THE DESIGN BABYYYY. Also added a bunch of stuff.
Recommended? yes
The creator of 20 small mazes - FLEB- just makes lovely and inventive puzzle games, and finding this free little game on steam was the thing that made me follow his work.
Taking a concept and then riffing off it is really fun, it is what it says on the tin- 20 small mazes, all with their little twists. they make together a lovely half an hour adventure.
Recommended? yes
I really like animal well, layers and all. I think the base game is really solid metroidvenia, the way item open new ways and things to do made me go through the whole map over an over without getting frustrated.
The animal design and the sound design builds such a atmosphere, between chilling and beautiful. I was especially fascinated by the final boss.
And I like the extra puzzles, I liked figuring out the once I could by myself and reading about the ones I could have never solved myself.
Recommended? yes
I love unique co-op games. This game has flaws, it have bugs and the controls... could use work. but the premise of two players that see different things on the screen while still interacting with each other is really cool, the weird and kinda gruesome aesthetic is neat, and the fact there is a narrative was surprising to me.
I heard a sequel came out however I have yet to check it out.
Recommended? yes
"Oh this trans person loves celeste what a shock" ITS A REALLY GOOD GAME.
Replayed the base game several times and will probably do that again at some point in my life but I doubt I will ever do farewell cause I am just bad at movement tech. but who knows, I also gave up on core at some point only to come back and beat it months later.
Also lovely modding scene, I love downloading the Jam Jams and see what direction people took celeste in, even if I am usually stuck in the beginner lobby.
Recommended? yes
I love this game so much I wish I could forget it to play it all over again.
I played some other "language" games and this one is easily at the top (although the rest are probably more complicated).
I love the colors and the world that's built here, I love the little notebook where I can guess things in. I think it's interesting the different levels have different languages with different grammatical rules (even if some of them are less then my favorite).
Recommended? yes
HEAR ME OUT! I know it looks like a slop asset flip game, you know one of those random "X simulator" games, HOWEVER, sometimes a guy wants to not think and do a repetitive task while listening to a podcast or video, so guy will try out random slop adjust content.
Within that framework I would like to claim that this isn't actual slop, at least I don't think, the progression ain't bad, there is a while narrative that follows you during your cleans-ups, and there are even a bunch of secrets that rewards you exploring(?), or puzzle solve.
This is a very competently made game, if you ever want this type of game pick this one specifically, I mean it.
Recommended? yes
I used to play this game with my brother and his friends, unfortunately they stopped playing at some point. I tried to play alone for a while, which the game tries accommodating for, but it's noticeably less fun.
So great game for when you are with people, wonderful gameplay loop, distinct style (rock and stone!), and the world generation ain’t bad.
I should look for a new group to play with.
Recommended? yes!!!
This game took me too long to finish, I mean that, I would play for like a couple of days, then take a couple months break, and return to it having to restart since I remembered nothing. No idea why I did that considering this is one of my favorite games now.
some of the best writing in video gaming history, this game infected my mind forever. I love the style, the music, the characters, honestly everything.
I could talk about this game for hours and I have actually done that enough to convince friends to play it as well.
Great game- Also I might be in love with Kim Kitsuragi.
Recommended? yes
This is a series of text games (with the third one still in development) on the choice of games engine. Where if I tell you too much about the story I risk telling you all the things you will find out as you so.
I love the psyche of the main character. As is customary in these types of games a lot is to your choice, including how the character reacts to things, fortunately the writing is so good these choices don't flatten the story nor the main character, there a layer within you you can seek to explore or painfully deny and avoid.
The theme of identity is really fascinating in this one in ways I rather not elaborate right now. I will add that you can choose to play as a trans person, a thing that is common in "choice of X" games but rarely does it come up in interesting ways in the story. In fallen hero it matter! And I think it expends the story and the themes in ways that just don't happen in cis playthroughs.
Recommended? yes
This is just a really well designed game. For a short while I was low-key addicted to it. Would open it to play for a run and six hours later would wonder what happened and how am I still playing.
And god the art is so pretty and the game loop is so good, The mix of mediterranean sounds with rock in the soundtrack goes so incredibly hard. And I think the balance of action to narrative works really good.
