M O N U M E N T V A L L E Y 2

16/16 (100%), 2.8 hours

I honestly went into Monument Valley 2 thinking there was no way it could top the first game — but wow, I was wrong. It’s absolutely stunning. The art is even more colorful, bright, and full of life this time around, and the music? Just beautiful. It somehow manages to be calming and emotional at the same time, perfectly matching the gentle pace of the game.

The story follows Ro and her journey through motherhood, and while it’s simple, it’s also really touching. The way it tells a story without many words feels so natural — you just get it through the visuals and movement. I love how the game captures that feeling of connection and independence in such a subtle way.

Gameplay-wise, it’s the same relaxing, meditative puzzle experience I loved from the first game, but with new mechanics and environment types to keep things fresh. None of the puzzles were super challenging, but that’s kind of the charm — it’s not meant to frustrate you. It gives you just enough of a brain tease to keep you engaged while still feeling peaceful.

It’s the perfect game to unwind with — something you can sink into for an hour or two and just breathe. I finished it with a big smile and immediately added the third game to my wishlist. If you enjoyed the first Monument Valley, you’re going to love this one even more.

H I D D E N C A P Y B A R A S W I T H O R A N G E I N T H E W H I M S I C A L L I B R A R Y

18/18 (100%), 0.8 hours

This was such a lovely little hidden object game! The art is adorable and detailed, and I really liked both the day and night versions of the maps — though the night ones easily won me over. The way the capybaras light up against the darker background looks so cozy and magical.

The music is super chill and relaxing too, and even when it loops, it never feels annoying or repetitive. It’s the perfect kind of background track for a calm hidden object session. I really hope the developers keep leaning into those nighttime maps where the capys light up — it’s becoming such a cute signature style for the series, and I’d love to see more of it in future games.

H I D D E N C A T S 4 : A E T H E R P U N K

27/27 (100%), 0.1 hours

💜This game was gifted to Catizens Curations for review.

This one was a bit of a mixed bag for me and I wish there was a way to give a neutral review. It’s a very pretty hidden object game where you’re tasked with finding 100 hidden cats in a beautifully drawn aetherpunk-themed artwork. Visually, it’s lovely as always — the devs really nailed the atmosphere and aesthetic.

However, compared to the previous games from the studio I’ve played, this one felt like a bit of a disappointment. The cats were way too easy to find, and I managed to 100% it in about 7 minutes, which is a huge drop in playtime compared to the others. Most of the earlier games took me over an hour to finish, and they felt much fuller and more rewarding.

It’s still cute and relaxing, but definitely on the bare-bones side. If you’re used to the usual amount of content from this studio, this one might feel like a letdown. That said, if you’re looking for a short, cheap, and cozy hidden object experience, it’s still worth checking out for a quick dose of cat-spotting fun.

H I D D E N C A T S I N R I O D E J A N E I R O

61/61 (100%), 2.0 hours

💜This game was gifted to Catizens Curations for review.

This was another absolutely delightful entry from Nukearts! Hidden Cats in Rio de Janeiro is such a charming hidden object game — vibrant, relaxing, and full of that signature cozy energy their games always have. You explore eight beautifully illustrated maps filled with hundreds of hidden cats, humans, plus collectible photo cards of special cats and landmarks.

If you’ve played any of their other titles, you’ll feel right at home — there’s the main level, smaller bonus maps, and a big final challenge map that ties it all together. The structure is familiar, but the art and attention to detail make it feel fresh every time. The way the cats are hidden around Rio’s famous landmarks is so clever, and the music perfectly matches the relaxing, sunny vibe.

Honestly, apart from Devcats (who are also fantastic), Nukearts are S-tier in the hidden cat genre. Every new game they release just feels like a warm hug in puzzle form. I’m always impressed, and I really hope they keep making more of these adorable cat-finding adventures!

S O C I A L M O T H

no achievements, 0.7 hours

This game was such a lovely little experience with a lot of heart. In Social Moth, you play as Aletris, a socially anxious moth trying to find their place in a big, overwhelming world. The hand-drawn art is absolutely beautiful, and the soft colors and lighting give everything this calm, dreamlike feel. The voice acting and dialogue are great too; they really make Aletris feel alive and relatable.

