PC Game Reviews
Prototype is one of those games where you can have hours of fun just messing around with the gameworld. Add in a bunch of gruesome and over the top moves and you have yourself quite an adventure. It is not without its flaws, but overall it is a very enjoyable game.
Gameplay: Lots of fun to be had.
Graphics: Quite gruesome.
Sound: Good voice acting and sound effects
Handheld Reviews
Trace Memory is a interesting take on the very scarce point & click genre which actually fits the DS very well. Ashley’s tale of reuniting with her long lost father might not be the most gripping one but there is enough here to keep players hooked. If you have been playing these type of games for a long time however most of the puzzles will not pose much of a challenge and the game is very short overall. Newcomers should brace themselves for some head scratching however.
Gameplay: Traditional point & click gameplay mixed in with some DS centric twists.
Graphics: Basic but functional
Sound: Somber tunes and sparse sound effects
PC Game Reviews
Morph Girl combines nineties style FMV and Japanese horror in an interesting visual novel. The game deals with a woman who is mourning the death of her wife, so the story might be a bit too somber for anyone looking for a lighthearted visual novel. It is also rather short and the acting could have been better, but even with all its flaws Morph Girl still offers a unique and compelling experience.
Gameplay: Passive for the most part, but there are some choices to be made.
Graphics: Morph Girl makes use of FMV to convey its storyline.
Sound: No voice acting and a haunting soundtrack keeps things interesting
PC Game Reviews
Play as a descendant of Ariadne and prevent the return of the Minotaur in this hidden object puzzle adventure from Sunward Games. The Greek mythology storyline offers a perfect excuse for visiting some exotic locations and while the game is quite easy, it still offers plenty of entertainment. It shares a lot of similarities with the Secret Order series from the same developer, but overall it still has plenty to offer fans. As long as you don’t expect anything groundbreaking from this title, it will provide you with a couple of hours of relaxing entertainment.
Gameplay: A solid, Greek mythology themed hidden object puzzle adventure.
Graphics: Varied locations featuring detailed visuals.
Sound: Good, but not great
PC Game Reviews
Help Hat Girl retrieve the time pieces that fuel her spaceship in this colorful and charming 3D platformer. It is definitely a nostalgic experience for fans of the genre and offers a rip-roaring adventure across large, colorful levels. The hat swapping antics and the way in which the game constantly switches things up certainly makes for an engrossing experience. It is not without its flaws and could have benefited from a bit more polish, but what is on offer should definitely not be missed if you have fond memories of classic 3D platformers.
Gameplay: Solid 3D platforming action and plenty of variety.
Graphics: Bright, colorful and more than delivers on its promise of being “cute-as-heck.”
Sound: The soundtrack is great and the game even features some nice voice acting
PC Game Reviews
Mary the botanist is back and this time it is her brother that is in need of rescuing. This means another adventure through exotic locations while encountering interesting creatures from Slavic mythology. Like previous titles in the series, Eventide 3 isn’t the longest or most challenging example of the genre, but makes up for it with its unique setting. Newcomers to the genre will get the most out of this game as it features quite a few minigames that are very familiar to veterans, but makes up for it with some nice hidden object scenes. The lush visuals and imaginative scenes also set this game apart from other titles. If you are a fan of the genre and want a relaxing adventure that will keep you busy for an evening or two, then Eventide 3 should be high on your wishlist.
Gameplay: Not that challenging and the minigames could have benefited from some more originality, but the hidden object scenes are good.
Graphics: The series has a reputation for great visuals and Eventide 3 doesn’t disappoint in this regard.
Sound: Decent voice acting and some nice tunes
PC Game Reviews
West of Loathing is a single-player role-playing game that doesn’t take itself too seriously, which results in a wild quest through the West. The world in which the game is set might be made up of stick figures, but this doesn’t mean it isn’t fleshed out. There are many locations to explore, plenty of puzzles to solve, and hordes of enemies to defeat. Even better, it is the type of RPG where stats make a difference, and your choices make a difference. Fans of the genre will love the depth the game has, but everyone else will appreciate the brilliant sense of humor.
Gameplay: West of Loathing is packed with plenty to see and do, along with a healthy dose of humor.
Graphics: The black and white stick figure style visuals might look simple at first, but they definitely have a lot of charm
Sound: Although the game doesn’t feature voice acting, it has a great soundtrack and plenty of sound effects
PC Game Reviews
Explore the sinister side of Toyko in this compelling point-and-click adventure / visual novel hybrid. When a seemingly supernatural opponent confronts Detective Ayami Itō, she must put her job and sanity on the line to figure out what is happening. Tokyo Dark features an engaging storyline and a unique system where every choice and action influences your sanity, professionalism, investigation, and neurosis. You also have the option to be as professional or reckless as you would like to be, which can alter the story and lead to more than ten different endings. While the game has some minor flaws, these do not detract from the overall experience, and Tokyo Dark definitely lives up to expectations.
Gameplay: The storyline is compelling, and the game has buckets of replay value.
Graphics: Tokyo Dark has its fair share of interesting characters and locations.
Sound: Full voice acting would have been great, but the music and sound effects are great
PC Game Reviews
Sarah Pennington is back and this time her adventures take her to a mysterious jungle where a visit to her mother turns into a showdown with the Dragon Clan over an extraordinary plant. The Secret Order 6 won’t disappoint those who are expecting more of the beautifully detailed visuals that has become a staple for Sunward Games titles. However, the game is also quite short and can easily be completed in a couple of hours. It is still very enjoyable though, and one of the better recent entries in this particular series, so if you are a fan of the genre or previous titles then this will be a good fit for your library.
Gameplay: Short and easy, but definitely entertaining.
Graphics: The scenes in this game are imaginative as well as very detailed.
Sound: Decent voice acting and a fitting, albeit limited, soundtrack
PC Game Reviews
Observer is a slow-paced, cyberpunk themed thriller from the same developers that brought us Layers of Fear. Despite the change of setting, Observer shares a lot of similarities with LOF, especially during the surreal hacking sequences where you invade the thoughts of other people and experience their worst fears. The incredibly detailed visuals and gripping environments make Observer a game that is hard to put down, but the slower pace and lack of control beyond observing your surroundings and scanning things might deter the action crowd. Overall, it is a title that all fans of the cyberpunk genre will enjoy and it offers an enthralling experience despite some technical issues.
Gameplay: There is little to do apart from exploring your surroundings and scanning things for clues, but the game remains engrossing nonetheless.
Graphics: The abundance of post-processing effects might be a bit much for some players, but there is no faulting the highly detailed visuals.
Sound: The soundtrack is just as tense as you’d expect from a title like this and it is great to hear Rutger Hauer lending his vocals to the lead character
