MindfulGamer

I don't generally play this type of game. I didn't get into Stardew Valley, but I did enjoy Fae Farm and both Steamworld Digs.

I bought Core Keeper today based on this review, and a few hours in I am enjoying it so far.

Played some of the Voidwrought demo, which motivated me to buy the game (on sale in US for $16). A few hours in, and so far I am enjoying it. Art style is nice, and writing is actually decent IMO.

I think that most (but not all) current pop 'artists' are pretty interchangeable and forgettable anyway.

I enjoyed VIII for a while, but ultimately ran out of steam.

The graphics in the screen shots for X look passable, but the game engine is probably overdue for an overhaul. Assuming that the textures will be similar on the PS5, unacceptable to me for a game series that has been around this long. Especially considering was has been achieved on PS5, and even Switch, by other developers.

Glad for fans of the franchise that this reviewed well, but I will probably pass.

Watched part of the 'trailer', and seems annoying AF to me. But I'm not the target audience. Probably fun for kids, but I would advise adult purchasers to leave the box sealed for future sales value.

Played part of a Europa demo in what seems like a year ago. Wanted to like it, but it just didn't grab me. Will see how it reviews.

With so many pixel graphics games these days, nice to see another game that approaches Ori level of art.

I enjoyed Sea of Stars for a while, maybe getting 1/2 to 2/3 the way through, but ultimately lost interest. Being an older gamer who used to enjoy JRPGs more back in the day, I have lost patience with the slog that too many JRPGs turn into. Interested to see how this turns out and reviews, though.

I passed on CrossCode when it came out, but don't remember the reason. May revisit a review.

This looks good. Glad that it is an action RPG. We'll see where and how it ends up.

Played this on PS5 when it first came out, and enjoyed it.

I played and enjoyed the two Dig games, preferring 2. I also played and mostly enjoyed a good amount of the original Heist, as well as Quest.

However, this preview gives me the impression that Heist 2 is going to be potentially frustrating. Will have to see how it reviews.

I would also welcome a third Dig.

Sounds like another game that could benefit from a demo.

Sounds like a game that could benefit from releasing a demo on Switch.

Never played Minecraft, and got bored with Minecraft Dungeons pretty quickly. But I did enjoy Fae Farm, so depending on how this reviews, may give it a try.

Reminds me a bit of Ghost 1.0, which I played for a while in the last year. I was enjoying it until the first main boss (I think), which was a lot more tedious of a battle than it needed to be IMO, so I bailed. Interested to see how YR turns out.

Played the original Cat Quest a few years ago. Found it reasonably entertaining, but didn't finish it, and passed on II. Have to admit Cat Quest III may motivate me to try the franchise again. Plan to try the demo.

• If Europa plays as well as it looks, should be great. Plan to try the demo
• Played original Cat Quest a few years ago. Found it reasonably entertaining, but passed on II. Have to admit Cat Quest III may motivate me to try the franchise again.
• Stitch looks interesting. will need more information on how the puzzles actually work. A demo would be nice.
• BZZZT looks good, but depends on how 'challenging' it turns out.
• Duck Detective looks like it could be fun.
• Although I didn't finish the original Steamworld Heist, I enjoyed it enough to look into the sequel as it gets closer.

The gameplay sounds like the desert area of Ori and the
Will of the Wisps. Too bad the graphics aren't nearly as good. May give the demo a spin.

Given the state of the eShop, at least we haven't been hit by 'Hentai Peach' (yet?).

I tried the demo when it came out a few months ago, and liked it enough that I bought the game on sale for $45 at the time. Having never been a farming sim player (lost interest in Stardew quickly when tried 1-2 years ago), I ended up enjoying FF enough to finish the main campaign. May go back and upgrade my farm now that the in-game day is longer.

Being a bit underwhelmed by the initial demo, I passed on PoP until I bought it on sale a few days ago as a change of pace from Unicorn Overlord (which I like). I'm happy to report that I have been really impressed by and enjoying PoP. Definitely some challenge for this 'geezer gamer', but so far able to get through on Warrior difficulty.

Coming soon to an Apple Vision Pro near you!

Excerpts from two of the above game descriptions:

• ...multiple breathtaking locations filled with scum...
• ...only a bloodthirsty cursed knight can bring hope...

Houston, we have a problem.

@DwaynesGames Thanks for the Pedestrian rec. I did a brief search. Great reviews on Steam, and the trailer looked interesting. Wishlisted on eShop and plan to check out the demo.

On the non-puzzle game front, I've never been a farm sim guy (Stardew Valley just didn't compel me to keep going after a few hours), but something about Fae Farm piqued my interest. So when they released a demo and put it on sale a few days ago, I tried the demo, watched a few beginner videos, and then took the plunge. After a few days I'm starting to get addicted lol. So many games ...

Appreciate the article.

Was already aware of most of them, but not all.

Played and enjoyed a few, played and didn't enjoy a few of the others.

