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Arise: A Simple Story mixes its narrative-driven adventure with puzzle-platforming in some ways that can be deemed successful. The time-altering mechanic gives the game some variety throughout its four to six-hour runtime, never overstaying its welcome. Paired with its beautiful art direction and well-told story, there is definitely a reason to pick up Piccolo Studio’s new game. However, there isn’t any facet of Arise: A Simple Story that strikes deeper emotional chords; it just lacks any personality. In turn, it does make it very approachable with themes that are easy to understand. You may not need any tissues as you endure the old man’s tale, but if you’re into narrative-driven adventures, Arise: A Simple Story might be for you

Blacksad: Under the Skin is a twisty whodunit that is unraveled by more bugs than you can count.

A beautiful, dark, and atmospheric game set in one of the most alluring Souls-like game settings of recent years that hits too many of the same notes as its predecessor to have quite the same impact.

I think Call of the Sea is a fine start for Out of the Blue. It clearly has some places where it could have been tuned up, but overall a recommendation would have to come with a few caveats. However, because of its place as an Xbox exclusive that can be found on Game Pass, it’s easy enough to give it a try.

With its debut project, Fourattic has serviceably captured and recreated a period, with nostalgia and passion bursting through every seam. The 80’s was a helluva an era, and Crossing Souls is a lovely, familiar slice of it. But like the era itself, there are some lows. Crossing Souls’ amount of greatness is balanced by an equally abundant amount of mediocrity, for a final product that comes out somewhere in-between.

Consciously or not, HerobeatStudios\' Endling has given each and every player a chance to experience the highs and lows of what altruistic parenthood feels like.

These are small complaints, however. The core of Frank and Drake is a self-reflective journey. It was an experience where I appreciated the mystery, I appreciated the lore but I appreciated the aesthetic and the themes even more. I relate to both Frank and Drake in different ways, and I think this is exactly what Appnormals was going for. A narrative game that makes you reflect on the real world and your place in it is always a blessing, and in my view, Frank and Drake accomplishes what it sets out to do. It's a game with a lot of heart.

To call this a simple 2D platforming video game would be to discredit the meticulous work and passion the developers put into this title, not to mention the breathtaking craftsmanship and mental health story you travel on with Gris. The only thing left for me to do now is to play it over again and I can’t wait.

Gylt tells a relatable and emotional tale about bullying via a formula refined by franchises like Silent Hill before it. It can feel a bit airy and derivative as a result, but it’s still a worthwhile experience that should be part of any Google Stadia owner’s library. It may not immediately stand out as the kind of game you can only get on Stadia, but I don’t mind if this is the formula Stadia Games and Entertainment takes with the exclusives they decide to put their full force behind in the future.

So, this leads us back to our long-debated question: are games art? Well, after playing RiME, I certainly believe so. RiME is a perfect example of just how impactful and important video games can be when looking to branch out and tell meaningful stories in new, unconventional ways. RiME joins an elite list in my mind of video games that everyone should experience in their lifetime. There’s no question to me that video games are indeed art and RiME is a masterpiece of the medium.

At the end of the day, Spheroids feels like the video game equivalent fast food. And while there are plenty of great games with shallow experiences, Spheroids is pure junk. Like the Arby’s of video games, the game is a mix of ingredients that deserve to taste way better than they do, and should ultimately cost much less than Eclipse Games is charging.

Deconstructeam’s sophomore title at its core is undeniably unique. But to get to that core you will have to bite through layers of trite narrative, monotonous gameplay, and general inconsistency. Like many branching narrative games with ample replayability, The Red Strings Club is more about the journey than the destination. But across my four hours with it, I was too often not concerned with either.