LadiesGamers.com's Reviews
In the end, Push Defense is a game that will pull you in more than push you away if you give it a chance. It’s proof that a developer can learn, grow, and surprise you in all the best ways. While it won’t win awards for presentation, it more than makes up for it with clever puzzle design, creative twists, and a surprising amount of content. If you enjoy puzzle games that aren’t afraid to experiment, or you just want to see what happens when block pushing meets tower defense, this one’s absolutely worth a look. For Emerald Knight Interactive, this feels like a turning point, a clear step up that shows real promise for what’s to come next.
My first impressions of Emberwake weren’t the best. The grindy start and clunky tutorial left me cold. But the more I stuck with it, the more I started to appreciate what it was trying to do. It’s clearly a project from a small team (maybe even solo-developed), and you can feel the care and ambition behind it. If you’re patient, there’s a challenging and rewarding strategy-survival game in here. It may not dethrone Kingdom Two Crowns, but it doesn’t have to; it’s carving out its own niche. With some balance tweaks and refinement, it could grow into something really special. Also, keep in mind this is a single-player experience only. For now, I’d say try the free demo. If the core loop grabs you, then you’ll probably find enough here to justify the full game
Yooka-Replaylee is exactly what I hoped the original game would be: a joyful and beautifully built 3D platformer bursting with things to discover. Whether you’re a returning fan or completely new to Yooka and Laylee’s antics, this version delivers everything with polish and heart. For me, it was extra special because I played most of it with my son, who was grinning from ear to ear watching me roll and jump through the levels. It’s the kind of game that’s just as much fun to watch as it is to play, and that’s a rare thing. If you’ve ever loved Banjo-Kazooie, or if the original Yooka-Laylee didn’t quite grab you, this is your second chance, and it’s well worth taking. A free demo is also available if you want to try it out first.
Trails in the Sky: 1st Chapter is everything a remake should be: faithful, refined, and full of heart. It’s a beautiful introduction to one of RPG’s most respected series, and an easy recommendation whether you’re a diehard fan or a first-timer. Here’s hoping Falcom continues to bring the rest of the Trails saga up to this modern standard, because if this remake is anything to go by, the sky’s the limit. A demo is also available if you want to try the game first, and saves do transfer over.
I have hesitated quite a while before giving my final verdict. I love that with Atelier Resleriana: The Red Alchemist and the White Guardian, Gust catered to us fans of the original series. As I understand it, this doesn’t mean that they won’t move along in the direction taken with Atelier Yumia; the two can exist very well together. In the end, I decided on our highest rating. The turn-based fights, the new alchemy system and the depth of the characters and NPCs, plus the added Fairies and their hard work, make this an excellent cozy addition to the Atelier series.
SOPA – Tale of the Stolen Potato is a warm and colorful adventure filled with wit and heart. Suppose you are in the mood for some lighthearted fun, with plenty of exploration, humor, and endearing stories. In that case, SOPA – Tale of the Stolen Potato might be the game for you.
LAN Party Adventures is a promising game with some issues. While I was occasionally annoyed, I ultimately don’t regret my time playing LAN Party Adventures. I enjoyed the trip down memory lane, but I also appreciated the story and its characters.
: Banner of the Spark is exactly the kind of genre experiment I like to see. By mixing roguelite missions with cosy life sim elements, it avoids feeling like “just another run-based game.” There’s always something new to do, whether that’s trying out a weapon build, customising your town, or just fishing because, well, fishing is great. Combat isn’t flawless, and some weapon handling could use a little polish, but none of that stopped me from enjoying the heck out of this game. Add in generous free Switch-to-Switch 2 upgrade support and a heap of content, and you’ve got something that feels both playful and generous.
Cardamom: A Musical Visual Novel is a short but sweet visual novel about a cat looking for a home and connections. If you are in the mood for some musical magic, go and try it out.
Luma Island has been out on Steam for some time, almost a year in fact. So this time, I wasn’t there when it was first released. However, in this case, I’m happy that the game has been out for almost a year. Luma Island is so complete, keeps surprising you with out-of-the-ordinary additions and has excellent quality of life elements. I think this is the result of listening to players’ input and wishes, of tweaking so that bugs are squashed and tying the entire package up with a beautiful bow. I’m really delighted at how Feel Free Games took the familiar elements of simulation games, gave them their own twist and added some more to Luma Island.
