Majotori

Majotori

Majotori is a trivia game that wraps its 1000+ questions in a whimsical narrative experience with over 50 branching storylines. With questions in categories such as video games, cinema, and animation the game is definitely aimed at players who pride themselves on their knowledge of all things geek, but it is also possible to adjust the frequency of certain categories. The witty writing, coupled with the colorful visuals and catchy soundtrack makes for a fun experience that shouldn’t be overlooked.

Gameplay: Majotori features plenty of questions and interesting categories while the branching storylines provide the perfect incentive to replay the game.

Graphics: The visuals are simple but colorful and eye-catching.

Sound: Thanks to a whimsical and catchy soundtrack the lack of voice acting isn’t too noticeable

Legends of Talia: Arcadia

Legends of Talia: Arcadia

Legends of Talia: Arcadia is a short kinetic novel that sees a legendary female knight trying to deal with some demons from her past. The game features a thought-provoking storyline and Arcadia is an interesting protagonist, but the whole experience is over in less than two hours depending on your reading speed. This leaves very little room to flesh things out, so it feels like a lot of potential the game had was wasted. Nevertheless, the story is interesting while it lasts and the game is affordably priced for what it offers.

Gameplay: This is a kinetic novel, so the only interaction required is sitting back and reading the story.

Graphics: The visuals look good, but the fan-service-heavy character designs are at odds with the much darker storyline.

Sound: The game features no voice acting or sound effects, but the soundtrack is decent

Kelvin and the Infamous Machine

Kelvin and the Infamous Machine

When his boss, Dr. Edwin Lupin, invents a time machine and messes with the past it is up to Kelvin, his well-meaning research assistant to set things right. In this point-and-click adventure, players must guide Kelvin through three important periods in history to ensure that Ludwig van Beethoven, Isaac Newton, and Leonardo da Vinci complete their defining works. The game is rather short and a little on the easy side but makes up for it with entertaining dialogue, laugh-out-loud scenarios, and plenty of charm.

Gameplay: The puzzles are logical and the chapters are self-contained so players never feel overwhelmed.

Graphics: The hand-drawn 2D environments and goofy character designs lend the game a lot of charm.

Sound: The game features a good soundtrack as well as great voice acting for all the characters

Japanese School Life

Japanese School Life

Japanese School Life follows an American exchange student named Brian as he experiences life in Japan for a year. Most of this time is spent in the company of Chiyoko and Arisa, two girls in his class who take him under their wing to show him around. The game is mostly a kinetic novel, apart from a few instances where players can choose which girl Brian likes more. However, these choices do not lead to any type of romantic encounters and the focus of the game is on educating players about Japanese culture. It is a familiar concept to games like Go! Go! Nippon, but not quite as memorable, unfortunately.

Gameplay: Apart from a few choices that don’t change much about the story the game is mostly a kinetic novel.

Graphics: The only sprites in the game are for the two girls, but the e-mote system and lots of CGs make up for it.

Sound: There are only a handful of music tracks, but the Japanese voice acting for Chiyoko and Arisa are really good

Iris.Fall

Iris.Fall

Iris.Fall is a puzzle adventure featuring eye-catching monochrome-style visuals and gameplay based on light and shadows. It features a few interesting puzzles, but with only eight rather small areas to explore there’s not much to keep players hooked. In addition, the inclusion of a few tedious puzzles and a story that is not very memorable makes the game a bit harder to recommend. Nevertheless, while the game doesn’t excel in any particular aspect, it is a competent title that has its moments.

Gameplay: Iris.Fall features plenty of puzzles involving the manipulation of light and shadows along with a few other brain teasers that shouldn’t stump puzzle veterans for too long.

Graphics: The visual style looks really good and while the game does not have a lot of locations they are all very detailed and unique.

