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Unfortunately, after a few stages of each level, my weapon would no longer fire. Or it would fire and damage me. Or it would fire and not damage my enemy. This was present on both sides of the battle, either soft locking me in a stage where no damage can be dealt, or meaning I would take damage while my opposition wouldn’t. Ultimately, this made Critter Crossfire unplayable after a certain point and stopped my progression altogether. It’s a real shame because there is a lot of potential and a lot of fun to be had with this title.
Kick’n Hell may just have the most unique and interesting movement I’ve ever experienced. And it works amazingly. Using kicks to throw myself across the sprawling environments was one of the most fun and frustrating mechanics I’ve experienced this year. Having to think hard about my trajectory and where I wanted to go, both made me feel incredibly accomplished and enraged. Kick’n Hell doesn’t hold the player’s hand. Far from it. Countless times, I would find myself soaring through the air, only to fall right back down to a lower platform. Or a much lower platform. It was as infuriating as it was incredibly engaging.
Zombies Overloaded isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel, but it is a welcome addition to the top-down shooter genre. The gameplay loop is enjoyable, working best in shorter stints as opposed to long sessions. The visuals are appealing despite their simple nature, and everything comes together neatly to create an appealing little twin stick shooter. It’s definitely recommendable, especially at its generous price point, for those fond of the genre.
Honestly, although I very much enjoyed it, I think it was let down by the lack of range. It released in the same month as Bugtopia, and whilst the former has over 300 different bug types, Kabuto Park has only 40. Despite its small size and short gameplay, it could’ve easily been rated a little higher if there was only more variety. However, having said that, I still think it’s a steal for the price; it’s such a peaceful, beautiful, and enjoyable experience.
Star Overdrive surprised me in the best way. What started as a space-themed curiosity turned into a fast-paced, emotionally engaging experience that blends satisfying movement, creative combat, and a genuinely good story. Between the hoverboard upgrades, keytar-based combat, and an intriguing skill system, there’s more depth here than I initially expected – and it kept me coming back for more.
PEAK wastes no time in pushing players to their limits, especially in the starting area. I kept running out of stamina before I’d even made it up the first incline, and it felt frustrating rather than fun at first. Survival games are meant to be tough, sure—but when the first section is this punishing, it leaves little room for learning the ropes. It’ll take you a few climbs to start feeling like you’re making any progress, but once you do, it’s a great feeling.
I think this game is beyond brilliant. It met my expectations and then some. I honestly cannot recommend it enough, it’s such a wacky, hilarious, entertaining experience, and I think almost everyone would be able to find copious enjoyment from it. Even if dating sims aren’t usually your genre, consider making this one an exception. It’s like nothing else out there, and you’d be missing out on all the deranged shenanigans.
Without saying a word, the game builds a gentle story about family, imagination, and grief. It leans into memory and lets you interpret the emotion behind each scene. You’re not given all the answers, and you don’t need them. It’s enough to feel the weight of what’s been left unsaid, and the love that still lingers in every shadow you cast.
Visually, Snacko doesn’t know what it wants to be. The world is 3D, the characters and animals are 2D pixel sprites, and during dialogue, NPCs switch to more detailed illustrations. It felt jarring every time. The mix of art styles clashed instead of blending together. The characters’ pixel models are also weirdly darker than they appear when they’re talking. Mikan is white, but she looks grey in sprite form.
Nice Day for Fishing could’ve been a quick gag game. It could have been made for fans of Viva La Dirt League to laugh at. But it’s far more than that. This is a full experience—thoughtful, weirdly wholesome, and genuinely fun to sink time into. It reminded me so much of the first time I played Runescape. I used to bike to the library with my older brother to play on the computers there… That warm, nostalgic feeling came rushing back as I explored. The fishing battles, the spells, the treasure hunting—all of it made me feel like a kid again.
There’s a solid foundation here, one that clearly draws from the developer’s past work in American Fugitive, but also pushes into new territory. It’s an ambitious mix of sandbox action and police procedure, and while it often stumbles (especially with its NPC AI and car handling), it also manages to hold your attention with its vibrant world and constant activity.
Rise of Gun is a bit rough around the edges, especially in the first half-hour. The lack of a directional tutorial, vague quest instructions, and unclear shop layout might put off players expecting something more polished. But for those who stick with it, there’s a surprisingly warm and relaxing management sim underneath the rubble. It’s not flashy, and it’s not fast, but it has heart, and a whole lot of potential.
The most enjoyable part of the story was revealing the relationships between the seven characters present. Each one had their motives and feelings towards my character, influencing gameplay. Again though, trying to pull the story out of these characters often felt like a chore. Oftentimes the dialogue would repeat itself, leading me to quickly skip through to the next part.
You start with a small, barebones shop and an arguably tight budget. You have no voice in your ear guiding you or NPCs to interact with, just one clear objective: buy, collect, race, and sell supercars. All while upgrading your shop along the way. It’s a simple setup, but one that lays a solid foundation for hours of gameplay.
It’s definitely a cute game, and the theming is super fun. The soundtrack too is delightful, and there was plenty to enjoy about it. Unfortunately, even though it’s by no means a bad game, the puzzles just didn’t suit my personal preferences. But that doesn’t mean that you won’t love them! Everyone has different preferences, so don’t let my naysayer attitude hold you back if this game appeals to you. There’s so much to love here, and I’d say it’s certainly worth trying out.
Although there is no deep story, your mission debriefs offer welcome insight into what is at stake, in this cyber war. At one point, the general will mention a city that used to be standing tall, now reduced to a battlefield, or a heavily fortified enemy base, with a tunnel underneath for you to traverse. Each location feels unique, the scenery changing with each battle. Although for the most part, these changes are purely cosmetic, they make the world in War Rats feel full and add to the atmosphere of each bloody battle. I really enjoyed how each battleground felt distinct from the last.
I enjoyed the bright cartoon aesthetic of the game. It leans into the comic explosions and bright trick text, which work really well. The visuals are a touch blurry at times but it never took away from the overall enjoyment. The fast pace of the movement meant it was barely noticeable for most of my time with it. I think the side-scrolling 2.5D style on offer was the right choice for the gameplay, it really added to the overall feel and poppy atmosphere of Seafrog.
Tiny Garden really manages to feel nostalgic whilst presenting entirely modernised gameplay. It’s a farming game with a difference, and I think it’s fantastic how it’s carved out such a unique niche for itself. In an age where a new indie farming simulator is released pretty much every day, I love that this game went in a totally new direction.
This is a game that understands the quiet joy of creating a space that feels like home. It speaks to the experience of those who have ever had their passions dismissed as “just a hobby” and finds beauty in the act of carving out a place for yourself, even when others don’t understand why. The plant placement mechanics are satisfying, the aesthetic is charming, and the game exudes a warmth that makes it easy to sink into.
Charming, silly, and with the occasional misstep fitting for its chaotic nature, this game is every bit our inner child. Appealing to our sense of wonder through subtle and well-executed use of fundamental story-telling and design. Wyrmhall: Brush and Banter is presented in such a humble way I can’t help but feel affection for this little goblin of a game.