It’s a short game — it took me about 45 minutes to finish — but it’s a really meaningful experience. The story gently reminds you how important mental health is, and how the words we tell ourselves truly matter. I especially liked how the music reacted to Aletris’ level of anxiety — it added so much emotional depth to the gameplay without being heavy-handed.

The platforming feels smooth, and the controls are fully configurable, which is a nice touch. It’s not a super challenging game, but it’s one that leaves you thinking afterward.

Overall, Social Moth is a simple but heartfelt experience. For the price, it’s absolutely worth picking up — it’s a cozy, short play that doubles as a nice little reminder to be kind to yourself.

M I R T H M E L O D Y

5/5 (100%), 0.2 hours

This was such a cute little rhythm game! You play as Dodo the duck, wandering through a cozy forest clearing and playing your guitar while all the animals around you happily vibe to the music — it’s just such a wholesome mood. I went in expecting all the songs to be calm and chill, so when the last one suddenly cranked up in intensity, it totally caught me off guard, in a good way.

All the tracks are great, and the whole thing only takes about 10 minutes to finish. It’s short, sweet, and completely free — plus, it works perfectly as a fun little prologue for Mirth Island. Definitely worth checking out if you want something relaxing and cheerful to brighten your day.

C A R I B B E A N C R A S H E R S

no achievements, 0.2 hours

Honestly, Caribbean Crashers was a pretty big disappointment. It feels like one of those old flash games you’d find on a free game site back in 2005 — except this one isn’t free. The concept sounds fun on paper — pirate ships, cannon battles, some strategy — but in practice, it’s way too basic.

There’s zero challenge here. You basically have infinite cannonballs, can’t lose, and can beat the whole game in about 10 minutes. The gameplay never evolves or gets harder, so it starts feeling repetitive almost immediately.

If this were a free browser game, I’d probably shrug and say “yeah, it’s fine for a few minutes.” But as a paid game on Steam, it just doesn’t hold up. There’s really not enough here to justify spending money on it.

P U L M O

20/20 (100%), 0.7 hours

💗This game was gifted to Indie Therapy for review.

Pulmo had an interesting idea, but sadly, it didn’t really work for me. It’s a short puzzle game — under an hour long — where you control a single character moving through crowds of faceless figures. The concept sounds cool and artsy, but the execution just didn’t land.

Visually, it was pretty straining on the eyes. I get what they were going for with the mix of 3D elements and a minimal hand-drawn style, but it ended up feeling messy and hard to look at after a while. It actually reminded me a bit of KIDS by Michael Frei and Mario von Rickenbach, but without the same charm or polish.

It’s not the worst thing I’ve played, but it definitely wasn’t a great experience either. A good idea on paper, just not very fun in practice.

1 1 2 O P E R A T O R

45/45 (100%), 19.3 hours

112 Operator is one of those games I thought I’d just try for a little bit and then move on, but instead it completely sucked me in. I booted it up one evening just for funsies, and suddenly it was 4 a.m. and I’d been glued to my screen for hours. It’s the sequel to 911 Operator, and the core loop is the same — you manage emergency services in any city in the world, take calls, and dispatch units to deal with everything from minor accidents to full-blown disasters.

What makes it so addictive is the tension and decision-making. You never know what the next call is going to be. One minute it’s a simple broken leg, and the next it’s an armed robbery, a fire, or even a riot. I loved the feeling of juggling resources and making quick choices to try to keep the city running. It really tests how you prioritize and manage chaos. Sometimes I’d be so stressed I’d laugh out loud, because where else can you send an entire SWAT team to deal with a parking violation and a single police bike to an armed robbery?

That said, the UI definitely has its quirks. When multiple units are sitting in the same location, it can be frustrating to select the right one. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s something that tripped me up a lot during the more hectic scenarios. It feels like the game could use a bit of polish in that area to make the experience smoother, especially since things can get really frantic in the later stages.

