ghost critter, probably cottagecore. she/her
this is probably mine, too. i really, really wanted to like it… don’t know why it never clicked with me, but part of me suspects it’s the general aesthetic. i just feel like that whole “medieval” open world look is so overdone. maybe i’m expecting too much.
optional, well hidden, especially cryptic content. this kind of thing is the BEST. it plays into my simple collectathon loving brain where just finding things for the sake of finding them is where all the fun is.
see: Environmental Station Alpha, Tunic, FEZ…
So many.
Hollow Knight, Celeste, Outer Wilds, Subnautica, Stardew Valley, Slay the Spire and Zachtronics games likely need no introduction. Then there’s also…
Bug Fables. Incredibly satisfying Paper Mario-like which has thrived into its own thing.
Baba is You/Environmental Station Alpha, hempuli games. The former you’ve likely heard of, a logic Sokobon with truly mindbending puzzles deeper within (and a level editor!! god, I could gush about level editors for hours). ESA is an older hempuli metroidvania. If you’re a fan of that genre, it’s among the best.
Caves of Qud – the best true roguelike IMO. It has so much flavor.
Slime Rancher [2], my beloved serotonin game.
Against the Storm, really well polished citybuilder that emphasizes the first few hours of citybuilding. It’s a bit hard to explain here, but I’d suggest looking into it if you’re a fan!
Symphony of War: The Nephilim Saga, my personal favorite tactical RPG.
I could go on but I gotta draw the line somewhere…
TUNIC, FEZ, Nier Automata, Outer Wilds.
I also have a soft spot for Paper Mario and TTYD, those soundtracks are full of bops