Recent reviews by Retrl

Heart of the Forest—a movie? (Or a game?) Or something similar about a group of students who find themselves in the forest and... all sorts of things happen to them. Sometimes it's scary, sometimes it's intriguing, but often it's infuriating. I like that the game doesn't require me to choose an answer right here and now (I am given a certain amount of time), after which something bad (or terrible) will happen.
I admit, the characters' actions don't always make sense (or you have to look carefully to find the meaning, I don't know). Therefore, you will encounter some inaccuracies or even fakes in the actors' performances. Sometimes it seems as if they came to commit suicide and you constantly interfere with your answers (yes, I chose the branch that would allow everyone to stay alive as much as possible, but...).
My rating is neutral. I can't give it a thumbs down, but I can't give it a thumbs up either, hmm, with a markup!

Running Fable Petite Party is a no-frills party where 16 mini-games unfold in three arenas to the accompaniment of dice and laughter. Boat races end with falls into the water, target shooting with mutual banter, and victory is often won not by the most agile, but by the most lucky. The graphics are juicy and festive, although with four players, the animation freezes in places — a small detail, but noticeable. With four players, the game comes to life: chaos, shouting, and arguments turn a game into a real event. Two players can be boring, and playing alone is pointless, as the essence of the game is lost without live emotions. The downside is that some mini-games are too short, and you don't have time to blink before you need to move on. However, with a few hours of playtime with friends, you won't get bored, unless your friendship needs to be restored after the third game. This is not a masterpiece, but it is an honest and straightforward game for a lively group.

Little Droid 2: Escape is exactly the kind of game that you want to play with headphones, in complete silence, to feel every detail. From the very first minutes, you are immersed in the atmosphere of an abandoned world: gloomy ruins, the buzzing of old machinery, a feeling of complete loneliness.… At the same time, the gameplay keeps you in suspense — traps are triggered quickly, enemies do not forgive mistakes, and the constant need to recharge forces you to carefully plan each step. Improving weapons adds a sense of progress, but doesn't make the game too easy — the balance is perfect. I was thrilled with how organically research and survival are embedded: you really want to look for secrets, and not just "discover by checklist." The pixel-style graphics look stylish and atmospheric, and the music perfectly emphasizes the feeling of mystery and danger. After a couple of hours of playing, I was really worried about my little droid, especially when it was barely crawling to the next charging point. This is not just a platformer, but a real metroidvania with a soul, where every victory over the boss feels like a personal triumph. Despite the difficulty, the game never feels unfair — you just learn, adapt, and move on. In general, if you like atmospheric, demanding attention and reaction projects, you are here — especially for such a modest price.

I want to be clear:

This is not a “good” game.

Not in the way that most people mean when they say that word.

The combat barely holds itself together. Some of the mechanics are clunky - the movement feels like you're piloting a dream through static. NPCs shift in and out of emotional coherence. Some cutscenes and parts feel like they got duct-taped over the remains of some entirely other game.

And yet.

I can’t stop thinking about it.

You play as Dreamer... a boy... maybe - following orders going through a half-dead megastructure underground, under the command of a baby-shaped thing strapped to your chest. Yes, really. You’re accompanied by Enris, someone who might have loved you once or might hate you forever. You’re being monitored by a creepy lady who barely acknowledges your humanity.

That all sounds a little surreal, maybe even a little absurd. But it does feels real. The dynamics are messy, restrained, painful in a way where no one says what they mean - but you somehow know exactly what they meant.

Sometimes you sit on a bench. Sometimes you go on a train that loops endlessly. Sometimes you do meaningless sidequests and they hit you harder than any “main plot” ever has.

Sometimes it breaks.

Not just technically. But Emotionally. Structurally.

It's kind of broken ruin in this game thats not just aesthetic - it feels spiritual. You’re not just playing through jank. You’re playing with it. It's a brokenness that feels like it's part of the text, not just. The game has it's holes - but they’re the kind of holes that you fall into, and then when you climb back out, you’re not the same.

And I think that’s the point.

This isn’t a story with a clean arc or resolution. It’s not a hero’s journey... and even when you "do stuff", you don't feel in control. It’s more like watching someone trying to remember a story they once tried to write about someone that they used to be. And they’re failing. And you’re watching them fail. And somehow that just feels holy.

I won’t pretend it’s for everyone. If you want clean polish, fun mechanics or combat - then you should better look elsewhere. If you need clear story, or agency in choices, or stability, you’re not going to find that here either.

