Games are great because they're varied, and you can do basically anything. You can be a dapper gentleman thief, you can find danger and romance at a school for birdies, or you can simply hurl yourself against walls and leave disgusting splats. But sometimes... all you really want is something fun that makes you feel good... sometimes for no real explicable reason! It might be the game is funny, or vibrant, or prominently features helpful magical toad sidekicks, but whatever the case... a game that puts a smile on your face is a game worth playing. So here are three games that never fail to put me in a good mood. What are some of yours?
- Twin Shot 2: Good and Evil - It's hard to be upset when you're playing a Nitrome game. They're just so darned cheerful, and this imaginative action-packed platforming game is no exception. Pick up your bow and arrow (and a buddy!) and do battle against all manner of adorable but deadly baddies, manipulating the architecture to get through. It's full of Nitrome's signature lavish design, and the levels are a joy to behold and romp through, but another reason I've always liked it is because though it implements microtransactions to open up the second set of 50 levels, it makes you feel like you're getting your money's worth by adding a whole host of new concepts and enemies, keeping you from feeling as if you just paid money for a palette swap. It's a rich, vibrant little gem of a game that bundles creativity and madcap archery fun for an easy recommendation.
- Tasha's Game - Double Fine is basically where the magic happens, but this beautifully silly and funny little platformer really pulls out all the stops to get you to grin, as you go on an adventure with the titular Tasha (Harris) and her magical cat Snoopy as they attempt to rescue her friends. The name of the game is different each time (Tasha's Karate Attack, Tasha's Kid Bobble Chronicles, etc), but that's just one little touch in an entirely wonderfully weird experience. Snoopy acts as your cursor and can be used to magic things into existence to help you out, and the dry humour mixes perfectly with the bizarre landscape and concepts for a game that'll have you giggling the whole way through.
- This is the Only Level - John Cooney and his elephant are pretty rad, and this brain-twisting puzzle platformer is no different. You play as a blue elephant stuck in a small, simple area, which it assures you is the only level the game has to offer. You just have to flip the switch and go out the door. Easy, right? Well, if not for the fact that Cooney is a mastermind at wringing a remarkable amount of complexity out of this basic concept by throwing monkey wrenches at you at every conceivable opportunity. The more you play, the more the game messes with you, and figuring out how the rules have changes and how to play within them is part of the fun. It's a devilishly fun and silly concept that will have you scratching your head and trying everything under the sun... which you'll need to do in order to win the game. Eventually.
While we welcome any comments about this weekly feature here, we do ask that if you need any help with the individual games, please post your questions on that game's review page. Well, what are you waiting for? Get out there and rediscover some awesome!
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