Gamer Escape

I want to see more games that match the ambition seen here, because gaming as a whole can only benefit when we see more people take risks like this more often. So long as you’re up for a bit of a challenge, you’re gonna have a blast with this game. Don’t think twice about picking this up, because it’s not going to think twice about showing you what it’s all about.

It’s a roguelike, but it’s a roguelike that gives you the perfect sort of bite-sized progress and even runs without your favorite options feel quick enough that you don’t resent missing out on your favorite options. If you want a chance to duck in, smash some monsters, and jump out, I think this is going to quickly become a staple. It’s god a fun energy to it, and I’m glad to say that it makes good on what it offers.

There is just the right amount of game here for me to call it one, and while there are a some small rough spots in the writing at various moments and perhaps a few too many spots where your decision making is purely a guessing game that can lead to death, the pure charm that this game oozes simply cannot be denied. Veritas Tales: Witch of the Dark Castle is an experience that, while perhaps not for everyone, will be unforgettable for the right people.

If you ask me to rank my favorite Stardew Valley-alikes, I would be lying if I said that Tales of Seikyu got the top spot. It’s got a few too many flaws here and there. Not major ones, but lots of little things along the way. However… it’s in the top five, absolutely. All of its faults are little. The kind of thing you notice and might have feelings about, but also the kind of thing that never makes you feel like this isn’t worth bothering with any longer. It’s minor gripes here and there that never derail the experience. And those little faults? They’re not worth dwelling on, because the overall vibe is a charming and engaging game where you are going to be having a good time. So it might not be a perfect ten, but my goodness, I am not done with this game. I have crops to ship and then I’m going to glide around for a while. Flying foxes indeed.

Luna Abyss is a game that refuses to overextend itself. It doesn’t take long to settle into an understanding of what the game is asking you to do mechanically, but it continuously finds new layers to fuse to the experience while tackling resonant themes with its story and providing a visual treat for the eyes. The end result is an accessible, mechanically satisfying shooter with bold visuals and an engaging sci-fi narrative that’s well worth your time.

Saint Slayer is very much to Castlevania what Shovel Knight was to Mega Man. A simple, pure, and quality experience that, although almost as punishing as the early days of NES side-scrollers, does just enough to make things fun for a lot more people while staying true to the source material. If you revel in Nintendo Hard goodness, this game will be right up your alley. Just don’t expect “Easy” to actually be easy! With some nice features for replayability, fans of classic side scrollers will find this a very worthy purchase that may not be PERFECTLY authentic, but it’s close enough. Casual gamers, however, may find it a bit too frustrating.

Ultimately, I can’t be too hard on Gecko Gods. It is a soft, gentle little thing of a game, not too expensive and offering exactly what it says on the tin. My issues with the game and how it makes use of its protagonist (or doesn’t) is not a fatal flaw. But it does mean that the game that I was hoping for turned out to not be the one that I got, and that means there’s kind of a harder ceiling on it than there might otherwise be. If a chill sort of adventure game wherein you happen to be a gecko sounds like a good time to you, then you are going to enjoy this game. It provides exactly that. Just be aware of what exactly you’re queueing up when you start in on the game.

It may have been a five-year wait, but I am so happy Arcadia Fallen got a second game. The charm from the first game lives on, but elevated with new tricks, and honestly, it really scratched my itch for a fun and immersive VN. As I mentioned above, the story itself isn’t grandiose or crazy, but it is a fun read, and you’re bound to love the cast. If anything, the abundance of choices you have to make will keep you busier than most other visual novels out there. On top of that, you’ll have a few challenging puzzles to keep things spicy. I’m honestly so sad this game is over for me. I truly enjoyed myself with this one and can’t wait for what’s next from Galdra Studios. Hopefully, the wait isn’t another five years, though. I want more Elias NOW!

Overall, I’m not quite sure if I liked Life is Strange: Reunion. I liked certain things about it, like Max and Chloe being back together, as well as the little bit of closure I got to see from my specific ending. But as I mentioned before, it didn’t feel grandiose or complete enough to be considered final game material. I think it should have been built up better, and we should have been given more time in the world and with the characters. Maybe then the payoff would have felt worth it, and I would have cared more about the outcome. Still, if you’re a fan of Max and Chloe like I am, and want to see what becomes of them, I recommend picking up this game. It will at least give you some really wholesome interactions between them, and you’ll get to see the conclusion to a decades-long story that was more than overdue. Sometimes nostalgia is all you need to carry you through, and I think perhaps Square Enix banked on that this time.

Resident Evil Requiem will very likely be in the conversation for Game of the Year, and it’s not hard to see why. Not only does it succeed as a great title in a legendary series, but it’s also a successful celebration of one of gaming’s horror staples. Not only will it satisfy longtime fans who have been there since day one, but the full experience will easily delight casual fans as well. I loved everything about Requiem, and I hope that those who decide to take the plunge will feel the same way. This easily rises to the level of love that RE4 has received over the years, and those taking the plunge might end up in the same boat. This is an absolutely phenomenal game in a beloved franchise, and it will likely be on the minds of many a gamer for years to come.