The Binding of Isaac

The Binding of Isaac

Very simple to play, but the difficulty varies greatly depending on your luck. There is reason for multiple playthroughs which, along with the random elements, give this game some longevity. It’s a good game, but definitely won’t be suited to everyone’s tastes.

Gameplay: Randomly generated dungeons, tons of enemies and loads of loot gives this a lot of replay value.

Graphics: Cute in a sick, twisted kind of way.

Sound: Nice soundtrack and disturbing effects

Alan Wake’s American Nightmare

Alan Wake’s American Nightmare

American Nightmare offers more action and less atmosphere than the original game, but it is still a compelling addition to the series. With only three locations to explore, it lacks the depth of the first game, but the story is still very interesting. It is important to remember that this is not a sequel but a bite-sized addition to the Alan Wake saga.

Gameplay: A more action-oriented approach than the original game.

Graphics: Good, but the wide-open areas make it less creepy.

Sound: Overall good, but some of the voice acting could have been better

Shufflepuck Cantina Deluxe VR

Shufflepuck Cantina Deluxe VR

While at first glance Shufflepuck Cantina Deluxe might look like a glorified version of Pong it actually has a lot to offer. Your opponents are varied and it takes time to learn how to defeat them while a steady stream of unlocks will keep you coming back for more. Whether you want to play for a few minutes or a few hours, Shufflepuck Cantina Deluxe is a good choice.

Gameplay: Very addictive in short bursts, but can become a bit of a grind.

Graphics: Enhanced enough to not look like a simple mobile port.

Sound: Good tunes but some of the sound effects can become annoying

Jets’n’Guns Gold

Jets’n’Guns Gold

Despite not being a new release Jets’n’Guns Gold is still able to go toe to toe with newer titles. The action is relentless and the sheer amount of enemies and levels is quite amazing considering the low price tag. This is not an easy game, but persevere and it will have you hooked for hours.

Gameplay: Old school side scrolling shooter done right.

Graphics: Colourful and chaotic.

Sound: Energetic soundtrack with plenty of sound effects to back up the action

Blowy Fish

Blowy Fish

Blowy Fish is a casual game that is extremely simple, but very fun to play. It loses none of its charm on PC and controlling it with a mouse is just as straightforward as it was on touch screen devices. The visuals are nothing special, but the ability to customize your blowfish with all kinds of outfits is a nice touch, while the upbeat soundtrack fits the goofy feel of the game. The game is also addictive enough that intending to play for a minute or two can quickly turn into an hour or two!

Gameplay: The game is a straightforward mobile port, but one that still offers plenty of fun on PC.

Graphics: Simple, but very charming.

Sound: Although compromised of creative commons tunes, the soundtrack is very upbeat and catchy

Deadfall Adventures

Deadfall Adventures

Deadfall Adventures is not without its flaws, but overall it is a solid and enjoyable game with some nice locations and tricky puzzles. There is nothing here that hasn’t already been done before, but it blends all the elements together for an action packed experience that isn’t afraid to tax your grey matter either. Hopefully this isn’t the last time we join the adventures of James Lee Quatermain.

Gameplay: A nice mixture of action and puzzle solving.

Graphics: Exotic locations and great attention to detail.

Sound: The voice acting could have been better, but the music and sound effects are solid

Bound By Flame

Bound By Flame

Bound By Flame is a very ambitious attempt from an indie developer to deliver a AAA experience, but it doesn’t always succeed. The story is interesting despite some clichés and the combat very rewarding, although it can get tough. The game is also quite linear with maze-like levels, but there are plenty of side quests to keep you busy. There is a lot that I can fault about Bound By Flame, but I did enjoy completing the game and would definitely love to see a sequel that addresses the problems.

Gameplay: Not much exploration, but the combat is challenging and enjoyable.

Graphics: Great monster designs and some impressive areas, but plenty of repetition.

Sound: The music is good, but the voice acting is a bit uneven

Solar Shifter EX

Solar Shifter EX

With its non-stop action and intense visuals, it is hard to believe that Solar Shifter EX is the work of a solo developer. The game is quite tough, but fans of bullet hell shooters will enjoy the challenge. The ability to shift around the screen definitely adds to the experience and while not perfect, Solar Shifter EX has a lot to offer fans of the genre.

Gameplay: Very tough, but the inclusion of checkpoints makes the challenge more manageable.

Graphics: Crank it up to “Extreme” and marvel at all the detail.

Sound: Features some nice tunes, but the sound effects lacks a little punch

Avoid – Sensory Overload

Avoid – Sensory Overload

While Avoid Sensory Overload is another mobile title to make the leap to PC, it doesn’t feel like a cheap cash-in. The gameplay is addictive, and on higher difficulty levels, the game can provide quite a challenge. The randomly generated levels in endless mode also provide longevity, especially for the price. If you are looking for a pure arcade experience where you can test your reflexes while listening to some nice tunes, then you won’t want to avoid this game.

Gameplay: A nice arcade experience that is addictive enough to keep you returning for more.

Graphics: It’s not quite a sensory overload, but the visuals are colorful and stylish.

Sound: There are different musical genres with some nice tracks

Kyn

Kyn

While Kyn isn’t perfect and suffers from some bland characters and a story that fails to captivate, it is still an impressive offering considering that it is the work of mostly two developers. It features plenty of strategic, but action-packed combat, a wealth of equipment to craft and plenty of well-designed maps. Fans of older party-based games, like Icewind Dale will feel right at home with Kyn.

Gameplay: Kyn offers a single player, party based combat experience with plenty of action.

Graphics: Varied levels and plenty of detail.

Sound: No voice acting, but the soundtrack is great