Minimap's Reviews
This game is perfect for relaxing. The ability to interact with most of the things in the rooms allows for a high level of customization in each level. The puzzle aspect is easy and encourages trying to get a higher score - with all of the Steam achievements being easily achievable. I highly recommend Urban Jungle to anyone who enjoys decorating games and simple puzzle games!
My first couple of hours were rough. I wasn’t sure what was going on, but once I figured out how to get more flames and could be out for longer, I started to love the game. This game is a perfect relaxation game. There is zero combat or enemies to worry about, and it is focused on gathering things to build up a little town with cute little villagers.
Wargroove 2 doesn’t need spectacle to impress. Its battles don’t explode with visual effects or chase cinematic flair. What it offers instead is clarity, cleverness, and control. Every encounter feels like a small-scale war story where the outcome hinges on your judgment, not your reflexes. It respects your time, challenges your thinking, and invites experimentation without punishing failure.
Alchemist: The Potion Monger offers a delightful and engaging experience for players interested in alchemy and exploration. Its detailed potion-crafting system and open-world exploration provide ample content to enjoy. However, certain aspects, such as combat mechanics and user interface design, could benefit from further refinement. Additionally, the game's limited save options may pose challenges for some players.
In an era of bombastic AAA titles and procedural design, Broken Sword - Shadow of the Templars: Reforged is a reminder of the power of tightly crafted stories, hand-drawn artistry, and puzzles that make you pause, think, and smile when the pieces fall into place.
Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector won’t be for everyone. Its minimalistic gameplay and sheer amount of reading may be off-putting for some, but those that stick with it will be rewarded with one of the best sci-fi stories out there, video games or not. And fans of the first Citizen Sleeper can rest assured that this game delivers on everything—the tabletop-inspired gameplay, fantastic soundtrack, brilliant world-building, and, of course, best-in-class writing—that made the original so memorable. To adapt the quote I started this with: “If a game can make you laugh, think, and cry, that’s a heck of a game.” Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector is certainly a heck of a game.
Though it may not delve deeply into complex narrative themes or offer extensive replayability, Spilled! shines as a heartfelt meditation on restoration and care. For those who appreciate games that prioritize atmosphere over challenge, it offers a fleeting but memorable escape into a solarpunk-inspired dreamscape. In its own modest way, Spilled! reminds us that even small acts of healing can ripple outward, leaving lasting impressions long after the screen fades to black.
Hazelight Studios has solidified their co-op games as the standard with Split Fiction. While the story may not hit for everyone, it at least fits the vibe that Hazelight has established for themselves. Playing with friends is always a good time. We may have used the online option, but split screen local co-op needs to continue to be an option in games. I would hope the successes seen by Hazelight will be noticed by other devs so we don’t have to wait another four years for a great co-op experience.
If anyone is looking for a new indie puzzle game, Broken Lens should be a must buy. This adorable find-the-difference game is perfect to play in the evening, as the music makes for the perfect atmosphere to roam the screen and search for all the changes.
Proverbs is a logic puzzle game where each number on a square represents the number of positive squares in a 3x3 space surrounding it. Right clicking on a square highlights yellow (positive), while left clicking on a square highlights red (negative). The goal is to highlight each square correctly to fill out the sections.
Given the Atelier series' long history, newcomers often wonder where to start. The Atelier Ryza trilogy, while popular, consists of three interconnected titles, which might be daunting for new players.
One of the great things about Marvel Rivals that makes it stand out from other popular hero shooters like Overwatch is that the maps are extremely destructible. The breakable sections come back after a few minutes, but this can be used to your advantage by blocking players off from certain routes and separating teammates. The game devs seem to be listening to the player base and introducing characters and skins that the player base wants.
This game was amazing. I loved every second I spent in it. There were a few moments of frustration due to being hunted down by a large fish—but I digress. The calm fishing in the morning mixes perfectly with the deadly hunt-or-be-hunted feeling the night brings. I would highly recommend this to anyone! I don’t care what games they prefer, I think anyone who enjoys games can enjoy DREDGE. There is a plot that keeps things moving but it’s not super deep, so I think all players can follow and enjoy it.
Black Myth: Wukong is a great game. I can’t say it breaks the mold, but it is incredibly polished, looks absolutely stunning, and has an intriguing mythos that has me wanting more. It is nice to see devs still taking the risk of making an incredible triple A game like this, especially with the current state the gaming industry finds itself in. I hate to think that incredible single player experiences like Black Myth: Wukong are a thing of the past. I look forward to the next title to come from Game Science and hope this is just the beginning for this team.
Infinity Nikki emerges as a fascinating study in contrasts, offering an experience that both delights and occasionally frustrates. At its core, the game successfully goes beyond the simple "dress-up game" label, delivering a surprisingly deep narrative experience wrapped in a visually stunning package – with a lot more to come in the future!
The game offers a great concept with several fun aspects, including a peek into the early days of oil drilling with horse and buggy—which I found quite cool. However, the slower pace and repetitive nature, combined with the monotonous music, made it challenging for me to stay fully engaged.
Playing a Metriodvania can be a challenge for a lot of people. From learning where to go and when to come back to old areas, these games can be stressful and can lead to putting the game down. Ender Magnolia : Bloom in the Mist does a good job at guiding players… for the most part.
Dynasty Warriors Orgins is a bold reimagining of the series, introducing fresh ideas while preserving the franchise’s core identity. The exhilarating large-scale battles remain intact, but with meaningful updates to story structure and progression systems. The decision to focus on a unique protagonist provides an excellent entry point for newcomers while offering longtime fans a fresh perspective.
The art style has a cute and colorful aesthetic with an anime vibe. The music is very relaxing, and it picks up as your street gets busier. The gameplay is very simple, and it doesn’t ever feel like you’re pressed for time. It’s very impressive—considering the game was only made in 6 months.
Hyper Light Breaker is in its infancy of Early Access. Heart Machine has plenty of time to iterate and turn this into a great game, and they’ve already acknowledged the flood of player complaints and vowed to quickly release patches. I am concerned, though, that even as performance is improved and new content is added, they might never manage to refine the gameplay loop to the point of actually being fun.