Six One Indie's Reviews
Surmount is absolutely worth your time, even if you’re on a search for a fun Single-player game, but if you’re able to grab a partner in crime, it’s a blast from beginning to end.
Spirit Swap: Lofi Beats to Match-3 To is one of the loveliest games you’ll play this year, I guarantee. It has a fantastic soundtrack, beautiful, inclusive characters, thoughtful dialogue and fun gameplay. It ticks all the boxes. It’s easy to say that you’ll likely find yourself going back to it long after the credits roll on its story mode.
Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector perfects the dice-based RPG genre even more than its predecessor. While it can be overwhelming at first having to keep track of the many things you need to remember to stay alive, once you’ve got the main mechanics down, it will all be second nature and you can spend more time appreciating its story which is compelling, action-packed and expertly crafted.
Rift of the NecroDancer is a great sequel for players that fell in love with Crypt of the NecroDancer ten years ago. While its unique concept is really cool, it is incredibly challenging and the average player may struggle to master it without a lot of practice. Even so, it’s well worth diving into for its gorgeous art style, incredible soundtrack and fun story.
Reviver has a lovely story and unique mechanics that make it well worth a one-time play through. If you’re a fan of puzzle games, there are plenty of puzzles to solve here, but if you’re looking for something simple and calming, it might not be quite as relaxing as you think. There are also some minor issues with the game’s language - some English translations are a little off - but that is a very small detail that can be ironed out with a patch or two.
Caravan SandWitch is a short exploration game, but one that does a lot in its five to six hour playtime. It quickly introduces the characters and the world so that you’re able to focus on the task at hand and you’re not stuck trying to interpret what’s going on. With brilliant, inclusive characters, a truly intriguing story and fun gameplay, it’s well worth diving into this adventure, especially because you can finish it in only just a couple of sittings.
Mouthwashing is everything that you want from a horror game, especially for those of us who get such a nostalgic kick from the game design. The story is impossible to walk away from and equally impossible to forget about. It is scary and unsettling without having to rely on cheap jump scares or overly gorey elements. It’s a must-play and then a must-replay, period.
Wild Bastards is a unique spin on the roguelike genre. Each character brings their own personality and fun to the game and the gameplay itself is incredibly addicting, refreshing and smooth. Fans of the roguelike genre as well as those that enjoy games like Borderlands or Overwatch, are sure to enjoy the fun times that Wild Bastards has to offer.
Crypt Custodian is one of the very first metroidvania games I absolutely could not put down. I normally struggle to stay interested in games like it, but nearly everything about Kyle Thompson’s newest title is inviting, fun, and brilliantly addictive. Add to it a massive map to explore and characters to fall in love with and you’d be missing out on not giving it a try as soon as you can.
SteamWorld Heist II is a thrilling adventure from start to finish. With enticing turn-based combat, creative customizations for characters, and stellar soundtrack, every swashbuckling pirate playing this will be singing a soulful sea chanty throughout the experience!
Simply put, Coal Supper's Adventure Comedy Slapformer is always funny and a delight. Thank Goodness You're Here feels like gaming's equivalent to comical cinema. Even though the game's gameplay can be too simple or lacking at times, the constant laughs and art mending both Adult Swim and Cartoon Network successfully carry the game's short 2-3 hour experience and ultimately do not disappoint. If you’re looking to have a laugh from your video game experience and don’t want to play another 40-hour video game, Coal Supper’s latest title is for you.
Été, while slow moving at the start, is a wonderfully relaxing, cozy game perfect for someone looking to take their time with a new game. As you begin to unlock more and more stamps and colors, creating paintings is a joy as is exploring Montréal and meeting its residents. Decorating your home however you like is fun and satisfying as you use your hard earned money to purchase new things. If the Impossible team has more projects in mind for the future, I’ll be the first in line to play them.
From the moment I set eyes upon Valley Peaks during Next Fest, I knew I wanted to jump in and experience the game, regardless of the gameplay loop. I’m happy to say what is on offer here in the full release is more than the sum of its parts in unexpected and welcomed ways. I didn’t expect myself to completely have a paused moment halfway through and relate not just with the game and its characters but also the developers. Valley Peaks is a special game that you think is over quickly, but keeps on going, and in doing so relays a very personal and important message to us all: Keep going. I can’t recommend it enough, and hope you enjoy your time spent here as much as I did.
It’s difficult for roguelike deck builders to stand out in a genre with powerhouses like Slay the Spire and Dicey Dungeons. Dice & Fold is a really entertaining addition and one that I find myself continuously wanting to go back to. The Developers clearly listen to their players and are updating and fixing the game constantly and if things continue the way they’re going, with a few balance fixes, this title could stand proudly at the top of the genre.
Flock is an enjoyable, meditative adventure that is the perfect dose of chill vibes. The five hour experience flew by and left me in the clouds next to the other fun creatures from this world. The ambience is always something I look forward to in a vibrant game, and I can’t wait for others to get lost and then find their ways through this spectacle.
Kamaeru: A Frog Refuge is a cute, simplistic game that allows players to relax, unwind and hang out with some lovely frogs. While gameplay does get repetitive after a while, for those that are looking for something chill, it’s a good time for a few hours. You might not find yourself trying to collect every frog or bothering with some of the more confusing elements of the game, but overall it’s a lovely little title with loads of adorable hoppy lads.
In short, Cryptmaster presents a blend of dungeon-crawling adventure and linguistic puzzle-solving, inviting players to wield the power of words in a world shrouded in mystery and danger. While its narrative and gameplay mechanics may falter at times, its innovative approach to word-based gameplay ensures a captivating experience for players willing to embrace the role of a keyboard warrior or those willing to pull out a dictionary.
Little Kitty, Big City is a wonderful kitty-sized adventure. The four hour experience gave me plenty of comical written moments, satisfying puzzles to complete, and a protagonist that was so endearing that they left my heart completely full. The end of the game also ends on such a beautiful and wholesome note that I just sat in my chair, gleamed at my real life black cat, and gave him a big ‘ol hug. Double Dagger Studio has made an absolute banger of a game and you should certainly pounce right in. You’re in for a treat.
Overall, Crow Country is a well-catered survival horror title featuring an old-school look and feel without feeling dated. Crow Country being an abandoned amusement park, carries a lot of the ambiance featured, even though it feels one note at times, it's one heck of a note. The game’s narrative structure and plot feel a little loose regarding how players will encounter it, but they still work and feel unique, or at the very least, anything but shallow. Crow Country is a must for fans of survival horror and those who crave 90s nostalgia. The latest entry into the grunge horror genre offers a compelling aesthetic, enticing characters, and engaging puzzles. Despite the horrors that will stick with me for a lifetime, I can't recommend SFB Games’ nightmare enough.
Indika feels like a challenge to get through. With its main mechanic being its puzzles that break the game quite often, it might prove difficult for casual players to complete. But, if you’re looking for a game that you’ll want to tell your friends about as soon as the credits roll, this will be the perfect title for you. It’s unique, strange, funny, and unlike anything I’ve played before. If you can make it through, it’s worth the short, one time journey.