@david.reviews
Small, independent reviewer of games, books, and movies! I like cool things. Run by @xavd.id.
Full site: https://david.reviews/
Also available as a Steam curator: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/45203122/
Full site: https://david.reviews/
Also available as a Steam curator: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/45203122/
(31/31) And that's all the nominees I played! It's a great slate this year and I can see the case for each and every nominee taking home the gold.
Thanks to the Thinky games crew for having me and congrats again to all the nominees!
david.reviews/articles/thi...
Thanks to the Thinky games crew for having me and congrats again to all the nominees!
david.reviews/articles/thi...
Thinky Awards 2025 Nominee Impressions
First impressions of many 2025 Thinky Award nominees.
david.reviews
December 31, 2025 at 4:26 AM
(31/31) And that's all the nominees I played! It's a great slate this year and I can see the case for each and every nominee taking home the gold.
Thanks to the Thinky games crew for having me and congrats again to all the nominees!
david.reviews/articles/thi...
Thanks to the Thinky games crew for having me and congrats again to all the nominees!
david.reviews/articles/thi...
(30/31) Type Help is another narrative logic game that that really calls for a pen and paper. It's a little low-fi, but the puzzles are great. It's also getting a remake next year which will be a big upgrade ("The Incident at Galley House")!
william-rous.itch.io/type-help
william-rous.itch.io/type-help
Type Help by William Rous
The Unsolvable Mystery
william-rous.itch.io
December 31, 2025 at 4:26 AM
(30/31) Type Help is another narrative logic game that that really calls for a pen and paper. It's a little low-fi, but the puzzles are great. It's also getting a remake next year which will be a big upgrade ("The Incident at Galley House")!
william-rous.itch.io/type-help
william-rous.itch.io/type-help
(29/31) The Roottrees are Dead (@roottrees.com) basically invented the archival research game genre. It's huge, polished, and such a satisfying solve. Killer 90s early internet vibe, too. Absolute must-play if you haven't.
roottrees.com
roottrees.com
The Roottrees are Dead | A family tree puzzle game
The Roottrees are dead is a puzzle game where you piece together a mysterious family tree using evidence scoured from the internet circa 1998.
roottrees.com
December 31, 2025 at 4:26 AM
(29/31) The Roottrees are Dead (@roottrees.com) basically invented the archival research game genre. It's huge, polished, and such a satisfying solve. Killer 90s early internet vibe, too. Absolute must-play if you haven't.
roottrees.com
roottrees.com
(28/31) Strange Jigsaws (by @flebpuzzles.bsky.social) is chaotic, creative, and joyous exploration of the concepts of jigsaws. It's an absolute blast and is just so whimsical.
store.steampowered.com/app/2702170/...
store.steampowered.com/app/2702170/...
Save 20% on Strange Jigsaws on Steam
A game of strange jigsaws.
store.steampowered.com
December 31, 2025 at 4:26 AM
(28/31) Strange Jigsaws (by @flebpuzzles.bsky.social) is chaotic, creative, and joyous exploration of the concepts of jigsaws. It's an absolute blast and is just so whimsical.
store.steampowered.com/app/2702170/...
store.steampowered.com/app/2702170/...
(27/31) Strange Antiquities (@badvikinggames.bsky.social) is a spooky game about running a store. The puzzles are good, but there's a lot of other fun stuff packed in as well. And I loved how tactile the knobs in the store are.
store.steampowered.com/app/2885870/...
store.steampowered.com/app/2885870/...
Save 25% on Strange Antiquities on Steam
Become the custodian of a store dealing in occult antiquities. Explore the quaint and gloomy town of Undermere, where strange goings-on and dark mysteries abound. Find and identify arcane artefacts, u...
store.steampowered.com
December 31, 2025 at 4:26 AM
(27/31) Strange Antiquities (@badvikinggames.bsky.social) is a spooky game about running a store. The puzzles are good, but there's a lot of other fun stuff packed in as well. And I loved how tactile the knobs in the store are.
store.steampowered.com/app/2885870/...
store.steampowered.com/app/2885870/...
(26/31) StarVaders (@starvaders-game.bsky.social) combines mech comabat with roguelike deckbuilding and a board. There's a ton to unlock and the art is great. I had a good time with it!
store.steampowered.com/app/2097570/...
store.steampowered.com/app/2097570/...
Save 25% on StarVaders on Steam
Pilot a powerful mech to fight off the alien invasion in this ULTIMATE fusion of deckbuilding and grid-based tactics. Discover game-breaking combos, rewind time to alter your fate, and protect the fut...
store.steampowered.com
December 31, 2025 at 4:26 AM
(26/31) StarVaders (@starvaders-game.bsky.social) combines mech comabat with roguelike deckbuilding and a board. There's a ton to unlock and the art is great. I had a good time with it!
store.steampowered.com/app/2097570/...
store.steampowered.com/app/2097570/...
