Ashleigh Klein

“Avid fans of indie cozy sandbox building games such as Make Room, Tiny Glade, and Palia will be wonderfully pleased with Log Away, offering players a chance to build and design their dream cabin retreat. However, some optimization and performance issues, and a restrictive-sized plot hindered gameplay and creativity if players are willing to overcome them.”

“Developer Mimmox packed quite the punch with their indie gaming debut, UMAMI, and gave us more than the entire meal and dessert! As much as we can include as many food-related puns and idioms to express how blissfully enjoyable puzzle-solving is, it's the moments that remain for a long time despite its short gameplay length.”

“PowerWash Simulator 2 comes fully soaped up with new map locations, more objects and buildings to clean, and much-needed adjustments and optimizations for a surprisingly enjoyable gameplay experience. However, with a blueprint set in stone for the first release, the developer didn't do much to shake it up, leaving the game to feel more like a continuation or expansion rather than a traditional sequel.”

“Playtonic Games has reignited those nostalgic feelings with the release of Yooka-Replaylee, paying special attention to players' feedback and delivering a well-polished and entertaining gameplay experience. There are some significant changes made, including improvements to the game's visuals and controls; however, level progression remains a concern.”

“Having played our fair share of a handful of sandbox, farming, and life sim games like Stardew Valley, Coral Island, Mirthwood, Wanderstop, and Palia, Slime Rancher 2 is yet another delightful addition that players can spend hours investing in. With a new location to explore, spending hours personalizing your Ranch and interacting with the environments, every minute spent adventuring and engaging with the adorably wiggly slimes is an absolute joy!”

“Revisiting the first Trails game was a fantastic and smart decision made by the developer, as the remake, Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter, is the most well-polished and comprehensive entry to introduce or reintroduce players to its impressive world. Now, this reimagined world feels more expansive and immersive, and while its original story has been left untouched, the developer made smart key changes, including improved localization, quality-of-life updates, stunning visuals, and characters that are captivating from their first appearance to the final scene.”

“Artis Impact will certainly attract fans of Octopath Traveler, Bravely Default, Dragon Quest, and Sea of Stars with their unique take on this turn-based RPG that will have players going from battling ferocious enemies and bosses, trying to earn an income, to enjoying a warming bowl of ramen in a single turn.”

“Rematch evokes the nostalgic feelings of the glorious FIFA Street days by revitalizing arcade football with casual and ranked multiplayer modes that allow players to delve in. While the developer has future content planned for the game, the game is being marred by a myriad of technical issues that impact gameplay and server stability, but they are being proactive with patch updates that hopefully add that luster before the season ends.”

“ESO: Gold Road boasts an exceptionally well-written storyline, a compelling main character, scenic landscapes, and a World Event worth sinking your teeth into. However, the Scribing system feels incomplete but has the potential to become a useful mechanic with time and effort.”

“RIDE 5 is a thrilling experience, with plenty of content. But with a high learning curve, you'll need to spend quite some time finessing your racing experience before it gets really good.”

“For what it offers: plenty of otherworldly environments, a philosophical yet somber approach to narrative, atmospheric musical compositions, and moderately challenging puzzles from an independent studio, Lifeless Moon is an impressive follow-up that will invade your thoughts long after it ends.”