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In theory, doing a thorough explanation of Nicktoons & The Dice of Destiny‘s features, gameplay and presentation might not sound like the most exciting thing in the world. But this is a clear case of a game that is a lot more interesting and fun than the actual sum of its parts, thanks to its irresistible charm.

The interactivity tied to the conversations act more like you talking to a virtual shrink than anything else, but it doesn’t feel like an essential part of what makes the game unique. A Dream About Parking Lots would have been a much more interesting experience if it were a first-person short movie about the author’s dreams and perceptions of reality.

In theory, I should have liked this. Music Drive: Chase the Beat has some really good ideas in terms of setting and theming, and I even liked how it constantly reminded me of games like old-school Driver, but its execution ended up being a massive disappointment. Its gameplay loop was way too simplistic and uninteresting to justify having to play levels over and over again in order to unlock more content. I had fun with it for about twenty minutes or so before becoming bored and fed up with what little it had to offer.

Despelote is not awful… it’s just very confusing. I appreciate the interesting premise and presentation, but it’s just somewhat devoid of elements that make it a proper “game”. Even the football-related gameplay (or what little of it is present) feels clunky and shallow. I also think the story could have been more focused on the innocence and lack of urgency in the life of a child – it would have made it a lot more relatable. Maybe turning this autobiographical tale into a game wasn’t the best idea, as an experimental animation featuring the exact same art style would have made it stand out even more.

Awesome. This is Mullet MadJack in a nutshell. It could have easily been just another first-person shooter with a neat visual gimmick, but its developers went above and beyond with a lot of style and a fantastic gameplay loop, which is equally enjoyable in either Easy or Hard difficulties, for completely different reasons. It doesn’t matter if you just want to feel overpowered against an army of robots, or if you’re looking for a challenge: Mullet MadJack delivers in spades. This one is an absolute must-have, and one of the most delightful hidden gems of the year so far.

I’m not taking its fascinating and heartwarming development history into account when I say that I liked Saviorless and recommend it… if you’re into this specific kind of slow-paced, artsy platformer. It’s short, sure, and it can be occasionally annoying during some specific sections, but it’s got amazing visuals, a handful of neat puzzles, and a neat take on themes like free will and destiny. If you are into games like GRIS or Limbo, look no further, this is the kind of title which will satiate you for a (short) while. It might not be the greatest thing in the world, but I do wish for this game to become a stepping stone for its development team, with more (and better) titles in the future coming from them.

When it comes to Match Village, here’s what I can say: it’s here, it’s cheap, it’s decent enough as an engagement piece and you can suggest it to anyone without the risk of offending them. Looking for something else to occupy your thumbs while you and a friend/loved one/forced roommate move through the latest season of Survivor? Then come make some cozy pairings with Match Village, and see how far you can move your island along before you decide to get up and move on from it.

Top Racer Collection is a fantastic way for fans to relive the long-forgotten Top Gear games in one single package. Even i the games themselves didn’t exactly age very well, they have garnered a monstrous fanbase for a reason. There’s fun to be had with these dated, but iconic racing games, in a remastered effort that keeps the important bits intact, whilst updating menus and interface options to a more acceptable standard.

In short, Dicefolk stands out in an otherwise stale and saturated genre by having one of the most addictive combat systems I’ve seen in a long time. Shockingly enough, that was what I liked the most about it, and not the monster collecting elements. Those were there, and worked wonders, but were quite minute at the end of the day. With a lot of content and reasons to replay each map multiple times, this game won me over after expecting nothing from it. Don’t ignore this one. It might be yet another turn-based roguelite, but this one’s got more care put into it than literally dozens upon dozens of competitors.

I feel like this is a visual novel anyone, and I mean anyone, can get behind. It’s broken into bite-sized pieces with animations, game mechanics and QTEs that keep you from just clicking through. It’s almost more like a Lucasarts adventure title, if Bobbin Threadbare had to drink just enough to not expose himself as a narc. It’s compelling, it’s raw, and it plays itself as seriously as possible while still having some of the most maddening ideas for a storyline.

Bem Feito tries to be one of those games that want to subvert your notions on following rules and whatnot, but it’s not subtle at all, nor scary, and even less thought-provoking. I appreciate the attempt, but this game needed some extra time in the oven, as well as more meat in its bones in order to actually become memorable and engaging.

