Because I wanted to play but didn't feel like committing my 100% attention to get into an actual game so I tried demos instead. Note: This started on a whim when I was bored so most of these (on the first day at least) were skimmed if they didn't hook me the first few seconds.
10/04
Tower Factory (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)
Such a solid game.. I don't know what's up with games with the word 'tower' but for some reason I'm really digging them. Five stars. Graphics are nice, gameplay loop is engaging, and I found myself constantly trying and wondering why I can never get past some nights until I realized there were upgrades LOL. A whooping 2.5 hours on record!! I've never really played tower defense games so this was like dipping my toes into the genre but this was definitely a nice little introduction. Simple and easy to understand while still challenging enough to keep trying.Kimono Cats (⭐⭐⭐)
A cute and colorful cozy game with cute sounds and cute visuals and just overall a burst of eye candy. It has very mobile game-esque feel to it but without the microtransactions. The gameplay is a bit too simple but enjoyable in short bursts, I really dig the idea that you can decorate your own village where other people can visit too (I've been looking for chill games like that).Voxelgram 2 (⭐⭐⭐)
A simple 3D nonogram that took me a few minutes to get used to but it's pretty fun actually. It's very simple, logic-based, and challenging. I might cop it but probably not today.Prose & codes (⭐⭐)
Fun little cryptograph (not a super big fan though, my head hurts a lil..)The Unexpected Quest (⭐⭐)
This one was odd. It had the mechanics I enjoy but presented in a different flavor that I didn't find palatable or satisfying. It felt like a tease, having familiar elements played in a more linear, puzzle-like progression that I wasn't particularly fond of. It has nice old school-esque graphics.Diluvian winds (⭐⭐)
Once again it's that "familiar formula used in a slightly varied way" type of beat that I'm not particularly fond of. The art is so cute but I couldn't get into it midway through the tutorial that I gave up.Camper Van (⭐)
Had to restart three times just to play. Scenario option didn't wanna work. Demo is so laggy idk if it's my internet or what.Craftcraft (⭐)
Similar to Trash goblin but maybe this gameplay is just not my thing idk. It didn't really hook me even though the graphics were really nice.Stash: A card looter (⭐)
Not even 5 minutes in and I just kinda gave up. Either this isn't my type of game or there was no initial hook to get me.
Barely tried ⭐
- Stash: A Card Looter
- Mini Settlers
- ShapeHero Factory
- Tower Dominion
- Nordhold
09/30
Daymare Town (⭐⭐⭐) Beautiful hand-drawn click and point game. The art style is beautiful and inspiring. I finished the demo, but unfortunately the price is too much for me (it's not even on sale rn). But still, it'll be kept in the backburner.
Mudborne (⭐⭐)
There is.. a lot of reading on this one.. ofc that's to be expected, and I'm not that against reading the lil tidbits but I don't have enough attention span or time at the moment to do all that sadly;; I have a lot of demos to try today, so maybe I'll dig into it more next time.Lakeside bar (⭐⭐)
It's okay, a normal idle game. Nothing too fancy. Graphics are nice, pacing is nice and relatively smooth. Not too eager to cop it on sale though, there are plenty other games that got me hooked and interested.Check Inn (⭐⭐)
Mindless clicking and dragging to pass the time - something I can get into at the moment. It was okay, not something I'd immediately cop though, but relatively enjoyable nonetheless.Railroads & Catacombs (⭐)
In theory (and description) this game was something I'd dig, but when I played the demo I just wasn't feeling it. Idk if I'm just not in the mood for this or this roguelike battling genre is just not something I enjoy.. first round of battle and it just didn't hit (me).
09/28
Desk Garden (⭐⭐⭐⭐)
I opened this game, played for 2 minutes, and closed it. At that moment, I knew I was going to buy this idle game. Not only is it extremely cheap (less than $4), it's also visually appealing (such an eye candy..) and I can already see myself collecting everything and decorating the side of my screen... I didn't wanna spoil myself any further by looking around. I know I want to explore what it has to offer as the full idle game.Horticular (⭐⭐)
The pixel style is so cute but I picked the free scenario and now I'm lost bc I have no idea what I'm doing LMFAO. It is my fault for not picking the story version but I just don't wanna follow a linear path.. I'll try it again next time when I have the chance.
