LadiesGamers.com's Reviews
I adored my time with Little Witch in the Woods. It’s cute, it’s fun, it’s calming, and it’s got some amazing art. It has been in Early Access for a long time, so I was surprised that these bugs have stuck around. Overall, it’s a great game with a great story and gameplay loop; I think most people who love cozy sims will love Little Witch in the Woods a whole lot, just like I did.
Little Problems: A Cozy Detective Game will no doubt satisfy fans of the cozy genre. It will probably please fans of The Roottrees are Dead, as well, because it uses similar gameplay mechanics. I’ve played and reviewed and loved both games, and for me, the comparison was unavoidable. Of course, the mood for each game is very different, and in terms of coziness, Little Problems is the clear winner. If you are in the mood for some light-hearted detective fun, Little Problems: A Cozy Detective Game might be the game for you.
Sips and Sonnets is not only a visual novel, but it also thoughtfully explores themes of growing up, aging, and living a fulfilling life, as well as the wholesome connections we make with others. I admit I was attracted to the game because of all the tea shown in the trailer, and the poem making, and while all that was great, what really stayed with me were the characters. If you like thoughtfully crafted stories, with a lot of little facts about life, philosophy, poetry, and tea, Sips and Sonnets is the game for you.
Overall, Gloomy Eyes was a treasure of a game. It had a great story, amazing aesthetics, and a great soundtrack. It was a little short, and I feel like it could have been expanded a bit at the end to make the last cutscene a little less abrupt, but overall, the story and characters were amazing. If you like spooky Tim Burton kids’ movies like Nightmare Before Christmas and Coraline, and you even thought, “Hey these could make a fun game,” you should check out Gloomy Eyes for sure.
If you enjoy card games, you may also appreciate Ellentis. It takes a bit to get used to the rules, but once you get the hang of it, at least on the easier difficulty setting, the levels will be a breeze.
Slime in Abysm shows that games don’t need to be big or complicated to be enjoyable. It’s simple, yes, but that’s what makes it so easy to recommend. It’s cheap, cheerful, and surprisingly satisfying once you get into the rhythm of launching slimes and hauling your cannon upward. Of course, it won’t be for everyone. If you hate losing progress or don’t have the patience for trial-and-error climbing challenges, you may find the constant setbacks frustrating. But if you’re looking for something quick, affordable, and refreshingly straightforward, Slime in Abysm is a slime-sized winner.
The Merry Fairy is an excellent idea for those who already love collecting stickers, fairy tales, scrapbooking, and journaling. It sets out to create a cozy, magical place for you to relax, and it does so beautifully. If you are unsure if you’ll like The Merry Fairy, I encourage you to try the demo. You might be pleasantly surprised.
Chip ‘n Clawz vs. The Brainioids is a delightful blend of action and strategy that doesn’t take itself too seriously. With its playful story, colourful world, and flexible gameplay, it’s a great pick for families, co-op sessions, or anyone just looking for a good upbeat time. It may not present itself as overly deep and thought-provoking, but sometimes, that’s exactly what you need.
At the end of the day, SF3RA is fine. It’s a simple, no-frills action platformer that will keep you entertained in short bursts. Gaining new weapons and the asteroid-flying segments between missions add some variety. But once the novelty wears off, the repetition sets in. If you’re in the mood for a straightforward robot-shooting adventure without too many bells and whistles, SF3RA might be worth your time. Just don’t expect it to stick with you long after the credits roll.
Overall, Isles & Tiles is a fun game that has a few little things I don’t like about it. I really like all the different modes, and I wish there was more to do. I would love to see a kind of endless mode and a creative mode for this game; I feel like those could add a lot of content and fun to the game. A great game with a great premise and pretty to look at.
