Chelsea
May 3, 2023
Explore a Charming Open World and Battle Unique Monsters
Cassette Beasts is a classic creature collection and monster battle game, with a twist. Featuring beautiful art and unique creatures, the game takes place on the remote island of New Wirral. The island is inhabited by strange creatures and a group of brave people who are plagued by attacks from these creatures. They’re ready to fight back, though.
The residents of Harbourtown use cassette tapes to transform for battle against the aggressive monster inhabitants, and so will you! Use your cassette players to record a monster on tape. Then, play the tape back in order to transform into the creature you’ve recorded. Cassette Beasts isn’t a solo adventure, and you don’t need to fight alone, either! Build friendships and travel the island with a companion. As you get to know your new friend, you’ll unlock the ability to fuse monster forms. Monster fusion will produce a new, unique creature, as well as increase your strength to gain the upper hand in battle. The strength of your relationship will determine how well your fusion works.
Explore an incredible open-world with your battle companion. Solve puzzles and find dungeons to complete. Use some of the cassette beast abilities in human form and fly, glide, dash, swim, climb, or even become magnetic. Ultimately, you’re looking for a way off the island, and the only way to do that is to fight your way through and explore every nook and cranny for answers!
Steam, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch
This cute spin on creature collection and monster battles is currently available on Steam. It will be available on Xbox and Nintendo Switch starting May 25th, 2023.
Want more creature collection games? Check out Monster Harvest, Ooblets, and Palworld.
- Apr 27, 2023
Ooblets, a life simulation and creature collection adventure game from developers Glumberland, is an outstandingly adorable game. Players customize their own character and move to the run-down little town of Badgetown. There, you’ll learn all about the cute little creatures called ooblets. These fun and whimsical little creatures come in all shapes and colors, and can even help you on your farm where you’ll grow crops as well as new ooblets! Join an Ooblet Club, have dance battles with other trainers and their ooblets, and complete quests to liven up the town. Also decorate your home, buy new clothes to match your style, open your very own shop, and much more.
The Ooblets and Dance Battles
If you’re familiar with Pokemon, then you’ll be familiar with the idea behind collecting Ooblets in all their shapes and colors. Some are rarer than others, of course, and each town and biome you visit will feature their very own types of ooblets. As you progress through the game, you’ll unlock more ooblets for each area, too.
What really tickles me is the use of trainer battles, but instead of trying to hurt and knock out the other team, you compete in a dance battle. Dance battles involve a deck of cards that have certain abilities on them. The contents of your deck (and your opponent’s) depends on the ooblets you’ve chosen for your team. Each ooblet type has certain abilities, and as they level up, you’ll unlock new abilities and cards. For example, dumbirbs add in a card that lets you add “trepidation” to the opponent’s deck, which is adding useless cards to their deck so they’ll draw blank cards. That makes them unable to gain points, which are needed to win. The first person to the point total (which depends on the size of the group you are battling), wins.
Ultimately, it’s a simple little change to the usual creature collection battle style, but it’s wildly successful for a cozy game, in my opinion. The music used is fun and upbeat without being annoying. The dancing animations are adorable. The use of cards to choose moves is creative, too. Plus, when you win, kind words and congratulations are given to the opponent. It’s heartwarming.
Aside from the battles, your little ooblet friends are useful on the farm! Build them small Oob Coops, assign them specific jobs, and they’ll help with the farm chores. They can water crops, pick crops, battle weeds, break up rocks, and harvest logs so you can focus on dance battles and quests. Don’t forget to dress them up in the cute ooblet accessories you’ll collect from completing quests. Make them even more adorable than they already are.
The Overall Game
Glumberland really nailed it with this game. Aside from the adorable creatures and fun dance battles, the humor is just spot on. Overall, the game is goofy. There’s a wide cast of characters with wildly varying personalities and dialogues. Some are scathing, some sweet, and some just don’t make sense, adding to the silliness of their image. Items have weird names (like the sprinklehot or the dribbly can). People’s names aren’t standard, every-day things either. You’ll meet people like Churles who runs the clothing store, and Rugnolia who’s the local scientist (think Professor Oak). Whatever I’m doing in the game, it usually succeeds in making me giggle at least once here and there at its cute absurdity.