(25/31) Spooky Express (@spookyexpress.bsky.social; @draknek.bsky.social) is a clever little puzzle game on rails. There's a ton of it across all difficulty levels and it's beautifully produced. It's also got the best domain of any game this year: spooky.express
Spooky Express
All the passengers are dying to ride the Spooky Express!
spooky.express
December 31, 2025 at 4:26 AM
(25/31) Spooky Express (@spookyexpress.bsky.social; @draknek.bsky.social) is a clever little puzzle game on rails. There's a ton of it across all difficulty levels and it's beautifully produced. It's also got the best domain of any game this year: spooky.express
(24/31) The Séance of Blake Manor (@blakemanorgame.bsky.social; pub @rawfury.bsky.social) is an intricate occult-themed investigation in the style of Obra Dinn. There's a lot of freedom to follow compelling leads and there's great UI for tracking it all.
store.steampowered.com/app/1395520/...
store.steampowered.com/app/1395520/...
Save 25% on The Séance of Blake Manor on Steam
The Séance of Blake Manor is a supernatural detective mystery, set in 1897 Ireland, where you investigate the disappearance of Evelyn Deane in a remote hotel full of secrets and other-worldly occurren...
store.steampowered.com
December 31, 2025 at 4:26 AM
(24/31) The Séance of Blake Manor (@blakemanorgame.bsky.social; pub @rawfury.bsky.social) is an intricate occult-themed investigation in the style of Obra Dinn. There's a lot of freedom to follow compelling leads and there's great UI for tracking it all.
store.steampowered.com/app/1395520/...
store.steampowered.com/app/1395520/...
(23/31) Rise of the Golden Idol's (@goldenidol.bsky.social) DLC is more of what made the base game so awesome. There's also a fun Obra Dinn level thrown in, which we enjoyed.
www.riseofthegoldenidol.com
www.riseofthegoldenidol.com
Rise of The Golden Idol
The Award-winning detective saga returns. Uncover the truth behind 15 strange cases of crime, death and depravity in the 1970s. The world has changed dramatically - the sins of humanity have not.
www.riseofthegoldenidol.com
December 31, 2025 at 4:26 AM
(23/31) Rise of the Golden Idol's (@goldenidol.bsky.social) DLC is more of what made the base game so awesome. There's also a fun Obra Dinn level thrown in, which we enjoyed.
www.riseofthegoldenidol.com
www.riseofthegoldenidol.com
(22/31) Puzzle Depot (by @laughingmanatee.bsky.social) is a sprawling, intricate sokoban RPG where each room has multiple solutions based on what gear you have. There's a story too! It's a pretty wild design.
store.steampowered.com/app/3108190/...
store.steampowered.com/app/3108190/...
Save 11% on Puzzle Depot on Steam
A box-pushing, bug-squishing, post-apocalyptic adventure awaits you in Puzzle Depot! Challenge hundreds of meticulously designed rooms that expand on classic sokoban gameplay with new and creative mec...
store.steampowered.com
December 31, 2025 at 4:26 AM
(22/31) Puzzle Depot (by @laughingmanatee.bsky.social) is a sprawling, intricate sokoban RPG where each room has multiple solutions based on what gear you have. There's a story too! It's a pretty wild design.
store.steampowered.com/app/3108190/...
store.steampowered.com/app/3108190/...
(21/31) Orbyss is an ethereal puzzle game where you can control multiple orbs. It's got a lot of fun wrinkles and the controls are butter smooth.
store.steampowered.com/app/1385340/...
store.steampowered.com/app/1385340/...
Save 30% on Orbyss on Steam
In this logic based puzzle game, switch between Orbs to solve puzzles and light up your world. Play co-op with yourself, freeze time, fly drones, play with sound… and overcome the evil shadow interfer...
store.steampowered.com
December 31, 2025 at 4:26 AM
(21/31) Orbyss is an ethereal puzzle game where you can control multiple orbs. It's got a lot of fun wrinkles and the controls are butter smooth.
store.steampowered.com/app/1385340/...
store.steampowered.com/app/1385340/...
(20/31) Öoo (by @namataka.bsky.social) is both the name of the game and the sound I constantly made while playing this extremely tight little puzzle platformer. It does more with two buttons more than most games do with eight. Short and sweet too.
store.steampowered.com/app/2721890/...
store.steampowered.com/app/2721890/...
Save 20% on Öoo on Steam
A Bomb Caterpillar's Big Adventure! "Öoo" is a charming yet mysterious exploration puzzle platformer where you discover creative ways to use bombs!
store.steampowered.com
December 31, 2025 at 4:26 AM
(20/31) Öoo (by @namataka.bsky.social) is both the name of the game and the sound I constantly made while playing this extremely tight little puzzle platformer. It does more with two buttons more than most games do with eight. Short and sweet too.
store.steampowered.com/app/2721890/...
store.steampowered.com/app/2721890/...
