Jill Grodt

“A chillingly enthralling mystery, The Séance of Blake Manor resonates with an eeriness earned not by cheap thrills but with carefully crafted tension.”

“Ila is an experience in motion. My heroine’s skatebroom glides over snowbanks, pierces ice sheets, and rockets down winding slopes. Each interconnected but distinct environment holds creative ways to put your skills to the test, along with collectable objects which can increase your wealth, upgrade your fashion, boost your magical abilities, and provide context for the world. Every new environment is a delight to explore, and as I grow more powerful, the layers of each level open up to me.”

“And Roger took me from fear to joy to heartbreak, landing somewhere close to bittersweet as the credits rolled. Its constantly shifting controls not only replicate the characters' inner feelings admirably, but also manage to tell me what to do without saying a word. Everyone should take the time to experience this game for themselves.”

“The nostalgic visuals, carefully crafted exploration, and thought-provoking themes keep me digging for more, despite the game’s narrative haze.”

“Because of everything that is spectacular about Silt – its stunning art style, atmospheric environments, and pensive story – I wanted to love this game. It just wouldn’t let me. Exasperating puzzles with little guidance frequently slowed my progress to a halt and left me banging my head against a wall. Even so, I still encourage players to pick up the title, if for no other reason than to experience so gorgeous a game.”

“Trek to Yomi looks and feels noticeably outdated for such an aesthetically pleasing game. And its archaic gameplay can’t be completely covered up by its artistic black-and-white filter. Trek to Yomi tried to reach the heights of lauded Japanese filmmaking, but unfortunately, it falls almost as flat as its 2D combat plane.”

“It took me a little over six hours to get my first victory screen, but that wasn’t the end of the game. Unlocking everything, uncovering secrets, and piecing together the lore are all a part of the almost inexhaustible experience. It can be acutely irritating to fall victim to a first-level foe after nearly making it to the last boss in the previous run, but the game is hard to put down. Loot River reimagines some of its inspirations' best elements, offering players a chance to sail cleverly through each environment, grow powerful enough to slice up once-impossible threats, and unravel a story that smartly weaves into its gameplay.”

“Tunic brilliantly captures the feeling of that special childhood title that made you fall in love with video games.”

“Pupperazzi isn't a substantial adventure, but its absurd, playful, and dog-filled world serves as a lighthearted retreat.”

“Nothing here will surprise seasoned gamers but The Gunk has enough diverting action and puzzle-solving in its brief runtime to keep players' attention”

“Solutions are often clever and make the player feel smart, even if they call on the robust hint system for guidance. In a delightful surprise, the unfolding narrative connects to the seemingly random puzzles, though the story could be more impactful”

“This surreal, multifaceted experience has its charms; but technical and storytelling snags that hold it back”

“There are highlights in this game's visuals and storytelling, though these get bogged down by basic mechanics and uninteresting moment-to-moment gameplay”

“Self-guided exploration is bolstered by quests that give you an excuse to jump on a speeder, climb mountains, and float through unexplained ruins in a dazzling ecosystem”

“The lively writing and warm characters show through Lost in Random's spooky façade, offering players an intriguing world shaped with evident care”

“It won't challenge your platforming skills, and the action boils down to galactic Simon Says, but The Artful Escape is a gorgeous experience that makes you feel utterly cool”