What surprised me is that a friend who is really new to gaming picked this game up and really got grabbed by it, so in a way this game works for beginners who need to learn how base control works. She got to the ending before me, plus she did it with a keyboard and mouse which I cannot comprehend how. Good for her.
Recommended? Maybe, it's just not for me
I did not like it, I know it's not a popular opinion.
Gameplay wise, the game is nice, chaining hit combos to the rhythm is fun even if i'm kinda bad at it. You know what isn't fun, when a character starts speaking. The most cliche writing I've ever seen only rivaled by modern marvel movies. I can not stand it.
I dropped the game after a awhile and never really got the urge to go back and finish it. Kinda wish there was a different game with the same mechanics.
Recommended? No
Is this even surprising anyone that it is such a boring and bland game.
I guess it isn’t the worst game considering I finished it but it’s also the most one note (supposedly) “humorous” shooter I ever tried.
I don’t think a single original thought was put in the creation of it.
Recommended? yes
Sure was a puzzle game. And it was a nice one, pretty sure I got it for free and I mostly used it as something to play while I listen to podcasts.
Honestly, I didn't give it much thought. But if you're looking for something short and simple-go for it.
Recommended? yes
A queer story wonderfully told with an interesting mechanic, beautiful art style and music. I am definitely the target audience for this and I enjoyed it lots.
The story hit me hard, the eraser mechanic (which I know is a hit or miss for players) surprisingly kept me focused while being just like a wonderful way to keep the story moving, especially with how it was used to transition certain scenes.
The Ireland trivia is very cool actually, I like learning stuff and I like how it was executed Also The credits song is beautiful, the whole soundtrack is very pleasant.
Recommended? yes
Lovely cast, lovely style, lovely music, lovely use of a time-loop both mechanically and narratively. I love the main character so freaking much, they have so many issues.
I played the demo/prologue when it came out (and experience which I think is worthwhile even if you do plan to play the full game), and loved the things this artist made for years. So when this game came out I was so freaking excited.
The emotional trip this game made me go through was so so painful and I loved it. The themes of identity, memory and love echoed from the artist earlier works.
Recommended? yes
I played several of Daniel Mullins's games and this is by far the best one. It plays on same themes he always plays on but this one much more solid, and to be honest, so much better looking.
The card game part is such a strong base, there is a reason there is a game mode which is just that. However it's not just that, the game plays with you, introducing new mechanics, visuals, and narrative when you make progress. The game wants you to explore and rewards you for it. And I dare say I really cared for the end.
8 grizzly bear attack at you.
Recommended? yes
I am a coward, however I think horror, and horror games more specifically are incredibly cool and fascinating to explore. After seeing some video on iron lung ages ago I thought "oh I can probably play though this without feeling the urge to close it and think happy thoughts".
I was right! I still needed to stream it to a friend cause I am always scares less with an audience plus I wanted her to experience Iron Lung as well, even if secondhand.
It's short, It's neat, It's a movie by Markiplier now. I love the blood ocean.
Recommended? yes
I played this game with a friend. The thing about this game is that it’s beautiful, the mechanics are wonderful and it feels great to play, there is a lot of talent that went into this game and it shows. Most levels have mini-games that are just side competitions against the other player. Genuinely unique quality co-op game I wish to see more of.
But man I wish the story didn’t exist. A story about divorce has potential but this ain’t it. I hate the vaguely racist book and his bright pink eyebrows, I hate both main characters, they are just genuinely bad people and I wish they would stop talking.
It is one of those “the sum of parts is lesser than the parts”. I still think it’s a great game to play with someone, maybe the bad story is something you can bond over as well.
Recommended? maybe
Honestly disappointing. It wasn’t bad, I just wish it was better. And with its popularity I think I expected it to be better.
I really feel like it’s style over substance but it tries to really make you think there is substance. The style does go far though.
Every time I got stuck it wasn’t the fun kind of trying to figure out a puzzle but more of a I have no idea what I’m doing wrong what does this game want from me.
Still nice, I heard the sequel is better.
Recommended? yes
I played the demo of this game years ago and kinda forgot about it till a friend recommended the full game to me so I gave it a try.
Visual Novels are something I play at a snail's pace, which did include this game even though it is pretty short.
