Riftstorm
I’ve always had a soft spot for twin-stick shooters. Even the not-so-great ones still manage to entertain me, they’re not trying to be deep, emotional experiences, just pure fun. Riftstorm nails that vibe. It’s not just a twin-stick shooter, it also blends in elements of extraction shooters and roguelites, and surprisingly, it works.
The ability to build your own class adds a solid layer of replayability, especially in PvE where meta builds don’t completely take over the experience. The core gameplay is fast, satisfying, and, most importantly, fun.
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That said, the demo could benefit from more enemy variety to keep things fresh. It’s understandable that a demo might be limited, but if the full version expands the enemy roster, it could be something special.
After playing, Riftstorm definitely earned a spot on my radar.
Rue Valley
Narrative-heavy games can be hit or miss for me, unless they give you the reins to shape the story. Rue Valley does exactly that. You’re placed in the shoes of a character undergoing therapy for a deeply personal condition, and how you build your stats at the start directly influences your interactions. Some choices are completely locked out depending on your character’s traits, which makes for a pretty engaging and replayable experience.
The artwork is gorgeous, and the voice acting, while not star-studded, it’s earnest and well-delivered. It feels like everyone involved is genuinely invested in the story they’re telling.
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My only gripe is the time-loop sections where you’re forced to wait. I get that they’re meant to build tension or reflect the passage of time, but they feel more like interruptions. If I had the option to skip or speed them up, it would go a long way.
Still, the demo left a strong impression, I’ll definitely be keeping tabs on this one.
Polar Star
Polar Star pitches itself as a high-stakes, Western-themed version of rock-paper-scissors. The premise is simple: don’t die. Each round pits you against a new foe, and you’re choosing between three core actions—Shoot, Prepare, or Drink. The mechanics follow that classic loop: shoot beats drink, drink beats prepare, and prepare beats shoot. There’s also a fourth element: cards that can give you an edge by revealing enemy actions or granting extra lives.
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It’s an intriguing concept, and I had fun with it, at least for a while. The problem is that it starts to feel repetitive quickly. There’s nothing in the demo that really compelled me to keep coming back or see what’s next.
While I appreciated the stylish presentation and unique take on a classic mechanic, Polar Star just didn’t have enough depth, at least not yet. I’ll keep an eye on it, but for now, it’s not something I see myself returning to.
