It turns out that when you reverse a side-scrolling space shooter, you get a Guitar Hero-like rhythm game instead. If you based your purchase of Retro/Grade on the screenshots alone then you might well be initially disappointed, then rather curious, and soon after, rapidly satisfied.
In the summer of 2012, we dove into the world of Adelantado Trilogy: Book One, and found that the game's complexity was only really marred by its overly lengthy levels. Now the second book in the trilogy is available to complete, as Adelantado Trilogy: Book Two has been unleashed on gamers everywhere. The game still contains the incredibly long levels, but there are some interesting tweaks that make this experience top its predecessor.
Few of us think of gardening as a strategy for getting rich quick, but that's the idea behind flora-themed time management game, Gardens Inc.: From Rakes to Riches. This zippy little title encourages you to get your hands dirty, demanding not only that you manage your time effectively, but your resources as well. Except for a few instances where the interface hinders rather than helps you do this, Rakes to Riches is an absorbing horticultural diversion.
When we first heard the name "Epic Battle Fantasy," we can't exactly say it grabbed us, as it doesn't sound like the name of a game with very high aspirations for quality or innovation. On the other hand, if there have been three others to date, then there must be something going for them, even if only a stubborn developer, right?
Go Home Dinosaurs is a cute little game that channels a serious Plants vs. Zombies vibe into a more conventional tower defense setting. It doesn't have quite the refinement of its world-famous predecessor, but its blend of simple gameplay and family-friendly styling make it worth some attention, especially if you're after some light digital entertainment for your kids that doesn't take itself too seriously.
Video games occupy dozens of niches, and interactive Japanese novels is as niche as games get. Either you instantly fall in love with these text-heavy mystery titles, or you raise an eyebrow after ten minutes of play and sweep your mouse cursor towards the "Uninstall" button. Café 0: The Drowned Mermaid for iOS is an interactive novel that subscribes to most of the genre's clichés. If you're into similar fare you'll appreciate that the game exists, but it has enough issues to fill up a swimming pool.
Although point-and-click adventure games seem to be making a comeback recently, with stellar entries like the Deponia series and The Silent Age combining modern aesthetics with classic gameplay, we have yet to hit upon another Renaissance of the genre. Fester Mudd: Curse of the Gold recognizes this with its opening directive and acknowledgement: "This game is a tribute to the golden era of adventure gaming," which is hardly a reference to 2013.
Are games art? Am I pretentious for asking that question? The answer, on both accounts, is yes. And while I'd much rather avoid the topic altogether, it can't really be helped with Fetch, a point-and-click adventure game for the iPad. It's currently part of a featured exhibit at the Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI), where people can get a glimpse into its development cycle and other behind-the-scenes goodness. Take that, Roger Ebert!