09/27
Checkout simulator (⭐⭐⭐⭐)
I just knew that I'd like this game. I used to be a cashier at walmart and that whole mindless process of sliding groceries into the beep machine and fitting things in the plastic bag was sooo satisfying. The PLU seems realistic enough (I remember that banana..) so if you keep playing and encounter it a lot you'll memorize it pretty quickly. The added "matching" bonus of putting alike stuff together was also a nice touch to add more depth. Plus there's a leaderboard?! I'm for sure getting this game on the steam sale (and perhaps grinding it...)The Case of the Golden Idol (⭐⭐⭐⭐)
I know I've always loved solving puzzles and mysteries so idk why I'm only just now dipping my toes in it. I'm currently stuck doing the third scenario in this demo so... perhaps my brain has rusted.. but I'm thoroughly enjoying it and I'm actually thinking of getting it on sale too. I might even try to complete it (which is perfect bc I've always wanted to finish a game but I'm not a big fan of narrative games with long ass dialogues..)Whimside (⭐⭐⭐⭐)
Despite being an idle game, the first hour or so was very hands-on for me. Im not complaining since I can still enjoy active idle games, but I was planning on working on my art so it wasn’t the best fit at the time. Still, the pixel art style is cute and whimsical, I can see myself getting this on the steam sale.Strange antiquities (⭐⭐⭐⭐)
I'm slowly discovering that I love using my brain when playing games lol. (I might be into puzzle-infused cozy games..) The mechanics are simple and easy to understand but still engaging and challenging enough. I was also hooked by the mysterious eerie vibes and visuals. I've never played Strange Horticulture (it's in my backlog) but I'm definitely excited to try it now. (I can't get this game out of my head even though I only dipped my toes with a few mins in game..)Rekindled Trails (⭐⭐⭐)
It took awhile for me to ease into this one bc it can get a lil slow in the beginning, but after some time I finally warmed up. As I thought I really enjoy any type of mini game related to fishing lol. I ADORE the art style and overall vibes of this one so I tried my best to get through the dialogue.. idk if I'd want to purchase this game anytime soon but it's definitely on my radar.Squeakross: Home Sweet Home (⭐⭐⭐)
This one has been at the top of my wishlist for quite awhile now, but I only decided to try the demo today. I knew I was gonna like it bc I've played and enjoyed normal nonograms in the past, and mixing it in with cute graphics and a sense of purpose (decorating a home)? Sign me up.Tiny Bookshop (⭐⭐)
I really wanted to like this game but it felt so damn slow.. I know it's supposed to be relaxing and cozy but there's only so much cozy I can take ;-; My first thought while watching everyone buy their books was.. "is this supposed to be an idle game?"Is this seat taken? (⭐⭐)
A chill and relaxing lil puzzle game. Nothing much to say, I enjoyed it but it wasn't anything crazy. (As of writing this I want to continue the Golden Idol scenario that I couldn't finish..)Cloverpit (⭐⭐)
To be honest I really thought I’d be obsessed with this bc RNG gambling is supposedly addicting but for some reason it wasn’t hitting as much as I thought it would. It feels a lil difficult or punishing and maybe I’m just not a smart gambler or I suck at roguelikes. Idk.Mr Farmboy (⭐⭐)
I only had about 10 mins to try it. Feels a lil weird with the controls at the beginning and there's no outright tutorials/guides, but it's pretty straightforward and fast-paced. Need more time to try it out.DRAPLINE (⭐)
The overall visual and sound design were nice and supposedly stimulating with the pop of colours and all, but I couldn’t really get into it. I don't know, just didn't clutch onto my attention as much as I'd hope.Kemono teatime (⭐)
I like the art but I'm really bad at dialogue.. I HATE IT. I HAVE NO PATIENCE FOR DIALOGUES! I DON'T CARE MUCH FOR THE CHARACTERS I WANT SOMETHING INTERACTIVE! IF I WANT A STORY I'D WATCH A SHOW OR READ A BOOK!! (or maybe it has to be a heavily story-based game where my choices are the point of the game, but a good striking one is still hard to come by..) I thought that I'd love it bc of the really cute anime style art.. I was wrong.. and I'm glad I tried the demo before buying.Gemporium (⭐)
A disappointing and buggy mess of a demo. The game crashes and feels so janky and unoptimized. I was really hoping for it to be good..Becastled (⭐)
I might just not be in the mood for this type of game but I feel so bored whenever the first thing the tutorial tells me is set up a lumbermill thingy on the forest and hire workers...
