Minimap's Reviews
AWAKEN - Astral Blade is a stylish, combat-focused sci-fi adventure that hits more than it misses. With gorgeous visuals, engaging mechanics, and a haunting world to explore, it’s a solid pick for fans of the Metroidvania genre. While it falls short in enemy variety, narrative delivery, and platforming precision, its strengths in atmosphere and gameplay make it a journey worth taking - especially if you’ve got a soft spot for platforming, hack & slash, and 2D sci-fi Metroidvanias.
Just like the name suggests, the flow of customers never ends, so it’s nothing but burgers and fries flying off the counter. In the mood for some of that stress that comes with this genre? Try the Time Challenge mode! Here, customers will not only rate the food, but also the amount of time it takes to get that food to them. This shift also gives you a nice 300% bonus, so if you want a little boost to unlock that next planet, try this one.
While the story and characters are serviceable, they never quite break out of the expected mold. Predictability and a lack of emotional depth might leave narrative-driven players wanting more. That said, Dokimon: Quest doesn’t necessarily need to reinvent the wheel, it just needs to offer a good time, and in that regard, it mostly delivers. It’s a solid little adventure with rough edges, but still worth checking out for fans of the genre who are in it for the nostalgia and exploration more than anything else.
DOOM: The Dark Ages doesn’t just iterate, it transforms. It still bleeds the franchise’s DNA, but with a newfound focus on strategy, spectacle, and scale. The shield mechanics, large-scale encounters, and grim world-building push the series into bold new territory.
Monster Hunter Wilds is one of the best in the series. The core loop is satisfying, and the new systems push it forward. It held my attention more than two months after launch and shows no sign of slowing down. For me this is exceptional, as I am known to switch games rather quickly.
Deck of Haunts has “good bones,” but it needs renovating with more content, better balance, and some polishing. It’s a clever combination of deck-building and house-construction strategy that is undoubtedly fresh and fun at first, but lacks the challenge to stay that way for long. The potential is there, and I commend Mantis for developing something creative in a genre containing far too many copycats.
I had an excellent time playing South of Midnight. A lot of the gameplay reminds me of Alice Madness Returns, which was also excellent. I highly recommend this to anyone who wants a unique experience.
Blue Prince is fantastic and my favorite game of 2025 so far. It is clever beyond words, and the depths it goes to in its puzzle designs and narrative are staggering. A rough onboarding period and bouts of slow progress due to the random nature of its gameplay keep me from hailing this as a true masterpiece, but it isn’t far off. Blue Prince is so ingenious and unique in its design, creating an enthralling experience unlike any other, and something I know I will be thinking about for a long time.
While mostly light-hearted, it does give off some eerie vibes at times. My playthrough took about 8 hours while spending some time searching for most collectibles and secrets.
Despite its flaws, S4U: CITYPUNK 2011 AND LOVE PUNCH still offers a brief but memorable experience for players who enjoy cozy, visually-driven narratives and don’t mind a more guided storytelling style. It’s a game best suited for those looking for something short, nostalgic, and reflective — even if it doesn’t quite reach its full potential.
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.