I ended up 100%-ing the game, and while I had a blast, I wasn’t super impressed with most of the DLC scenarios. They felt a little flat compared to the base game. The Last Stand DLC, though, was a neat change of pace — throwing you into a zombie apocalypse situation was unexpected and pretty fun to deal with, even if it was more of a novelty than something I’d replay.

Overall, I’d definitely recommend 112 Operator if you like management games with a lot of tension and problem-solving. Just be warned: it can eat up hours of your time before you even realize it. My biggest piece of advice, though, is to grab it on a good sale or in a bundle. At full price, I don’t think it quite justifies the cost, but on discount? It’s absolutely worth diving into.

U N T I T L E D G O O S E G A M E

25/25 (100%), 7.2 hours

I played it for Play or Pay 3rd Cycle of 2025 and it was picked for me by Aldrow.

Untitled Goose Game is just pure, honking chaos—and I mean that in the best way possible. From the moment I waddled into the unsuspecting village as a grumpy little goose, I knew I was in for something special. There’s no deep lore or emotional journey here—just a goose with a to-do list and a deep-rooted need to mess with everyone’s day. And it’s hilarious.

The art style is so simple yet so charming. The soft colors and storybook aesthetic make the village feel cozy and peaceful… which is the perfect backdrop for the chaos you’re about to unleash. Whether you’re stealing someone’s glasses, locking a kid in a phone booth, or waddling around honking like a maniac, every moment feels like you’re in on a very silly joke.

Gameplay-wise, it’s easy to pick up and really satisfying once you get into the groove of solving each mischievous puzzle. The stealth element is light but fun—you’ll be hiding behind bushes one moment and dashing off with someone’s belongings the next. I played it solo and had a blast, but I’m really looking forward to trying it out in co-op with my husband someday. Two geese? Twice the trouble. Unlimited chaos.

As an achievement hunter, I found most of the achievements to be smooth sailing and really enjoyable. That said, the timed challenges did push my patience a little. There were definitely a few moments where I had to put the controller down before I snapped—but finally pulling them off felt so good. It struck a nice balance between “fun challenge” and “controller yeeting frustration,” which honestly, I respect.

Overall, Untitled Goose Game is one of those rare games that doesn’t overstay its welcome. It’s not too long, not too short, and filled with personality from start to finish. It’s the kind of game you’ll smile about long after finishing it. Highly recommend it if you're looking for something unique, lighthearted, and just a little bit unhinged.

B A T O G R A P H Y

12/12 (100%), 0,9 hours

Batography is one of those short, cozy little gems that just makes you smile the whole way through. You play as Bato, an adorable anthropomorphic bat with a camera, on a mission to take a perfect photo of the full moon. Along the way, you wander through a sleepy, moonlit town full of quirky, sassy animal inhabitants, helping them out with small tasks, snapping photos, and collecting mooncakes. It’s a really charming mix of exploration and light puzzle-solving, with photography as your main way of interacting with the world.

The art and atmosphere are super cute and cozy, and I really enjoyed meeting all the different characters — each had their own personality and charm, which made the town feel alive despite the game’s short length. The whole thing feels like a warm little bedtime story you get to play through, and honestly, that vibe really worked for me.

It’s short, sweet, and completely free, so it doesn’t overstay its welcome. But at the same time, I finished it wishing there was more to explore, more characters to meet, and more photos to take. If the devs ever decide to expand on this idea into a longer game, I’d be first in line to play it.

If you’re looking for something wholesome, relaxing, and unique to play in under an hour, Batography is absolutely worth your time. It’s a small but delightful experience that leaves you with a smile.

V E N B A

15/15 (100%), 2.3 hours

I played it for Play or Pay 3rd Cycle of 2025 and it was picked for me by JK.

Venba absolutely wrecked me—in the best way possible. It’s a short narrative cooking game where you play as an Indian mom who immigrated to Canada in the 80s, and wow… what a journey. You cook traditional South Indian dishes, piece together old recipes, and navigate conversations with your family that are just so real and emotional.

It’s not just about the food (though that part is lovely and comforting); it’s about family, identity, and the quiet heartbreak of watching your child grow up in a world very different from your own. The park chapter? Yeah, I nearly had a heart attack. And by the end, I was full-on ugly crying.

