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The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is a near-perfect game and a technical marvel that's only slightly overshadowed by its fiddly controls, unintuitive UI and gameplay mechanics that can require too much from the player. Its ambitious and impressive approach to freeform sandbox open-world gameplay is commendable and is executed with the unique specificity only Nintendo could create. The scale of both the world and the content within it is overwhelmingly engrossing and makes for a genuinely immersive experience. Were it not for the occasionally poor execution of some of its most core concepts, Tears of the Kingdom would surely be a 10/10.
Tin Hearts is a puzzle game, with impressive artistic environments, superb voice acting, and a captivating storyline. It is easy to learn and navigate, making it suitable for all ages and skill levels. The game has some challenging levels that require planning and is a must-play for those who enjoyed Lemmings.
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor delivers on all fronts, improving and expanding on the foundations laid down by Fallen Order. Despite some unpolish and performance concerns, this is a must-play for any Star Wars fanatic.
Death or Treat is a 2D action hack-and-slash roguelite that shows a lot of promise being an indie developer's first project. The game's adorable visuals can only carry it so far, as the experience is boggled down by uninspired gameplay mechanics and technical issues.
Mr. Sun’s Hatbox is a rogue-lite with chaotically fun stealth presented in a simple cute art style. But for all its hyperactive successes, it struggles to keep you playing with a clumsy progression system and perhaps a bit too much slapstick randomness.
Strayed Lights offers players a profound journey of self-discovery in a visually stunning world without any dialogue, transcending language barriers. While I occasionally struggled to remain fully engaged during quiet moments, the exceptional combat system quickly drew me back in. Despite being a short game, Strayed Lights is a captivating and unforgettable adventure that is worth experiencing.
OTXO is a must-play for anyone who loves a good roguelite shooter. With its massive replayability, customisation options, and thrilling gameplay, it's sure to keep you coming back for more. So, put on your headphones, grab your favourite weapon, and get ready to kick down some doors and annihilate some enemies in this unforgettable game.
The game's charming art style and strategic gameplay mechanics make Wildfrost a rewarding endeavour for those willing to brave its harsh difficulty spikes. While some aspects could benefit from added depth and balancing, Wildfrost's strengths far outweigh its weaknesses. The relentless difficulty and ongoing potential for growth make Wildfrost a thrilling and engaging experience for fans of the genre. The allure of solving the mystery proved worth all the beatings.
Joon Shining features stunning worlds with unique obstacles, power-ups, and challenges. The learning curve is small, making it easy for anyone to learn to play quickly. The game places emphasis on fostering a tranquil atmosphere, and players can restart at any point during the level to try again. However, some levels can be cluttered, and some players may struggle with the WASD keyboard controls and the difficulty.
Meet Your Maker is a captivating experience that effectively marries the high-octane action of first-person shooters with the creativity and strategy found in world-building games. Despite my initial reservations about my own creative abilities, I found myself thoroughly engrossed in the process of designing elaborate bases and raiding those of others. While the game does have its flaws, such as the lack of a deep storyline, limited upgrades, and the kill-box overuse issue, the overall gameplay is still undeniably enjoyable and offers a unique and challenging experience. Whether you're a seasoned gamer with a fondness for FPS games or someone looking to dip their toes into the world-building genre, Meet Your Maker offers a fresh and exciting gaming experience that keeps me coming back for more.
Curse of the Sea Rats is a comfortable, unique Metroidvania game with a good story, characters, and stunning aesthetics. It lacks challenge and a difficulty selector, but supports up to four-player couch co-op, so you can save the Admiral's son together.
With strong presentation and art, for the most part, and an autumnal young adult mystery, Beacon Pines stands out, bringing new ideas to branching narrative gaming while not quite making the landing.
Lovecraft's Untold Stories 2 is a game that should not have been released, even after being delayed multiple times. The developers secretly removed the cooperative feature, which is a sly move on their end. The game as it stands now is riddled with bugs, janky mechanics, quality of life issues, and should not be purchased as is. It is an insult to the fans of the first game.
Isonzo is another amazing entry into the WW1 shooter series. Its gameplay feels even more refined, offering up worthwhile innovations, engrossing modes and phenomenal maps. While its online component is exceptional, unfortunately, the same cannot be said for its offline matches. If you're looking to play Isonzo solo, maybe wait for an update. However, if you're hoping to play online, then there really isn't another WW1 shooter quite like it on the market.
Tinykin is undoubtedly the best game of 2022. Its satisfying platforming coupled with its open-ended approach to mission design allows for some of the best exploration in a video game. Furthermore, its phenomenal visuals and sense of scale offer up levels that are a delight to explore. Tinykin is perfect in every single way, masterfully executing each and every one of its creative mechanics. It is a fulfilling and extremely rewarding experience, and one you shouldn't miss.
While not very challenging, Restless Soul offers a fun experience with its retro themes and copious amounts of humour. You can adjust the difficulty to make things laxer or ignore damage and just take in the story for what it is. With plenty to explore and 100 NPCs to interact with, you'll have a hard time not chuckling while enjoying this indie gem.
Justice Sucks is a lot of fun, and completely bonkers, with many re-playable missions and more to keep you coming back time and again. Sure, there aren't as many worlds as you'd hope, and some missions aren't as in-depth as others, but if you're looking for a solid, pick-up-and-play title, Justice Sucks is absolutely for you.
Railbound is a relaxing open-ended logic puzzler with a lovely aesthetic that only falters in its finish. With a short run time and pleasant difficulty curve, it is a great way to spend an afternoon.
ANNO: Mutationem is a beautiful indie pixel art game coated with a sleek cyberpunk aesthetic. It features a story that comes off as a little too ambitious but its shortcomings are made up by a refreshing hybrid 2D/3D game style filled with organic exploration and visceral combat.
Video Game Fables is a truly exceptional indie RPG. While it would have been easy to merely copy the tropes of the genre, developer Momiji Studios has crafted something entirely new. The game's myriad of systems revolutionise the turn-based genre in ways since thought impossible and its witty script and colourful cast of characters propel a unique and memorable narrative forward at a brisk pace. Despite its indie roots, Video Game Fables has been so expertly crafted, featuring slick UI, clever mechanics and gorgeous visuals, that you'd be forgiven for mistaking it for a triple-A experience.