SHOULD I PLAY UNSORTED HORROR? Play it if you like horror games at all. I mean, it’s totally free, what do you have to lose? Unsorted Horror is a compilation of five brief but memorable horror experiences created by developer Mike Klubnika. While the actual gameplay is somewhat minimal here, the sense of atmosphere that Klubnika builds is second to none. This free collection operates as a first glimpse of someone who is likely to become a major name in the world of horror games, so you might as well get on board now.

I really love the lore behind the Rusty Lake universe. The lore spans over 300 years and involves the stories of multiple families. All works from the Cube Escape series/Rusty Lake series contain various details and are related to each other, making the lore more complicated yet intriguing. Would definitely recommend the series to those who love lore-rich puzzle games.

It's been a long time since we've seen a fall from grace quite so spectacular as The Day Before. The latest twist in that saga comes with today's news that developer Fntastic is shutting down just days after the game finally launched in early access. This survival zombie shooter first came on gamers' radars a couple years ago with an impressive first trailer. Despite few people having heard of Russian developer Fntastic, the trailer built a huge amount of buzz, and The Day Before quickly became one of the most wishlisted games on Steam of all time. Equally quickly, however, more discerning gamers started questioning whether the trailer was showing actual gameplay or if it was all nonsense.

I would say my favorite lore-rich game is Inscryption. It is not merely a roguelike card-game, but is an integrated presentation of intriguing gameplay and unexpected plot-twist. For me, the more interesting part is actually outside of this game, since on one hand, another two works (Pony Island and The Hex) from the same development team also share the same universe with Inscryption (but with totally different stories and gameplay), which somehow triggers more interpretation of the lore from different players; and on the other hand, some part of the lore is even connected with the real world we’re living in, and that also makes the whole thing more fantastic.

Step into the fantastical world of Figment, a game that seamlessly weaves together the ethereal tapestry of thoughts and fears. In this mind-bending adventure, players embark on a journey of rediscovery, facing nightmares head-on and restoring courage in a surreal landscape. Background Story: Figment introduces players to a serene mind disrupted by nightmarish creatures born from unsettling thoughts.

Dive into the enchanting world of Night Reverie, where mystery and sibling bonds blend seamlessly in a delightful puzzle adventure. Background Story: In Night Reverie, the narrative unfolds with the touching tale of siblings Matt and Emma, navigating a distorted home. The storyline, while addressing poignant themes, maintains a sweet and hopeful tone, promising players an emotional yet uplifting journey.

I've never known a game like this before: Fancade, it's quite fun because it has games inspired by Mario bros even Tetris is included but in modern version.  Dino bros, I love them because they make an amazing duo, even though they have to be together in every level, based on mental skill games because you have to be careful if one dies or the other falls into the water. You can also create your own game but make it: interesting, fun and with a touch of logic. 

The day that not so long ago seemed like it would never come has finally arrived: Diablo IV is upon us. The latest entry in the series is bigger, prettier, and more online than ever before, but the core of the action RPG formula that made it famous remains intact—pick a class, get gear, and kill countless screaming hordes of hellspawn. While we have some reservations about Blizzard’s plans for ongoing monetization,

SHOULD I PLAY PHANTOM BLADE: EXECUTIONERS? Absolutely play it. Phantom Blade: Executioners is a flashy action game that mixes the best elements of classic side-scrolling 2D brawlers—think Streets of Rage and Golden Axe—with a deep yet approachable combo-based fighting system that feels like something out of Devil May Cry. The result is a brilliantly fun, bite-sized title that’s worth some time even if you’re tired of gacha games.

SHOULD I PLAY GRANBLUE FANTASY: RELINK? Absolutely check out Granblue Fantasy: Relink if you even remotely enjoy Japanese-style RPGs or just games with great action RPG combat systems. As a spin-off of the Granblue Fantasy mobile game that’s been running for almost a decade now, getting thrown right into the middle of this story might feel a little confusing at first. But developer Cygames uses this history to its advantage, presenting a world that feels complex and interesting to explore. Plus it’s populated by massive, godlike monsters in need of being hacked and slashed to death. Bonus!

