LadiesGamers.com's Reviews
Heave Away Haul Away is a charming little game that is a delight for fans of the Sokoban genre. The seafaring portion of the game is also great, and if you are bad at Sokoban-type puzzles, you will at least like the sea adventures.
Coloring Cats: Sports with Friends is the kind of game you can come back to for just a few minutes or get lost in for a cozy afternoon. It’s ideal for when you need something gentle, repetitive in the best way, and wonderfully low-stress. It has the Mens Sana Interactive signature characters and thoughtful additions like the playlist. You really get a lot for your money! Although the game does work on the Steam Deck, it is better played using a mouse. Or maybe, in future, on the Nintendo Switch?
Doors & Loot has its share of rough edges, most notably its underwhelming controller support and limited combat feedback, but when played with a mouse and keyboard, it becomes a much more enjoyable experience. The core loop of exploring, looting, and upgrading offers enough satisfaction to keep you coming back for another run, especially in short bursts. It’s not going to blow anyone away, but it doesn’t need to. Sometimes, a simple dungeon crawler with a solid progression loop is enough. With a bit more polish, Doors & Loot could be something great. As it stands, it’s a charming and worthwhile indie that’s definitely worth trying, just steer clear of the controller and play it the way it clearly wants to be played. A free demo is available on Steam.
Cubic Odyssey surprised me. It’s one of those games that sneaks up on you; the more you play, the more it draws you in. Between the solid sci-fi theme, satisfying progression, and blend of structure and freedom, it delivers an experience that feels both familiar and fresh. If you’ve never been into crafting games, this might be your gateway. If you’re already a fan of the genre, there’s more than enough depth and novelty to keep you engaged. And with co-op in place and ongoing updates likely, it’s only going to get better from here. Whether you’re after a solo adventure or a shared sandbox with friends, Cubic Odyssey is a stellar time sink in the best way possible. A free demo is also available on Steam
Trident’s Tale is filled with strong ideas and pirate charm, but it’s not ready for prime time, at least not on Nintendo Switch. The technical issues are too glaring to ignore, from the blurry textures to the frame drops and janky animations. If a few substantial patches come down the line, or if the game sees a better-optimised release on other platforms or a potential Switch 2, this could become the fun, breezy adventure it clearly wants to be. Until then, consider holding off or checking it out elsewhere if possible. There’s a good game under the surface, but right now it’s buried under too many waves of performance problems.
If you liked The Secret Salami, you will love Duck Detective: The Ghost of Glamping. If you haven’t played The Secret Salami yet, play that one first. This one picks up with the story from the end of the previous one, so there are some characters you won’t know unless you finished the first one. I was super sad when Duck Detective: The Ghost of Glamping ended; I think this episode was too short. But other than that, I had no issues with this beautiful, funny, adorable game from a developer I already loved deeply. Excellent work once again.
Devoted to a cozy, play at your pace style and supported by a well-planned and executed story featuring some great characters, Palia enters its first major expansion with the strength necessary to give it a long-term boost. The ever-expanding world is a joy to explore, and the new Elderwood region is large, intricate, and full of neat little nooks where one can find platforms for goodies and shortcuts, all to further the understanding of the world of Palia’s lost history. There are plenty of skills to master, but it never feels overwhelming. Improving your toolkit is up to you, naturally paced by how much you’re willing to putter around with the skill to do some other thing you decided you wanted. The social aspect is no afterthought, walking a careful line of interactivity that allows the world to feel alive without stressing the less social of us into situations that absolutely require us to be outgoing (aaaaaaaugh). Palia hits a blend of tone and style I didn’t realize I was looking for, adding the home customization of Animal Crossing and Disney Dreamlight Valley to a story I found both fresh and comfortingly familiar at regular intervals. In a time of heavy stress, it’s soft, it’s pleasant, and it offers nifty mysteries to think about. It’s a world that’s going to continue to earn regular visits from me as it continues to grow, and I truly hope I’ll see you there.
Just a Little Purr suit is a simple game, but still a lot of fun. What’s more, it’s cute and charmingly cheerful. It is perfect for short bursts of gaming, in-between other more stressful things
Sunseed Island is a bright, colourful and delightful mini farming simulation. I thoroughly enjoyed helping Purrpy explore the islands and restore the Tree of Life.
Aureole: Wings of Hope is a fast, fun, and surprisingly clever spin on the platforming genre. It blends tight physics-based gameplay with an oddball premise and lovable characters. Sure, the difficulty can spike, and a few story scenes could be snappier, but when a game makes launching a halo through lava caverns feel like pure joy, you know it’s doing something right. If you’re after something original, energetic, and just a little offbeat, give Aureole: Wings of Hope a shot. It’s sent from above, and it plays like a dream.
