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Paleo Pines is a competent farming game with some interesting takes on Dinosaur care, and if that’s all you’re looking for you will most certainly find it here. Unfortunately, the game follows many other releases in the genre in its lack of imaginative or meaningful changes on tired and familiar gameplay, with the things it does right few and far between. If you don’t mind the lack of imagination and lackluster visual presentation, Paleo Pines would be a good game for you, but might be better for a younger audience or someone who’s yet to play a farming game.
El Paso, Elsewhere is a rare gem that I think everyone should have in their libraries. Fans of shooters and the supernatural share common ground in this phenomenal title, filled to the brim with rich writing, a unique world, and gameplay and presentation absolutely packed with personality. El Paso, Elsewhere is sure to be one of the most memorable gaming experiences you’ll have this year, perhaps ever.
Lies of P is a surprisingly good game with an interesting world to explore and fun twists on classic soulslike mechanics. Though the interesting world and characters can be held a bit back by poor translation, and the game can feel obscenely punishing at times. I never felt like the game I was playing was bad, and I only quit when I needed a break from the screen. All in all, Lies of P is a must-have for soulsborne fans and something to check out if you’re interested in the unique twist on a classic tale this game has to offer.
Beyond the new enemy types, fancy new graphics, and a handful of well-designed levels, I’d say it’s business for usual for the Payday series. With improvements over the second game and the promise of continued dev support for what could be years, I’d definitely say it’s worth upgrading to the new title if you’re a big fan of the second. However, these promises are blindsided by serious server issues and simple quality-of-life problems that need to be addressed first, so I suggest you keep Payday 2 installed for the time being. If you aren’t a die-hard Payday fan and you’re looking into an entry into the series, I’d give this one a pass and hit up Payday 2 until these problems are addressed.
Though a bit derivative and lacking in the narrative department, Moonstone Island provides unique gameplay for its genre and is something definitely worth checking out if you’re a fan of farming-type games. With a bit of work and a lot more confidence, I believe the developers behind Moonstone Island could step away from their Stardew Valley inspirations and make a game that’s truly unique and addicting to play. While I can recommend the game at launch, I certainly hope the future has more in store than what we have at the moment.
Phantom Liberty and the 2.0 Update feel like a totally new launch for Cyberpunk 2077. With a new, hostile, and alien district and story for V to explore, along with huge overhauls to the base game, you’d struggle not to find something new and exciting to do in Night City, no matter how many playthroughs you’ve done so far. Phantom Liberty sets an amazing precedent for what an RPG game expansion could be and gives me hope that CD Projekt red will continue pumping time and love into this fantastic game.
Ugly is a fun and interesting puzzle platformer that tells a dark story in an unconventional and engaging way. This tale of macabre memories shouldn’t take you too long to complete, and will challenge you with stimulating mirror-movement puzzles throughout. It is safe to say that Ugly more than lives up to 2023’s standard of excellent game releases.
Gunbrella is an interesting horror-noir with satisfying platforming and combat physics, the kind you can only get when you combine a gun and an umbrella. The game moves quickly when it needs to and slows down a bit to give you lore and introduce you to its characters, without ever killing the great pacing you’d expect from a side-scrolling shooter. Once again, Devolver Digital has published an indie darling that should quickly pick up a Cult 45 following.
MythForce is a truly unique and exceptionally fun co-op game that I’ll be logging a ton of playtime into in the near future. The clever combination of cooperative shooter and roguelike mechanics paired with a super unique presentation make for a game that is as memorable and interesting as it is fun to play. With near-infinite possibilities for future expansion and no microtransactions, MythForce is a game that could be a staple in your library for years to come.
Eternights is a humorous and raunchy adult dating sim that cleverly fuses itself with a grim action adventure. Good comedy writing combines itself seamlessly with the dark reality of the setting, presented through beautifully designed levels and masterfully animated cutscenes. Everything in Eternights meshes together wonderfully, and if you’re a fan of anime you’re sure to enjoy what this game has to offer.
Chants of Sennaar presents you with a big world, a big secret to discover, and a monumental task to complete. Though daunting at times, the peaceful experience of exploring, solving puzzles, and deciphering ancient languages is a unique experience that anyone of a scholarly temperament should enjoy. If you love puzzles, language, ancient lost secrets or all three, Chants of Sennaar is definitely a game you should give a try.
Sea of Stars is a fantastic RPG that pays homage to its inspiration while standing out on its own. A beautiful world and a story that’ll captivate anyone, this is truly a game I recommend to all audiences. Even those who aren’t a fan of turn-based RPGs will find something to enjoy in this game, which cleverly innovates on classic gameplay and delivers a title worth truly trying for yourself.
Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon pairs its fast-paced, exciting, and downright fun gameplay with incredibly rewarding progression and a staggering amount of player customization. Its quick but thrilling missions are paired with challenging FromSoft-style boss fights that will test your knowledge of the game’s easy-to-learn, hard-to-master mechanics in fun and exciting ways. More than that, it beautifully delivers on the fantasy of being a mech pilot with its gritty world and excellent mech control and fighting, creating an immersive game that feels as good as it plays.
Ride 5 is a game that prides itself on its authentic portrayal of motorcycle racing. Much like real racing, you’re going to have to get some time on the track and really practice to steal first place from your competitors. This isn’t a problem, as each ride feels fun to control, with scenic tracks and intuitive mechanics that make it very forgiving to make a mistake. Just make sure you break out your controller if you’re playing this game on PC.
Though its heavy focus on reading and “learning the mechanics is half the fun” design may put some players off, Book of Hours is a unique game that promises something few other titles can mimic. If you find yourself even a little intrigued by the unique, occult setting and the promise of mysteries to discover and catalog, you’d be making a mistake if you didn’t give Book of Hours a try.
Blasphemous II will go down as an icon of its genre, attracting fans of Metroidvanias, Soulslike games, and newcomers alike. Its dark world is wholly unique and is gorgeously presented with the best pixel art I’ve ever seen. The talent, passion, and creativity that went into this title elevate it far above even its most frustrating moments, making a game that captures your attention and keeps you engaged even in its toughest fights.
Shadow Gambit: The Cursed Crew is an exciting stealth strategy game that allows players to build a crew of varied personalities worth exploring. While the levels may be complicated and take a large chunk of time per mission, it’s enjoyable enough that fans of strategy and past Mimimi Games’ titles will likely enjoy the new time-based mechanics that allow for the ultimate strategy gameplay.
En Garde! takes familiar and tired mechanics and turns them into something new, creating gameplay that is strategically engaging, supremely satisfying and full of unexpected depth. Alongside this game is a beautiful and unique presentation that seamlessly combines the swashbuckling action of a classic Zorro flick with the vibrance and slapstick humor of the golden age of animated movies, creating a marvelous game with a truly unique personality all of its own.
There were many moments in The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood that had me audibly react, be that cheering in support or laughing at vengeance enacted perfectly. The freedom to create and see the future of those who rely on you feels like the pure power that it is, but the weight and consequences will weigh on you after the credits roll. As with previous Deconstructeam games, the appeal is more in the mechanics and narrative than the visuals.
Just like with the horror movie genre when the original was released, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is trying to change the way this type of game is played. It’s a game that can be as tense as it is beautiful, with each match introducing you to something new from the world of the movies. While the balancing isn’t perfect and makes escaping a much harder goal, there’s enough here that asymmetrical horror fans will enjoy.