The Novelist

The Novelist

While The Novelist is rather limited as a game, it does pack a great story that is engaging enough to forgive the repetition involved. Playing as a ghostly presence that becomes embroiled in the lives of the Kaplan family is engrossing stuff and the game knows how to tug at the heartstrings. Although short you will want to go back for more if only to see the consequences of making different choices.

Gameplay: The focus is definitely more on the story than on the gameplay.

Graphics: The painterly look fits the game well.

Sound: Mellow music and decent voice acting

LocoCycle

LocoCycle

LocoCycle is a game that revels in it’s cheesy b-movie plot and backs it up with some nice arcade-style gameplay. Alternating between shooting cars off the road or beating up flying bad guys with martial arts moves is as entertaining as it is wacky. It’s not the longest or most in-depth game we’ve ever played, but it is definitely worth the low asking price.

Gameplay: An arcade-like experience which lacks depth, but is a lot of fun.

Graphics: Nice character detail, but the environments feels a bit sparse.

Sound: A nice performance from the Prague Symphony Orchestra and solid voice acting

Guacamelee! Gold Edition

Guacamelee! Gold Edition

I was immediately drawn in by the charming visuals, but it was the gameplay that really hooked me. Combat remains entertaining without becoming tedious and the platform sections manage to mix in some brain teasers along with the precision jumping. It is very encouraging to see gems like this emerge from an already crowded genre, so don’t hesitate to snag this game.

Gameplay: This game is a joy to play.

Graphics: Crisp, detailed and very stylish visuals.

Sound: Packed with earworms!

Dear Esther

Dear Esther

Dear Esther is definitely more of an “experience” than a game which makes it very hard to review it objectively. Some people are going to love the thought provoking subject matter, while others will wander around aimlessly looking for something to do. One thing is for sure, you cannot enter this experience expecting everything is going to be laid out for you in an easy to understand manner. The visuals are beautiful, but they are just part of the narrative. Definitely destined to be a love/hate title.

Gameplay: Pretty much a two hour stroll on a beautiful island.

Graphics: Gorgeous and dripping with atmosphere.

Sound: The voice acting is good and the music is hauntingly beautiful

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

Tiny Thief

Tiny Thief

Tiny Thief is definitely worth checking out, especially if you don’t have access to a mobile device. The charming visuals and interesting scenes will suck you in and the puzzles will ensure that you have fun without getting bored. I had a lot of fun with this game and absolutely recommend it, especially if you can pick it up in a good sale.

Gameplay: Not too taxing, but loads of fun.

Graphics: Cute, papercraft style visuals.

Sound: Loads of sound effects bring the gameworld to life

Home is Where One Starts

Home is Where One Starts

Help a young girl explore the lonely countryside around her childhood home when she misses her bus to school. Although very short, Home Is Where One Starts is a captivating experience with excellent narration and interesting environments. The short length along with the absence of puzzles or action means it won’t appeal to everyone, but players who enjoy more relaxing titles like Gone Home or Dear Esther will feel right at home.

Gameplay: The walking speed of the protagonist is a little slow and the gameworld small, but exploring it is interesting.

Graphics: The visuals are quite beautiful, but some objects lack detail when viewed up close.

Sound: The soundtrack is excellent and the voice acting superb

Girls Like Robots

Girls Like Robots

Girls Like Robots is a deceptively simple looking puzzle game with very addictive gameplay. The game constantly introduces new characters or objectives to keep things fresh and the charming visual style is very easy on the eyes. It is a whimsical title, but one that is very enjoyable and comes highly recommended for all puzzle fans.

Gameplay: A very unique entry in the puzzle genre.

Graphics: Charming and colorful.

Sound: Who knew an old time, string band soundtrack could be this good

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