DeVuego

Just in case I haven’t made it clear enough, Souldiers is absolutely a modern-day classic. It’s also in the running for my favorite game of 2022—it’s really just that good. Between its engaging level design, gorgeous visual appearance, addictive combat mechanics, and its class-based system giving it three times the replaybility… you really owe it to yourself to get this game if you consider yourself a Metroidvania fan.

Yuppie Psycho Executive Edition may not be the scariest game you’ll play all year, but it’ll probably be one of the most scintillating stories of corporate culture gone rancid ever told. Of all the games I’ve played in 2020, this is the one that most deserves to be turned into a movie, and I would watch it repeatedly even though I’m a massive baby. Young James Spader should also be there, but I digress; Yuppie Psycho Executive Edition deserves to be experienced in any medium, and not picking this title up will haunt you for the rest of your gaming days. Think you got what it takes to kill the witch? Are you up to the job? Apply to Yuppie Psycho Executive Edition and find out if you’re Sintracorp material.

Bloodborne meets Legend of Zelda worked out much better than I would’ve ever hoped. The bosses can have quite the malicious edge to them, especially a supremely sadistic second boss, and the platforming can be, quite literally, hit or miss. Nonetheless, the combat is so fluid but focused that it’s hard not to fall in love with how it handles. Cleaving apart zombies, then immediately whipping around to pistol-snipe a wolf all set to a firm and punchy soundtrack is just icing on the cake, especially with the added flavor the better bosses bring to the table. While this journey into the night had a couple of hiccups and could use a bit more prep work, I’d still gladly call this a successful hunt.

Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound is a triumphant return to 2D for the franchise. Hopefully, we won’t have to wait decades to see the series follow up on it. I genuinely loved every single level. The team at The Game Kitchen does a fantastic job of continuing to build upon established mechanics while also finding new ways to twist them and entirely new twists to throw at players through the game’s four acts. Any fan of action games needs to check this one out.

Mutropolis is definitely one of the better point and clicks I’ve played in recent memory, and was a pleasant surprise on every front presented. I genuinely enjoyed every moment I spent with it — even when stuck — because it was such a joy to look at and explore. There were a few times I got stuck, certainly, but nothing that kept me from progressing for too long. If you like point and click games with good puzzles, great depth, and an incredibly unique story with fun characters, your quest for Mutropolis ends here.

Bleak Sword DX is an absolute treat that takes the core pillars of the soulslike genre and distills them into a wonderfully moreish, action-packed adventure. The narrow focus, coupled with the unforgiving nature of the gameplay and progression loops, may put some off, but not every game has to be for everyone, and I commend the developers for sticking with the vision they clearly had. If, like me, you love soulslikes, but have found yourself feeling slightly alienated due to the scope that some of the genre’s heavy hitters bring, then I urge you to check out Bleak Sword DX and let it get its pixelated hooks into you.

Despite any perceived difficulties experienced in Narita Boy, all can be forgiven if you enjoy a world that immerses itself completely in the tech of a bygone era. There’s something to be said about racing against the digital wind on a CRT-horse in a pixelated world that looks like the SNES Star Wars game but feels like that infamous Battletoads level. If you know that exact vibe I’m talking about, you gotta check out Narita Boy. After all, the fate of the Digital Kingdom rests in your hands.

Dynasty Feud is cool. It’s really cool. Jumping around and trying not to get hit by a guy with something resembling Cloud Strife’s sword, all while maneuvering and wall-jumping while trying to kill what appears to be a color-swapped Alphys from Undertale; yeah, I enjoyed myself. There’s great diversity in its cast of fighters, and the main idea it introduces to the “Smashspace” (screw it, I’m on a roll with these today) pulls through beautifully. There’s a learning curve, and not an easy one, either. Once you’ve mastered that, though, you’ve got a game that stands right up there with the best of the neo-king-of-the-hills out there. The servers could use some work, and it would be nice if all the modes could be played wherever, but what’s here is five whole generations of fun.

My minor quibbles aside, Everhood 2 is still a wonderful indie adventure that I’d recommend to pretty much anyone. It’s a unique and often hilarious adventure that will make you think, in a retro visual style that’s detailed and full of color. While I feel the story was better told the first time around, this is still a must-have game for gamers on PC or Switch.

Crossing Souls may not be the deepest adventure to release in recent years, but it’s got plenty of heart. From its pixel-perfect retro-style presentation and cartoon cutscenes to its pumping synthwave score, it’s a game that does a great job of capturing the spirit of the era it aims to replicate. It’s just a shame that the writing and pacing often feel at odds with the story the game is trying to tell. Because with a bit more polish, Crossing Souls could have been a modern classic. Despite these nagging issues, I still found myself glued to my controller for the entire experience.

