Recent reviews by TheSlyestOfMen

Eurojank in the best possible way, Infra has some truly unique ideas. Its puzzles are all set in the context of the real world - repairing switch boxes, setting up a water treatment plant, and other engineering problems are seamlessly integrated into the levels. A pretty interesting backstory of corporate corruption and greed underlies these puzzles, though it's perhaps a bit overwritten near its end. It also commits the dire sin of being about 2 hours too long.

Still, I haven't played anything like this before and probably won't get to again. Despite my minor complaints, you can tell the developers really gave a ♥♥♥♥ about putting something new into the world. Glad the Euros still have their magic Source engine touch.

Create your own little town, imagining the countless stories of of the people who live there and navigate its winding streets, tree-lined canals, and hidden beach oases. then delete the town's time-honored landmark because its roof looks a little weird
Perfect little zen garden

Someday, developers will learn that getting knocked down is not a fun mechanic. Today is not that day.

This is a hard game to write about. For starters, I'd hesitate even to call it a "game," in that its interactivity is limited to moving linearly between areas and talking/interacting with the inhabitants therein. It's more of a virtual novel than anything else, but one presented in an outwardly more interesting fashion than clicking through text boxes, even if the game ends up being functionally similar.

So let's talk about the story. At risk of spoiling or simply recapping the plot, I'll say that it touches on a lot of things in the span of 90 minutes, which seems to be the average playtime. All Our Asias looks to explore identity, memory, and legacy through the lens of a young man's relationship with his father, some aspects of which are handled with more grace than others. It is in the vastness of these concepts' valleys that the game loses some of its poignancy. The main character moves, in a matter of minutes, from the close-up intimacy of revisiting his father's school dance memories to learning about the role of racial sensitivity and connection in policymaking. These things aren't inherently opposed, but they aren't tied together as tightly as they should be. There's a noticeable shift halfway through when the game zooms out massively in this fashion, and it feels a bit disconnected.

In creating All Our Asias, the developer clearly had a lot of ideas they wanted to reconcile in an interactive experience. While the game attempts to do so in too rushed a fashion, what's here, from the surreal low-res artwork to the inklings of a touching personal story, are interesting enough that I'd say it merits a try. All Our Asias feels almost like a demo reel for something greater to come, and while the experience is flawed and a bit clumsy, I'm excited to see what the developer does next, given more time to build on what they've created here.

This is the platonic ideal of a rainy-day game. Clever concept with a sweet, if simplistic, story punctuated with some good voice performances and a painterly art style. Doesn't overstay its welcome. Pick this up if you're feeling down.

Can be simultaneously relaxing and challenging

If you can't find stable employment, housing, or love in real life, this is the next best thing!

I don't think I've ever been more conflicted in my opinion of a game.

My first experience with Donut County was, as I imagine holds true for many, through footage of Youtubers playing it at conventions. Back then, the game's minimalistic polygonal art style, Animal Crossing-esque cast of characters, and unique premise grabbed me -- as far as I know, this is the only game out there where you literally play as a hole (if there are other hole-based games out there, please forgive my ignorance). I eagerly awaited Donut County's release and bought it without a second thought shortly after.

And I'm pleased to report that all of that remains true -- the game boasts a charming art style and a unique gameplay loop; you start each level as a small hole and grow in size each time you swallow up an object, eventually progressing to the point at which your cavernous pit is large enough to swallow up the primary object of the stage. The levels themselves are nicely varied in aesthetic and design, and the story binding them together is quirky and generally enjoyable, if a bit disjointed. The game is funny, too -- each object you collect is added to your "Trashopedia" complete with a nonsensical bit of flavor text. It is in these short descriptions and the between-level story segments that the creator's wit and imagination really shine.

Having said all that, I really don't know that I can recommend the game. Don't get me wrong -- I had a great time with it. It's just that there's not enough of that magic of which you get the occasional glimpse. Levels are short and simple, often lasting ten minutes at most and requiring almost no thought from the player. You simply swallow small objects, then bigger ones, then even bigger ones, and then the target object, and then the level is over. It isn't until the final couple of levels in which you see the game's mechanics used in a truly creative way. The whole experience lasts about 90 minutes, with an additional 20-30 if you want to hunt down the last couple achievements (a fairly straightforward task). My playtime reads as 3.3 hours, but don't be deceived; your friendly neighborhood Steam Reviewer left the game running on accident. Whoops.

Donut County feels like it was created at a 24-hour game jam; this isn't inherently a bad thing, as some of the most original games I've ever played are the spawn of such events. However, it just doesn't feel complete; everything is mostly there, and that's the worst part of it all. Levels have just a few puzzling elements, but they could use so many more. The characters are cute, but their backstories are limited, and as a result, the player ends up not really connecting with any of them. Just as the mechanics feel that they're getting interesting, the game ends.

If I had to describe this game in a word, I'd call it pleasant. Don't expect Portal-esque challenges that will have you yelling shouts of joy when you outsmart the game; don't expect Animal Crossing-esque characters whom you grow to love; don't expect hours of content. This game will leave you feeling that you had a nice experience, and you'll enjoy playing it, but you'll also be left with a nagging feeling of disappointment shortly after the credits roll; Donut County is good, yes, but it could have been so much more. It wasn't the game I expected when I watched it, wide-eyed, however many months ago; above all, Donut County's potential is its own undoing.

Rain World is one of those games you have a love/hate relationship with. With its awkward controls, oddly obscure storyline, and unforgiving difficulty, it is understandable how people become frustrated with the game and leave before experiencing the true gem this game is. However, if you are willing to invest time and effort, the game starts unfolding all of its hidden mechanics and nuances. And these are why I kept returning to Rain World after all those deaths. There is so much to learn and experience, often requiring the player to slow down and not focus on rushing through the story. Once you understand this, the world of Rain World becomes immersive and you can sink hours into the game simply trying to coexist in the ecosystem. A favorite aspect of mine is the complexity of the AI. The other monsters in the game do not simply exist to hunt you, but they live as you would expect a creature to. They fight over territory, hunt for food, hide from larger predators, form alliances, etc. This gives the game a level of depth that most platformers miss entirely.

TLDR: Rain World can suck at times, but if you put in effort, it becomes incredibly unique and rewarding

Bioshock infinite amazed me with its storytelling and challenging gameplay. My first playthrough was memorable and exciting, and I enjoyed the depth to the combat.