A PASSION FOR ALL THINGS GAMES
Playing as a girl trying to navigate a surreal dream environment, Constance is a Metroidvania trying to shine a light on something everyone feels sooner or later – burnout. The beautiful backdrops, fluid hand drawn visuals, and snappy controls remain the star of the show but it isn’t all high notes, unfortunately. Gameplay is reminiscent […]
Originally released in 2021 on Switch, Artax Games and Flying Beast Labs have ported their color matching tower defense(ish) download title, Magic Twins, to Xbox and Playstation. While it is nice to see their unique reaction puzzle game become available on additional platforms, all the pros and cons of this five-year-old game remain. Here is […]
Rataliaka Games is one of my favorite sleeper hit publishers. Like EastAsiaSoft, most of the games they release only cost a few dollars and focus on indie developed titles geared around one gimmick honed to a bright polish. At the same time, Ratalaika deserves a lot of respect and credit for re-releasing forgotten earlier console […]
Originally released for the Sega Genesis in 2025, Mega Cat Studios has ported ZPF, a new-retro 16-bit horizontal shooter, to Xbox. While the futuristic metal fantasy setting is eye catching and looks impressive from the trailer, the unfair difficulty and lack of polish steeply limits the fun factor. High action. Big bosses. Multiple vehicles each […]
Published by EastAsiaSoft for $5, GluMe is essentially Sokoban to the max. It is a single screen block pushing puzzle game with an interesting twist that makes each puzzle much more challenging than expected. The gimmick comes from the glue mechanic, hence the name. The player controls a Puyo-like blob and can move in any […]
Positioned as a sequel to the experimental ALVEOLE, PULMO is just as weird but in a good way. Instead of thinking of this as a game or digital toy, it might make more sense to identify this as an interactive piece of art. It is still engaging and rather interesting but unconventional. Controlling a lone […]
Original released in Japanese arcades, Spica Adventure is available globally for the first time thanks to the efforts of ININ and Taito. The phrase “better late than never” applies here as this platforming gem is a smile inducing delight. Honestly, my biggest complaint is not having access or awareness of this blissful game years ago. […]
Published by Ratalaika Games for $5.99, Ninjori Echoes is a 2D puzzle platformer with a gimmick – the player needs to create and maintain shadow clones to activate switches, reach new heights, and to plan for combat. Gameplay is much more Braid as opposed to Ninja Spirit as a quick comparison. Every stage is designed […]
Published by EastAsiaSoft for $5, Pengilo is a simple physics-based environmental puzzle platformer. It only takes a half hour to clear, and all the Achievements are easy and will pop with natural play, but it offers some mindless fun while it lasts. Instead of pressing a button to jump from platformer to platform, the player […]
Grind Survivors is another top-down auto-firing shooter in the horribly over populated rogue survivors genre. Walk around an environment. Pick up the XP from defeated foes. Enhance your damage output by stacking another weapon or buff. Repeat until you die. Even with its somewhat generic art style and weapon variety, it is a par-for-the-course action […]
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