Risto Karinkanta

“A fast-paced card fighting game unnecessarily complicates a fun basic idea.”

“The intense card game creates a solid experience of fighting and Gun Fu.”

“The strategy classic has been transformed into a modern version that carries with it the joys and sins of the original game.”

“An exceptionally well-functioning, tight building and resource management game.”

“Millennia is a grand and demanding 4X strategy game that caters to players who crave complexity beyond Civilization. Its deep resource management, alternate historical ages, and massive scope create a rewarding experience for dedicated strategists. While AI shortcomings and shallow diplomacy remain issues, a year of updates has turned it into a polished and engaging title.”

“The classic tactical FPS game with demanding learning curve and tight margins seeks new life with F2P model.”

“Yes, Your Grace: Snowfall is a strong sequel to the original indie hit, blending narrative adventure with light resource management. Continuing directly from the first game, players once again balance the demands of ruling a medieval kingdom—making decisions for subjects, managing limited supplies, and navigating a branching story influenced by past choices. New mechanics, like prestige conversion and kingdom upgrades, deepen the strategy without overwhelming. The structure remains approachable, with clear guidance and manageable consequences. While not radically innovative, Snowfall offers more of what made the original so beloved—engaging storytelling paired with meaningful, strategic decision-making.”

“Lost Records: Bloom & Rage, Don't Nod's latest episodic game, delivers a moving two-part story in the spirit of Life is Strange. It follows four women reuniting in their hometown, weaving 1990s nostalgia with present-day reckoning and hints of magical realism. The first episode is warm and reflective, while the second takes a darker turn, confronting past trauma. Strong writing and an inventive dialogue system shine, though technical issues, especially on PC, slightly dampen the experience. Still, it’s a compelling narrative that sets a strong foundation for future entries.”

“Dark Forces Remaster is a faithful revival of the classic Star Wars shooter, preserving both its strengths and its flaws. While smoother controls and minor graphical updates improve the experience, the game’s aged level design, limited saves, and simplistic AI remind players just how far shooters have come in 30 years.”

“Hexarchy blends 4X strategy and deck-building into a fast-paced, highly addictive experience with hour-long sessions where every move matters. While the game’s tight pacing and streamlined tech tree set it apart, early-game randomness can sometimes feel unfair.”

“Dune: Spice Wars is a deeply thematic 4X-RTS hybrid that captures the political and strategic intrigue of the Dune universe, offering multiple paths to victory, from warfare to diplomacy and economic dominance. While the game’s depth and variety make for a compelling experience, the lack of a true story-driven campaign slightly limits its long-term appeal.”

“Marvel Snap delivers a fast-paced, strategic card game experience with simple mechanics and unpredictable elements. Its non-intrusive monetization and quick sessions make it highly engaging for both casual and serious players.”

“Warzone 2.0 refines the original formula with fresh updates like a revamped Gulag and expanded vehicle options, enhancing the overall experience. However, despite these improvements, it remains a cautious iteration rather than a true innovation, leaving some players wanting more groundbreaking changes.”

“Gerda: A Flame in Winter is a Nordic narrative adventure game set in Nazi-occupied Denmark during World War II. The player takes on the role of Gerda, a nurse caught between loyalty and resistance after her husband is arrested by the Gestapo for his ties to the local resistance. As a Danish-German, Gerda navigates a web of tense relationships, smuggling plots, and moral dilemmas in her village. The gameplay centers on tough choices, limited resources, and managing Gerda’s emotional energy, with branching dialogues and consequences that encourage replayability. Featuring a minimalist watercolor art style and no manual saves, the game delivers an intimate and emotionally impactful experience rooted in real historical events.”

“Old World is a historical strategy game that blends the turn-based empire-building of Civilization with the character-driven dynastic management of Crusader Kings. Set exclusively in antiquity, the game introduces unique mechanics like limited city placement, card-based tech progression, and command points that restrict actions per turn, adding strategic depth. Players manage both their empire and royal family, making choices that shape the development of individual characters and the stability of the realm. While its innovations are notable—such as resource-driven building and specialist systems—it leans heavily on familiar genre conventions. A DLC campaign, Heroes of the Aegean, offers scripted historical scenarios. Despite lacking the bold freshness of Humankind, Old World is a solid and rewarding strategy experience, now more accessible with its arrival on Steam.”

“Hammerting is a promising but overly micromanaged dwarf colony builder. While its concept—crafting a mountain fortress to fuel wartime trade—is intriguing, the game struggles with clunky AI, overcomplicated systems, and overwhelming micromanagement. Despite charm and clever ideas, it lacks the polish or balance to fully deliver on its potential.”

“Cloudpunk: City of Ghosts is a strong narrative-driven expansion that builds on the neon-lit, dystopian world of Cloudpunk, offering more of what fans loved. While it doesn’t introduce new areas or mechanics, it excels in atmosphere, character development, and story depth, making it a worthy continuation. The occasional grind and repetitive delivery loops may wear thin, but the rich storytelling and immersive cityscape keep the experience compelling throughout its 20-hour runtime.”

“Forgotten Fields attempts a heartfelt dual narrative about a struggling writer and his fantasy story but falters due to clunky controls, technical issues, and outdated design. While its warm, introspective tone and soundtrack offer some charm, the gameplay is bogged down by bugs, stiff animation, and lackluster visuals. Despite a decent ending and short runtime, the overall experience struggles to stay immersive or engaging, making it suitable mostly for achievement hunters or the most forgiving narrative game fans.”

“Spacebase Startopia is a humorous space station management game that revives the cult classic Startopia with updated visuals and gameplay. It features a multi-ringed space station where players build infrastructure, cater to alien tourists, and manage resources. While the game includes fun ideas and quirky AI commentary, it suffers from clunky controls, limited depth, and occasionally chaotic gameplay pacing. Despite a long campaign and multiplayer features, the game lacks the polish and charm needed to fully captivate, making it an amusing but ultimately forgettable experience.”

“If Found... is a short but deeply moving visual novel about Kasio, a young woman who has transitioned and returns to her conservative Irish hometown. The story is told through a unique "erasing" mechanic that reveals the next scene beneath, symbolizing memory and identity. While Kasio struggles with rejection from her family and community, she finds solace among a group of outsiders. The game interweaves her personal journey with a parallel sci-fi narrative, ultimately merging the two. With its stylized visuals, cultural authenticity, and emotional storytelling, If Found... delivers a powerful, artistic exploration of self-acceptance and belonging. It's a standout title that earned a Game Awards nomination for its social impact.”