Gaming Professors

Pokémon Pokopia is a very pleasant surprise. The departure from the original concept has paid off and brought a breath of fresh air to the genre. The game doesn’t rush you and lets you set your own pace. The possibilities here are almost limitless, and there’s always something new to discover. Thanks to special events and upcoming expansions, you won’t get bored of the game any time soon. In terms of music and graphics, there’s nothing to fault. I do have minor reservations about the quests, which are unfortunately repetitive, and the story isn’t the focus of the game. Occasionally, the inventory also annoyed me, pulling me out of my pleasant relaxation. Mining certain resources is tedious and can become tiresome. Overall, though, it’s a brilliant game. Quests weren’t a priority for me; I much preferred spending my time beautifying my island. Despite a few minor shortcomings, Pokémon Pokopia has perfectly captured what it sets out to be – a peaceful, creative and addictive relaxing game that I was happy to return to, and whose atmosphere easily made up for its weaker points.

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All in all, LIFTED is a charming, funny and, for the most part, laid-back platformer that will particularly appeal to families with children, casual gamers and fans of 1980s films. Whilst more experienced veterans of the genre will have no trouble completing it in a single afternoon – and may not find its mechanical simplicity entirely satisfying – it works reliably as an accessible little game.

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At first glance, the Scarlet Deer Inn may seem deceptive, but ultimately it offers a raw and unforgettable experience. Attu Games have woven a piece of their heart into every stitch, a heart that beats just as wildly in the sun-drenched village as it does in the darkest underground passages. Eliška’s relentless struggle to save her family shows that the greatest courage is often born of sheer desperation. An uncompromising darkness pulls the strings of fate, but it is worth descending into its jaws. The ballad has faded, the torch has gone out, yet the restlessness in the soul remains.

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The biggest mystery at Cat Mail Co. isn’t where the previous postman disappeared to, but how sorting through hundreds of boxes can be so soothing. The game has its minor flaws, but its laid-back atmosphere, charming world and the satisfaction of a job well done are dangerously addictive. This little, furry experience will settle in your head just like a cat in a box – and no one will ever get it out again.

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White Knuckle is one of those games that’s definitely not for everyone. Whilst many players will appreciate its original concept, others may be put off, mainly because of its high difficulty. I’d definitely recommend going through the tutorial to familiarise yourself with the basic mechanics; without it, you’d be just as confused as I was at the start. In any case, even the tutorial will take you some time to complete and presents just as much of a challenge as the main campaign. Don’t expect to finish the game in two or three hours. Completing it is a long-haul endeavour, and not everyone will make it to the finish line. Every failure is a small step towards success, and it’s really worth it for the frayed nerves and scraped hands from all that constant climbing.

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Opus: Prism Peak isn’t a game for everyone, as rather than action and adrenaline, it focuses primarily on emotions, a melancholic atmosphere and a slow narrative pace. Yet it is precisely this that allows it to leave a much stronger impression than many bigger titles. Its greatest strength lies in the humanity of the protagonist, Eugene, who doesn’t come across as a classic video-game saviour of the world, but as an ordinary person full of flaws, regrets and insecurities. His journey towards coming to terms with the past feels very personal and believable. The photography-based gameplay is also highly original, with the camera serving not merely as a mechanic but as a vital part of the story itself and the exploration of memories. The stunning audiovisual presentation, reminiscent of an interactive anime film, also plays a huge role. Opus: Prism Peak thus offers an exceptional experience that you won’t remember for its action, but for the atmosphere and emotions it leaves you with.

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Bubsy 4D isn’t a spectacular comeback that would turn the once-ridiculed mascot into a new star of the genre, but it is certainly the best and most ambitious instalment in the entire series. Fabraz has managed to capture the energy of classic platformers and enrich it with more modern movement options, making jumping around in the fur of this chatty, cat-like beast more fun than ever before. On the other hand, the game doesn’t feel quite as polished as earlier projects from the same developers and is unlikely to charm many players who haven’t yet developed a positive relationship with the platformer genre.

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Fatekeeper is exactly the sort of game that will appeal to fans of older fantasy RPGs. It features an excellent combat system, a dark atmosphere, interesting character development and a healthy dose of brutality. Although it isn’t without its flaws and could do with more depth in certain areas, taken as a whole it offers a highly entertaining adventure reminiscent of the golden age of action RPGs. If you loved Dark Messiah of Might & Magic, Skyrim or Elderborn, Fatekeeper is definitely one not to be missed.

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Even after all these years, The Evil Within remains one of the most striking horror titles of its era. It offers exactly the kind of uncompromising survival horror that was sorely lacking at the time of its release. It doesn’t try to coddle you, it doesn’t hold your hand, and it doesn’t forgive mistakes. On the contrary, it throws you into a hostile world where every decision can mean the difference between survival and death.

