Dracamar doesn’t reinvent the platforming genre. What it offers is a bright, easy going adventure focused on exploration, collecting and helping restore a lively world. It’s accessible, it’s cheerful, and it’s the kind of game you can enjoy without too much pressure. There are moments where it feels a bit familiar, and players looking for a more demanding platformer might not find what they’re after here. But if you’re after something light, colourful and enjoyable to chip away at, especially on a handheld, this is well worth a look.

Clue: Murder By Death has a great framework for a video game. Appropriate graphics and a clever use of different dialogue give the game an authentic feel, more than just a remake of a classic board game. However, with slow loading times and character movement, it misses the mark and leads to cumbersome and frustrating gameplay. Clue: Murder By Death would have benefited from more user testing and proofreading to capture the typos and grammar mistakes. Although I initially liked the game, the game-breaking crashes mean I really can’t recommend it at this time.

Oppidum has taken me on a roller-coaster of an adventure; from the initial “Wow, this looks great!”, through the “I’ve got no storage” frustration, and the “I’m dead again” disappointment, right down to the “That’s a ridiculous amount, I quit!” But I didn’t quit, despite the ups and downs, Oppidum intrigues me. I want to know how the story pans out. Will I be able to save the Bennies? So by re-focusing on the main story, and getting into a routine using the teleport scrolls to keep my backpack free of clutter, I am really enjoying my time in Oppidum.

I have never played the first Tiny Lands, and I have a bit to go before I finish Tiny Lands 2, but afterwards I will try the first game as well. I am taking my time with this one – as I mentioned, it is perfect for a spot of gaming in between work tasks. If you like spot-the-difference puzzles and cozy games, you will probably like Tiny Lands 2 as well.

Overall, A Pizza Delivery is a gentle narrative ride with light puzzles and an emphasis on interpretation. It’s for players who enjoy reflective games, don’t mind a slow pace, and like stories that whisper rather than shout. It didn’t sweep me off my feet, but I still liked it, and I think plenty of people will connect more deeply with its themes than I did. If you’re in the mood for something cozy, thoughtful, and low-pressure, this is easily worth a look.

Plus Ultra: Legado is a delightful surprise with a lot to offer. Despite being platformer-challenged as a rule, I played quite a bit longer than usual. Since it’s unlikely that I will be able to finish the game on my own, I will be eagerly awaiting someone uploading their gameplay onto YouTube, so I can see how the story unfolds. If you like platformers, do give Plus Ultra: Legado a try; you will be quite charmed.

ILA: A Frosty Glide has some excellent gameplay – I thoroughly enjoyed exploring and collecting. There is a lot to savour and take pleasure in when roaming around, uncovering the secrets and customising Ila’s appearance. If rating the game solely on that aspect, it would score highly. However, I found some of the platforming too frustrating and too difficult to look fondly on my time with ILA: A Frosty Glide. The extreme highs and lows of emotion in trying and just not succeeding left me disheartened. If you like challenging platforming and lots of exploring, then this game might be for you, but for me…

Candy Rangers is, at its heart, a sugar-coated arcade throwback. It takes a genre that’s often seen as niche or outdated and injects it with colour and plenty of personality. Yes, it can be overwhelming at first, and yes, you’ll probably have to replay a stage or two, but the cheerful vibe and satisfying mechanics make it a delight to dip into. It’s not the kind of game that’s going to change your life, but it is the kind of game that can brighten your evening. Sometimes, that’s more than enough. I walked away from it smiling every single time, and really, that’s the best thing you can ask for from a game like this. A welcome addition to the often overlooked cute ’em up sub genre. A free demo is also available on Steam.

Is This Seat Taken? is definitely a lovely gaming experience. It isn’t unnecessarily long, despite the game being fundamentally a puzzle, you get enough lore and background NPC stories to really immerse yourself in the game (yes, I have been spying on everyone’s tea. Don’t judge me, we all do!). A chill, pretty game that makes your brain work without you realising it? We’ll take it!

Everdeep Aurora is a thoughtful and unusual game that rewards patience and curiosity. It’s not an adrenaline rush or a test of skill, but rather a slow descent into a world full of strange characters, gentle storytelling, and hidden truths. It’s a game I wasn’t sure about at first, but by the end, I was glad I took the trip. It’s not for everyone, but if it clicks, it really clicks.