However I’m happy I played it- trans cowboys on opposing sides falling in love and finding a way for them to have a life- I am the target audience. I love them. It’s free. Play it.The art is pretty.
Recommended? yes
Inspired by certain tf2 custom maps and warioware Microworks is a multiplayer game where you get task and you're supposed to complete them for points. It's free, its fun and quick, it's light on the computer.
where is a rotation of boss stages, and special rounds which I am unsure of how to get on purpose. Honestly a great time next time your friend group wanna spend "just a few dollar" on a game you'll play once.
Recommended? yes
Wonderful game, loved it. I just know speedruns of this game would look wild and I need to check them out. A short review is kinda fitting this game isn’t it.
Recommended? yes
I quite like movement shooters, and this one is one of my favorites. Something about the card system and the way stages were built made me really want to do each stage over and over till I got all the medals and collectables, and believe I am capable of achieving that, which I did.
I know that that a ruling opinion people have about this game is that the writing is cringe, but honestly I loved it, it had the capacity to be cringe sure, but the cringe felt sincere to me. Like yes, Yellow would really say that, I believe that, and he's my friend.
Also the aesthetic is really neat accompanied by a really great soundtrack by Machine Girl.
Recommended? yes, but it's not for everyone
The thing about this game is that I got really into it before I even played it. I watched hours of gameplay and lore videos. Analysis of the creatures and plants. I went through all of the wiki. This game fascinated me.
Procedural animation and each creature having a personality makes the ecosystem of the game feel so alive.
Then I downloaded the game (with the downpour dlc) and I played for days upon days. I complained to my friend that I started dreaming rain world, and he said I should probably take a break, and I said no.This game is hard and I kinda suck at it, I also think this might be one of my favorite games ever.
I played for hours upon hours and I am still not done, and even if I was, the modding scene is so good.Do you want more campaigns? You have that. different skills? Sure. New regions? Why not. Cosmetics? There is plenty for you to pick from. You for some god forsaken reason want to make it harder? Oh boy you can. Do you want creatures to make funny sounds? I keep forgetting I have a mod that makes the rot make clown noises and every time is a pleasant surprise.
Also what other game would give you slugcats, wonderful creatures even if originally they weren't even meant to be slugs nor cats.
Recommended? maybe
I saw a review calling it “it’s as if a telltale game didn’t want to waste your time” and honestly (as, unfortunately, a telltale games fan) I see what they mean.
It’s fun, it’s intriguing. When the game forces you to find a new way to escape each chapter, makes you adapt and try different possibilities- wonderful game design.
Unfortunately the more time passes the more mellow I get on the story and in such a narrative focused game it makes it hard for me to fully recommend.
I liked how locations felt very open sometimes. Some scenes are basically cutscenes where you have very little choice. While others are more open locations where you can explore backrooms and get rewarded with resources for your journey.
The biggest con I can remember is that as a game who prides itself on being procedurally generated you’d think it would lend itself for replayability but the second time around I was bored going through mostly the same scenes as my first playthrough.
Even when selecting different options they would mostly go the same way, making me wish there were more options I could do sometimes. but I understand it is a game and there can only be so many stuff they can program you doing.
Recommended? maybe
I will be honest, I played it while having a migraine and remember very little, from what I wrote at the time this seems like a great short experience, in which I got one of the endings, messed around a little more till I got bored, deleted the game, and went to lay down. I do appreciate all the style it has and I feel like it has so much to explore.
Recommended? yes
There is a version of the game you can download for free if you have a netflix account, which I had at the time, and I would play every so often.
Eventually we (me and my brother) decided that netflix sucks and canceled the subscription. Which gave me a very short window to try and finish the game.
I think it is a very charming game, and even as someone who isn’t the greatest fan of resource management I liked that part as well. It would probably be less repetitive if I could take more breaks but I really wanted to finish the game in time
I find the art style and character designs wonderful. and the story made me shed a tear or two. And (especially after you get a few upgrades in) just like moving around is fun.
At the end I didn’t get to finish the game (although I got real close) but as the spirit of the game, I made peace with it and I let go.
Recommended? maybe
I had this game in my steam library for some reason, I cannot remember where I got it from but I probably got it for free at some point.
The only reason I gave it a go is because that was the topic of the Something Rotten podcast in march and I wanted to try playing along. Must be lucky that I choose the only game this far into the podcast that actually seemed fun.
