Ebenezer and The Invisible World shows promise as a Metroidvania game, offering fans and players a chance to revisit a classic story, much like the recent Lies of P. However, it ultimately disappoints in several areas, resulting in a lacklustre and frustrating Christmas gaming experience.
The Matchmaker Agency has the potential to shoot further with its cupid arrow but falls short in its many flaws. Although love knows no boundaries, this agency failed to make a lasting impression to make for a meaningful relationship.
Park Beyond may have lightyears ahead with its impossification mechanic, but other features and bugs encountered made it not worth the while of spending hours sinking in the game.
Amber Isle has the potential to be one of the top cozy management games if the dev team played their cards right, but it currently feels pretty barebones except for the visuals. The shop management system only scratches the surface, the exploration area seems large on the map but feels limited once you explore it. [...] The concept of running your own chibi-dinosaur island and growing your business into a thriving centre in the village seems promising. However, Amber Isle makes this idea seem too good to be true, offering little to explore in this adorable prehistoric world. In short, it feels and plays as outdated as its subjects.
Visually, Fruitbus is a feast for the eyes, featuring adorable characters and charming landscapes that enrich the overall experience. The captivating graphics drew me in immediately, setting a memorable stage for this heartwarming tale of family and friendship. Despite its endearing qualities, Fruitbus feels like a work in progress. There’s potential for future updates to refine the experience, but as it currently stands, the game would benefit from immediate fixes to unlock its full charm.
Sons of Valhalla successfully achieves a delicate balance between the action and real-time strategy elements, but it may be overwhelming for players who are not accustomed to this hybrid genre. Despite the difficulty level options, it can be frustrating for new players to endure the game and constantly lose and regain a base in repetitive cycles.
It may have taken over ten years to finally come out, but Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island is an unforgiving experience that will either make or break players. Success relies heavily on personal skill, luck, and meticulously planning every move to ensure survival until the very end. Yes, all the points I've made mostly sound negative but if you're the type who love a devilish challenge, I recommend this title. Otherwise, there are others that are much more lenient for players new to the roguelike genre. Like I said earlier, it's under the "love it or really hate it" category of niche entries.
Cygni: All Guns Blazing provides an exhilarating and action-packed shmup experience for hardcore players. The customizable ship options are impressive, the energy allocation mechanic is unique, the visual and sounds are immersive, and the game is sure to keep players on the edge of their seats, bringing its full bullet hell twin stick shooter glory to modern audiences.
Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble is a riot - a fun party game with crazy stunts and iconic characters. It's a great balance of nostalgia and a modern experience, reminding players of the good old days while offering something fresh.
While gameplay is certainly king and the meat of the game, the narrative of Worldless can be a mixed bag. The narrative component of the game can be somewhat inconsistent. The story takes a relatively long time to develop, and it lacks the seamless flow that some players may desire. Moreover, certain aspects of the story can be lost in translation, particularly the absence of audio dialogue and relying solely on text-based interactions. Nevertheless, if you're seeking to try something new that pushes your reflexes and traverses cosmic realms of wonder, this game is just right up your alley.
Samba De Amigo: Party Central is best enjoyed in a group setting, rather than playing it alone. It is perfect to play at parties or gatherings where the atmosphere is lively and fun. The game features fantastic music and is highly engaging, which makes it addictive and enjoyable at first. However, despite offering a variety of challenges, it fails to leave a lasting impression and is far from being considered one of the standout rhythm games of 2023.
Whether you're playing it for its puzzle or story, both elements shine when it comes to Rogue Sun’s latest entry, Tin Hearts.
Card-en-Ciel strikes a perfect balance between challenge and enjoyment. Even with its roguelike elements, starting over doesn’t feel punitive. The music is pleasant, and the characters are visually appealing. The storyline offers an immersive visual novel-style experience. For those new to the deck-building genre, this game provides an excellent introduction without overwhelming players with its technical aspects, complemented by charming anime visuals and catchy music from collected Muse cards.
Like a well-crafted novel, taking its time to develop the plot and draw players into its world. Instead of relying on long cutscenes or complex side quests, Crow Country focuses on creating a slow, immersive journey that pays off in the end.
Whether you're a seasoned puzzler or new to the genre, Islands of Insights offers something for everyone, providing a decidedly zen and laid-back experience for a sprawling puzzle adventure unlike anything you have ever experienced. Go forth and be the ultimate Seeker!
Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy is a triumph that accomplishes everything it set out to do, presenting three outstanding games to modern consoles in their most accessible form yet. With an abundance of improvements and offerings for both veteran players and newcomers to enjoy, it's never been easier or more enjoyable to experience Apollo Justice's journey. When it comes to this case, I have no objections, Your Honour.
Simply put, Lil' Guardsman is undoubtedly a remarkable title that provides players with a one-of-a-kind gaming experience. Its blend of comedy, cozy adventure, puzzles, and fantasy offers a refreshing take on an indie comedy adventure.