This issue features an addictive mix of Valheim and Diablo, a simulator for seating people in public places, an extraction horror game starring Goofy, a tactical RPG where you create new fighters, a humorous parody of The Elder Scrolls, and other titles that many players may have missed.
The Dark Queen of Mortholme
Why it’s interesting: a lyrical sketch about the fates of the main character and the final boss.
The Dark Queen of Northolme is a postmodern statement in the spirit of The Stanley Parable, only even shorter. The whole experience takes about half an hour and centers on us, in the role of the dark queen, repeatedly killing a little girl who runs up shouting, “Now you die!” The queen—the final boss—smirks, defeats the girl with a single blow, and then burns her body with a snap of her fingers.
Meanwhile, the main character experiences all the stages from anger to acceptance, learning not to rush at the boss each time but to memorise her attack patterns. In other words, she gradually grows stronger, pushing our queen into a second stage where her true nature is revealed. This process eventually leads to the inevitable finale, of which there are several possible endings.
The outcome depends less on combat—although both characters have three types of attacks, the game is not primarily about fighting—and more on how we interact with the persistent heroine. The essence of The Dark Queen of Northolme lies in its dialogues. Both the heroine and the boss transition from mutual dislike and hatred to curiosity and even sympathy. In the final moments, the queen does not merely snap her fingers to burn the girl’s body; she lifts the corpse and hugs it before it vanishes.
Depending on our choices and actions, the opponent’s behaviour changes—for example, we can choose not to attack at all, which will offend the girl—along with the mood and content of the ending. Yet the central truth remains: both the heroine and the final boss are victims—of someone else’s will and expectations, of program code, and of their own loneliness.
Is This Seat Taken?
Why it’s interesting: a cosy puzzle game about choosing your place in life — as well as on the bus, in a club, or at a restaurant.
Is This Seat Taken? is as ironic as it is charming. The main task is to seat people—or rather, geometric shapes with handles and eyes—correctly in various public spaces. On the bus, some passengers prefer a window seat, others the aisle, and some want to stay away from children while still having someone to chat with. A few simply want to be alone. At a concert, some want to dance near the speakers, while others prefer to sit at tables next to friends. And the game continues in this style across restaurants, clubs, and other locations.
While the initial conditions seem simple, even early stages make it challenging to satisfy everyone and earn the most “likes.” As you progress, new cities, scenarios, and missions unlock, all while following the quirky story of Slava the Diamond, who dreams of starring in an independent film. For those looking for more entertaining games and exciting experiences, platforms like WinBeast offer a wide variety of unique and engaging titles to enjoy safely from home.
Tiny Bookshop
Why it’s interesting: a cosy and slightly fantastical bookshop simulator.
Tiny Bookshop places us in a charmingly surreal scenario: selling paper books and believing that, somehow, someone still wants them. The game itself is delightful, imbued with an intellectual, almost French spirit. Every detail—from exploring your surroundings to clicking on pigeons and flowers—enhances the cozy, immersive atmosphere while supporting surprisingly deep gameplay.
Players must buy and arrange books according to reader demand: the more books you display on a single topic, the higher the chance they will sell. Beyond stocking shelves, you can paint and decorate your mobile bookshop, with different interior items providing gameplay bonuses.
Equally important is choosing the right locations to trade, interacting with locals, fulfilling their requests, and offering books that match their specific needs. Successfully doing so inspires buyers and brings prosperity. You can also read newspapers, follow the news, and track the calendar of special events, all of which influence gameplay and immersion.
As the game progresses, more details emerge, deepening the sense that, in this little fantastical world, paper books still matter—and someone truly is reading them.
Deadzone: Rogue
Why it’s interesting: an atmospheric shooter inspired by GTFO and Roboquest.
In Deadzone: Rogue, we awaken aboard a spaceship with no memory of recent events and quickly discover that we are under attack by hordes of hostile machines. From there, players can choose to fight alone or team up in a three-player squad. In co-op mode, coordination becomes key: you can mark enemies for targeted fire, synchronise grenade volleys, and strategise to survive together.
The game follows the familiar roguelite loop: clearing levels, collecting weapons and equipment of varying colours and rarity, crafting or purchasing consumables in safe zones, and upgrading your gear. Players are periodically offered a choice of auras, which can enhance close combat, sniper efficiency, or improve performance while not aiming. Weapons themselves vary not only in type but also in elemental damage and special effects, adding layers of tactical depth.
Between runs, global upgrades can be purchased on the ship to further enhance your build. Unlike many fast-paced roguelite shooters, Deadzone: Rogue emphasises a slower, more tactical approach: hiding in cover, using stealth, and carefully eliminating enemies. At times, this approach evoked memories not of Roboquest, but of System Shock, with its tension, methodical gameplay, and atmospheric immersion.
Bendy: Lone Wolf
Why it’s interesting: an extraction horror game starring Goofy… well, almost — armed with nothing but a frying pan.
In reality, the main character is named Boris, but the resemblance to a certain anthropomorphic dog is unmistakable. Boris appears in cartoons by the fictional Joey Drew Studio and is the loyal friend of Bendy, a character easily compared to Mickey Mouse. But this is far from a cheerful Disney story — dark and sinister events unfold in the studio, a world established and expanded over many games in the Bendy series, starting with Bendy and the Ink Machine in 2017.
