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Been playing more, and less writing. Probably a good thing? But here we go.

Game Title: Project Arrythmnia
Platform: Steam (Deck)

What is it about?: Bullet Hell, to the music.
What did I think: Since this is apparently still in early access, all that’s currently available is a demo and a level builder, but from what I did see, it’s stylish and difficult without being too punishing (thanks to well placed checkpoints).
Would I continue playing?: From what I seen so far from the early access, I’m intrigued and would like to play again when it’s further along in development. So yes.

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Game Title: Forager
Platform: Steam (Deck)

What is it about?: It’s a simple-top down survival/farming game with a sizable upgrade tree that increases your capabilities and ability to make things. Theoretically, you can automate aspects of the game, but 30 minutes isn’t enough to see that in action.
What did I think: I honestly liked what I played. Kinda feels zen like while you break stuff, craft things, and expand what’s possible.
Would I continue playing?: Yes.

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Game Title: Flipper Volcano
Platform: Steam (Deck)

What is it about?: Pinball in a volcano. Try to escape!
What did I think: It’s pinball. Collectable gems can be spent to unlock new kinds of balls with abilities.
Would I continue playing?: It’s pretty short. Completed the game three times, unlocking the endless mode, and unlocked all the pinballs. So no, no need to play further.

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Game Title: Heave Ho
Platform: Steam (Deck)

What is it about?: Use your character and his two hands two hands to traverse and reach the goal in a physics-based platformer. Can be played solo, or with friends in cooperative or competitively.
What did I think: Playing solo, I played through a couple sets of levels, and found the levels to be interesting and fair, and going faster both invites risk and reward, sometimes to glory, sometimes to comedic tragedy.
Would I continue playing?: Yes. It would be interesting to see what shenanigans come from playing with friends too.

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Game Title: Nidhogg
Platform: Steam (Deck)

What is it about?: A fighting/fencing game about besting your opponent in mortal combat, racing past them to the goal, then getting eaten by a giant worm.
What did I think: I thought this was interesting, in how the game flips back and forth from being a defending from opponents advancing, to besting your opponent and then running like mad until they respawn again. Combat feels simple, but with the different stances when armed with a sword, to options when unarmed, there’s definitely depth and strategy involved.
Would I continue playing?: I think this is worth coming back to occasionally, especially if you have a friend to play with.

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Game Title: Disc Room
Platform: Steam (Deck)

What is it about?: Survive and die in rooms of a variety of circular saws. Good luck.
What did I think: This very much is a trial and error kind of game, as you dodge saws and traps, and die at specific moments or to certain enemies to complete objectives. So naturally went a little over the normal 30 minutes (49 minutes in this case), but feel like I made good progress before stopping.
Would I continue playing?: Maybe? Probably a game I would come back to occasionally, but not my usual cup of tea.

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Game Title: Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved
Platform: Steam (Deck)

What is it about?: Use your spaceship to defend your space against invaders. Worth noting that this probably was one of the first games I picked up on Steam.
What did I think: It’s definitely an arcade style game, so hard, but fair, and very very pretty.
Would I continue playing?: Occasionally, but yes.

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Game Title: Maiden & Spell
Platform: Steam (Deck)

What is it about?: A bullet hell/fighter where you battle other magical girls.
What did I think: Playing through the single player story mode on one character thus far, I actually what I saw. Gameplay wise, it feels pretty classic bullet hell vs bosses. Controls are simple, but allow for a range of strategy, and the extra lives system for both you and your opponent gives you checkpoints through each fight.
Would I continue playing?: Yes

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Game Title: Nobody Saves The World
Platform: Steam (Deck)

What is it about?: You (nobody), get a magic wand that allows you to transform, and try to save the world.
What did I think: This is pretty standard action topdown RPG fare, but it does it well and the progression systems are interesting to explore and try new things.
Would I continue playing?: Yes

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Game Title: Rock of Ages 2: Bigger and Boulder
Platform: Steam (Deck)

What is it about?: A physics/tower defense where you roll a boulder down a hill, best your opponent’s defenses, and squish the enemy commander.
What did I think: This game makes absolutely no effort to hide that it is in fact… a very silly game with a very silly premise taken literally. That said, there is definitely strategic depth in both the attacking phase and defending/building phase.
Would I continue playing?: Yes

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Game Title: Rain On Your Parade
Platform: Steam (Deck)

What is it about?: You’re a cloud, and you rain on people. Complete objectives, cause chaos, and try to get to paradise: Seattle.
What did I think: This is a silly game, if a little simple in the beginning (which is fair). Each level has a different theme, objectives to accomplish, and powerups that change what you’re able to do. You can also accessorize your cloud, which is a plus.
Would I continue playing?: Yes.

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Game Title: Acceleration of Suguri 2
Platform: Steam (Deck)

What is it about?: Bullet hell/ fighter where you do battle with other characters in a lightning fast battles.
What did I think: This is a game that takes time getting to understand how battles work, so initially I had a pretty rough option of the game, even when playing in story mode. Once I started figuring out how to use my character’s kit of moves through trial and error, then the game felt a lot more enjoyable.
Would I continue playing?: Yes, but I would have a hard time recommending to others.

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Game Title: Pocket Watch
Platform: Steam (Deck)

What is it about?: A time loop story where you, a duck, try to save an island from an erupting volcano.
What did I think: This very much has Majora Mask vibes, or at least in substance. Safe to say I easily went over time (3.6 hours), before completing the game.
Would I continue playing?: Being that I beat the game, probably not, unless I was achievement hunting.

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Game Title: Non-Stop Raiders
Platform: Steam (Deck)

What is it about?: An endless runner about a dude defeating enemies, and getting treare
What did I think: It’s a pretty simple endless runner, but I had to futz with the controls to get the game to play well. Even then, the gameplay doesn’t feel particularly great, as your character moves too slowly in the beginning, making it way too easy to fall into pits.
Would I continue playing?: No

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Game Title: Gonner
Platform: Steam (Deck)

What is it about?: It’s a rougelike run-and-gun about a guy with a skull mask trying to get trinkets for a whale.
What did I think: The game has style, plays well, and definitely seems like it would reward people who learn and stick with the game, but the fact that it just dumps you immediately into action and expects you to shoot and jump your way out really rubs me the wrong way.
Would I continue playing?: No

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Game Title: Dicey Dungeons
Platform: Steam (Deck)

What is it about?: A turn based deck-builder/ RPG where you’ve been turned into a die and are participating in Lady Luck’s game show.
What did I think: I actually had a pretty good time with this one. Building out your character as you progress, and while there is a randomness aspect to combat, the game lets you equip cards/gear that can help either let you attack more, defend more, modify the result of outcomes, or apply debuffs to your opponent.
Would I continue playing?: Yes

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Game Title: Pacman 256
Platform: Steam (Deck)

What is it about?: It’s classic pac-man! However as you play, the glitchy areas rise from the bottom and consume the level you’re playing on. Keep going up and get a high score.
What did I think: It’s definitely an arcade-style game, but gameplay feels fair, and the new powerups and enemies keep gameplay interesting while still feeling like classic pac man.
Would I continue playing?: Occasionally, so yes.