Ooblets uses a beautifully vibrant color scheme without being painfully bright. Plus, each area features its very own look and introduces a new unique biome into the mix, allowing for some fun exploration. Add in a variety of quests, home renovations, farming, and ooblet dance battles, there’s a lot to do and love in this game.
Final Thoughts
I don’t know if I adequately captured the silliness and beauty of Ooblets, but perhaps it’s better to just experience it first-hand. I cannot recommend this game enough. It is adorable. It’s funny. It’s cozy and relaxing, too. Ooblets is a great addition to the farming sim genre, and should be added to your list of games to play
Ultimately, I give it:
Ooblets is available on the Epic Games store, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox. There are plans for a Steam release at some point, too.
Check out Monster Harvest or Palworld for more creature collection fun.
- Apr 26, 2023
Meet Eligible Kaiju and Go On Dates
Kaichu is an adorable pastel dating sim all about kaiju! You know, the unbelievably large monsters that terrorize cities and cause mass destruction like Godzilla and Mothra? Those are kaiju, and in Kaichu, you play as one name Gigachu. Only, your main focus isn’t destruction. You’re in search of a relationship, instead.
Gigachu will meet Kaichu’s 6 eligible kaiju and get to complete quiz-type interactions to determine their personalities and preferences. Each kaiju has their own storyline and romance obstacles to overcome. Gameplay is nonlinear, too, so explore the map in whatever order you wish. Visit 24 famous monuments as you go on dates and get to know them.
Don’t worry if you don’t speak any love languages, though, as kaiju are non-verbal. They communicate through a destructive courtship dance. Two news reporters will analyze, interpret, and report on these displays so that the player gets to know each kaiju. The military doesn’t exactly like the destructive display of love, though. They will even try to stop your pursuit of romance. Will you overcome the obstacles in Kaichu and find your true love?
Available Now!
This silly little romance game is available now on several different platforms. You can find Kaichu on Steam, Epic, Itch.io, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox.
For more dating sim fun, check out Love, Ghostie, and this list of other dating sims like Dream daddy: A Dating Simulator and Half Past Fate.
- Apr 20, 2023
Take Photographs and Complete Minigames
The Star Named EOS is a beautiful first-person narrative puzzle adventure game about photography and capturing the fleeting moments of life. You play as Dei, a young photographer following in the footsteps of his missing mother. His mother was often away from home traveling, leaving Dei to imagine the adventures she was having using the photos and letters from her. However, Dei notices something odd about one of the photos his mother has left him, and he realizes maybe things aren’t all they appear.
Guided by a voice deep within him, Dei embarks on an adventure full of photography and mysteries. The Star Named EOS features a relaxing journey that can be completed at any pace. Dive into a gorgeous hand-drawn world, collect props, and be sure to interact with absolutely everything you see. You never know what you’ll come across. Use your very own camera to take beautiful photographs, complete a number of challenging minigames, and solve new challenges to recreate old photos.
Experience a fully voice acted story full of heartwarming love and memories. Rediscover the beauty of the world through the lens of a camera. Step back in time through the Polaroids left behind by Dei’s mother, and experience an emotional story full of mystery. The Star Named EOS is a wonderfully crafted cozy game worth a play.Coming Soon
Unfortunately, this beautiful game has no release date listed. You can find it on Steam, where you can add it to your Wishlist to be notified when it does come available.
For more photography games, check out The Beasts of Maravilla Island, Toripon, or Petit Island.
- Apr 19, 2023
Prove Your Abilities by Stealing Food
Welcome to the scenic woods of Your Average Campground! You play as an average black bear who’s just moved to the area, and needs to prove himself to his neighbors. What better way to do that than stealing tasty snacks from the human campers? Embark on a comedic action and stealthy journey full of fun and tomfoolery in Your Average Bear.
