Lumini

Lumini

Lumini isn’t the longest or most challenging game on the market, but it features relaxing gameplay, charming visuals, and a very soothing soundtrack. This flow-based adventure is a joy to play and is accessible enough that anyone can have fun with it. It also features an unlockable “Hard” mode for players who want a challenge instead of a relaxing experience.

Gameplay: Accessible controls and relaxing gameplay make Lumini an absolute joy to play.

Graphics: The visuals look superb, and each area has lots of detail.

Sound: The soothing soundtrack is an excellent match for the unique gameplay

Little Inferno

Little Inferno

While Little Inferno is not a game in the strictest sense of the word, it does provide a very interesting experience. There isn’t much of a challenge beyond finding the correct combination of things to burn, but the eerie story and polished visuals might just suck you in. Perfect for those cold winter evenings.

Gameplay: Simple but strangely relaxing.

Graphics: Stylish and polished.

Sound: Very eerie

KAMI

KAMI

KAMI is a puzzle game that challenges your brain and not your reflexes, making it quite relaxing to play. The visual design is very nice with realistic looking paper textures, but the game isn’t lacking in the gameplay department either. The 63 puzzles can be completed in a day or two, but the lower price point make it a worthwhile purchase if you are a puzzle fan looking for a fresh challenge.

Gameplay: Challenging without becoming too frustrating.

Graphics: The handcrafted look of the visuals is very easy on the eyes.

Sound: Sparse, but very relaxing

Journal

Journal

Journal is an enjoyable experience as long as you don’t expect too much from it. There are no puzzles or interaction, but the storyline was engrossing enough to keep me hooked to the end. While Journal is quite a short experience it does cover a lot of topics not usually found in a game. It is hard to recommend this title to players looking for a traditional game, but personally I found it to be thought provoking.

Gameplay: Very little interaction beyond talking to people.

Graphics: The hand painted visuals fit the style and the story of the game.

Sound: The soundtrack is pretty moving and the voice acting decent

Gomo

Gomo

Gomo is a polished and intriguing adventure through a very surreal landscape, but the low challenge makes it more suitable for younger players or those new to the genre. The game has a lot of humor and is very unpredictable, making it fun to play, but the whole experience is over all too soon. If you don’t mind a game that you can complete in one sitting or plan on playing it with your children then you can’t go wrong with Gomo.

Gameplay: Simple to play, but much too easy for veterans.

Graphics: Very simple but quite charming and amusing.

Sound: Does the job and never becomes annoying

Valhalla Hills (Funatics Software)

Valhalla Hills (Funatics Software)

Vikings are normally associated with fighting, pillaging and sailing, but Valhalla Hills from Funatics Software drops these Germanic Norse seafarers in a city building setting instead. In place of raiding and trading, the Vikings are trying to get into Valhalla after Odin decided to close the gates. The Norse god was clearly in a bit of a bad mood as he also exiled his son Leko for being more interested in building than the family business of battles and booze. This is good news for the Vikings though, as with the help of Leko they might attain enough honor to get to Valhalla

How to Take Off Your Mask

How to Take Off Your Mask

How To Take Off Your Mask is an otome game with a cast of likeable characters, an interesting scenario and plenty of humorous moments. It also features a couple of choices that branches the storyline, which along with the Steam Achievements, adds to the replay value. The writing is also good enough to draw in players who are not normally into otome titles, but check out the free demo first to see what the game has to offer.

Gameplay: Fairly linear, but well written and with a branching storyline.

Graphics: The game features charming visuals with plenty of detail for each character.

Sound: The soundtrack is great and the game also features full Japanese voice acting

NEKOPARA Vol. 0

NEKOPARA Vol. 0

Since Nekopara Vol. 0 is a fandisc, it is much shorter than Vol. 1. Instead of a big story or any startling revelations it also just focusses on a single day in the lives of the catgirls of the Minaduki household. The writing is entertaining, and the visuals top notch, but anyone not already swayed by the charms of Nekopara Vol. 1 will probably wonder what the fuss is all about.

Gameplay: Still a kinetic visual novel, but now with the option to pet the girls.

Graphics: Another great demonstration of the E-mote system in action.

Sound: Once again the quality of the voice acting is very good

Enemy Mind

Enemy Mind

Enemy Mind makes good use of the ship changing feature to offer an experience that is not only challenging, but extremely addictive. There is a lot more strategy involved than your typical side scrolling shooter and the local co-op mode makes it even more fun. Rounding off the package is some nice retro style visuals and a brilliant soundtrack. Depending on your skill with shooters, this game will keep you busy for a while and packs some nice bonuses to boost the replay value.

Gameplay: The ability to take control of any enemy ship complements the old school gameplay nicely.

Graphics: The visuals are a nice homage to the 8bit era.

Sound: Great sound effects and an awesome soundtrack by Rainbow Kitten

Continue?9876543210

Continue?9876543210

I didn’t quite know what to expect from Continue but I certainly enjoyed the experience. The game might seem a little pretentious, but it handles mature themes in an interesting manner and managed to keep me hooked right to the bitter end. It is not often that a game challenges players to confront their own mortality, but I think Continue has pulled it off admirably.

Gameplay: A game that challenges you to think instead of just testing your reflexes.

Graphics: Moody and atmospheric in a retro kind of way.

Sound: A brilliant soundtrack with good sound effects