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If you’re a fan of Mango Protocol’s other games – or indeed anything with a slightly dark undertone – you’ll love this.

Taking six to eight hours to complete, I’ve blasted through American Arcadia in just two sittings, being utterly gripped the whole time. The side-scrolling platforming and first-person puzzle gameplay blend together seamlessly, with the story here being king. Despite a few small presentation issues that need ironing out, the gameplay here is flawless – and jumping from Angela’s first-person viewpoint to being in control of a side-scrolling Trevor via her computer monitor is nothing short of genius. If you enjoy adventure and puzzles, and like the sound of a story that’s reminiscent of The Truman Show, this is a game not to be missed.

Pick up Enchanted Portals and you’ll find that you can have some fun with it, especially if you get a friend in tow and play in co-op. But while it sports an attractive art style and a listenable soundtrack, the gameplay will frustrate you from time to time, and you’re likely to find its run ‘n’ gun stages a tad too repetitive. Throw in difficulty spikes, disjointed boss transitions and a lack of sound effects, and you have a game that’s ultimately a stylish disappointment.

While it’s unlikely to win over anyone that tried the first and didn’t vibe with it, Blasphemous 2 is undoubtedly a treat for fans wanting to spend more time with the Penitent One. With more variety in terms of both visuals and gameplay, this is a confident sequel that builds on the foundations of its predecessor. And while its story may be confounding at times, we can’t help but be mesmerised by its dark and mysterious world.

Are there better platforming games out there? Without a doubt. But Koa and the Five Pirates of Mara is a welcome addition to the genre, providing a familiar playground to run, jump and dash around in. Its bite-sized levels have been put together well, and even if some sections are a little on the frustrating side, you’ll likely be determined to see it through to its end. At a bargain price, it’s well worth picking up if you’re a fan of 3D platformers.

While its gameplay can feel a little basic at times, we’re really glad that GYLT is now free of Stadia. This is a small but powerful horror title that tackles an important issue while also providing hours of engaging gameplay. And though there’s nothing truly original here, Tequila Works has obviously put this together with care. If nothing else, it deserves praise for simply being a horror game accessible to younger audiences while still being unsettling for all.

Had there been more variety on offer, a few more random elements to make Death or Treat‘s playthroughs feel more varied, we wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this roguelike. It looks great, its Halloween theme is wonderful, and even though its internet parody worlds might be a little tonally dissonant, they still raise a smile. But there needs to be more to keep it feeling interesting, and as it is, slashing through the same enemies in the same environments time and time again just isn’t quite enough.

Overall, Curse of the Sea Rats is a perfectly playable metroidvania that feels rough around the edges. Mechanically it can feel a little unfair at times due to things like stiff animations and unfortunate enemy placements. And while its four protagonist set up is a neat touch, it can be a grind to upgrade skills if you do decide to change. Still, fans of the genre are likely to enjoy their time with it.

Is Peppa Pig: World Adventures better than Peppa’s first game? Yes and no. Its young fan base will undoubtedly lap up another opportunity to star alongside Peppa in their very own episode, and its character creator is better than ever by letting kids create their own families this time, too. There’s also way more content, and the worldwide locations are bound to delight and inspire. If your little one is a Peppa Pig fan, they will love it. But as adults, we simply wish there was more educational value here.

Charon’s Staircase doesn’t exactly redefine the horror genre. It looks a bit rough, and its tried-and-tested gameplay doesn’t break any moulds. But the majority of its puzzles will keep you hooked, its story is interesting, and it absolutely nails creating a tense, horrifying atmosphere. That alone makes this a spooky adventure worth stepping into.

Focusing on puzzles rather than action – most noteworthy encounters are delivered via quick time events – Oxide Room 104 may be rough around the edges but it has a certain something that elevates it above many of its competitors. It has a genuinely oppressive atmosphere, its puzzles are engaging, and its looping mechanic adds a exciting twist. If you’re a survival horror fan looking for something that will occupy an evening or two, this may just fit the bill.

Evil Dead: The Game has quickly become our favourite 4v1 horror title, and we can’t wait to see how it grows and develops. There are two distinct experiences to be had playing as either a demon or a survivor, but both are huge amounts of gory fun. And thanks to the fantastic atmosphere generated by the game’s visuals and map design, you’re genuinely kept on the edge of your seat as you play. We’re so glad that some 40 years after the release of The Evil Dead, the series remains relevant. And on the back of Evil Dead: The Game we think it’s got much more life in it yet. Come get some.

