We’re just about at the end of the year, and with all the game of the year lists that are sure to make their way online, I thought I’d take a minute to look back at some of the smaller gems out there that may end up going overlooked.
Hitman Go is not only the best Hitman game released in years, but it’s also an amazing digital board/puzzle game. The visuals are slick, elegant, and evoke a retro/nostalgic reminder of how board games used to look and feel. The score is subtle yet effective, helping you get lost in the game loop of plan/move/plan/restart. It’s out for ios and android, and I can’t recommend it enough.
Jazzpunk is *maybe* the funniest game I’ve ever played in my life. It looks and plays similar to Blendo titles such as Thirty Flights Of Loving and Gravity Bone , but has an over-the-top sense of humor that hearkens back to the Monty Python era of comedy and sight gags. It’s amazing, affordable, and will provide a solid evening of entertainment if you’re in need of a good laugh.
Shovel Knight takes you back to the glory days of 8-bit platformers, and plays like you remember those classics playing, as opposed to how they actually play when you revisit them. It’s bright, colorful, challenging, and has a great sense of humor about itself. If you’re looking for an engaging challenge that takes you back to your younger days of gaming, this one’s a must-play.
Transistor is the follow-up to Super Giant Games’ first release, Bastion . In many ways, I feel that it’s a superior game and a worthy sophomore release. The art direction is elegant and jaw-droppingly beautiful. The story is layered and subtle, building the world while slowly revealing the over-arching plot. If you have the time, patience, and are willing to let yourself get immersed in a world filled with fully-developed characters with true relationships and connections to each other, Transitor is one of the best releases of the year.