The game has a lot of style but also is dated. I’m surprised there aren’t any modem games that take inspiration from it. It does end in a note that clearly says that they thought there would be a sequel, which didn’t happen.
Do I wish it was written better? Maybe. Do I wish the characters from the side co-op campaign weren’t random racist stereotypes? Yes.
Recommended? yes
What if there was a co-op game where you were influencing each other's games without needing to ever connect to the internet, with the buggy internet me and my friend occasionally have this could be but a dream, which the past within brought to life.
Over the years I probably played every rusty lake game without remembering or comprehending what was ever happening. And thankfully the game never expects you to. As a lover of point and click puzzle games I feel like most of their games serve the genre quite well, and I wish some multiplayer games attempt this method of connection that isn't depended on server or stable networking.
Recommended? yes
It deserves more game awards, it does.
It made me pull out sticky notes to decipher secrets, it felt amazing. But it’s a wonderful game even if you don’t engage with the secrets (but they are amazing and you should).
Talked several people's ears off about it and will maybe do it again. I don’t know if I can add any praise to Tunic that hasn’t been said before me. This game rocks.
Recommended? yes
I am unable to hear the word "Machine" without completing "TURN BACK NOW". What a good game that just keeps on giving and keep on having to replay cause I become too rusty for the new layer.
I will never 100% this game but a man can delude himself for short burst in which he retrys the same level 50 times and still doesn't get an S rank. And then go play a funny secret level instead cause they silly.
What a fascinating game was built here, I cling to every chunk of narrative like a small animal who needs it to survive and then I go to my friend like "YOU WONT BELIEVE WHAT WAS FOUND IN THE GUTTERMAN LETTER".
Also Hakita the guy that you are, somehow responsible to this and to the soundtrack as heaven pierce her, wow.
Recommended? yes
When people talk about cozy games this is the one I think about, it hits the sweet spot in my brain that hates decorating rooms in games but loves organizing, a thing many of the games inspired by this game rarely get right.
It's just a very chill and short game where you do what it says on the tin. Plus somehow it tells you a whole narrative which I think is pulled off quite well.
Recommended? yes
An ex-friend invited me to a watch party and it made me realize why this is such an iconic classic
I don’t know why there is a man having an asthma attack as a motif in the soundtrack but it goes hard.
I should rewatch it.
Recommended? yes
I do not watch a lot of documentaries. But my friend told me I should watch it, and one long train ride I did. Should have watched it earlier, you should watch it.
Recommended? yes
Fiddler on the roof is so important to me. I can't even fully explain why, I think I just want it at the right time, when I really needed some jewish media that was good and made me feel things.
I really hope to see a version live and in hebrew one day since the only full online recording that exists is from 1965 and the quality of the audio reflects that. It doesn't stop me from listening to it on loops.
Since I am talking about the film I think the way the camera sometimes plays with distances while Tuvia is making up his mind is interesting. And some filming trivia is that part of it was filmed in Yugoslavia and by the time the film released Yugoslavia was no more.
Recommended? yes
Put these here just cause I have the other two here, it's a great film. A great introduction to Beniot Blanc and what he stands for. And a great start to a series of films before we knew it was going to be a series of films.
Recommended? yes
Both as an added adventure of detective Benoit Blanc, and as its standalone film, this film is great.
Seeing more of Benoit was a joy and the theming of it all seems so very topical. It is incredibly on the nose but I think it’s kinda camp like that.
Recommended? yes
The more I think about it the more I think this is my favorite one in the series. The themes and the way they are covered really speak to me.
Knives out films are not subtle, they never have been. This movie is about religion- The bad and the good. Now I am not christian, I am jewish, so while it is different I am familiar with structured religion. In the movie religion is seen as something that can definitely and does get used as something to inflict pain and be used as a mean to an end. But at the same times we can see how important it is to Jud with sincerity, how he uses it to help other people, and also how at the end of the day it is about people. When a woman is afraid for her mother jud says "I am here for you", and at end when the culprit seeks forgiveness it's not from Jud nor God, It is only when she apologizes to the woman she hurt she can finally rest.
It does come with the Benoit perspective of someone who doesn't care for religion, who is hinted to have suffered under it. Yes through Jud he sees it can be good even if he wants to stay far from it as he can, which is valid.
