If you are a fan of farming sims, Graveyard Keeper 2 will definitely scratch that itch. But there’s a lot more narrative to the game than I expected. That’s not a bad thing, but I tend to play these games at a slower pace. Graveyard Keeper 2 does allow for this, but at times, it forces me to play through the story to unlock new talents. The dark humor and quirky characters kept me interested in the story, even when I just wanted to focus on my homestead instead.

The game isn’t particularly deep. It feels more like an arcade game. And it works. There isn’t a story, but for Double Fine’s first game since becoming independent from Microsoft, this is a perfect way to get back into the game. If you are a fan of Crazy Taxi, you’ll enjoy Thank You Bus Driver.

Discover the heartfelt journey behind Dressmaker, a game bursting with creativity and love.

Well Dweller is probably one of the best Metroidvanias I’ve ever played. The story is fantastic, and the art leans heavily into the Grimm-like fairytale. The game encourages players to explore the entire map, hiding collectible objects, trinkets, and trinket points to level up Glimmer, the protagonist in the game. Glimmer sets out to save their family, a reluctant hero who is forced into their fate.

Sovereign Tower is such a special game. There are so many choices and branching paths, and those choices actually matter. That’s one thing I look for in a visual novel, and Sovereign Tower does it perfectly.

Box Knight brings a fresh perspective to the roguelite genre. The art is fantastic, and the leveling system feels meaningful, which is important in this genre. Add in the fact that it’s a couch co-op beat-em-up, and it makes for a perfect game to play with friends.

Agent 64: Spies Never Die takes inspiration from the classic first-person shooters like Golden Eye and Perfect Dark and improves on them, incorporating modern gaming features like smoother controls and online gaming. Playing co-op and running through the missions were some of the best multiplayer experiences I’ve had. For those that are competitive, there are also player vs player matches. I may not have fallen in love with GoldenEye in college, but Agent 64: Spies Never Die

Platform reviewed: Nintendo Switch 2 Also on: PC (Steam), Xbox Series X/S, Playstation 5 Price: $19.99 I love a good murder mystery. I love smart, creative detectives. Sherlock Holmes. Hercule Poirot. Benoit Blanc. Columbo. Add Detective Grimoire and Sally Spears to that list. The Mermaid Mask captures everything I love about the smart, funny, and creative storytelling found in the mysteries starring those iconic detectives. Add amazing art, stellar music, and innovative puzz

The game is challenging, but its accessibility features let me change the starting number of lives and bombs, with one tradeoff: my score won't be added to the leaderboard. That's one of the things I love about Truxton Extreme. It lets players chase a high score or provides a way for those who just want to experience the story.

Join Quill on a grand journey that blends interactive storytelling with inventive gameplay in a world where even the smallest hero can make a big impact.

I haven't played a game like Shards of Order before. The deckbuilding mechanic is different from most games in the genre. There is no mana to play cards. Instead, each card costs points on an enemy's timer. I like this game a lot. It's a dark RPG, and the card mechanics reinforce the brutal nature of the world the game creates.

Platform reviewed: Steam Price: $8.99 Moldwasher is a cleaning sim where I play as a little sushi roll, where my job isto make the kitchen clean. Because a healthy snack such as myself needs to stay clean and fresh. I’ve always enjoyed playing cleaning games. They y have this way of taking the repetitive nature and using it to place me into a state of zen. Rubel Games, the developer behind Moldwasher perfectly captures the zen I was expecting, from the music to the little tro

I've been waiting a long time for a new entry in the Culdcept series, and Culdcept Begins doesn't disappoint. The local and online multiplayer features, along with GameShare, were exactly what I hoped would be included, and I'm thrilled they made it into the game. While I wasn't expecting a story, it grew on me over time. That said, I wish multiplayer and other features weren't locked behind the first few story chapters. Overall, though, Culdcept Begins is the best game in th

LumenTale: Memories of Trey is a perfect game for players who love Pokemon but are looking for more traditional JRPG elements in their games. The game is challenging, but not overly so. It strikes the right balance between difficulty and fun. If you're looking for a monster-collecting game with a deep story, LumenTale: Memories of Trey should be part of your library.

Mina the Hollower follows Mina, who you guessed it, is a Hollower tasked with bringing the power back on to a cursed island plagued with a rebellion and roaming monsters.

In an increasingly crowded survivors-like genre, Zombie Rollerz: The Last Ship does quite a bit to stand out. Its robust management systems, particularly the ability to customize my Ark, add far more strategy than I expected. Once I adjusted to its leveling structure, which prioritizes growth within each individual run over permanent vehicle progression, the experience became much more rewarding.

I love Sektori. The roguelike-inspired elements and smart risk/reward systems feel fantastic within the fluid arcade shooter framework Sektori delivers. I’d heard people loved this game, but playing it on the Switch 2 feels especially right at home on the platform. If you’re a fan of challenging twin-stick arcade shooters, pick up Sektori. You won’t regret it.

Platform reviewed: PC (Steam) Price: $14.99 Chess played out as a dungeon crawler? What a brilliant idea. That’s exactly how Below the Crown feels, a strategy deck builder that combines the tactical depth of chess with elements of roguelikes and dungeon crawlers. It’s one of the most unique games I’ve played in a while, and it gets me thinking on a deeper level, in more ways than just how to defeat the king. The game opens with a view of a castle. Visually, it feels like I’m

I spent a lot of time with Basketball Classics. The arcade-style gameplay, along with the presentation and attention to detail, makes this game an instant classic for me. Inspired by retro games, the graphics are 8-bit, but the amount of animation and detail made me forget the pixel limitations.

As satisfying as the gameplay is, the real strength lies in its storytelling. The emotions conveyed through the art are powerful, and the decision to present the narrative through an alien language makes the world feel more immersive and unique. Even without understanding a single word, I always knew what was happening, thanks to the game’s visual direction and presentation.