M E R R Y X M E R G E

no achievements, 0.3 hours

A rather lackluster puzzle game that fails to deliver a satisfying experience. With no progression system or meaningful goals, the gameplay boils down to endless, repetitive merging that quickly becomes tedious. There’s no sense of accomplishment or variety to keep players engaged, making it feel more like a time-waster than an actual game. Adding to the frustration, many of the glowing reviews for this game appear to be fake, creating a misleading impression of its quality. Overall, Merry XMerge is a disappointing entry in the puzzle genre and doesn’t deserve the high praise it seems to be receiving from obviously bought reviews.

R O Y A L C A R D C L A S H

8/8 (100%), 1.4 hours

💗 This game was gifted to Indie Therapy for review.

Royal Card Clash is such a refreshing and addictive indie game! It takes the simplicity of classic card games like Solitaire and adds a really clever twist. Using number cards as "attacks" to defeat royal cards feels so satisfying, especially when you start planning your moves strategically. It’s super easy to learn, but don’t be fooled—it takes some serious thinking to master, and that’s what keeps me hooked.

The relaxing soundtrack is a nice touch, and I love that the game tracks your performance stats—it’s fun to see how you improve over time. Plus, unlocking harder difficulty levels gives you a real sense of progress and challenge. If you’re into card games or just want something low-key but engaging, Royal Card Clash is absolutely worth a try. It’s one of those games that’s perfect for short sessions but hard to put down once you start!

T H E I N V I N C I B L E

29/29 (100%), 16.5 hours

I played this game for Pay or Play 1st Cycle of 2025 and it was picked for me by Escollo.

I just wrapped up The Invincible, and I’ve got to say—it’s a game that totally surprised me in the best way. I haven’t read the novel it’s based on (shoutout to Stanisław Lem’s The Invincible), but now I’m seriously considering picking it up because this game is really good.

From the moment I landed on the mysterious planet Regis III, I was hooked. The game oozes atmosphere, with its retro-futuristic aesthetic that feels like stepping into a golden age sci-fi movie. The visuals are breathtaking, from the stark, alien landscapes to the haunting remnants of the planet’s secrets. Every area feels crafted to draw you deeper into the story.

Speaking of the story, it’s an absolute standout. Even without knowing the source material, I felt completely invested in the narrative. You play as Yasna, a sharp and determined scientist, who’s on a mission to uncover what happened to her crew. It’s a slow-burn exploration of survival, curiosity, and some pretty deep philosophical questions about humanity and technology. The choices you make feel meaningful, and the dialogue is natural and thought-provoking.

The gameplay is more about exploration and discovery than action, which I loved. It gave me time to soak in the eerie, almost hypnotic atmosphere. And wow, the audio design! The soundtrack and sound effects are spot-on, adding so much to the tension and mystery. Definitely a “play it with headphones” kind of game.

Even without prior knowledge of Lem’s work, the game is easy to dive into and enjoy. It strikes a great balance between being accessible to newcomers and offering depth for those who might already be fans of the novel. If you’re into narrative-driven games, sci-fi mysteries, or just want something that feels truly unique, give The Invincible a shot. It’s not a fast-paced thrill ride, but it doesn’t need to be—it’s an experience that sticks with you long after you finish. Highly recommended!

S I D M E I E R ' S C I V I L I Z A T I O N V

126/286 (44%), 129.7 hours

Sid Meier's Civilization V is one of those games I kept coming back to over and over. It's a turn-based strategy game where you guide a civilization from the dawn of time to the modern age, and no two games ever feel quite the same. Whether you're building wonders, waging wars, or making allies, there's always something to keep you engaged.

The gameplay is super satisfying, especially with the way the hex-based maps and combat work. It makes planning out your moves and strategy feel rewarding, whether you're expanding your empire or just trying to survive a surprise war. The expansions like Gods & Kings and Brave New World made the game even better, adding religion, trade, and diplomacy systems that gave it more depth.

That said, I never managed to unlock all the achievements, even after playing a ton. Some of them are just really specific or require a crazy amount of dedication and the game gets a bit repetitive if you play it for so long. But honestly, there's always another challenge waiting, even if you're not a completionist, and it's definitely worth playing.

If you’re into strategy games or just love a game that lets you lose track of time while building your own version of history, Civ V is a fantastic choice. It’s not perfect, but it’s an experience I don’t regret sinking so many hours into.

B A I M A S O N ' S T H I N G F I N D E R P U Z Z L E

10/10 (100%), 2.0 hours

💜 This game was gifted to Catizens Curations for review.

I had the chance to try Baimason's Thing Finder Puzzle because I got it through a curator, and I’m so glad I had the chance—it’s such a delightful little hidden object game! The concept is simple but incredibly charming: you’re tasked with finding pixel-made objects hidden within levels that are entirely composed of adorable pixel art. It’s like a cozy scavenger hunt that’s as relaxing as it is satisfying.

What really stands out about this game is its replayability. Each level is unique and procedurally generated, so even when you revisit your favorite stages, they feel fresh and different every time. I also love how the game rewards progress—every level you complete unlocks new challenges and more items to discover, which keeps things engaging and gives you that "just one more level" feeling.