Bambas! es un pequeño y encantador juego que toma el simple acto de caminar y lo convierte en un alegre patio de recreo de física tonta y buena diversión. Es un buen juego para una noche de juegos sin mucho esfuerzo, especialmente para aquellos que quieran disfrutar de algo tonto, creativo y fácil de jugar. Tanto si juegas unos minutos como una hora, te hará sonreír.

If you’re looking for a cosy puzzle game with no stress, awesome visuals and one that can pull you into the story without a spoken word, you should go for Instants. It works well on the Switch 2, but I do feel the button controls were designed with Steam in mind.

Overall, Camper Van: Make it Home is a lot of fun. It’s cute, it’s cozy, and the premise is great. However, it didn’t quite feel done without a creative mode. It’s pretty short, but it’s one of those games you can play several times and still get the same relaxing vibes out of it that you did the first time. I enjoyed my time with Camper Van: Make it Home, but I’m not sure it is worth the price that players will need to pay for it.

Aureole: Wings of Hope is a fast, fun, and surprisingly clever spin on the platforming genre. It blends tight physics-based gameplay with an oddball premise and lovable characters. Sure, the difficulty can spike, and a few story scenes could be snappier, but when a game makes launching a halo through lava caverns feel like pure joy, you know it’s doing something right.

For the low asking price, it’s at least worth a shot for those curious about the challenge. But be warned, this is not a game that holds your hand. If you’re looking for a hardcore arcade experience, Freddy Farmer delivers. If not, you may want to pass.

Tiny Garden ticks all the boxes for me. Gardening in miniature surroundings, approaching it like a casual game with strategic planning to unlock all plant seeds, types of soil and decoration options. It’s very cute, the decorations are just like in a doll’s house, and the added letters tell a good story.

What else can I say? I’m in love with YOUR HOUSE. I think it’s a stunning amalgamation of everything I love about good video games and good stories. It feels so good to play, so good to beat the puzzles, and is such an interesting story, I will be singing its praises to anyone who will listen for quite a while.

Bubble Ghost Remake is a fantastic action-puzzle game that will appeal to players looking for something fresh and new. It takes a simple concept, blowing a bubble, and builds an entire experience around it, complete with puzzle-solving, precision movement, and even boss fights. The game’s charming art style, touching story, and rewarding challenge make it a great remake of a long-lost classic. That said, this is not a game for everyone. If you lack patience or get easily frustrated, the trial-and-error gameplay might not be for you. However, for those who enjoy precision-based challenges and overcoming tricky obstacles, Bubble Ghost Remake is an absolute delight. If you’re unsure, a free demo is available on Steam, and I highly recommend trying it out. As for me? I loved it.

I did not entirely enjoy my time with Mycelium Heaven, but I think that was on me. It’s just not my type of game. It’s very death-centric in a way that just didn’t appeal to me. The graphics were cute, but the subject matter, coupled with the very goopy corpse sounds, turned me off completely. Overall, I believe Mycelium Heaven is a great game for a very specific audience, and I am just not part of that audience.

Morkull Ragast’s Rage doesn’t bring a ton of new ideas to the table, but what it offers is a solid, well-crafted platforming adventure with a lot of personality. Morkull himself is a fantastic lead, carrying the game with his quirky humour and fourth-wall-breaking antics. The gameplay is tight and enjoyable, though combat can be hit-or-miss, and navigation issues may test your patience. The difficulty makes it best suited for experienced players, as the punishing soul-loss system and challenging encounters may frustrate more casual players. But if you’re up for a tough but rewarding platforming experience, Morkull Ragast’s Rage delivers a fun, chaotic ride through a beautifully animated, villainous adventure.

Moons of Darsalon is a standout platformer that masterfully combines retro aesthetics, innovative gameplay mechanics, and a generous dose of humour. Its mix of strategic problem-solving, creative tools, and engaging rescue missions make it a joy to play, even when occasional glitches or AI hiccups cause minor frustrations. For fans of retro-inspired games, puzzle platformers, or anyone looking for something truly unique, Moons of Darsalon is a sci-fi gem that deserves a spot in your library. With its charming visuals, witty humour, and rewarding gameplay, it’s a game that will keep you coming back for more.

