Recent reviews by pixelsocks

Winging it is a momentum-based autorunner about pathing through collectibles and hazards while managing a stamina resource. It flirts a bit with score chase elements, but the absence of leaderboards or a robust level select doesn't push you to replay for optimization. Instead, it focuses on a low-punishment instant-restart play loop that make it more suitable to be a soothing time-waster. That, combined with a set of variable upgrades for each playthrough make it a good candidate for a game to revisit from time to time over a period of months or years. That and its 0.5 GB size for a pleasant addition to a portable gaming platform, like a Steam Deck.

Best played with a dance pad, but excellent regardless.

Amnesia is disempowerment as horror. Wander the increasingly fleshy halls of a mansion haunted by imprudent science. Lose your mind in the dark or lose your head in the light. Perhaps the most immersive horror game this decade if you don't count the menus. More gory details at http://www.pixelsocks.com/2010/11/30/review-amnesia-the-dark-descent/

Build bridges and towers from gelatinous semi-sentient soft drinks. World of Goo is an architectural puzzler and takedown of consumption culture and industry. It's thoughtful ascention and screaming collapse as animated by Tim Burton. More shaky foundations at http://www.pixelsocks.com/2008/12/29/review-world-of-goo/

Super Meat Boy draws a bright line between accessibility and ease. Brutally fair level design, rapid restarts, and a driving soundtrack place SMB somewhere between compulsion and reward. It's self harm as virtue: a platformer for discerning ascetics. More meat at http://www.pixelsocks.com/2011/01/10/review-super-meat-boy/

The best antidote to the overly-wordy adventure game. Machinarium is a suite of puzzles and solutions expressed as pictographs. This shifts the burden of puzzle accesibility onto design in a way that solves some fundamental problems with adventure games. Also, you're a robot and that's awesome. More at http://www.pixelsocks.com/2009/10/16/machinarium-review/

Somewhere between tower defense and horde mode there are a lot of dead orcs. A perfectly paced action game that applies enough pressure to induce flow, but has an occasional breather to prevent fatigue. Throw in a few one-liners and a metal soundtrack and this one's a winner. More reflections writ in orcish blood at http://www.pixelsocks.com/2011/11/30/orcs-must-die-review/

A Dragon Quest styled jRPG that was modernized in all the right places. CStW delivers lightning fast RPG battles with an economy of narrative and comedy that never wastes your time. More harrowing truths at http://www.pixelsocks.com/2011/08/09/cthulhu-saves-the-world-review/

Bastion is cleverly customizable for a hack-and-slash diablo-esque game, but the chocolate-throated narrator is the real draw. Bastion holds the record for least ludonarrative dissonance owing to a gameplay-responsive narrative AI. Don't forget the killer soundtrack and lush color palette. Full thoughts at: http://www.pixelsocks.com/2011/07/26/bastion-review/

An abstract simulation of falling in the future--sudden stop at the end is optional. AaAaAA!!! is a pleasant blend of absurd humor and breakneck action that will leave you disoriented and slightly sore. A more grounded argument is at http://www.pixelsocks.com/2010/06/14/review-aaaaa/