tldr videogame curation
melbourne, australia

Genre: Indie

Satisfactory is now at version 1.0, leaving early access after five years. The major update includes new endgame content, achievements, a story (!), player customisation options, and a million other things. Coffee Stain Studios also confirmed a console version is in development, but no release date for that yet. Check out the 1.0 launch trailer.

Mika and the Witch’s Mountain feels like a love letter to Ghibli and Wind Waker, with its whimsical world, light-hearted atmosphere and gameplay. As a rookie witch, you’ll deliver packages to quirky townsfolk, zipping around on your broom through the charming art style. It’s not without flaws, but being short and sweet, they’re relatively easy to overlook. The simplicity won’t be for everyone, but if you’re up for a cosy Sunday, definitely give it a go.

Pretty wild that Balatro, an indie game from a solo developer, can put out a free update featuring card skins in collaboration with franchises; The Witcher 3, Dave the Diver, Vampire Survivors, and Among Us. Onya localthunk! Friends of Jimbo is available now.

Creatures of Ava definitely has a lot of heart. There’s a vision here and evidently a lot of passion, but for me falls short with its uninspired gameplay and lack of polish. Despite a promising concept of evolving creatures in a dynamic world, the execution mostly feels clunky and repetitive. It’s great to look at though, and if you’re in need of a cosy game, it’s worth checking out.

ONE BTN BOSSES is a clever, hyper minimalist boss rush game where timing is everything. The one-button mechanic makes it super accessible, but it can get pretty challenging too - if a bit frustrating at times. A unique concept that’s fun in short bursts but might not hold attention for long sessions.

shapez 2 builds on the original’s addictive factory automation with more complexity, creativity and a new third dimension. The introduction of 3D shapes and an upgraded tech tree adds fresh layers of challenge and progression. If you’re into optimisation/factory games, it might just be a must-play.

[Early Access] Go-Go Town! offers a charming blend of Animal Crossing style town-building and management sim, wrapped in vibrant visuals. It’s light-hearted and engaging but, needs a bit more time in the oven: quests and progression are a bit repetitive, but this may change as the game develops. A good casual pick but don’t expect much complexity.

A quirky romp through a surreal Yorkshire town, Thank Goodness You’re Here! is a funny and absurd little gem. Silly, authentic British humour, great voice acting and super clean art style carry the otherwise mostly-on-rails puzzling - which never feels tiresome. The characters are charmingly bizarre, the world is lovingly crafted, and there’s even a couple of nods to their previous game The Good Time Garden. Ripper game… or should I say, it’s reyt good!

Seemingly simple, but absolutely delightful and just as dense as it needs to be. Lead a group of adorable creatures through beautiful landscapes amongst its charming visuals and super chill soundtrack. The controls are simple, and the gameplay is engaging, making it perfect for a lazy - dare I say cosy - Sunday.

SCHiM is a unique puzzler where you navigate exclusively on shadows while solving puzzles. Its minimalist design and core mechanics are fresh, progressing creatively. It’s a delightful and refreshing take - and at times has quite poignant moments - but it’s hard to not feel like it peaks quite early, despite it’s short playtime.