Package Inc is a simple management simulation game which works well on a handheld Nintendo Switch. It’s great for whiling away some spare time – not overly taxing, but it’s complicated enough to require concentration.
Once Upon a Jester is a great little game. It is well constructed, packed with jokes, and words of wisdom and has a feel-good vibe. The music is a highlight, with great beats and catchy tunes. I wish there was more replayability, as creating your own mini-play is excellent, but the story and jokes get a bit repetitive after the first couple of run-throughs
Kirby’s Dream Buffet is a delicious party game, without the need for a party. Making it ideal for younger players and offline play. The controls are simple and the graphics mouthwatering. It is unlikely to keep you consumed for hours, but definitely one to have a nibble with and would be entertaining with online or local friends. Do watch out on your next shopping trip though, a rather large, gooey, chocolate cake somehow made its way into my trolley!
I was delighted to find that Surmount was more than just a platforming adventure of climbing a single mountain. The side expeditions, storyline and humorous interactions with other climbers make it a joyful experience, even for those of us whose climbing skills are lacking. The coordination needed to control your little climber grabbing the rock face and flinging them in the right direction is harder than it looks and makes this a challenging adventure. The option of a local co-op is a great addition and makes Surmount a fun game to share. Unfortunately, my co-op player and I glitched a few too many times to give Surmount a Two Thumbs Up (our initial thoughts). But it made us smile and laugh, especially with low gravity, so it’s a:
There is no denying that Botany Manor transports you to a bygone era. I had a thoroughly enjoyable time digging around to find the growing conditions of the forgotten flora, ensuring my herbarium blossomed in completeness and unearthing Arabella Greene’s life.
The bright colours and lovely pixelated characters of Cafe Master Story fill the screen with familiarity. Designing the best trio of drinks to recommend to customers is one of the best mini-games I’ve played in a Kairosoft game. Cafe Master Story is not as complicated as some of the other Kairosoft games and with the on-screen help to get you started, it’s an ideal introduction to this type of management simulation game.
Dolphin Spirit – Ocean Mission navigates the right balance between being an enjoyable game and explaining real-life ecological hazards. The accompanying music is beautiful and enhances the experience. I learnt quite a bit from my ocean adventure. So dive in, splash around and see what you discover.
Although it shares a similar style to the other Kairosoft games I’ve played, the gameplay is vastly different. It’s a coffee break game rather than a long gaming session. However, I found it just as addictive and enjoyable as the others.
Side Decide is a great puzzle game. A simple concept of wooden blocks and matching shapes, but it’s not all child’s play. Trying to reach the goal is challenging, but with multiple levels to tackle in any order, it makes progress easier and not as frustrating as other games in the genre.
There isn’t a huge amount of gameplay in Flutter Away, but you get a delightful adventure. This first-person game transports you to the Amazon rainforest, where you can explore and photograph some of the wonderful flora and fauna there. The graphics and soundtrack compliment each other and enhance the overall experience.
Convenience Stories shares a similar style to all the Kairosoft games. There is a reassuring familiarity of bright colours, cute pixelated characters and wholesome humour. There is a complexity to Convenience Stories; some of the terminology and concepts could do with a little bit more explanation. However, there are some great autofill processes which make the game much more accessible for different ages. I have thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of running my own convenience stores.
Sharing a similar style to all the Kairosoft management simulation games, Pocket Academy 3 has the reassuring familiarity of bright colours and cute pixelated characters. However, I would have liked a little more guidance at the start of the game – if you are unfamiliar with the Kairosoft style, you will need a little perseverance to get started. Pocket Academy 3 is complicated. In order to help your students achieve their dream careers within the target time, you need a strong strategy to level up skills and gradings and a lot of thought as to which event will maximise your rewards whilst keeping within budget. Unfortunately, sometimes it seems it’s just luck as to whether tours and graduations are successful. That said, I really enjoyed the challenge, even if it was a little frustrating at times.
Pupperazzi is a relaxing and charming game to play. The overall adorable nature of playing with, patting and taking photos of all the different dogs easily outweighs a couple of frustrations within the game.
As it says in the title, My Fantastic Ranch is fantastic. A management simulation game, with a graphical style and subject matter that would appeal to younger players, but not to the exclusion of others. Although you can only have a limited number of creatures on your ranch, there is still plenty to do and keep you entertained. The festivals and some of the achievements are particularly challenging and require more thought than you imagine. I’m looking forward to continuing my adventures in My Fantastic Ranch.
Although the game is aimed at fans of the HORSE CLUB brand, Horse Club Adventures 2: Hazelwood Stories is a delightful adventure simulation game which will appeal to many younger gamers. I’ve never had a great passion for horse riding, but I thoroughly enjoyed galloping around and participating in virtual horse events. The main quests are not overly challenging, but the mini games do get harder as you progress through the various levels.
For some, the game might be a bit prescriptive. But it’s based on an animated children’s TV programme, so it needs to be playable and enjoyable for that audience. This would be a great introduction to the adventure puzzle genre for younger players. That said, I thoroughly enjoyed playing it. I didn’t need to know anything about the TV series to engage fully with Star Trek Prodigy: Supernova.
If you like the slight off hand of a magician or the artistic brilliance of trompe l’oeil, then Moncage will not only be a visual delight but will truly engage those little grey cells in puzzle solving. Without the little frustrations around the collectables and the small bomb glitch, it would have scored our highest rating
Dream Town Island is a dream come true. Watching the cute pixelated characters go about their daily lives, falling in love and starting a family is delightful. There is a great balance in progressing through the game, playing mini-games, unlocking facilities and building your dream town.
Mail Time is definitely one to write home about. The short adventure delivers you to the whimsical world of Grumblewood Grove, with its quirky houses and fascinating residents. The imagination in both the scenery and characters makes for a truly delightful experience.
A Tiny Sticker Tale is one of the most adorable games I’ve played this year. The graphics are bold and colourful, removing and placing stickers is good fun, and the quests are satisfying. Designed to be a short adventure, A Tiny Sticker Tale packs a lot in and definitely a game to get stuck into!