We must Bebuild || Bastion (PC)

I love the art style

Bastion is an action role-playing experience created by Supergiant Games and published by Warner Bros. Interactive Media. You play as a young man right after a calamity that shattered the world into pieces. He seeks the Bastion, which seems to be a safe haven in this game where you can rebuild and hopefully find other survivors.

There is a narrator that follows your every move and basically give you a commentary over your actions. It’s interesting, and it gives me the feeling of being told a story that you’re leading. The world feels big, if disconnected, and it’s beautifully crafted. The hand painted quality and aesthetic make me think of older games like Legend of Mana which had a similar quality.

The Islands are floating!

In terms of gameplay, you’re tasked with collecting cores in order to expand the bastion, and perhaps finding others who have survived the calamity. So far, I’ve found one other survivor (minus the narrator) and found 5 cores. You have a multitude of weapons and skills to use, which is nice since it allows you to find what works for you, and also helps keep the battle from getting stale. The battle does get repetitive, and also really difficult. When you get swarmed, you really get swarmed. Knowing which weapons will help you the most against particular enemies helps a lot.

After you find the other survivor, he brings with him an ancient pipe. If you use it, you get some information about our MC (main character) and how he came to end up as he is. I wasn’t anble to complete the whole “pipe dream” as of writing this, but I know he lost his mother and all of the money he was sending home to her, so he returned to “The Wall” (I keep thinking Game of Thrones when I hear that, perhaps they are similar?) and was there when the calamity occurred.

I'm the map, I'm the map

The story is interesting, and despite the repetitive battle, I think the game is overall well made. The music is beautiful and charming, which goes along with the world perfectly. This game may appeal more to completionist types who seek to collect all items, complete the challenges and don’t mind the grind. For me, while the game is beautiful, and the score is enjoyable, it’s not worth sinking hours upon hours into (and it may be my lack of skill in these sorts of games that contributes to this).

However, even if you’re like me, I think the 2-3 hours you can comfortably sink into the game worth it, if you buy it on sale. You can read more about it, or buy it on Steam *here*. Let me know what you think of it down below!

Thank you, as always. Until next time!

Bellannmae

Small Gesture, Big Impact || Tiny Echo (PC)

"Meraki (v.)  to do something with soul, creativity, or love; to put something of yourself in your work." 

Tiny Echo is an adorable exploration adventure style game created by Might and Delight. You play as Emi, an adorable character tasked with delivering messages to the spirits in the other realm. Emi has 13 messages, and a lot of ground to cover, so she better get a move on!

I was looking forward to getting this game, and it did not disappoint. The art style is what originally drew my interest, you know I love a game with hand drawn quality. Emi and the spirits all have their own unique appearances, and even the side characters and creatures of the world are quite cute. The music is wonderfully composed and fits well with the overall feeling of the game.

I just love the artistic style of this game.

The puzzles are a nice challenge, but not too difficult that it took me too long to figure anything out. I do wish Emi moved a little faster at times, but that may have just been me being impatient. I wish there was a little more use for the side characters, other than there just being an achievement for talking to them all. Maybe some integration into the puzzles, or something. That’s really the only criticism I have for the game though.

The story is simple, and a bit short (about an hour and a half of game play for me), but it was heartwarming, with a happy ending. I really enjoyed it, and I think you will too. You can buy the game on steam at full price for 7.99 *here*. Or add it to your wish list and wait for a sale (like I did!) and get it for 5.99. Either way, I hope you’ll enjoy it as I did!

Stay safe, until I see you next time, Jammers! Happy Gaming.

Bell

Looking for the Light || Actual Sunlight (PC)

Title

Actual Sunlight is an “adventure” game created by WZOGI. I put adventure in quotes because the game doesn’t quite fit what I expect my adventure games to be, in terms of gameplay. You play as a character who feels stuck in his daily life, and is having trouble finding the willpower to move on. This game tried to deal with some heavier and more complex issues, like depression, and suicide, but it fell short in a few areas for me.

I want to make a note that I could not finish this game. I have a pretty good idea of how it ended, though. I’ll check to see if I’m right before I finish writing this to see. Anyway, you follow your character through his daily life, and almost every object you inspect or person you interact with will give you a little blurb about something—like a memory, or an information tid-bit. I think this can be a useful tactic in the game, but when it’s almost the only way to get anything from the game, it because tedious. I’m talking about walls of text. If you wanted to make a point, this same thing could have been achieved by writing a short story, or an online comic or something. What’s the point of making this a game, if there’s not actual gameplay(other than walking around).

Wall o Text

The graphics are not spectacular. Keep in mind that I’m not a stickler on hyper realistic next gen graphics. But because I felt this game was, frankly, boring, it would have been nice to have something to keep me interested.

The theme of this game is meant to be depression and thoughts of suicide, but other than a few explicit mentions of it, I didn’t get that impression from the game. I felt that the character was unsatisfied in his life and harbored a lot of resentment and self-loathing, which can be a part of depression, but are not exclusive to it. Even so, this game could have been better if it used character development, interaction, or anything to help build a story, rather than the wall of text style that was used.