The art is beautiful, the music is perfect, and even though it’s a short game, it left such a deep impression. If you’ve ever felt the pull between cultures, or just want a story that’ll hit you right in the soul—play this. Bring tissues.

P O C K E T I D L E R : F I S H I N G P O N D

23/23 (100%), 26.8 hours

I got this from a friend and gave it a shot—it’s a pretty decent idle game if you’re looking for something super chill to run in the background. I liked the auto stock and auto open/close features, they worked perfectly and made it easy to just let the game do its thing.

That said, it definitely lacks depth and engagement after a while. The upgrades are fun to unlock, but it would’ve been more interesting if they actually changed up the gameplay a bit more or gave you more to interact with. As it is, you mostly set it up and watch the numbers go up.

If you grab it on sale or for really cheap, I’d say it’s worth a try—just don’t expect to sink tons of active hours into it unless you enjoy these kinds of low-effort idlers. I had a pleasant enough time with it! 🎣

D O K I D O K I L I T E R A T U R E C L U B P L U S !

19/19 (100%), 20.7 hours

I played it for Pay or Play 2nd Cycle of 2025 and it was picked for me by Stanik.

Doki Doki Literature Club is one of those games that really sticks with you. I played the original ages ago and absolutely loved the experience, so I was curious whether the Plus version would be worth picking up—and honestly, it was. The extra side stories, music, and little behind-the-scenes details add a lot of depth to the characters and the world. It feels like a proper love letter to fans of the original.

That said, this is absolutely a game you want to go into completely blind. Don’t Google anything, don’t read spoilers—just play it. It’s a really unique experience that plays with expectations in some wild and clever ways. It might be a tad overhyped (it got a lot of buzz back in the day), but it’s still very, very good and unlike anything else I’ve played.

Whether you're new to the game or revisiting it for the extras, DDLC+ is well worth checking out.

And remember...
Just Monika.

G I B B O U S - A C T H U L H U A D V E N T U R E

48/48 (100%), 14.5 hours

Gibbous - A Cthulhu Adventure was such a lovely surprise! It’s a point-and-click adventure packed with cosmic horror, cults, cursed tomes... and a very sassy talking cat. The hand-painted art is gorgeous, the animation is super polished, and the voice acting is genuinely impressive—especially considering it’s an indie game with a smaller budget. The humor hits really well too; I found myself laughing out loud at more than a few lines.

The characters are fun and memorable (Kitteh is obviously the star), and I really enjoyed bouncing between the three different protagonists and unraveling the mystery across a Lovecraft-inspired world with a Transylvanian twist.

That said, there are a few nitpicks. There’s no hint system, so some of the more obscure puzzles can be a bit frustrating. A few areas feel less polished than others, and the ending felt a little rushed—maybe setting things up for a sequel? Also, there are some unnecessarily long conversations with side characters that don’t really add much.

But honestly, the cons are pretty minor in the grand scheme. The overall experience was fun, weird, and charming in all the right ways. If you like classic adventure games with a dash of cosmic horror and a lot of personality, Gibbous is definitely worth a play!

H I D D E N C A T S I N J I G S A W P U Z Z L E

7/7 (100%), 2.3 hours

As someone who really enjoys the Hidden Cats series by Nukearts, I was curious (and a little excited) to see how their gorgeous hand-drawn art would translate into a jigsaw puzzle format. Safe to say—it works really well!

The base game uses seven scenes from Hidden Cats in Paris, like the Louvre, Versailles, and the Catacombs, and each one comes with different challenge modes based on piece count and whether you want the puzzle coloured or uncoloured. If you really enjoy the base game, the DLCs can be bought for additional scenes from other Nukearts' games.

Just to clarify though—despite the name of this game, you’re not actually finding cats in this one. It’s purely a jigsaw game using the art from the hidden cats series, so if you're looking for a cat-finding fix, you'll want to check out the original games instead. That said, the art is still super charming and detailed, and the puzzles themselves are really relaxing.