This is honestly one of the best kart racers around, and a genuine competitor to Mario Kart. Despite the disappointing vocal performances, the rest of the game is marvelous. The controls are tight and responsive, the character roster is robust, and the level designs are really inventive. Pair that with an awesome soundtrack that retains the spirit of your favorite films, but throws its own souped up spin on it, and you’ve you a recipe for success.

Even though A Tiny Sticker Tale is a very short game, taking only between two hours if you just stick to the main story and closer to four if you find everything, it is an adventure that’s very much worth your time. I haven’t been this enchanted by a bite-sized game since A Short Hike. With there being an abundance of massive and overly long games out right now, sometimes you just need a brief and captivating reprieve.

This is the best kind of sequel. Horizon Chase 2 is the kind of game that makes its predecessor look and feel obsolete in comparison, with vastly better graphics, AI, tracks, and controls. It might not exactly have a lot of cars for you to choose, but there is still so much content in here that complaining about it almost feels like an annoying nitpick. Aquiris has clearly managed to outdo themselves, with this game being one of the best retro-styled racers available in any console or PC right now.

Candle Knight‘s premise and presentation are what carry it. As a platformer itself, it’s decent enough, with some great level designs and one neat little gimmick, but it’s also hindered by poor controls and physics. The outstanding graphics, interesting environments and Elfman-inspired music will mostly make you forget about these setbacks and let you dive into this bizarre, but oddly charming world. All in all, it’s a decent little game, and worth checking out if you can put up with some technical hindrances.

Herodes is way more interesting than it seems at first glance. Sure, its difficulty curve borders on the unfair at first, and its in-game economy basically means you are forced to replay some levels in order to afford its borderline mandatory upgrades, but once you’re finally upgraded to a desirable degree, everything clicks. Each level features a unique gimmick or objective, the presentation is decent enough, and the controls are pretty good.

This game was just the greatest cup of coffee for me to help start the new year. Last year started with a bang when I had the pleasure of playing Infernax, and 2023 got off to a great start as well with Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider. It’s not terribly involved, the storyline is a bit heavy handed, and you need to figure out how it handles, but it’s exactly what it needs to be. I can and will return to this game in the future when I want to burn through a great action platformer with excellent progression. Oh, and you can bet your ass I’ll be looking forward to future content, though this game needs none. Fans of the 16 bit era should absolutely give this a try, and see for themselves what being vengeance really feels like.

It’s a dark tale about a broken man and a total disregard for everything that goes into a player’s time and money. If you’re properly gelded against cynicism, you might enjoy the graphics, soundtrack and some of the better combat moments. Otherwise, you’re stuck in the same paradox as Thorn: unable to admit that it’s all been a lie.

I cannot believe I was actually excited for Nickelodeon Kart Racers 3. Honestly, I legitimately had high hopes for it. I thought that fan feedback and the resources offered by next-gen machines would let its developers craft a serious competitor to Mario Kart. Man, how disappointed I am. Nickelodeon Kart Racers 3 is worse than its predecessor in almost every single conceivable way. This game is in dire need of going back to development in order to be properly finished. It is, so far, the worst performing game I’ve played in a next-gen console, and possibly the most disappointing release of 2022.

Unusual Findings is an amusing adventure full of quirky characters, interesting locations, and unexpected moments. The story might tread familiar ground, but it’s so charming and zany that it doesn’t really matter. The puzzles are fun and the characters are endearing. Plus, there are multiple endings and ways to overcome obstacles, so there’s quite a bit of replayability. However, I do fear that people’s enjoyment of it will largely depend on whether or not they grew up in that time period and are familiar with 80s references. For those of us who did grow up during that time, know that Unusual Findings was tailor-made for us. Don’t wait! Grab a Jolt Cola and lose yourself in Unusual Findings all night long.

The Origin: Blind Maid is further proof that having great ideas for a game is just 50% of what makes it a banger. If you can’t deliver on your vision, all you’ll have to offer is a disappoint game that will reek of “what could have been”. The ideas are there, the ambition is laudable, but the execution left much to be desired. I really wanted to like this game for its setting, unique ideas, and the origin of its studio, but I gave up eventually. It is so glitchy, so full of game breaking issues, I just couldn’t muster enough patience after a while. 

