#reviewed2023

GAMES I REVIEWED IN 2023 ➞ Coffee Talk 2: Hibiscus & Butterfly

Coffee Talk Episode 2: Hibiscus & Butterfly is a fantastic sequel. The art style is simple but amazing, the music is great and the ambient rain is relaxing. Choices do indeed matter in this game, and with a (pretty hard to miss) mistake, you can cut off character arcs completely. Admittedly, there are some annoying bugs, and issues with the social media app. But the game is so grounded and authentic in its characters that each of them has their own wants, desires, and problems. While you can’t solve them with a coffee, you can help steer them in one direction or another. Their issues still feel really natural, even if they’re not human. Coffee Talk 2 is a beautiful game, and I can’t wait to jump back in again to collect all the nick knacks.

GAMES I REVIEWED IN 2023 ➞ Planet of Lana

Planet of Lana is a vibrant and vivid dreamscape. From luscious greens to bright blues, it’s very clear how important art is in a game like this. Some issues hold the title back, such as a lack of checkpoints leading to frustration in puzzles. Though the environmental storytelling is strong, the puzzle elements largely work with the use of “companion-based gameplay”, and the stealth sections, while basic, make for a fun time. All in all, Planet of Lana is an engaging and unique game, and a world worth experiencing.

GAMES I REVIEWED IN 2023 ➞ Universe for Sale

Universe For Sale is a really cute and interesting story. It’s a short game, which is great for those of us who can’t play 100-hour-long games anymore. It has a fantastic narrative that will gag you when you figure it out. And considering that this is the debut game of Tmesis Studios, I’m really excited to see where they go next.

GAMES I REVIEWED IN 2023 ➞ Figment 2: Creed Valley

Figment 2: Creed Valley is a story about letting go of the stress that life might throw at you. It reminds you that you’re not too old to play the ukulele and that you too can dance like an idiot. Admittedly, the lack of visual progression is a shame. But the art style is fantastic, with each brush stroke looking uniquely gorgeous. Not only that, but the music feels like its own character, as though it lives in the world. The story itself is an emotional rollercoaster, and by the end, you can reflect back on the great journey you’ve taken.

GAMES I REVIEWED IN 2023 ➞ Party Animals

Party Animals is a fantastic game to get everyone in the mood. Not only is the art design enriching, but the sound design really makes an impact as well. Each match will have you in hysterics as you fight for the crown. There are some serious concerns surrounding the microtransaction economy found within as well as a lack of accessibility options for people who need them. However, at the very least, the game does prove to be a fun time with friends and an easy way to lose track of the hours.

GAMES I REVIEWED IN 2023 ➞ Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart

Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart is a great game, and the story is utterly sweet and such a love letter to the original. However, this is retailing on Steam and Epic for $94.95AUD. And considering the issues I dealt with, and other graphical problems people are having along with crashes and the fact that you need to put this on an SSD (seriously? In this economy?) I feel like it’s best to wait for updates. Now, Nixxes Software, the company that has been porting all the PlayStation games to PC is usually pretty good with updates, so there’s no doubt that these issues will be fixed – especially considering they released two hotfixes since launch. But hey, it’s not a bad way to experience this fantastic game if you don’t have a PS5.

GAMES I REVIEWED IN 2023 ➞ My Time at Sandrock

My Time at Sandrock is a cosy yet action-packed farming simulator that has you not only building up a dying town, but uncovering a conspiracy that threatens the quaint lives of the inhabitants. With every new update, the game has been getting stronger and stronger. And while admittedly there are some shortcomings with accessibility and glitches, My Time at Sandrock still manages to be a title fans of the farming sim will absolutely love.

GAMES I REVIEWED IN 2023 ➞ Bahnsen Knights

The last of LCB Game Studio’s Pixel Pulps is here! Bahnsen Knights is a short, choose-your-own-adventure about a cult of the same name. Despite focussing on the wrong areas of the plot, the game does have some lovely characterisation where one sentence paints a big picture. The nostalgic feel along with the gorgeous and sometimes downright terrifying pixel art means that Bahnsen Knights offers a lot, despite some rough edges.