Minimap's Reviews
I enjoyed this game a lot. It gives the player a lot of freedom when designing the islands; there are so many items to buy from the shop, and getting currency is easy. My time spent in the game was filled with designing and seeing how many achievements I could get by just playing. I managed to get a good amount of the overall achievements, and once I got about halfway through the game, I pulled up the Steam page to see which ones I could aim for. One of my favorites was to complete a level without a house on the island. I aimed for 100% in this game, but I’ve run into two issues. One, there is a bundle that I need to buy all the items for that is not in the shop. And two, there are a bunch of hidden achievements that I don’t even know where to start.
By now, it's well documented that the original vision for Ad-Hoc Studio's Dispatch was very different to the game that hit store shelves. Conceived as a choose your own adventure, live action, interactive TV show akin to Netflix's Bandersnatch, the COVID lockdowns resulted in the project being shelved for a few years, and only uncovered in the wake of creative differences with Telltale Studios over The Wolf Among Us. Eventually, after a troubled development, Critical Role (yes the D&D podcast people) announced a partnership to help Ad-Hoc found their creative vision.
I do believe Titans of the Tide is a fun little game, but I highly recommend that you wait for a sale before purchasing it. Purple Lamp has certainly made noticeable marginal improvements since Cosmic Shake, but it’d be nice to see them try to make a game that is more fully-fledged in their next outing.
Whether you extract with your pockets full of loot or get decimated by a rival player or NPC, the sting of that defeat doesn’t last long because of the amount of progression you still have netted. Just about everything you do nets you experience points toward leveling up your character.
Egging On is a very fun and creative experience. Although it’s intimidating and incredibly frustrating at times, I recommend giving it a chance if you’re up for a unique and clever challenge. Even as someone who doesn’t play a lot of challenging games, I was able to make my way to the end with some of the accessibility options and some patience.
With its excellent pixel art and slick UI, Desert Race Adventures makes a great first impression. Unfortunately, this light management strategy game runs out of gas far too quickly. With frustrating gameplay that relies too heavily on a limited set of random events and minimal variance from run to run, there’s simply not enough to justify playing beyond a few attempts.
Though, it speaks numbers to the quality of Ball x Pit that a game that drags at times is still worthy of recommendation. The sections of this ploddingly dull variety can be excused if you consider that the game has an arcadey style and tone to it. This is a game you’ll jump into and enjoy yourself for your play session with the pure intention of having fun. It is not a game with a deep overarching plot or meaning and it does not need to be. It sets out to be a whimsical little game and it pulls off that rather well.
I’m merely pointing these flaws out to explain why Silent Hill f isn’t being rated higher. I would love to rate it as a masterpiece, and it is surely on the right roadway to being one. Perhaps with more patches the game will be refined even further. On its own, it is still a fantastic depiction of Japanese horror, and tackles themes that the game industry seems scared of tackling. There’s so much value to be had in a game that is unafraid to go against the grain, and to really bank on writing that’ll make you feel uncomfortable. In that sense, Silent Hill f is one of, if not the most important game released in 2025 on top of being a genuine return to form for the series
A flawed but fascinating experiment, Sanatorium is a place worth visiting—just don’t expect to check out without a few scars.
If you are a Pokemon fan and have played just about every game in the franchise, you are going to pick this up no matter what. I find it hard to recommend this one to anybody who has barely played any Pokemon games before or if they do not own a Switch 2. Pokemon Legends: Arceus was a good first step and Legends: Z-A was another good step in the right direction. It’s still enjoyable but nothing earthshattering. Hopefully if we get a third Pokemon Legends game it will blow these last two games out of the water.
After playing both Avowed and The Outer Worlds 2 in 2025, I am flabbergasted at why Obsidian feels the incessant need to continue recycling this structure of game. I cannot help feeling as if I’ve essentially played the same game three times already. There is nothing inherently wrong with these games at a base level. They’re built well and are mostly technically sound. The engine has these games function well enough and they are fine to play. Being simply ‘fine’ is utterly disappointing however relative to what Obsidian can accomplish as a studio.
Ruffy and the Riverside is a solid entry into the 3D platformer genre. I felt so nostalgic while playing it, especially when I stumbled across a hidden room where “Banjo was here!” was written on the wall. I definitely suggest giving this game a try and certainly if you’re a 3D platformer sicko like me. I finished this game at around 16 hours by doing a good amount of side quests, but there’s still plenty of collectibles and achievements left!
With all that in mind, it makes Ninja Gaiden 4 really quite difficult to recommend. There are so many games out right now that could offer you more for your money. It is releasing in a month where a game such as Ghost of Yōtei could give you more bang for your buck.Unless you really love the Character-Action genre over anything else, it is hard to justify spending a full 70 dollars on a game that is only around 9 hours long, with a severe lack of other content. Granted, the game did release Day 1 on Xbox Game Pass, so subscribers should absolutely give it a shot if they so desire. Nonetheless, it is a great game and I am very happy to see the triumphant return of Ninja Gaiden. If we can receive more Ninja Gaiden games in this same vein, I believe the future of the series should be very bright - so long as they work on those noted flaws.
Despite the few minor issues, I think Hoomanz! is adorable and very charming. The game kept me interested and 3 hours of playtime flew by very quickly without me noticing. If you want something cute to play for the Halloween season, even if it’s not directly related to the holiday, I think it fits the vibe! Stealth games aren’t for everyone, but because it’s simple and easy to get into, I think more people would find it fun than not.
Riddlewood Manor, from the brother team at Peanut Button — producer Asaf and game designer Eyal — is a delightful throwback to the golden age of point-and-click adventure games, wrapped in a Halloween bow. It’s equal parts eerie and endearing, making it a perfect choice for a chilly October night.
Keeper has no dialogue whatsoever, and that is by design. This is a story told entirely through its gameplay and minimal amount of cutscenes. It works for the better, ensuring the player stays immersed in the game’s energy and presentation. Early on, I even wondered if Keeper would end up being a walking sim game before puzzles were inevitably thrown my way. Keeper is a puzzle game, though you wouldn’t expect as much from your first impression. None of these puzzles are particularly hard, mind you, but rather ‘comfortable’ would be the word to describe them.
There is no question in my mind: this game earns a full 5 out of 5 stars. It’s thoughtful, beautifully crafted, and lingers with you long after you set down the controller. If indie games are where the heart of storytelling lives, As Long As You’re Here is proof that the genre is alive, thriving, and capable of something profound.
Ultimately, Star Fire: Eternal Cycle is a game that knows what it wants to be: a punchy, adrenaline-fueled arcade experience. Its strengths lie in its immediate, satisfying combat and addictive roguelite loop. It may not reinvent the genre, but it leans into its strengths with confidence. This is a game for players who want to feel unstoppable, who enjoy the chaos of a screen full of explosions, and who are always chasing that perfect run. For those who enjoy the core loop of grinding for power and watching the numbers get bigger, the game provides a compelling and addictive experience.
In just a little over 2 hours, Undusted: Letters from the Past wrecked me emotionally, but it had a lasting impression on me. It’s a game about dealing with family hardships and grief. However, if you want a short and relaxing game that also tells a beautiful story, look no further! I think fans of games like Venba and Unpacking especially would love this. Just be aware that it does weigh a bit heavy on the heart.
This is a very creative, beautiful, and unique game but unfortunately the extremely slow pacing really hurt the experience for me. I’m sure there will be plenty of people who enjoy this just for just the art alone, but about a third of the way through this 7 hour game, I was ready to move on with something else.