Well, slim pickings this week. Two games, Sword & Sworcery and MacGuffin's Curse, and I can't even finish the first one because it takes a lunar cycle to complete. (No, really.) So this week, it's just one formal review and one informal discussion about a weird game. So, what actual reviews do I have? (Link leads to the review.)

MacGuffin's Curse: So many crate-pushing puzzles. Overloaded with crate-pushing puzzles, actually. If you like crate puzzles, you'll get your money's worth. If you're lukewarm on crate puzzles, the snarky writing and somewhat intriguing story might reel you in.

And now for my thoughts on Sword & Sworcery: while I'm still finishing the Steam version, I completed the iPad version when it was released a year ago. My rating for it matches what the other reviews on the site say: I'd give it 4 stars. However, like Dear Esther, it aims for a particular audience that isn't looking for a game so much as an experience.

Sword & Sworcery's combat is very basic (just timing-based blocking and attacking) and its puzzles involve figuring out what order to click/drag certain objects in. Those alone aren't the reason to play it. You play it for the ambience, the music, the writing, and most of all the slow pace.

The pacing is the most interesting part of the game. Compared to most games, it feels relaxed & leisurely. You slowly walk across the screen past sheep and rabbits, through old gates and across waterfalls, as lilting music plays in the background. The writing is a mix of ambling descriptions and modern slang that sounds like either a hippy J.R.R. Tolkien or a mellow Tycho. Even the boss battles feel slow-paced, with long pauses between the frantic sword-swinging and blocking/dodging. The only hectic sections I remember were the ones where the deathless spectre chases you. It's an adventure game that's... relaxing.

The episodic splits and dependence on the lunar cycle seems to emphasize you're supposed to pace this game out and savor it. Each section takes about 30-45 minutes each; at the end of each one, the Narrator suggests you quit the game for a while and return later, then the curtain closes. At the halfway point of the game, you learn the moon phases influence the dream world where the last 2 Trigon pieces are stored. Not the in-game moon phases, the real moon phases. There's an in-game way to change the moon phase, but that only appears during certain moon phases. You can also change your computer's date, but the game says that's cheating. (It even has an achievement to shame you for it.) It certainly feels opposed to the game's style: take your time, enjoy the sights, no rush (even if it takes a few weeks), because once you're done with the game, it's over.

I'd recommend it to anyone that's looking for a casual adventure to play whenever they want to relax and enjoy some good scenery & music.

Which game would I keep playing? Sword & Sworcery, of course. I haven't finished it yet, and I've had my fill of MacGuffin's crate puzzles.

That's it for this week. Perhaps next week will have a larger crop of games to review.

Well, slim pickings this week. Two games, Sword & Sworcery and MacGuffin's Curse, and I can't even finish the first one because it takes a lunar cycle to complete. (No, really.) So this week, it's just one formal review and one informal discussion about a weird game. So, what actual reviews do I have? (Link leads to the review.)

MacGuffin's Curse: So many crate-pushing puzzles. Overloaded with crate-pushing puzzles, actually. If you like crate puzzles, you'll get your money's worth. If you're lukewarm on crate puzzles, the snarky writing and somewhat intriguing story might reel you in.

And now for my thoughts on Sword & Sworcery: while I'm still finishing the Steam version, I completed the iPad version when it was released a year ago. My rating for it matches what the other reviews on the site say: I'd give it 4 stars. However, like Dear Esther, it aims for a particular audience that isn't looking for a game so much as an experience.

Sword & Sworcery's combat is very basic (just timing-based blocking and attacking) and its puzzles involve figuring out what order to click/drag certain objects in. Those alone aren't the reason to play it. You play it for the ambience, the music, the writing, and most of all the slow pace.

