PowerWash Simulator

PowerWash Simulator

PowerWash Simulator does precisely what the name says, with players handed a power washer and unleashed on various dirty locations and vehicles. Different upgrades, as well as a variety of game modes, will keep players busy for ages, but the game can become quite repetitive. However, it is a very relaxing and casual experience that is great for enjoying while listening to something else in the background.

Gameplay: Very simple and straightforward, but quite fun and relaxing.

Graphics: There are lots of different levels and plenty of variety in the vehicles that need cleaning.

Sound: No music, but the ambient noises and effects add to the relaxing atmosphere of the game

Metal: Hellsinger

Metal: Hellsinger

Metal: Hellsinger is a rhythm-based first-person shooter starring a half-human half-demon named Unknown. After getting her voice taken away, Unknown teams up with a talking skull and goes on a rampage through hell. The rhythm elements and the soundtrack featuring some of the best voices in metal set the game apart, and while short, it offers a lot of fun while it lasts.

Gameplay: Shooting enemies to the beat of a metal soundtrack is a lot of fun but can become a little repetitive.

Graphics: The visuals look good, but there’s nothing here that Doom players have not seen before.

Sound: The metal soundtrack is graced by some of the best singers in the genre, and the voice acting is also very professional

The Plague Doctor of Wippra

The Plague Doctor of Wippra

The Plague Doctor of Wippra is a brief point-and-click adventure with an interesting setting and characters. The game features neat pixel art visuals and a great soundtrack. The experience is very linear, though; veterans of the genre should have no trouble with the puzzles. However, it is refreshing to take on puzzles with real-life historical and medical context that isn’t too esoteric.

Gameplay: The game is short but engaging throughout and doesn’t overstay its welcome.

Graphics: The hand-drawn pixel art has a certain charm and is a good match for the game’s tone.

Sound: The game features a beautiful soundtrack with many wistful or melancholic tunes

Scathe

Scathe

Navigate a deviously crafted maze and blast the legions of hell to bits in this fast-paced first-person shooter. The bullet hell elements make for a different type of shooter, and the inclusion of drop-in/drop-out co-op enhances the experience. Scathe also impresses with some polished visuals, big guns, and menacing enemies to use them on. Unfortunately, the audio could have been better, and the game can become repetitive. Nevertheless, Scathe is a lot of fun, especially when played with friends, and does enough to elevate itself above the horde of cookie-cutter shooters cluttering the market.

Gameplay: Scathe features plenty of action along with some extra challenges to keep players on their toes.

Graphics: The visuals are stylish and feature a lot of impressive designs.

Sound: The choice of music is great but needs more variety, and the sound effects lack punch

Beacon Pines First Look Video

Beacon Pines First Look Video

Beacon Pines by Hiding Spot and Fellow Traveller is a cute and creepy adventure set within a mysterious book. Playing as both the reader of the book and its main character, Luka, players get to sneak out late, make new friends, uncover hidden truths, and collect words that will change the course of fate. Check out the video below for a quick look at the start of this charming adventure

The Mortuary Assistant

The Mortuary Assistant

The Mortuary Assistant is a horror title where players must perform a series of stomach-churning tasks to prepare the deceased for burial. This would have been bad enough if it wasn’t for the fact that the mortuary is also home to a demonic entity with its sights set on the protagonist, Rebecca Owens. Unless players can help Rebecca identify the demon and then burn it along with the correct body, she risks possession or worse. However, this is easier said than done when the clock is ticking, and paranormal activity is ramping up around her. Overall, The Mortuary Assistant is a must-own title for fans of the genre and one of the best horror games of 2022.

Gameplay: The Mortuary Assistant is short but very replayable, and each shift will leave players on the edge of their seats.

Graphics: The visuals are good, and the game knows how to use visual scare tactics well, but squeamish players might not enjoy the mortuary tasks.

Sound: The voice acting is decent, and the ambient noises, as well as sound effects, are top-notch

Stray

Stray

Stray is a game that allows players to experience all the mysteries and thrills of a long-forgotten cybercity through the eyes of an adorable cat. In addition to roaming around doing things players would expect from a cat, Stray is also filled with action, puzzle solving, and a great cast of characters. Navigating the seedy underbelly of a dystopian society is nothing new, but doing so from a cat’s perspective is definitely a novelty. The game isn’t perfect, and the adventure is brief, but it immediately draws players in and doesn’t let up until the credits roll.

Gameplay: Along with solving puzzles and outwitting dangerous foes, Stray also allows players to explore and cause mischief in a way only cats can.

Graphics: Stray’s beautiful environments and attention to detail could rival any AAA studio and create a highly immersive experience.

Sound: Along with an excellent synthwave soundtrack, Stray is also filled with great ambient effects and even a dedicated “meow” button

Koral

Koral

Koral is a short puzzle game set in tranquil underwater environments. As a love letter to the ocean, it highlights the beauty and diversity of life underneath the sea while telling an important message about the destruction being wrought by humanity. While fun to play, the game is concise, and even with some variation in the puzzles, some parts can feel a little tedious. However, players who can overlook these flaws will find a game that was clearly a labor of love.

Gameplay: Koral features some mild puzzle solving and is relaxing for the most part, but the timed elements might annoy casual players.

Graphics: 3D models for the aquatic life and parallax for the fore and background elements make for a good-looking game.

Sound: The music is calm most of the time but isn’t afraid to tug on your heartstrings with some emotional orchestral swells in some spots

Loopmancer

Loopmancer

Loopmancer is a fast-paced action game that traps detective Xiang Zixu in a time loop where he is doomed to repeat the same day each time he dies. However, thanks to its rogue-lite elements, Xiang is able to unlock new weapons and skills that make each run a little easier. The hack and slash combat is the highlight of the game, and there are tons of weapons to unlock, while the beautiful visuals don’t hurt either. Unfortunately, the story is filled with cliches, and the frequent cut-scenes suffer from stiff dialogue. Nevertheless, there are plenty of reasons for players to keep looping their way through the game and experience everything it has to offer.

Gameplay: The combat in Loopmancer is fun, and there’s a wide assortment of melee and ranged weapons to dispose of enemies.

Graphics: Loopmancer features stunning looking levels and plenty of variety in terms of enemies and locations.

Sound: Despite decent sound effects, the audio quality and voice acting in Loopmancer are very uneven

Fishing Paradiso

Fishing Paradiso

Fishing Paradiso is a simple and relaxing fishing RPG that is very narrative-driven, thanks to a large cast of charming characters. The game is set in heaven, so the storyline is a little strange, to say the least, but catching over 100 different types of fish while customizing your house and learning more about the other characters is a lot of fun. Fishing Paradiso also packs a surprising amount of content beneath its 2D pixel art visuals and comes highly recommended.

Gameplay: Simple to pick up and play, but catching all the fish, unlocking new areas, and learning more about the NPCs is a lot of fun.

Graphics: The 2D pixel art visuals are charming, and the whole game has a vibrant look that quickly draws players in.

Sound: Although it lacks voice acting, the game features an upbeat soundtrack with an assortment of great tunes