A Short Hike [adamgryu] (Nindie Choice!) - We’ve truly been blessed over the past 6 months or so with a strong run of generally bite-sized exploratory adventures that focus far more on the wonder of nature and discovery than the normal more action-oriented fare typically out there. A Short Hike, though only lasting a few hours, seems to have that perfect ratio to keep everything tight and satisfying, never having to wander too far before you see something to be found, someone to interact with, or a hint at something you may be able to discover later with the right equipment. Moving around the scenic park you’ll encounter a variety of people, some there to help you and some in need of some quick help which typically won’t have you tromping around to find what they’re looking for. It may not have loads of depth or character development but honestly you’re likely to be so enchanted with the beauty of your surroundings and the clean simplicity of the overall experience that it won’t matter a bit. A definite recommendation for people looking to relax or younger gamers with parents trying to find them something appropriate for just about any skill level.
Garden Story [Picogram]
(Nindie Choice!) -
When it comes to relatively chill adventures in more of a classic style the
Switch has pretty great representation already and can now add Garden Story to
the list. Playing as the little grape Concord, you’ll take on the mantle of
your area’s Guardian, doing a bit of learning on the job as you try to
complete various tasks to keep the residents happy as well as give the
beatdown to the encroaching threat of The Rot. There’s a satisfying and
generally more action-oriented vibe to your daily activities as you do what
you can to help people to gain perks and support as well as upgrade your
abilities. While it’s not terribly elaborate in its world and storytelling
it’s a relatively familiar sort of gameplay loop that has that sort of “one
more day” pull as you hope to see what comes next. Recommended for fans of
games in the vein of Stardew Valley and some other farm simulators that are
itching for just a bit more combat to spice things up.
Fort Triumph [Fort Triumph LTD] - Let’s be honest, though many games
have attempted to capture some element of the X-Com style of tactical strategy
combat, very few have done a decent job of it. What I like about Fort Triumph
is that it borrows some great general features from that franchise but then
adds in some new tweaks and smart abilities that are a bit different and
fresh. This means you’ll at least need to change up some of your typical
planning to take the best advantage of the opportunities they afford you.
Though the view of the field tries to be helpful with a free camera there are
situations where it can still be hard to see precisely what you want to, and
it can lead to some unusual shots as well of the action as it unfolds. What
may win or lose the day will be the fantasy setting and the more contemporary
sense of humor to things, for some pulling it away from being stuffy and
serious but for others it could perhaps be a bit grating. A solid effort with
strategy appeal, but perhaps not groundbreaking either to pull in new people
to the fold.
Faraday Protocol [Red Koi Box] - With a first-person puzzling style
that is quite different from, but at times reminded me of, Portal in some ways
with its construction and dialogue Faraday Protocol at least caught my
attention. Certainly the comparison isn’t a fair one, pitting anything against
a pretty well iconic classic, but compared to some other attempts with this
view in puzzle games I at least think this comes through fairly well, even if
at times it has a bit more of a trial and error than a deductive one when it
comes to working out how to proceed. It’s all about managing your limited
energy resources in each room (or group of rooms) effectively, setting
yourself up for success by working out the proper progression to things. It’s
nothing revolutionary, but if you’re looking for a different perspective in
your puzzling it’s a fair choice.
Heart Chain Kitty [origamihero games] - While I have nostalgia for
old-school looks and experiences I have found that while a return to classic
pixel art tends to be met with a sense of fondness early-gen 3D games can be
tougher to swallow. While I tried to keep an open mind the muddiness,
blurriness, and oversaturated colors in Heart Chain Kitty unfortunately did
get in the way of enjoyment. The somewhat primitive nature of the action,
while making it more family-friendly perhaps, didn’t do it any favors either.
In so many ways this feels like a release from another time, even moreso than
the myriad remasters I’ve seen. That’s not to say there can’t be an audience
that will enjoy it, just it’s a tough sell in this day and age on multiple
levels.
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