With Disco Elysium being one of my all-time favourite games, I was eager to check out Rue Valley with all of its similarities and although it does not stand side-by-side with it, it does have its own merits. As such, I encourage you to give it a go and see how you can make your 47-minute time-loops make a difference in a town filled with drama, looming corporations, family feuds, and even a possible alien or two.
As Long As You’re Here is a heartfelt and emotional reminder of both the fragility and the resilience of the human mind, the importance of family, and the stories we are capable of telling through the medium of art.
Hades 2 is the perfect addition to the roguelike RPG genre and it offers something for everyone: challenging combat for more seasoned gamers, unique and diverse characters and designs, excellent acting, stunning world and level design and it feels as though it was made with heart and soul, especially for the Greek mythology nerds such as myself.
There is no other way to describe Tiny Bookshop than delightfully cosy and a game which you can spend hours getting lost in, much like the very books the game is based around. With beautiful colours, smooth gameplay and relatable characters, you will feel at home in Bookstonbury-by-the-Sea and the magical world that Neoludic Games has managed to create.
Overall, Hell Is Us has all the makings of an incredible game but is let down by clunky combat, a meandering main quest and lack of direction. However, it must be praised for its environmental storytelling and attention to detail when it comes to art direction and world building. If you don’t need direction and objectives to enjoy a game, this could still be the one for you as curiosity will always be rewarded in Hell is Us.
With Magic Inn receiving regular patches in an attempt to fix the teething problems that launched with the game, I would still recommend giving it a shot as players will find a cosy, life simulator with that touch of magic. It may not be as polished as others in the genre but, issues aside, it still offers an enjoyable experience with heaps of replayability.
It is impressive that Funcom has managed to make a world feel so alive despite being set in the sands of Arrakis so other than a few small annoyances, Dune: Awakening is an utter success story.
Filled with Scottish folklore and just begging you to replay at any opportunity, Into the Restless Ruins is a game that you will keep returning to, even if it is to beat your very own high score. I would recommend this to beginners and veterans of the genre alike.
Did The Last of Us Part II need a remaster just five years on from its release? If you ask me, the answer is no. I believe that other games (not naming names) deserve a remaster or remake even more and there is no denying that TLOU II was already stunning despite first being released on an old-gen console. However, I can appreciate what I have in front of me and you cannot deny that this remaster breathes even more life into the game and even if you are not too involved in graphics and enhancements, you can appreciate the brand-new modes that have been introduced.
Koira is a game for the cosy-genre lovers as it may not offer intense combat, engaging voice acting or a bustling open-world, but it does provide a heartwarming narrative adventure that explores the bonds we are capable of and showcases the beauty of the world we find ourselves a part of for a limited time.
Ultimately, AI Limit does not have the scope or impact that titles such as Elden Ring and Bloodborne have but it still manages to hold its own in the soulslike genre thanks to its unique combat system and engaging environment.
Nevertheless, KARMA: The Dark World is one hell of an enjoyable experience thanks to its stunning graphics, meaningful visuals, and gripping narrative. You will never know what’s coming next or where the story will take you but you are guaranteed to be in for a wild ride with a few jumps along the way.
Season is a game with a great many messages hidden throughout a simple yet impactful story. For me, it is a story about grief, memories, hope and connections. It’s a reminder to appreciate the little things this world has to offer, and how fragile they really are. It’s about the bonds we form with people – from strangers to family. It’s about how the future is uncertain and yet thrilling and exciting and out there waiting.
Melatonin combines colourful art and catchy music to tell a story of how dreams can be an escape from reality. It is the perfect game for those who want a challenge alongside a narrative that runs deep.
The Forest Quartet is a powerful narrative exploring how it feels to live with grief. With beautiful imagery, narrative and music, it is a perfect game to delve into if you want a quick but impactful experience.