I keep thinking about that scene where Jud and Benoit meet at the church, about how the light, which is so so unsubtle goes in and out of the scene as nuances ideas of faith are brought out to the scene. I can write so much about this movie genuinely.
Recommended? yes
This was a joy of an adaptation, while a lot of stuff changed, the heart of the comic is still there.
The queer themes went from subtle to so in your face that if you miss them you must have closed your eyes. Things that are this on the nose usually bother me but for some reason I cherish it here.
Watching this movie get announced and then canceled and then picked up again was a ride but I am glad we arrived at a happy ending.
I do think that the comic and the movie are both separate entities with a very similar core and themes and I recommend them both even if you already experienced the other.
Recommended? yes
It was a rewatch for me.
Given it is a time travel film with big twists, it’s not only fun you can see all the hints and jokes they drop early on that would go over your head as a first time watcher. But it’s also fun since I watched it with a bunch of friends who never watched it before and seeing them trying to guess what’s going on and then figure it out in real time was an absolute blast.
It began an inside joke in that friend group that is still one of my favorites.
Recommended? yes
I was skeptical of this film, everyone around was saying it’s great and maybe I just stopped trusting all established ips or something but expectations were low.
So I was glad to be proven wrong. The animation is wonderful, the plot is interesting,I love the design of the wolf and how the film handles the theme of death.Meow!
Recommended? maybe
What a little freak of man, I don't know what I thought about this film since i'm still processing it. If a man get off to you talking about your twin it's a red flag, and it's not his worst one.
I did like the complicated feelings a twin can have about a twin and how a character looking down on a woman brought a end to his ruse.
I talked to a friend about the ending and how we grasped it and that was interesting at least.
Also for some reason I went into the film thinking it was a horror film and for the first 40 minute I was waiting for a ghost or genuine murder, which I am sure affected my experience cause I was guessing who killed this guys twin since the film started.
Recommended? yes
What if I told you the animation you used to watch on YouTube as a child kept going on while you looked away. That there is now a storyline spanning several hours which is very neat and dear to my heart.
I don’t know if it is supposed to be surprising but it’s so good, top notch youtube animation, the last episodes go so hard.
Both the minecraft episodes and the vs animation storylines are worth watching, and they keep coming out.
The physics and math ones are genuine masterpieces.
Recommended? yes
Finally got around to watching the third and last season.
Honestly I liked it less then the previous seasons (which were very good) however, it was a nice end to the show and I’m glad they wrapped it up nicely.
Recommended? yes
I went into it when like only 2 episodes were out genuinely thinking it's gonna be probably not that well made, I just wanted something low stakes and gay sport romance has always been a soft spot to me.
However I quickly found this is genuinely a great show, I care about it so much. I think about their use of the song "all the things (she said)" at least once a week with all the cultural context around it.
Also finding out it was made by the same guy who made letterkenny was funny to me.
Recommended? yes
I was rewatching it with friends as preparation to watch season 3.
It was a blast and made me remember why this is my favorite anime of all time, maybe even appreciate it more.
The only problem is that I still haven’t watched season 3…
Recommended? no
Imagine you're sick so you decide to watch an adaptation of a book you really love only to find out they made it so much worse :(
At first I thought the inclusion of new elements was fun and made sense for the move from book to tv. I was willing to look past the fact they cast as a generic cis white man as murderbot. But as the show went on I felt how they just keep ruining all the parts that made me love it so much.
Just read the book please.
Recommended? yes
How can I do this show justice? tell you it’s one of the best shows I ever watched in my life? That the hope and kindness it shows radiated into many facets of my life?
The premise is so simple but the execution makes it so novel and touching. I will never find a show that hits the same point in me or that has the same unique charm as Ted Lasso.
Do a favor to yourself, give it a try, I can promise you, you will not regret it.
Recommended? yes
I was a skeptic, before it came out I thought “who asked for this?”, and I was ready for it to prove itself as another video game adaptation gone wrong.
I was very wrong, this show reignited my love for the franchise. As a zombie lover I forgot how much I love the unique zombies in the last of us. especially the clickers and their designs.
