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Looking For Aliens is a very silly hidden objects game that has just as many alien and pop culture references to seek as there are hidden objects. If I’m being honest, the biggest surprise was how long the game was — I didn’t expect to spend double digit hours poking around all the corners of the universe searching for random items, but I guess life comes at you fast like that. If you’re looking for kooky, casual fun, Looking For Aliens is easy to find.
If you’re a fan of Left 4 Dead and VR shooters, then After The Fall comes easily recommended. Its cross-platform co-op is an absolute blast regardless of which platform you’re playing on. And when it comes to replay value, the game’s loot and upgrade systems will keep you coming back for more as you work to craft the ultimate arsenal of zombie-killing hardware. Still, I can’t help but wish the game had just a little bit more to offer players out of the gate. Depending on which difficulty you choose, you can barrel through the game’s five stages in just a few hours. And with just a handful of zombie types to encounter, things can start to feel a little repetitive after a while. Still, if you’re looking for Left 4 Dead-style thrills on your favorite headset, After The Fall is as close as you’re going to get, and a solid addition to any VR gamer’s library.
The phrase Metroidvania should not be applied casually, for those two games expanded what was possible, tossing gamers down cryptic corridors instead of cute green pipes. Aeterna Noctis may not innovate much, but it’s a worthy addition to this sub-genre that any fan of Hollow Knight will be pleased to play, if they can overlook the redundancy of gameplay elements. The frequency of the jumping puzzles will push many casual gamers away, but those looking for a classic, hardcore challenge will find it welcomes you with its skeletal hands.
I honestly can’t decide if Happy’s Humble Burger Farm is a good or bad game. There are parts of it that I thoroughly loved, like the creepy storyline, the gritty, dated aesthetics that really immersed you in the game’s world, and the jump scares that got me every time. But those controls are just atrocious, hindering the game to the point it felt nearly unplayable at times. There are a lot of awesome, interesting, and unique ideas here, but unfortunately the execution just wasn’t there.
Evil Genius 2: World Domination, with its wacky traps and accessible brand of evil strategy, is an easy recommendation. Seeing your lair expand from a couple of basic rooms into a fully-fledged multi-story instrument of death is one of the most gratifying gaming experiences I’ve had in 2021. Sure, the campaign can feel a little too guided at times, but that can’t overshadow the power fantasy that Evil Genius 2: World Domination provides.
Ultimately, Shovel Knight Pocket Dungeon is a great success. It managed to meld a classic indie series with a dynamic new style, and for the most part, it works pretty well. Yes, it may be a bit too challenging for its own good, but not so much I ever put it down for long. If you’re a fan of the series or just enjoy new puzzle games, I’d definitely check it out. Besides the main adventure, there’s a ton of other modes to explore, as well as secrets to uncover. Here’s hoping the next offshoot title from Yacht Club Games continues this positive trend.
Halo Infinite isn’t a perfect game. It has some rough edges, and you can absolutely feel at times where compromises had to be made to get it out this holiday season. Normally I’d want a game to take its time and release when it’s ready, but this is a case where I’m glad the developers didn’t do so. A year from now, Halo Infinite may be even better than it is today, but right now, it’s still one of the best games of 2021. After many years of trying to find its footing, Halo is back on solid ground. While in the long term, a series of this age will need to try innovating again, after years of struggling to find the right feel, letting players come home to a game that simply feels like a modern version of what they love was the right choice.
Wytchwood may only be a 10 – 15 hour romp, but those hours are packed to the brim with exploring, crafting, puzzle-solving, storytelling, world-building, and more. A subtly magical experience, Wytchwood’s secrets slowly open up over the course of the game in such a nuanced way, you’ll be eagerly watching out of the corner of your eye for novelty from start to finish. Wytchwood made my bog witch dreams come true, and if you love a good fetch quest game, I’m positive this will be your cup of witches’ brew too.
Playing The Sundew is much like eating at a fancy boutique restaurant. You’ll be served something that’s beautifully presented only to then find the meal isn’t nearly substantial enough to fill your belly, and you’ll be aghast at the bill for it. The story flies by before it’s even had a chance to begin, and even though there are multiple endings, they only add a little sliver of extra playtime. Though there’s a little fun to be had in exploring the lovingly rendered pixel art scenery, this cyberpunk outing is sadly destined to wash away from your memory – like tears in The Sundew.
