Minimap's Reviews
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.
Ale Abbey is a charming and unique tycoon game that balances brewing depth with lighthearted world-building. Its pacing stumbles at times, with lulls that can drag, but the fun pixel art, intuitive UI, and rewarding brewing system make it worth your time. It may not be the "Dark Souls of Tycoon Games," but it doesn’t need to be — it’s a cozy, creative management sim with just enough bite to keep you coming back for one more brew.
Unfortunately, I did encounter a good amount of bugs and glitches in my playthrough. That being said, most of these issues were quickly resolved by restarting at the most recent checkpoint. The developers are aware of issues.Considering the demo portion was much improved in the final version of the game in such a short time, I do believe they will work out the kinks pretty quickly. Be aware that the console versions are a little behind the Steam version in production, so they are more likely to have more problems at this time. Steam is where I played for this review.
While the story really stuck with me and I mostly enjoyed the gameplay, I did feel like there was something missing to really pull the game together as a whole. Having more tasks to complete or maybe having a bit more challenge to the puzzles would’ve helped. There were also a few small bugs I ran into, mostly with getting stuck in between things. Sometimes I created a lot more of a mess than I wanted to while traversing. It was easy to accidentally knock the objects over that you needed to keep upright, which could be a bit of an annoyance at times.
I’m incredibly impressed by how much Katanaut has to offer, especially for a solo developer project. It’s an easy tagline to call it Dead Cells meets Dead Space, but it’s so much more than that. Katanaut is a fantastic action-roguelike that elegantly uses cosmic horror to intensify combat and amplify the emotions felt while playing. I hope it gets attention amidst a crowded September. It absolutely deserves it.
Roadwarden is an illustrated text-based RPG that blends narrative choice, exploration, and role-playing mechanics. You play as a lone roadwarden traveling dangerous frontiers, tasked with connecting settlements, forging relationships, and uncovering mysteries in a harsh, lived-in fantasy world. The game’s unique interface divides the screen into three sections: on the left, illustrations paint the story as it unfolds; in the middle, text and choices guide your narrative path; and on the right, stats like Time and Vitality constantly remind you of the toll your journey takes and the urgency of your decisions.
Even with some of its pacing issues, I enjoyed most of my time with Tiny Bookshop. If you’re a book lover like me, I do think it’s worth checking out. With some small tweaks and a bit more variety in the book selection, I think this could improve quite a bit.
I really enjoyed my time with Off. The narrative design is excellent, with intriguing characters, a unique world, a great sense of humor, and dramatic twists that kept me on the edge of my seat. As a fan of Undertale, it’s amazing to see how much DNA it shares with Off, especially knowing Off’s original release happened six years prior. It certainly shows its age, especially with random encounters and dated RPG combat and systems, but interesting boss fights do just enough to keep the moments between story beats entertaining. It’s a unique RPG that I think all fans of the genre will find something in it to appreciate, and if you’re a fan of Toby Fox’s work, you absolutely owe it to yourself to check out such a vital piece of his inspiration.
Train Valley World may not be a masterpiece, but it’s a solid and enjoyable game with moments of brilliance. It’s a title that asks a lot of its players but also gives back in rewarding ways, especially for those who love intricate puzzles and logistical problem-solving. If you’ve got the patience to stick with it, you might just find yourself hooked—one more train, one more track, one more level.
All in all, I really enjoyed my time with Is This Seat Taken? I think it’s the perfect little puzzle game and it’s very unique in style for the type of game it is. Sometimes similar scenarios reappeared with small differences and I would’ve personally preferred something different each time. Anyone who’s looking to relax but also work their brain a little bit will be in for a treat with this game. It’s a great price, too!
Herdling is a beautiful atmospheric adventure that I would highly recommend, especially to anyone who’s a fan of games similar to Journey. Despite having a few slow moments, I think this game is stunning and an experience I’ll remember for a while. It only took me 4 hours to finish, so it’s the perfect bite-sized game to add to your list!
Fretless - The Wrath of Riffson is far from perfect. The story is clichéd and one-note, and the combat lacks the necessary balance and depth to remain enjoyable, which is massively disappointing considering the core premise carries so much potential. That said, I still recommend giving [Fretless - The Wrath of Riffson] a try. The way it leverages music in its RPG and deckbuilder mechanics is so clever, and the environments are literally singing with charm. Ritual Studio’s inexperience may have been what holds this back from being a must-play title, but their dedication to creating a world bursting at the seams with the positive energy of music shines through, making Fretless - The Wrath of Riffson an enjoyable and worthwhile experience.
At first, I struggled with balance, and I was either leaning too far into building up my lands or too far into building up my army. It took some trial and error with the development until I found something that worked for me. I enjoyed the Journey mode best because I loved the city-building aspect more. I think anyone who enjoys city-building games would enjoy Kingdom's Deck.