Metal Tales: Overkill is a fairly competent game; one that’s somewhat enjoyable but not remarkable in any way. You can have hours of fun with it, and can even play it with a friend or family member by your side thanks to couch co-op, but chances are you aren’t going to remember your time with it all that fondly. Still, if you’re into metal music and roguelikes, it might be worth picking up.

TAPE: Unveil the Memories is a decent-looking game, and it has a nice enough soundtrack, too. It’s just a shame that its blend of engaging puzzles and fairly accomplished storytelling are brought down by poor stealth sections that feel out of place. Still, it’s definitely worth a play if you enjoy a sordid tale full of twists of turns. You’ll just need a little patience and persistence to get through some of its encounters.

For those who enjoy thoughtful narrative adventures, it’s easy to recommend The Longest Road on Earth. It’s brief but very moving, and there’s every chance you might play through it more than once given its fantastic soundtrack and the way its story is open to interpretation. On another playthrough you might notice a detail in a scene that changes how you view it, for example. There’s one thing for certain: The Longest Road on Earth makes an impact.

Treasures of the Aegean is a unique game, blending rewarding exploration, energetic parkour and thoughtful puzzles. It’s also refreshingly devoid of combat. It’s just a shame that the controls aren’t a bit tighter, and the overall game a little more polished. It’s also questionable if the time loop mechanic does the game any favours; with such a sprawling map, it can be frustrating starting in a different place each time and having your progress in various puzzles reset. Ultimately, some players will get a great deal of enjoyment out of Treasures of the Aegean, but many will find it scrappy and repetitive.

For fans of life and farming sim games, there’s a lot to like about Epic Chef. Yes, it’s a bit scrappy at times, but once you get hooked on its gameplay loop of farming, crafting and cooking, it hardly matters. Funny dialogue, quirky characters and a bizarre but enjoyable story set Epic Chef apart, and although it’s not going to set anyone’s world on fire, it’s plenty of fun while it lasts.

There’s a lot to like about Clid the Snail. To say this is from a small team, the worldbuilding and ingenuity is second to none. But while ‘unforgiving’ may have been the developer’s intention, the game’s boss encounters are far too frustrating to be enjoyable. With a bit more balancing to Clid and his armoury, this will be a must-play twin-stick shooter. Until then, only those with patience as hard as Clid’s shell will be able to truly enjoy what’s on offer here.

When stellar DualSense implementation really is the only highlight, however, it’s hard to fully recommend Timothy’s Night. Its visual style is commendable, and this is not a bad game by any means. But its gameplay – complete with sluggish movement, ho-hum gunplay and enemies that frequently spawn behind you – is just never particularly enjoyable. If you really dig the noir aesthetic you might get a kick out of it, but there are certainly better ways to spend your time.

The first game to released as part of the Horror Tales Saga, Horror Tales: The Wine isn’t likely to wow anyone. It is a solid effort though, and one that horror fans should definitely consider checking out if they want a short and sweet experience to occupy an evening. While its presentation leaves a little to be desired and its puzzles eventually become a tad samey, it tells a chilling story and backs it up with some genuinely hair-raising scenarios.

I applaud Indigo 7: Quest For Love for trying something different. It’s a fun enough puzzle game that fans of Tetris and Puyo will be interested in, and its presentation is charming and eye-catching. Sadly it’s let down by a poorly thought-out scoring system, which is likely to bring any enjoyment of the game to a premature halt.

Like the apocalypse itself, The Last Kids on Earth and the Staff of Doom is rather messy, and not everything works like it should. It doesn’t quite do the series justice, but there are glimmers of a fun game here. Just be prepared for some glitches, and a lot of repetitive missions. Still, for kids who are fans of the Netflix show, the use of the actual voice cast for the main characters adds some worthy authenticity.

Overall, Essays on Empathy is an intriguing collection. It’s a shame that a few finishing touches weren’t applied to give the overall package the polish it deserves, but there’s no denying that the concepts created by Deconstructeam are seriously impressive. You likely won’t find a collection of games as eclectic as this anywhere else.

There’s no question that Narita Boy is epic. As though it jumped right out of an arcade machine from the 80s, it has exciting, fast-paced combat and some of the most beautiful pixel art that will ever grace your screen. Though the story is rather complex, it does nothing but help fuel the unique tone of the game. You might not understand exactly what’s going on, but when the action is this much fun, it doesn’t really matter.

