LadiesGamers.com's Reviews
Elfie: A Sand Plan is a much more complex game than it seems to be. Definitely not the kids’ game it appears to be, although a super smart kid may be able to play as well. This is a great exercise for the brain — and I mean it in an actual brain training kind of way. It takes a super simple idea and builds intricate puzzles that keep getting more complex as you advance in the game. Maybe not a game to play for long periods of time as it can be a little bit mentally exhausting, but Elfie: A Sand Plan is definitely worth playing in smaller bits.
Overall, The Guardian of Nature is a great game that’s worth playing. The puzzles were fun, the artwork amazing, and the sound design and music were perfect. It may have been short, but those hours spent in the world of the Guardians were wonderful. If you like puzzle games, I cannot recommend this one enough!
Whether you are a new or returning fan of the Delicious games, Delicious – The First Course is a treat for fans of restaurant sims and time-management games. It’s worth watching if the developers release more remakes in the future.
Overall, Secrets of Velendar Castle – Escape Room was fine. The puzzles were good; there were only two where I looked at the hint for it and thought “I never would have figured that out!” The visual style and sound were great, and the game is fun to move around in. I didn’t like the ending choice, but it was interesting to have that choice at all. If you enjoy escape room-type puzzles, and you are looking for a quick title to puzzle over for a few hours, Secrets of Velendar Castle – Escape Room is a great choice.
Unrailed 2: Back on Track is exactly the sequel I was hoping for. It preserves everything that made the original special while introducing enough new ideas to justify its existence. The deeper progression systems, boss encounters, expanded customisation, improved solo experience, and increased variety all help elevate what was already a fantastic concept. Most importantly, it never loses sight of what made the first game so enjoyable: the simple joy of working together to build a railway before disaster strikes. Whether you’re playing alone, with family, or with a group of friends shouting instructions at one another across the sofa, there’s an incredible amount of fun to be found here. If you loved the original, this is an easy recommendation. If you’ve never played Unrailed before, this is arguably the best place to start. Train building has rarely been this frantic, this funny, or this satisfying.
There’s lots to admire in Lovely Deco House: the graphics are cute, there is an incredible amount of décor to craft, and the mini-games add a different aspect. Whilst I like the concept of the game, the lack of interior space and the inability to stack items, the clunky controls and the end-of-game crash spoilt my overall enjoyment. For that reason, I cannot recommend it at this moment.
Looking for the cute cats in Secret Paws – Cozy Apartments is a delight. The additional puzzles of unlocking rooms and windows elevates this hidden objects game, and it never fails to amuse me how previously unseen cats are clearly visible when you rotate the scene.
Momento is a game that the fans of Unpacking have been eagerly awaiting. Thankfully, it doesn’t disappoint at all, and it’s exactly what I’ve been hoping for. It is the perfect mix of cozy storytelling, open to wonder and whimsy, and really, perfect for summer.
Tavern Talk Stories: Dreamwalker is a delightful new story set within the Tavern Talk universe. It has all the winning elements from the previous game, and I can only hope that this will not be the last we see of the land of Phesoa and its quirky characters.
FrogBlock is a thoughtful little puzzle game. If you enjoy perspective-based puzzles and like sitting down with something that slowly pushes your brain harder and harder, there is plenty here to appreciate. The rotating world mechanic is clever, the level variety keeps introducing new ideas, and the option to skip puzzles helps avoid too much frustration. That said, this is definitely one of those games that depends heavily on whether its style of puzzle-solving clicks with you personally. I had moments where I felt genuinely smart solving puzzles, and other moments where I simply stared blankly at the screen, hoping inspiration would magically arrive. A hint system might have helped smooth over some of those rougher patches. Still, there is plenty to like here. The visuals are pleasant, the soundtrack is relaxing, and the puzzles themselves are thoughtfully designed. Just do yourself a favour and use a controller.
It’s clear to tell that Solarpunk has been created with passion, from every placed flower making the environment look natural, to the sounds of wood crackling in the furnace, from the carefully planned upgrade path, to the numerous building options. In my eyes, Solarpunk is something truly special, containing everything I want from a game: gathering, harvesting, exploring, crafting, building and decorating. There are a few niggles, but they don’t detract from the amazing scenery, the structured gameplay and the sheer enjoyment of creating a dream home, garden and farm.
Map Map – A Game About Maps takes the surprisingly niche subject of cartography and transforms it into a delightful exploration adventure. Its charming cast, clever navigation mechanics, and rewarding sense of discovery create an experience that feels genuinely unique. I especially appreciated how it encourages players to engage with the environment rather than simply follow objective markers. The fixed maps do mean replayability is somewhat limited once you’ve mastered each island, but the journey itself is so enjoyable that I didn’t mind. This is a game that rewards patience, curiosity, and careful observation. It’s educational without feeling like homework, relaxing without becoming boring, and challenging without being unfair. For anyone who enjoys cosy exploration games and the thrill of uncovering secrets through their own ingenuity, Map Map – A Game About Maps is well worth charting a course towards. I look forward to sharing it with my kids when they are older.