Both main actors work so well, the inclusion of the dlc plot (which I never played) was appreciated.Episode 3 is like a short film to me, it is so good, it hit me hard, the kind of changes from the source material that elevate the adaptation.
I have not watched the second season.
Recommended? yes, but check tws
A show that made me transfixed on the screen, the way the episodes follow hour by hour in the show really makes you wanna keep watching "just one more episode".
I love Mel so much she so real to me, I love Dana, I love Dr.Robby and how they talk about his relationship with judaism.
I do keep watching it while eating dinner and then remembering it such a bad idea.
Recommended? yes
I read this in Hebrew and cannot find it in English, I found it entertaining and very absurd- in a good way.
Recommended? yes
If you are in the came internet circles as me you must have heard of Chuck Tingle or at least the weird erotica (and I mean that in a good way) he wrote.
At some point a friend told me she was gonna read this book and on a whim I followed suit only to realize he is also quite the competent horror writer. Was I scared at any point? I don't remember but I was engrossed nonetheless.
Also the audio book does some really cool moves which plays well with the format of the book.
Recommended? maybe
I know it’s popular and I kinda started and abandoned it years ago, after reading fence I wanted more queer sports comics and it came to mind, it is cute, maybe too cute for my taste.
I would probably enjoy it more if I read it when it came out, both because I would be younger and it would still suit the internet culture at the time.
Recommended? yes
Dungeon Meshi I love you so much. What a fun cast of character's, and a beautiful representation of food and the process of cooking and eating. The lion eating peoples wants, god that's tasty storytelling.
Recommended? maybe
Started it on a whim, love it so much that I got upset learning it is an ongoing series and not a complete one.
It is very stupid, a soap opera of a sports comic, the exact kind of silly to make it a fun and easy read for me.
Recommended? yes
A Jacob Geller video about time loops sent me in the direction of this book since one of the short stories he talked about sounded fascinating. Glad to have followed that cause it was really a story I did enjoy. As well as some others.
surprising only to me a lot of the story take place on dystopian version of black friday. stories that will probably hit harder now that I have a somewhat steady job in customer service. Some stories were poetic in ways that probably went over my head. And I remember think one was like predictable in it's genre.
Recommended? yes
I listened to the first 5 books and I don't intend to stop here. I love murderbot- both series and character.
The way eye contact is torture to it but it will easily kill someone is necessary. I usually don't say it about characters but this is an autistic coded killing machine and it is my friend.
The first book is fun but it is mostly setup, the rest of the series really explores murderbot's inner world and it's relationship to others. Both human or not.
I keep trying to recommend it to people but it doesn't work, please read it.
Recommended? yes
This is a very poignant comic about the struggles of what to do with your life and difficulty with intimacy.
It touched me in ways I will never elaborate on the world wide web.
I should read the sequels.
Recommended? yes
So I think this is one of the first comics I read when I got into them. And it was a good pick.
I love how it plays with tropes, I love the humor of it and the characters. I really liked the ending.
The trans narrative in the comic is a lot more subtle then in the film but I read it years before the film and even then it really spoke to little ol’ egg me. Later on when I would start getting gender thoughts more clearly just as N.D started coming out. In short- this comic is in a way inseparable from my own transness even if it’s just a lil fantasy book.
I have thoughts about the adaptation but that is written down in the movie notes.
Recommended? yes
I am unsure how to describe this in a way that will do it justice. I loved Leo Fox’s art for a very long time and when I found out I can buy a comic of his in a local store I didn’t think twice.
What followed was maybe me finding my new favorite comic.
Messy queer relationships, a jury in the head of the main character judging all they do, “Would you like me if I was a single celled organism”, starman- and so much more to love.
Each page is decorated in a way I can only call back to illuminated manuscripts. Both the art and the writing is genuinely beautiful,bizarre, and funny in a way I can only aspire one day to even dream of matching.
I think it deserves much more attention and if I had a way to get more comics of his I wouldn’t even think twice. Read this.
Recommended? yes
A classmate used this play for one of her projects and at some point we were waiting for something and she let me read the little play. So I laid back on a desk and read the whole thing in one setting.
It is nonsense, but it's part of the point, I did enjoy it nonetheless and some parts are really funny to me.
Recommended? yes
I personally love this book and it influenced me a lot. I have a lot more written about it in this blog post