Game Reviews

Game Title: MIO: Memories in Orbit Released:  January 20, 2026 Game Length: 28 Hours Grade: C+   Exploration Map:  After playing  Solateria , this Metroidvania feels much more punishing with how it handles your map. For starters,  the map does not show rooms as you explore . Even from the beginning, you must wait until you "Attune" with a Network Gate to mark where you have been. There is a chance you will see a faint yellow trail as you move around the environment until then. Red lines are locked gates you have to open using a key or from the other side. Faded blocks represents something inaccessible that can range anywhere from passages that need to be broken using an energy shard or a breakable wall. One icon represents a Crystalliser that turns your Nacre Droplets you obtain from enemies into a more solid Crystallised Nacre that you don't lose after all your protection is gone. A Nacre Basin  is shaped like a fan and can restore any protection you...

Game Title: Solateria Released:  March 12, 2026 Game Length: 24 Hours Grade: B    Gameplay   Terminology:  The game leans heavy in the elemental nature of the world. Learning how each region functions and connects between each other is expressed in such an unusual way to the player. There are story tablets you can collect, info slates that place markers on the map, stones in the environment that give you details on what might you encounter, Memory Fragments of quotes made from previous characters that used to reside in the region, and etched markers to show where to find the next altar save spot. When it comes to combat, the tutorial is  essential  to translating basic mechanics. As an example, the game does not use the word "health" but instead uses "warmth" in all their item explanations.  Stamina:  When you are out of combat, no action consumes your stamina bar.  The developers made it so dodging on the ground wouldn't consume stamin...

Game Title: The Last Gas Station Released:  April 28, 2026 Game Length: 12 Hours Grade:  A-  Gameplay Early Game:  The core experience of the game ironically revolves around doing work. Don't worry too much since they are very easy and there are safeguards in place to help you. Your first two primary activities are  serving gasoline  at the pump and  working the register . You click on the pump as cars pull in and wait until the meter reaches the highlighted section. They pay right there and then. Customers   who pull their car to the  parking lot  to the right of the store will go inside, pick out some items, and then bring them to the register. You then give them a set amount of change. The game notifies you when there are customers waiting for a service, if you go over the set amount of currency, and a chance to undo your last action. Unlike American currency, you can give $50, $10, $5, $1, $0.50, $0.20, $0.05, and $0.01. Customers w...

Game Title: Gecko Gods Released:  April 16, 2026 Game Length: 6 Hours Grade:  B Gameplay Exploration:  If there was one thing that sets this game apart from other generic puzzle games, it would have to be the ability to walk on any surface. You play as a gecko who is able to go up walls, through tiny cracks, and cling to the top of the ceiling. There is no limit on how long you can stay in place. Although not recommended, you can also somewhat swim. You don't exactly die or reset, but you do express pain from a number of hazards such as fire or cactus. Although there are enemies that sometimes disguise themselves as objects around the ruins, they can easily be bumped out by a few dash attacks.  Mechanics:  The buttons on the controller all do something different for your lizard. You can sprint, jump. lunge, and talk. That last one is just for fun as you make little squeaky noises. You can interact with birds that give you hints on what to do next. There are als...

Game Title: Octopath Traveler 0 Released:  December 4, 2025 Game Length: 97 Hours Grade: A-   Champions of the Continent  Prequel:  Before  Octopath Traveler II  released, there was another game in the series developed called Octopath Traveler: Champions of the Continent . It was initially released in Japan in October 2020 and everywhere else July 2022. Unlike the traditional variant on the PC we grew to love, this version was stripped down for the Android and iOS phone systems. It was a free-to-play game with a built-in gacha system. It maintained the turn-based combat and expanded the original four party members to eight team members in battle. There were touchscreen controls such as swiping and tapping. A number of "field command" skills such as stealing from characters was also retained.  Story Modes:   Octopath Traveler 0  keeps most of the storylines from  Champions of the Continent . There are the three Master story arcs, the M...

(Season/Episode) Real Life Characters - episodes with individuals playing a role Nikola Tesla (S1E1, S3E13, S12E13) - 40 years old; pursuing wireless communication in 1893 Arthur Conan Doyle (S1E4, S1E9, S6E4) - 40 years old; chose to end Sherlock Holmes series in 1893 to work on more history novels but continued the series in 1901 due to public outcry * Sherlock Holmes (S6E4, S7E4) - person believes and behaves as if he is the fictional character Prince Alfred (S1E12) - 21 years old; died in 1899 under circumstances unclear.  Buffalo Bill (S2E1) - 50 years old; took Buffalo Bill's Wild West show on tour in 1883 * Annie Oakley (S2E1) - 39 years old; woman sharpshooter also participated in the tour Jack the Ripper (S2E2) - serial killer in 1888 Harry Houdini (S2E4) - 22 years old; escape act performer  H.G. Wells (S3E8) - 31 years old; a futurist, visionary, and writer Wilfrid Laurier (S4E7) - 58 years old; Prime Minister between 1896 and 1911 Jack London (S5E1) -...