Alyssa Rochelle Payne

“I Hate This Place has good ideas, but its execution misses the mark. A lacklustre story, not enough horror, and disjointed mechanics likely won't appeal to survival horror fans.”

“Dead Format is clearly inspired by classic horror games and film, blending both in a visually striking manner. Though it has room for improvement, the potential is there, and it's overall a fun time.”

“Space Chef isn't a meal I'll want to eat again. The slow, frustrating progression system and boring content aren't appetising.”

“The Lonesome Guild takes you into a wondrous world and unpacks relatable themes through its narrative, but while the combat, storytelling, and environments are serviceable, they don't reach their full potential.”

“Arctic Awakening starts with a captivating mystery, but fails to stick the landing. The poorly developed story, lacklustre voice acting, and technical issues let down its potential.”

“The Necromancer's Tale is a promising, well-written RPG with a fleshed-out trust system and rich characters, but simplistic, clunky combat hinders the game a bit.”

“The Drifter is a well-written, fast-paced point-and-click thriller that will keep you glued to your seat. It's a must-play for those who love puzzlers, mystery, and adventure.”

“Finding Frankie is a mostly fun parkour experience with interesting levels and enemies, but the clunky controls are hard to ignore in this movement-focused title, and the lack of horror won't satisfy those looking for their next scare.”

“The Darkest Files is a well-crafted courtroom game that's grounded in history, offering deep investigative gameplay and excellent storytelling.”

“ORDER 13 is a bite-sized horror game that will have you on edge as you try to keep your cute cat alive and strict quotas fulfilled. Cute, scary, and challenging – it's definitely worth a try.”

“The Backrooms 1998's jumpscare-heavy take on the Backrooms is an underwhelming entry in the horror space with poor sound design choices, lack of intentionality with its mechanics, and bugs.”

“While Waiting is a lovely puzzler that embraces patience and offers a tonne of fun if you let your curiosity go wild while you wait. Its variety, replayability, and charming style make it easy to recommend.”

“Into the Emberlands is a delightful exploration-based game that sees you gathering resources and rebuilding a cute yet ramshackle town. It's perfect for those needing a chill and casual time with a good balance of challenge and variation.”

“Creo God Simulator makes smiting villagers fun, and there's no shortage of godly powers at your disposal, but gameplay lulls, high building costs, and repetitiveness can dampen your time as Creostrider.”

“Don't Be Afraid 2 faithfully recreates the first's horrific atmosphere and shifts its focus to escape rooms. More puzzle variety and a grander scope could've elevated the experience, but it's still a worthy pickup for fans of David's story.”

“Sofie: The Echoes looks like a compelling story-driven shooter at first glance, but it's rife with awful enemy AI, optimisation issues, poor design choices, and game-breaking bugs. Steer clear of this one.”

“Garden Witch Life has fun gardening gameplay and a lot of potential, but the good is overshadowed by underbaked characters, awkward progression, bugs, and a lack of "witchy" elements.”

“Copycat has visual charm and enjoyable cat-based gameplay, but with a short runtime and poorly executed story, it isn't worth your time, especially if you love cats.”

“The Crimson Diamond is a cosy retro-style murder mystery with an excellent story, enjoyable puzzles, and a charming protagonist. This is a must-play for anyone who loves text-based adventure games or wants an accessible, modern entry point into the genre.”

“Innovative, memorable, and well-written, Vampire Therapist is easy to recommend to visual novel fans and anyone interested in cognitive behavioural therapy.”