DeVuego ES_COR

Frank and Drake is a unique, intriguing game that trusts the player to unravel the story and its messages themselves. My first playthrough took roughly three to four hours to complete, and I’m ready to dive into a second one to uncover more of the mystery. The rotoscoping animation is exquisite, and I was vibing with the score. A couple of issues broke my immersion, but they’re not deal breakers. This is a gem of a game, and I absolutely recommend this to anyone who is even vaguely interested in it.

Inner Ashes is a powerful, often emotional, experience. The subject of Alzheimer’s disease is handled respectfully yet realistically, and the small details really make the narrative pop. The graphics are simple yet colorful, and the score is soothing. Not everyone will be a fan of the slow pace and the seemingly random use of tangram puzzles, but these touches do add to the immersion if you are aware of their real-life reasoning and purposes. I just wish that there was an accessibility option for turning off motion blur, and the voice acting left a lot to be desired. If you’re up for a moving narrative and don’t mind the gameplay mechanics, Inner Ashes will be up your alley. 

While I still have to hand the title to ninjas, Curse of the Sea Rats definitely revitalized my love for pirate lore a bit more. It’s far from perfect, but will satisfy your itch for this style of game, and the animations and music will make it very worth your while. I love it when a game feels fresh and familiar at the same time, and I’m definitely looking forward to the inevitable sequel.