Gameffine's Reviews
Shadow of the Orient simply smashes it out of the park for being a challenging platformer, especially for the price. While having a good narrative or a well-planned progression system might not be what the game focused on, it still delivers an excellent platformer while having well-built fighting mechanics. The grind is there and is easily fixable by a patch, but until then, you’ll have to spend some time before the game can get really good.
Tempest Rising might as well be one of the best strategy games of the year, where the release calendar does look to have a lot of strategy games on the horizon. This is definitely a game that’s worth a buy for anyone who wanted a Zero Hour 2 to be made by Electronic Arts for the Command and Conquer franchise. This is also worth a buy for casuals wanting to check out a new RTS game on their slightly new PC/laptop.
Spilled! is a short, peaceful experience that delivers exactly what it promises: a chill cleanup game with a satisfying loop and a subtle environmental message. It’s not deep or complex, but it nails the vibe and makes you feel good while playing. If you enjoy low-pressure games that let you unwind while doing something simple and rewarding, this one’s worth your time.
Centum is not for the faint of heart or for those looking for a conventional gaming experience. It is a cryptic, experimental journey that challenges the player’s patience as much as it does their intellect. The game thrives in its ability to confuse your mind and thoughts. That being said, Centum is not a game that will appeal to everyone. Its heavy dependence on text and sometimes incoherent storytelling might not attract players looking for a more structured adventure. But for those willing to embrace its unique brand of chaos, Centum offers an experience unlike any other.
Promise Mascot Agency is one of the most hilarious and engaging indie management sims ever. Despite its limited scope, it pushes ahead of its comfort and has hours of hilarious content engrained into its city of Kaso-machi. It is undoubtedly the most fun and relaxing game we have had this year.
Koira isn’t about flashy mechanics or big twists. It’s about quiet moments. Gentle storytelling. Emotional weight is carried not by words but by sound, animation, and trust. It’s a game that knows exactly what it is and leans into its strengths without compromise. I can’t promise everyone will love it, but I can say that if you value emotion in your games and you appreciate the power of nonverbal storytelling, you owe it to yourself to try Koira. It’s short, yes. But it’s honest. It’s heartfelt. And it’s beautiful in a way that lingers long after the screen goes dark.
The Talos Principle: Reawakened is everything I wanted in a remake. It respects the original while making smart improvements that enhance the experience. The puzzles are just as engaging, the story remains as thought-provoking as ever, and the graphical upgrades make an already beautiful game even more breathtaking. If you’ve never played The Talos Principle before, this is the perfect way to experience it for the first time. And if, like me, you spent hours in the original game pondering its puzzles and philosophy, The Talos Principle: Reawakened gives you a fantastic excuse to dive back in.
Despite its limited gameplay mechanics, Karma: The Dark World manages to elevate its experience with its atmospheric storytelling and stunning visuals. It is a thought-provoking journey that challenges perceptions and leaves a lasting impression. For fans of psychological horror and dystopian narratives, Karma: The Dark World is a must-play.
I didn’t expect Wanderstop to get under my skin the way it did. It’s not just about making tea, it’s about learning to slow down, even when your brain doesn’t want to. It’s about change, about sitting with discomfort, about figuring out what comes next and learning to accept all of that. If you’re looking for a game that’ll give you a warm hug and a sense of control or the satisfaction of progression, this might not be it.
By the end, I wasn’t just satisfied I was genuinely impressed. It’s rare to find a game that handles storytelling this well without falling into predictable patterns or relying on cheap tricks. YOUR HOUSE is a haunting, beautifully crafted experience that I won’t forget anytime soon. Whether you’re a fan of mystery games, visual novels, or just unique indie titles give it a shot. It might just surprise you.
This Rosewater review alone should speak volumes of how memorable of a game Grundislav Games has cooked up. It would be an understatement to say that Rosewater is the best point-and-click adventure game I’ve played this decade. The wholesome, choice-driven narrative, its cast of colorful and relatable characters, and clever puzzles make Rosewater a tour de force of the genre.
Assassin's Creed Shadows was supposed to work in the dark to serve the light, but it never managed to step beyond the Shadows. Visually, the game is remarkable and stands strong by its standards, but everything else is pretty much the same. The level-based progression is a huge letdown but is backed by excellent execution of stealth mechanics and a gripping dual protagonist storyline.
Destino Indomable successfully distills the essence of a telenovela into an interactive gaming experience. It is a delightful homage to the genre, complete with over-the-top characters, juicy drama, and engaging storylines. Though its technical aspects, such as animations and UI, leave room for improvement, the game’s charm and narrative richness make it a worthwhile experience for fans of melodramatic storytelling. If you’re looking for a lighthearted escape into the world of love, betrayal, and family intrigue, this game might just be your ideal pick.
Beyond the Ice Palace 2 has nearly all the makings of a great action-platformer. It’s got gorgeous pixel art, satisfying combat, and music that sets up a brooding dark-fantasy tone. Some frustrating platforming sections and somewhat unresponsive controls hinder the game from attaining greatness. A quick refinement of these will make a 50-year-old somewhere very, very happy.
Split Fiction is another golden feather in Hazelight’s impressive portfolio. Filled to the brim with a wide variety of themes, tones, genres, and gameplay mechanics that are polished to a shine, Split Fiction is a visual marvel and a certified GOTY contender.
Mainframes is an extremely creative, masterpiece in its art-style and soundtrack and a fairly difficult platformer about a floppy disc on a mission of finding its purpose all the while rescuing overworked daemons. This charming platformer set inside your grand-mothers Windows 98 can immediately hook you in with its amazing polish and challenging platforming sections. TLDR: GO GET THE GAME NOW!
Monster Hunter Wilds is Monster Hunter at its best. With its changing terrains and environmental physics, it pushes the envelope of its unique genre in unprecedented ways. Its campaign makes up for a great tutorial, one that showcases all the in-game mechanics and feels great even while playing single-player mode.
The Strongest Tofu is an extremely impressive platformer all about the love of Tofu. It made me want to have Tofu in real life and I did. As an indie, it just simply blows away all expectations and truly marks itself as a signature product from the developer. A fantastic progression system, boss-fights, difficulty makes it all worth the while spending time in the game. For a price this minimum, you should already have started playing this instead of reading all the way here.
Despite its somewhat rocky inception, Lost Records: Bloom & Rage manages to find its fitting during its pivotal moments. Tape 1 of this adventure does a great job of capturing the ’90s picturesque corners of Michigan and the nostalgia of the lost teens’ era. I can’t wait to see the remainder of Swann’s adventure in Tape 2. However, given the number of technical issues one might run into, I would only recommend picking it up if you have a 2060 or a better GPU. Given its thoughtful regional pricing, it’s worth picking up if you’ve got the specs. On the consoles, a 60 fps mode would greatly help.
Basureroes: Invasion doesn’t hold your hand and that is exactly why it’s so good. It respects the player, teaches through gameplay, challenges you without feeling unfair, and makes every victory feel earned. If you grew up on Mega Man, Contra, or Metal Slug, or if you love games like Shovel Knight or The Messenger, this is a must-play. That said it is not for everyone. If you’re looking for a relaxed, easygoing experience, this isn’t it. But if you enjoy mastering mechanics, learning enemy patterns, and pushing through tough challenges, you are going to have an incredible time.