Author: Semy Rahman

Introduction: A Puzzle Game That Keeps on Giving When describing something as “the gift that keeps on giving”, it implies that something continues to provide benefits over time. It might seem farcical to utilize that statement for a puzzle game, as Lorelei and the Laser Eyes require the utmost effort and patience from the player in order to move forward. Each time I solved a challenging mystery, a wave of dopamine rushed through my head. However, that dopamine rush easily came to a screeching halt as a plethora of mental blocks and puzzles still persisted. Exploring the Enigmatic Hotel Lorelei…

Pepper Grinder Review – A Drill-Fueled Adventure Awaits Labeling this game a platformer solely is a bit of an underrepresentation. Yes, you jump, but it’s not as simple as pressing “A” to jump from one ledge to another. On the contrary, you must navigate through the terrain with a drill, utilizing momentum and power to maneuver around each level precisely. It takes a lot of skill to flesh out a popular gaming genre with its own unique mechanic, and Pepper Grinder does just that. Unsurprisingly, this creative gem comes from the publishing hands of Devolver Digital, whose library of standout…

Looking back, it’s quite evident that 2023 has been a fantastic year for gaming regarding the quality of releases. Many of this year’s games were in development cycles for long periods, proving the sensible notion that giving studios and developers more time for their products is ideal. With star-studded AAA releases and a plethora of indie bangers, formulating a top 5 was a tough task.  So here are some honorable mentions (totally not making this a top 10): Super Mario Bros Wonder: A whimsical and wacky entry for Mario, this game manages to bring out so much joy for any…

Sometimes, the oddest of combinations can end up concocting a magnificent result. You’d be surprised how much an Oreo tastes like a cheesecake if you add some sour cream on top. Affogato is an ambitious game aiming to combine elements of a reverse tower-defense game, a coffee-brewing simulator, and a social simulator into one amalgamation. Though there are components and bits of high potential, the fallout of this effort becomes a prominent example of style over substance.  You play as Affogato, a sorceress who acclimates into the city of Arorua as she opens up a new coffee shop. This…

The realm of wonder has no limits, even with a dark and foreboding fate remaining everpresent. The Penitent One seeks to dispel more evil, and it is through his journey that the player finds a rewarding struggle with a resounding triumph. Blasphemous started out as a Kickstarter game campaign and, over time, became a massive success in the indie gaming sphere. It was to such a degree that the game had three DLCs and is now ready for its sequel. Blasphemous 2 continues the story of the Penitent One in unfamiliar territory as they traverse the unforgiving terrain in search…

A sword and shield is a classic, staple icon of weaponry within history and media. What better combination of offense and defense could you possibly have? Developer doinksoft decided they could try to rival such a combination with Gunbrella. Not only does this umbrella shoot bullets, but it also deflects projectiles and adds a novel layer of movement and maneuverability. With such a unique concept, I was excited to delve into this gritty noir-punk action adventure.  You play as a quiet woodsman who’s on a quest for answers and revenge as he arrives in a new town. Your special…

It’s no secret that Disgaea 6 didn’t receive as positive a response as previous entries. Luckily, Nippon Ichi Software, Inc. took note of this and looked into the roots of what made Disgaea an enjoyable franchise to begin with. In fact, it was one of the core development tenets as Disgaea 7: Vows of the Virtueless was in progress. Aside from adopting features from past titles, such as reintroducing weapon skills, Disgaea 7 focuses on a single Netherworld themed on feudal-era Japan instead of relying on multiple worlds. The roster of classes has also been upgraded by introducing four new character classes,…

It feels pretty satisfying when you solve a puzzle, especially when it’s one full of complexity and intricacy. When Escape Academy was released in 2022, Coin Crew Games were able to gamify the escape room concept, and it worked marvelously. Shortly after the base game’s release, the first DLC of Escape from Anti-Escape Island came about. I vividly remember thinking the base game felt short, so it was exciting to get more levels. With the Escape from the Past DLC, there are more puzzles to make your brain itch and scratch any brain itch. https://youtu.be/3NL0u2HjMYA Seeing the name of the…

The root of companionship is the recognition of mutual need. Throughout Daydream: Forgotten Sorrow, the bonds you have and create with others are necessary for growth and accomplishment. You play as a young lad named Griffin alongside his teddy bear, Birly. Together, you must navigate through these surreal landscapes as you go on this magical adventure. While the puzzles and environments are gripping and mesmerizing, this journey’s path has its fair share of rough patches.  https://youtu.be/9uGLIyXjKTk The opening sequence rushes you into a feeling of suspense and thrills as you must escape a menacing hand that’s trying to grab you.…

The sun is shining, but the world isn’t bright. The darkness of the past looms over the present. Not just the current moment but the moments to come. As James Savage, you aim to dispel the spreading force of evil. And what better way to do so than with guns? El Paso, Elsewhere is a third-person shooter that takes heavy inspiration from classic action titles, especially Max Payne. Despite the Max Payne influence being worn on the sleeve, there’s a unique twist and substance to this gritty experience. https://youtu.be/gtJBOeT7hBs The opening sequence has James go through an internal monologue which…