PLAY IT OR SKIP IT? Skip it for now, but it may be worth revisiting once it hits full release. Ashfall is a shooter MMORPG that reminds me of Fallout’s post-apocalyptic world and monsters. Despite its strong visual style and interesting story, Ashfall doesn’t manage to live up to its very lofty inspirations—at least not yet, in its beta test form. This game has all the potential in the world to grow into something enjoyable in the future, but its combat system and gameplay will need a lot of improvement before that happens.

Step into a mesmerizing pixel-art realm with Unreal Life, an indie masterpiece that has claimed the prestigious "New Faces Award" at the Japan Media Arts Festival. Developed by the visionary indie game label "Yokaze," this title beckons players to immerse themselves in a world where mystery, emotion, and adventure seamlessly intertwine. Background Story: Unreal Life weaves a poignant tale around Hal, a girl who grapples with amnesia, armed only with the haunting memory of "Miss Sakura." Guided by a talking traffic light and an extraordinary ability to extract memories from touched objects, players accompany Hal on her quest to rediscover her past.

PLAY IT OR SKIP IT? Play it. Disney Illusion Island is a charming, cartoony platformer starring iconic characters like Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck. This enchanting Metroidvania only falls slightly short due to its lack of difficulty and lightly repetitive gameplay. Regardless of those issues, it’s one of my favorite games to play with friends right now and one of the best platformer titles I’ve encountered this year.

PLAY IT OR SKIP IT? Play it! Doomblade is a challenging but charming Metroidvania that gives off Hollow Knight vibes but manages to have a unique identity all its own. Stepping into the shoes of a tiny, tentacled creature known as Gloom Girl, I picked up an evil, sentient sword and set out on an intense adventure to take out the Dread Lords, otherworldly baddies who’ve wiped out the Gloomfolk and created a dystopian world. That adventure challenged my skills as much as anything I’ve played this year, but it was well worth fighting through to explore this wild, interesting world.

UnHoly Neighborhood emerges as a distinctive entry in the realm of point-and-click adventure puzzle mystery games, offering players a captivating journey through a gloomy neighborhood teeming with surreal elements. Background Story: The narrative centers around Peter Grim, the protagonist on a quest to solve the mysterious kidnapping of his wife, confront a strange storm, and navigate a city overrun by giant rats. The dark riddles of the neighborhood serve as the backdrop to this intriguing storyline.

It's acceptable to have reservations about buying massive games published by anyone, especially by new or even long-standing studios, with titles like Stray fully blowing up because of the internet when the reality remains that it wasn't much of a game, but rather a feline experience that was the first to really get a massive crowd. Black Myth Wukong does not do it to you. It treats you like a paying customer, delivers what you paid for and expect, avoids dumb ideas or gimmicks, and remains loyal to the source material,

[Music credits: "Plains of Illeyneth" by Dragon Tamer -  "Orchestral Fantasy Fairy Village" by Frequently Asked Music]

SHOULD I PLAY WARM SNOW? Absolutely play it if you enjoy action-packed roguelites with tons of unlockables and a unique setting. Warm Snow takes place in a fictionalized version of seventeenth-century China where the kingdom has fallen into chaos thanks to a strange phenomenon known as “Warm Snow.” I had to slice my way through multiple locations and thousands of mutated enemies to get to the bottom of this bizarre event, equipping myself with different relics and weapons as I did so. This is as tightly designed and fun of a roguelite as I’ve ever played and definitely worth the dozens of hours you can put into it if you want to unlock everything.

SHOULD I PLAY SWORD ART ONLINE LAST RECOLLECTION? Play it, especially if you’re a fan of the Sword Art Online anime/manga/light novel series. Sword Art Online: Last Recollection is an action RPG set during the third season of the anime. It’s a great representation of the series, but it suffers in a few ways mostly tied to its presentation: ugly visuals, poor animation, and delayed actions. I’d still recommend it to fans of the series, though, who’ll find plenty to enjoy here.

Great problem solving puzzle, great narratives. If you want more games like this, check out my list below.