Maliki: Poison of the Past is a beautifully designed game with a loop that feels heavier on combat and exploration than it is on farming. The combat, while balanced and intriguing, may end up being a little tougher than you’d expect from games in this niche, and you may well feel like you’re missing some opportunities to simply pootle around your crops. But if you’re locked in and ready for a turn-based RPG with a little meat on it, you may well fall in love with Maliki. I found myself a little frustrated — but understanding — with being dropped back at the dungeon’s entrance in the early game, as my resources dwindle too fast from trying to hustle back to the checkpoint. It’s going to be a matter of heavy preference for gamers. Still, I solidly mark this as one for the RPGers looking for a slightly lighter adventure fare than, say, Lunar. Then, I would recommend it for farm sim fans looking for a little excitement in between harvests.
Into the Restless Ruins is a standout title in the modern roguelike scene. It’s clever blend of card-based dungeon building and survivor-style action creates a rhythm that’s as addictive as it is original. The Scottish folklore backdrop adds a unique flavour, and the mechanics evolve in meaningful ways as you progress. Minor quibbles about familiar pixel visuals are easy to overlook when the gameplay loop is this fresh. Whether you’re here for the deckbuilding, the dungeon crawling, or just the thrill of a new kind of roguelike, this is one wish you’ll want to chase. A free demo is available on Steam, so there’s no excuse not to give it a shot.
Wow this town of Okunezato in 7’scarlet has some serious issues they have to look into! I did not at first know where the story was going, but I liked the mystery of it all and the added supernatural elements. The romances were fine, I wasn’t completely convinced by them, except for Sosuke and Yuzuki’s route. But if you like a good mystery story, I would recommend 7’scarlet.
Preserve has it all: chill out in Creative mode; test your designer skills in Classic mode; or be bamboozled in Puzzle mode. Wallow in the lovely graphics as you create beautiful landscapes and populate them with delightful creatures. Whilst Preserve works well in both docked and handheld modes, some of the text and icons are a little small for the Nintendo Switch Lite screen.
Yasha: Legends of the Demon Blade doesn’t break new ground, but it’s a satisfying hack-and-slash experience with enough charm and variety to make it worth your time. The combat is fun, the characters are cool, and the world has a stylish edge, even if the story doesn’t dig too deep and the roguelite upgrades feel a bit bland. If you’re new to the genre, you’ll likely have a blast. If you’re a roguelite veteran, you might feel a sense of déjà vu. Still, if you’ve got room for one more run-based action game in your life, this one’s worth picking up for a weekend of demon-slaying fun and beyond.
Medieval Legacy is a game that will feel dry to those unfamiliar with grand strategy and lineage games, with menus that may intimidate and a realistic unfairness to your struggle, even on the introductory Medium setting, which makes this not the best entry point for gamers intrigued by the premise. To you, I beg, try King of Dragon Pass, or the cozier Echoes of Plum Grove as a launching pad. Then come join us over here in numbers land. But for those of us that don’t mind being blasted with a whole lot of information and countless ways to flub your run (ask me about my hundreds of hours in Stellaris), Medieval Legacy is a pretty darn good legacy sim. The month-to-month turns give you plenty of time to putter through the menus, talk to neighboring families, and decide on your course of action. While it seems like there’s not much to do at first with your minimal resources, there’s much more lurking around to discover, making for a slightly clunky in places but earnest and enjoyable sim. I liked this game a surprising amount, and will continue to plug away at it until I get a family I can be proud of. But my score should be taken with caveats for the comfier gamer, and I wish the early access demo was still available. Still, at a budget price, I highly endorse giving this game a fair shot, so long as this kind of thing is your jam.
Skating Rink Story is one of the more chilled Kairosoft games. With the on-screen help and structured requests, Skating Rink Story is a great introduction to this type of management simulation game.
Overall, I think ReThink: Evolved 6 is a really fun game with a lot of interesting puzzles. If you enjoy puzzle games with simple premises that get harder and harder as you progress, that give you a lot of challenge and no story to bog it down, you should love ReThink: Evolved 6. Even with its flaws, I think it’s an amazing example of a story-free puzzle game with interesting mechanics, beautiful graphics, and really great puzzles to solve
Wings of Endless doesn’t try to change the genre; it just delivers everything you’d want from a 2D action-adventure RPG and does it well. With its dynamic combat, lovable cast, satisfying progression, and polished presentation, this is a game that quietly soars far above expectations. At its budget-friendly price and with a free demo available on Steam, there’s no reason not to give this one a shot. For anyone craving a retro-inspired adventure that respects your time and rewards your curiosity, this is a must-play
Dunk Dunk isn’t just a good time, it’s an instant good time. There are no long-winded cutscenes, no deep progression systems, and absolutely no filler. It knows what it is: a party-ready, platforming basketball brawl that’s here for short bursts of pure mayhem. It may not convert the hardcore sports simulation crowd, but for fans of platformers, couch co-op, and lighthearted competition, this is a no-brainer. Throw in a free demo, and Dunk Dunk is a slam dunk for arcade sports fans everywhere.