Otherskin got under my skin, in the best possible way. It’s the kind of surprise that makes gaming feel exciting again, reminding you that not every worthwhile adventure needs a triple-A budget or a massive marketing push. With creative morph abilities, a captivating alien world, and a story that balances bleakness with hope, this is a sci-fi action-adventure well worth checking out. Even if you’re unsure, I’d recommend grabbing the free demo. Chances are, like me, you’ll hopefully come away pleasantly surprised.
BederSNAKE is not “Snake but better”, despite what its name cheekily implies. It’s something different, a twist on a classic turned into a minimalist puzzle game. The controls can be fiddly, and an undo button would have been a lifesaver, but at its best, it’s a relaxing, clever little puzzler that’s worth dipping into if you’re curious. Want to give it a try? A free demo is available on Steam.
Stickin’ the Landing is a charming, easy to play physics puzzler that lets you be a rocket scientist without all the study. With its colored pencil aesthetic and no-fault play style that encourages you to experiment, it’s a terrific game for the right kind of mind. With a demo available on Steam, there’s no risk in trying it all out and seeing if its brand of peaceful but purposefully fidgety gameplay is for you. It’s the kind of game that not every player will click with, but those that do are in for something special. Stickin’ the Landing is simple but fun, offering plenty of potential zen-like moments as you get that cute little paper rocketship home just one more time. While my attention span can’t click with the game as deeply as I’d like, I see a lot of good times here for other players willing to take a chance on a new kind of experimental flight.
Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution is more than just a lost relic; it’s a reminder of how timeless great game design can be. With its mix of platforming, puzzle-solving, transformations, and memorable characters, it feels both nostalgic and fresh. Sure, it has a couple of quirks like the lack of a minimap, but the vibrant visuals, clever mechanics, and infectious personality more than make up for it. For long-time Shantae fans, this release is a must-buy. For newcomers who just enjoy retro-inspired adventures, it’s a nice, colourful ride that proves some treasures are worth digging up.
Tiny Bookshop was one of the games I’ve been most eagerly waiting for this year. Thankfully, it didn’t disappoint. I really appreciated the inclusion of real-world books in the recommendations, and I’ve added several titles to my own reading list. If you enjoy reading slice-of-life stories or slow-paced games, you’ll love Tiny Bookshop.
Whisper of the House is a perfectly cozy game, with a bit of adventure, a bit of intrigue, and a lot of unpacking. I think that if you enjoy this type of game, you’ll likely appreciate this one as well.
Swipepi accomplishes what it sets out to be: a relaxing, casual puzzle game. It doesn’t reinvent the genre, and it doesn’t offer huge amounts of variety, but it nails its niche. With 500 puzzles, an approachable design, and forgiving mechanics like undo and auto-solve, it’s a game that just about anyone can enjoy if you’re in the mood for it. For casual players looking for a stress-free puzzle to unwind with, Swipepi is an easy recommendation. It won’t blow you away, but it’s smooth, simple, and calming, a nice little game for when you just want to switch off.
Gold for Retirement isn’t the flashiest or deepest platformer out there, but it has a lot of heart. It blends old-school simplicity with a couple of clever mechanics and pairs it all with a soundtrack that far outshines expectations. Sure, the gliding can feel a little floaty, and yes, some levels will test your patience, but overall it’s a fun little game that rewards persistence. It’s not going to set the gaming world on fire, but for anyone who wants a no-nonsense platformer with a quirky premise and a fantastic soundtrack, Gold for Retirement is absolutely worth a look. A free demo is also available if you want to try it first.
Much like the previous games in the series, Hidden Cats : Zombie Hunter is a short and sweet hidden object game. If you need something short, this might be the game for you.
The Herd doesn’t pretend to be anything other than what it is: a light-hearted, chaotic puzzler about wrangling clueless animals. It can be frustrating, sure, but it’s also hilarious with plenty of fun to be found amongst the chaos if you have the right frame of mind for it. With a free demo on Steam and a budget-friendly price, there’s plenty of incentive to try unless, of course, you don’t like goats, chickens, or absolute chaos.