Nicole Carpenter
This author account hasn't been claimed yet. To claim this account, please contact the outlet owner to request access.
Writing For
PolygonLatest Reviews
The future I dream of isn’t one without friction, but one that ensures a slower, happier life for my community, even if that means doing the work. Wanderstop feels the most meaningful when it focuses on that.
NPC Studio said on its Steam page that Fields of Mistria, despite being in early access, has about 30 to 40 hours of gameplay. I’ve played more than 20 hours so far, and I’ve just made it into my first winter. I’ve reached the current end of the mines (60 levels), built out barns for my chickens and cows, and filled the museum up with fish, flowers, and berries. Even then, there’s no shortage of things to do as more of the world opens up: For instance, I’m building up to bringing more animals into Mistria, like capybaras, rabbits, sheep, ducks, horses, and alpacas. For an early access game, Fields of Mistria is shockingly large. NPC Studio said on its website that it expects the game to stay in early access for about a year, with regular updates planned along the way.Simply put, Fields of Mistria is magic — and it’s not even done yet.
I’m several hours (and seasons) into The Crush House at this point, and I find that it’s become more compelling to play over time; The layers of it all, be it the viewership demands or the creepy (and literal) underworld storyline, come together in a way that makes the game’s repetitive elements feel more interesting. It’s in those repetitive moments — you do the same things every day — that The Crush House feels like the concept is doing more work than the game itself. The level of intrigue — whether that’s simply wanting to see all the weird viewership groups and what pleases them or a morbid curiosity in what forces keep The Crush House on TV — keeps me coming back regardless.
So what do you prioritize? Well, that’s up to you. I’m the anxious kind of player who’s always tapping the button to dodge the boss; I don’t mind staying in a level longer so long as I’m playing it safe. But the speedrunners out there will want precise pushes that keep the rate of attack up high to complete the level fast. That’s the beauty of One Btn Bosses — it allows for complexity and differing strategies even within the strictest of rules.
Throughout it all, Duck Detective is a silly little mystery game that leans into the absurdity of it all. There’s a button to make him quack. Lots of fake duck facts, like the fact that ducks sleep with one eye open to keep watch for crime, or that they can fly backwards. I found myself giggling through an afternoon of quacking and clue-finding, the most I’ve laughed playing a game in some time. The thing is, I both wish there was more to play while also loving that it’s a short, fully-contained experience. Duck Detective could easily turn into an episodic franchise, like a detective TV show, with the duck solving a whole bunch of crimes. Of course, Happy Broccoli Games hasn’t given any indication that’s the case, but here’s hoping.