The pacing is the most interesting part of the game. Compared to most games, it feels relaxed & leisurely. You slowly walk across the screen past sheep and rabbits, through old gates and across waterfalls, as lilting music plays in the background. The writing is a mix of ambling descriptions and modern slang that sounds like either a hippy J.R.R. Tolkien or a mellow Tycho. Even the boss battles feel slow-paced, with long pauses between the frantic sword-swinging and blocking/dodging. The only hectic sections I remember were the ones where the deathless spectre chases you. It's an adventure game that's... relaxing.

The episodic splits and dependence on the lunar cycle seems to emphasize you're supposed to pace this game out and savor it. Each section takes about 30-45 minutes each; at the end of each one, the Narrator suggests you quit the game for a while and return later, then the curtain closes. At the halfway point of the game, you learn the moon phases influence the dream world where the last 2 Trigon pieces are stored. Not the in-game moon phases, the real moon phases. There's an in-game way to change the moon phase, but that only appears during certain moon phases. You can also change your computer's date, but the game says that's cheating. (It even has an achievement to shame you for it.) It certainly feels opposed to the game's style: take your time, enjoy the sights, no rush (even if it takes a few weeks), because once you're done with the game, it's over.

I'd recommend it to anyone that's looking for a casual adventure to play whenever they want to relax and enjoy some good scenery & music.

Which game would I keep playing? Sword & Sworcery, of course. I haven't finished it yet, and I've had my fill of MacGuffin's crate puzzles.

That's it for this week. Perhaps next week will have a larger crop of games to review.

Definitely interested in S&S;, it's on my wish list on Steam right now, even. You've sold me on it more than any other reviews on that game since it was released on iOS a year ago.

Just picked up S&S, still yet to play it though. I can't wait to get around to playing it, I've only heard good things.

I feel like I should be interested in MacGuffin's Curse, but for some reason I can't really muster much interest in it; I suppose I'll probably pick it up eventually though.

BTW, new review up:

Noitu Love 2 Devolution: $5, 4/5 stars. A good retro throwback to the likes of Metal Slug & Gunstar Heroes. Kinda short (took 70 min to beat), but worth the money if you're fond of those old side scrollers.

Sherlock Holmes and The Hound of the Baskervilles isn't running for some reason, so moving on to Lone Survivor for now. Played 20 min so far, and it's sending shivers up my spine. It plays like a 2D Silent Hill survival horror. So far, I've crawled through an organic tunnel, had to worry about finding food & batteries, hallucinated several times, and snuck past fleshless zombies that would do... something to me.

Did I mention horror games really creep me out? Nonetheless, the reviews must go on...

@VinceNotVance said:

Definitely interested in S&S;, it's on my wish list on Steam right now, even. You've sold me on it more than any other reviews on that game since it was released on iOS a year ago.

Thanks; always nice to hear that someone found my reviews useful. Be sure to follow me if you want more timely thoughts on new releases; I try to keep my feed updated daily with my opinion on the current game I'm playing.

i'd never heard of Lone Survivor until now and after hearing your description and checking out its page on the site i am really interested to see how it plays and everything.

@MikeLemmer: I've been following since you first announced in the Steam forums that you were going to take a look as the smaller indie titles as they hit the platform, but I don't always post (I do usually read).

So yeah, keep it up! Noito Love 2 sounds awesome to me as well.

Two new reviews up:

Sherlock Holmes and the Hound of the Baskervilles: $10, 3 hrs, 4/5 stars. I probably should've given this hidden object game 3 stars instead, but I'm a sucker for a plot where Holmes experiences time travel and doesn't bat an eye. "I'm sure there's a logical explanation for this..." Really, the dialogue makes this game.

Lone Survivor: $10, 3.5 hrs, 5/5 stars. Reminds me of Silent Hill 2, but emphasizes the survival in survival horror. Trying to keep yourself fed, well-rested, and sane while escaping a city overrun with monsters is nervewracking. Involves weird dreams, panic attacks, fleshless horrors, and the joys of finding a can of baked beans. Recommended for any fan of the horror genre and anyone who thought Silent Hill 2 sounded interesting.