For a free game, it’s a solid cozy experience, and if you’re a fan of the Nukearts style like I am, it’s a fun way to appreciate the art from a different angle. Definitely worth a try if you like jigsaw puzzles and chill vibes!

S T R A Y C A T S I N C O Z Y T O W N

10/10 (100%), 1.1 hours

Stray Cats in Cozy Town is another adorable hidden-cats gem from the Devcats team, and if you’re a fan of cozy vibes, cats, and kindness, it’s definitely worth a play. You roam around a sweet little village full of charming details, trying to spot 150 stray cats tucked into corners, windows, alleyways—you name it. You’ll also find food and water bowls for them, which is a really nice touch and just adds to the overall feel-good energy.

It’s completely free to play, and while there is a paid DLC, none of the achievements are locked behind it. But here’s the catch (in the best way): the DLC money goes to real-life cat shelters, which honestly made me feel like I totally had to buy it. I mean, how can you not when it's for a good cause and you get more cat content?

It’s short, sweet, and just a pure, wholesome time. Whether you're in it for the achievements, the relaxing gameplay, or the cats (let’s be honest, it's the cats), this one’s a purrfect little escape. 🐾

M O N S T E R H U N T E R: W O R L D

54/100 (54%), 110.7 hours

I started Monster Hunter: World in 2022 with my husband, who’s a longtime fan of the series. I’d never played a Monster Hunter game before, but he was super excited to introduce me to it, and I was ready to dive in. At first, I was absolutely set on getting all the achievements—big goals, right? But due to the grindy nature of them and the game itself, I ended up taking a break from it in 2023. It was just one of those things where you pause the game and suddenly a year’s gone by.

Meanwhile, my husband was patiently waiting for me to get back into it, and for Monster Hunter: Wilds to come out. Unfortunately for me, Wilds came out just before my energy for finishing World, so my husband was focused on that! He beat it though, and we got back into World, and oh boy, was it a bit difficult to get back into it!

Before my long hiatus, we were so close to the end. We only had four monsters left: Furious Rajang, Raging Brachydios, Alatreon, and Fatalis. That was it! We were so close. But after a year off, I forgot pretty much everything about how to play. My muscle memory was gone, I was forgetting buttons and how to dodge, how to sneak, how to run. Getting through those last four monsters was rough, but we finally did it, and I’m so proud we saw it through together.

Now, three years later, I’ve finally finished the game. No, I didn’t get all the achievements (and honestly, I have no desire to try). It’s a phenomenal game, but it's also extremely grindy, and I just don’t have the patience for that level of repetition in any games. Still, I totally understand why this game means so much to so many people, my husband included. It holds up incredibly well even now, and the monster design and world-building are just chef’s kiss.

I’ll definitely be playing Monster Hunter: Rise and Wilds eventually—and of course, I’ll be playing with the husband again. Anyway, I highly recommend World if you like action-y co-op games and don’t mind a bit (or a lot) of grinding. It was a great experience, even if it took me a few years to finish.

T H E S I M S 2 L E G A C Y C O L L E C T I O N

no achievements, 30 hours

The Sims 2 was my first ever Sims game growing up—I was absolutely obsessed with it as a kid, and my mom even got me all the expansion packs. So when the Legacy Collection dropped, I grabbed it mostly for the nostalgia.

Yes, modders had already figured out how to make the game work on modern PCs, but it’s nice to have an official version. It had a rocky launch, but thankfully it runs pretty smoothly now. I ended up playing around 30 hours, reliving those cozy, chaotic sim moments.

I raised a Sim from baby to teen, sent her off to college… and then she lit herself on fire using the fireplace. Classic Sims energy lmao. I don’t plan to play much more, but it was such a fun trip down memory lane. If you loved it back in the day, it’s definitely worth a revisit.

M E W S E U M : M A S T E R P I E C E S

62/62 (100%), 11.6 hours

💜This game was gifted to Catizens Curations for review.

This game is such a chill little puzzle game, and I’ve been having a great time with it! It’s a Shikaku-style logic puzzle where you divide the grid based on the numbers, and each solved section gradually reveals part of a famous painting—except all the people have been swapped out for cats. And honestly? That alone makes it amazing.

