ATONE: Heart of the Elder Tree Review: Audibly Enthralled
ATONE: Heart of the Elder Tree refreshingly separates itself from other titles with Norse mythology. Whether it's utilizing the game’s lore to create a compelling story filled with choice, strong characters, or contrasting combat, Wildboy Studios' hand-drawn rhythmic trek successfully carves its own creative identity.
SEASON: A letter to the future Review: Summer Lovin’
SEASON: A letter to the future will immediately enrapture those who play. It’s stunning visuals, subtle score, or compelling characters all partake in crafting remarkable journey.
Lone Ruin Review: Let the Spells Do the Talking
Lone Ruin is a great kickoff to 2023. Between its stunning visuals, action-packed gameplay, and killer build variety, Cuddle Monster Games’ engaging roguelike is certainly worth your time.
Once Upon a Jester Review: Breaking into Song
Once Upon a Jester feels like an actual labor of love in the best way. Whether it's an unorthodox yet genuine friendship, a laid-back comical nature, or breaking into song a bit too much, Bonte Avond has legitimately handcrafted an unforgettable title.
We Are OFK Review: Music to Your Ears
In the same way that films such a Nope and La La Land are about the art of filmmaking, We Are OFK feels like it’s about creating music, or perhaps more broadly but also more accurately: how painful and hard it is to create art with people you love, including yourself.
Paradise Marsh Review: Repairing the Sky And Beyond
Whether it's the assistance features such as the journal or the chirping, the quick-to-completion nature, or the poetic and uplifting vibe throughout, Paradise Marsh feels deliberately crafted and developed with care.
Dire Vengeance Review: Hell of a Time
Dire Vengeance from Magic Shot Games is a brutally beautiful action-platformer. However, overwhelming difficulty paired with slow progression may make the experience a bit too constrained for some players.
Youropa Review: Won't Bring You Down
frecle’s unique puzzle game defies gravity with engaging puzzles and a killer traversal mechanic.
Tinykin Review: Tiny & Mighty
Tinykin is a great 3D-platformer that wonderfully encourages exploration through it’s charm, engaging traversal, and cute creatures.
Arcade Paradise Review: Satisfying Rinse And Repeat Nostalgia
Arcade Paradise is fun for management sim players, arcade cabinet lovers, or even new players. The sim management gameplay is simple and light, the cabinets are all fun with natural progression, and the 90s nostalgia, while only effective for some, is spot on.
Cursed to Golf Review: Par for the Course
Cursed to Golf is a good rogue-ish golf-like with an adorable art style and intriguing abilities. Though the repetitious levels in the beginning can offer a tarnished start-up, the enjoyment rises significantly as you putt on.
Mothmen 1966 Review: An Alluring Light
Mothmen 1966 is a point-and-click visual novel with spooky vibes and a crispy, smooth ‘80s home computer aesthetic. It’s an atmospheric kind of scary, but it can drop a chill down your neck when you least expect it.
Endling - Extinction is Forever Review: For Fox Sake
Endling is a heartbreaking, yet honest and necessary take on the human effect on natural habitats. The harrowing tale is masterfully paired with this fresh take on the survival genre, all which crafts a dime a dozen type of experience.
Coromon Review: Creature Feature
Coromon is a wonderfully fun monster-taming RPG that draws inspiration from the classic Pokemon series while carving its own path.
Stray Review: The Cat’s Pajamas
Stray is simply captivating. Between unmatched world building, outstanding aesthetic design, intuitive cat physics, and immersive gameplay, BlueTwelve Studio and Annapurna Interactive have crafted an engaging and awe-striking experience from start to finish.
Squish Review: Settle it in Squish
With it’s simple premise paired engaging gameplay, Squish holds the exact formula for a must-play party experience. However, while the chaotic couch multiplayer antics are top-notch, there’s little offered for solo players.
TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge Review: Green Machine
Shredder’s Revenge is a new gold standard for the beat ‘em up genre, and by far the best of its class. Authentic, approachable, and an awe-striking presentational marvel; Tribute Games has crafted one of the most special arcade experiences in recent memory.
Freshly Frosted Review: Donut Stop Believing
Freshly Frosted is a challenging, yet uplifting puzzlescape of conveyor belts carrying your favorite pastry. With simple mechanics and a breath of accessibility options, Freshly Frosted is a delicious sleeper hit of the year.
Time Loader Review: Heavy
What if you could change one part of your past to alter the course of your life? Time Loader explores this premise in an intimate story-driven puzzle-platformer chock full of ‘90s nostalgia, but with a somber undertone.
Playdate Review: Small, But Mighty
In a year filled with exciting new hardware outside of mainstream norms, Panic has carved their own unique path with the Playdate. While there are downsides in terms of accessibility, what Panic has crafted inside a tiny package is impressive, magical, and downright fun.