Recent reviews by SmonkChan

One of the best puzzle games and early access titles currently out. Dedicated devs constantly adding new content makes this truly a worthwhile pickup.

Skyrim is a classic RPG that for many people was an introduction to what open world could be. Now it is clunky and dated, with it being released and re-released so many times that it is clear that it has just become a cash grab. It was impressive when it came out, but now it has been out for over a decade, and it has not aged well.
Skyrim suffers from what many open world games do, it is spread too thin without enough of a basis in order to provide a good experience while playing. Its map is large, but so many parts of it feel the same, and so many parts do not feel unique. The base combat is simple to the point of boring, and many mechanics reduce to number checks. Speech provides small benefits, but often if you make a minimum requirement it unlocks a new option for dialogue. Most skills that do not affect crafting or combat are like this, and it is unfortunate.
This game has left its mark on gaming, but I really don’t think it is worth coming back to. Many people feel such nostalgia for it, but it does not hold up well. When compared to newer games, Skyrim falls flat, and it isn’t worth getting a bad old game that has been re-released as a cash grab.

Day of Infamy is a properly dead game, however, it is a multiplayer game that holds a special place in my heart because there has been very little like it. Not because it is a fantastic game, it is an average team shooter. But it has some of the strangest design features that are unlike any game. Specifically, it allows for client side modding of textures and sounds in a public, competitive shooter. And this makes it one of the most fun and casual shooters I have ever seen. Whether this was the intention or if it was to allow the community to develop more realism on its own terms I don't know. However, I still fondly look on and remember “OOF” death sounds with “BEGONE THOT” as a bomber flies overhead laying waste to a confusing and wonderful battlefield.
This game is not one that should be taken seriously, even though that is what it is going for. I really can’t explain why anyone would choose to implement such a weird feature in a game that takes itself fairly seriously. However, it has convinced me more games should do it. Too many shooters take themselves too seriously to maintain a fair experience. But sometimes I just want to mess around and have fun, and this game filled that niche in a way that no other game has since.
This is not worth buying, the game is dead and there are very few people playing it. This review serves as a love letter to what once was.

Manifold Garden deals with fractals and the infinite. 3D fractals are beautiful, and often feel unimaginable, but Manifold Garden not only creates them and displays them, but also builds puzzles around them. This creates some very unique and mind bending puzzles where you must use the infinite in order to solve the puzzles and progress.
One amazing thing about this game is everything is infinite and repeatable. There is no original platform, everything is symmetrical and copied an infinite number of times. This makes it often feel overwhelming because there are no bounds, there is no limit.
As far as puzzle games go, this one is one of a kind. It will force you to think about things differently, you cannot use normal principles of reality. Really, Manifold Garden utilizes the video game medium to its full potential by creating puzzles and imagery that cannot exist in reality. It is well worth the time to play through this short and amazing game.

Gris is an art piece that takes the appearance of a puzzle platformer. Don’t be fooled, it is not really either of those things. Instead it is a serene, and beautiful exploration through beautiful and colorful environments. This game is really excellent, and is very much worth playing as long as you are aware that it supplies more of an experience than a challenge.
It is no secret that this game is gorgeous, and that is the main selling point. There are no weak points in this game's visuals, it is all beautiful and amazing. But more than just being beautiful, the visuals tell a story that is only told through them and the sound design. The story is not told through words, it is only told through how the world and the sound interact with the player and this is an amazing feat.
If you are at all interested in different and unique ways of storytelling, then Gris is a must play game. It does a perfect job of evoking emotions through very limited means. It is very abstract, and that makes the deep emotions felt playing it even more amazing.

Lightmatter is spiritually adjacent to the portal games, and is very obviously inspired by them. However, do not be fooled, this has its own legs, and is not trying to be another portal clone. In my mind, it has done a great job standing next to both Portals, with the story and writing, and with the puzzles.
I think the main narrator is simply wonderful, and does a really good job of living up to Cave Johnson. If I had to guess, the creators of this game wanted to make something that was as clever and wonderful as him and in my mind they succeeded. He is witty and clever but also obviously flawed and blinded by wanting to innovate and create the future. It is a pleasure to play through this game and hear each thing he has to say.
Often an issue with Portal inspired games is they don't innovate enough, they use the same place box on button puzzles so many don’t feel especially different. Despite this being so closely inspired by Portal, I think this one stands far above other Portal clones, and is very close to standing next to Portal with the quality of the puzzles. The puzzles are unique and often require different lines of thinking than other similar puzzle games, which is huge in my book. If you want to play another Portal adjacent game, but want new puzzles, this is such a great choice.
There really is no excuse to not try playing this game. It has a free demo, go play that and if you aren't satisfied then you have lost nothing. However, I think it is likely that you will be, just like I was.

Evan’s Remains is a sort of story, puzzle, platformer, and the real draw to it is the story and the art. The main purpose of this game is to tell the story. If you are interested in the idea of this story, it is worth picking up, but if you want a good puzzle game I would give it a pass, there are a lot of cutscenes and they are definitely just a supplement to the experience. The puzzles and platforming is fine, but not necessarily anything exceptional. In fact, the puzzles can be skipped entirely.
The pixelart for this game is gorgeous, it creates this tone and world that feels surreal and amazing. Mixing nature and artificial with the sky and world around it, makes for some of my favorite background art in any game, and why I was initially drawn to it.
I don’t want to go into too much detail about the story because it is the entire game, but it is short and is worth the effort to play through to unravel it all. I do not think that this will resonate with everyone, but the people that it will resonate with I think will really connect to it.

Spring Falls is a very short, but sweet and unique puzzle game. All it is about is bringing life to flowers, by bringing them water and green. Playing this game is a calm and meditative experience, and this is supported by the fact that there often isn't a single way to finish a level. There is no grading or stars to get like is often the case with this sort of puzzle game. Instead, whatever solution you find is the correct one, and I appreciate that. It fits perfectly with the tone, the calm music and the serene visuals.
There is nothing that can’t be taken back, mistakes are allowed and can be corrected easily. It is wonderful to work through the levels because you can use any method that makes sense to you and that is really wonderful. Even though it is short, this game is worth picking up just to relax for a short while.

Hunie Pop is a timeless classic that must be experienced playing with others. Many people have heard tales of playing it with the boys, and I too have done this. Indeed, that is the only way of playing it, because this game is bad. Admittedly though, if you want to watch porn with the boys, this isn’t the worst way of doing it.
I don’t think anyone has played this game for the story or the game play, anyone can tell you neither is good. It is a simple connect the pieces game like bejeweled, but also a bad dating sim. There are limited extensions of this idea, with powers and other upgrades, but it doesn’t really change the formula. The game is repetitive and every so often you can talk to a character.
There really isn’t much to say about this game. It isn’t worth playing by yourself, and if you are committed to playing with other people, then I don’t think any review will change your mind.

Gato Roboto is an amazing, bite sized metroidvania that has no fluff, it is a perfect experience. It is very short, but it is also cheap to go along with it, and it is well worth the few bucks to buy it. It includes several bosses, and a lovely area to explore and wander through.
The progression system is wonderful, with each area introducing a new mechanic that allows progression and secret finding throughout the rest of the game. Everytime you get to the end of an area, a new unlock allows progression somewhere else in true metroidvania fashion.
Another key point is that the art is adorable and works wonderfully. The two tone style is reminiscent of older gameboy games, and by changing the color palette you can swap to whatever is comfortable. The enemies are recognizable and cute, and our protagonist is an adorable cat that rides a mech. What else could you want?
This game is well worth the few short hours it takes to finish, it is just a lovely experience.