The puzzles hit that sweet spot of being easy enough to zone out with but still engaging enough to keep me interested. It’s kind of like a mix between paint-by-numbers and Sudoku, but with way more feline flair. Plus, the classical music in the background makes everything feel extra cozy. If you like simple but satisfying puzzle games and have a soft spot for cats (or art!), this one’s definitely worth a look.

D E S K T O P C A T C A F E

29/29 (100%), 150.2 hours

💜This game was gifted to Catizens Curations for review.

Desktop Cat Cafe is a super cute and cozy little idle game where you run a cat-staffed café right at the bottom of your screen while you do other things. The art is adorable, the vibes are chill, and watching tiny cat baristas serve up drinks to customer kitties is honestly just delightful.

That said, the game definitely has its quirks. It launched with a bunch of bugs (most of which have been fixed quickly), but I did have a heart-stopping moment when a patch wiped my entire progress after 100 hours—thankfully, that got rolled back. It’s also oddly CPU-heavy for an idle game, and everything moves really slowly. Customers take their sweet time, food and drinks take ages, and there aren’t any upgrades to speed things up (yet). Also, placing chairs one by one is a bit of a pain—I’d love a “fill all” option! And yeah, sometimes the customer cats just… sit inside each other.

Despite all that, I still think it’s a really adorable little game with a lot of potential. If you love idle sims and cats, it’s worth checking out—just be ready for a slow, relaxed pace (and maybe some stacked-up kitties).

I N F I N I T Y C A T S P R O J E C T

12/12 (100%), 14.1 hours

💜This game was gifted to Catizens Curations for review.

Infinity Cats Project is a cute little idle typing game where you mash keys to earn coins, buy upgrades, and hire three adorable kittens to type for you. It’s got a super sleek UI, and the whole aesthetic is really charming—definitely easy on the eyes and very chill to play.

That said, it didn’t quite grab me the way I hoped. There’s nothing wrong with it, but it’s missing that extra something to make it really stand out. Still, the cats are super cute (seriously, they’re the highlight), and it’s an easy 100% achievement-wise. I used an auto key presser to speed things up, so I’m not sure how long it’d take going fully manual or relying on the cats alone.

The shop has a bunch of different things to purchase, such as books (that give words to get coin boosts), the cats and upgrades for them, and items you can purchase to automate cat care or give boosts for the working conditions for the cats. The book side of the shop only shows six random books at a time, so you’ll have to upgrade older ones to free up space, which adds a little grind, but it’s manageable. Overall, it’s a pleasant, low-effort idle game with some charm—especially if you like cats—but it probably won’t blow your mind.

F I R E W A T C H

10/10 (100%), 6.8 hours

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

Firewatch is one of those games that sticks with you long after the credits roll. It’s a beautifully crafted, story-driven experience that drops you into the Wyoming wilderness as Henry, a man coming to work as a fire lookout, trying to escape his messy life. Your only real connection is with Delilah, your supervisor, who you talk to over a handheld radio—and from there, things slowly unravel into a gripping mystery.

I won’t say too much about the story (since that’s what really makes the game shine), but exploring the gorgeously rendered forest, making choices that shape Henry’s relationship with Delilah, and uncovering secrets along the way was an unforgettable experience. It’s not a super long game—I finished 100% in just under 7 hours, with some idle time—but it’s absolutely worth playing.

That said, it’s not without its flaws. There are a few more bugs than I expected, and I did notice some traversal stutters here and there. Also, the later part of the story felt a little rushed—I would’ve loved to experience more days firsthand instead of skipping ahead so much. But even with those minor issues, Firewatch is an emotional, atmospheric, and visually stunning adventure that I’d highly recommend.

H I D D E N W I N T E R T H I N G S

13/13 (100%), 0.5 hours

💗 This game was gifted to Indie Therapy for review.

Hidden Winter Things is a cute little hidden object game that’s perfect for when you just want to chill and soak in some winter vibes. The hand-drawn art is super charming, and the lo-fi soundtrack makes it extra relaxing. Plus, I love that the objects light up in color when you find them—it’s a small thing, but really satisfying.