The daily challenge is another highlight for me. It’s a fun way to add variety and gives you a little something to look forward to each day. Plus, there’s an achievement for completing 30 days of daily challenges, so it’s a great incentive to stick with it.

Overall, Baimason's Thing Finder Puzzle is a fantastic pick if you’re into chill, relaxing games that don’t demand too much but still feel rewarding. Whether you’re looking for a way to unwind or just want a charming puzzle game to add to your library, this one’s absolutely worth checking out.

P L A N T E R A 2 : G O L D E N A C O R N

40/40 (100%), 15.4 hours

I got Plantera 2: Golden Acorn as a giveaway prize from the awesome streamer BlueandQueenie, and it’s been such a lovely little escape. I haven’t played the first Plantera, but from what I’ve heard, this sequel is a big improvement, and honestly, it stands strong even if you’re coming in fresh like I did.

The gameplay is super relaxing and flexible. You can plant crops, grow trees, and raise animals to create your own little garden paradise. The interaction is simple but fun—you can actively harvest your crops and shoo away pesky animals, or just let the game do its thing idling while you kick back and enjoy the view.

Visually, the game is delightful. The bright, colorful graphics and adorable animations make your garden feel alive, and the gentle soundtrack adds to the chill vibe. It’s the kind of game where you lose track of time because it’s so easy to just keep watching your little ecosystem grow.

The progression system is rewarding as you unlock new plants, animals, and upgrades, but I’ll admit it can feel a bit grindy when you’re aiming for those final achievements. It’s not a dealbreaker—just something to keep in mind if you’re a completionist.

Overall, Plantera 2 is a charming idle/clicker game that’s perfect for anyone looking for something low-pressure and enjoyable. Whether you’re actively playing or letting it run in the background, it’s a feel-good experience. Big thanks to BlueandQueenie for introducing me to this one!

C H A R T E R S T O N E : D I G I T A L E D I T I O N

no achievements, 13.8 hours

I won this game through SteamGifts.

I got Charterstone: Digital Edition as a giveaway win on Steamgifts through the playing appreciated group, and I was pretty excited to try it out. It’s based on a real-life board game, which I’ve never played, but I’m always down for a good turn-based, board game-style experience.

Going in, I’ll admit I felt a bit lost. The game does offer a tutorial, but since I had no background with the physical board game, some of the mechanics felt confusing. There’s a lot of resource management, building, and strategizing involved, but I struggled to understand how it all tied together. I kept wondering if I was missing some crucial context that veterans of this board game already knew about.

I played through the campaign, but if I’m honest, I didn’t really enjoy it much. The gameplay loop didn’t click for me, and I felt like I was just going through the motions rather than making meaningful decisions. It’s not a bad game by any means—it seems like there’s a solid strategy game under the surface—but I just couldn’t get into it. Visually, the game is nice enough. It has a clean, cartoony art style that fits the board game vibe. The interface does its job, but it felt a bit cluttered at times, especially when trying to track all the different mechanics and options.

I think Charterstone is probably best suited for people who have played the physical version or are really into board games and don’t mind a bit of a learning curve. For someone like me, who went in blind, it felt a little overwhelming and not very engaging. Still, I’m glad I won it and was able to give it a shot, and maybe if you’re more familiar with the genre, you’ll have a better time. As for me, I’d say it was a meh experience.

A P A R K F U L L O F C A T S

50/50 (100%), 1.1 hours

A Park Full of Cats is another charming hidden-object game from Devcats, and if you're familiar with their games, you know exactly what to expect—cats, cats, and more cats! This time, you’re exploring a cozy little amusement park, searching for well-hidden kitties in a relaxing, stress-free environment. The art is adorable, the music is soothing, and it’s the perfect game to unwind with.

The base game is free, which is always a nice bonus, but if you're an achievement hunter (like me), you'll need to grab the Haunted Ride DLC to hit that sweet 100% completion. Honestly, it’s a small price to pay for more cute cats to find! If you enjoy casual hidden-object games or just really love cats, this one’s definitely worth checking out.

Z E N K O : A F O X ' S T A L E

10/10 (100%), 2.1 hours

Zenko: A Fox’s Tale is a charming indie 3D platformer set in a beautifully crafted, Japanese-inspired world. You play as a whimsical fox spirit, moving between realms to chase wandering spirits and restore abandoned shrines. The world design is lovely, with an enchanting atmosphere that makes exploration feel magical.

For a free game, it’s surprisingly well-made, with solid platforming mechanics and a good balance of puzzle-solving. Some of the platforming can feel a little janky or tricky at times, but it’s never too much to take away from the overall experience. If you enjoy indie platformers and love a bit of mystical adventure, this game is definitely worth checking out!

N I N O M A Z E L O F I I I

no achievements, 1.0 hours

A chill little maze game where you guide four adorable cats to the finish line while vibing to a relaxing lo-fi soundtrack. The art is cute, and the music sets a nice, cozy mood, but the gameplay itself is pretty basic. I was hoping for a bit more challenge, but the levels felt a little too easy, which made things repetitive after a while. Still, if you just want something super casual to unwind with (and you love cats), it’s a decent way to pass the time and it's not ruined with it's price, so it's worth it!