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The Evil Within 2 is not only a worthy sequel to the first game, but in many respects a better game than its predecessor. It may lack some of the raw brutality and shocking unpredictability of the first instalment, but it makes up for this with a more polished design, a stronger atmosphere and a far more complex gaming experience. For fans of horror games, it is one of the best modern survival horror titles of recent years, and it continues to hold its own within the genre.

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I am Jesus Christ is a typical example of a genre whose main characteristic is that, within the context of games on Steam, it is thematically unique. It is a technically well-made game that will find its greatest appeal among people of faith. For 12.49 euros, it offers approximately five to ten hours of gameplay. The game would be best used as a tool for religious education, for example within the family or at school. As such, however, it does not offer much added value.

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Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced is a great game—that's true—but I just couldn't get past the underwhelming value for the price. This is, without a doubt, a great installment of AC in every respect—the graphics are definitely decent, the interactive music playlist is awesome, the ships are there, and the story is still fantastic—but to me, it just feels like you’re getting uncomfortably little for the price. If you’re looking for a nostalgic trip and don’t mind the occasional clunky combat, the Caribbean will undoubtedly draw you in once again, but then the question arises: did that happen out of nostalgia, or the sheer joy of playing the game? To put it simply, is it a great Assassin’s Creed? Yes. Is it worth it? Yes. With your own money? No—with the money your grandma gave you for Christmas.

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The game Yerba Buena walks a fine line. One moment, you’re admiring its creativity, its original NPC concept, and its jabs at the video game industry. The next, however, you find yourself waiting for a dialogue to end or trying to figure out why a simple solution just doesn’t work the way it should. The game has promising ideas, but that alone just isn’t enough.

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Far Far West is a visually unique and fast-paced cooperative shooter that doesn’t take itself too seriously and aims primarily to provide uninterrupted fun. The combination of high-quality shooting, entertaining magic, and a structure that doesn’t penalize players for having limited free time creates a highly addictive mix. Sure, solo play isn’t anything to write home about, and the progression could use a slight speed boost, but those are minor flaws. Grab your colts (or magic cacti) and let’s go hunting! On horseback!

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The Dark Queen of Mortholme offers a short yet compelling experience built on atmosphere, an unusual main character, and an antagonist who is more deeply involved in the story than one might expect in the opening minutes. Half an hour of entertaining banter, pondering, and the hero’s attempts to bring his opponent down—all leading up to a major plot climax—will likely fly by, and you’ll quickly decide to try it again, this time with a slightly different approach.

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Blades of Fire may not be a perfectly polished gem, and at times its stubbornness when it comes to navigation and map-reading can be frustrating. However, if you give the game a chance and dive into its depths, it will reward you with a completely unique and addictive weapon-forging system and a raw, innovative combat system that never gets old. The relationship between the two main characters will tug at your heartstrings, and the joy of wielding a sword you forged yourself—one that wreaks havoc among the enemy ranks—is simply priceless. In my opinion, it’s a very well-made major title.

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REPLACED is a triumph of audiovisual design and powerful storytelling that will make you reflect on what constitutes human identity. The experience is slightly marred by an uneven pace caused by tedious side quests, an overcomplicated combat system in the later stages of the game, and a harsh save system. But if you can overlook these design flaws and occasional technical glitches, you’re in for one of the most beautiful indie games of recent years.

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Borderlands 2 represents an evolution of the first game. If you love this series, get ready for refined gameplay, improved graphics, and twice the playtime—including twice as many DLCs. The nonstop shooting is amplified in the excellent co-op multiplayer mode, which is probably how the game is meant to be played. Fans of the series got exactly what they wanted: a crazy and brutal comic-book world full of dark humor. If the simple plot doesn’t grab you, there’s still the thrill of slicing up robots that announce their damage—and that’s damn good, if somewhat lowbrow, fun. Plus, the sound design is perfect.

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Gorn was fun and engaging years ago, but today it feels a bit clunky and outdated. Gorn 2 brings its concept into the modern era and is better in practically every way. It’s easier to control, looks better, offers more varied content, and draws you deeper into its fictional world. If you own a virtual reality headset and aren’t opposed to grotesque violence and adolescent humor, you shouldn’t miss it.

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Manairons is a game full of contradictions. On the one hand, it offers an enchanting world inspired by Catalan folklore, striking audiovisual styling, and a pleasantly intimate runtime that prevents it from exhausting its ideas. On the other hand, its short legs are repeatedly tripped up by imprecise controls and a confusing sense of space. As a result, players who can overlook its technical and design flaws in exchange for the originality of its theme, picturesque atmosphere, and fresh folkloric settings will enjoy it the most.

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