tldr videogame curation
melbourne, australia

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Talented combines roguelike action, four-lane defence and most importantly a randomly generated, absolutely massive skill tree to deliver seemingly endlessly customisable runs. Its approachable yet deep mechanics make it ideal for casual runs, and an absolute steal for its low price. Cool art and music too.

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.

DICEOMANCER stands out amongst roguelike deckbuilders with bold, creative mechanics, including the enigmatic One Dice - no spoilers, but it’s game-changing. Strategic mana management and class variety keep gameplay fresh, while its tense progression system adds challenge. All that with fresh and gorgeous art makes DICEOMANCER a must-play for fans of the genre.

Damn. Mouthwashing is a harrowing triumph of psychological horror, blending PS1-inspired visuals with an unnervingly muffled soundscape over its 2-3 hour playtime. Its non-linear narrative masterfully reveals layers of dread, humanity, and despair. A haunting, unforgettable existential exploration of responsibility and guilt through the darkest corners of the soul.

[Early access] Path of Exile 2 is a bold next step for the ARPG genre. With intricate - at times overwhelming - buildcrafting, refined combat, and a robust, creative endgame, it’s a rich, engrossing experience. Classes feel well defined, more deliberate combat is rewarding, and its dark atmosphere, boss fights and drive for one-more-map keep you hooked. It’s going to be great to watch this develop toward full release.

You’ll know if you’ll like Ballionaire immediately, and if you’re anything like me, be hooked shortly thereafter. The premise is simple: pachinko roguelite. But the eventually chaotic, physics-based design rewards experimentation and creativity, letting you craft overpowered ‘builds’. It’s easy to pick up but brimming with depth, and almost exploitatively satisfying.

SULFUR is a roguelite extraction shooter that offers surprisingly tight gunplay, inventive weapon customisation and an awesome, striking artstyle. Though not everything fully clicks, it’s a fun, amusing and engaging experience that oozes passion and creativity. It’s just super cool.

PROXIMATE is a brilliant blend of cosmic horror, corporate satire and very clever gamedesign. The navigation mechanic ramps up the tension, complemented by sharp writing and immersive sound design. Short but impactful, it’s a funny, haunting experience that lingers.

A triumph for platforming fans, blending nostalgia with fresh and ridiculously creative mechanics. Team Asobi’s clever level design and charming PlayStation callbacks make for smile after smile. A polished, joyous, heartwarming adventure that’s hard to put down.

Lucas Pope’s Moida Mansion is a retro-inspired, hyper-stylistic, first-person adventure that’s free to play in your browser. Set in a spooky mansion, you must rescue friends while dodging a lurking “monsta.” It’s a massive throwback to my time growing up with LCD handheld games - that boot screen really took me back! It’s short but satisfyingly tense, offering a fresh spin on Pope’s knack for puzzle design - perfect for a quick escape around Halloween - even if it doesn’t reach the depth of his more substantial work.