Abandoned Souls

Also known as:  N/A

Developer: JustTomcuk

Abandoned Souls is another, short horror game that isn't terrible, but I can't really call passable. My biggest complaint about Abandoned Souls is the cursor - I went through the entire game thinking that the cursor did not give you any indication when you could interact with something….then interacting with a ladder in the very last part of the game, I finally saw that the cursor does change…slightly, and in a way where you can't really tell most of the time. So I can't complain that they don't give you any indication, but I can definitely complain that the indication is so slight that it's not useful. This was especially annoying when I needed to fill a generator with gas…I found a few generators and, due to a lack of even crude animations to let me know what's going on, I had no idea if I had done what I needed to do (hint: you're looking for a BIG generator - ignore the small ones). Complaints aside, though, this is your typical, short horror game. It's mostly about exploration and atmosphere. If you enjoy "walking simulators" then you'll find some enjoyment here, like I did, despite my complaints. If you want some action to go with your horror, then with its faults added on, you'll probably not find too much to enjoy here.

Review added: 10/31/2024

Alf's U.S. Geography

Also known as:  N/A

Developer: Vision Software

Have you ever wanted to know more about United States geography but felt like you needed a smart-mouthed alien that wears Hawaiian shirts and eats cats to teach you, otherwise that knowledge wouldn't stick? Well, lucky for you, Vision Software created such a game in 1988 – Alf’s U.S. Geography. Since in the late 80’s and early 90’s, schools were actually purchasing educational games in bulk for their students to use, I suppose it made sense to make a video game like this. What didn't make sense is to have a space alien with a mole on his face, who has a disturbing appetite for cats, be the one to teach these geography lessons. Maybe Alf has a photographic memory and he memorized the geography as he landed on Earth? I just put more effort into explaining why Alf is teaching me the capital of Montana than this game does. I also wonder how this game made it into classrooms, when this game's description, on its very own box, doesn't know the difference between it's and its, and when to use which. Anyway, Alf’s U.S. Geography is a decent little trivia game…but that’s about it. Unless you’re Alf crazy, there’s not really a reason to play this, in my opinion.

Review added: 10/17/2019

Among the Sleep

Also known as:  N/A

Developer: Krillbite Studio

Among the Sleep looked amazing to me when I saw the previews...it looked like an interesting new take on survival horror – playing as a toddler. Now, while I enjoyed Among the Sleep and I think that it's passable for what it is, I also feel like it could have been so much more than what you get. The only time that I really felt any sort of unease in the game was in the opening moments when I opened the present and found nothing inside...and I thought for sure that the teddy bear was going to kill me, I had nowhere to hide, and controlling a small child, had no way to defend myself...But shortly after that, most sense of danger went away for the remainder of the game, aside from a few moments here and there at the end. Due to that, the game felt like it was dragging a bit at times. As an innocent toddler, there should be plenty of uneasiness and scares to experience...but instead, Among the Sleep is more likely to put you to sleep than to scare you. I’m glad I played through Among the Sleep, but I’m not sure if I’d go back and play it again.

Review added: 06/24/2020

Ampu-Tea

Also known as:  N/A

Developer: ProjectorGames

Ampu-Tea is a bit of an odd game…In most games, the fun is doing well. In Ampu-Tea, however, the fun isn’t in succeeding. In fact, it’s the opposite. The fun in Ampu-Tea is failing miserably, and watching everything get destroyed due to your inability to control the arm well enough to make a proper cup of tea. And by proper, I mean, doing everything in the correct order…if you’re going to make a cup of tea, you shouldn’t be doing it like some sort of uncivilized savage. Unfortunately, I think the initial enjoyment of watching everything get destroyed won’t last long for most folks before they get frustrated and move onto something else. For those that stick with it, and actually make a proper cup of tea, there is a nice sense of accomplishment…and to celebrate, you can destroy everything on the table all over again.

Review added: 08/05/2020

Anodyne

Also known as:  N/A

Developer: Analgesic Productions

At first glance, Anodyne is a complete and total Zelda rip-off...But after you play for a while, you'll begin to see that past the similarities of Anodyne and the 2D Zelda games, Anodyne has a personality all of its own. Instead of swinging a sword, Young, the protagonist, wields a broom. Using the broom he can sweep up dirt to help aid him during the quest. While that may sound innocent and kiddy, don't be mistaken, this is a dark game that's ultimately about facing your inner demons, so to speak. The various level designs are impressive, as is the beautifully-done soundtrack. What may be the most impressive is that this was all done by a bunch of students. When I was in college, all I did was write papers that resulted in the teachers coming up with new rules for what not to do in future papers. I was a trailblazer. I guess making a game like this is more impressive than taking advantage of loopholes in creative writing classes, though. If a twist on the classic Legend of Zelda formula and gameplay sounds interesting to you, then give Annodyne a chance - you'll be glad you did.

Review added: 07/29/2019

April 24th

Also known as:  N/A

Developer: NOBODY

April 24th doesn't necessarily feel like a game developed by EMIKA_GAMES…and that's because it was only published by them. NOBODY was the developer here, and they created a nice, passable game with April 24th. It's not going to win an award for greatest game ever made, mind you, but it's a nice, short horror game that most folks are going to finish in less than an hour. I like EMIKA_GAMES developed titles, but I do have to admit that after playing so many of them in a short span of time, a lot of them basically just have you moving back and forth in a small space, and that can get old. April 24th has a little of that, but most of the game takes place through a house…and while the "moving back and forth in a small space" is still here, the constantly-changing environments hide it a bit. The short length also means that the game doesn't overstay its welcome. So, if you're looking for a nice, short horror experience, then give April 24th a shot. I think you may find some enjoyment in it like I did.

Review added: 10/31/2024

AquaPets: 101 Otter Pets

Also known as:  N/A

Developer: SelectSoft

Hoo boy, is this game rough. I think a very young child might like this game...Like under the age of five...But otherwise, this game is terrible. If you want a game where an otter gets filthy (while swimming in a crystal-clear pool, mind you) in the span of five minutes, forcing you to clean it again, this is the game for you. I see what they tried to do by speeding up everything and trying to make you manage it...But it doesn't work. Not being able to skip eating/drinking sequences that you've seen multiple times and are entirely too long doesn't help matters, either. The game is also incredibly buggy, with messages popping up long after they should have. My otter, Ape Jr., won a beauty contest...I didn't get a message stating I won until after placing second at the next one. Also, messages telling me that my otter has to go to the bathroom, or is hungry, or is tired when the appropriate "meters" for those otter moments was in the green were very common. This game could be worse...But honestly, I can't think of more than a few ways that it would be. It really is awful. The developers must've been otter their minds to make this garbage. Get it? Nevermind. Typing out that awful pun was the best experience I had with this game.

Review added: 07/29/2019