While it doesn’t reinvent the genre, it delivers a polished and fun experience that fans of retro platformers will appreciate. Whether you’re tackling levels solo or with friends, there’s plenty here to enjoy.

The result of the remaster is still an imperfect game, but there’s something about it that keeps you going in spite of its flaws. It’s a great time for a reintroduction, and I hope it’s welcomed by the audience it needs. It didn’t click all the way with me, gameplay wise, but I love the monster designs and the story hit the right notes. Take my final verdict with plenty of wiggle room — this one is going to be highly subjective per player, but worth visiting.

LOK Digital is a remarkable translation of a pen and pencil puzzle game into something that can easily be picked up and played as a video game, and some of that is due in part to publishers Draknek & Friends, who’ve brought equally delightful games like A Monsters Expedition to Steam. The new dimension allows the world of the LOKs to come to life in even more vibrant ways — despite their monochrome world — and even the puzzles themselves go through some neat changes to suit the environment. It’s a delight to enter a new section of the game and see what the little blobs are up to now, and the game’s thoughtful pacing reduces frustration when new words are introduced. Instead, it’s a little jolt of delight to figure out something new, and it’s a great motivation to keep growing in this strange little world. With some 90-odd puzzles (and dailies), it’s a game you’ll be sad to wrap up. A pleasant treat and a great wintertime relaxer.

NAIAD is a refreshing escape into nature that gently reminds us of our connection to the natural world around us. Developer HiWarp should be very proud of their achievement in developing such a gorgeous game. NAIAD’s calm gameplay, stunning visuals, and heartfelt message make it a brilliant title for anyone seeking a calm, wholesome experience. Whether on PC or Steam Deck, NAIAD flows seamlessly, inviting players to slow down and appreciate the beauty of the journey.

Overall, I had tons of fun with Stars in the Trash. If you like things like the Aristocats or The Fox and the Hound, I think you will love this game. There are so many details, such as beautiful art and loving care and taking in every detail, that I think anyone who loves animals will dig this game. As I said in my preview of the Stars in the Trash demo, it feels like playing a Disney movie. Now that I’ve played the whole thing, it feels even more like that. I love this game a lot, and I think most of you will love it too.

Magical Bakery is a cooking-themed, time-management simulation with more than a spoonful of magic sprinkled about. It has some different elements from other games in the same genre and an intriguing background story that makes you want to cook more just to find out what it’s all about. There is a good balance between buying, selling, and upgrading in Magical Bakery, which means progressing doesn’t feel like a grind. Various options allow for a stress-free experience if necessary.

At times, I found controlling the broomstick a bit frustrating, and this did impact on my overall enjoyment. However, the scenery is great, with bright colours and a diverse landscape, and the ability to see all of this from the air enhances the experience.

Despite these issues, Guayota is well worth trying if you’re open to something new and different and enjoy puzzle games. It may not be perfect, but its unique approach and rewarding gameplay make it a standout in the puzzle genre. A free demo is available on the Nintendo eShop if you want to try it out. 

Abathor is old arcade action at its best. Rich, detailed levels with satisfying combat and platforming make this well worth picking up for anyone looking to take on its challenge. It’s certainly a challenge that may feel harsh to some players, but old-school arcade players would likely not have it any other way. For me, it felt like a game that took the excitement and instant gratification of an arcade game but felt appropriately adapted for modern players. Throw four players into the mix, and you have your next fantasy game night. Wearing costumes is optional. A free demo is available on Steam.

Alephant is a puzzle game that can really be qualified as a Thinky game: no instructions, it’s up to you to figure out why some moves work and others don’t. The game is brilliantly made and has a no-frills approach to puzzling. But even with the minimalistic approach, it looks very good. If you’re a fan of hard puzzles that require a lot of thought and trial and error, and you feel the Eureka moment is worth it, Alephant is the game for you! If, like me, you are more of the casual puzzle type, this might not be the one for you.

All in all, I had a good time playing CLeM, and I liked reading about and checking out the drawings on alchemy, insects, and other creepy crawlies in the notebook. The house is full of interactive environments to explore. If you enjoy these types of adventure games, then CLeM has a desolate, abandoned house to explore and lots of questions to answer with mysteries to decipher, and you, too, can find out the story behind CLeM.

