Recent reviews by remorsecode

So the closest analogue I can think of is DeepRock Galactic. HD2 is basically DRG with the exploration/mining/collecting removed and basically replace all of those things with more combat. Great emergent gameplay, stories to tell when you've had a wild dive, and all the stuff you need can be unlocked just by playing.

A good, shortish puzzler that is best suited to those who love linguistics, but shouldn't be exclusive to them.

Beware. This is an engine-builder roguelite set up around some of the base mechanics of poker, but it's actually a make big numbers bigger min/max paradise dream.

If you like Slay the Spire, FTL, and Into the Breach... this is sort of like a mashup of elements of each. Take the deckbuilding rogue sensibilities of STS, set it in a universe that evokes FTL (though admittely more 8-bit style), and with a dash of the "perfect knowledge" strategy of ITB. The art is cute, there's some story going on amidst the time loop runs (a la Hades), and there's a good variety of mechanics and systems to learn and synergize.

There are some QoL features missing at launch that could get added later (proper borderless fullscreen, more granular UI control particularly when playing with a controller, etc) but overall this is a complete package for roguelike deckbuilding strategists.

A worthwhile mystery. As is always the case - avoid spoilers, avoid looking things up, reap the dopamine hits from figuring things out for yourself.

This is a perfect chillout puzzler that largely draws on your internal drive to optimize, strategize, and streamline. Controls are simple but tight, and the ambiance and soundtrack has a very relaxed vibe, even when lategame gets chaotic.

What it does well, it excels at. It's different from the other deck battlers (Hearthstone, PTCGL, MTGA, etc.) Games are short but have consequential decision making baked into them, especially once you progress into more of the cards. The progression system is unique and, arguably, the best yet as it regularly expands your card library (slowing later on once you have 75% of the cards or so) and you can build competitive decks without the rarest cards anyway. The snapping mechanic adds another unique element of bluffing (though in practice, few use it this way as the risk/reward is high) that could be honed in the future to be more interesting but is already novel at least.

Recent updates have added Conquest (essentially extra-competitive mode) as well as a different way of unlocking high rarity cards once you've amassed about 80% of the cards ingame from collection level.

This is the premiere roguelike solo deckbuilder. Takes a few runs with each class to get the hang of their ethos, but once you do you start to plot builds, scheme runs out, and climb the ladder of ascension. Doesn't feel bad when you lose, it just means you can optimize more.

It's a chillout puzzly tileplacing game with a pastoral aesthetic. A good palate cleanser after clicking some heads or evaporating planets or strenuously saving all of spacetime.

Tunic appears to be a zeldalike (if that's a thing) but is actually more its own thing than you might suspect looking at screenshots or footage. It PLAYS like a 2D Zelda (in two-thirds perspective) but the game itself has much more to it than that. Without giving too much away, Tunic treads some of the same MOMENT OF DISCOVERY feels that Outer Wilds, The Witness, and other modern puzzleboxes evoke but possesses its own way of giving the player access to those moments.

In short, Tunic is unique despite appearing samey, and hits some notes that nothing else really has. Definitely worth checking out if you like Zelda, of course, but even more so if you like new ideas about how games can explore exploration, drop moments of discovery, and integrate the player as a part of the game rather than just as an executor of a predetermined course of actions.