Pukka Golf

Pukka Golf

Forget about leisurely strolling around a course, carefully selecting an appropriate club, checking the wind speed and then making a shot. Pukka Golf provides you with a golf ball and a hole to sink it in as quickly as possible while throwing all kinds of obstacles in your way. It is a straightforward concept and done very well, making it both fun to play as well as very addictive. With tons of levels, each with multiple goals, expect Pukka Golf to keep you busy for quite a while.

Gameplay: Very easy to pick up and play, but challenging enough to keep you coming back for more.

Graphics: Simple and straightforward without any clutter, but could benefit from some more variety.

Sound: The audio is unobtrusive, but not very memorable

Gravity Ghost

Gravity Ghost

Gravity Ghost might appear to be a very simple and straightforward game at first, but the more you play it, the deeper it draws you in. Soaring around the levels using the gravitational pull of the planets to your advantage is a great feeling, and we often found ourselves lingering longer on levels than necessary just to soak in the atmosphere. It is a very tranquil and relaxing game with a great story tucked away beneath the surface. If you want to experience a unique title that is not about killing enemies or dying and failing until you succeed, check out Gravity Ghost.

Gameplay: Gravity Ghost is relaxing and entertaining without ever becoming frustrating.

Graphics: The beautiful hand-painted visuals and unique art style set the game apart.

Sound: The soundtrack and voice acting is a perfect match for the tranquil atmosphere of the game

HuniePop

HuniePop

If you are looking for something to be offended by you will find plenty to be outraged about in HuniePop. If, on the other hand, you are looking for a polished and entertaining title that combines a couple of different genres very successfully then you will find that this game is money well spent. Hopefully the developers will flesh out the concept further if they get around to a sequel as there is a lot of potential here.

Gameplay: The puzzle elements are fun and surprisingly strategic, while interacting with the girls is entertaining albeit a little repetitive.

Graphics: Beautifully drawn characters with plenty of clothing and hair variations, but no animations beyond lip synching.

Sound: The professional English voice actresses really bring the characters to life and the soundtrack is rather good too

Rock Boshers DX: Directors Cut

Rock Boshers DX: Directors Cut

Hats off to Tikipod for creating a game that plays exactly like a ZX Spectrum title and is a very good one at that. If this game were released back in the heyday of the Spectrum, it would have been rightfully regarded as a classic, and even in today’s market, it is still a lot of fun. Rock Boshers DX: Director’s Cut isn’t a game to show off your hardware, but if you want fun and a challenge, you can’t go wrong with this title.

Gameplay: The game is very challenging but also very entertaining.

Graphics: It looks just like a high-resolution and very polished ZX Spectrum title.

Sound: The game features catchy 8-bit tunes and authentic sound effects

Tengami

Tengami

The standout features of Tengami are the unique visuals and great soundtrack, but the tranquil gameplay is also quite good. It has no epic story or action, but the gentle, puzzle-solving, relaxing atmosphere makes for an interesting experience. The game doesn’t have a lot of freedom, challenge, or replay value, but it is pretty enjoyable while it lasts and leaves an impression.

Gameplay: The puzzles are relatively straightforward and not very numerous, but interacting with the game world by pulling or sliding parts of the scenery is quite neat.

Graphics: The pop-up book world visuals are simply beautiful.

Sound: The game features an atmospheric and very appropriate soundtrack by David Wise

NEKOPARA Vol. 1

NEKOPARA Vol. 1

If you are looking for something cute, lighthearted, polished and filled to the brim with catgirls then NEKOPARA Vol. 1 is the obvious choice. Even without the h-scenes, the Steam version is an enjoyable, albeit slightly short, romp. The E-mote system works quite well and the artwork by Sayori is absolutely gorgeous. It is not as long or as involving as some other kinetic novels, but serves as a very polished and enjoyable introduction to the genre.

Gameplay: NEKOPARA Vol. 1 is a kinetic novel, so gameplay is restricted to simply clicking through the story.

Graphics: Beautiful artwork by Sayori and the animation is a lot livelier than what is the norm for the genre thanks to the E-mote system.

Sound: Full Japanese voice acting for the catgirls, plenty of sound effects and some very nice tunes

Girlish Grimoire Littlewitch Romanesque: Editio Perfecta

Girlish Grimoire Littlewitch Romanesque: Editio Perfecta

Girlish Grimoire Littlewitch Romanesque: Editio Perfecta is absolutely the definitive edition of this great game and an essential purchase for fans of the raising sim/visual novel genre. The plot might not be very epic, but it makes up for it with wonderful characters and gameplay that is a bit more involved than simply clicking through lines of dialogue. With titles such as this and the equally superb Steins;Gate JAST USA is really on a roll.

Gameplay: Some great scenes, characters and a very addictive dice mini-game.

Graphics: Excellent artwork from the very talented Oyari Ashito.

Sound: Great tunes, sound effects and the original Japanese voice acting

Game of Thrones – A Telltale Games Series – Episode 01: Iron From Ice

Game of Thrones – A Telltale Games Series – Episode 01: Iron From Ice

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

Loren The Amazon Princess + The Castle Of N’mar DLC

Loren The Amazon Princess + The Castle Of N’mar DLC

The storyline in Loren the Amazon Princess really sucked me in and the cast of memorable characters kept me hooked. The turn based combat also turned out to be surprisingly fun and the game has a ton of replay value. Hopefully with the Steam release the game will receive the attention that it deserves and open the flood gates for more Winter Wolves titles.

Gameplay: A very nice fusion of visual novel and role playing.

Graphics: Although there is no animation the artwork is beautiful.

Sound: Good sound effects and some very memorable tunes

Aqua Kitty – Milk Mine Defender

Aqua Kitty – Milk Mine Defender

Aqua Kitty – Milk Mine Defender might look like a charming, casual game but it has the heart of an old school arcade shooter and will really test your skills. The hand drawn pixel art is beautiful and the whole experience is enhanced by the excellent chiptune soundtrack.

Gameplay: Retro style side scrolling action that packs quite a challenge.

Graphics: Beautiful hand drawn pixel art.

Sound: A rocking chiptune soundtrack that compliments the action nicely