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Honestly, I was surprised by how much I got into Watch Over Christmas. I went into it thinking it would be a game to keep my daughter happy on Boxing Day, but the classic gameplay style and sense of humor kept me engaged for longer. If you fancy trying out a new point-and-click, it’s definitely worth checking out Watch Over Christmas. Grab it now and play it in the build-up to next Christmas, or use it as a nice, cozy distraction from your back-to-work blues in the new year.
I really enjoyed Heaven Dust 2. It’s a cute little indie game, and it will give you a nice nostalgia hit. The puzzles and bosses help to break up the otherwise repetitive exploration of the facility, and it looks nice too. The biggest issue I had with this game is the navigation. Had some areas been more clearly signposted, it would have saved me a lot of frustration while wandering around. The translation could do with some work too. Otherwise, it’s a solid game that will give you a good 8-10 hours of entertainment.
I really liked The Company Man. It’s another strong addition to the indie 2D platforming catalog even if it didn’t reinvent the wheel. The main draw of the game is no doubt the setting and its satirical view of the workplace which makes it stand out from the crowd. Despite all the positives, there are some areas where the game didn’t fully live up to its potential and that is what keeps it out of the elite tier. The Company Man is a strong addition to anyone’s gaming library.
FM24 is just another FM game, but it improves on the tried and true formula while making the overall experience better and the visuals much sharper. If you’re going to get a version of this game then Football Manager 2024 is undeniably the way to go.
Disney Dreamlight Valley is a quintessential Disney fan experience that shakes up the life simulation genre. While it has its performance issues and occasionally leaves me unable to find the materials necessary to complete a quest it is a charming and addictive experience.
Even with criticisms regarding combat, Trek to Yomi is far from a bad place. It’s apparent that Flying Wild Hog took this game as a labor of love, putting so much heart and character into it. Anyone that enjoys the samurai film genre, Japanese history, or less traditional games, in general, would be wise to give this a shot. I played this game on Xbox Series S via Game Pass, though it is available on other platforms. It can also be completed in anywhere from 5 to 6 hours, meaning that it won’t overstay its welcome. If you have an afternoon to spare, after reading our Trek to Yomi review, steel yourself and set forth on a journey you may never forget.
Cat Cafe Manager is an addictive management simulation game that balances enjoyable gameplay with a good supporting cast, an actually useful skill tree, and a heartwarming story. A couple of minor issues hold the game back from perfection but it’s a great game nonetheless.
This game aims to deliver a fun, unique experience and it delivers that in spades. While the career mode feels kind of limited in what can happen, it is still an addictive and enjoyable experience. There’s a vast game world to explore and I can’t wait to dive into it more.
This is powerful stuff. A world of light and dark, a world that feels familiar and unsettling. Sea of Solitude: Director’s Cut is an incredible journey as well as being a well-thought-out game. I highly recommend this to any gamer and I praise anyone who stands up for mental health and gets it out there to be discussed and understood.
With all of this said, is Game Builder Garage worthwhile? The answer to this question largely depends on the mindset one goes into the game with. Keep in mind that this isn’t a traditional video game. Rather, it’s an application for game development. This isn’t Super Mario Maker 2 where, despite the focus on level creation, a full-fledged game exists within it. Game Builder Garage is all about building levels and projects from the ground up. This isn’t to say that the game lacks value for those uninterested in game development. This is where the user-generated content mentioned earlier comes into play. Within days of Game Builder Garage‘s initial release, a number of promising projects hit the internet. Everything from a first-person shooter level inspired by Doom Eternal to a Super Mario Kart track to a recreation of Minecraft can be seen and downloaded right now. Furthermore, even without an online sharing option in the game, there are fan communities that ensure such creations are found and experienced. YouTube channels such as GameXplain have been actively showcasing many of the best Game Builder Garage creations, generating that much more awareness. If you’re willing to do some digging online, you can find an ever-growing treasure trove of concepts waiting to blossom.
