The Indie Informer's Scores

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For 75 reviews, this publication has graded:
  • 64% higher than the average critic
  • 10% same as the average critic
  • 26% lower than the average critic
On average, this publication grades 8 points higher than other critics. (0-100 point scale)
Average Game review score: 83
Highest review score: 100 Mixtape
Lowest review score: 65 The Plucky Squire
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 67 out of 75
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 75
  3. Negative: 0 out of 75
76 game reviews
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    • 92 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Blue Prince
    Blue Prince is astonishing, refreshing, and its rabbit hole goes so deep I haven’t been able to find the bottom yet — despite rolling credits weeks ago.
    • 90 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Balatro
    The wonderful and terrible thing about Balatro is that, unlike with other roguelikes, I never got frustrated getting bounced back to the start. I almost always felt like I’d had the slate wiped clean of the web of synergistic collectables governing my ill-fated moves and this time, I was sure to succeed. Especially as my efforts in the game unlocked new perks or decks I could use when jumping back in. The combination of simple drag-and-drop controls and a continuous flow of numbers-go-up dopamine hits is irresistible. You’ve been warned.
    • 90 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Animal Well
    Animal Well surprised me around every turn. What I expected to be yet another Metroidvania quickly became one of the most memorable gaming experiences I’ve had in recent years. Its a game that you’ll get out of it as much as you put in. If you want to see credits and be done, you’ll have a great time. However, if you want to see how deep the well truly goes, you’ll be embarking on a journey you may not have been prepared for. I assure you, the twists and turns and conundrums you will come across are well worth your time.
    • 90 Metascore
    • 95 Critic Score
    Slay the Princess
    It’s one of those games you have to experience in order to understand. The developers insist early on that the title is a love story, and I can’t argue with that...Though, somehow through all the layers and twists, decisions and realizations, the game’s core really is as simple as the title suggests. I’m here to slay the princess. I can only awe at a team that can make something so simultaneously simple and complex.
    • 89 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    The Seance of Blake Manor
    I do want to appreciate how richly The Séance of Blake Manor rewards players for the effort they have put in and the choices they have made. I can’t wait to watch others’ playthroughs to see how the decisions they made or the roads they didn’t take change the game’s world when all is said and done. It doesn’t take much investigation to see this game is one of the year’s best — and it might also be one of my favorite detective experiences of all time.
    • 88 Metascore
    • 95 Critic Score
    Cocoon
    Cocoon is one of this year’s brightest gems — both form and function dazzle. I can only begin to guess at what its conclusion means, but that didn’t hinder my appreciation in the slightest. Masterful design, stunning environments, brilliant concepts, intuitive gameplay, it all adds up to an unmissable experience.
    • 88 Metascore
    • 95 Critic Score
    Lorelei and the Laser Eyes
    Lorelei and the Laser Eyes has me questioning everything about its reality, even after finishing it. It had me solving murder mysteries. It had me playing memory games with ghosts. And it had me burning to track down the final truth in the center of the maze. The journey through its many paths included rewarding puzzles, thrilling points of no return, and a story that looks fascinatingly in on itself. The prize at this maze’s center is well-worth claiming.
    • 88 Metascore
    • Critic Score
    Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania
    All of this vampire flavoring is the icing on top of Dead Cells’ smooth-as-silk combat and absorbing gameplay loop. Besides a few moments of confusion on exactly where to go to get to the next section of the DLC (and Alucard with his gloriously flowing locks being absolutely useless, losing both his shield and sword which I find lying about random locations) Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania is an enthralling experience so far. [Review in Progress]
    • 88 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Mixtape
    By the end of Mixtape, which takes only about four hours, I had felt the pure joy of living, the seething heat of betrayal, the confusion of unexpected rejection, and the bittersweet feeling of being on top for one single moment. Tears escaped my eyes walking away from it, even as I smiled.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Sea of Stars
    Throughout the adventure, Sea of Stars stands on the shoulders of the giants that came before it, building on a grand lore set in motion by The Messenger and wonderful characters worthy of spending tens of hours with. Between finishing the game and writing this review, I’ve played another ten hours post-credits, attempting to see everything Sabotage put in the game. It’s not because I’m compelled to say I checked every box Sea of Stars has to offer, but I simply don’t want to say goodbye to this inviting world and my good friends in it just yet.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Neva
    Neva had me open my heart just to feel the slice of the narrative’s knife all the more keenly. I don’t care what you’re currently playing or what you have on your backlog. Put them aside immediately and play this game. It’s destined to rank among the year’s unrivaled titles.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Cult of the Lamb: Woolhaven
    Cult of the Lamb: Woolhaven offers something for every type of cult leader. Fighting enthusiasts will discover a weapon that combines range with damage alongside creative new opponents. Narrative-seekers will uncover a host of characters carrying the burden of a failing power. Cult managers can look forward to new blood with which to build a stronger base in dangerous times. Together, it all combines in an experience that makes jumping back into one of indie’s best titles well worthwhile.
    • 85 Metascore
    • 95 Critic Score
    Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector
    Citizen Sleeper 2 is phenomenal, evocative, and haunting. The minimal visuals are flawlessly supported by the writing. Gut-wrenching expressions and touchingly lonely scenes flow out of the masterful descriptions. The audio design had me rocketing from dawning dread to heart-pumping motivation. And in the end, I was forced into the hero’s dilemma in a way that cemented this game as one of the year’s best.
