LadiesGamers.com's Reviews
Big Hops is one of those games that simply makes you smile. It’s incredibly well put together, with movement that feels as good as anything else in the genre right now. The balance between story, exploration, and gameplay is spot on, and the sheer pleasure of moving through its worlds rarely wears thin. Plus, I was smiling the entire time I played it. It’s early in the year, but Big Hops has already put itself firmly on my radar as a game-of-the-year contender. It’s a reminder of how magical a great platformer can be when it gets the fundamentals right. Don’t let this one hop past your Steam library.
Astronook is a fun, casual puzzle game that is more challenging than it seems. You get to play as if you are a real astronomer in a cozy room filled with memories. The story is very emotional and relatable, about a person who grew out of a childhood dream to pursue a different career. Connecting stars seems plain, but each constellation poses its own difficulty and makes the game more engaging. The art, the sound design, and the ambience are relaxing, and the gameplay is satisfying. Completing the scrapbook feels more like a personal collection of favorite things than a challenge, and it’s very enjoyable. If you get stuck on a puzzle, a few hints will pop up from time to time to help you find the solution. Anyone who is interested in astronomy would very much enjoy this game because searching for planets and other wonders of space feels like using a real-life telescope, and the constellations are quite beautiful. It’s also very gratifying to fill your star map with all the available constellations and see your astronomical collection grow. It’s a quiet and solitary adventure filled with the company of the stars and memories of the past — a nostalgia for the simpler, purer days of childhood.
Super Chipflake Ü: Quest for the Uncooked Schnitzel is a great open-world fetch quest and collectathon bonanza, with lots of varied tasks and humorous conversations to keep you occupied and amused. However, there are a few frustrations in the gameplay, which take away some of the enjoyment.
Overall, MIRO feels a little unfinished. I think it has a lot going for it, and it could be a very interesting game. It has very good bones, but some of the meat of it is just not what I was looking for. I still liked my time with it, and I enjoyed exploring. I want more from MIRO, and I think most players will agree with me. I hope this developer keeps at it. I look forward to future updates!
DuneCrawl is a unique, creative start to 2026. It’s not flawless, and some players may find the controls and difficulty inconsistencies a bit fiddly. But what it offers is a sandbox adventure that feels fresh, inventive, and willing to take risks. Driving a giant crab across a hostile desert while upgrading your gear and reclaiming territory is as enjoyable as it sounds. For players looking for something different, especially with friends, DuneCrawl is well worth your time. It’s a game I can easily see myself returning to, just to wander the sands and see what trouble my crab can get into next.
The Legend of Heroes: Trails Beyond the Horizon is another confident entry in a series. It offers a deep, flexible battle system, a massive amount of content, and a story that rewards long-time fans with meaningful payoffs and familiar faces. It’s not the best place to start your Trails journey, and newcomers may feel lost despite the helpful recaps. Consider jumping on Trails in the Sky also available on Switch 2 first. For existing fans, or players who already know they enjoy this style of RPG, there’s a lot to appreciate here. Personally, I’m far from a complete Trails expert, but every entry I’ve played has won me over through its combat systems and world-building. The Legend of Heroes: Trails Beyond the Horizon continues that trend. It may not surprise you, but it delivers exactly what it promises.
I love all the little changes that have been made. I think City Tales – Medieval Era is a great, peaceful city builder. The music is perfect, the visuals are great, and the companion system is wonderful. I like the new pacing, the new districting, and the massive amounts of additions that were made. Overall, I found City Tales – Medieval Era to be a pleasant time, and I applaud these developers for such a well-made game with a strong 1.0. If you enjoy cozy city builders with fun little side companion stories, this is the perfect one for you.
Sniffin For Bones won’t impress with innovation, and that’s ok. What it offers instead is a calm, accessible platform adventure that’s easy to pick up and easy to enjoy. It’s not a game that will surprise seasoned players, but it does provide a pleasant slice of casual fun. This feels especially well-suited to younger players, people new to gaming, or anyone looking for something gentle and low-stimulus. At its low price, it delivers exactly what it promises: a short, friendly experience about exploring levels and collecting bones as a dog. It won’t be for everyone, but for the audience it’s aiming at, Sniffin For Bones does its job well. It gives the dog a bone if you will
Junkyard Universe is a very odd arcade game that feels new and different from the others. The premise is simple, but the gameplay is fun. I encountered very few bugs, and those I did weren’t too offensive. I can tell this is a one-person dev team with a lot of heart. I enjoyed my time overall with Junkyard Universe in spite of not being a huge fan of the genre. If you are looking for an interesting arcade game that is easy to pick up but challenging to master, you should check this little game out. Junkyard Universe is proof that the arcade genre is not completely played out just yet.
