SteamWorld Heist

SteamWorld Heist

SteamWorld Heist is set in the same universe as its predecessor, SteamWorld Dig, but opted for a completely different genre and play style. Despite the switch, the game retains the charming visual style and addictiveness that is becoming a hallmark of Image & Form titles. If you are a fan of turn-based strategy games, you owe it to yourself to add this one to your collection.

Gameplay: Despite being turn-based, the game feels fast and action-packed.

Graphics: The visuals for SteamWorld Heist are detailed, vibrant, and well-animated.

Sound: The game features great sound effects, and the soundtrack is brilliant

Cherry Tree High Girls’ Fight

Cherry Tree High Girls’ Fight

Cherry Tree High Girl’s Fight is a 2D, turn-based, girl raising simulator with a card battle system for combat, which makes it a pretty niche title. It features a varied selection of girls from which to assemble your team, but lack of animations and a rather lackluster storyline detracts from the experience. The fights are also based a lot around luck, which can further frustrate players. However, anyone who is willing to overlook these flaws will find an enjoyable game with a charming cast of characters.

Gameplay: Raise the stats of your girls and then send them into card based battles for victory.

Graphics: Great artwork, but not many animations.

Sound: The soundtrack is catchy, but the game has no voice acting

Ghost 1.0

Ghost 1.0

Play as a digital ghost with the ability to control androids in this great Metroidvania title from the maker of Unepic. The game challenges you to infiltrate the Nakamura Space Station and uncover its secrets, a quest that will take you through almost 300 rooms. Ghost 1.0 features tight controls, engaging writing, likable characters, and plenty of action, which makes it very easy to recommend to fans of the genre.

Gameplay: Ghost 1.0 is quite challenging at times, but very addictive.

Graphics: The game features detailed visuals and some very nice design elements.

Sound: The soundtrack is excellent, but the voice-acting steals the show

Sakura Dungeon

Sakura Dungeon

Sakura Dungeon offers a nice fusion of traditional step based dungeon crawling and the manga visual style that has made developer Winged Cloud (in)famous. Despite all the erotic content (mostly censored in the Steam version) the game doesn’t skimp on the role playing elements either. It might not be as in-depth or complicated as other dungeon crawlers, but definitely offers a fun and compelling experience.

Gameplay: Explore dungeons, defeat cute monster girls and then recruit them to your party.

Graphics: The 2D visuals look great despite the lack of animations.

Sound: Great music, but limited sound effects and no voice acting

Resette’s Prescription ~Book of memory, Swaying scale~

Resette’s Prescription ~Book of memory, Swaying scale~

Help the short tempered Resette and her feline companion Gaede as they enter the mind of a young boy suffering from a sleeping sickness. This point & click adventure features charming chibbi character designs and beautifull hand drawn watercolor backgrounds along with an interesting storyline. It is quite a short game though, and the puzzles pose little challenge, so it might not appeal to everyone.

Gameplay: Short and easy, but certainly very entertaining.

Graphics: We love the beautiful and unique visual style.

Sound: Unfortunately there is no speech, but the music is very good

Selenon Rising

Selenon Rising

Selenon Rising is a great visual novel with an interesting story and great setting. The psychic abilities of the main character also makes for an interesting gameplay mechanic as it adds a bit more depth to interrogating suspects. It is an episodic release, so time will tell if it can remain as engaging throughout, but so far so good.

Gameplay: Searching crime scenes and interrogating suspects make it a bit more interactive than your typical visual novel.

Graphics: Decent visuals, but the cut-scenes could have been better.

Sound: No voice acting, but superb music

RefRain -prism memories-

RefRain -prism memories-

RefRain is a great shooter that strays a little from the usual formula to offer an action packed experience that is based more on skill than luck. Mastering the use of the M.E.F.A2 and Concept Reactor attacks are immensely satisfying and also allows you to play more aggressively. Players used to power-ups and weapon upgrades will find that RefRain has a bit of a learning curve, but this also provides it with more longevity and replay value. Overall, if you are a fan of the genre, then RefRain certainly doesn’t disappoint.

Gameplay: Challenging, but very rewarding when mastered.

Graphics: The designs are a little bland compared to other shooters, but the game is very colorful.

Sound: Features a very fitting electronic soundtrack

Epistory – Typing Chronicles

Epistory – Typing Chronicles

Basing an entire game around typing is not new, but Epistory does it exceptionally well and never feels like an “edutainment” title. It has a vibrant game world to explore, plenty of enemies to kill, and puzzles to solve. Seeing as the entire game is keyboard-driven and requires lots of typing, it is a bit of a niche title, but definitely worth the effort. Unless you absolutely hate typing or still get by using only one finger, Epistory should not be missed.

Gameplay: Expect plenty of typing as you explore, fight enemies, and solve puzzles.

Graphics: The origami-style visuals are unique and look great.

Sound: The game features a great soundtrack, and the narrator does a stellar job as well

Nelly Cootalot: The Fowl Fleet

Nelly Cootalot: The Fowl Fleet

With its quirky sense of humor, interesting cast of characters, and plucky protagonist, it is hard not to be charmed by Nelly Cootalot: The Fowl Fleet. While the puzzles are somewhat easy, the game always had us smiling and even had a few laugh-out-loud moments. The Monkey Island series has obviously influenced it, but the game has enough unique charm of its own. If you are a genre fan, The Fowl Fleet should definitely be on your wishlist.

Gameplay: Easy enough for newcomers, but even experienced players will enjoy the quirky setting and characters.

Graphics: The blend of 3D characters and 2D backgrounds works well, and the overall art style is very good.

Sound: The soundtrack is nice, but the voice acting steals the show thanks to some great performances

Pharaoh Rebirth+

Pharaoh Rebirth+

Pharaoh Rebirth+ is a Metroidvania style platformer that oozes charm and playability. Even with the low resolution visuals the pixel art remains brilliant and each location is packed with detail. The story is another surprising highlight and you’ll encounter plenty of humor along with interesting twists. You really can’t go wrong with this title if you are a fan of the genre and it manages to shine despite some technical limitations.

Gameplay: The game has a surprising amount of depth for a platformer and plenty of replay value as well.

Graphics: The resolution is rather low, but this doesn’t diminish the brilliance of the pixel art visuals.

Sound: Catchy tunes and decent sound effects