Gaming Professors

For fans of turn-based strategy games and tabletop RPGs, this is a very interesting title that works well even in the classic PC version. I have to admit, though, that if you have the chance to play the game in virtual reality, you should definitely choose that option. After all, VR adds more depth to the entire game, and the immersion in the adventure will feel a bit more real.

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Blacksmith Master is a visually satisfying management simulator that lets you run a blacksmith’s workshop and shop. In addition to blacksmithing itself, it offers many other crafts that you can add to your economic empire. It excels in terms of gameplay options, but is surprisingly limited when it comes to customizing your workshop. While it’s satisfying to watch a group of hardworking employees go about their business while humming along to the medieval theme music, the most important aspect—the management, or rather, the business side—is marred by an unbalanced economy that lets you earn enough to buy practically anything far too quickly. Once you’ve set up your workshop to be fully self-sufficient, you’ll struggle to find anything that keeps you engaged with the game, because there’s simply no motivation for players to spend extra hours playing it.

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Saros is an example of a well-crafted sequel to a successful title—in this case, *Returnal*. It isn’t a mindless rehash, but a thoughtful expansion of what worked before. The game is more accessible to a wider audience, yet it doesn’t compromise or sacrifice any of its essence. It’s easy to succumb to its hypnotic charm, even if you’re initially skeptical of the roguelike genre. Saros is just as engaging an experience as major story-driven titles, but compared to many of them, it leaves a fresher impression.

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Little Nightmares VR: Altered Echoes is a somewhat sad reminder that virtual reality games simply operate on a different logic than titles designed for traditional screens, and what works in one format may not work in the other. The atmosphere, sound design, and unsettling aesthetics live up to the standards set by the previous installments, but the gameplay itself suffers as a result of a mechanical transplant. If you’re looking for a well-designed and easy-to-control game that takes full advantage of virtual reality, Altered Echoes will be a nightmare for all the wrong reasons.

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The Artisan of Glimmith is a quiet experience that rewards patience and concentration. At its core, it’s about paying attention and the ability to see the whole picture in individual fragments. Each puzzle you solve is like a piece of glass being set into place, gradually piecing together the image of a lost kingdom and your own inner peace. Just like real stained-glass windows, this game reveals its true beauty only when you allow it to slow down and speak through the light.

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Mirage 7 is an interesting and ambitious indie project that strives to stand out from the crowd of run-of-the-mill games and offer players something different. The title’s greatest strength, however, lies in its atmosphere, its emphasis on exploration, and its unconventional combination of gameplay elements, which together create a distinctive and, at times, almost hypnotic experience. Mirage 7 captivates players primarily through its mood and slower pace, which give you space to explore the world and its details. On the other hand, it’s not without its weaknesses. This is most evident in the combat system, which feels unpolished and, at times, not entirely smooth, which can detract from the overall impression of the game. Additionally, some mechanics could benefit from greater depth and refinement to keep players engaged for longer. The story, while based on an interesting premise, could be more compelling and better paced. Nevertheless, Mirage 7 retains its charm and originality.

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MOUSE: P.I. For Hire offers a genuinely long, linear shooter set in the past—in both the real world and a cartoon universe. Although the game features mice, it’s not hard to imagine them as humans. The brutal action isn’t for kids, and adults will certainly appreciate its parodic tone. The game doesn’t take itself seriously and pokes fun at the ubiquitous clichés. Exactly as it should be. The original and fresh take on an otherwise serious theme turns it into an entertaining game that doesn’t try to trip players up. I’m completely satisfied. A great debut from the Polish developers at Fumi Games.

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Overall, Machine Gun Fury is a solid retro action game that knows exactly what it wants to be. It’s not a big game, and it’s not for everyone. It will appeal mainly to players who love classic arcade shooters and don’t mind either the higher difficulty or the short playtime. Machine Gun Fury is therefore best suited for fans of old-school run-and-gun games and anyone who wants to relive the days when we could see our dream action heroes in a jumble of pixels and went to sleep with our fingers sore from pressing the “Fire” button.

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Subsequence is a short narrative game that goes all in on a peculiar brand of cynical, dark humor, a hefty dose of irony, and surprisingly stunning visuals. The main character bears the brunt of all the technical shortcomings and questionable design decisions. Don’t expect any grand, intricate plot or engaging gameplay. You’ll click your way through the game for an hour or so and then go about your business, but it’s very likely that all the jokes and the epic ending will haunt you for a long time to come. And I think that if this humor strikes a chord with you, it’ll be quite enjoyable. However, since you can’t save your progress in the game, I’ll have to be a bit harsher in my assessment.

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Firefighting Simulator: Ignite is a firefighting simulator that boasts impressive graphics, artificial intelligence, interesting missions, and a superbly designed fire station. It’s a simulator with all the trimmings, but it has one significant weakness—a lack of variety in the calls. In my opinion, this is the game’s biggest flaw, which can make it feel repetitive fairly quickly.