I haven’t quite finished Ugly, but I am definitely going to. So far, it’s been without bugs, fun, interesting, unique, and has a wonderful story. The environment is so rich with details that it tells its own story; the mechanics are interesting and different. I love the music, the movement, and everything about Ugly, and I can’t wait to see what happens next.

American Arcadia is a fun, colorful adventure with a sense of humor, clever puzzles, and enough sense of danger to keep you going forward. It’s the perfect escape for the wintry months ahead!

Alchemy Garden is a pleasant life sim, with growing flowers and making potions as the source of income to buy decorations for your house, shop and garden. At the moment, it’s more decorating than farming, but I hope the developers continue to invest time and passion in the game to expand its repertoire. Unfortunately, the port to the Nintendo Switch isn’t as smooth as it could be, which has lowered my final verdict.

KOA and the Five Pirates of Mara is a simple 3D platformer that is available on many platforms. It can be some nice simple platforming fun to play with a younger family member. Whilst not a challenging title, KOA features plenty of charm and a cute presentation.

If Death or Treat is your first foray into the action roguelike genre, then you will find a lot to love about it. For those more versed, you may find a very overly familiar experience that doesn’t reinvent the formula. I fall more into this latter category. I liked experimenting with the different weapons and builds before venturing off on a new run, but I felt like I’d done this all before. Death or Treat is not a bad game; it succeeds in what it sets out to do, a fun experience to grind away with a fantastic art direction. Suited to those looking for a short gaming fix or ready to settle in for a good game night. Halloween or not, you can enjoy this any day of the year.

I initially disliked Curse of the Sea Rats, but the more I kept at the game, the more it hooked me, and I ended up enjoying myself. The barrier to entry may be a little high for some players with difficult combat and messy hit detection. But once you level up a few times and play around with the characters, you should be able to settle in a style that suits you. This is made all the more enticing by being able to pay with three other loved ones locally. Something rarely seen in adventure games. The design and animations are excellent and make for a nice cherry on top of the experience. If you’re looking for a solid 2D adventure to play alone or with loved ones, this pirate trip will surely keep you busy for a few game nights. Wearing a pirate outfit for the experience is optional.

TEMPUS has moments of brilliance, some of the puzzles are cleverly constructed and satisfying to complete. However, the console controls for moving the on-screen cursor are too frustrating to make the overall experience pleasurable.

Ankora: Lost Days is a bit of a peculiar game. After playing it I think it might be a little confused in its identity. It is not an open adventure game where you have the freedom to explore fully like in Summer in Mara. Moving around the map and terraforming it makes it a kind of puzzle as you figure out how to get from east to west. Some aspects of the game stand out, the music is lovely and the animations are done well, but I much prefer Summer in Mara and so might you!  

Somehow, mixing simple pick-up and play mechanics and offering the player flexibility to conquer the challenges ahead proved to be quite the winner. I should still caution that this game won’t suit everyone. The meme-heavy humour may take it or leave it for some players. Usually, I dislike it in games but for some reason, I was kinda cool with it here. If you’re not into these hard-scrolling platformers or constantly repeating levels I doubt this game will win you over. Superola will make you laugh and rage. But if that sounds like a good combination prepare to be entertained.

Overall, Intruder in Antiquonia is a pleasant game that works, but it could have offered so much more in the story/dialogue department. For that reason, it’s hard to recommend Antiquonia over other games in the point-and-click adventure genre.

Arise: A Simple Story – Definitive Edition is a bittersweet tale of an old man’s life and the memories he shared with a partner. It relays a tale of love, heartbreak, hardship, and an emotional journey through his life. It’s a story that stayed on my mind well after the closing credits. The platforming sections may prove fiddly; however, the storyline, narrative and visuals make up for the platforming shortcomings.

Tiny Lands is a fun and enjoyable puzzle game, nice to sit down with for a coffee break and a few minutes of play. This would be a great game for parents to play with their children. I can picture them sitting around the TV, playing the game and the children shouting out the differences they had found in the puzzles. It would be a good help to fine-tune a child’s observation skills too. Adults will enjoy the game too, which leaves me only one thing to say.

Magic Twins casts its spell of witty charm and addictive fun co-op gameplay creating an explosion of entertainment and fond memories. Highly recommended if you have someone else to play with, not so much if you play alone. Bring on Colormageddon I say.