Cinders

Sometimes life sucks.

Score: 7.5
Ages: 12+
2012

Cinders is a visual novel that tells the story of Cinderella with a feminist twist. Cinders does not wait around to be saved by her fairy godmother and the prince, she’s going to change her life by herself.

The Confines of the Crown

A grand ball.

Score: 8.0
Ages: 12+
2015

A young and resourceful servant of a prince gets tangled in kidnapping, conspiracy, family secrets and romance in this otome visual novel. The story includes interesting themes of gender and human impairments while providing several romantic interests and intriguing enough mystery for the player to solve.

A Hand in the Darkness

Close enough?

Score: 7.0
Ages: 17+
2017

This quite recent boys love visual novel is somewhat rough around the edges, but should still provide plenty of entertainment to the fans of the genre.

Puzzle Bots

Score: 7.5
Ages: 3+
2010

Puzzle Bots is a casual and cute adventure by Wadjet Eye Games. It’s one of their earlier titles, but all the promise can already be seen. The gameplay is fun and smooth, and the story brings out some giggles.

Mandagon

Score: 8.0
2016

Mandagon is a short but lovely freeware game. It’s a platforming adventure about a little totem. There are no deaths or failures, only the story.

Detective Grimoire

Score: 7.5
2014

Detective Grimoire is a fun little adventure with a colourful art style and loads of humour. It’s actually a sequel to a freeware flashgame with the same name. This pimped up sequel carries a case title Secret of the Swamp.

Hero Of The Kingdom

Score: 7.5
2012

Hero of the Kingdom is a very lite RPGish adventure. A farmer’s son goes after his father and gathers some skills and fame on the road. The game is simple but charming, and surprisingly addictive. It’s no surprise if one decides to finish it in one sitting.

Tormentum – Dark Sorrow

Score: 8.0
2015

Tormentum: Dark Sorrow is a puzzle heavy adventure with very traditional gameplay and incredibly beautiful art style. Every screen is a piece of art. The journey through this dark fantasy is definitely worth playing.

Journey (PS3)

Score: 8.5
Ages: 7+
2012/2015

I suppose pretty much everyone has heard about the sensation that is Journey. It’s a short game with very limited gameplay but it’s been received with high praises almost everywhere. And yeah, everyone is right: it is a great game.

F.A.C.E.S.

Score: 6.5
(13+)
2011

F.A.C.E.S. is one of those hidden object games, where you get a screen cluttered with all kinds of weird stuff and a list of items to find. It’s not really my favourite gameplay mechanic but I don’t hate it either, especially if it’s used with a twist or rarely among variety of puzzles. Unfortunately in F.A.C.E.S. it is overused, which forces me to give it a less than good score, even though the atmosphere of the game made it a worthwhile play.