Densha

Title: Densha

Genre: Puzzle

Completion Time: Approximately one hour and fifteen minutes

The next time someone claims games can't be art, hit them with this.

Interesting:

The way the game plays with certain concepts is phenomenal. I don't want to spoil the sense of discovery so I will just tell you it deserves full marks. 5/5

Fun:

 Fun is not really the point of this game at all. Parts of it can get tedious, particularly carting around the stepladder. That said, it moved smoothly and I never got stuck for too long. (Take copious notes and be sure to reference the included translation file.) 3/5.

Moving:

I already gave it 5/5 for interesting, so if I could give it 6/5 for moving then I would. This game used a phenomenal blend of visuals, sound, story, character, and surrealism to pack all the emotional punch of a good short film. I may have gotten some bonus chills because of my Japanese heritage, but I imagine this will affect anybody. 5/5.

An intense experience in a beautifully crafted package. Highly, highly recommended.

UnderTale (Highly recommended)

Title: UnderTale demo

Genre: RPG

Completion Time: I got ten minutes into the demo and then decided I wanted to wait for the full version. 100% will be playing.

A cute, Earthbound-esque RPG that includes the option to talk your way through fights instead of battling.

Interesting:

Combat is interesting on multiple levels. First, there is the aforementioned ability to talk instead of fighting. During the ten minutes I played, I never landed a blow. Always refreshing. Second, the enemies' attacks are little avoidance minigames that are unique to each enemy so far. This would have been engaging on story and tone alone, and they really went the extra mile. 5/5

Fun:

The combat can get a little repetitive, but the minigames do keep it exciting. The puzzles I encountered definitely could have been more engaging. I wouldn't play it just for the mechanics, but the gameplay is a perfectly serviceable complement to the engaging world and tone.. 3/5

Moving:

The characters are engaging and endearing, and I laughed out loud within the first five minutes. Great soundtrack too. I also found it surprisingly satisfying to be able to resolve combat nonviolently. Nothing weighty in the game yet, but I was drawn in emotionally just by the demo. I will be interested to see if the full version makes it up to 5/5. 4/5 

The most Earthbound-esque non-Itoi game I have ever played. I am beyond excited for the full version.