While previous Bendy games focused on horror and puzzles, Lone Wolf builds on the action-oriented spin-off Boris and the Dark Survival (2020), offering an updated, expanded, and refined experience. Players explore the studio as Boris, scavenge for supplies, and fend off ink monsters that emerge from spreading ink blots.
Tension is constant: the main ink demon, reminiscent of the Tyrant from Resident Evil, relentlessly pursues the player. Survival depends on stealth, traps, careful observation, and controlling noise. After collecting essential items, players sprint to the lift, heart racing, to reach safety.
Secrets and audio cassettes are scattered throughout, but listening to them on the move is risky — the demon can hear every sound. The plot has been made more coherent in this version, weaving together storylines from multiple branches of the franchise. Visually, Lone Wolf shines with improved animation and cutscenes, while camera controls have been refined for a smoother experience. New mechanics also add depth, keeping the gameplay fresh and engaging.
For longtime fans, the question of whether the improvements justify the price is valid. However, newcomers will find Bendy: Lone Wolf an essential entry point into this dark, twisted universe.
Whispers from the Star
Why it’s interesting: a chatbot cleverly disguised as a game, featuring a charming avatar.
Whispers from the Star is hardly a traditional game. At its core, it functions as a chatbot embodied by the main character, astronaut Stella, who is stranded on the planet Gaia. Players communicate with Stella through a futuristic communicator, guiding her on how to survive using video calls, text, or voice commands. Stella is powered by AI, which seems to generate responses dynamically, creating the illusion of a living, reactive character.
Beyond mission tasks, Stella often initiates conversations about life itself, asking personal questions that are not directly related to the game’s objectives. This adds a unique layer of interaction, giving the experience a surprising sense of intimacy and personality.
That said, the gameplay itself can feel awkward and limited. Without a microphone, progress is nearly impossible, and even with one, players may grow frustrated repeating basic instructions to solve simple puzzles. Nevertheless, as an experimental tech demo exploring AI-driven storytelling and interaction, Whispers from the Star stands out as an intriguing glimpse into the potential future of narrative games.
Altheia: The Wrath of Aferi
Why it’s interesting: a classic action-adventure game reminiscent of early 2000s titles.
Altheia presents a familiar yet compelling premise. The world is consumed by a mysterious evil known as the Void, which poisons the environment and corrupts living creatures. Players step into the role of Lily, a reluctant young guardian tasked with cleansing the world of this corruption. She is joined by Sadi, a monk whose order has long collaborated with guardians to maintain balance. Yet Lily is hesitant — her mother, also a guardian, died, leaving her skeptical of the role she’s meant to embrace. She agrees to assist Sadi only temporarily, accompanying him to the sanctuary while constantly expressing doubt and discontent.
The antagonist is multi-dimensional, with a personal drama that adds depth to the narrative. Together, these elements make the plot and characters engaging, providing more than just a generic “save the world” storyline.
Gameplay in Altheia is classically structured. Players fight enemies, solve environmental puzzles, and clear the Void, earning artifacts along the way. These artifacts can be used to upgrade health, mana, or combat techniques. Lily is directly controlled by the player, while Sadi is AI-controlled, assisting in both battles and puzzles. Puzzles require coordination — stepping on pressure plates, pulling levers, or instructing Sadi to interact with mechanisms so that Lily can progress. The monk can also enhance combat, possessing weapons to strengthen attacks and even controlling large automatons to overcome obstacles.
However, the combat system shows some weaknesses. It can be awkward, at times overly simple, and other times unnecessarily complex. Control issues and occasional bugs further complicate gameplay.
Yet despite these flaws, the game remains compelling. The world is beautifully rendered, the puzzles are satisfying, and new mechanics gradually unfold, keeping the experience fresh. The storyline and characters are intriguing, and the sense of true adventure permeates every aspect of the game.
Dice Gambit
Why it’s interesting: a tactical RPG where building a family is part of your strategy and giving birth to new fighters is key to survival.
In Dice Gambit, you play as a female inquisitor tasked with ridding the city of monsters while navigating its complex social landscape. Part of your mission involves befriending — or at least negotiating with — the city’s powerful families and establishing your own. Marriage and childbirth are not just story elements; they directly impact gameplay, as children become the next generation of fighters in your squad. These relatives are trained at the academy, where you teach them the skills of various classes, preparing them for future battles. This system is crucial because characters who fall in combat are permanently lost, raising the stakes for every expedition.
Initially, the game seems forgiving. Early expeditions through different city districts — where you choose the path to confront the final boss — are relatively straightforward. Enemies are manageable, and the ability to re-roll dice to optimise attacks and special abilities gives players a sense of control. However, the difficulty ramps up quickly.
As you progress, fighters accumulate fatigue, causing temporary reductions in their attributes, while enemies grow stronger in response to your attacks and skill usage. Some missions introduce additional challenges, such as reinforcements that continuously arrive or special objectives that must be completed under pressure.
Overall, Dice Gambit offers a refreshing experience for fans of turn-based tactical RPGs. Its vibrant visuals, colourful characters, and strategic depth make each expedition engaging. The combination of family-building mechanics with tactical combat creates a unique twist on the genre, rewarding careful planning and long-term strategy.