The office

Overall, I feel that this game could have been much better, but simply fell short. I got this game on a steam sale for, I think, 50 cents or so. So, it’s not a huge loss. Normally the game is 4.99, and I wouldn’t recommend it for that price. In case you want to read on it some more, or even try it yourself, you can check out the Steam page *here*. 

As always, thank you for sharing some of your time with me today. Hope everyone is ready for the holidays! Until next time, happy gaming, Jammers!

Bell

Time is Ticking || Tick Tock Isle (PC)

"They always say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself." --Andy Warhol

Source: Steam Page

Tick Tock Isle is a time travelling puzzle adventure game created by Squiddershins. You play as Strike, a young horologist who is somehow transported back in time while trying to repair an abandoned clock tower. Now, as Strike searches for the way back home, he’ll help a family become a happy unit once again.

Tick Tock Isle has a lot to offer in the way of a short puzzler game. The graphics are cute, the colors are bright and the details are well done. You’ll be able to utilize the clock to travel between 2009 and 2010 to complete tasks to make members of the family content. You’ll have to find items between the two time periods to help the family members. For example, Melody is creating music and you’ll need to collect instruments to bring her.

How did this lawnmower get here?

Tick Tock Isle also has some mini games from the youngest boys that give you some of the most important items. The mini games aren’t long, and are a stark change from the pace of the rest of the game. In the mini games, you are armed with a sword and have to make it through a short platforming level. When you get to the end, the two boys reward you with a “treasure”.

Swish!

I mentioned the graphics and colors, but the animations are smooth too. The music is beautifully orchestrated, and it very relaxing—befitting of the island that you’re on. My favorite music the from the part I mentioned before, with Melody. As you give Melody more instruments, she’ll begin to add them in with her beginning piano tune, creating a layered and more complex musical piece.

The game ran about 2 hours worth of gameplay for me, which I very much enjoyed. It could take up some time to find items that were a little more elusive, so play times may vary. This game is available on steam for 99 cents.  I highly recommend picking this game up, it’s worth more than it’s minuscule price. You can but it on steam *here*

 Thank you again for stopping in to see Gaming in Pajamas, I appreciate it. Be sure to try the game for yourself, and let me now what you thought in the comments below. Until next time, take care and happy gaming!

BellAnnMae

Legends of Old || Midsummer Night (PC)

"Fairy tales do not tell children that dragons exist. Children already know that dragons exist. Fairy tales tell children that dragons can be killed." --G.K. Chesterton

Title Screen

Source: Screen Capture in Game

Midsummer Night is a game centered around folk tales, created by Everlasting Fantasy. You play as Klim, a young boy who awakes one morning to go and meet his sister, Alyonushka. When he reaches the flower field she was in, however, her finds her friends in a panic. It seems that a great beast has stolen Alyonushka! Klim sends her friends back to get help, and embarks on a journey to save her. 

Midsummer Night involves many characters from Russian folktales, such as the Kikimora, the Lihko, and more. I personally really enjoy the folklore of foreign countries, so playing this game made me want to learn more. 

A Kikimora tried to cook me!

Source: Screen Capture in Game

This game offers little guidance, so you are largely on your own to bumble your way through the game. It took me over 2 hours to complete the game through once, and much of that time was me simply trying to figure out what I was supposed to be doing. There were also many things that I did not do—and I only know that because of the achievements guide on Steam. I may actually go back for the other achievements, though. 

The graphics of the game are simple, old style pixel graphics, with the added ability of being able to control the color saturation with the page down and page up buttons. I don’t know if this was actually supposed to serve a purpose in the game for something, but I played with it anyway. I enjoyed the visuals of this game though.

 

 I think Poe's Raven is lost!

Source: Screen Capture in Game

The music and sound effects too are very nice, and help set the proper atmosphere. There is a part of the game where you must take a boat across a lake that is filled with monsters. I thought that I had enough distance, but I didn’t, so the monster surfaced and ate me whole. The sound that accompanied this scared me, and I jumped like a little girl. 

The story itself has good pacing, and I enjoyed it tale that it wove before me. The ending of the story was something unexpected for me, so that was nice. Overall, this quirky story was well worth the $0.74 I spent on it during the steam sale. At full price the game is 4.99, which isn’t bad, and I feel this game is worth more than I paid for it… but we all know how I feel about paying full price for anything. 

I hope that you’ll think of this game during the next steam sale and give it a try yourself! You can find it on Steam *here*. 

Thanks for spending some of your time with me today. Be sure to leave your feedback for the developer, and happy gaming!

Bell

Fingered for the PC

“Unless you are good at guessing,

It is not much use being a detective.”

--Agatha Christie

Source: Softonic

I hope the quote covered it, but just in case let me say that, given the kinds of games I am known to play, this game is NOT what it sounds like! At least, not like it sounds like to you perverts. I’m kidding, I’m kidding. Fingered is a casual indie game created by developers Edmund McMillen and James Id. In Fingered, you are a detective and, with the help of some eyewitnesses, it is your job to doom the guilty individual to the electric chair. This is a matter of life and death, so choose wisely….

