GameBlast

Beastro has a base solid enough not to bore and to be worth it as an experience — what's missing is a bit more careful work to elevate it above the level of mere curiosity. Timberline Studios' talent is obvious and the team deserves a second chance to keep proving themselves; I just wish this one had been it.

The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales is a charming and fun title whose greatest merits lie in its world-building, the charisma of its cast, and its strong focus on dungeon exploration and puzzle-solving. Despite some reservations regarding the depth of its customization systems, the journey through the different eras of Philabieldia is quite satisfying.

Gothic 1 Remake honors the classic by maintaining and improving its core elements. The slow progression is compensated by a clear evolution of the hero, while the challenging combat and dark setting shine in the new graphics engine. However, Unreal Engine 5 introduced bugs and performance drops that await correction. Furthermore, the chest-cracking minigame is excessively complex for the title's purpose.

In spite of its own efforts, Solarpunk winds up smaller than the sum of its parts. A little bit more TLC in the construction of this beautiful world would’ve made it an excellent addition to the genre; in its current state, however, it’s a game only worth it to those seeking an experience that’s (almost) totally devoid of friction.

Psyvariar 3 is a good title that continues another franchise that remained confined to the Eastern world for quite some time. However, the variety of games in the same niche makes it somewhat overshadowed, even with its unique aspects. The cluttered HUD also contributes to this, as there are several titles that offer the same chaos, but in a cleaner and more understandable way. Perhaps, in a new, bolder and less nostalgic opportunity, the series will manage to position itself among the classics of the genre.

Truck Driver: The American Dream had a cool idea in bringing a backstory to a truck simulator, but it failed in several technical and aesthetic aspects. The feeling I got was that it was a title from a few generations ago that had been reheated and re-released for the current one. Compared to many current simulators, this game falls far short of the dream its name suggests.

Swordhaven: Iron Conspiracy is a high-quality RPG that offers plenty of variety and autonomy to the player. The classless character system is a bold decision that sticks the landing, the combat works really well in both modes and the missions are mostly fun and engaging. All of that is not enough to forge an identity, and the game fails to do so due to a remarkable lack of personality in aesthetics, music and writing.

Xanthiom 2 stands out for including another game as a bonus: Xanthiom Zero Resimulated, accessible right from the start. It's a duo heavily inspired by the Metroid series and, despite its modest production values, it also has its highs. On the positive side, there's the varied shooting modifier system, as well as distinct exploration structures with well-applied mechanics and resources, avoiding the feeling of mere repetition from one game to the other. On the negative side, however, the art in Xanthiom 2 isn't appealing, and the bosses in Resimulated are too easy for those playing on medium difficulty (it can’t be changed on the fly). The final result is favorable, and the package has everything to entertain those who enjoy donning their space armor to explore the depths of alien planets in search of new abilities and upgrades.

Map Map - A Game About Maps is an honest proposition that finds its niche by focusing on something few games explore: teaching something real in an organic way, without sacrificing entertainment. It's not a game that will surprise you with its scale or complexity. Its strength lies precisely in the opposite: the simplicity with which it presents genuine mechanics, the lightness of the progression, and the welcoming atmosphere that transforms each island into a small invitation to exploration.

Unrailed 2: Back on Track is the evolution of the first title in the best possible way, enhancing the original chaos with a layer of challenge that can even be somewhat punishing for those playing alone, but is perfect for gathering a group of friends to take your train as far as possible… or let it catch fire while arguing about who should grab the bucket.