So, should you buy Evil Inside? Probably not unless you’re really desperate to be reminded of P.T., or truly love jump scares. Though even then, the fact that it’s only an hour long should make you think twice. On the balance of things it’s not a terrible horror game, but it brings nothing new to the table at all. It tries to mimic P.T. but is inferior to it in pretty much every way. Even worse, you have to pay for the pleasure.

It’s a frustrating oversight, especially since Colossus Down begs to be shared. Still, it’s a real treat solo and if you’ve got a twisted sense of humour and a taste for side-scrolling punch ’em ups, you can’t go wrong with Colossus Down.

If you’re not a huge fan of puzzles, then you might find Call of the Sea‘s gameplay more frustrating than satisfying. But if you enjoy solving logic problems, there’s a lot to love here. The game looks beautiful, and the island you find yourself on, complete with all of its mysteries, begs to be explored. Its few bugs aside, Call of the Sea is a satisfying adventure that will keep you gripped from start to finish.

Monster Prom 2: Monster Camp feels like a huge continuation of the first game. If you enjoyed the first, then it goes without saying that you’ll get a kick out of this sequel, too. It’s wacky, fun, violent, hilarious and a whole host of other awesome things. The dialogue is as brilliant as ever and includes topical references to today’s pop culture. The characters are charming, weird, sexy and adorable – and you can’t help but love them. Finding a date to the meteor shower is a challenge, but when you do eventually watch those flying space rocks hurtling through the sky, you’ll be happy you’ve got your chosen monster by your side.

If you’ve got the patience for it, Relicta is undoubtedly a neat puzzle game. It’s quite lengthy for a game of its type, which is perhaps why it eventually begins to feel overly repetitive, but you are spurred on when you encounter an a-ha! moment and go on to solve a puzzle that’s been perplexing you for the last 15 minutes or so. If you’ve made your way through the likes of the The Talos Principle and QUBE 2 and are eager to get stuck into yet another brain-teasing adventure, you’ll get a lot out of Relicta, even if it won’t have quite the same impact on you.

With that said, few Rogue-like games have grabbed my attention quite like HyperParasite has. Its unique premise is a lot of fun, and the sheer wealth of characters available means that the game can feel like a totally different experience from one moment to the next. Unlocking all characters means there’s always something to work towards; add to that the game’s tongue-in-cheek 80s atmosphere and bombastic soundtrack, and there’s plenty of reason to keep jumping back in. It’s just a shame that HyperParasite‘s unforgiving nature means most of its players won’t ever fully experience what the game has to offer.

If you’re looking for a game that’ll keep your younger children occupied, Gigantosaurus: The Game could be it. Its built-in local co-op means it’s perfect for siblings to play together, and its Easy Mode means that even the youngest children can get a kick out of it. There’s plenty of gameplay for those who want to hunt for everything – and even for those who don’t it offers an easygoing, cheerful distraction from the real world right now.

I wanted to like Dawn of Fear. I really did. It’s not all bad. It has some well-designed enemies that are truly creepy, for example, and its environments are dripping with atmosphere. But it just feels broken. Combat is a gamble, the health system is a joke; throw on top a myriad of technical issues and you have a game that at times feels borderline unplayable. Unless Dawn of Fear gets heavily patched after launch, steer well clear of it unless you’re a glutton for punishment or have the patience of a saint.

But here’s the thing, I don’t think I was just making myself do this out of a sense of professional duty. I’ve had a lot to complain about, but SuperEpic is still quite fun to play, and I never found it difficult to keep coming back to fight and explore the twisting halls of RegnantCorp. The story, writing and combat are disappointing; but it’s all very stylishly presented and the exploration feels rewarding, with countless secret areas and items to discover. A unloackable roguelite mode adds more variety and streamlines the experience, disposing of some of the game’s weaker aspects. So if you’re a big metroidvania fan, there are still some nuggets of enjoyment to find here.

Ultimately, while Arise: A Simple Story has some wonderful ideas, it’s let down by unenjoyable gameplay. Delivered gracefully without ever needing a single line of dialogue, the old man’s story is particularly touching, featuring some truly poignant moments that will tug on even the stoniest of hearts. And again, the soundtrack alone is worth of praise. It’s just a shame that it’s hard to ever get fully immersed in the narrative; you’ll be too preoccupied fighting with unresponsive controls or impossible camera angles to truly appreciate the old man’s plight.

