Deven McClure

“SoS: Grand Bazaar blew me away with its depth.”

“Beyond my enjoyment of the game itself, Tiny Bookshop also reinvigorated my love of reading. The books on my in-game shelves reminded me of so many good titles I haven’t read in a while, and gave me the strong urge to pick up a book each time I concluded a play session.”

“Tales of the Shire is ambitious but a bit insipid.”

“Though it may not appeal much to players who don’t care about occults, The Sims 4 Enchanted by Nature is much more than that: it opens up a lot of new avenues for design and overall storytelling in an absolutely enchanting world.”

“Oblivion Remastered remains weird, as it should.”

“Even with no obligation to continue playing, it’s still a game I’m compelled to return to. Between its intricate character classes, wonderful voice acting from Anjali Bhimani, and how the title balances teamwork and individual player freedom, Sunderfolk is a real gem.”

“Though it feels lacking in some areas, and is very much a release that’s dependent on players making their own fun, The Sims 4 Businesses & Hobbies still offers a lot of potential.”

“Two Point Museum is a management marvel.”

“However, as a whole, Life & Death feels like it has more love and attention to detail than any DLC in recent memory. For those who are fans of occult gameplay, the breadth of afterlife features is spectacular, and even for those who aren’t huge fans of occult DLC, the additions regarding things like funerals and inheritances are very versatile. Arguably one of the very best Expansion Packs the current iteration of the franchise has ever seen, The Sims 4 Life & Death is so good it’s scary.”

“Just Dance 2025 is exactly what fans will expect.”

“Frostpunk 2 is an innovative take on management.”

“The game also showcases a great sense of humor on every level, from eccentric gameplay and entertainingly-nonsensical arguments to small details like its ads, which are designed by fellow developers and feature Easter eggs for other games like Cult of the Lamb. Especially considering the game's $16.99 price, it's easy to overlook some of its flaws, like repetition or a few buggy conversations where characters spoke too far apart, when it's so genuinely clever on every level. Crush House doesn't require a preexisting love of reality TV to enjoy - only an appreciation for true ingenuity.”

“It's particularly impressive the way the game manages to subtly corral the player by changing areas slightly over time, creating a largely linear experience that still feels like it offers some level of free exploration. The very short length of the title and the fact that the overall gameplay is never that complex may be a drawback for some, but it's the sort of title that's more about the overall experience. Thank Goodness You're Here! is a wild, clever ride that's incredibly unique, and a great way to spend an afternoon.”

“The multifaceted way combat works as a whole in the title is still impressive despite the aforementioned repetition, however, as is the overall gang hierarchy system concept. It's not perfect, but it has a good baseline of gameplay and has one of the most important qualities a roguelike can have, which is feeling a sense of learning something new each time around. For players looking for a new way to try out tactics in a rich sci-fi setting, Space Prison is certainly worth a look.”

“The main story is only a few hours, but finding every creature will take a solid amount of extra time. Flock doesn't just provide a great sense of wonder, but a large amount of relaxation as well, and forces you to be very present - the smallest movement in the grass can mean a new discovery. The world is remarkably beautiful, and the act of something like simply flying through the forest with an eccentric-looking flock as the sun rises, listening to the wind and the calls of animals, is amazingly serene, and makes Flock a truly special experience.”

“The overall racing in the game has a unique feel to it, capturing the chaotic arcade fun of the original Sprint arcade games while also feeling like a true expansion of the gameplay presented in previous entries. Though it has its shortcomings, the quality of life features, extra modes, and opportunities to be creative that it offers make for a satisfying followup so many years later. Whether players are fans of the original entries or just fans of the genre looking to try out a new kind of skillset, NeoSprint offers a special kind of racing experience.”

“The game feels like an escape into nature where players are also able to make meaningful change at their own pace, and is a lovely way to wind down at the end of a long day. It's certainly not a cozy game that can be played indefinitely - or, in truth, even for more than perhaps 10 hours at the very most, depending on how fast players opt to progress - but the time that is spent is overall quite endearing. With charming visuals, calming music, and a bevy of adorable frogs to be adopted and given silly names, Kamaeru: A Frog Refuge offers a fun, amphibious twist on a well-trodden format.”

“While the game isn't quite an Oscar winner, it's certainly good enough to be nominated, bringing a fresh take on classic mechanics in a very satisfying way. It offers so much room for players to be creative, and with future plans for new features and content packs, that potential has even more room to grow. For long-time fans of the genre, Blockbuster Inc. is arguably a must-play, and newcomers will likely find a lot to enjoy too.”

“It may not be a perfect deckbuilding game, but Zet Zillions still creates a very engaging atmosphere through creative mechanics, bold aesthetics, and fantastic music. For only $10 it's arguably still a fair amount of bang for one's buck, and is worth looking into for roguelite fans looking for something new.”

“Despite its romance mechanic shortcomings and the fact the main character can sometimes feel a bit bland, the game still does a great job at being an engaging visual novel. The first Sucker for Love was more like a looser exploration of a silly idea, but Date to Die For has really taken those concepts and run with them to make something much more defined and worthwhile. Though largely leaning into raunchy humor and horror, the title still manages to raise a few poignant questions about just what love and death mean in its roughly five-hour runtime.”