My search for a monster-hunting game I actually enjoy, regrettably, continues. Clearly, plenty of people love the heavy, sluggish movement and combat - some might even like the characters and story. But for me, everything is just too hard in all the wrong ways. The difficulty itself is fine, but every action feels like wading through mud: the sheer effort required to do anything - progress quests, rush through lifeless dialogue, and of course the combat - are just draining, not engaging. And, like always with this franchise, hunting feels more like an endurance test than an actual thrill.

It’s a game about digging a hole. But is it merely a task, or a reflection on modern gaming - an endless pursuit of progress, framed as purpose? Is the act of digging its own reward, its own quiet compulsion? Simple, but mildly compelling.

[Early access] Great potential, but core mechanics are currently working against the experience. Parrying mostly not worth it, healing tedious, and weapon durability killing loot excitement. Needs better onboarding, difficulty scaling, and meaningful rewards. Most of all though, I don’t feel particularly connected to the original Hyper Light, whose setting and vibe were top-notch. Hoping for improvements - will keep an eye on it through EA.

A surreal mystery built on perception, memory and art, wrapped in a cryptic, looping narrative. Its design deliberately disorients, making you feel lost - both physically, within its maze-like setting, and mentally, as you untangle cryptic symbols, shifting perspectives, and hidden logic. Like a living puzzle box, every solution peels back another layer of meaning, rewarding deep engagement and lateral thinking. Very good.

A solid follow-up with a “refined” UI (which I’m still not sure whether I like) and quality-of-life “improvements” (which I didn’t really feel necessary), atop weaker storytelling and puzzle design. The mystery unfolds a bit too predictably, and some puzzles feel like busywork rather than meaningful deduction. Still enjoyable, but an unfortunate step down.

A chilling, surreal horror experience about control, routine, and survival. The eerie, industrial world traps you in an unsettling repetition exploring themes of labour and sacrifice. Short but haunting. Play blind.

Bloody hell. This feels like Super Monkey Ball crashed into a kaleidoscope on acid - the form-shifting puzzles are very clever, and the visuals might melt your eyes (and brain). It’s messy, trippy, and oddly brilliant - an unforgettable sensory overload that may be the very definition of “not for everyone”.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle captures the spirit of the franchise with gorgeous and detailed environments, solid puzzles, and engaging first-person exploration. While stealth mechanics feel a bit basic, it’s fine, and overall this is a faithful, at times thrilling tribute to the series.

Caves of Qud is a deep, richly imaginative roguelike seemingly built on the foundations of Dwarf Fortress; embracing systemic - almost unimaginable - depth, emergent storytelling, and fantastic worldbuilding. Its dense systems and open-ended design are incredible - ambition and creativity unmatched. It’s a game I deeply admire, but its steep learning curve and sheer complexity mostly keep me at arm’s length personally. I wish I had the brain for it, but for now I’ll enjoy hearing others stories that come out of it.

A worthy sequel to the original, expanding its oppressive, atmospheric world with stunning detail. Slow, deliberate pacing rewards careful exploration and strategy. A love letter to fans of the series, blending nostalgia with modern mechanics for a deeply immersive survival shooter. Not free of jank, but if you’re up for its pacing, you’re set for dozens or even hundreds of hours of apocalyptic adventure.