If Song of Horror’s remaining episodes can maintain the level of quality set out in its first two episodes, survival horror fans are in for a treat. The permadeath mechanic may be off-putting to some but it’s purposeful and it pays off, forcing you to be more cautious adds to the game’s immersion. These two first chapters set up a strong story and, while I’d hope the characters get more resolution, I’m looking forward to seeing how this tale unfolds. Thus far, Song of Horror is a tense, chilling horror outing that deserves to be experienced by any serious horror fan.

Unlike its protagonist, Groundhog Day: Like Father Like Son shows little interest in forging its own identity. If you’re craving a return to Punxsutawney, rewatching the movie is a far more rewarding choice.

Blasphemous is hands down one of my favourite games of 2019. I wasn’t expecting it to be, but it’s one of those unexpected surprises; a gift that you didn’t think that you wanted but quickly becomes to be loved. Sitting between Castlevania and Dark Souls, its combat is fast-paced and requires timing and skill, the difficulty pitched just perfectly. But it’s the sense of discovery and hardship that your character goes through that really makes it what it is, as well as the atmospheric world they inhabit. Blasphemous may not be entirely original structurally or mechanically, but The Game Kitchen has cooked up something that feels very unique.

Due to They Are Billions’ difficulty, compounded by its permadeath feature, it’s easy to assume that only hardcore gamers will feel welcome in its hostile steampunk world. It’s true; players looking for strategy game that’s going to hold their hand likely will feel out of their depth here. But stick with it and take the time to learn the game’s intricacies, and there’s a lot of fun to be had with They Are Billions. It isn’t for everyone, but there’s not much else that compares to the rush of thousands upon thousands of zombies swarming your settlement all at once.

If it wasn’t for its mobile gaming elements, Farm Together would be easy to recommend. As it is, it’s a fun game to play in short bursts, but there’s no overlooking its bewildering design choices.

At its best, Viviette is an unsettling, atmospheric little escapade, telling a story which, while hitting some familiar horror beats, will make you thoroughly uncomfortable. You’ll spend half of the game wondering why the log you just cut in half is bleeding, or whether you can really trust your character’s testimony. But you’ll also spend a significant amount of time struggling to remember which room had the puppet puzzle in it, cursing Lady Stabbington-Smythe or grumbling that the “small key” won’t actually open the small chest.

But for GRIS’ three-hour run time, I daresay the majesty of the game’s artwork and its magnificent soundtrack far outweigh those few frustrations. Gris may feel sluggish to control at times, but for the most part, you’ll want to take it slow anyway, to take in the game’s beautiful environments. When you reach a new area, or unlock a new colour into the world, you’ll soon forget about that annoying platforming section; you’ll be too busy being mesmerised by how beautiful everything is.

Yet that was all part of the fun, struggling with the sophisticated design made me feel out of my own element. After completing a portion, I’d feel slightly disarmed, only to be made a fool immediately afterwards with an even more complicated series of puzzles. While Teku’s sluggish reaction time was a constant annoyance, once I had put the controller down it merely felt like a minor annoyance in a game otherwise filled with impressive details. Gorgeously made, challenging in every way, Candle is a game that shines brighter than you’d expect.

It should go without saying that the Nightfall expansion is essential for those who have completed Aragami and are keen to once again delve back into it. And if you’ve not played Aragami yet? Well, with the arrival of Aragami: Shadow Edition there has never been a better time to do so. Bundling up the base game with its expansion and the Assassin Masks DLC, it’s a sizeable game available at half the price of a standard release. For fans of good, old-fashioned stealth, it’s a bit of a no-brainer, really.

It’s just a shame that my enthusiasm and interest was eventually fully deflated by obtuse puzzles that offer no guidance and ultimately feel superfluous to the game. Get rid of them altogether and you’ve got a gripping interactive story that’s dying to be told. But with the puzzles as they are, STAY is reduced to feeling more like a badly-designed old-school adventure game. I’m gutted. For me, and for Quinn. I truly cared about what was happening to him. I’m sorry I couldn’t help you, Quinn.