The game has two looping maps, so you can scroll endlessly while hunting for snowmen, elves, candy canes, and other festive stuff. The hint system is great too—no penalties for using it, so you can just play at your own pace. Oh, and the WASD panning? Such a nice touch.

It’s definitely a short game, but it’s a fun, cozy way to unwind for a bit. Also, I couldn’t help but laugh at the tiny elf peeing in the snow. If you like hidden object games, this one’s a cute little winter treat! 🎄❄️

S E E K I N G C A T

8/8 (100%), 0.3 hours

I really wanted to love this game—the 3D diorama rooms are adorable, and the idea of searching for cats in those 3D spaces sounded like a fun time. But honestly, it fell flat for me.

First off, you’d think with a 3D art style, you’d be able to rotate the diorama to look around. Nope. You’re stuck with a fixed perspective, which feels like a huge missed opportunity. On top of that, every single cat is the exact same model, and they really stand out, making the game way too easy. I finished the whole thing in about 15 minutes, which left me feeling pretty underwhelmed.

Thankfully, I got it as a gift, so I didn’t have to spend my own money on it. The art is lovely, but overall, it’s just too short and too simple—I really wish there was more to it.

F L I N G W I T H A T I E F L I N G

10/10 (100%), 0.3 hours

Fling with a Tiefling is a short but charming little visual novel that makes for a cozy, romantic escape. You spend a single night by the campfire with Karrus, a smooth-talking Tiefling, and decide where your relationship goes from there.

The writing is sweet, the voice acting adds a lot of personality, and the music sets the mood nicely. It’s very short—like, 20 minutes max—but since it’s free, that feels just right. If this had a price tag, it probably wouldn’t be worth it, but as a freebie, it’s a fun little fantasy flirtation that’s totally worth a quick playthrough.

M I Z I N O !

20/20 (100%), 1.0 hours

Mizi NO! is an adorable little puzzle game that perfectly captures the chaos of living with a cat. Your mischievous feline, Mizi, just can’t resist knocking things over, and it’s your job to put them back together.

The hand-drawn art is super cute, the puzzles are fun but chill, and the whole vibe is just really cozy. It’s short, but since it’s free, that’s totally fine—it’s the perfect little game to play when you need a quick break.

Plus, you can pet the cat. What more do you need?

S U D O K U U N I V E R S E

76/76 (100%), 40.5 hours

I enjoy sudoku puzzles to a certain degree, and Sudoku Universe turned out to be a great way to unwind with some number-crunching fun. The game looks good, feels smooth, and offers a solid downtime experience, especially in the easy and medium difficulties. Those puzzles were enjoyable and flowed well, making for a relaxing and satisfying playthrough.

Then I hit the hard puzzles. And wow, they are really hard. I spent most of my time in the game tackling these, and while I love a challenge, some of them felt almost too much. One feature I really appreciated was the game keeping track of how many of each number remained—it made finishing up puzzles a breeze when I was down to the last few numbers.

But Sudoku Universe does have some serious issues. The color palettes are frustratingly inconsistent, and some combinations make it nearly impossible to see which cells are highlighted. Worse, you can’t manually change them, so you’re stuck exiting and re-entering puzzles until you get a decent color scheme. That’s just bad UI design.

The real dealbreaker, though, is the existence of unsolvable puzzles. Towards the end of medium difficulty and into hard, I ran into puzzles that just didn’t add up—literally. After staring at one for half an hour, marking every cell, and still coming up empty, I ran it through a solver… and even the computer had to brute force it. That’s not how sudoku is supposed to work. If a puzzle can’t be solved logically, it’s broken, plain and simple. It’s clear the developers didn’t verify all the puzzles with a solver, which is a huge oversight for a game like this.

Overall, Sudoku Universe is a mixed bag. If you’re looking for a casual sudoku experience, the easy and medium puzzles are enjoyable and well worth your time. But if you’re planning to tackle the harder levels, be prepared for frustration—not just from the difficulty, but from the occasional outright broken puzzle. I wanted to give this game a neutral review, but since Steam has no option for that, I marked it as recommended, as it was mostly fun.