Minimap's Reviews
Esoteric Ebb shows that the spirit of Disco-likes can be done in a way that is incredibly potent and resonant with the player in the same way the original game was. It is a game that will inevitably stick with me as the months go on, and although 2026 is far from over, I believe you'll be hard-pressed to find anything else with this level of high quality writing this year. Games such as this come very rarely and they need to be harbored for how special they are as narrative experiences.
At the time of writing this, I’ve beaten the game three times over the course of three days, so I think my personal verdict is obvious. I would absolutely recommend this to anyone. Obviously fans of survival games will get the most out of it, but aside from that it’s just an all-round solid game - both in design and performance. I think that, despite how early it is to call it, Requiem is highly likely to take home Game of the Year for me.
Nioh 3 takes ideas and concepts that Team Ninja has been crafting for years and crams them all into one expertly crafted package. Oftentimes when a game tries to emulate too many other games, it fails to find its own identity. Nioh 3 manages to find the right balance. While it may not have fixed all the issues of its previous entries, especially the over abundant loot, it gives the player more ways to manage those shortcomings than ever before.
And with that, this wraps up my review of Retrace The Light. I highly enjoyed my time with this game. The world was fun to explore, and the bosses were a great challenge. The story was deeper than I expected going in. Even though this isn’t a traditional Meroidvania, I will still recommend this to anyone who enjoys playing top-down, action platformers.
If you’re looking for a horror experience that’s atmospheric, unsettling, and visually unforgettable, Reanimal is well worth the trip—just don’t be surprised if it leaves you feeling uneasy long after you put the controller down.
High on Life 2 is unfortunately a game not worth recommending. For a price tag of a full $60, players should expect a level of polish, content, and quality that the game simply does not harbor for itself. Along with regressing in many areas and doubling down on an identity that doesn’t entirely work in 2026, one begs to question who High on Life as a franchise is exactly for.
The tactics gameplay is genuinely a lot of fun, with exciting abilities and environmental hazards that provide several options to dispatch challenging foes. However, it never justifies its roguelike structure, with dull upgrades, limited variety, and slow metaprogression holding it back. Thankfully, there is a solid foundation, and developer Unfinished Pixel can use this Early Access period to flesh things out, but I can’t recommend Blightstone in its current state.
Craftlings is a colorful puzzle/strategy game from ARIANO Games that blends the spirit of Lemmings with a lighter, settlement-management vibe. It’s charming on the surface, but there’s a steep learning curve underneath the cute presentation.
Hermit and Pig is a lovely classic inspired RPG that I would suggest to anyone. It has charming characters, quirky humor, and a fun gameplay loop that only takes about 8 hours to finish. Oh, and you CAN pet the pig!
For any fan of 3D platformers, or even someone who has very little experience but has more than a passing interest, I can absolutely recommend Big Hops. This goes doubly if you enjoy the "play your way" style of gameplay offered by games like Dishonored and Breath of the Wild. Although I wouldn't expect a deep connection between the stories or characters, there's still a fair amount of joy to be found in exploring its world and uncovering secrets.
Winter Burrow is a soft, inviting take on the survival genre, one that trades tension and danger for warmth and charm. Set in a snow-covered forest, the game focuses on preparation, exploration, and helping others rather than overcoming overwhelming odds. It’s a calm, cozy experience designed to be approachable and relaxing, making it an easy recommendation for players who enjoy slower-paced games with a strong sense of atmosphere.
But there’s more here than just the pieces I connected to. Perfect Tides: Station to Station is filled with so much life that I think anyone can find something to relate to.
CloverPit is yet another game that pulls at the gambling itch and morphs it into a literal death game where you must win big or die trying. Quoted as a “demonic lovechild of Balatro and Buckshot Roulette,” you are locked away in a cell, forced to rely on a slot machine for life. Pay off your ever-rising debt or fall into the never-ending depths.
Confidential Killings - A Detective Game’s artwork, which combines 1970s glamour with a noir aesthetic, has plenty of style. However, the puzzles lack substance, kneecapping attempts at intrigue and challenge by showing their hand far too early. There’s a decent story, and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have some fun filling in the blanks of these deadly scenarios, but this was far from the killer experience I was hoping for.
It was really cool and honestly unexpected to see the changes in Mosaic of the Strange. Still familiar, but also different! While I do think I might prefer the style of Proverbs, I still really enjoyed this and I appreciate Mark Ffrench experimenting with new things! I’ll definitely be interested in seeing where else he takes this series in the future!
Night Swarm is a Vampire Survivor clone that keeps the fangs in tack. Embody a man who is fighting for his right to sit on his throne as his fellow vampires try to kill him. The story is fed to you bit by bit as you complete runs in this roguelike, seeming to imitate the feeling of Hades. Roam the castle you live in to find several mechanics to use and upgrade, and then drop into a run of monster-infested torment.
Hell Is Us is a unique beast for that reason. It is hard to slot into one genre specifically, for it formulates a thrilling mesh of several at once. At heart, it is an immersive sim. If there is any takeaway to be had from Hell Is Us it is indeed the idea of its atmosphere and tone. Immediately your experience with this game will feature its bleak and almost unsettling world.
The reality of things here is that MindsEye was simply not ready to be released. It needed more time in the oven. In fact, I’d even go as far to say that if it had more time in the oven, it wouldn’t be as critically panned. Do I think it would’ve been good at all? Not necessarily. There are many core issues MindsEye suffers from that are key to it not hitting its full potential. MindsEye is a game that exists, a game that didn’t deserve the fate it received, but it is what it ended up being.
A lot of people might overlook Sushi Ben due to it being a short, indie visual novel, but those people are overlooking the comedy, the heart, and the wholesomeness that this game brings to the table. This game is not just about helping a sushi bar not be taken over by land sharks; it’s about helping a community that has been taken advantage of find its spark again. Sushi is the common factor that can bring people together and grow a sense of belonging. Sushi Ben has earned a 4 out of 5 stars; sadly, the bugs do bring down the score.
Rather than chasing difficulty or mechanical complexity, it invites players into a gentle, emotionally resonant journey—one defined by love, memory, and the quiet heroism of loyalty. It’s an experience that lingers not because of what it demands from the player, but because of what it asks them to feel.