LadiesGamers.com's Reviews
I have a lot of mixed feelings here. As I said before, I like the vibe. Garden Life: A Cozy Simulator has a lot of great things going for it, like the music, the look, the movement, most of the sound design, and the freedom the game gives you. But there are a lot of downsides keeping me from making up my mind. The items are cute, but if you try to do too much at once, your game freezes. I adore the aesthetic, but I really hated the inventory system. After a lengthy debate with myself, I think I like Garden Life: A Cozy Simulator. But I just can’t make myself recommend it to anyone. It feels finished, but the polish that games like this need to be fun is missing. I don’t think I can make a 100% sure statement on whether or not you should pick this up. If you really love the idea of gardening in a sim and you don’t mind the weird noises and the terrible sorting and menuing, then I could see wanting to spend $25 USD on this title.
Cat and Ghostly Road is a beautiful looking point-and-click that’s short and keeps its challenge in the mild setting. It doesn’t reinvent the formula, making it feel much more appealing to casual players looking for a straightforward game to enjoy over a few nights of playing. As someone who doesn’t love this genre or cats, I still find myself liking the game. I loved exploring the spirit world, and the game inspired me to look into reading more about this type of mythology, even if the game doesn’t choose to take the time to do that. This cat is okay in my book.
Overall, Snufkin Melody of Moominvalley offers a delightful and immersive journey tailor-made for fans of Moomin and anyone in search of a distinct gaming adventure. Although I did encounter a bug that halted my progress, it doesn’t overshadow the charm and creativity that Hyper Games has infused into this delightful exploration of Snufkin Melody of Moominvalley.
Berserk Boy is slick and stylish platforming action. Considering a solo developer made this, this is an impressive achievement. It may take many pieces of inspiration from the retro greats, but it all comes together to make a great adventure. For me it fell a little short with meaty health boss fights and its slow paced hunting the enemy segments. But when exploring and taking in the core levels I was having a blast. An addictive soundtrack and detailed pixel art style further helped this. I easily recommend Berserk Boy to any action-adventure fan, modern or retro. If Berserk Boy ever did want to venture into the realm of Saturday morning cartoons, I’d probably watch it.
Overall, I’m super happy with my time with Quilts and Cats of Calico. I haven’t finished the game just yet, but I can tell I’m pretty close to the end. I love the puzzles; I love making my own cats and taking on NPCs in quilting challenges. I’m super happy that I got to see the final product; it did not disappoint.
Plantabi: Little Garden is super fun, cozy, cute, and gives you a lot of freedom. I like the plants, I like the Cookie Clicker aspects of it, and the music is fabulous. If the tutorial were a little bit more robust, I would absolutely adore this plant-centric title.
Some games take you on an emotional roller-coaster. For us, PlateUp! was more of an emotional freefall. First impressions were great, it was challenging, but doable, and even failing had an element of fun to it. However the constant new options meant that practised recipes and restaurant layouts meant nothing, each attempt was totally new and this started to frustrate. However, the lack of explanation of how appliances, upgrades, speed-runs and franchises work took away the enjoyment. One of my co-oped friends would rate it as ‘I don’t like it’, bitterly disappointed to have wasted so much time. The other would rate it as ‘I like it’ but would not play it again. I know PlateUp! has a loyal following, but for us, it was undercooked
I don’t think I can properly evaluate whether or not Professor Goodboi’s Ballistics as I bounced right off of it (pun intended), and I can’t give you a great reason for why. It’s cute, it’s polished, it doesn’t crash or do anything weird. The puzzles are different and challenging, but I’m still not convinced. With such a low price, though, you should try it for yourself if you dig these kinds of games.
Regency Solitaire II is an excellent game in a great game series. The gameplay is balanced well- it’s challenging, but more is needed to get stuck. The art and music are beautiful and well-suited to the game. You should not be disappointed if you like card games, solitaire, costume dramas, and historical romances. Me personally? I can’t wait for the next game in the series. Meanwhile, I’ll go and reread The Nonesuch.
