Press "A" Reviews

- Reviewed on PC - Papers, Please released on August 8th, 2013. Developed by 3909 LLC, Papers, Please is a distinctive simulation game that puts you in the shoes of an immigration officer stationed at a border checkpoint in a fictional Eastern Bloc-style country. From the moment you start, the game’s retro pixel art style draws you in with its simplicity and charm, yet beneath that minimalist exterior lies a deep, engaging experience. This review WILL have Major Spoilers so keep that in mind before continuing... Set in the fictional country of Arstotzka, Papers, Please explores a richly detailed dystopian world where political tensions run high and every decision can have far-reaching consequences. As the border inspector, you find yourself at the intersection of personal and political drama. Over the course of the game, you encounter a diverse cast of characters: desperate refugees, spies, smugglers, and ordinary people trying to reunite with loved ones. Each interaction presents a ...

- Reviewed on Switch - Gas Station Simulator released on September 15th, 2021.  Developed by Drago Entertainment, this oddball sim title surprised me in the best way. I wasn’t expecting much going in — the eShop screenshots looked kind of janky, and I figured it’d be another bland, budget simulator. But man, I was wrong. This review WILL have Major Spoilers so keep that in mind before continuing... Let me start by saying: this is my kind of simulator.  You’re dropped into a dusty, middle-of-nowhere desert, given a rundown gas station, and slowly (and I mean slowly) turn it into a full-blown empire. I’m talking gas pumps, restrooms, a garage workshop, a car wash, parking spaces, snack shelves, outdoor furniture, arcade machines, an airfield (?!), and even a basketball hoop.  I was blown away by how much content was packed in here. The story is surprisingly subtle for a game that’s mainly about managing gas pumps and fixing cars.  You start as a small-time entreprene...