A focused horror adventure with mature themes and cursed imagery, Bramble: The Mountain King is a hidden gem that will irrevocably leave a mark on some people. Inevitably all decisions carry their weight and change oneself, and Olle’s chilling journey must be witnessed by all who are interested in an epic, suspenseful tale.
Thanks to its impressive cinematic direction, In Tanta We Trust boasts a no-holds-barred, action-packed narrative that gives more of what people love in Forspoken. For its short runtime, it never lets up and offers a blockbuster-worthy adventure of Frey’s story, a huge climax, boss fight, and all. While the future of the series may be uncertain, In Tanta We Trust gives this daring new IP a deserved sendoff.
Playing this particular game feels like being part of a very well-structured high-end space drama. Stakes are raised every so often to keep you engaged. A triumphant return not too often seen on the gaming landscape, The Expanse: A Telltale Series hits the ground running and doesn’t stop. By the time the first episode’s credits are rolling, you’ll be utterly hooked and counting down the days for the next release of this masterful tale.
Moira’s adventure can parallel many people’s experiences as teenagers, living that eternally rebellious angst and not knowing what to do about their future. Embracing its cultural inspirations and creating a heartfelt rendition of the Scottish Highlands and everything they represent, A Highland Song is a beautiful reminder that nature is the best teacher.
Given PSVR2‘s current RPG offerings, RUINSMAGUS: Complete is a breath of fresh air with its mission-based incursions into its dangerous catacombs, customizable equipment, and narrative focused on climbing the ranks of the Magus Guild. Ultimately, the empowering sensation of being a mage in control of all their powers is a feeling this game recreates well. At the best of times, it can make you feel like you are inside a classic fantasy story, and if that is what you have been searching for, look no further.
An inspiring and heartfelt tale for children and adults alike, Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley serves as a much-needed reminder to let go of the baggage we carry, reconnect with nature, and try to learn to be a little bit more like Snufkin.
To have this fun and absurd outer space adventure make a comeback in 2023 in a shiny new package is much appreciated, as its medium scope and many varied ways to approach any situation in The Outer Worlds: Spacer’s Choice Edition make it an unforgettable experience. While it is not as sprawling as other sandboxes in the genre, its dense and rich linear narrative with its meaningful sidequests and worthwhile storylines warrant a playthrough.
Sinister secrets begging to be uncovered and pieced together lurk beneath the surface, and with each playthrough, it’s even clearer to see this masterful tale’s endgame. Frank and Drake both have very complicated lives, and unraveling them, connecting the dots, and ultimately understanding their purpose in life is a thoughtful experience to witness.
With elaborate ties to the first game, the wait was worth it. Night School Studio excels in poignant character studies and has proven once more that its creative writing knows no bounds. What OXENFREE II: Lost Signals lacks in the graphics or gameplay department the spectacular sound design and alluring interdimensional narrative more than make up for it.
Chants of Sennaar, once it clicks, undoubtedly makes you feel like a linguist and paleographer with its glyph-based and gesture-implying puzzles. Throughout the course of your playthrough, you will find the spark of languages and their history might make you want to study further your own and our world’s most profound historical writings as you decipher what each language has to offer.
Agatha Christie – Hercule Poirot: The London Case starts as a slow burn but, through the methodical observations of its titular detective, devolves into a satisfying ending. Avid readers of the Hercule Poirot series are bound to find a pleasant mystery to solve here. To be in the shoes of the detective and sniff out clues in scenes of the crime will satisfy the most eager of fans.
Of course, the most important part of this game is the chaos that unleashes when you get together with friends, be it now through real life or online. Much can be said about the hassle of hauling your belongings and asking help from a company to aid you in such a troubled time. But Moving Out 2‘s incredibly wacky and wild multiplayer adventure as a mover will keep you coming back for one more round.
Considering the overall presentation, these three unique chapters with different gameplay styles and a short runtime are worthy of a playthrough, especially if you are a fan of the series. All of the stories are connected by a single thread, and to see the care put into The Twilight Zone VR with abundant nods to its creator and what came before it is satisfying to see for the fans.
What starts as an exciting adventure of a young savior traveling through different planets loses steam and becomes a tedious enterprise midway. In the end, Batora: Lost Haven aims for a contained narrative that ironically struggles to find balance in a simplistic combat that is marred by difficulty spikes. Alas, fans of isometric action RPG games will find something to love if they are willing to look past its flaws.
The people who work in healthcare have been particularly strained since the global emergency that occurred a few years back, and for a wholesome indie game to pay homage to their everyday efforts is something to be celebrated. Fall of Porcupine formidably shows the constant pressures of daily life, especially in a hospital setting.
Playing dress up is always entertaining, especially with this many options. There is a clear area of opportunity for this type of cozy game that, with a bit more polish and focus, can truly shine. Fashion Dreamer is a step in the right direction for its target audience with its seemingly endless wardrobe choices, but the lack of any meaningful story content can make the game feel pointless. With the promise of updates and special events on the horizon, here’s hoping it can become a high-fashion game for the ages.
Considering the background of Marfusha, such as the one developer porting this PC game to several different consoles and its length and price, it is easy to give it a pass for what it’s going for. With a decidedly pick-up and play design behind it, Marfusha is a great choice for gamers who just want to kill time and enjoy a simple shooter.
Stray Souls is a constant reminder that game development is tough to tackle, and what hopes to scare on the wrong hands may end up being terribly dull. It is a failed attempt at a great horror game that, with a little more polish and time in the oven, would have truly shined. As it stands, it's just a below-average experience with a few good jumpscares.
Mato Anomalies is not an inherently bad game, it just feels like the repetition of menial tasks slows any momentum the ambitious RPG has going for itself. As it wraps up its 30 hour runtime with a strong twist & solid epilogue boss fight, Mato Anomalies benefits from its smaller scope as it doesn’t overstay its welcome in its eight chapters.