MADiSON is one of the most terrifying horror games I have played in the past few years. Unfortunately, it is held back from true greatness by some of its presentation and tedious sections. I can understand that for many it might rely a little too heavily on jumpscares, but I would argue that many of them are still very effective. MADiSON provides a relentless barrage of horror that few games can really compete with.

Fobia: St. Dinfna Hotel is much better than I expected it to be. The tense exploration of the hotel calls back to the good old days of Resident Evil. It’s a wonderfully designed location that is easy to get lost in thanks to the little direction, yet still doesn’t feel too obtuse. Unfortunately, the game is let down by some weak combat and a story that is completely forgettable. Even with its shortcomings, it’s still an engaging and tense adventure. If you are looking for a classic survival horror experience, Fobia can provide just that.

I can see What Lies in the Multiverse becoming a well liked puzzle game for a wider audience with just a little bit of exposure, and I hope it does. It’s got the heart, the mechanics are simple but solid, and the handling allows for enjoyment even on the Nintendo Switch.  It never reaches the level of complexity that I found with Braid or Fez, but it kept the narration moving in a way that let me dive into the puzzles while still feeling satisfied and activated. There’s apparently a hidden ending, so I need to go back, check out my collection and figure out what I forgot to pick up along the way. The main ending is satisfactory and ticks off all the boxes, but I’m curious what else could be hiding beneath the surface. After all, there are so many facets to the multiverse…

As much as Popslinger ticks all the boxes for me – great setup, banging soundtrack, beautiful aesthetics – it just isn’t fun. It turned from a game into a chore, one where I felt obligated to try and go further and see more to justify where I was. I think, with some gameplay tweaks, this could be a really successful game. As it stands, however, Popslinger just doesn’t hit the high notes and leaves the player feeling pretty flat.

If you made it this far or like to jump to the bottom for the score points, don’t let the score itself fool you. I absolutely loved Blue Fire and think it is an amazing indie title worth your time. From its clear inspirations from the greats and its way of incorporating those action, adventure, RPG, and platforming elements into one game is fantastic. However, it does suffer that unpolished feeling of an indie. Luckily most of my issues stemmed from bugs that can be fixed and not from gameplay design or choices. Blue Fire could really become your next nostalgia fix brought into current times.

Ponpu doesn’t always deliver in its gameplay department and it’s far from being the spiritual successor to Bomberman we actually aren’t in a desperate need of right now, but it’s still quite fun. What really makes the game stand out is its bizarre presentation, visuals and surprisingly catchy soundtrack. If you’re looking for something similar to Bomberman, and can put up with a bit of jank, then Ponpu is a game worth checking out. Also recommended if you’re into weird animations and imagery.

The Signifier is a really tough one to nail down. On one hand, it does have an interesting premise with some truly original ideas, but on the other, I found many of them to be a bit undercooked. The mysterious nature of the case was compelling and kept me intrigued along the way. However, it left many questions unanswered and ended with a weird and somewhat unsatisfying conclusion. I suppose if you’re a fan of walking sims and story-driven games, then perhaps give The Signifier a try. It’s certainly a unique experience with some interesting theoretical science behind it.

I loved three quarters of what Rock of Ages 3 had to offer and fell in love with its silly, Monty Python-esque presentation, especially its soundtrack. I enjoyed its challenging boulder-focused levels and I had a blast creating the stupidest obstacle courses I could think of with its excellent level creator mode. I can’t say I had the same feelings towards its undercooked tower defense mode, but I still have to recommend Rock of Ages 3 for the sheer amount of crazy content it has to offer.

Neon City Riders is an absolute blast to play, especially if you’re a fan of retro-gaming and 80’s pop culture. Much like games from that time, it can be difficult with its fast pace and precise timing, but it’s punishingly fun. For gamers from that era, like myself, it’s one giant nostalgia bomb. Even if you’re a younger gamer, you can still get a kick out of its stylized look, absurd humor, and its chaotic and unapologetically tough gameplay. I’m thrilled to see games like this do justice to those from the past. Don’t pass up the chance to give Neon City Riders a test drive.