Use your animal-specific phone app to take the orders from your neighbors. Then, use various tools available in Your Average Bear to evade campers and park rangers to get to the scrumptious human food. Hide in bushes, use tree branches to comically disguise yourself, or toss stink bombs to distract the humans. You’ll even have banana peels to throw at the rangers and campers to make them slip. Rocks are also handy for throwing at bee hives to create distractions! Whatever you choose to do, just don’t get caught.
Your Average Bear was actually developed by a team of students at the University of Utah. The game was part of their capstone project, where teams of students form to develop a game from beginning to end. And it turned out well! It’s an adorable, silly little game perfect for just hanging out and goofing off.
Available Now!
This adorably cute comedic take on a stealth game is now available in Early Access. You can find Your Average Bear on Steam, where it is currently free to play!
Want another funny game? Check out Golf Story and Sports Story (I even reviewed it)!
- Apr 13, 2023
Explore the Ocean and Conduct Research
Beyond Blue is a serene single-player narrative about exploring the deep blue ocean. Play as Mirai, a deep-sea explorer and scientist, as she adventures through the sea in search of creatures and to uncover mysteries. You’ll also join a newly-formed scientific research team and use groundbreaking technologies to see, hear, and interact with ocean life.
You’ll get to experience eight different dives as you play Beyond Blue. Pilot an innovative new submarine on its maiden voyage, decked out with all the tools you’ll need for your underwater adventures. Explore the magnificent ocean and use those tools to aid your research. Train the AI to recognize sea creatures like humpback whales, turtles, and stingrays. You’ll also learn how to tag them, too, allowing your team to track their behaviors. There’s even a dedicated Photo Mode. Play with dozens of filters, different types of lens settings, and other features to help you capture some breathtaking moments.
Beyond Blue features a full voice cast, as well as a beautiful original soundtrack. You’ll also hear songs from popular artists like Miles Davis and The Flaming Lips. You’ll even unlock sixteen unique mini-documentaries called Ocean Insights. Watch original footage and interviews with science’s leading ocean experts. Furthermore, Indie developer E-Line Media teamed up with BBC Studios, OceanX Media, and world-class ocean experts to craft Beyond Blue into an incredible and educational experience.
Available Now!
This beautiful aquatic adventure is available on many major platforms. You can get it for free on Epic Games April 20th to April 27th! Otherwise, you can find it on Steam, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, Humble Store, and Apple Arcade.
For more low-stakes relaxation, check out Garden In!
- Apr 12, 2023
DREDGE is a short, but fantastic fishing adventure with some creepy and sinister undercurrents. You play as an unnamed fisherman and captain of your very own fishing trawler. Take your little fishing boat out into the open ocean to fish up over 100 different types of fish. Explore the beautiful, but mysterious archipelago to unearth some mysteries.
Conduct research on new parts for your boat. Buy upgraded engines to move faster, purchase new fishing poles and trawl nets to fish better, and collect building materials to make your boat better able to hold more items. Don’t forget to stop by and speak to the residents of the islands. They may have some quests or pieces of knowledge to impart. Someone even wants you to dredge up artifacts from the past, but can you truly trust them?
Just don’t get caught on the open sea at night. Nothing good happens at night.
The Overall Game
Black Salt Games really did well with the atmosphere and spookiness of DREDGE. The game isn’t meant to be overtly scary, just have hints of eeriness and an underlying sinister feel to it. And it achieves that.
The archipelago is plagued with secrets and mysteries. The art is beautiful, but really builds that creepy atmospheric feel. The NPC portraits depict tough, weathered people. Some are craggy and aging, some are youthful, but haggard, proving that life in tiny fishing villages isn’t always easy.
The dynamic lighting really helps set the scene, too. The main island, The Marrows, has clear seas and bright, beautiful skies. It lulls you into a false sense of security, but as you adventure around, things aren’t quite so safe. The dark hidey holes of Gale Cliffs hide some interesting fishing prospects, but also something a little more ominous. Stellar Basin with its bioluminescent creatures and white sands looks like a sweet beach getaway. At first. The yellow swampy haze of Twisted Strand hides some haunting mysteries. And Devil’s Spine, an island with volcanic vents and rivers, bathed in a fiery red light, holds an even more grim story.