Each eyewitness will give you 4 hints. Some hints are more reliable than others, and some witnesses have important quirks that will determine how useful their hints are, so it’s important to be able to discern those things. Some of the clues given are also subjective. Such as “I’m positive that they were tall.” Or, “He was cute!” Alright, tall compared to whom? Would I think he is cute? Even with the clues, the answer can require a bit of guessing, like any detective. If you murder an innocent man, you get one pass. Murder a second one and its game over, and you return to the beginning of the game. Even if you start over, the hints and suspects will change, so you can’t just pick your way through it easily.

Source: Gamesena

I really enjoyed the idea of this game. I have always enjoyed the “whodunit” variety of games like Clue, Guess Who, Murder Mystery Theatre, etc. The art style is interesting. I neither love it, or dislike it. It can be hard to discern some features of each suspect. It’s also important to note that some items that suspects may be holding are indicative of the hints that were given. Such as a subject holding a book connecting to a suspect being considered “smart.” I was surprised, however, the first time I sent a suspect to the electric chair, since you also have to be the one to pull the handle that activates the chair. Having to do that made my anxiety flare up a little bit! I mean, it’s not super realistic or anything but the thought of doing such a thing.

As much as I enjoy this game, it is definitely frustrating at times. At my best, I made it through 16 rounds before I had reached my limit for killing innocent people. I haven’t made it that far since! This game definitely provides a challenge, but not without losing what makes the game fun. Also, I’m not 100% sure, but it seems like there may be some cameo appearances. One of the suspects I saw looked like Super Meat Boy with a beefy muscular body. I also saw a suspect with a face that looked an awful lot like Isaac from The Binding of Isaac. It may have just been my over active imagination, but I thought it was kind of neat.

Sources: Isaac(?) and Meat Boy(?)

One other thing that is really neat, is that on the opening screen of the game, there is a computer. If you click on the computer, then type your name in the empty space and click “Go”, the computer will bring up a suspect with your name and a short profile. I thought it was amusing to look up all of my friends to see what they were guilty of and how they were punished. I got the name Agitated Ashley. Apparently, I shot my mother and got sentenced to two hours of home arrest. You can even print the profile to keep for yourself!

The music is also nice, although listening to the same song for as long as I played the game got boring and I ended up putting on my own music instead. The game music isn’t bad, it just got repetitive and dull. It sounds like the music from an old detective movie—very “snappy”.

Overall I think the game is a great game to sink some time into. Since the hints and suspects change all the time, the replayability of this game is pretty high. For only $1.87 on Steam, this game is definitely worth it’s price. You can purchase the game on Steam *here*. Download it, and have fun cleaning up the filthy streets of your town!

Happy Gaming, Friends!

Bell

See The Gaming in Pajamas Compendium *HERE!*

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Email: bellannmae@gmail.com

I Hope You Enjoyed Your Holidays!

Hello, Friends! The Christmas weekend has come and passed. I hope that everyone was able to spend some time with their family and feel the warmth and love of the season. If you don't celebrate Christmas, then I hope you enjoy the other Holidays that December has to offer. I did enjoy my holiday with my daughter and boyfriend. I got to see my younger brother, who lives far away so I rarely get the chance. I got to enjoy my grandmothers cooking, and the company of my family. Holidays are exhausting, but they bring happiness as well.

I received much more than I anticipated this year in terms of gifts. I don't ever really expect them, and I was happy to know that so many people thought of me in this season.

One of my good friends, who I am going to call Gigi, gifted me some new steam games, and I returned the favor for her, of course. If you want, you can even check out her YouTube Channel, GamerGirlsNetwork, by clicking *here*. She does plays of a variety of games, but a lot of Sims action happens on her cahnnel. It's pretty entertaining! She's also been a good friend of mine for a long time so it would be a nice gesture to both of us. As a gift from her, I received:

• BattleBlock Theatre
• Hatoful Boyfriend
• Kitty Powers' Matchmaker
• Stardew Valley
• Haunt the House: Terrortown

Thanks again, Gigi!

I also took advantage of the Steam winter sale to build up my own library a bit. I purchased for myself:

•  Oh...Sir! The Insult Simulator
• Amnesia(TM): Memories
• DRAGON: A Game About a Dragon
• Dream Tale
• Fingered
• Forget Me Not: My Organic Garden
• Golf With Your Friends
• Home is Where One Starts...
• If My Heart Had Wings
• Last Word
• Long Live the Queen
• Mold on Pizza
• Plastiland
• Replica
• Road Not Taken
• Rose Winter
• See No Evil
• The Happy Hereafter
• The Way We ALL Go
• Turbo Pug DX
• Wind Child
• The Men of Yoshiwara: Kikuya

So I look forward to playing all of those! Thanks to everyone again who comes to read my blog, I really appreciate it. And a special thank you to everyone who has been sharing my blog with others. You guys are the real MVPs! I hope you all have a fantastic New Year celebration!

Happy Gaming, Friends!

Bell

See my Gaming in Pajamas Compendium *HERE!*

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Email me: bellannmae@gmail.com