In the end, I still recommend Forgotten Fragments, just with some caveats. If you love mastering tight platforming, juggling momentum puzzles, and finding satisfaction in nailing a sequence after countless retries, this could be a game you’ll adore. If, like me, you get easily worn down by repeating tricky sections, you may find it harder to stick with. Even so, I can’t help but admire the care Binary Phoenix has poured into this world. It’s rich, challenging, and brimming with style. For the right player, Forgotten Fragments could be unforgettable.
Lovux is rather smashing. It’s a cosy, clever little puzzle game that combines stress relief with thoughtful challenge. Whether you’re playing a few levels on a coffee break or winding down in the evening, it fits neatly into that “casual but satisfying” category. At under $3/£3, it’s easy to recommend if you’re even mildly into puzzle games. It won’t blow your mind, but it will give you plenty of glass-smashing fun and more than a few “a-ha” moments along the way.
Candy Rangers is, at its heart, a sugar-coated arcade throwback. It takes a genre that’s often seen as niche or outdated and injects it with colour and plenty of personality. Yes, it can be overwhelming at first, and yes, you’ll probably have to replay a stage or two, but the cheerful vibe and satisfying mechanics make it a delight to dip into. It’s not the kind of game that’s going to change your life, but it is the kind of game that can brighten your evening. Sometimes, that’s more than enough. I walked away from it smiling every single time, and really, that’s the best thing you can ask for from a game like this. A welcome addition to the often overlooked cute ’em up sub genre. A free demo is also available on Steam.
The voice acting and artwork in Asfalia: The Cranky Volcano are wonderful, and although short, there are some clever touches. Unfortunately, I found the cursor movement a bit too distracting to fully immerse myself in the whimsical world.
Shujinkou ports to the Nintendo Switch with its spirit blessedly intact. The biggest differences come down to the game’s load time and text size, plus the choice for players to check it out at a lower price point. That balances with the larger cash outlay, but chance to play a demo on the Steam version. More importantly, Shujinkou remains the same inventive, smart, comfy treasure I tried out this past winter. It’s not just a terrific dungeon crawler for fans that love delicately picking through gridded maps for treasures and trials. It’s a genuinely great learning tool for anyone interested in learning Japanese, with a mind towards keeping your attention and personal pace at the fore. It’s simply a great success in both genres.
I think it’s pretty obvious by now, but let me spell it out: I really like playing Bob’s Crystals. It’s simple, but always changing. You’d think the story was just a pretext, but the devs find clever ways to deepen it as you go. (I love the AI’s monologues, they make me want to stick around just to hear what’s next.) The puzzles are fun and really make you think about the best path to take. Bob’s Crystal is a great game for puzzle fans who enjoy a narrative, players who like a little challenge, completists (you’ll have a field day here) and everyone in between.
BeetleQuest: The Puzzle Game is a quirky, bite-sized experience. It’s inexpensive, simple, and clearly made with a younger audience in mind, though oddly, only some of the mini-games are really child-friendly. For adults, it’s probably too light to hold attention for long, but parents might get a bit of enjoyment playing it alongside kiddos. It’s not something I’d recommend as a must-buy, but for under £2, it’s a curious little diversion. If you’re already interested in the BeetleQuest universe, it might be worth dipping in as a companion piece. Otherwise, it’s perfectly okay to skip or check out the main BeetleQuest games instead.
Clutter 18: Joe’s Ultimate Challenge – Collector’s Edition is a very pleasant puzzle game. It doesn’t look as polished as some of its competitors, but it still delivers a great gaming experience, whether you are a die-hard fan of the puzzle genre or a casual gamer looking for a quick puzzle game while on a break
Prism Shift is a neat little puzzle game that proves originality doesn’t need flashy presentation to stand out. It’s a game about patience, experimentation, and solving things at your own pace. If you’re in the mood for something cosy but still smart enough to challenge you, this is an easy one to recommend. Grab a cup of tea, settle in, and let the colours do the shifting.
Storm Lancers isn’t trying to topple the roguelite giants, but it does carve out a fun little niche of its own. On your own, it’s a solid but sometimes punishing adventure with some grindy progression. But grab a friend, and suddenly it transforms into a much more rewarding experience, full of chaotic fights and shared laughter. If you’re hunting for a roguelite you can enjoy together on the couch, this is an easy recommendation. Solo players may find it a bit thin compared to the genre heavyweights, but the core gameplay is still snappy and enjoyable.