Alana Dunitz
Mineko's Night Market is one of the most sweet and whimsical games that I have played, plus it has cats! It is full of personality and has a lot of different activities you can do to keep you coming back for more!
Party Animals is a great multiplayer title to play with friends that won't get boring or super repetitive like other titles in the genre. With a huge variety of characters and maps to check out, this will keep you busy for a long time.
Gunbrella is one of the most unique 2D action platformers that I have ever played, simply because of the crazy weapon that you use to explore and defeat enemies. There is some backtracking here and challenging enemies to face, but the mysterious story keeps you engaged.
It's A Wrap! is a unique puzzle platforming game that has you playing as both the star of a movie and the director. It can get frustrating at times, but the added hint system helps you progress and complete the film.
Rainbow Skies is a vibrant and cartoony-style isometric RPG that feels like it is trying to be the next Final Fantasy Tactics but doesn't pull it off with repetitive gameplay and a story that you don't feel a part of.
Sea of Stars is an amazing-looking and sounding title that has captured all you love from classic turn-based RPGs and improved upon it. I can't recommend this game enough; this is how you modernise and pay tribute to a classic genre!
Black Skylands has a compelling story and is a great mix of a twin-stick shooter with a flying game that switches between the two often enough that you won't get bored. Piloting a large airship can be frustrating at times, but it gets easier as you practise.
Zombie Soup is a fun top-down twin-stick shooter that fans of the genre will enjoy. The enemies are a ton of fun and have silly personalities, like the zombie boss who tries to hit you with a fish! I just wish there was the option to play with a friend.
Varney Lake is an interesting coming-of-age story with a supernatural twist. The characters were all fun and the interactions between the children were great. If you have a couple of hours to spare, check this pixel pulp story out and learn what happened in the summer of 1954.
Sclash is an absolutely beautiful looking game with a stunning look that makes everything appear hand-painted. The story is quite short, and currently, there is no online play available, but it is still a game that will test your patience and timing!
Nova Strike is a fun and challenging shoot 'em up, featuring procedurally generated levels making each time you play feel different than the last. The game isn't super long, but if you choose to play again, there are other things to challenge yourself with.
Garlic is a retro-inspired 2D platformer that is full of crazy humour and personality. It is challenging but incredibly rewarding when you make progress; Garlic definitely makes your palms sweat!
Flutter Away is an incredibly wholesome and sweet game that, although short, is full of a lot of beautiful insects, flora, and other critters to interact with to complete your journal. Plus seriously, who doesn't want a pet capybara after playing this game?!
Ninja or Die: Shadow of the Sun is a game full of action using minimal controls; it may seem weird to only jump wherever you want to go but ends up working quite well adding a unique twist to games in the genre.
SokoSolitaire is a very difficult puzzle game, even if you have a lot of experience with games in the genre. My favourite part was the adorable cat in the snazzy suit that you play as.
Double Dragon Raiden: Rise of The Dragons is a great beat 'em-up game that takes everything you loved about the series and adds a ton of strategy. With a great retro look and sound, this is a must-play, even though it doesn't always explain things very well!
The premise of The Chrono Jotter is really interesting and unique, but the shallow gameplay and horrible localization really take you out of the experience. Though if you like brutal translations in games, there is a lot to laugh at here!
Armored Lab Force VULVEHICLES is full of fun tanks and destructive action, offering twelve different vehicles, each with their own primary and special weapons to select from. The story is nothing to write home about, but the gameplay is super fun and addictive!
Burnhouse Lane is a 2D horror adventure title that deals with a lot of serious issues and is full of disturbing visuals. The game feels a bit uneven but is an engaging experience if you are looking for a creepy time.
Layers of Fear is truly a disturbing experience that even players of the previous titles need to check out. With the gorgeous Unreal Engine 5 graphics and the amazing binaural sound, this is a game that has to be played.