Over the last few years I've collected dozens of free games from various online stores, most of which I've yet to even try. I think it's time I at least acknowledged their generosity.
I feel like I'm starting to make progress through these now I'm grouping them together. This week: three (mostly) relaxing games to while away the hours.
The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog
- Play time: 3 hours
- Released April 2023
I had no idea that there were so many characters in Sonic the Hedgehog, or that they were all so annoying. Having said that, I did manage to complete this one so it can't be all bad.
It's mostly pointing and clicking around scenes to find clues and having conversations with characters. At the end of each section there's also 90s style minigame, where you run and jump over obstacles as Sonic. If it wasn't for this I probably wouldn't have stuck with it - the final one is particularly challenging so it feels quite satisfying to complete.
Haven Park
- Play time: 3 hours 50 minutes
- Released August 2021
I'm a chick. Or possibly a duck? And I say 'pew' a lot. I'm spending a lot of time wandering around, finding things and fixing fences and lampposts.
Honestly I was going to be mean about Haven Park and call it a cheap knock off of A Short Hike, but after playing it for a while it's actually pretty good. The main thing that got me was exploring the map. Large chunks of it are unavailable until you figure out how to access them, and it involves a bit of creative thinking to do so.
It's also got a few nice touches. The graphics seem basic to start with, but the day/night cycle (particularly sunrise) turns the world into a wash of colour, with snowy and desert areas to discover later. There are interesting side quests to provide variety, and there's something of a poignant thread in the background of the story. Plus, if you reach the end you get a hot air balloon that can take you anywhere in the park. Recommended.
Toem
- Play time: 42 minutes
- Released September 2021
There are a lot of reasons to like Toem, but for me it was the moment where a bouncer outside a rave let me in because he agreed that my swag was on point. Which is both the nicest thing that a game has ever said to me and the least likely thing that anyone would say to me in real life.
Also that the rave was full of teddy bears and run by a DJ called Hype Moose. If your game features a character called Hype Moose, you know it's going to be good.
(oh and it's about exploring a world and taking photos. It's pretty good.)
