Amanda Seraphim

“I love meta-games. Titles like Inscryption, There Is No Game: Wrong Dimension, and Bem Feito have left a lasting impression by brilliantly playing with the form. Omi Oh My AI doesn’t reach that standard. Even its attempt at The Stanley Parable’s experimental style falls flat. The only praise I can offer is for the initial idea—loved in concept, loathed in execution. It pains me to give an indie title a negative review, but I had a bad time. It was boring, tedious, and felt like an eternity despite lasting only a few hours. I have no desire to play the third act, and while curiosity about the non-existent story might one day compel me, I cannot recommend it.”

“Astronook is a fun, casual puzzle game that is more challenging than it seems. You get to play as if you are a real astronomer in a cozy room filled with memories. The story is very emotional and relatable, about a person who grew out of a childhood dream to pursue a different career. Connecting stars seems plain, but each constellation poses its own difficulty and makes the game more engaging. The art, the sound design, and the ambience are relaxing, and the gameplay is satisfying. Completing the scrapbook feels more like a personal collection of favorite things than a challenge, and it’s very enjoyable. If you get stuck on a puzzle, a few hints will pop up from time to time to help you find the solution. Anyone who is interested in astronomy would very much enjoy this game because searching for planets and other wonders of space feels like using a real-life telescope, and the constellations are quite beautiful. It’s also very gratifying to fill your star map with all the available constellations and see your astronomical collection grow. It’s a quiet and solitary adventure filled with the company of the stars and memories of the past — a nostalgia for the simpler, purer days of childhood.”

“Cozyrama is a very complete sandbox game with the potential to become someone’s favorite. It offers a lot of good options for decorating, and a workshop that can supply what is missing. The ability to share your creations and download others’ work is a huge plus, as they are very helpful and inspiring if you ever feel stuck. It’s a delightful and deeply satisfying digital craft box that delivers exactly what it promises: a no-pressure, endlessly customizable space to build charming miniature worlds.”

“It’s hard to say I had a good time with Nature. Perhaps I approached it with unrealistic expectations, or maybe it just wasn’t made for me. As a board game lover, it pains me not to enjoy a title like this, though I admit I rarely enjoy digital adaptations. Something often gets lost in translation between media, and that seems true here. Nature could have been better, bigger, and more fun by embracing the unique possibilities of digital play. It didn’t, and the result feels lacking.”

“All jokes aside, Ribbit Ranch was a delightful surprise. A simple idle-collecting concept with clicker features is a great combo for cozy gamers, and using frogs feels obvious yet refreshing. It’s relaxing, fun, and offers tons of content while staying stimulating. For achievement hunters, it’s easier than expected—you don’t need a complete Ribbidex. There’s a demo on Steam if you’re unsure, but I’ll admit: I liked it more than I thought I would!”

“Hidden Cats in Spooky Village it’s a hidden object game that fulfils genre expectations while avoiding mere basics; it uses a formula that’s more engaging than average. The series’ consistent release schedule without quality loss is also praiseworthy, especially since the games don’t take long to complete. A great addition to your Steam library and a source of new achievements, this game is a fine title for anyone who wants to spend a few hours searching for cats.”

“A Case of Fraud provided me a very good time piecing the information together, and the journey around the dozens of documents was enjoyable. While the final mystery could be harder to solve and the volume of clues sometimes feels overwhelming, the parallel stories are incredibly engaging. They add a rich layer of intrigue that makes you wonder what it would be like to work at this company. The game reminds me of a few board games about investigations that are popping up on social media, where you receive the documents printed in your home. It’s great to see such a good idea adapted to an online form, and I hope the studio can bring us more cases like that!”

“Umami has great potential to be your companion for a quiet afternoon. Although I feel the game could be a little bigger, its visual style and overall experience are quite relaxing and very fitting for those moments when you just want to distract your mind. For a casual gamer or a puzzle lover, it will be a delightful diversion.”