There’s a reason why Death’s Door won the 2021 Golden Joystick Award for Best Indie Game and was nominated for the Best Independent Game Award at The Game Awards this year — it’s damn good. Nothing is missing here, every component perfectly balanced against everything else to make for a near-spiritual gaming experience. With gorgeous visuals, a stunning soundtrack, multiple combat styles, a mixture of creative comedy and relatable existential crises, and sprawling environments that naturally invites players to explore every pixel, Death’s Door deserves all the praise it’s received and more.
Ghosts and Apples is a thoroughly enjoyable game. Simple controls, Tim Burton aesthetic, and unique, addictive gameplay make for a great experience. While the difficulty curve is a bit steep for my tastes, the challenges are certainly part of the fun. There’s also a solid versus mode for two players. I played several matches against my husband and it’s just as addicting as the story mode. If you’re in the market for a unique puzzle-y, arcade-y, increasingly frantic game, Ghosts and Apples may just scratch that itch for you.
Word Forward is a fantastic word strategy game, and one that absolutely belongs in any word nerd’s library. It’s perfect for that on the go gameplay for when you want to sneak in a few minutes of playtime here and there. If you love word games and you want something with a bit more brain tickling than most, Word Forward is G-R-E-A-T!
Despite some flaws, Rune Factory 4 Special is still a ton of fun for players wanting that mix of combat and farming. After nearly a decade, though, I hope this is the last we see of it being ported around, at least for now. Time has moved a bit past it, and other games in the genre offer smoother experiences. With Rune Factory 5 set to finally hit US shores early next year, hopefully, we’ll soon be enjoying the evolution of Rune Factory 4 we’ve needed for some time.
To The Rescue! isn’t without its flaws, but like a cute yet shy dog tucked away in a shelter kennel’s corner, it’s still worthy of any dog lover’s attention. It may have had a rocky start to life, but the developers have been hard at work tackling bugs and fixing issues, so it’s safe to say that any perceived problems will soon be a thing of the past. If you’re ready to roll up your sleeves and find fur-ever homes for pixelated pups, To The Rescue! just might be the most doggone fun dog shelter simulator out there.
In the end, I think Super Robot Wars 30 is a game you should consider picking up. If you’re a Turn-Based Strategy or Mecha anime fan, then you owe it to yourself to give this a try. As for me, I plan to delve once again into the endless war these heroes fight so that, one day, true peace will once again return to humanity.
Wandering Trails is a peaceful nature game that unfortunately falls a little short. Some may find this experience soothing; others will suffer. I wanted to enjoy this supposedly relaxing romp, but my time frantically sprinting in circles at dead of night to a cacophony of howling wolves and hooting owls reminded me more of Blair Witch than Eastshade. I cannot recommend this if you have an anxiety disorder or have never played a walking simulator before. Everyone else should be fine though.
The VR platformer genre has seen plenty of innovation since Lucky’s Tale made its debut with gems like Japan Studio’s Astro Bot and Polyarc’s Moss. Still, while it may not be quite as ambitious as those aforementioned adventures, revisiting this family-friendly fox for another go-round on the Oculus Quest 2 was an irresistible treat that my inner child savored from start to finish. It’s a quick burn to be sure, but if you’re looking for a lighthearted romp for your new headset, Lucky’s Tale is pure platforming magic and a must-own addition to any platformer fan’s library.
I really didn’t know what to expect from White Shadows, but I’m glad I had the chance to cover it. It’s a very ambitious first effort by Monokel, and it doesn’t pull any punches. While the difficulty of the game was a bit top-heavy, I still enjoyed my time with it. If you enjoy puzzle platformers and don’t mind some truly haunting imagery, I’d definitely give it a shot. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to see if there’s another ending I have yet to unlock after unintentionally becoming the “destroyer of worlds”…
Monster Bash has aged surprisingly well, and the HD version helps make the game accessible and preserves its identity. It’s not especially long, but there’s a ton of content here should you choose to seek it out. The developers clearly had a soft spot for this charming little horror game, and it’s not hard to see why. There’s even a new secret level, which is a wonderful addition if you can find it. If you’ve never played a Shareware title or one of Apogee’s early games, this is a great place to start.
Epic Chef has a lot to offer players who want to inject a charmingly humorous adventure narrative into their farming simulator. With crops to harvest, structures to craft, and cooking battles to win, Epic Chef attempts a diverse range of gameplay, and, to its credit, largely succeeds. If you’re looking for something that isn’t afraid to mix and match mechanics and is unapologetically fun, Epic Chef thinks you should don your metaphorical chef hat and get cookin’.