Despite the game’s shortcomings, it’s difficult to deny that The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD is the best way to play what’s considered the origin point of the entire series. Going back to replay this adventure on Switch, I found myself enjoying it much more. While I completed the Wii version roughly a decade ago, I was never motivated to replay it in the same way that I have other titles including The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, A Link to the Past, and the first Breath of the Wild. Skyward Sword had multiple quirks that the remaster smooth out or eliminates completely. In fact, between this, the Link’s Awakening reimagining on the same platform, and the Wind Waker and Twilight Princess remakes that landed on Nintendo Wii U, it begs the question: what other Zelda titles could benefit from remasters? Rumors have been circulating about such titles as Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons being revisited, though, with any rumors in the gaming industry, these should be taken with a grain of salt. In regard to this Skyward Sword HD review, given the game’s improvements, shortcomings, and all, the game comes highly recommended.
Thomas Happ clearly set out to make Axiom Verge 2 a familiar yet fresh sequel. While players of the original game will feel at home upon taking their first steps in the Antarctic, it quickly becomes evident that this is an entirely new adventure. Axiom Verge 2 builds upon what its predecessor established in various ways. The combat may not be overly challenging or deep. Nonetheless, this doesn’t take away from the overall experience that the player will gain. For Metroidvania enthusiasts, in particular, this is well worth your investment.
I have my gripes with NBA 2K22 for sure, but for the most part, it delivers such an entertaining Basketball experience that it’s hard to dislike it. MyTEAM is a wonderful game mode full of life that could keep anyone playing for hours, and MyCareer is as addictive as always, and also cut back on some of the mode’s previous issues. Although I’m not ecstatic about defending and shooting, they’re things that can be worked around by a good player and won’t derail my enjoyment of the game anytime soon.
It is times like this that I love gaming so very much just for its simplicity, and developers such as Diplodocus really should be applauded for delivering a truly joyous, albeit brief experience to gamers. Imagine what they could do with a bigger budget!
The Lightbringer isn’t a perfect game but for all of its faults, it is a game that plucked at my nostalgia with its platforming capabilities. Exploring each level is a challenging and fun experience that kept me engaged from start to finish. The increase in difficulty as the levels wore on kept me on my toes too and made sure that the gameplay never lapsed or become uninteresting. For any fan of the platforming genre, this is a game I can highly recommend picking up even if the combat is limited at times.
Overall, I’m very impressed with the amount of content in Sunshine Manor. It’s definitely a highlight for me in terms of indie games I’ve played this year. The story didn’t feel as cohesive perhaps as Camp Sunshine, and I did encounter a glitch, but the gameplay and gorgeous art style more than makes up for it. Oh, and you get to pet a dog. They get extra kudos for that, of course.
Glyph is a beautifully designed puzzle, platform adventure game filled with ingenuity and despite the odd flaw is well worth your time and I can recommend that this game is a worthy addition to any Nintendo Switch collection.
Faraday Protocol is advertised as a story-rich puzzle game, well, I agree. I wouldn’t go into specifics, but the buildup of the plot was amazing. Basically, it is about the evolution of a specific galactic civilization. Not only that, but the voice-acting was also exceptional. Both Raug and Iris’ voices suit their character. The game was short, but I got to hand it to the developers for giving me an immersive experience. I enjoyed playing Faraday Protocol. A veteran gamer can finish the game in 5 hours. But it took me more or less 8 hours—because I am bad at puzzle games. If you want unique gameplay and a story-driven experience, I would recommend getting this game.
It’s rare that I don’t have a bad word to say about a game but 6Souls is an example of a video game done right. It didn’t overreach and promise the world, it focused on delivering what it could and making the most out of the game’s core concept. While it isn’t a game of the year contender or even a game that MUST be played this would make for an excellent addition to anyone’s gaming library.
Whilst there are some annoying quirks in the game, they are mostly able to be overlooked and could easily be rectified in a post-release patch although I passionately believe that post-release patches shouldn’t be needed but I digress. For adventure fans and fans of graphic novels, there is plenty of content in Beyond a Steel Sky with great character portrayal and music that really evocates the world you must survive in and overall it is a great game worth serious consideration.