For what it’s worth, Deiland does offer an incredibly methodic and strangely calming gaming experience. As I said before, managing that tiny planet and watching it become what you envision is accomplished through easy, yet time consuming steps. The rewards don’t seem to match the effort, though, and it’s easy to feel like you spend your whole day doing one thing. I love the art style, the characters, and the story. I just wish they meshed in a more pleasing, enjoyable way. If you want a slow-moving, brick-by-brick resource gathering sim, then this might be yours. But if you’re looking for something with deep complexity, endless creative options and rich world-building, you should probably look elsewhere.

Immortal Redneck is a game that rarely frustrates, even though it'll kick your ass. Repeatedly. Why? Because it always feels fair. The controls are perfect, the visuals are charming, and no enemies or traps ever feel overpowered. Being a roguelike you're always destined to fail, sure, but it never feels the odds are unduly stacked against you. As you unlock new characters, bolster your stats and become more knowledgeable about the game, you know victory will one day come, and that makes your desire to keep at it even stronger. Immortal Redneck is perhaps the best roguelike I've ever played because of that fact, and it's a title you should definitely check out now that it's available on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.

With all that said, Crossing Souls has everything you could possibly want from an adventure game. Well-polished controls, a stunning art style, fun and varied gameplay, and an emotional yet intriguing narrative all come together to make Crossing Souls one of the best gaming experiences I've had in a long while. It's simply perfect.

It’s a shame that there are no online gameplay options – that, I feel, would make Oh My Godheads a commercial hit – but even just as a local multiplayer only game it deserves success. Oh my Godheads is without a doubt one of the most original, polished, balanced, and entertaining local multiplayer games I’ve played all year, and so if you’re the type of person that has friends around on a regular basis for some gaming action, it deserves your attention.

Twin Robots is over in a couple of hours, and its lack of personality means that it’s unlikely to stay in your memory for much longer than the time spent playing it. Given that the PlayStation Vita version also lacks the local multiplayer functionality that the other versions offer, what you have here is an inferior version of a game that is, on all accounts, undeniably lacklustre. While I can’t rightfully say that there is anything that doesn’t work as expected, there isn’t anything in particular that stands out, either.

These issues were easily overlooked though, as the full experience of RiME is far grander than the sum of its parts. Hopefully the framerate issues will be ironed out in a patch soon, but you shouldn’t let that put you off experiencing what this game has to offer. I feel like I’ve overused the words ‘profound’ and ‘beautiful’ in writing this review, but genuinely there are no other words that can quite do this game justice. Tequila Works’ RiME is an audiovisual tour de force that wants to astonish you with its beauty, charm you with its loveable protagonist, and move you with its powerful emotions. And if you give it a chance, it’ll succeed in all three. After the credits had rolled, I was still fixed to the screen with tears in my eyes and a mix of joy and sorrow in my heart, wanting to jump in and experience it all again with a whole new perspective.

When all is said and done, Baboon! does have some interesting ideas. The mix of RPG elements in a platformer is a nice touch; when it’s done right, it really works wonders, but it’s let down by a number of tedious quests that don’t give you any hint as to where to go. The difficulty of some of the levels is also unforgivable – while I’m not averse to a challenge, it’s unfairly fiendish at times, making it hard to want to continue. Baboon! isn’t a bad game per se, but because of its flaws I can only really recommend it to the most die-hard of platform fans looking for a new quirky challenge.

I had some apprehension going into Immortal Redneck, as the last rogue-lite FPS I played was Tower of Guns: a game that frustrated me due to how frequently death would come at the hands of some unseen projectile. However, largely through its surprisingly nimble protagonist, Immortal Redneck manages to feel punishing, yet fair. Rewards are doled out frequently enough that almost every run ends with the ability to upgrade something on the skill tree, allowing the game to maintain a forward momentum that makes it difficult to put down. It’s a shame that only one half of the premise truly shines, but hoo-boy, does it ever shine.

Despite the aforementioned grumble, BOOR remains an enthralling, charming game that, with its beautifully rendered, challenging levels and innovative central mechanic, will have you hooked from beginning to end.

The most frustrating thing about playing an indie release like Spheroids is the feeling that the developers were not even attempting to create something fresh or novel. It takes undue influence from many other – better – indie games on the market and doesn’t try hard enough to make its own mark. That’s not to say that there is no hope for the indie market in 2017, however; the horizon actually looks very hopeful for indie releases, but Spheroids just doesn’t cut the grade.

