Samantha Lienhard

“While it won’t take you more than a few hours and falters a little with its supporting cast, the unusual approach to puzzle-solving in Whispers of a Machine ensure there’s enough replay value to make a return worthwhile.”

“The World Next Door implements a nice twist on match-3 puzzles for its combat system, and it presents an interesting world with a varied cast of characters.”

“If you enjoy mysteries and detective stories, it’s hard to go wrong with Lamplight City. While the puzzles might not be as challenging as in other games in the genre, the narrative takes center stage and provides a memorable experience.”

“The Last Birdling is neither a long story nor a happy one, but it is a moving visual novel that deals with dark themes alongside questions of friendship and love.”

“A.W.: Phoenix Festa combines the action RPG and dating sim genres, but unfortunately doesn’t excel at either.”

“Though it could use a little more polish, Shrouded in Sanity is an intriguing and challenging experience that should appeal to fans of Souls games and H.P. Lovecraft.”

“Detective Hunt – Crownston City PD is a little rough around the edges, but its multiple paths and intertwined stories show potential.”

“If you’re comfortable with the high difficulty of its puzzles, Goetia is an enjoyable adventure game with a dark and intriguing story.”

“Although you’ll sometimes resort to trial and error, Samorost 3’s unsettling beauty and surreal atmosphere makes up for the frustration caused by its illogical puzzles.”

“Nelly Cootalot: The Fowl Fleet is a charming and entertaining point-and-click adventure game, with logical puzzles, a lighthearted story, and truly hilarious dialogue.”

“With plenty of upgrades and beautiful environments, its core gameplay is solid, but poor navigation and frustrating difficulty prevent it from being a flawless experience.”