Date Everything

The number of options is truely impressive. I didn't do everything in the demo, but that seems expansive as well.

I do have greater concerns, like the consistency of writing with so many options, and I'd like to nope out quicker on some. Voice acting is amazing tho, and a recommend

InKonbini

That sure is... a store game. Like, okay, its pretty accurate, and the controls are nice. It's a competent convenience store clerk simulator.

It just... didn't sell me on anything, ironically. Stock shelves, have really middling dialogue, and pretend we're doing something profound.

Death Howl

Cardgame with soulslike revival. I love the vibe of it, and the art. The mechanics are simple but I can see where its going to gain complexity. Feels like a story focused Slay the Spire.

Though, it does take out some peril of a soulslike, when your fights are set up for you.

The Way of the Tray

Fun, almost cosy game despite the franticness. Stacking plus balancing plus serving wrapped up in a wacky package. It does its primary gameplay loop well, by tying in all the different parts. Though, I can see it becoming chaos.

Also, the demo was in default russian?

Moonlighter 2

I didn't like the original, despite my love of shops. And with 2, I can say my feelings are unchanged. Its a game of two halves yes, but neither half feels like its being accomplished well.

Also, the demo ran TERRIBLY on deck. Terrible slow down, jitter and freezing in the town.

Ratatan

Oof, I suck at this game - having never played Patapon. I recognize what its going for though, with superb character and sound design.

Perhaps with a few quality of life features, the game could not feel like rubbing my stomach and patting my head - if it wants to help a pleb like me.

Demonschool

A very westernized Persona game. While the demo doesn't do it any favours being in the middle of it, the characters seem nice, I get TWEWY vibes, and I sort of have an idea on how combat works.

I just definitely needs to be experienced from the beginning. Which is understandable.

Dispatch

Damn, I love it. It's a Telltale game... WITH ACTUAL GAMEPLAY! Characters and choices rolled into one.

Writing is a little overdone in places, but overall, I am made up. Brilliant. Possibly a day one purchase. Feels like discovering something like Ace Attorney all over again.

Wordplay.

It is addictive, and I can see why Mark Brown decided to capitalize on the idea. But I also agree that its not that sexy in terms of design, and it needs some kind of themeing to be really engaging.

You'll still catch me playing maybe half an hour before bed.

Next up, Discounty.

I like it, but I really like most games where you set up a shop. Nice style, nice intertwining of systems, I'll likely get it.

However, it is a bit... languid. Yes, while you can toggle the run button, its got its own pace... and it kinda fights you when you want do stuff.

First was released just before Next Fest started.
Mina the Hollower.

I like gameplay combination of Classic Zelda + Castlevania, feels very right. It was a bit obtuse in the beginning, and I'm worried its not as kinetic as Shovel Knight, but it started to get better once I learnt to dig.

I'd take it more than that. He literally dumped another game to review yours.

If that ain't praise, I don't know what is.