Nate and Julie
ANNOUNCING: The Video Games Are Good 2023 GOTY Nominees
In a year marked by incredible quality for video games, we had to up our list from the usual nine to 10 Game of the Year nominees.
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Nate Hermanson
- Oct 30
- 8 min
REVIEW: Wizard with a Gun shoots, loops, and crafts a satisfying solo and co-op experience
We played Wizard with a Gun in two-player co-op. Its gameplay loop and sandbox allow for fun experimentation across the board.
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Nate Hermanson
- Oct 9
- 8 min
Narrative RPG Long Gone Days centers humanity in a time of war - PAX West 2023 hands-on/interview
As Long Gone Days approached its October release date, we talked with Lead Programmer Camilo Valderrama at PAX West.
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Nate Hermanson
- Sep 28
- 8 min
Demonschool delivers a more active tactics RPG experience - PAX West 2023 hands-on/interview
Necrosoft Games Founder and Director Brandon Sheffield schooled us in all things Demonschool at PAX West 2023.
65 views1 comment
Nate Hermanson
- Sep 27
- 8 min
REVIEW: Dino farm sim Paleo Pines is creative, cute, and clunky
There's nothing prehistoric about Paleo Pines' fresh ideas, but the execution isn't always dino-mite.
950 views1 comment
Nate Hermanson
- Sep 23
- 11 min
REVIEW: Final Fantasy 16 takes wild swings but stays true to its roots
Final Fantasy 16 shows the darkness that past games in the series would have hidden in the margins.
92 views0 comments
Nate Hermanson
- Sep 20
- 8 min
REVIEW: Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical hits the high notes but forgets to sweat the small stuff
When the game reaches its climax, and the emotional impact is at its peak, Stray Gods soars.
241 views0 comments
Nate Hermanson
- Sep 11
- 8 min
REVIEW: Eternights shrinks the Persona experience down to a tight action-romance package
Eternights is visually striking, features stirring character arcs, and shows great talent. Even if in the end, I recommend it conditionally.
3,311 views6 comments
Nate Hermanson
- May 31
- 8 min
REVIEW: Brooding atmosphere and fascinating puzzles > jump scares in The Tartarus Key
The Tartarus Key leans on a classic PSX horror aesthetic while defying genre expectations in this horror escape room puzzler.
70 views0 comments
Nate Hermanson
- Apr 29
- 7 min
REVIEW: Melon Journey: Bittersweet Memories delivers a delectable slice of life
LEGALIZE IT (melons)!
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Nate Hermanson
- Apr 20
- 8 min
REVIEW: 2D cinematic platformer Lunark's old-school-cool can't be beat
A loving homage and modern take on classic cinematic platformers, Lunark stretches your gaming muscles in new ways.
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Nate Hermanson
- Mar 20
- 9 min
REVIEW: Tchia's culture-driven island experience wows with representation and coziness
Trek across Tchia's New Caledonia-inspired open world with childlike wonder.
133 views0 comments
Nate Hermanson
- Mar 10
- 8 min
REVIEW: Redemption Reapers falls short of full tactical redemption
If struggle and hopelessness — in story AND gameplay — are your bread and butter, step right up.
198 views0 comments
Nate Hermanson
- Jan 17
- 8 min
REVIEW: Let the bodies hit the floor - Prodeus is a bloody good time
Prodeus: Not for the squeamish, but definitely for fans of the boomer shooter genre.
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Julie Cooper
- Nov 26, 2022
- 6 min
REVIEW: Sci-fi gem I Was A Teenage Exocolonist bears high stakes and teen angst
Teen life already means being a fish out of water...but being one of the first humans on an unfamiliar planet really raises the stakes, huh?
225 views0 comments
Nate Hermanson
- Jul 13, 2022
- 7 min
REVIEW: Escape Academy bemuses and bewilders beautifully
Escape from your problems... in style. Coin Crew's Escape Academy delivers the education we want, need, and deserve.
115 views0 comments
Nate Hermanson
- Feb 6, 2022
- 9 min
REVIEW: We need to talk about Sifu.
Sloclap's Sifu comes with some cultural baggage and lacks punch in its narrative, but offers a hard-hitting combat system.
335 views0 comments
Nate Hermanson
- Jan 17, 2022
- 9 min
REVIEW: The Good Life is the friends you make along the way
The Good Life isn't for everyone, but it has classic Swery charm, disarming many frustrations with its sheer quirk and originality.
39 views0 comments
Nate Hermanson
- Nov 28, 2021
- 9 min
REVIEW: Jackbox Party Pack 8 is the best the series has seen in a while
The leaves on the trees dress up in fiery shades. The wind carries a chill and goosebumps prickle up your arms. Jackbox Games emerges.
257 views0 comments
Nate Hermanson
- Jul 15, 2021
- 4 min
REVIEW: Biomutant is a messy inconsistent beast of a game
Experiment 101 put a lot of thought into this world's origins and lore — but forgot to craft one singular meaningful story in the process.
80 views0 comments
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