Railways: Train simulator does not feel like a simulator game at all and instead plays like a really simple mobile puzzle game. While each level has different environments and obstacles to throw you off your game, it still only feels like a game that is more suited to be either a Nintendo Switch or Mobile rather than a PC.
Shame Legacy definitely has a scare factor but is severely lacking in parts where it’s most important. Having aimed a bit too high for what they wanted, even with the game having an incredible amount of potential in terms of the lore and world setting, it has fallen short because of an overuse of cliches that have been used in just about every survival-horror game to date.
ONI: Road to Mightiest Oni has a gorgeous semi-open world with an emotionally driven soundtrack. While the gameplay may seem lacking at some points, the story makes up for it with an interesting tale about a little Oni’s struggle to become strong enough to protect his people and about the friends he makes on the island. That is if your PC can handle the jitter that happens in the second area.
Contraband Police has good graphics and a pretty dynamic storyline to keep you curious about what’s happening. From day-to-day occurrences to hopping into a van in the hopes of making it to a side quest in time. You’ll find that there is much more to the game than meets the eye.
Blackout Protocol is a decent co-op rogue-lite with its own unique tricks. With the game being in Early Access, there is a great amount of potential for the game to add in content such as more playable characters and levels.
Voidtrain is a brand new take on survival craft with a Lovecraftian steampunk theme to it. Whether you play solo or with friends, every game will be different. Although the background music can eventually become stale, it still keeps you hooked on trying to build the best train you can with unique creatures, both friendly and not. Voidtrain is definitely a game to keep an eye on as it continues development in Early Access.
Thief Simulator 2 is an amazing stealth simulation and has really improved on a lot of aspects from the first game. Its controls are easy to learn and can be fun for those who enjoy stealth simulations or just about any stealth game.
Highrise City is an incredibly immersive city builder with a sharp learning curve for those who expect it to just be a normal city builder, as a lot of the mechanics come from economic and resource management simulators. If you are familiar with typical city builders and are thinking Highrise City might be the same, you may just be biting off more than you can chew if you ignore the tutorials.
Alien Hominid Invasion is a fast-paced Run ‘n Gun platformer with roguelike mechanics that is great either alone or played with friends. While it would’ve been nice to have more variety in the objectives of a level, you can tell that The Behemoth put a lot of effort into giving players a lot of ways to play the game.
House Flipper’s Farm DLC is a unique and more quality-of-life addition to an otherwise engaging game that can keep you busy for hours. While there are some obvious bugs, they don’t detract from the overall gameplay but they can still be annoying for those just starting. You can still unleash your inner creative demon and find your style in this home design simulator game.
Witchfire is a challenging but fun Rouglike shooter with a bit of a soulslike atmosphere that, while unforgiving, is highly rewarding once you buckle down into your role as a Preyer. While it’s a great game for those who are used to soulslike, it can become increasingly frustrating to those who don’t have the patience to deal with an unforgiving battlefield and an unfortunate downward spiral when you level up too fast.
Railway Empire 2 is a fun strategy simulator, even if it is a little difficult for someone just starting the genre to get into the game. While the tutorial is highly detailed, it is still lacking in a few explanations that would help a novice player out. It is a game that keeps you coming back with five different campaign levels as well as many different scenarios to explore.
American Arcadia is a fantastically story-rich puzzle game that will keep you on the edge of your seat and make you want to play it again, even after finishing it. The art style, character design, mechanics, and plot of the story come together to create something incredibly unique that most puzzle game players will enjoy, even with some of the puzzles being a little unforgiving.
V Rising is a great open-world survival that brings in a highly gothic vampire element. Unlock new forms and fight your way to the top of the food chain by killing boss after boss. Take it even further with the Secrets of Gloomrot expansion and explore new technological wonders that are available alongside thirteen new bosses. Whether you just stay near your base to build or venture out into the wilds to hunt down vampire hunters and other bosses is entirely up to you.
Killer Frequency is another success that Team17 can add to their list of titles, from a storyline filled with twists and amazing voice acting to keep you locked into the story. There is always something to do within KFAM’S studio, whether you hunt down killer records to add to your collection or just spend a few minutes trying to make that perfect shot.
DOOMBLADE is a fast-paced quirky Metroidvania game that nails any and all expectations set for it and, at the same time, blows them away. From an amazing soundtrack to incredible lore and easy-to-use controls, DOOMBLADE is definitely a hit worth playing, even if you do have to battle the same boss multiple times due to dying every time.
Ugly is an incredible game with its simplicity in mechanics and the indirect way Team Ugly shows you the story. While most puzzle games and platformers will usually focus on combat and tools needed to finish a level, Ugly focuses on keeping it simple as well as creating an experience that is not only polished but highly enjoyable. It is the perfect game for anyone searching for dark yet mysterious stories and puzzles.