Overall, the puzzles in Swan Song are well-designed with interesting mechanics, but a built-in hint system would make this game more accessible to casual players. While a bit too dark for my personal tastes, I also enjoyed the unconventional way in which the story is presented.
Overall, Kitty Finder is very cute, and if you or your children like the idea of finding kitties hidden behind objects, this might be a good one to play together. It’s colorful, cute, and has some fun puzzles in it. I think it is a little overpriced for what it is, but not by much. I think Kitty Finder has an audience out there that it could easily find, but I’m not sure that audience includes me. It is cute, but I like a bit more in my puzzle games.
Kabuto Park is a delightful bug-collecting and push battle game. There is a good balance between bug collecting and battling in order to progress through the game and become Beetle Battles Champion.
Truck Driver: The American Dream ended up being one of those games that quietly sneaks up on you. On paper, it sounds mundane. You drive trucks slowly from one place to another. That’s it. Yet there’s a strange comfort in mastering the roads, listening to conversations during long journeys, and simply taking your time. It’s not flashy. It’s not action-packed. But it is relaxing, immersive, and surprisingly enjoyable. If you’re looking for a laid-back driving experience with a touch of heart behind it, this is well worth a look. Just remember to stop at red lights, unlike me.
I feel slightly conflicted writing this review because there is so much about Mina the Hollower that I absolutely adore. The world design is excellent. The atmosphere is superb. Combat is satisfying. The soundtrack is phenomenal. The burrowing mechanic is genuinely clever. And the sheer passion behind the project shines constantly. At the same time, the heavy emphasis on Soulslike difficulty stopped me from loving it quite as much as I expected to. I personally would have preferred something a little closer to classic Zelda adventure design and slightly less punishing overall. Still, even with those frustrations, this is a fantastic game. Yacht Club Games once again proves they are masters of modern retro design. Mina the Hollower may not fully dethrone Shovel Knight for me personally, but it absolutely deserves to stand proudly beside it.
Scale the Depths is one of those deceptively simple indie games that quietly becomes incredibly hard to put down. The gameplay loop is satisfying, the fishing feels rewarding, fish preparation is strangely relaxing, and the constant stream of upgrades gives you plenty of reasons to keep diving back in for “just one more run.” It’s not some ultra-hardcore fishing simulator or deep strategy game, and I think it’s better because of that. This is a cozy, low-pressure experience designed to help players unwind and enjoy themselves. Yes, there are a few control quirks and some slightly fiddly upgrade issues that could use smoothing out, but none of them was enough to stop me from having a genuinely good time with it. If you enjoy cozy management games, casual fishing games, or simply want something relaxing to chip away at in the evenings, then Scale the Depths is absolutely worth checking out.
LumenTale: Memories of Trey may not reinvent the monster-catching RPG genre, but it absolutely succeeds at creating a charming, thoughtful, and genuinely enjoyable adventure of its own. What impressed me most wasn’t necessarily Trey’s amnesia storyline, although it does improve as the game progresses, but rather the incredible amount of care poured into the world itself. Talea feels alive, rich with history, and full of personality. The combat systems are fun, the convenience features remove a lot of genre frustration, exploration feels rewarding, and the game constantly encourages experimentation with team building and monster collection. Most importantly, though, it’s just enjoyable to play. It captures that comforting feeling of slowly building your collection, exploring new regions, and discovering new favourite creatures without making progression feel like a chore. If you enjoy monster-collecting RPGs, there’s a very good chance LumenTale: Memories of Trey will charm you too. It may not knock the giants off their throne, but it absolutely earns its place alongside them as a genuinely heartfelt and enjoyable adventure.
Overall, I came away from Life Below with very positive feelings. It’s a thoughtful, relaxing, and visually charming city builder that brings a fresh twist to the genre by focusing entirely on restoring ocean ecosystems. While the story itself didn’t fully hook me, the actual process of nurturing and expanding the reef proved consistently enjoyable. Yes, it can feel a little intimidating at first if you’re new to city builders, and there’s definitely a learning curve to managing all the systems effectively. But once things start clicking into place, the game hooks you, and doesn’t let go. Most importantly, though, it has heart. There’s a warmth and sincerity to Life Below that makes it easy to settle into for long cozy sessions. Watching your reef slowly flourish with life, colour, and activity becomes genuinely satisfying. If you enjoy management games, cozy strategy titles, or simply want something peaceful with a positive environmental message, then Life Below is absolutely worth diving into.