Saras Rajpal

“Code Violet is the worst game I've ever played. The narrative lacks any substance, and all of the characters are devoid of any personality. Further, all of the female characters are written to be mere objects designed for nothing more than sex appeal, which goes double for the protagonist. The gameplay and presentation are also extremely lifeless and boring, with neither having any redeeming qualities. Considering the game is $50, all I can say is this: do not buy this game.”

“BrokenLore: Unfollow is a short and sweet horror title all about the ills of social media and parasocial relationships. While it doesn't exactly introduce any bold new ideas and the frequency of jumpscares are a bit infuriating, the great portrayal of a theme that has been done to death, unique concepts in the narrative and gameplay, fun exploration, and replayability make it a great time for any fans of the horror genre.”

“Big Hops is an experience rife with frustrating flaws. While it has elements that work well, such as the gameplay mechanics and narrative premise, it is undermined by a lackluster presentation, worlds that feel barren and empty, and numerous technical glitches. Further, because of these problems, I never wanted to find any of the collectibles. At the end of the day, it pales in comparison to other 3D platformers, whether indie or AAA.”

“The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is a truly generational game. It improves on all aspects of its predecessor, Breath of the Wild. The narrative balances various tones and progresses the character arcs of its major protagonists, while introducing new and compelling NPCs. Further, the gameplay only enhances one of gaming's greatest sandboxes with a new fantastic line of abilities, activities, dungeons, and boss fights. Everything about Tears of the Kingdom is perfect, and as far as I'm concerned, it's one of the best games I've ever played in my entire life.”

“Despelote is a great autobiographical narrative that will likely strike a chord with you if you grew up watching events such as the World Cup. While the repetitive gameplay and strange controls are frustrating, the presentation, story premise, and charming moments are more than enough to immerse you in a specific and unique era in history. Plus, with the short runtime and small price, if you like short and sweet games and have a passion for football/soccer, then this is a must-buy.”

“The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is still a masterpiece, even after eight years. While the shrines, lack of proper dungeons, frustrating difficulty with the DLCs, and odd choices with the Switch 2 version can pull players away from the immersive experience, the narrative, gameplay, extra content, and improved visuals on Switch 2 more than make up for any low points. The legacy of Breath of the Wild has persevered for nearly a decade, and for good reason. If you haven't played it for yourself, then you owe it to yourself to play a genuine contender for one of the best games of all time.”

“As its name implies, Milano's Odd Job Collection is an odd game. On one hand, it succeeds in its goal of localizing a game from 1999 for modern audiences. However, due to its age, certain elements of its design, such as the repetitive gameplay and a lack of variety in extra content, can often create an experience that is more tedious than fun. For only $15, though, and considering its importance in preserving an older title, these issues are somewhat negligible. If you're a fan of life sim games, you will likely get a kick out of this game.”

“UNBEATABLE is a frustrating mess. While there's a great gameplay and narrative premise, it's often undermined by frequent glitches, strange writing, and a focus on random minigames, exploration, and platforming instead of the core rhythm sections. Even if all the bugs are fixed, I struggle to recommend this game for other players”

“Goodnight Universe is a fantastic take on the "interactive story" genre. It features a beautiful story, a great cast of characters, and a beautiful art style. Even if the gameplay is limited, the few segments that are present only add to the strength of the narrative, as you get to step into the world of a psychically-powered baby and all that entails. At such a small price and with a short runtime, Goodnight Universe is great if you're looking to immerse yourself in a science-fiction look at the wonder of childhood.”

“MotionRec is a game that lives and dies on its gameplay mechanics. The concept of being able to record and replay your movements never gets old, partly thanks to the introduction of new gimmicks you encounter throughout your journey. While the game lacks a recognizable soundtrack, memorable levels, and an intriguing narrative, the charming visual style and exciting gameplay more than make up for it. If you're looking for a charming and short puzzle platformer, then MotionRec is definitely worth your time.”

“Donkey Kong Bananza's DLC, DK Island & Emerald Rush, is a complicated package. On the one hand, it is an utter treat being able to revisit DK Island and observe all the hidden details. On the other hand, the new addition lacks any substance, plus the Emerald Rush mode isn't particularly enjoyable. Considering the price of $20, it's hard to recommend the DLC for anyone other than a die-hard fan of both DK Bananza and the roguelite genre.”

“Snow Bros. 2 Special doesn't earn its return after over thirty years. While the game has a unique premise that is somewhat enjoyable at first, the lack of any meaningful gameplay adjustments, an uninteresting story, and insufficient replayability options make it more infuriating than fun. Combined with the lack of any interesting additions, a three-hour long runtime, and a $30 pricetag, Snow Bros. 2 Special is a hard game to recommend.”

“While Among Ashes has a great premise and takes advantage of it through interesting gameplay choices, the bland story, excessive puzzles, and numerous glitches make for a flawed experience that I wouldn’t recommend spending money on until some of the issues are fixed.”

“While Threshold doesn't do too much to justify its short runtime, has a misleading genre label, and has a few bugs and glitches that may break your immersion, the overall experience is fantastic. The unique premise, addicting gameplay loop, and dreamlike visuals will have you hooked from beginning to end. Plus, thanks to its multiple endings, you'll likely be going back to Threshold over and over again to find out everything it has to offer.”

“Apartment Story is a game that falls short of any and all expectations. There is a lack of any true tension in this horror game due to an uninteresting antagonist and lackluster resolutions, the gameplay is glitchy and gives the player no room to experiment, and the story is uninteresting due to a short runtime and a lack of any character development for its characters. As such, it is unable to fulfill its potential as a thrilling narrative experience.”

“Snowman Story is a short and sweet game where players go on a journey as the titular snowman, Chris. Despite the lackluster gameplay, the game boasts a beautiful art style and with its heartfelt story, it's the perfect way to ring in the Holiday season and pay tribute to the "most wonderful time of the year."”