NeutronRock
2010
A classic of the late 2000s / early 2010s era of experimental indie flash games. A short, 10 minute experience of choices and consequences that feels far more real than its limited scope and simple graphics would suggest.
Improved on the original's weakest areas, but didn't maintain any of the surreal charm that made me want to play this sequel in the first place. The improvements to the combat mechanics (which felt out of place in the original) aren't close to enough to make up for the significantly less interesting mood throughout.
2021
Scarf is an okay game, and that's unfortunately about as much as I can say. It doesn't quite nail it's emotional story elements, the worlds are nice but not spectacular, and the puzzle platforming is a little generic - and to boot there are minor visual and gameplay issues that just scream a lack of polish. Not a bad game, but there are definitely better options in the genre.
Getting out of The Shire was an insanely difficult challenge as a child. The LotR third person action titles improved massively with each game up to Return of the King, and Fellowship is unfortunately only truly fun thanks to nostalgia or a love for the source material.
2021
A "movement-simulator", I'm not sure if this type of game has a specific genre yet - but the core puzzle of Heavenly Bodies is figuring out how best to move individual limbs to push, pull, and swim your way around a 2D spaceship and carry out relatively intricate tasks. The fun of Heavenly Bodies is in the neat constant failure, and the utterly whimsical reality of the events on screen. It's fun on its own, but is excellent as a co-operative title.
2023
A superb, chilled climbing adventure that's as mechanically satisfying as its is beautiful.
2020
An interesting tactical, permadeath dungeon crawl with the feel of a Slay the Spire-esque deckbuilder but a totally new take on the mechanics. Ring of Pain is all about upgrading your character attributes and bonus abilities, and then fighting through tactical, semi-deterministic paths of enemies, loot, and dangers.
It's got quick but clever tactics in the gameplay, and engaging longer term planning in your items and equipment - though perhaps lacks the spice of similar titles without huge focus on powerful synergies and builds. Not the best in class, but a solid entry with a wonderful design and theme.
It's got quick but clever tactics in the gameplay, and engaging longer term planning in your items and equipment - though perhaps lacks the spice of similar titles without huge focus on powerful synergies and builds. Not the best in class, but a solid entry with a wonderful design and theme.
2016
Cute and colourful. Slime Rancher is just an enjoyable adventure for a handful of hours or so. Head out into the magical far range, hoover up a variety of weird and wonderful slimes - and then play out a little farming/ranching loop as you keep slimes, combine them, and sell their produce when prices are high.
I'm sure that Slime Rancher could be played for dozens of hours, but for me the "ranching" aspect of the game wasn't strong enough to keep me playing continuously - but the adventure of the first ~6 hours is enough for me to recommend it.
I'm sure that Slime Rancher could be played for dozens of hours, but for me the "ranching" aspect of the game wasn't strong enough to keep me playing continuously - but the adventure of the first ~6 hours is enough for me to recommend it.
2016
A game that reinvents a PS2 classic in a way that loses almost all of the story's original charm and misses wildly every time it introduces something new. However, the all guns blazing Ratchet formula is tried and tested and was still exciting to play. Yes I would love the characters to stop talking every once in a while, and yes I would prefer to play the original - but there's no denying I had a lot of fun playing the remake anyway.
2015
What an unusual game. A deeply detailed permadeath experience. Even after a good 10 hours I still think of this review as provisional as there is simply so much to explore. Wild combinations of "upgrades" that feature in detailed mechanical systems has made Caves of Qud so far a semi-opaque but engaging and enjoyable challenge.
Not just an excellent football sim that will have fans of the sport utterly addicted as they search for signings and tinker with tactics - but where FM still excels after all these years is the depth of its storytelling. Realistic and exciting narratives unfold from the simulation that make the players, the teams, and the history books feel just as important as their real life counterparts.
True of all FM games, this review could be copy paste. Except 2016, that game was weak.
True of all FM games, this review could be copy paste. Except 2016, that game was weak.
2019
A wonderful experience that packs a lot of heart into a tiny, wholesome adventure. A perfect game to play through in one relaxing evening.
2015
Tiny game packed full of flavour. Gameplay is super punchy and you'll enjoy every second of Downwell's quick roguelike runs
except for the many, many times where you take damage and curse yourself for being so bad at Downwell.
except for the many, many times where you take damage and curse yourself for being so bad at Downwell.
This game was an absolute blast to play and makes such good use of the LotR world and designs built up within the movie version. Great fun to slash through orcs and Uruk-hai in excellent levels, or creep through more tense levels as the little hobbits who bow to no-one. A lot of fun in single player, a masterpiece as a couch co-op title.
2018
Great game. An expertly crafted 2D platformer.