All things considered though, if you like a good challenge and value quality gameplay over length, which you should, Rise & Shine is a great little title and a great start to the gaming year. The visuals impress from start to finish, the audio constantly delights despite a lack of voice acting, and the frenetic action is varied and addictive. It’s a game for gamers who’ll chuckle at every little visual cue that’s generously strewn throughout its running time and then go back to see if there’s any they may have missed. Those with little patience may quickly find themselves throwing their pads in despair, but those who can hack it will be utterly charmed.

There’s a good game in Motor Strike: Immortal Legends somewhere. The problem is the enjoyable parts of the game – mainly being its combat, gets stifled by little variation and repetition. Whilst playing with friends is a fun distraction, it doesn’t make up for the other problems the game has.

Rolling Bob, though by no means groundbreaking, is perhaps best described as harmless side-scrolling fun. It may not excel in the visual department and may suffer from some technical issues early on, but when knee-deep in one of the game’s fun puzzle-platformer levels it’s hard not to find yourself tense and gripped as you make your way through. The game’s spray path mechanic may leave some players scratching their head as to why it’s placed within the Dualshock’s 4 gyroscope functionality, but it definitely helps Rolling Bob to stand out, just a little.

Overall, Yesterday Origins is simply charming, and the developers have shown a real understanding of how to make a point and click game stand out in its genre. It manages to deliver an interesting plot while giving you a whimsical adventure using the simplest of tools. This is the point and click genre developing in the most intriguing of ways, without losing the magic that makes us love them in the first place. Without a doubt, Yesterday Origins is a must-play for any fan of the genre – and a good starting point for those less acquainted with classic adventure titles.

With its elegant design, solid gameplay and a narrative that keeps you engaged, Aragami is a wonderful return – and tribute – to the old formula of classic stealth. There are some niggles here and there that can be rather irritating, but it’s not enough to put a black mark on this otherwise great game. Since we are so used to bigger, AAA titles these days, you may need a brief period to readjust. I wasn’t sure myself at first, but when I put the hours in, it made me realise why games like this are sorely missed today. Aragami is a title that deserves a bigger budget, and maybe sometime in the future, that’s what it’ll get. But for now, anyone with a love for classic, stealth-based games should not pass up this one.

Other tiny issues blight the experience, such as being able to quaff potions mid cut-scene and in inventory panels by mistake and getting caught on pieces of terrain with the terrible animations. A lacklustre combat and loot experience seriously damages what could have been a very funny and compelling adventure. But I am really keen to highlight the heart and soul of this game: it has tons of love poured into its dialogue, characters and world building in general. I feel like there’s a lot of potential at Infinigon, and I would love to see how they develop from here, but for now Zenith is an unfortunately maligned opening shot into the crowded action RPG stable.

Stories of Bethem: Full Moon packs a lot into a small, retro-inspired package. For fans of Zelda and other games of its type, it’s a must play. It may not be the most inspired or groundbreaking RPG ever created, but it manages to pack in tight gameplay, head-scratching puzzles and engaging locations to explore. The lack of melee combat will probably be missed by most, as magic can be awkward, but it at least sets Stories of Bethem apart, love it or hate it. It’s not perfect, it may be frustrating at times, but Stories of Bethem manages to capture the essence of games of the 90s: when having fun was the only thing that mattered.

Basically, Maldita Castilla EX gets everything right that Cast of the Seven Godsends got wrong and doesn’t drop a single ball along the way. This game won’t be for everyone – yet again the difficulty may put off some players – but it will certainly please anyone who grew up in the golden age of the arcade game (like myself). Anyone looking for a challenging action-packed 2D adventure won’t go far from with Maldita Castilla EX.

Spy Chameleon is a novel, entertaining and creative title that is well-designed and fully captivating. The game’s challenging difficulty in combination with its well-constructed levels and ingenious central mechanic make for an experience that is engaging and difficult, but nearly always fair. Spy Chameleon’s quirky premise and humorous tone, in addition to its diverse and vibrant artistic design, amalgamates to an experience that doesn’t take itself too seriously, but one that is better off as a result. This is a game that knows what it is and doesn’t overstretch itself. 

Despite its flaws, I had a lot of fun with Pharaonic. The beautiful world and reaction-based combat are genuinely enjoyable. However, the lack of enemy diversity, the tedious backtracking and the questionable checkpoint locations seem like design missteps. Ultimately, the right person might find these negatives as insignificant. To those who fall in this category, then Pharaonic might just scratch a particular itch for you. For under $20, it’s a worthwhile romp through the desert.