09/20
- News Tower (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)
I can't believe I finished a whole demo let alone go through a full long tutorial without clicking out.. This game was solid. The art design is clean and captivating, the pacing is just right, and the whole gameplay loop was engaging. I spent more than an hour and actually finished everything the demo has to offer. You see, I'm someone with the attention span of a dead goldfish, so this was incredible surprising to me. Demo did it's job and sold me on it, now I'm looking to buy this game in the near future (probably on the next Steam Sale).
09/15
Chef's Shift (⭐⭐⭐)
Delightful and enjoyable. This is a Diner Dash-esque game with a typing twist and an interesting(?) story so if you like time management rush and you're a competitive typer, this is something to look out for.King is Watching (⭐⭐⭐)
I love the artstyle. Relatively simple mechanics with pretty nice pacing. I found myself losing and trying again quite a few times so that's a good sign. If I can enjoy a game while giving it 20% of my attention, I think it's worth a try again in the future.Gnomes (⭐⭐⭐)
Simple strategy game with a simple goal but with depth. The retro pixel artstyle is a delight. I tried to use what's left in my brain to think but since I wasn't really in the mood, I couldn't fully solve it. But overall I think it's an engaging puzzle game you can play in short bursts and will keep it in my radar.9Kings (⭐⭐)
I think I "finished" the game (got to the end of rounds and won) but I was zoned out more than half of it. It felt like I was just plotting cards and going through the motions without any challenge. The pixel graphics and color palette were clean and simple.Trash Goblin (⭐⭐)
I've always assumed I would enjoy any cozy game since I've always loved the idea of the genre. I understand the gameplay loop and objectively it's pretty good but I couldn't fully get into it. It has pretty graphics though. Not sure if I just need more time to play it, but ever since I finished News Tower, I might use it as the baseline for what I find personally engaging and addicting.He is Coming (⭐⭐)
Cool retro graphics, easy to understand mechanics, and pretty simple gameplay. I died and tried a few more runs, it was okay. But unlike Gnomes, it didn't scratch any strategy itch nor challenged me in a way that I wanted so I probably will move on from this.Dungeon Desktop Rewind (⭐⭐)
I love the colorful art direction. I've tried a few times and kept dying on the tutorial (perhaps because I am stupid and do not bother to read the hints). Not sure how I feel about it, slight chance I might pick it back up.Motemancer (⭐⭐)
I wanted to give this one more attention than I could at the time because I was mesmerized by the art style but in the end I felt like I didn't have the patience and mental capacity it deserved. I've always wanted to get into automation games but I don't really like going through long ass tutorials to understand it so it's been difficult.Wordatro (⭐⭐)
A balatro-like word game. I wanted to enjoy this game since I know I LOVE playing word games (they're my go-to mobile favorites, Boggle and Wordle being some of my top ones), but I just couldn't get into it which was weird bc I love WordsOnStream. Maybe I wasn't personally a big fan of the roguelite mix and the scoring system. I'm all about forming as much words as I can, not as much points per letter.Typinc (⭐⭐)
Not much to say. It's a WPM test wrapped in a typing game ribbon. I didn't bother reading any tutorials or hints so I had no idea how the scoring system goes. I played it just to see how fast I can type in some nice graphics.Rungore (⭐)
It's a vomit of colors and eye candy pixels on the screen, but that's it. It tried to be quirky but it just felt lowkey cringe (sounds like that one 50 year old aunt that tries to talk to teenagers with modern slang). I also couldn't get into the gameplay sadly.Reus 2 (⭐)
Maybe today was just not the day but with the tutorial did not survive my grain of patience. It told me to click somewhere to place the grass and when that shit wasn't working I gave up lol. I think I last 5 minutes.Under the Yoke (⭐)
I had no idea what this even was, I'm sorry.