Added a couple that I wasn't familiar with to my wish list for future consideration when on sale: Bomb Chicken and Grindstone.

Recently tried some nature/hex grid games. Wanted to like Dorfromantik, but it just didn't grab me. Enjoyed Pan'orama for a few hours, but completing a run is just too time consuming IMO. Would prefer the building count be reduced from 52 to maybe 36 or so.

And for those still reading (anyone?), my current nature/hex grid addiction is 'Growth'. I have made enough runs to open everything, and figured out enough of how the algorithm works go be able to complete a run (sooth the volcano?) consistently. There are a few reviews online, so I recommend checking them out.

Lastly, check out match threes from Green Sauce games. My favorite is Storm Tale 2: a few years old so better production values and more helpful bonuses than their newer games. They can be found on sale periodically.

Did not play Portia (and don't plan to), but if they release a demo to Sandrock, I might take a look.

The only LoL game I have played is Ruined King, which I enjoyed overall, although I didn't finish it. This game obviously looks different, but I enjoyed the trailer and look forward to a review.

I've only played a few deckbuilders. I enjoyed ThroneBreaker and Faeria for a while, until I felt that they started to get annoyingly unfair and bailed. And I may be the only person who played but didn't get into Slay the Spire.

I had noticed Cobalt Core on eShop before, and may give it a try on sale at some point.

Another unheralded gem of a game IMO is Warriors of the Nile 2, a srpg/roguelite hybrid. I've played a number of srpgs over the years, but usually hit a wall at some point due to the grind. So I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed WotN2. Highly recommended.

@SpecialStreamCannon Like other commentors, I might be interested in this game if patched to fix the performance, etc. If that happens, possibly you could update this review.

Also, to all, I highly recommend a new Switch game called Growth. The hex playing field kind of looks like Dorfromantik (which didn't grab me when I tried it), but the game play is different, clever, and addictive.

Might try the Aegis twins: Sentinels and Defenders, if the prices drop by the same percentages in the US.

Some good review quotes, but a demo would help.

Played the original for a while back in the day, but bailed. Timing based combat isn't my thing. Looks good though. I would consider it on sale, but that will be a while for Nintendo.

Looks good IMO, but the chaotic combat and M rating make it a pass from me.

'Planet of Lana' and 'The Gecko Gods' piqued my interest the most so far. Hopefully the frame rate of GG can hold up on Switch. Also 'Core Keeper' with it's 'Steamworld Dig' vibe.

When is the Switch U coming out?

Warriors of the Nile 2, a SRPG/roguelite hybrid.

I've played a number of SRPGs over the years, but at this point have generally lost interest since most sound like a slog, although I did make it halfway through FE: Three Houses, and enjoyed it until I hit the wall.

I didn't know much about WotN2, but took a chance after reading a few reviews on Steam (almost 1000 Very Positive reviews). Once I started getting the hang of it, I have really been enjoying it.

I bought a PS5 Digital Edition, which has worked out fine for me, so I would buy a digital only Switch 2.

Started playing it on PS5. The graphics are beautiful, and the environments imaginative. Have to admit that it is a bit slow moving so far. I have gotten through one battle that wasn't too difficult, but haven't gotten to any reflex/speed challenges yet.
Stepped away for awhile to play Warriors of the Nile 2 (fun SRPG/roguelite hybrid), but plan to pick Cocoon back up at some point.
Maybe should have waited for a sale, but it's not expensive to begin with.

Hopefully not teetering on the edge of Development Heck.

"You say cosy ... I say cozy ... let's call the whole thing off"

If this game reviews well, might actually give it a try.

I've played a number of SRPGs over the years, but have lost interest in the usual slog, although I did make it halfway through
FE: Three Houses, and enjoyed it until I hit the wall.
DIdn't know much about this game, but took a chance after reading a few reviews on Steam (9/10 with almost 1000 reviews). Once I started getting the hang of this SRPG/roguelite hybrid, I have really been enjoying it.
Hopefully the powers that be at NL deem it worthy of a review soon. Much better than a lot of the low rated, junk games that make their way into an NL review IMO. Show it some love!

I wonder if the Shadowbox in the photo is actual size compared to the game case.

I have never played a Pikmin game, but after playing part of this demo and reading the review, I plan to play 4. Glad to hear that there are no artificial, aggravating time constraints. Life is stressful enough, and I game for enjoyment, not more stress. If some gamers want time constraints, they can set a timer on their phone.

I imagine that Shovel Knight will be excited, as I am sure that the sale includes plenty of shovelware!

Everybody Wang Chung tonight!

Apparently there are two types of people in the world ... those that use duplication glitches, and those that don't.

Winds of Anthos? Is Anthos the name of the cuddly cow?

Apparently stability is a journey, not a destination.

@Specialstreamcannon On a somewhat related note, there has been a Zelda like called The Last Dragon Slayer out for a few weeks, and I can't find any reviews online. Watching the trailer, it looks to be at least worthy of a mini review.