Andrew Agress

“SLEEP AWAKE is a deeply artistic game that feels like navigating a beautiful yet eerie dreamscape. It's a bit light on gameplay aside from its eerie stealth sections. But with a haunting atmosphere of psychedelic visuals, otherworldly sounds, and creepy FMV moments, it's got style for days-or sleepless nights.”

“For those who can't get enough Indy, The Order of Giants whips up an engaging Indiana Jones mini-adventure. What it lacks in scope it more than makes up for with some of the best puzzles in the entire game. And its standalone Rome story feels like a movie unto itself, filled with rich lore and moments of wonder.”

“Atomfall Wicked Isle starts off promising with a trip to an eerie island inhabited by cults and creepy fish people. But the call of the mainland proves too much as it segues back to the base game in many ways. It's a fine diversion, but doesn't do much to differentiate itself from what's already in the game.”

“Mouthwashing offers a top-tier sci-fi horror story with themes and symbols that will likely stay with you long after your journey aboard the Tulpar. The gameplay is passive and repetitive, but those craving well-written characters and story content should appreciate their time in the captain's chair.”

“Clock Tower: Rewind turns back the clock as it gives players a look at an influential horror game from the 90s than few in the west got to play. Even with updates, it's still a bit cumbersome. And yet it's dripping in dread and atmosphere and has style as sharp as oversized scissors.”

“With satisfying and story-related puzzle and genuine chills, Fear the Spotlight delivers a top-notch, bite-sized, lo-fi horror experience. Contrary to its title, it steps into the spotlight as the best indie horror game of the year.”

“Though not as exciting or inventive as the previous Alan Wake 2 DLC, The Lake House does a solid job of connecting Alan Wake and Control together while offering a fairly creepy if somewhat generic survival horror experience.”

“Night Springs is the rare DLC that both retains a bit of everything from its base game and improves upon it. Alan Wake 2 already has a lot going for it, but its first DLC has its characteristic cheesiness, creepiness, and cosmic-ness across three chapters. It runs a bit short, but it's a great supernatural sampler of Alan Wake at its best.”

“Drawing from horror authors and their creations, World of Horror builds its own web of eldritch beings and cosmic occurrences. The roguelike nature of mysteries in the game ensures that no two runs remain the same. Though certain mechanics rise above others, World of Horror keeps things fresh with creepy visuals, multiple plot resolutions, and degrees of customization, even as its coastal town falls into decay.”

“Slay the Princess is a must-play for fans of branching narratives. Choices have consequences, and how much horror you encounter falls to you. Along the way, enjoy the macabre visuals and audio. While the game can't put a bow on every decision, replaying for extra routes proves a royal pleasure. Turn down the lights, cozy up with a nice cup of tea (may I suggest blood orange?), and decide whether or not to commit regicide.”

“Meet Your Maker antes up the adventure of pulling off a heist and the artistry of building an impenetrable base. Some players may get put off by the paltry upgrades, but those who crave other kinds of variety will marvel at the many heists to pull off and bases to design right at their fingertips.”

“With an engaging story about urban legends bolstered by a branching storyline, Paranormasight hovers over other visual novels with its many interactive elements. It suffers from the curses of certain puzzles that prove arbitrary and a story that gets spread too thin. But the captivating characters and central mystery keep the tale of this mystery-adventure title as one legend worth spreading.”

“SpiderHeck can absolutely bring out the competitive spirit in people. But its natural charm lies in providing laughs when the chaos lets loose and somebody swings right into a laser sword or accidentally blows up a chunk of the map. It would benefit from a bit more variety in game modes and content, but as it stands it offers a fun and unique spin on the couch brawler genre.”

“Fobia – St. Dinfna Hotel offers an embarrassment of riches for horror game fans, but throwing all of the best scary game mechanics into one title and hoping they make for a great game doesn't quite pan out. Still, this hotel should satisfy those players looking for some old-school scares, even if others may want to consider spending the night elsewhere.”

“Frightence has some good ideas behind it and builds a creepy ambience around its eerie apartment building, but technical, durational, and gameplay limitations plague it alongside a scarce amount of content.”

“With new stories, secrets, soundtracks, Sayori snacks, and so much more, Doki Doki Literature Club Plus proves the definitive way to experience an already great game.”