The lack of cohesion is prevalent in almost every part of Zoria: Age of Shattering, which is a massive shame as there is passion oozing all over the game. Tiny Trinket is a team of passionate developers who enjoy bringing a sense of nostalgia from the '90s and early 2000s into the things they develop; this game also shows that. Still, there are just so many minor issues that pile up that bring down Zoria: Age of Shattering. All these issues could have seriously benefitted from more time in the oven.
The Thaumaturge is a masterpiece of a game. The game has a rich story filled with suspense, mystery, and a cast of unforgettable characters. The game uses its historical setting in such a way that is both based on reality and also in a way that melds the supernatural elements perfectly together.
Classified France '44 is just an incredibly well-rounded experience. While the scenario is entirely fictional, the characters feel like real people. The game features a distinct level of polish seen throughout, from environments to sound design; a lot of effort has been put into this game. However, despite the game's in-depth tutorial, it isn't exactly for beginners or newcomers to the turn-based strategy genre.
Pacific Drive is a must-play for narrative fans or those who want a more rewarding survival experience that doesn’t rely on the genre’s usual tropes. Heck, even if that’s not a big enough selling point, the game has an excellent soundtrack.
Airhead is a puzzle platformer that wants you to explore and uncover its meticulously laid-out secrets. Sadly, it’s too afraid to destroy even an inch of the mystery it has so meticulously crafted that it just leaves you wandering in the dark. Unfortunately, this drags the whole experience down as, due to how unclear it is on what you’re supposed to do, you don’t have time to appreciate its unique art style, ambient sound design, and interesting platforming mechanics.
Let's School is simply wonderful to play. The game is incredibly easy to pick up, and it makes sure that you learn the mechanics at a relaxed pace. Sadly, the game doesn't exactly have the most unique mechanics, but in all honesty, it is incredibly solid as it stands. Let's School is great for someone who wants to dip their toes into the School simulator genre or someone who wants something not too complicated and has an appreciation for handheld consoles of days past.
Palworld is an enigma. The game is full of glaring inconsistencies that are hard to ignore; nothing in the game feels cohesive; it just feels tacked on to each other. If the game is meant to compete with Pokémon, then it has a chance with some of the Pals designs, but it has nothing that makes Pokémon and monster-catching games so special. Your Pals aren't friends; they aren't there to help you grow and become stronger. They are there to be used and exploited, and that's not what makes the monster-catching genre special.
Despite Enshrouded being an Early Access title, it shows incredible promise; while it would be easy to write the game off as a Valheim clone, it is so much more than that. The game has a notable difficulty spike, but this goes away once someone joins you. The world of Embervale is simply breathtaking and perfectly mixes hyper-realism with the whimsical fantasy. Even some of the game’s most dangerous parts are just a joy to watch, and the game is just incredible.
Turnip Boy Robs a Bank is overall a great experience and a must-play for those who did get to play the prequel. The game is as good as the first and builds upon what the other set out. There are far more gameplay aspects to the game, such as RNG, pickups, and upgrades, but at its core, it is still just Turnip Boy. The game never rushes you, and it never overstays its welcome. Its jokes are funny, witty, and self-aware, and the gameplay is an addictive loop that will keep you occupied for its entire runtime.
Asterix & Obelix Slap Them All! 2, like the game before, is just a massive love letter to the series. The game is packed full of meta-humor and references and stays loyal to the franchise the game is about. The gameplay is incredibly solid and fun, and the game never overstays its welcome. Despite all this, the game is not for everyone.
The Iron Oath is a good game and a great entry into the turn-based strategy genre. Despite the need to manage resources such as mercenaries and funds, the game never becomes too overwhelming, even with more intense difficulties. Though admittedly, it still suffers from some of the faults of its inspirations, it still builds upon the mechanics. The game is easy to get into and hard to put down, and while it’s no Baldur’s Gate 3, it’s certainly worth your time.
Dungeons 4 is probably the best entry in the Dungeons series. The game isn’t for everyone, but it is phenomenal, with outstanding voice-acting and story to gameplay that is both satisfying and challenging. Dungeons 4 is a must-play for fans of the genre or for players who want to live out their evil overlord power fantasy.
Endless Dungeon is packed with a ton of things that just make the game an absolute joy to play. The game has snappy and responsive combat, fun and varied gameplay that never feels grindy or repetitive, and just a great cast of characters. Though the single-player experience isn’t the game at its peak, it is definitely worth your time, and you won’t regret it.
My Time At Sandrock is a phenomenal Life Sim, but more importantly, it has shown how much Pathea has improved as a developer. They took all the criticisms that were given to My Time At Portia to heart and gave us a game that built on what its predecessor had established while going above and beyond. That’s not to say the game is perfect; crafting especially can get overwhelming at times, but as long as you’re patient and give yourself enough time to get used to all the different machines and how they work, they end up becoming a part of your daily routine. My Time At Sandrock is definitely a game we would recommend you give a try if you want more than just cozy living.
Paleo Pines is a game for all ages, from both young children to nostalgic adults who want to go back to simpler times. The game fulfills a childhood fantasy many of us had while growing up and combines it with a fun farming sim that is both simple and easy to learn as it is rewarding to do.
Jusant may be short, but it is truly unforgettable. It is definitely one of those games that will stay with you for years to come. The game truly shows how far DON’T NOD has come in terms of being a developer, and only time will tell what their next masterpiece will be. Jusant may be short, but it is well worth your time and is an absolute must-play.
Knight Vs Giant: The Broken Excalibur is hard to recommend. It has solid ideas and concepts, but the execution has seriously missed the mark. The game has padded out its story and gameplay with tedious grinding, and instead of actually creating a fleshed-out experience, the game just decides to wash and repeat itself until you either get everything or uninstall it out of exasperation. If you want to give it a go, by all means, do so, it is fun, but you probably need a lot more patience than you think.
Blasphemous 2 is the perfect sequel to the first game and simply feels like a continuation of Blasphemous story while not changing what it doesn’t need to. The game is perfect for fans of both Castlevania who enjoy the challenge of Dark Souls. Though the dialogue may not be everyone’s cup of tea, it certainly immerses you.
Baldur’s Gate 3 was well worth the wait. The game truly captures the beauty and insanity of DnD and mixes it perfectly with the gameplay we have come to expect from the series. If you’ve played the first two games, then playing Baldur’s Gate 3 will feel like you’re seeing an old friend, one that has grown greater and better… and slightly more sexually inclined. Baldur’s Gate 3 is very much worth your time.
Jagged Alliance 3 may come across as your standard military strategy game that tries to take itself a little too seriously, and it is, but the game has a lot more layers to it. The game gives you many choices that impact the story and offers players plenty of variety on weapons, mercenaries and playstyles. Pity about its soundtrack.