Release Year: 2023
Reading Year: WI2023
Developer/Publisher: Avalanche Software/Portkey Games
Time to Beat: 28 Hours

Thoughts: So, this is obviously a controversial game. While that controversy has mostly died out, it is still important to make a measured decision on where your money goes. I will link a few articles that discuss the controversy and analyses so you may self-inform. My reasoning is two-fold: First, my dad plays one-two video games per year. Before Hogwarts Legacy it was Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, games I have no interest in. I want to stay connected with him and this game is the way. Second, I bought it through Humble Bundle (a charity game store), am within the targeted community, and realize there is no “right” decision concerning giving money to a bigot versus supporting a studio. Fuck J.K. Rowling and I played this game. Okay, here is the review!

Release Year: 2019
Reading Year: FA2023
Developer/Publisher: Hidden Layer Games/Chucklefish
Time to Beat: ~3 Hours

Thoughts: A cinematic and atmospheric indie game with incredible pixel art and music/sound design! I found the ambiguity of the story and non-linear vignettes to be quite intriguing. Ending did not stick the landing for me.

Release Year: 2010
Reading Year: FA2023
Developer/Publisher: Playdead/Microsoft Game Studios
Time to Beat: 2.5 Hours

Thoughts: Truly one of the OG indie titles that really put indie games on the map. It is tight, atmospheric, and keeps you moving along. Given that 13 years has gone by and that I am trying to get through the game after a few starts over the years, it feels like a bit of a relic. It is linear to a fault. It feels like this game was made to get casual gamers into the indie scene. There is so little room for ambiguity and each mechanic feels tuned to death.