Scarlet Hollow is a wonderfully crafted horror mystery visual novel that’ll put any one of its players into a tight chokehold and never let go.

Fiendish platforming challenges, a sprawling map I’ve barely filled in, and wildly open-ended ingredient systems form an endlessly compelling gameplay loop.

Thank Goodness You’re Here! synthesizes Coal Supper’s bawdy voice and animation with publisher Panic’s reputation for delightful mischief.

Strange Scaffold’s Clickolding hides a heartbreakingly mundane tragedy underneath a clicker game with a provocative title.

The game’s systems favor careful consideration over needless fuss, paring back layers of potential boondoggles to the bare essentials: your weapon, your enemies’ movements, and the terrain.

Riven 2024 outdoes its groundbreaking predecessor. The atmosphere is tense, the puzzling is sharp, and the story is more than a series of journals to read.

Adjustments to the game’s system and economy could make Dice Assassin feel properly light on its feet, but for now, the player’s deadly work is cumbersome.

Despite some technical bugs, Athenian Rhapsody still shines thanks to its many strengths: its colorful, eye-catching visuals, hilarious and heartwarming story, and challenging yet fun combat system.

Tiny Terry’s Turbo Trip succeeds because of its manageable scale. Sprankelwater feels gloriously off-center, with a limited toolset that hits the perfect balance of freedom and constraint.