Sound: The soundtrack is rather subdued and the game lacks any type of voice-overs, but the ambient sounds do a great job of maintaining the atmosphere

Huntdown

Huntdown

Huntdown is a side-scrolling run-and-gun shooter featuring three bounty hunters on a mission to take down various criminal gangs. The presentation of the game is great and the beautiful pixel art visuals coupled with the synth-heavy soundtrack make for a very enjoyable, not to mention nostalgic, experience. Huntdown can be challenging and each of the twenty levels ends in a tricky boss battle, but the game remains fair throughout and fans of the genre will definitely not want to miss out on this one.

Gameplay: Non-stop action and some of the best bosses that we have seen in the genre since the 16-bit era.

Graphics: The beautiful pixel art visuals really shine thanks to incredible animations and detailed levels.

Sound: Huntdown features both an incredible synthesizer soundtrack as well as top-notch voice acting for all the characters

Geometric Sniper

Geometric Sniper

Geometric Sniper sees players taking on the role of Andrew, a sniper working for a secret division that takes down bad guys for the good of the country. It plays out like a hidden object game where the goal is to find specific targets in crowded black-and-white line art environments. However, time limits, limited bullets, and targets that can blend in with other look-alikes add some tension to the formula. There are some frustrating elements to the game, but the number of game modes and budget price make up for this. It won’t appeal to all fans of hidden object games, but does something new with the genre and is worth a look.

Gameplay: Memorize how your targets look and then find them through the scope of your sniper rifle before it is too late.

Graphics: While the visuals look like a typical Flash game the style suits the gameplay and adds to the challenge.

Sound: The music and sound effects are rather forgettable, but doesn’t detract from the experience

Frog Detective 1: The Haunted Island

Frog Detective 1: The Haunted Island

Frog Detective 1: The Haunted Island is a very short, very linear, and very easy adventure starring a detective who is also a frog. This case takes players to a tiny island where a small sloth has been the victim of haunting for weeks. Players must crack the case and figure out if there is really a mysterious ghost behind it all or if something else is afoot. The game can be completed in less than an hour and barely contains anything that could be considered challenging. However, the charming visuals, irreverent sense of humor, and wacky cast of characters will definitely appeal to some players.

Gameplay: All that is required to solve the mystery is talking to the cast of animal characters and getting them the items that they want.

Graphics: While the 3D visuals lack detail the art style has a lot of charm and the animations in particular can be very funny.

Sound: The soundtrack is decent, but the game lacks sound effects or voice acting to help bring its world more to life

Evan’s Remains

Evan’s Remains

Evan’s Remains is a puzzle platformer that combines logic-based platforming challenges with visual novel-style storytelling. Playing as a young woman named Dysis, players are tasked with making their way along a tropical beach and solving puzzles while searching for a vanished man named Evan. Although very linear, the beautiful 2D pixel art visuals and moving soundtrack make the game a joy to play. However, the focus is very much on the story, so frequent cut-scenes punctuate the brief puzzle platforming sequences. The game is not without its flaws, but overall it is a moving and memorable title.

Gameplay: The puzzle platforming sections are fun, but only serve as brief interludes for the main focus of the game, which is the story.

Graphics: The pixel art looks beautiful and the game features some excellent backgrounds and fluid animations.

Sound: The soundtrack remains calm and soothing throughout while the sound effects are crisp and clear

Dungeon Marathon

Dungeon Marathon

A hag has tricked a Warrior, Valkyrie, Wizard, and Dwarf into thinking that perilous dungeons are actually gyms and players must help the unarmed heroes make it through them unscathed. This involves dodging or running away from hazards and enemies while collecting keys to open gates and grabbing apples to stay healthy. Apart from a poison mechanic and a few power-ups that is all there is to the game, but while short-lived Dungeon Marathon can be fun and is certainly quite unique.

Gameplay: Instead of fighting, players must run for their lives while trying to find the exit to each short dungeon.

Graphics: The retro-style visuals have a certain nostalgic appeal, but are still very basic and not that memorable.

Sound: The music and sound effects get the job done, but neither stand out in any way