Review keys provided by the publisher(s)
NOTE FROM THE EDITOR: We here at GameTyrant have been absolutely bombarded with so many products and games this year already. We will be rolling out select quick reviews to let our audience know about products, games, and DLC that may have slipped under their radar. We appreciate the amazing support from all publishers and developers out there!
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
I’d have to say, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer actually surprised me. A title that released at the perfect time of the year, this title is actually worth one’s time and the perfect game for the holiday season.
Though its premise is very cut and dry, play as Rudolph and friends as you navigate the world we know from the iconic 1964 film of the same name, there’s a lot of exploration that players both young and old can enjoy. The platforming is satisfying and there’s enough to do to make playing this game fun and not overwhelming.
My complaints with this title would be that some of the locations, whilst staying in theme with the original film can seem a bit devoid of detail, and at least on Nintendo Switch, the game’s framerate is kind of rough. I would definitely pick this up on a different console, or preferably a Nintendo Switch 2, for more power.
Bye Sweet Carole
Another pleasant surprise for me was Bye Sweet Carole, a narrative platformer that magically immerses players in its beautifully grim world. The visuals of this title made me feel at home as I navigated its various environmental puzzles, gazing in awe at the beautifully hand-drawn animation.
I guess I’m a sucker for this kind of art style, because every game I play really gets me in the soul. What also helps is that the story and characters throughout this wonderful title help keep the player even more invested in the story as they’re written so intriguingly.
Though the visuals can sometimes look pixelated or unfinished, this is undeniably a great title from start to finish.
Snoopy & The Great Mystery Club
Just when you thought the Peanuts were running out of steam, players get Snoopy & The Great Mystery Club! And honestly, this title slaps. This title welcomes players with its gorgeous visuals and charming gameplay loop from the start.
As the title suggests, you’ll play as Snoopy, navigating the fictional town that our Peanuts friends inhabit, solving mysteries within a larger mysterious plot. Though the core of the gameplay revolves around Snoopy walking around iconic locales from TV, film, and comics, using his investigation intuition to solve these mysteries, there are a bunch of neat mini-games that help break up and enhance gameplay overall.
It’s a pretty cozy game that I think both children and adults alike would enjoy playing, especially around the Fall/Winter months indoors.
Eclipse Breaker
If you’re looking for an enticing Boss Rush title, then Eclipse Breaker may be for you. Though I’m not a major fan of the sub-genre, I wanted to try this title out because it’s got a very unique art style. And honestly, I’m really glad that I got to play it.
Combat seemed unique to me as it was a blend of rogue-like mechanics mixed with strategic RPG-turn-based action. It took me a bit to get used to this gameplay style, but I warmed up to it over time because it was actually very fluid. The art style lived up to my hype for it as well with its archaic PS1 vibes, and I was loving every moment of action as it unfolded.
The Cabin Factory
My biggest surprise this season has by far been The Cabin Factory. For $3, I was expecting a hell of a lot less in terms of both gameplay and visuals. What I can say is that this title is most definitely worth the price of admission. It’s scary, visually appealing, and totally simple yet unsettling. I am in love with this title. It ate and left no crumbs. No notes.
Love Eternal (First Impressions)
Though my time was short with Love Eternal, I can already see that this title is going to be a test of my skills. This scary little platformer is just as difficult as it is menacing. I’m super excited to see how this title comes together next year and just how much higher the difficulty nob gets turned up.
A Pinball Game That Makes You Mad (First Impressions)
A Pinball Game That Makes You Mad did exactly what I wanted it to do thus far: gave me a pinball version of Getting Over It with Bennett Foddy. I was expecting so much from a game that literally tells you in its title that it’s going to make you mad, but I’m just glad that it also offered me that same rewarding feeling I’d get to a new area (before I inevitably failed and had to start from scratch again). I’m super excited for this one’s full launch!