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Homura Hime isn't a perfect game, and it doesn't really even try to be—which, in its own peculiar way, makes it endearing. It has its flaws, whether it’s the story, which sometimes veers into over-the-top anime drama; the upgrade system, which isn’t always perfectly balanced; or moments when the screen turns into such a colorful explosion of effects that you’re more guessing what’s happening than actually in full control. On the other hand, though, it offers something that’s hard to overlook. Raw energy, a distinctive style, and above all, a fun, fast-paced, and addictive combat system that pushes you to improve. It’s exactly the kind of game that can frustrate you because you know you died due to your own mistake, but at the same time, it compels you to immediately hit “retry” and dive right back in. And that’s often a sign that something is working as it should. With this title, Crimson Dusk has shown that they have both the talent and the courage to experiment, and even though their first major project isn’t flawless, it’s definitely worth checking out. If you like fast-paced action games, a challenge, and a distinctive anime aesthetic, Homura Hime has a lot to offer—you just have to be prepared for the fact that it’ll really put you through your paces at times. But that’s where its greatest charm lies.

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Dracamar is exactly the kind of game you might easily overlook at first glance, but it will surprise you all the more once you give it a chance. Its unassuming style hides a superbly designed 3D platformer full of imaginative levels, a pleasant pace, and the joy of discovery. Thanks to its lower difficulty and approachable tone, it’s also ideal for younger players or family gaming. At the same time, with its variety and thoughtful design, it easily holds its own even among more experienced fans of the genre. Great platformers are still alive and well—and not just on the Switch!

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Constance will especially thrill fans of Metroidvania games. Its charming world, full of colors and tones, will captivate many an artistic soul, and the adrenaline rush from its boss fights and obstacle courses will have you breaking a sweat more than once, even though the main story will only take you a few hours to complete. What’s more, it tackles the important topic of mental health and the reality that, at times, we are our own worst enemies. All of this makes it a game that’s definitely worth checking out.

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ZPF is proof that games for 16-bit consoles have their own unique charm that never gets old and never goes out of style. From a technical standpoint, it pushes the capabilities of the home Mega Drive to the limit and can easily hold its own against its role models—namely, Thunder Force and Lords of Thunder. However, the pursuit of flashy pixel art and diverse environments also makes the game feel less focused and polished than its top-tier competitors.

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Tides of Tomorrow is the kind of gaming experience that leaves you not only with memories of a single story, but also with the strange feeling that you were part of something bigger. The moment you realize that you’re not just a player, but also part of someone else’s past, the whole concept of shared responsibility begins to create a constant sense of pressure. Every decision becomes an echo for someone else, and it’s entirely up to you whether you choose the path of cooperation or individualism. The game doesn’t force you to be a hero, but it asks what you want to leave behind once the waters calm and the traces begin to fade.

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Shadow of the Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition is the culmination of the Survivor trilogy, and it’s a fitting conclusion. The adrenaline-fueled exploration sequences and tombs are a fantastic experience. This is enhanced by the game’s strong visual identity; despite the realistic graphics, it still has its own distinct look. Unfortunately, the shooting mechanics and shooting sequences as a whole detract from the overall experience.

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Clifftop Games has presented the gaming community with its latest project: the adventure game Kathy Rain: Soothsayer. Her new case takes players to a fresh, spectacular setting where a dangerous serial killer is on the loose. Compared to the first installment, the developers have taken a huge step forward and learned from the vast majority of their mistakes. However, a few flaws remain, but I can overlook them, as I enjoyed this all-female adventure from start to finish. Kathy Rain 2: Soothsayer isn’t just a full-fledged sequel—it’s a worthy successor that pays homage to its predecessor.

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The new Screamer is a title that isn’t afraid to take risks and stray a bit from the mainstream of today’s arcade racing games. It boasts a masterfully executed audiovisual concept as well as original and polished gameplay that clearly sets it apart from the competition. The futuristic, anime-style racing is thrilling and rewards dedicated practice. I wouldn’t recommend this game to people with an exceptionally short fuse, who might feel the urge to throw their controller through a closed window at times.

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It’s not at all easy to evaluate Fallout 4 – Anniversary Edition. On the one hand, we have the original, fantastic game, along with six DLCs of varying quality—which most veterans have likely owned for a long time. On the other hand, we have a massive package that will be appreciated more by players who haven’t tried Fallout 4 yet. Ultimately, however, Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition is a massive bundle of content that represents one of the most comprehensive versions of this post-apocalyptic RPG on PC. It offers hundreds of hours of gameplay, a strong atmosphere, and enormous variety in playstyle.

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Pragmata doesn’t rely on revolutionizing the genre, but rather on emotions that gradually seep under your skin. An inhospitable space station serves as the backdrop for an incredibly intimate story that manages to move you despite its relatively predictable conclusion. The gameplay is based on a combination of direct combat and hacking, which takes some getting used to but rewards you with a satisfying challenge. At times, the game runs up against the limits of its own design choices, yet it wins you over more by what it leaves you with.

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