But if you’ve ever played a game and wished it would just stop trying so damn hard to be a “game”…

... if you’ve ever sat with something imperfect...broken and still found it kinda beautiful despite or maybe because of that…

or maybe if you’ve ever felt seen in a moment or a place that no one else would have noticed you there…

And then maybe you’ll understand why I cried when nothing happened.

So that's why it's not a good game.

It’s just a real one.

And sometimes that’s what matters more.

I've just completed the first three levels and I'm absolutely thrilled with this Martian adventure! Jack, our earth lumberjack, is just awesome - the way he kicks these cactus-like monsters, like in a good old action movie, makes me laugh every time. At first, I was worried that the controls would be uncomfortable, but jumping and somersaulting work perfectly, especially when switching between characters: the tiny professor One-Rock helped me get through the narrow gaps, and the robot girl simply amazes with her abilities. The humor in the dialogues is really uplifting-especially when Jack is arguing with a talking stone about "the right methods to save the princesses." On normal difficulty, the bosses give a tough rebuff, but after a couple of attempts you start to feel like a real ninja lumberjack. However, in some places the levels are too confusing - I got stuck in the scenery a couple of times and had to restart the checkpoint. After two and a half hours, I can't wait for the finale - what if it really reveals all these cosmic secrets about life on Mars? For your money, this is a godsend for fans of classic platformers with a twist and great humor!

I recently played The Last Case of John Morley, and I was pleasantly surprised. I immediately felt immersed in the atmosphere of an old detective story: the rain outside the window, the smoke from a cigarette in the office, and the haunting soundtrack. It was like watching a black-and-white film starring Paul Mooney. The game is short, lasting around three hours, but it allows you to truly immerse yourself in the story of Lady Fordside and her lost daughter. I liked the fact that you don't just collect evidence, but actually try to make sense of it by comparing, contrasting, and reconstructing the crime scene. Some of the puzzles require careful thought, but they don't feel overwhelming or irritating. Instead, they are logical and in line with the era. The ending was truly shocking, although it wasn't in the traditional horror genre. Instead, it was sad, dark, and very... human. While the textures may seem slightly artificial in certain areas, the developers have been transparent about using AI only for minor details, and it's barely noticeable.

Vasilisa - It was an unexpected experience. There was some weak moments: bugs here and there and after a few hours it becomes a bit monotonous. But despite this, this is a very enjoyable game, that was fun to play with friends. It has solid style and visuals and interesting and fun gameplay. I hope they will add more content, but this is already a solid start and a enjoyable experience.

I bought the Rento Fortune – Map Editor add-on almost by accident – I saw it in the add-ons list and thought it was something like new maps or events, but it turned out to be a tool for creating your own boards. To be honest, I was disappointed at first because I thought it should have been part of the main game or at least free for creative players. However, I eventually launched the editor and was surprised by its intuitive design, which allows you to change not only the street names and prices, but also the depth of the board up to two levels. I play in single-player mode because my friends are too lazy to figure it out, and you need to set a password to play online on a custom map, which is a bit annoying.
. The reviews of the add-on are mixed, and now I understand why - for some, it's a powerful customization tool, while for others, it's just an unnecessary purchase. Although I bought it for a reason, I don't regret it now.

I bought Death Frame because I was interested in the idea of a mansion and paintings. The overall experience is not bad, but there are some flaws. The atmosphere in the house is great, and the sounds and setting really create a sense of unease. The mechanic of jumping into paintings to uncover your father's past is the most interesting part. However, some levels, particularly the underwater maze, can be a bit boring due to the repetitive nature of the corridors. I found several diaries, and it was fun to piece together the story of the maniac. The main character's voice, as I later read, is made by AI, and it's a bit noticeable - the intonations are sometimes too monotonous. In the end, the game left a mixed feeling: on the one hand, the idea and atmosphere are captivating, but on the other hand, the execution is a bit rough. However, it's worth a try if you enjoy non-linear horror games.

Together in Forgotten Lands Demo evokes mixed feelings, but it does evoke them :/
Guts, blood, fighting for your life, and so on—there's none of that in this game!
There's just you, your teammate, and puzzles.
The graphics are specific (frankly speaking), not for everyone. But what you're sure to like is the unique idea, which is impossible not to notice or appreciate. The game's concept is probably the brainchild of a single developer or a small studio, but they definitely have good taste! I might be disappointed when I play the original game, but for now, I'm just eagerly awaiting it. Bravo!