Oscura: Lost Light

Oscura: Lost Light

Oscura: Lost Light is a nice, solid platformer with eye-catching visuals and challenging gameplay. The level designs in particular are very good and the puzzles never become tedious. The abundance of checkpoints and unlimited lives at your disposal also cuts down on the frustration. Overall Oscura is a great game for fans of the genre, but doesn’t have anything unique to really draw players who would not normally try out platformers.

Gameplay: Entertaining and challenging without becoming frustrating or tedious.

Graphics: The silhouette visual style might not be a fresh as it used to be, but still looks good in Oscura.

Sound: The background music remains firmly in the background without really standing out

Isbarah

Isbarah

Isbarah is not a game to approach if you are looking for an easy challenge or rewards that you don’t have to work hard to earn. The game requires quick reflexes, plenty of practice and a lot of dedication to master. It is definitely rewarding though, and taking down bosses many times your own size while they are covering the screen in projectiles is quite a rush. It is not for the faint of heart, but if you are up for the challenge you simply must try out the game.

Gameplay: The blend of platforming and bullet hell works brilliantly.

Graphics: Beautiful 2D art with excellent character designs.

Audio: Adrenaline pumping tunes.

A Good Snowman Is Hard To Build

A Good Snowman Is Hard To Build

A Good Snowman Is Hard To Build is a thoroughly entertaining and charming puzzle title suitable for players of all ages. The beautiful 2D visuals and excellent audio complement the addictive puzzle-solving gameplay, which makes for a memorable experience. We would have liked to see a few more puzzles to solve because the ones on offer are so enjoyable. Overall, it is the perfect game for when you feel like something relaxing and non-violent.

Gameplay: The game is challenging and addictive without being frustrating or unfair.

Graphics: The game features charming visuals with plenty of great touches.

Sound: The soundtrack is great, as are the ambient sound effects

Kana Okaeri

Kana Okaeri

Kana Okaeri improves on the original title with updated visuals as well as full Japanese voice acting. Thankfully the original story remains untouched apart from some translation fixes. It is a pity that the resolution has only been increased slightly over the original version, but anyone who have not yet experienced this game should definitely check it out. The new art and visuals also make it an enticing offer for players that want to relive the emotional roller-coaster of a story.

Gameplay: The storyline is incredibly moving and you can actually make choices that affect the outcome of the game.

Graphics: The updated visuals look great, but the resolution is fixed at 800×600.

Sound: The soundtrack is still great and the new voice acting is done professionally.

Game of Thrones – A Telltale Games Series – Episode 02: The Lost Lords

Game of Thrones – A Telltale Games Series – Episode 02: The Lost Lords

Previous attempts at turning game of Thrones into a traditional gaming experience has had mixed results, but this adventure from Telltale Games hits all the right marks. It’s got a cast of intriguing characters, gripping storyline and plenty of drama to keep you on the edge of your seat throughout its two hour runtime. Interaction is rather limited, but the overall experience is very true to the source material.

Gameplay: Basically a few quick time events and dialogue choices.

Graphics: The game uses a stylish painterly look for its characters and locations.

Sound: Great music and top notch voice acting especially from the television show actors reprising their roles

Pixel Puzzles: UndeadZ

Pixel Puzzles: UndeadZ

After the calm experience that was Pixel Puzzles: Japan, I was quite surprised by what Pixel Puzzles: UndeadZ had in store for me. The inclusion of zombies that you have to shoot while solving jigsaw puzzles adds a whole new dimension to the game and ensures that there is never a dull moment. Fans of traditional jigsaw puzzles might not agree, but personally we loved the new action oriented elements of the game.

Gameplay: The first ever combination of peaceful jigsaw puzzles, and top down shooter gameplay.

Graphics: Gruesome zombie themed hand-drawn artwork.

Sound: Moody tunes and disturbing sound effects

Pixel Puzzles: Japan

Pixel Puzzles: Japan

Pixel Puzzles: Japan offers an interesting twist on the traditional Jigsaw puzzle without the hassle of finding out that you are missing pieces. Things start off very calm but as the pieces multiply the challenge increases considerably. The constantly moving puzzle pieces also make it tricky, but there is no time limit to worry about. About the only annoyance is that you cannot save your progress during a puzzle.

Gameplay: Calm and relaxing, but can become quite challenging as well.

Graphics: Nothing particularly outstanding but decent enough.

Sound: Calm music and the soothing sounds of a Shishi-odoshi (which can be disabled.)

Goats On A Bridge

Goats On A Bridge

Don’t be fooled by the cute graphics, Goats On A Bridge can easily cause you to rage quit after your hapless goat tumbles off a bridge or roll into a crate it was supposed to jump over, for the umpteenth time. Taking control of two goats at the same time, and then navigating them across an obstacle course is not easy, but it is quite fun. The game is even more entertaining if you can rope in another poor soul to help you with the goats.

Gameplay: The game packs a mean challenge, but it is relatively short.

Graphics: The levels are bright and cartoony, while the already adorable goats can be made even more charming with accessories.

Sound: A couple of nice tunes and the usual wacky assortment of sound effects.

Morningstar: Descent to Deadrock

Morningstar: Descent to Deadrock

It might be based on a free Flash game, but the improved visuals and excellent puzzles definitely means Morningstar: Descent to Deadrock is worth a second look. It has everything you expect from a great sci-fi adventure and remains entertaining throughout. It is only the short playing time and uninspiring voice acting that lets the experience down slightly. The game is a good showcase for what the developers are capable of and I look forward to seeing what they come up with next.

Gameplay: Logical puzzles and an interesting setting make this a very entertaining title.

Graphics: The new high definition visuals are great, albeit a little too static.

Sound: Good music and sound effects, but the voice acting could have been better

Overture

Overture

Overture is a game that will challenge your reflexes, and often your patience, to the max. Despite the high difficulty, the game remains thoroughly enjoyable and is only let down by some rather generic visuals. The chiptune soundtrack is great though, and provided you aren’t expecting something with a lot of depth it will keep you busy for quite a while.

Gameplay: Fast, frantic and quite challenging, but also very addictive.

Graphics: The generic visuals are not bad, but definitely a little overused at this point.

Sound: The rocking chiptune soundtrack is definitely a highlight