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“Craftlings is a colorful puzzle/strategy game from ARIANO Games that blends the spirit of Lemmings with a lighter, settlement-management vibe. It’s charming on the surface, but there’s a steep learning curve underneath the cute presentation.”

“Hermit and Pig is a lovely classic inspired RPG that I would suggest to anyone. It has charming characters, quirky humor, and a fun gameplay loop that only takes about 8 hours to finish. Oh, and you CAN pet the pig!”

“For any fan of 3D platformers, or even someone who has very little experience but has more than a passing interest, I can absolutely recommend Big Hops. This goes doubly if you enjoy the "play your way" style of gameplay offered by games like Dishonored and Breath of the Wild. Although I wouldn't expect a deep connection between the stories or characters, there's still a fair amount of joy to be found in exploring its world and uncovering secrets.”

“Winter Burrow is a soft, inviting take on the survival genre, one that trades tension and danger for warmth and charm. Set in a snow-covered forest, the game focuses on preparation, exploration, and helping others rather than overcoming overwhelming odds. It’s a calm, cozy experience designed to be approachable and relaxing, making it an easy recommendation for players who enjoy slower-paced games with a strong sense of atmosphere.”

“But there’s more here than just the pieces I connected to. Perfect Tides: Station to Station is filled with so much life that I think anyone can find something to relate to.”

“CloverPit is yet another game that pulls at the gambling itch and morphs it into a literal death game where you must win big or die trying. Quoted as a “demonic lovechild of Balatro and Buckshot Roulette,” you are locked away in a cell, forced to rely on a slot machine for life. Pay off your ever-rising debt or fall into the never-ending depths.”

“It was really cool and honestly unexpected to see the changes in Mosaic of the Strange. Still familiar, but also different! While I do think I might prefer the style of Proverbs, I still really enjoyed this and I appreciate Mark Ffrench experimenting with new things! I’ll definitely be interested in seeing where else he takes this series in the future!”

“Confidential Killings - A Detective Game’s artwork, which combines 1970s glamour with a noir aesthetic, has plenty of style. However, the puzzles lack substance, kneecapping attempts at intrigue and challenge by showing their hand far too early. There’s a decent story, and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have some fun filling in the blanks of these deadly scenarios, but this was far from the killer experience I was hoping for.”

“Night Swarm is a Vampire Survivor clone that keeps the fangs in tack. Embody a man who is fighting for his right to sit on his throne as his fellow vampires try to kill him. The story is fed to you bit by bit as you complete runs in this roguelike, seeming to imitate the feeling of Hades. Roam the castle you live in to find several mechanics to use and upgrade, and then drop into a run of monster-infested torment.”

“The reality of things here is that MindsEye was simply not ready to be released. It needed more time in the oven. In fact, I’d even go as far to say that if it had more time in the oven, it wouldn’t be as critically panned. Do I think it would’ve been good at all? Not necessarily. There are many core issues MindsEye suffers from that are key to it not hitting its full potential. MindsEye is a game that exists, a game that didn’t deserve the fate it received, but it is what it ended up being.”

“A lot of people might overlook Sushi Ben due to it being a short, indie visual novel, but those people are overlooking the comedy, the heart, and the wholesomeness that this game brings to the table. This game is not just about helping a sushi bar not be taken over by land sharks; it’s about helping a community that has been taken advantage of find its spark again. Sushi is the common factor that can bring people together and grow a sense of belonging. Sushi Ben has earned a 4 out of 5 stars; sadly, the bugs do bring down the score.”

“Rather than chasing difficulty or mechanical complexity, it invites players into a gentle, emotionally resonant journey—one defined by love, memory, and the quiet heroism of loyalty. It’s an experience that lingers not because of what it demands from the player, but because of what it asks them to feel.”

“I think that the premise was good. A cat-themed cafe is cute. I just think the game didn’t have the right amount of direction to make it stand out. Yes, the finished drinks are adorable, and I think it shows the charm the developers were going for, but that is about it. Once you unlock everything the game has to offer, it’s just grinding to earn all of the achievements, and that takes an unnecessarily long amount of time. That, paired with the amount of quality of life issues I found, this just is not something that I can responsibly say is worth the money. Cats & Cups has earned a 2 out of 5 stars from me. I feel like the game needs more substance, and that would have bumped it up substantially.”

“Tabletop Game Shop Simulator is a charming, feel-good management sim that scratches the itch for organization, crafting, and steady progression.”

“I enjoyed this game a lot. It gives the player a lot of freedom when designing the islands; there are so many items to buy from the shop, and getting currency is easy. My time spent in the game was filled with designing and seeing how many achievements I could get by just playing. I managed to get a good amount of the overall achievements, and once I got about halfway through the game, I pulled up the Steam page to see which ones I could aim for. One of my favorites was to complete a level without a house on the island. I aimed for 100% in this game, but I’ve run into two issues. One, there is a bundle that I need to buy all the items for that is not in the shop. And two, there are a bunch of hidden achievements that I don’t even know where to start.”

“Egging On is a very fun and creative experience. Although it’s intimidating and incredibly frustrating at times, I recommend giving it a chance if you’re up for a unique and clever challenge. Even as someone who doesn’t play a lot of challenging games, I was able to make my way to the end with some of the accessibility options and some patience.”

“With its excellent pixel art and slick UI, Desert Race Adventures makes a great first impression. Unfortunately, this light management strategy game runs out of gas far too quickly. With frustrating gameplay that relies too heavily on a limited set of random events and minimal variance from run to run, there’s simply not enough to justify playing beyond a few attempts.”

“A flawed but fascinating experiment, Sanatorium is a place worth visiting—just don’t expect to check out without a few scars.”

“Riddlewood Manor, from the brother team at Peanut Button — producer Asaf and game designer Eyal — is a delightful throwback to the golden age of point-and-click adventure games, wrapped in a Halloween bow. It’s equal parts eerie and endearing, making it a perfect choice for a chilly October night.”

“Despite the few minor issues, I think Hoomanz! is adorable and very charming. The game kept me interested and 3 hours of playtime flew by very quickly without me noticing. If you want something cute to play for the Halloween season, even if it’s not directly related to the holiday, I think it fits the vibe! Stealth games aren’t for everyone, but because it’s simple and easy to get into, I think more people would find it fun than not.”