What you’re left with is a game with some interesting ideas and systems that never felt fleshed out enough or just poorly designed. I’m finding it hard to recommend Anima: Gate of Memories to anyone outside of diehard fans of the IP and I don’t know a single person that falls into that category, so I can’t really recommend it to anyone.

With several upgrades applied to your car, Grand Prix Rock ‘N Racing can become bearable to play – but that’s just it; bearable. And for it to reach that “bearable” point, you’ve got to put in far more time than your wits can probably handle, so it’s just not worth it. Had the control scheme matched the casual arcade nature of the game it may have been slightly more enjoyable, but as it stands, there’s nothing to gain from playing Grand Prix Rock ‘N Racing. Do yourself a favour and keep a wide berth from this title. For the love of God, stick to Forza. Or snails.

Essentially, Blues and Bullets: Episode Two is just what you’d expect; more of the same. When the focus of the game is on its storytelling however, and it’s just as solid as it was in episode one or maybe even better, that’s absolutely fine.  Running a little longer than the first episode at just less than three hours, the pacing lets it down a little due to the overlong shooting scenes, but it remains an absorbing experience from beginning to end nevertheless. Adding yet more layers to the web of intrigue, episode two of Blues and Bullets offers us few answers to the questions on our lips at the end of the first episode, but it doesn’t leave you dissatisfied; it just leaves you eager for the next chapter of the chilling and mysterious tale that’s unravelling to arrive. For a story-driven experience, surely that’s the highest praise that can be given.

In the end, The Count Lucanor is a great a game all around, and I will gladly be adding it to my list of favorite horror games. It took about six hours to play through, and features multiple endings which adds to its replayability. If you are looking for a unique survival-horror game with a creepy meter (and weird meter) that is cranked up to eleven, then The Count Lucanor is a great choice.

Overall then, you can probably gather that I didn’t enjoy my time spent playing Dogchild very much. It’s certainly not the worst game I’ve had the misfortune of playing; I’d rather play Dogchild than the likes of Toro or Yasai Ninja for example, but that’s like saying I’d rather have a broken arm than a broken leg – neither of them is desirable. Pretty much everything here is below par; the graphics, the audio, the gameplay, the controls; and on that basis, I recommend that you give Dogchild a miss.

Despite my gripes with UnEpic, it’s hard to not be charmed by it. With its lengthy adventure full of action, character development and humour, its positives more than outweigh its negatives, creating a highly engrossing and enjoyable experience for the most part. Additionally, whilst its visuals are basic and generic, its boasts a fantastic musical score that is sure to impress. If you’re a fan of action RPGs, there’s a great game here for you to sink to sink their teeth into, providing you can deal with the frustrations, and anyone else looking for a solid adventure with a great deal of humour should also consider checking it out.  UnEpic may not be quite as epic as it could be, but it’s still a fantastic achievement that deserves your attention.

Regardless, The Delusions of Von Sottendorff and his Square Mind is a neat little gem. It doesn’t nescasarily dazzle you or offer you anything terribly new but it does present you with some uniquely laid out puzzles with a hearty dash of Psychonauts-esque humour. Approach with an open mind, and a willingness to accept a certain degree of rough edges, and you’ll have a blast.

All in all, Kromaia Omega certainly isn’t a bad game, but it’s far from being great. Its unique audio-visual design is perhaps its greatest asset, but unfortunately the gameplay doesn’t always sit well with it, creating an experience that is at times unsatisfying. It also doesn’t help that some of its gameplay systems such as the grapple and the ability to strafe up and down are either useless or unintuitive. Despite these issues, there’s still some fun to be had here by shooter fans willing to put the effort in, and those that do so will be rewarded with their senses being titillated by Kromaia Omega’s charms.

It’s far from perfect, but despite its gripes and grizzly bosses, there’s something charming about Tachyon Project that makes you keep wanting to play. Its very simplistic nature makes it easy to pick up and play, making you want to indulge in “just one more level”. The timer system is frustrating, and frequently being told “you ran out of time” rather than “you were brutally one-hit-killed” gets rather irksome, but the quenching satisfaction of speeding around a screen filled with enemies as you blast every one of them into tiny pieces outweighs the niggles. Any fan of retro-style shooters certainly should give this one a go.