So this might just be the most stacked month yet. And I say that because this is just part one of a two lists set I am doing for February 2024. So many games came out I simply didn’t have room to fit them all in one list. So this time we are starting with the first half, six games from varying genres that you may have missed in February 2024. As usual, thanks to the publishers who sent these games to me in order to make this list possible and let’s go.

Ultros

Ultros is one of the more unique metroidvania titles I have played. I mean, just look at it. This is like, the most psychedelic game ever? It’s kinda insane. Vibrant colors, fluid animations, the most bizarre creature designs, and some great tunes too – the aesthetic alone is enough to sell the experience, but the gameplay is pretty good too. It has all the staples of a metroidvania – the large map to explore, the satisfying combat, the boss fights, but also throws in this whole time loop mechanic where you’re effectively reset in the game world, but the world itself has progressed without you.

And this is a mechanic you play around too, like planting trees to grow over loops so you have a platform later on. It’s really cool actually, and I am surprised this one has not been as popular given the glowing reviews. I am definitely going to keep playing through this one and would recommend it.

Ultros retails for $25 USD and is available on Steam. It is also available on PS4 and PS5. You can get an official Steam key 10% OFF and support the channel using my Gamesplanet partner link.

Boxes: Lost Fragments

If you’re a fan of The Room series like I am, Boxes: Lost Fragments is one of the easiest picks you could make. The studio was obviously inspired by that series, but they did a genuinely good job delivering a unique experience of their own. You get a series of puzzle boxes to solve, each unique in their own way. You have one that has you sending a model ship around or one that has you maneuvering a mechanical ladybug around.

It’s not quite as complex puzzle-wise as the series I mentioned and may be a bit too easy overall, but it’s a fun little puzzle game to play for the two hours or so it takes to clear. Gets a recommendation from me.

Boxes: Lost Fragments retails for $15 USD and is available on Steam.

NIDUS

Ultros was a psychedelic metroidvania and now we have a psychedelic bullet hell. But it’s also a twin stick shooter and it’s kinda just insane. You control a symbiotic flower and wasp and you have to use them in tandem to take down enemies, tapping them with the flower to open them up for damage before sending the wasp to jump through them. And then enemies don’t stop. They just keep on coming and they’re super colorful and have all these different attack patterns and there’s bosses and it kinda just feels like an arcade score attack kinda game and I’m just here for that.

It’s fun and it apparently also works in co-op, although I did not get to test that, but maybe that’s something I will give a shot because this is likely one I will be returning to. Do give it a look.

NIDUS retails for $9 USD and is available on Steam.

Toaplan Arcade Shoot’em Ups 3

So this is actually a collection of four classic shmups. Fixeight is a vertical run-and-gun featuring a wide cast of characters to choose from and some equally fun weapons to use. Tiger Heli is a slower, somewhat basic vertical shooter that still has its own charm, but is definitely my least favorite of the bunch. Batsugun is easily the best of the four and has you zipping around, filling the screen with so many bullets that it’s hard to see and there’s enemies flying everywhere and it just feels like a Cave shmup, which is like my favorite in this genre so I was right at home here. Vimana is a bit more basic, but is a cool mix of Indian mythology and space shooting that I enjoyed playing through as well.

Each of them won’t take you more than an hour to clear, but if you’re a shoot ‘em up fan like myself, this is a solid collection to pick up.

Toaplan Arcade Shoot’em Ups 3 retails for $20 USD and is available on Steam. It is also available on GOG.

WitchHand

So if you’re a fan of Stacklands or Cultist Simulator, WItchHand is a pretty easy recommendation. I may be a bit biased given the witchy nature of the game, but I quite liked this mix of strategy, management, card battler, deckbuilder, but also roguelite. It’s got a ton of different cards to unlock and figure out, random events to keep the experience interesting, and it’s very analytical in a way – having to keep track of supplies manually and establishing production for materials you lack and remembering what goes into each spell and I just like that kind of experience.

Constantly evolving and building up a bigger and bigger set of cards before ultimately being taken down by a boss to run it again. It’s a fun one, I would recommend it if you’re into these strategy card battlers.

WitchHand retails for $12 USD and is available on Steam.

Minami Lane

Minami Lane is by far the cutest game on the list and has you basically managing a small street. You’ll be building homes, shops, tending to the garbage spread about, and completing challenges in a mission-based experience that is both parts comfy and relaxing, yet not completely aimless. There are goals to work towards and some side objectives too, and although it’s not that difficult a game, I had a good time with it for the 2-3 hours it took to clear.

And when you’re done with that, there is a sandbox mode to tackle too. But really, it’s just a cute fun little indie and you probably already know if you’re going to like a game like this. I definitely do, I recommend it.

Minami Lane retails for $5 USD and is available on Steam.

And that’s all I got for this month. At least, until next week when I release the second part of this list. I’ve never done that on this channel, but I literally had like 16 games and was having a hard time trying to fit them all into one. So forgive me for doing that, but anyways, I hope you found at least something interesting in this one. I am torn on my personal favorite, either Ultros or Batsugun from the Toaplan pack. Still a bunch of fun games regardless.