Kinsfolk is a short, thoughtful experience. It doesn’t stretch itself too thin or attempt to add features it doesn’t need. Instead, it focuses on telling a small, meaningful story about family, memory, and the way our past shapes our future. It won’t resonate with everyone in the same way, and that’s okay. But if you’re looking for a calm, emotionally driven game you can complete in a single evening, Kinsfolk is well worth your time. And if you are a Dad, it might really punch you in the feels, especially at its conclusion.
Fans of cozy puzzle games such as Glass Masquerade or Assemble With Care will feel right at home with The Kintsugi Cat. The artistic theme adds emotional depth, reminding players that broken things can be repaired into something more beautiful. This hidden gem offers peaceful gameplay, creative opportunities, and a soothing atmosphere shaped by minimalist design and gentle presentation. With its shimmering golden seams, calming soundtrack, and thoughtful pacing, The Kintsugi Cat celebrates beauty in imperfection and provides a calming experience for anyone seeking meditative play. For players who value serenity, creativity, and cohesive aesthetics, The Kintsugi Cat is a treasure worth discovering.
Retro Relics is a relatively short but satisfying game that felt as though I was having a conversation with the developer, enthusing about their passion for metal detecting. Overall, I enjoyed learning about the metal detecting hobby as I searched for buried items, built up my collection, and ultimately completed grandpa’s final request.
It’s Not You, It’s M.E tells an important story about how difficult life can be with an illness. It felt real and had a great message. I liked a lot about it, but I feel that the mini games didn’t add to the game; they felt like an afterthought. Overall, it’s an impossible game that teaches an important lesson.
Bunny Hop Hop is a very engaging and fun game to play, just make sure you have no plans for the day as you may find yourself in the same predicament I was in of wanting to play just one more level. The colours, cozy aspect, and the challenge the game gives all contribute to an all-round fun game to play and even enjoy with the family, who may have a giggle at the foxes, monkeys, clouds and many other animated and cheeky characters trying to stop you on your mission to clear the skies of pollution. Bunny Hop Hop is out now on Steam (and a demo is available), but it would be a fantastic game to play on the Steam Deck (which, at the moment of writing, is not currently verified but in the process), so keep your eyes peeled for that.
I enjoyed my time with Kaizen: A Factory Story. There’s a good balance between narrative elements and puzzle-solving, making the experience engaging without being exhausting. I did feel frustrated at times, mostly when I couldn’t figure out how to unlock a solution or misunderstood a mechanic, but those moments made the eventual breakthroughs even more satisfying. Watching a once-chaotic production line finally run like clockwork never gets old. As a first-timer in the world of automation games, I think Kaizen is a great entry point. It’s approachable, rewarding, and respectful of your learning curve. I’d definitely recommend giving it a try. If you do, feel free to tell me which product made you rack your brain the hardest before reaching that “aha” moment. And by the way, if any Japanese production company happens to be reading this, don’t hesitate to send me an email. Apparently, I could be a great addition to your team!
Sol Cesto isn’t a game that holds your hand, and it’s not one that immediately shows its best side. The opening hours can feel unforgiving, and I wouldn’t blame anyone for bouncing off it early. But for players willing to stick with it, there’s something very special here. Impressive, still: the game is still only in Early Access. It offers a fresh take on the roguelite formula by stripping controls down to their simplest form and focusing entirely on choice, probability, and consequence. You don’t need fast reactions or complex strategies. You just need the courage to make a decision and accept what follows. This is exactly the kind of experimentation I love seeing from indie developers. Sol Cesto may not be welcoming at first (or ever, depending on how you view it), but once it gets under your skin, it’s very hard to forget.
Wrapped in a charming tabletop style, Drop Duchy successfully combines simple Tetris gameplay with deck-building strategy into an addictive roguelike. I greatly enjoyed experimenting with different decks and strategies throughout my various playthroughs, all while falsely promising myself, “Just one more round!”
Overall, Nurikabe World is a fantastic game for players who love grid-based logic puzzles, such as Picross and Minesweeper. Outside of the main levels, there are still plenty more, whether user-created or randomly generated, making Nurikabe World a game that I’ll always come back to boot up when I’m itching for a few puzzles.
Öoo is a reminder that innovation doesn’t always come from adding more systems or mechanics. Sometimes, it comes from committing fully to one strong idea and exploring it from every possible angle. Players who dislike puzzle-solving or experimentation may find it less appealing, but for those who enjoy discovering solutions organically, this is a special experience. It’s accessible, thoughtful, and full of creative surprises, all wrapped in a neat package. This is exactly the kind of game that highlights why indie development remains such a vital space for new ideas. Öoo takes simplicity and turns it into strength.
StarVaders is another great example of indie developers finding new ways to combine familiar genres. By blending grid-based tactics with deckbuilding and wrapping it in a roguelike structure, it creates an experience that’s easy to pick up but full of depth for those who stick with it. If you enjoy thoughtful strategy, experimenting with builds, and games that respect both your time and your curiosity, StarVaders is well worth checking out. It may not be driven by heavy narrative, but its systems will have you coming back to the stars and back. StarVaders is quite simply out of this world great.