Corsair Cove arrived carrying some mixed expectations. Developed by the team behind Tropico 6, what could be considered a below standard Tropico release, some strong interest was created by it’s demo. Fortunately, the developers set sail in entirely their own direction, and the result is one of the most refreshing city builders in recent memory. ...
Shards of Order initially gives the impression that it may simply be another game inspired by Darkest Dungeon. The dark hand-painted artwork, grim atmosphere, and side-view combat certainly point in that direction. Fortunately, the similarities become much more superficial once the adventure begins. While the opening story takes a little time to find its footing, the world becomes a little more entertaining and engaging as you go along. The writing proved stronger than expected, balancing the darker themes with well-placed humor as the journey progressed. ...
Nightmare Frontier made its debute on the play list just ahead of its 1.0 release, though this marked a first real examination despite the game’s year long Early Access period. Initial expectations pointed toward a tactical RPG in the vein of Desperados or Wasteland. Those expectations lasted only a few minutes as they were miles off. Beneath its western horror setting lies something entirely different: a roguelite extraction game where every expedition into the city’s nightmare-infested neighborhoods is a calculated risk. Each run asks players to choose their path, complete objectives, gather loot, and most importantly—survive long enough to escape. Failure comes at the price of losing all your collected loot. Though your crew and the loot you brought in do get out. ...
Fogpiercer arrived on the stream before it’s release with characteristics that demand attention: a train barreling through a frozen wasteland, defending itself against relentless attacks and plenty of RNG. Blending roguelite progression with deckbuilding mechanics, each run challenges players to balance offense, defense, and the limited space available aboard the train. Every additional wagon is valuable if you can get them, forcing meaningful decisions about how the wagons should evolve over the course of a run. ...
Urban Strife reaches its long-awaited 1.0 release after several years in Early Access, prompting a return visit to see how the zombie survival RPG has evolved. The result is a game that remains rough around the edges, yet consistently enjoyable underneath those imperfections. ...
Imperial Ambitions arrives as an indie 4X strategy game that proves appearances can be deceiving. Its pixel-inspired presentation suggests a relatively modest experience, but beneath that visual style lies a surprisingly deep and ambitious strategy game with several ideas that feel refreshingly original within the genre. The opening hours are not without their struggles. Certain mechanics lack the clarity needed for first-time players, and there were several moments where the game could have done a better job explaining how its systems work. And work together. Learning often came through experimentation rather than guidance. ...
STARSEEKER: Astroneer Expeditions arrives as a follow-up to Astroneer, but rather than simply recreating the original experience, it establishes its own identity almost immediately. ...
Apocalypse Express arrives at the station following nearly a year of Early Access development, with a full 1.0 release just around the corner. Although this evaluation was conducted prior to the launch version, the game was already giving a full and enjoyable experience. Built around a roguelite structure, the game places players in command of a train attempting to survive a hostile world through careful upgrades, resource management, and increasingly difficult encounters. The core gameplay loop quickly establishes itself as both challenging and rewarding. ...
Snacktorio enters the factory automation genre with a playful premise and a dose of personality. Rather than manufacturing industrial goods, players are tasked with producing food for an assortment of hungry beasts, building increasingly complex supply chains to keep them satisfied. ...
Starminer enters Early Access with an ambitious combination of modular ship construction, station building, real-space flight physics, and large-scale asteroid mining. Even within its earliest hours, the scope of the project is immediately apparent. ...