Yasmine Hubbard

“Harvest Moon: Home Sweet Home Special Edition attempts to emulate the success of its predecessors, but so many issues hold it back, including flimsy controls and an unimaginative world. There is hardly any new content added for the special edition, so there isn't much for returning players to check out either.”

“Bounty Star attempts to merge mech combat and farming together into one delicious melting pot. It might sound like an unlikely combo, but it strangely works. Unfortunately, the farming elements are average at best. But if you're looking for a serious mech experience, it could still be worth a look.”

“CARIMARA is a creepy horror mystery based on Normandy folklore. The atmosphere encapsulates an eerie yet beautiful tone, which is mesmerizing to play. However, the experience is very short, and the central mystery falls flat because some of the answers are unsatisfying.”

“Eclipsium is an intriguing horror game that relies on surreal and horror imagery to convey a story open to the player's interpretation. This abstract form of storytelling may not be for everyone, but if it piques your curiosity, it might be worth picking up.”

“Slime Rancher 2 is the definition of a cute farming game. There are adorable slimes to collect, beautiful landscapes to explore, and a fun, engaging gameplay loop. However, after a while, it can become repetitive. All in all, if you enjoyed the original, you will have a good time with the sequel.”

“Static Dread: The Lighthouse might wear its influences on its sleeve, but it delivers a unique horror experience that is worth checking out if you like ethical dilemmas and Cthulhu mythology. This very well may be the next hit indie horror game.”

“Konami's video game adaptation of Edens Zero is a fun action RPG that follows the events of the original story. The combat is a bit slow at first, but once you unlock more moves and playable characters, the action becomes far more palatable. However, the outdated graphics and presentation may be a barrier for some fans.”

“Garden of the Sea may have succeeded as a VR experience, but this aquatic paradise has not transitioned well to the Switch.”

“Slay the Princess: The Pristine Cut twists the traditional story of a hero rescuing a poor damsel in distress into an eerie horror experience that explores topics surrounding life and death, free will and the purpose of existence.”

“Magical Delicacy provides a tranquil and cozy cooking-themed Metroidvania experience but will not set any watermark for the genre.”

“Raccoo Venture is highly inspired by the classic 3D platformers of yesteryear but does not implement enough unique ideas to stand out from the crowd. There are some fantastic environmental puzzles that are thoroughly fun to solve, but they are far too short. The uneven difficulty, annoying secondary character mechanics, and a few bugs ultimately dilute the experience.”

“Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2 is a massive improvement in almost every aspect - from better presentation to a deeper battle system. It will not be dethroning the Super Smash Bros franchise anytime soon, but it's a fun and whimsical platform fighter to play with friends.”

“Fading Afternoon takes the concept of time and creates a melancholic experience which explores heavy themes surrounding self-reflection and existentialism. However, occasional bugs and repetitive combat hold it back from its true potential.”

“Panic Porcupine is a parody game that will test your patience and ability to adapt to side-scrolling platforming action. But its heavy reliance on repetitive deathtraps, accompanied by devious camera movements, overall holds back the experience.”

“Hotel Renovator tries to convey the highs and lows of upscaling a hotel. However, anyone expecting it to be a luxury experience with chocolates left on their pillowcases will be sorely disappointed, as many minor issues lead to a subpar stay.”

“Let's Build a Zoo is an enjoyable management game that allows you to create and construct your own zoological park. The moral dilemmas you are often presented with are absurd and humorous, as you choose to either be a steady-eddy business hustler with an ecological mindset or be a sinister and exploitative tycoon.”

“Souldiers certainly won't be to everyone's taste, due to its lackluster plot and technical hiccups, but it's definitely one to check out if you are into Metroidvania or Souls-like games.”

“Trolley Problem, Inc will continuously confront your morality with a series of ethically probing questions and uncomfortable answers. The dark narrated humour compliments the experience with satirical anecdotes. This might be an insightful endeavour if you're curious about ethics, but its arbitrary minimalist structure and brief length amount to a forgettable experience.”