Laika: Aged Through Blood can feel like a lot at times. There’s no one mechanic that on its own is an issue, but there’s so much to manage that this is a game with a very high learning curve. Still, this is a singular game that feels so unique that it’s hard to imagine players who it clicks for won’t fall in love with it.

Super Woden GP pretty much delivered everything I wanted from it. An addictive gameplay hook, fantastic track design, and a simple yet challenging-to-master handling system all contribute to a retro racing experience that delivers fun in spades, all while looking stunning in action. The difficulty wall that the early hours present may be off putting to some and it is undoubtedly frustrating early on, but those that battle through it will find one of the most charming and rewarding racing experiences that Nintendo’s hybrid has to offer.

I love Bloody Days. I think it would be better under a different name, as fans of the film expecting anything close to Reservoir Dogs will find themselves sorely disappointed and unable to judge the game on its own merits, but I still love it. I love its jazzy, guitar-heavy soundtrack. I love the style and polish that went into everything from its character models to its UI to its menus, even if that style is nothing like the film its supposedly based on. I love its fast-paced action and its slow, deliberate turn-based strategy. And while the writers certainly aren’t Tarantino, I even like the dumb little dialogue interactions the characters have throughout the missions.

Minor issues aside, UnMetal is an absolute winner. With gut-busting writing and a great mix of retro-inspired stealth action enhanced with modern mechanics, it’s a game that warrants a spot in any classic Metal Gear fan’s collection. Here’s hoping this isn’t the last time we get to take control of Jesse Fox. He may not be the action hero we deserve, but he’s the one we need right now.

But even as it stands, The Crow’s Eye is still an absolutely enchanting game. The fact that a bug that serious could exist and only slightly hamper my enjoyment of the game should be testament enough to that. If you’re a fan of first-person puzzle games and have been disappointed by the lack of true genre gems in recent years, then The Crow’s Eye is for you.

1971 Project Helios takes tactics to a different level by forcing the player to act. Released on every major console, it is evident by the game’s end that it desires to be a continuing series. And while its a decent tactical strategy game, it’s also a bit boring because it fails to integrate its surprisingly in-depth characters and stories organically into the videogame itself. Still, the campaign was fun for what it was, and I do hope if a sequel happens, it’ll integrate more of its own story.

I don’t want to leave you with the impression that Moons of Darsalon is a horrible game. It’s not, but I really wish the indie developer had put in more time streamlining the game mechanics instead of programming snarky one-liners for my crew. If you can absorb the complex controls and manage your finicky teammates, you’ll find an enjoyable puzzle-platformer here. But for those looking for a fast and smooth experience, you might want to look elsewhere.

One Military Camp is a solid, if somewhat safe, base builder that makes crafting your own base and developing your own army a genuinely entertaining affair. There’s a real satisfaction to be had in finally landing on the perfect base and developing squads of soldiers that stand the best chance of surviving certain missions. It’s a shame, then, that an overreliance on manually managing your troops and base, and the lack of any interactive missions or battles, leaves it currently feeling like a bit of a missed opportunity, and somewhat half-baked. That being said, with such a solid foundation, there is definitely fun to be had for fans of the genre, and with a few more content updates that would hopefully address some of the quality-of-life issues while fleshing out some of the more passive elements, One Military Camp has the potential to be something special.

Indigo 7: Quest for Love is an earnest, enjoyable attempt at a new puzzle game. It’s fun, it’s quirky, the art style is endearing, and the gameplay is solid. Honestly, I’d be giving this game a higher score if it didn’t have some bugs and issues that pop up here and there. Those problems aside, though, if you’re looking for a great multiplayer puzzle game that isn’t Tetris or Puyo Puyo, give this game a shot.

Lamentum’s story and puzzle-solving challenges do feel too much like a rehash of those very same games that inspired it. In some ways, being an almost 1-1 repetition. However, thanks to its spine-chilling atmosphere and old-school survivor horror mechanics, it does play like a survival horror game from the 1990s. So if you like those, this is definitely the game for you.

Beekyr Reloaded is a fun shooter. It’s not going to blow you away with neat gimmicks or any sort of real innovation, but it’s perfectly competent and the insect theme is actually really refreshing. If you’re a shmup fan and you need to pad out your library, or you want to get into the genre and need a “gateway” title, Beekyr Reloaded could be just what you’re looking for. It’s especially fun if you can rope in a mate to join you in your shooting, or if you’re just looking to show off your scores. Either way, you need to shoot off to its official Steam page now if you intend on adding it to your must-play list.

That the puzzles and skating sequences can be fairly unsatisfying is a real shame because when things are going well, ILA: A Frosty Glide is a pleasant experience. I enjoyed just flying around this very charming little island and exploring its history. I liked ILA’s story a great deal as well, and think it explores emotionally challenging situations in a mature way, which will work for all ages. I also believe, though, that the overall experience doesn’t fully come together in a satisfying way. With some more interesting puzzles, a bit of work on the skating sequences, and slightly better pathfinding, this could be a real winner. For now, it’s a nice enough game that doesn’t reach its full potential.

