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REVIEW: ASMR, pure emotions, and satisfying cleaning await in Undusted: Letters from the Past
A bittersweet narrative softened by a gentle ASMR soundscape and quietly satisfying cleaning gameplay.

Nate Hermanson
Oct 205 min read
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REVIEW: The action roguelike's new era is marked by games like Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree
Hard to say goodbye.

Nate Hermanson
Sep 298 min read
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REVIEW: Henry Halfhead joyfully brings to halfmind the simpler things in life
A game for those with whimsy in their hearts — and anyone looking for a gateway to finding more of it.

Nate Hermanson
Sep 166 min read
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REVIEW: Lead the herd and develop bonds in Herdling
Herdling's story is one of survival, collaboration, and family. Okomotive balances your emotions beautifully, giving you tense moments of fear as you face the perilous natural obstacles on your journey to bring these creatures home — but then offering heart-soaring moments of joy in equal measure.

Nate Hermanson
Aug 218 min read
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VIDEO PREVIEW: Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree's ideas of sacrifice make for a compelling action roguelike
VGG got to spend four hours with this snappy action roguelite that explores ideas of sacrifice and collaboration.

Nate Hermanson
Aug 185 min read
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REVIEW: Time Flies makes the most of its short life
Even as it brought a newly heightened sense of my own ever-ticking life clock, I found that Time Flies was time well spent.

Nate Hermanson
Aug 17 min read
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REVIEW: Despelote's part-game part-documentary speaks to the power of sports in community and simpler times
Ecuador, 2001: A boy, a ball and a country on the cusp of greatness.

Nate Hermanson
May 57 min read
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REVIEW: The stray mascots of Promise Mascot Agency gave me hope we'll survive 2025
The last place I expected to find hope for the nightmare year that has been 2025 is in the giant sparkly eyes of a severed pinky. But that's just the kind of world we live in right now.

Nate Hermanson
Apr 108 min read
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Steam Next Fest '25 Mini-Preview: Promise Mascot Agency is nutty in all the right ways
Ain't we all just a thick block of tofu caught in the narrow door of life?

Nate Hermanson
Feb 275 min read
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REVIEW: Hidden in my Paradise - Big charm in the tiny details
Hidden in my Paradise is a cozy and cute hand-drawn hidden object game that ends by handing over the reins with a DIY level creator.

Julie Cooper
Feb 46 min read
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REVIEW: Must perform well under pressure - Uncle Chop's Rocket Shop
With its morbid humor and the constant surprises of randomized repair tasks and new daily gimmicks, Uncle Chop's is endlessly unpredictable.

Nate Hermanson
Jan 247 min read
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REVIEW: Fear the Spotlight's warmth and horror convention twists make it an easy favorite
Fear the Spotlight is the most comprehensively satisfying horror game I've played in years, with gut-clenching tension and tenderness alike.

Nate Hermanson
Nov 5, 20248 min read
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REVIEW: The Jackbox Survey Scramble turns one simple concept into one of the best Jackbox games yet
The Jackbox Survey Scramble, despite technically being one game and main concept, feels just as full and engaging as a proper Party Pack.

Nate Hermanson
Oct 24, 20248 min read
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REVIEW: Wild Bastards adds a bundle of yeehaw personality to a randomized immersive sim experience
Wild Bastards gave us a new cast of spacefaring outlaws and scoundrels to love.

Nate Hermanson
Oct 8, 20248 min read
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PAX West 2024: Hands-on with Whisper Mountain Outbreak and Toge Productions' legacy on display in Seattle
Whisper Mountain Outbreak's classic survival horror vibes delivered some of our most tense moments at PAX West.

Nate Hermanson
Sep 21, 20246 min read
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REVIEW: The Plucky Squire celebrates the creative spirit and performs gaming magic
The Plucky Squire is about how stories are able to inspire others to create, and the impact they have on young hearts and minds.

Nate Hermanson
Sep 17, 20249 min read
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REVIEW: This game slaps - Thank Goodness You're Here
The laughs come easily in this 2-3 hour "slapformer" where British humor reigns supreme.

Nate Hermanson
Jul 31, 20247 min read
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REVIEW: Tile and error - Find belonging in Arranger's slide puzzle world
The tile-shifting puzzle game Arranger and its heroine on a journey to belong give "sliding into home" a new meaning.

Nate Hermanson
Jul 22, 20248 min read
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REVIEW: Find community through cooking in the surprising Metroidvania, Magical Delicacy
Magical Delicacy's world is like a comforting bowl of soup, although some of its systems seemed at odds with its laid-back, cozy nature.

Nate Hermanson
Jul 16, 20248 min read
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REVIEW: Rediscover childhood joy and imagination in your shadows with SCHiM
SCHiM is a delightful single-sitting summer game that cloaks you in the comforting shadow of reclaimed childhood joy.

Nate Hermanson
Jul 15, 20247 min read
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