    • 85 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    A Space For The Unbound
    A puzzle-filled, big-hearted adventure tinged with cosmic horror, A Space for the Unbound ushers players through a magnificent journey. It’s hitting every major console on release, so don’t miss out.
    • 85 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    The Rise of the Golden Idol
    The Rise of the Golden Idol is a must-play for puzzle fans. Honestly, I’d encourage anyone to give it a go — no need to jump into the original first. Golden Idol titles ask a lot and encourage players to engage deeply with every detail — perhaps earning the series a reputation for difficulty. Putting in the work and watching the grand reveals are all the more rewarding for the effort, though, and satisfying on the highest level.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Keep Driving
    Often in Keep Driving, I would pour what resources I had into fueling my next leg of the trip before taking off again, hoping for good luck on the road. Keeping everything running smoothly could be a stressful pursuit, but the unpredictable events, hazardous challenges, and stimulating connections kept my hands firmly on the steering wheel.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Viewfinder
    Even though its driving motivation didn’t resonate strongly with me, this might be one of the most refreshingly inventive puzzle adventures to come out in recent memory.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 95 Critic Score
    Grunn
    The rabbit hole goes down deep in Grunn, and I couldn’t stop myself from digging deeper and deeper in search of answers. In a game like this which rewards players for paying attention and experimenting, secrets feel like gifts. This is one garden path you should walk down.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Jusant
    Transforming environments and climbing mechanics keeps Jusant from sagging in the middle of the adventure and the ending had me hurling urgent encouragement at my screen as I frantically scaled the final heights. The meditatively-paced action throughout the rest of the game didn’t quite prepare me for the finale’s surging stakes, but I’m glad I stayed the course long enough to see it.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 65 Critic Score
    The Plucky Squire
    In the end, the title’s glittering potential was blotted out by its somber execution.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Goodnight Universe
    The grand reveal of why I can manipulate the world around me flies far beyond these charming, mundane moments. And the farther away it gets, the less human the experience feels — even while my unique powers grow. Goodnight Universe finds its way back in time for a satisfying end, luckily.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 95 Critic Score
    MIO: Memories in Orbit
    From the gleaming towers of the city to the vibrantly lush trails in the garden, I gleefully sailed and fought my way through MIO: Memories in Orbit. Its stunning art style perfectly offsets the tragic narrative. I found it so hard to put down and became so invested in the world’s fate that I couldn’t accept its death. Instead, I searched for an option the game graciously offered for my persistence. Though either way, the conclusion is pierced with hope and sadness.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley
    Where many games structure themselves in terms of runs, Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley is more of a stroll. And it’s not a long one, considering I completed everything there was to do — something I normally don’t strive to accomplish — in less than five hours. And for almost five hours, I found myself wandering an enchanted world brimming with dazzling visuals, animated mischief, irresistible personalities, and the kind of serenity you deserve to experience.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Duck Detective: The Ghost of Glamping
    Pleasingly, Duck Detective: The Ghost of Glamping‘s ending again grants the player the power to decide the suspect’s ultimate fate. So, I look forward to hearing which choices everyone makes. Less expected was a post-credits scene, which I won’t spoil, but has me prepared for another entry in the series. With this latest game making much-appreciated improvements and with some elements still up for a little polish, I look forward to another seriously silly adventure.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Magical Delicacy
    Honestly, I just wanted to live in Magical Delicacy‘s world for as long as I could and I’m sad to have no more discoveries, friends, or food to make.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Sword of the Sea
    Sword Of The Sea is a pleasure to play. Its traversal system allowed me to soar irreverently through monumental graveyards. Its narrative saw me flooding death with life and new hope. Its beauty boyoyed my spirit. Even with a few rough moments at the end, I still want nothing more than to fly back into its world.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Gunbrella
    I’ve already hinted as much as I dare about Gunbrella’s ultimate outcome, though I suspect some details will change depending on how you play. Its overarching narrative might be a small rain cloud, but everything else in the game shines so brightly it hardly overshadows the game’s brilliance. I look forward to seeing it in this year’s best of 2023 discussions.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    SEASON: A letter to the future
    It took me eight hours to reach the conclusion, but Season doesn’t waste a moment — even if at times all I do is sit on a bench and look out over the landscape. I’m not sure I made all the best decisions along the way, and I’m tempted to run through the world again to see how things might have gone differently. It’s not for everyone, but I suspect SEASON: A letter to the future will be one of my favorite games this year.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 95 Critic Score
    DREDGE
    Dredge‘s ending, like the rest of the game, succeeds in marrying bewilderment and satisfaction. The title is, simply put, a must-play. Every element — atmospheric mystery, engaging moment-to-moment action, and brilliant storytelling earns it the top spot in my favorite games of the year so far.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Wanderstop
    Wanderstop‘s finale is both wonderfully satisfying and personally conflicting. Despite longing to see the end for some time, when it comes down to leaving, I have a hard time tearing myself away. Graciously and beautifully, the game puts the weight of that decision fully on my shoulders. It inspires the feeling of leaving an old apartment, a past job, or a school you’ve just graduated from. The good memories flood back with nostalgic abandon, and the day-to-day details wash away in one poignant moment before taking that next step into the unknown. That a game could conjure that feeling is proof of Wanderstop’s triumph.
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