Gaming
2023
Important note: Although I only post positive reviews, that doesn't mean every game automatically gets one. My biggest layer of quality control is that I only review games I think I'm likely to enjoy. Even then, only around 75% of games reviewed have received my recommendation. Long story short? Just making it to this list is a mark of quality.
Dark Chess
20 March 2023
Dark Chess is the chess variant I didn't know I needed - Fog of war! Awesome in its own right but totally reinvigorates the PVP scene. Comes with campaign, collectibles, all the bells and whistles.
DROP - System Breach
18 March 2023
DROP - System Breach really nails that pseudo-hacking experience seen in Johnny Mnemonic, the Matrix, Shadowrun, and the like. Minimalist but slick and informative UI and sound, even has a story!
Crush the Industry
16 March 2023
Crush the Industry is a fantastic roguelike deckbuilder. Sweet pixel art, great sense of humour, intuitive gameplay, challenging, and roguelike elements for replayability. What more could you want?
Chedoku
15 March 2023
Chedoku is exactly what it sounds like - Sudoku, but played with Chess pieces. It's a simple concept but it's been executed to perfection. Includes countless levels, each of which can be scaled up through 20 difficulty modes and there's also a daily puzzle. Countless hours of entertainment. Free to play via https://chedoku.com/
The Last Spell
13 March 2023
The Last Spell is awesome. Features a multi-layered roguelike approach which I love - makes for plenty of variety in each run & nice difficulty curve. Love the pixel art, love the game. Addictive
Masterplan Tycoon
12 March 2023
Masterplan Tycoon's more of a puzzle game than a tycoon. Interesting concept. Graphics are minimalist but nice and clean. Not much challenge but it's a nice way to chill for a few hours.
Pretend Cars Racing
08 March 2023
Couldn't even tell you what's so special about Pretend Cars but I love it. One of my favourite ever micromachine-type racing games. Nice car & track variety, smooth controls, tons of extra features
Wonderland Quest
07 March 2023
Looks like a PNC but plays like a puzzle game. Very easy (although occasionally requires pixel hunting) and linear so probably better for kids. Nice art, interesting scenes and story
Talus
06 March 2023
A fun but very short boss rush-style bullet hell (only 5 levels). Bullet patterns are great but current (pre-release) speeds are too slow. Should be more replayable when difficulty modes are available.
Mech Engineer
04 March 2023
Mech Engineer is an intricate mech-themed simulator in the style of the old 90s Microprose games. Features tons of customisation, tech trees, and engaging scanner-based combat. Complex but fun.
Sokochess White
03 March 2023
Sokochess White is a challenging chess-based puzzle game. Simple to pick up, smooth learning curve, clean UI and all the modcons. Impressive array of mechanics and well-designed levels. A favourite!
Beecarbonize
02 March 2023
​Beecarbonize is a superb strategic card game that's built on the premise of resource management and several competing technology trees. There's no clear path to solution because everything's interlinked. Challenging and addictive, should not be free (but is)!
Mythargia
01 March 2023
Mythargia's a gnarly interactive story that sees you exploring scenes of grisly murders as you try to piece the story together. Engaging story & the pixel art's gorgeously grim. Short but memorable!
Waronoi
27 February 2023
Waronoi is an interesting experimental RTS game. Not the realistic experience I expected but fun in a different way. Gets better in the later levels! Multiplayer and skirmish modes are the best.
Terrene
25 February 2023
Terrene's a fun hybrid that sees you engaging in ship-based combat, flying around & mining to cash up for upgrades, then boosting down to explore the planet to fight monsters & hunt bosses. Awesome.
Weirdlands
23 February 2023
Weirdlands is an excellent Pokemon-inspired JRPG with some gorgeous and unique chunky pixel aesthetics, some cool demons, and an engaging story. Still in EA but very solid so far.
Little Land War SRPG
21 February 2023
Little Land War is a solid tactical experience with excellent character and unit progression, challenging maps, and some nice art work. Needs a UI & localisation upgrade but core gameplay is solid.
Joon Shining
18 February 2023
Joon Shining might have a golf theme but it's more of a puzzle platformer. Lovely art & matching soundtrack, 8 huge worlds (tons of levels!) and dynamic controls and obstacles make for a fun game.
Dreams in the Witch House
17 February 2023
A Space for the Unbound is a top tier adventure game. Features strong writing, a story that will genuinely move you, and immersive interactive elements. Impressive pixel art & very well polished.
Loot Express Delivery Service
11 February 2023
Loot Express is a fun and challenging game that sees you command a squad as you take on missions to dangerous planets to retrieve loot. Balancing risk vs reward can be tough. Cool turrets and tools
Second Front
09 February 2023
Second Front's more of a digital boardgame than anything else. Easy to pick up but very technical and gritty. Graphics are functional but gameplay's solid. Huge with three campaigns and a level editor”
Trenches
06 February 2023
While I love the idea of a horror survival set in WW1 trenches, I'm not in love with the execution. BUT my young fella was terrified and enjoyed finding the notes and photos. Horror fans check it out
A Space for the Unbound
05 February 2023
A Space for the Unbound is a top tier adventure game. Features strong writing, a story that will genuinely move you, and immersive interactive elements. Impressive pixel art & very well polished.
Shoulders of Giants
01 February 2023
Shoulders of Giants is a cute FPS made for younger players than myself (but that didn't stop me from enjoying it!). I really enjoyed the dynamic shifting mechanic, it made for some really cool fights
Roller Drama
31 January 2023
An interesting mix of sport, management sim, and visual novel, set in the dramatic world of roller derby. Writing and gameplay is clunky in places but overall it's innovative and has a good heart.
Tray Racers!
30 January 2023
Tray Racers is a fun multiplayer racing game with short proc-gen levels that feature a bunch of cool environments and power-ups. It's free to play so grab a bunch of mates and get into it!
Dungeon Alchemist
18 January 2023
A simple but powerful mapping tool for pen and paper RPGs. Content is narrow at the moment but more being added & real power is in the workshop function. Good for range of terrain & urban settings.
Garden In!
17 January 2023
Garden In! is best played like a Tamagotchi. Plant your plants, make sure everything's healthy and watered, then check back every couple hours to maintain. Could benefit from more variety and filler.
Locke(d)
6 January 2023
If you're looking to have an existential crisis, this is your game. Very short at only one screen, ~10 minutes of gameplay and no choices. An interesting dialogue on determinism, AI, and humanism.
Kiss the Demiurge
6 January 2023
Kiss the Demiurge is a solid VN about magic & teen romance. Solid audio, nice original visuals 7clean writing. No choice & consequence but a nice read for a YA audience.