Literally the second I saw Lamplighter's Festival my eyes went big and I went "OOOOOOOOOOHHH" as loud as I possibly could. I love the concept, I love the chance, I love the drawing of the map in general. It's just good!
This is the first journaling game I've ever played! I never tried anything like this before, but when I found I had a handful of games from a bundle I was immediately interested in the concept. I have to say, if you have an hour or so to kill and want to flex your writing muscles, this is a very fun and interesting way to do it! It may also give you some fun character ideas considering the conceit of the game.
This game pulls my brain out my ears and uses it to floss my skull. I've gotten so many headaches playing this game before suddenly realizing the answer by mistake and going "OH, DUH." I can't begin to explain how much I absolutely adore the mechanics, the beautiful artwork, the calming atmosphere, and the overall vibes this one has. Baba is Good.
You know, I remember when I first played this game. It was, sometime in high school or college I think. I had grown up with the ridiculous parody games Nikki Case made before this one, and in my brain I was sort of expecting something similar. I don't think I'll ever forget how this short experience affected me that day. It still sticks, you know?
So I didn't play this game- not exactly. In this case, I couched the game with my roommate while he blazed through the second half. I started noticing all the puzzles and quirks in the game and started to point them out to him, and we ended up playing the game co-op; he handled the controller, and I had the pencil-and-paper maps, language keys, and hints found throughout the game. Honestly, I think that's the best way to play it.
Ohhh my god the opening to this game feels exactly like a Gameboy Color puzzle matching game and that gives me the BIGGEST shot of endorphins square into my bloodstream.
Hypnospace Outlaw feels a lot like the internet I saw in bursts when I was a young child, and I'm surprised how much of the dreamlike awe it captures and brings to my now-fully-conscious adult self. It has words to say, and it's not afraid to let you hear them rather than beating you upside the head with a pool noodle about it. Also all of the music absolutely rips? They did not need to go this hard but they needed to go this hard, you know?
