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Isle of Reveries truly was an epic adventure that took up the majority of my September, and I wouldn’t have it any other way (even if my very patient editor would). I was completely immersed when I was playing, and the game occupied my brain every hour even when I couldn’t play. This is an easy contender for game of the year.
SiN: Reloaded is a good remaster. It keeps the spirit of the game and allows those with nostalgia to relive the old days. For new players, it’s easily accessible and a real bit of 90s fun, even if it is a bit dated in style and tone.
As far as board game adaptations go, Flamecraft is a stunning example of how to create a vibrant world without impacting the core experience of people simply wishing for a digital version of the game; the only shortfalls come from the original board game, further enhanced by a feeling of loneliness when playing against an AI opponent or in the single-player campaign.
Many photography simulators that emphasize the technicality and precision of photographic art miss the kind of charm that a game like Toem 2 embodies. Despite offering a thoroughly enjoyable journey on Switch 2, the game hits many of the same beats from the first game too closely, which flattens the overall experience. Despite any misgivings, Toem 2 is an easy recommendation to anyone looking for a break from any personal challenges or uncertainties to escape into an endearingly whimsical adventure.
A textbook Early Access success story. Moonlighter 2 fixes its one real stumble, adds a satisfying ending and an endgame that keeps its cozy loop alive, and finally reaches the consoles it was born for. Bigger, but never diluted. The foundation was special; the finished game is even better.
Well Dweller is full-stop one of my favorite Metroidvanias in recent years. Its combat against standard enemies aside, everything else on offer is best in show for the genre, especially its art style, tone, and soundtrack. If you long for a melancholy metroidvania with unique abilities that doesn’t sacrifice accessibility like so many others in the space, then boy do I have good news for you about the ongoing work of Kyle Thompson.
MONOWAVE offers a unique mechanical hook. Its traversal-based puzzles are inventive but not overly taxing, and its in-game hint system means that players will not need to consult outside sources if they get stuck. It also has a distinctive and appealing look and sound. However, players looking for a profound meditation on how our abilities to act are constrained by our emotional resources or a balanced coop experience aren’t going to find it here.
BioEden finally gives you the space and opportunity to save the planet through a relaxed management sim – the ability to choose any route to progress that suits your playstyle combines perfectly with the absence of a fail state to feel like a game tailored for optimistic players, encouraging you to relax, find your feet, and build your way to a victory for everyone.
Who knew the impending danger of having a dragon as your neighbour could provide this much fun? If you love breaking roguelike deckbuilders to create the biggest combos, Feed the Scorchpot will provide you with hours upon hours of enjoyment and challenges upon challenges to conquer. They’re a fickle lot, those dragons. Better make sure you get those harvests up to their maximum.
In the end, while it’s certainly not as suspenseful as the first game, the storytelling in Lost & Found: A This Bed We Made Story is a step above. It’s a heartfelt, emotional narrative with a candid and intimate look into the lives of a handful of travelers aboard a luxury ocean liner for their own, often intriguing, reasons. You find the connective tissues between the stories in each room, and it’s up to you whether that becomes ground for gossip or an opportunity to uniquely care for individual needs. How delicate will you be with the deeply personal secrets you find lying among the luggage?
In conclusion, Restory is mostly a chill time and a zen-like experience. with only some of the less likable characters breaking that immersion. In the plus column, the attention to detail in the hardware art design is truly incredible and worth high praise! In the negative column: I had issues with the zoom level, and I wasn’t a fan of the misalignment of story threads. All told, Restory: Chill Electronics Repairs is a lovely entry into the genre of job simulators and cozy games, and it is exactly what it promises to be.
On the whole, Ambrosia Sky dares to imagine our galaxy as something other than a dark, desolate vacuum of matter. Here on the rings of Saturn, fluorescent colors swell across the derelict spaces, now flourishing with vibrant fungal cultures and organic substances. As Dalia, we are tasked with cleaning these spaces, power-washing our way through the mold to find familiar faces overcome by mycological tragedy. In doing so, we learn the personal history of Daliah’s homecoming, the stories of the people who tried everything to outlast this contagion, and finally, the resolution that pushed the limits of scientific imagination.
Lunarium almost works to introduce Souls-inspired isometric ARPG to interested players. Combat satisfies while the story underserves its themes with a rocky narrative structure. Some will find Ave and Lune’s relationship the core of their experience, while others will enjoy the smaller, easily navigable levels. Lunarium shoots for the moon and lands among the Starfarers.
Database Detective: Minor Crime Division is a Schrödinger’s Cat of educational content – on one hand it teaches concepts easily and practically, on the other hand it puts fun front and centre – it’s only when you open the box that you’ll find out if it’s useful for you. Either way, an entertaining, comical story wrapped in the interest of learning something new cannot be ignored – sadly, the game does lose half a star due to a current lack of accessibility options.
In the end, Lou’s Lagoon feels like a game that didn’t quite match its initial promise. It plays beautifully and looks amazing with its cartoonish style. But awkward pacing, way too much waiting around, fetch quests that feel like padding out the game, and those storage issues hold the game back from becoming the classic it could have been. It’s still a really good game, definitely worth the approximately 12 hours it takes to finish; just be aware of these issues going into it.
Sophia’s story carries on what made her character so endearing in previous A Plague Tale games, but with a great deal more swashbuckling. The combat shines the brightest even as the story ventures into the dark reality of a world swamped with Macula. While the storytelling is bolstered by incredible voice acting and strong writing, ultimately Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy owes much of its narrative to exposition, filling in gaps about the Macula over character development for the cast.
While the disparity in quality between Chapters 1 and 2 is surprisingly vast, it’s hard to not still give CULTIC a wholehearted recommendation off the back of the excellent Chapter 1 alone. The act of shooting never felt less than exhilarating, especially when interspersed between CULTIC’s equally great moments of exploration and horror, and the solid survival mode is there to add potentially endless replayability for the people that want it. It’s just a shame that Chapter 2 can’t quite live up to the excellence of the rest of the package.
It’s hard not to be charmed by the solidarity of the two protagonists in Theropods and to see their efforts save a village to completion. Fans of point-and-click games that emphasize the puzzles over dialogue will appreciate the way that the game speedily moves you along, but those looking for a story beyond two strong, silent protagonists won’t have much to chew on long after the experience ends.
This is easily one of the best additions to the farming sims genre in a while. Even considering the number of excellent titles the genre has seen in the past few years, this one rates very highly. The charming art, the wonderful music, the great storylines – they all just come together so perfectly and will be enjoyed by anyone infatuated with farming sims or cosy games in general, as well as being a perfect entry point for anyone new to the genre. Now, to finally find that final ingredient for my engagement ring. Hold on, my beloved Juniper, I’ll be there soon!
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed Servant of the Lake! It’s outside my usual comfort zone for games, but I felt confident and capable with the puzzles, and I enjoyed the ride it took me on. It’s not the most amazing, awe-inspiring work of art in the world, but it knows what it’s about and it commits to the bit. It’s a genuinely excellent addition to the game library of anyone who enjoys visual novels, point-and-click games, or puzzle games.