Along with the unnamed nighttime terrors and the mysterious behaviors of the man who tasks you with uncovering the past, it all adds up to achieve that eerie spookiness without being an absolutely terrifying experience.
It’s a Simple, Easy Game
There is not a lot to DREDGE. You don’t control a character, there are no 3D NPCs to visit, no walking through villages or across islands. You only control your little fishing trawler while out to sea. When in port, it’s a simple 2D menu-type interaction. Your options for buildings and people are set out in front of you, and you simply scroll and tap the button to choose which option you want. I honestly liked it a lot. It simplified things. Do I need to visit the fishmonger to sell a load of mackerel? Slide over and click. Is a visit to the Shipwright for new fishing poles in order? Scroll and click. No mindless running across town to get to different people because I forgot something.
There’s also no over complicated crafting systems or gameplay in DREDGE. You explore the different islands in different biomes, you collect information and quests from the handful of people you come across, you dredge up items from the depths, and you fish! It’s perfect for those days when you don’t want to play something complicated, but want to play something.
The Fishing
There are 125 different types of fish to catch in DREDGE, and they all live in different areas. From the shallows of the main island to the deep dark depths of a volcanic island, and even the swamps of a totally different island. There’s no shortage of fish.
The fishing system is easy to use, too. The game implements a few different types of catching mini games, but they’re all essentially the same. You click a button to reel in the line when the timing is right and the necessary zones are lined up. That’s it. It can get repetitive, but it doesn’t hinder the enjoyment of the game, I think.
Final Thoughts
DREDGE is the first game for indie studio Black Salt Games, and it’s a good one. It’s a little short and slightly repetitive, but I think it’s worth a playthrough.
The spooky factor is just enough that the game feels creepy and a little off, but is pretty low-stakes. I’m a fairly anxious gamer, so it’s perfect for me. Even just hearing the music change in Breath of the Wild as a Guardian sees me is enough to get me anxious! It’s really why I like to mostly stick to the cozy games. Plus, the fishing is easy to do. There’s no fighting to match the bobber with the fish like in Stardew Valley. It can be repetitive, but it’s a fishing system I enjoy much more.
I also wish there was a little more to DREDGE. It has so many upgrades for you to get, but there’s really no use for a large portion of them. I want a reason to need those upgrades, other than personal satisfaction.
Ultimately, I give it:
You can find DREDGE on Steam, Nintendo Switch, Playstation, and Xbox.
For more fishing, check out Luna’s Fishing Garden, and for something slightly spooky, check out Critter Crops.
- Apr 6, 2023
Collect Creatures, Battle Beasts, and Solve Puzzles
Join two young runaways as they unearth the mysteries of a lost realm in The Wild at Heart. Explore a world reminiscent of old storybooks, rich with history and full of beautiful scenery. Discover dark caves, beautiful woods, fascinating coastlines, and ancient shrines that hold untold secrets. The Deep Woods is full of mystery and secrets for you to uncover.
As you explore the stunning landscapes, collect a herd of Spritelings to help you in your adventures. Spritelings are quirky little magical creatures who can help you break things, collect loot, connect paths, and fight beasts. The Spritelings’ unique abilities will be especially helpful for fighting. You’ll also be able to fight the supernatural creatures of The Wild at Heart with your trusty vacuum, the Gustbuster!
The Wild at Heart has a useful crafting mechanic, too. Gather needed resources like magic crystals, scrap, electrical components, and more. Build new structures, create useful items, or upgrade what you have. Don’t forget to make yourself a light source! The shadows at night hide malevolent beings. You may want to stick around a campfire until the morning!
Available now!
The Wild at Heart is available now on pretty much every platform. You can find it on Steam, Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox, and the Humble Games Store. There are physical copies available for Nintendo Switch and PS4!
For a similar experience, check out Lost in Play, a cute game that delves into the imaginative world of a child’s mind.