There’s nothing wrong with FloraMancer: Seeds and Spells, and it certainly presents some interesting ideas. Beyond the magnificent art, though, I felt nothing I had to do was compelling. If you’re looking for a beautiful but small adventure and don’t mind relying on yourself for a feeling of progress, I recommend picking up FloraMancer: Seeds and Spells. If the farm element draws you, I doubt this is the game for you. I do look forward to seeing what this developer brings us in the future!
Purrfectly Hidden Cats: Kittenrock is another good, cozy, hidden object game that lets you escape for a few moments. With its humour and upbeat atmosphere, it is great fun and will only leave you wanting more.
Minami Lane is easily one of the cutest and most “coziest” games I’ve ever played. From the moment I started it, I was immediately reminded of another cozy favourite of mine – Capybara Spa, but to be honest, Minami Lane is easily the better game. It perfectly balances challenge and cuteness with enough quirkiness and cats to satisfy any cozy games fan. My only gripe is that someone should’ve warned me to get a bubble tea to have on hand while playing Minami Lane.
Though I seem harsh on Cavern of Dreams in places, I feel this game absolutely achieves what it sets out to do. It is a throwback collectable platformer that feels just like the N64 era of gaming, only at a much cheaper price point. With its focus on exploration, puzzle solving and no combat, it does make it feel familiar but unique compared to other N64 platformers. The question for you will be, is that an era you want to return to? This is a game that doesn’t hold your hand and leaves you to figure things out for yourself. But at the same time, you do get to play an adorable red dragon. But if you’re looking for a more Zen-like casual experience, this might not be for you. For me, Cavern of Dreams brought me to the conclusion that I am getting old and that my tolerance for games of this design is not as strong as it once was. But I still appreciate what it’s achieved.
Despite its simplicity, Tricky Taps: Complete Edition has enough variety and a well-crafted design to provide a quick, enjoyable gaming experience. It’s a great game for those moments when you have a coffee or tea break and want something to pick up and play.
In Bandle Tale: A League of Legends Story, there’s always a task to tackle, keeping gameplay engaging with constant goals and amusing conversations. Although it relies heavily on fetch quests, Bandle Tale’s progression layers and delightful dialogue guarantee it stays captivating and cosy throughout.
Spear Master recaptures the pick-up-and-play arcade spirit but doesn’t bring much new to those who are familiar with the formula. What it does well. Solid controls, easy-to-pick-up gameplay and a surprisingly touching story. But I honestly was left wanting more. For its low price point, I think this is well worth considering if you want a simple arcade experience alone while waiting for the train. But equally, it may make a pretty good game night game with a group of loved ones. Certainly, give it a look and remember to be careful with sharp objects.
Aqua Pals is a cute little sim with some heart but a whole lot of problems. I like where it is going, but it feels like it is not quite there yet. That being said, I hope to see some updates from this title soon.
Overall, Jusant is a wonderful experience and a climb well worth starting if you’re looking for a short but engaging adventure. Unlike many games in this genre, Jusant’s traversal of the environment feels unique. Its climbing mechanics are so engaging I had just as much fun exploring the world and taking in the experience as feeling the need to seek out collectables. This is DON’T NOD bringing their A game. Successfully conveying an emotional story by saying very little. When I finally reached the top of the mountain, I was not disappointed, and hopefully, you won’t be either.
There are two conditions for someone to enjoy Piczle Cross: Story of Seasons. First, you have to like nonogram puzzles. Second, it helps if you are a fan of Story of Seasons. If these conditions apply to you, as they do for me, you can’t get a better nonogram puzzle experience than in Piczle Cross: Story of Seasons.
Mario vs. Donkey Kong’s simplicity makes it perfect for quick gaming sessions during quiet moments. Plus, with the new 2-Player mode, you can enjoy the fun with a friend. It’s well-designed, and the different mechanics and level themes keep it from getting boring. Even though it’s not trying to do too much, Mario vs. Donkey Kong is still a charming game that offers a break from more complicated puzzles, a throwback to simpler times and a joy to play.