When I was growing up, I spent as much time playing games on a browser as I did on a console. Whether NewGrounds, CartoonNetwork, NeoPets, CoolMath4Kids etc. Some of my fondest memories were spamming through Super Meat Boy in-browser during class racing friends to the finish. However, that feels like a feature of a bygone era. Flash was decimated unceremoniously and Steam’s ubiquity for PC gamers, and Switch’s dominance of casuals doesn’t leave much room.

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For the first time, I dug in deep. I played over 20 demos and here are my thoughts!

Riddlewood Manor 🏆

Horror point-and-click adventure. This game is brilliant and I have zero critiques. The artstyle and setting remind my of an old Scooby Doo flash game I would play as a kid. I can’t believe how much content they packed into this demo. I am having a blast and can’t put it down. The horror elements add atmosphere and texture to the world, and the puzzles and interactions make you feel clever while not being too difficult. The mini-games are always a surprise and a delight, I can’t help but smile!

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Release Year: 2023
Reading Year: SP2025
Developer/Publisher: Bellular Studios/Fellow Travelers & Surprise Attack Games
Time to Beat: 16 Hours

Thoughts: To be honest, this was an obligatory “It’s a Humble Bundle throw-in, give it a try and probably drop after a few hours” pick. Instead, I spent double the average playtime completing the game. I had no context for the game going in, I didn’t even know the genre or narrative hook. I played fairly naively, focusing on the story and enjoying the light management sim mechanics – I’m learning how well management sims work with my brain as of late.

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Release Year: 2023
Reading Year: SP2025
Developer/Publisher: Black Salt Games/Team 17
Time to Beat: 10 Hours

Thoughts: This game is fun. I know this isn’t a surprise two years and two DLC releases later, but wow it feels good to lose the clock when you pick up a new game. I struggle with indie games like Spirit Fairer because they seem pointless. Yes, cozy is good, but it doesn’t really feel like you are progressing. It’s a me thing, I acknowledge that. Dredge solves this perfectly – there are 5 locations, you will go there and collect the things. The in between provides more than enough fun and fear to make the whole experience fly by! The art style is a lovely nod to Disco Elysium and Dishonored, the gameplay loop is so tight making that “one more run” feeling constant, it is so mechanically rich that you are never bored, the music is EXCELLENT.

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Release Year: 2014
Reading Year: SP2025
Developer/Publisher: Ustwogames
Time to Beat: 1 Hours

Thoughts: Short, fun, and free with a Netflix sub! The art is a little dated, but my how far we have come. A much more pleasurable experience than Limbo, which felt so linear and forced. Is there only one way to go in Monument Valley? For the most part yes, but how you get to solve the puzzle feels so much more fluid and as if you actually come to your own conclusions. You can finish it in a sitting and it’s worth playing for the box level alone!

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