There’s an audience for YouTubers Life 2, certainly, but due to a series of odd choices, it’s not the same audience that fell in love with YouTubers Life. With the freedom of running around town comes the restriction of what videos you can actually make for your channel, which will frustrate those coming from its predecessor. If you’re in high school, love farming sims, and haven’t played the first title, this could very well be your next gaming obsession; for everyone else, be sure to like, subscribe, and check back later when the bugs have been fleshed out.

Ruin Raiders is an attractive adventure featuring adorable animal characters. With surprisingly challenging gameplay and satisfying boss fights, every dungeon you descend into provides a unique challenge. The biggest qualms are that the game can occasionally devolve into a grind-fest and there’s a lack of coherent story. However, if you like the sound of a good turn-based strategy title in the spirit of X-Com combined with dungeon-crawling and combat featuring interesting animalistic abilities, you’ll probably enjoy Ruin Raiders. 

At the end of the day, Clid the Snail is a fun but flawed first effort for Weird Beluga. I enjoyed the game’s more deliberate approach to its gunplay, and the weapon variety and shell customization options kept the action feeling fresh. Add to that some excellent puzzles and fantastic worldbuilding, and there’s no denying that there’s a lot to love here. That’s why it’s such a shame that things become so frustrating due to the developer’s artistic choices. After all, it’s hard to focus on a firefight when it looks like half of the screen has been slathered in vaseline. Perhaps the developer will add a patch down the road to remedy the muddy visuals. And if they do, Clid the Snail will be a much more playable experience. As for me, I’d probably wait and see if they clean things up before taking the plunge.

Underneath the intriguing concept and gorgeous graphics, The Waylanders has a somewhat meaty tactical experience wrapped around the bare bones of an RPG. And while it may be light on the actual role-playing elements, there’s enough of a unique spin in terms of story, setting, and battle system that those who prefer mechanics above anything else might have a good time. This is by no means Baldur’s Gate nor Dragon’s Age: like King Ith’s Tuatha de Danaan, those gods aren’t here. I can recommend The Waylanders, but only if expectations are managed accordingly.

Despite the positives, issues with the camera and bugs made playing Solo frustrating. But I am hopeful Team Gotham will continue to support the development of the game post-launch.

I’ve included a lot more “in my opinions” and “for me personallys” in this review because a lot of this stuff is subjective.  Maybe the story will work for you in ways it didn’t for me.  Maybe you’ll find the puzzles a lot easier and more obvious.  But I was rooting for this game, and for me it was barely-stay-awake boring.  Even if you’re still interested, don’t spend thirty bucks on Yesterday Origins.  It’s much better suited to some kind of Steam sale.

There are beautiful moments in After Us worth seeing, but they’re buried in poorly directed levels featuring merely adequate gameplay. There’s not enough to consistently grab onto here to really hook most players. After Us has a lot in common with Piccolo Studios’ last narrative platformer but ultimately doesn’t offer the charm or consistently moving story that made that game so memorable.

Googling the mobile version of Deiland yields incredibly positive results, so I am not sure what happened while translating Deiland Pocket Planet for the Switch. I hate giving negative reviews, especially when a game as cute as this seems so welcoming, but if the UI isn’t working, I’m not sure what else to do. If given more time with the title, I am not sure I’d come away feeling any different; in fact, the more time I spend with it, the more frustrated I get. If you’re remotely interested in this one, be sure to watch a few YouTube videos explaining gameplay before calling this little world your new home, otherwise I’d sit this one out.

Despite my many gripes, I think there is still an audience out there for Curse of the Sea Rats. Sure, it’s packed to the rafters with frustrating design choices that should have been made to walk the plank, but it’s also a title that has clearly had a ton of love and passion poured into its development. That I felt compelled to stick with Curse of the Sea Rats despite the uneven gameplay is a testament to the art direction and light-hearted narrative, both of which instantly brought me back to a happy place; sitting in front of the TV on a Saturday morning, feasting on whatever sugar-laced cereal was trendy at the time, all while enjoying my favorite cartoons. While it’s not an easy sell due to its gameplay fumbles, I do still think Curse of the Sea Rats is worth a playthrough for anyone who can look past its flaws and focus on the product as a whole, which ends up being a serviceable videogame, elevated greatly by a wonderful sense of style and charm.

Not being a fan of either genre myself, I cannot in good conscience recommend this game. That being said, I know there are many people out there that would love this title very much. However, where games like Bloodborne and the Dark Souls series have brilliant gameplay that make up for their harsh mechanics, Nongünz it seems tries to be that and misses the mark.