Pikmin’s First Ten Minutes Are Totally Brilliant
Pikmin was a fantastic start to an overlooked series. It also proved to be a great example of mechanics-driven teaching at a time when that was becoming rarer.
Yelling about Ynglet: 2021’s Overlooked Platforming Gem
Ynglet is a remarkably odd platformer that flew under the collective radar, which is a shame as it offers a wonderful counterpoint to archetypal genre design.
Rocking Out with River City Girls
River City Girls is expanding in 2022 with a pair of new titles, making now the perfect opportunity to look back at the sprawling legacy of Kunio-Kun.
2021: A Big Year For Little Games
Indie games dominated conversation in 2021, and it feels like the larger audience is paying more attention to the independent space now more than ever.
M Is For GameCube: Nintendo’s Foray into Mature Exclusives
The GameCube’s library is full of so many curious initiatives, including Nintendo’s push for mature software.
The Industry Needs More Games like The Gunk
The Gunk’s status as a self-contained, short experiment from Image & Form makes it an interesting blueprint for other teams to follow.
Chris Penwell’s Top 6 Indies of 2021
From dating swords to leaving university behind, here are Chris’ favorite indies of the year.
Abram Buehner’s Top 6 Indies of 2021
This year was amazing for indie games. From Death’s Door to Cyber Shadow, here are six of my favorites.
Townscaper and the Art of Minimalism
Townscaper is a remarkable counterpoint to traditional game design. Its decidedly sparse design philosophy says a lot with just a little.
Alter Satisfies A Craving That Began With Monument Valley
Puzzle games are a dime a dozen on mobile, but there are a few that stand out, and manage to be something special.