elements. After each death the game beckoned for another round, but I ultimately left feeling hungover.
Open Roads takes you on a delightful road trip as you seek out the truth behind granny's secrets, even if it's over quite quickly. Exploring abandoned summer homes and enjoying late night motel chats was pleasant, even if rather simple in premise. It's a nice diversion if you're looking for a relaxing narrative-focused game, but it's one that doesn't do much to make you deeply invested in the story.
While the idea of a poker roguelike might sound like a niche game, the flair and fun found within Balatro makes it an absolute must-play for fans of the genre. Breaking the rules of poker to score millions of chips in a single hand was a rush, and I was always chasing ways to push it even further beyond. While there are a few times you can feel snubbed by the luck of the draw, these are wildly overshadowed by the moments where you hit it big.
While Helldivers 2 may look like a tropey action game on the surface, what lies underneath is one of the most fun co-op shooters I've played in recent memory. Endless explosions and unyielding foes makes for heart-pounding gameplay as you spread democracy across the galaxy one dead bug and bot at a time.
Jujutsu Kaisen: Cursed Clash feels like nothing more than a soulless cash grab that likely exists only to fleece money from unsuspecting fans of the series. With lackluster combat, bare-bones modes, janky controls and an overall sense of unrefined gameplay, there is almost no reason I can recommend this game, even to JJK super-fans.
Grotto is certainly a unique narrative experience, but one that may not be appreciated by all audiences. Communicating through constellations creates a particularly refreshing experience of branching conversational paths, but one that is ultimately housed within a slow and repetitive gameplay loop.
The Cub is a functional platformer, but not a flashy one. Movement can feel stiff at times, but the colorful landscapes and levels will still carry the experience. If you're a big fan of platformers, you'll certainly find some enjoyment within the approximately four hour experience, even if it can feel less than ambitious at times.
Even though there is fun to be had in this server-snatching raid, there's more errors found here than just syntax. The heist itself may be short and fairly linear, but it's still an enjoyable addition to the main game with the cosmetics and weapons being a bitter-sweet cherry on top. It's always great to add to my crime-closet and upgrade my arsenal, but the extra cost does make it feel like maybe I'm the one getting robbed.