In Flint: Treasure of Oblivion, you step into the boots of Captain James Flint, a pirate who goes from commanding a shipwrecked party of two to leading a diverse cast of characters. The story unfolds through stunning comic book-style panels, offering a fresh and creative spin on a classic pirate tale.

While the immersive world and captivating presentation kept me engaged, the experience wasn’t without its challenges. The game has some rough edges, particularly in its controls and battle system, requiring patience. Though I enjoyed the adventure, a bit more polish could elevate Flint: Treasure of Oblivion from a fun experience to something I’d wholeheartedly recommend for everyone.

Alaloth - Champions of the Four Kingdoms is a new and interesting take on classic CRPGs. You get to be a Champion in the world of Plamen, responsible for freeing it from the clutches of "Alaloth the Great Betrayer". The storyline is aligned with most RPGs, with a final boss in the end, similar to Diablo and Souls.

The opening intro does a great job of setting the tone. It provides ample lore about Alaloth’s rise and the impending doom that looms over the Four Kingdoms. For those who love story-rich environments, this will hook you early on and keep you invested in the fate of the land. As someone who enjoys diving deep into world-building, I found the narrative quite well-developed, even though the plot sometimes felt predictable.

I've always admired how simulator games can constantly push the boundaries of creativity and immersion, and Empire of the Ants is by far one of the most impressive and unique ones in the entire genre. Few simulators place us in the proverbial shoes of a creature as small as an ant, or as bugs in general, and this game provides a golden opportunity for that rare experience.

Empire of the Ants immerses you in the world of a ruling ant colony, surrounded by the wonders of nature on a scale that you'd normally never see. You can embark on strategic missions to help your colony thrive and stave off invasions from enemy critters, and the story behind it all is every bit as enamoring and fascinating as a top-class nature documentary.

To me, Life Is Strange's spell hasn't been its gameplay. Interacting with objects in the various suburban towns the series has taken us to, engaging in conversations with a colorful cast of characters, and making ever-tough decisions is fun enough, but it's the hipster, edgy style the series radiates that helps it stand out in the genre. Penning this review three days after finishing the game, the soundtrack's still endlessly playing in my head as I recall epic moments and beautiful cinematic shots from those quiet moments Max soaks in throughout her tumultuous time at Caledon University. And yes, I'm still deliberating whether I made the right decision on about seven different occasions.

The Characters of Caledon

Double Exposure reunites players with the somewhat socially awkward Max Caulfield, the prodigal photographer from Arcadia Bay, a few years later on. Settling into her life as a photographer-in-residence at the prestigious Caledon University, she's trying — and failing — to put the events of her past behind her. She's made some new friends in the form of the spritely, ever-confident Safi — a writer with a ton of potential — and an insanely intelligent, heart-on-his-sleeve astrologer, Moses. The three are seemingly inseparable, get the best out of one another, joke around, and seemingly tell each other almost everything. Safi, supportive of Max's efforts to get some new shots for the next Caulfield Collection, accompanies her to an abandoned bowling alley in the opening scene of the game, teasing Max about her photography philosophy, and making quippy remarks about the entire excursion. Their relationship feels real, and also a little too familiar. The same kind of friendship Max and a certain blue-haired badass may have had back in Arcadia Bay.

If you're in the market for an incredibly fun, and genuinely sweet soft core horror experience this holiday season, then Fear the Spotlight from developers Cozy Game Pals is the game for you.

A two campaign, spook filled jaunt through the most stereotypical American high school you can possibly imagine, it comes complete with creepy drama teachers with theater lights for heads, fun puzzles, and a surprising level of emotional depth.