Much of humanity often takes the wonder of nature for granted as we continue to deteriorate the quality of the planet’s climate and ecosystem. With the toxic relationship we have with Mother Earth, there’s no doubt we’ll likely see the degradation of many environments and species. But what if there’s a chance to restore and save life on Earth? In After Us, we get the opportunity to salvage the planet in a remarkable fashion.  You play as Gaia, the Spirit of Life, and you’re tasked with restoring the spirit of the world back to a semblance of its former…

The continuous saturation of ideas within the gaming sphere makes it increasingly difficult to come up with something original. Yet originality is not required to allow a game to shine in the limelight, as some ideas follow the mantra of “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” to a tee. Unfortunately, with Rendezvous, it goes into the extremities on the other side of the scale, as the experience is riddled with predictability and poorly-executed cliches. Though it gleams and radiates pixelated beauty and cultural influence, the gameplay mechanics and narrative of this cyberpunk dystopia fails to leave any notable impact…

Just last week, PAX East 2023 came to a close as hundreds of developers and publishers came together to show off new titles and projects to the general public. Yet, as I perused through the rows of the Expo Hall in the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, I kept circling back to one booth, Chorus Worldwide. Chorus Worldwide is a publisher and consultancy to help various indie games worldwide get the limelight they deserve. I walked up to the booth and saw a lineup of intriguing and eye-catching titles I knew I had to play. The more I played, the…

The deep sea is full of wonder and mystery, as there is so much to discover and observe. In Pronty, the ocean’s secret resides not only within the potential forms of life but the story of the fictitious city of Royla. You play as a Pronty, a creature fabricated to protect the denizens of this underwater society from the horrors of the mutated sea life. In order to complete your mission of keeping Royla safe from further harm, you must explore the surrounding areas and face the threatening sea animals.   Pronty is an underwater metroidvania that plays similarly to…

When focusing on simplicity, creativity usually becomes easier to comprehend and maneuver. However, shining the limelight on simplicity can overshadow the other important aspects of an experience. In Blanc, you and a partner must tag-team together as a deer and a wolf cub to find your respective lost families. Though this unlikely duo are adorable and sweet, the structural makeup of this adventure lacks substance.  From beginning to end, Blanc is a gorgeous sight to behold. The black-and-white aesthetic is eye-catching and distinct, engrossing you in a colorless world. Yet, the lack of colors doesn’t take away from the…

The sky’s the limit when there are no preconceptions or guidelines for creativity. Yet developer Mojiken felt the sky was an unworthy opponent and pushed into optimality with A Space for the Unbound. You play as Atma, a boy on the path of discovery, not just for himself, but for many others in a small, rural town set in 90s-era Indonesia. The road to finding answers brings upon even more mysteries as it all coalesces in due time. Though the story may not provide a novel web of complexity, the simple yet imaginative plot unfolds beautifully with strong dialogue, relatable…

Still having a tough time saying goodbye to 2022. While there were plenty of wild moments in the year, it’s been a great time overall. Happy to have experienced playing plenty of games for Noisy Pixel and writing up some fun reviews. And I gotta say, this year has been a solid year for gaming. Each month has brought up some amazing titles, giving me a lot to play through, but also continuing to ensure that I leave my backlog crying in the dust. I kind of have a feeling 2023 will do the same for me. But with that…

The 3D platformer genre needs to bring a plethora of characteristics to the table to truly be successful. Throughout the past couple of decades, this beloved genre hasn’t had much representation within the gaming sphere outside of major hits such as Super Mario 3D World or A Hat in Time. When starting Kukoos, the elements appeared to be a fitting candidate for a memorable and charming entry to the 3D platformer genre. Unfortunately, this veil is full of considerable holes, leaving me dissatisfied with the comprehensive experience. https://youtu.be/I9wYdvmlgOk The premise is simple in nature, albeit questionable in execution. Kukoos are…

The path to self-discovery has never felt so challenging yet rewarding. Moonscars by Black Mermaid pushes you to the limit of honing your combat skills in a beautiful and dreary world. In this souls-like metroidvania, you play as Grey Irma, a fierce warrior on a path to overcoming deadly enemies and finding the Sculptor. This deity-like being holds the answers to your and others’ existences. It was difficult to keep my eyes away from the screen through pixelated perfection and intense gameplay.  I couldn’t help but be enamored with the amazing pixel art that Moonscars has to offer. Despite…

When faced with decisions, it’s common knowledge that one’s actions come with consequences, even if they may be unintended. In South of the Circle, we follow the story of Peter, a lecturer at Cambridge who is recruited to study climate science in Antarctica. During the trip, he and his colleague suffer a plane crash while traversing through a fierce blizzard. Helpless and lost, Peter must find help for his injured colleague and a way to escape the storm. https://youtu.be/-hSIGxsD_5I Though your journey begins here, you’re far from being limited to the snowy tundra. South of the Circle is a narrative…