(19/31) Nuworm (by @no4.bsky.social) is a tightly-designed puzzle game with some of the most interesting movement I've seen in a while: no backwards, only turning and forwards. Each level tests new ideas and it's wonderfully put together.
cubestudio.itch.io/nuworm
cubestudio.itch.io/nuworm
nuworm by noa
Travel through 50+ puzzles and learn how to move.
cubestudio.itch.io
December 31, 2025 at 4:26 AM
(19/31) Nuworm (by @no4.bsky.social) is a tightly-designed puzzle game with some of the most interesting movement I've seen in a while: no backwards, only turning and forwards. Each level tests new ideas and it's wonderfully put together.
cubestudio.itch.io/nuworm
cubestudio.itch.io/nuworm
(18/31) Nurikabe World (@nurikabe-world.bsky.social) is a beautifully presented version of a classic Japanese puzzle. It's an exceedingly pleasant experience and teaches you the puzzle's many rules smoothly.
store.steampowered.com/app/2964540/...
store.steampowered.com/app/2964540/...
Save 50% on Nurikabe World on Steam
Nurikabe World is a relaxing logic puzzle game where you solve puzzles by creating islands and connecting rivers to create beautiful sceneries. Experience different landscapes and seasons, solve puzzl...
store.steampowered.com
December 31, 2025 at 4:26 AM
(18/31) Nurikabe World (@nurikabe-world.bsky.social) is a beautifully presented version of a classic Japanese puzzle. It's an exceedingly pleasant experience and teaches you the puzzle's many rules smoothly.
store.steampowered.com/app/2964540/...
store.steampowered.com/app/2964540/...
(17/31) My Friends the Monster Trainers (by @celia-14.bsky.social) is a bite-sized Roottrees-style game where you identify information about Pokemon. It's extremely charming and plays in a single sitting. More please!
celia14.itch.io/my-friends-t...
celia14.itch.io/my-friends-t...
My Friends the Monster Trainers by Celia, jamwitch
A short narrative deduction game about collectible monsters 👾
celia14.itch.io
December 31, 2025 at 4:26 AM
(17/31) My Friends the Monster Trainers (by @celia-14.bsky.social) is a bite-sized Roottrees-style game where you identify information about Pokemon. It's extremely charming and plays in a single sitting. More please!
celia14.itch.io/my-friends-t...
celia14.itch.io/my-friends-t...
Short break! Grab a snack; we're only halfway!
And remember: this thread also exists as a full blog post with more links and info.
david.reviews/articles/thi...
And remember: this thread also exists as a full blog post with more links and info.
david.reviews/articles/thi...
Thinky Awards 2025 Nominee Impressions
First impressions of many 2025 Thinky Award nominees.
david.reviews
December 31, 2025 at 4:26 AM
Short break! Grab a snack; we're only halfway!
And remember: this thread also exists as a full blog post with more links and info.
david.reviews/articles/thi...
And remember: this thread also exists as a full blog post with more links and info.
david.reviews/articles/thi...
(16/31) Mind Diver (@minddivergame.bsky.social; @breum.bsky.social) is an Obra-Dinn-like about exploring non-linear memories. The gameplay took a bit of getting used to, but it's interesting enough that I plan on going back at some point.
store.steampowered.com/app/2259330/...
store.steampowered.com/app/2259330/...
Save 20% on Mind Diver on Steam
Investigate a broken mind to unravel a twisted case. Deduce the truth. Restore lost memories. Listen to private conversations. Draw your own conclusions. Mind Diver is a murder mystery, where the vict...
store.steampowered.com
December 31, 2025 at 4:26 AM
(16/31) Mind Diver (@minddivergame.bsky.social; @breum.bsky.social) is an Obra-Dinn-like about exploring non-linear memories. The gameplay took a bit of getting used to, but it's interesting enough that I plan on going back at some point.
store.steampowered.com/app/2259330/...
store.steampowered.com/app/2259330/...
(15/31) LOK: Digital (by @letibus.bsky.social) is a beautiful adaptation of their popular puzzle book. The puzzles themselves are great, the gameplay is smooth, and the animations and presentation butter smooth. Had a blast with this one (and there's more to do!)
lok-digital.com
lok-digital.com
LOK Digital
Learn world-changing words and master their mind-bending effects
lok-digital.com
December 31, 2025 at 4:26 AM
(15/31) LOK: Digital (by @letibus.bsky.social) is a beautiful adaptation of their popular puzzle book. The puzzles themselves are great, the gameplay is smooth, and the animations and presentation butter smooth. Had a blast with this one (and there's more to do!)
lok-digital.com
lok-digital.com
(14/31) Ligo is a pretty tricky game about moving ghosts that can combine. It _really_ plays with its mechanics, so you have to stay on your toes. There's a lot in there though!
store.steampowered.com/app/2462810/...
store.steampowered.com/app/2462810/...
Save 30% on Ligo on Steam
Explore a mysterious non-linear world filled with puzzles and secrets. Make small creatures work together to lift the curse and reconnect the world.
store.steampowered.com
December 31, 2025 at 4:26 AM
(14/31) Ligo is a pretty tricky game about moving ghosts that can combine. It _really_ plays with its mechanics, so you have to stay on your toes. There's a lot in there though!
store.steampowered.com/app/2462810/...
store.steampowered.com/app/2462810/...
(13/31) Leap Year: March is DLC for a game that I _really_ loved. This is more of the same, but it's pretty tough. I didn't feel like I was making as much consistent progress as I was with the base game. Still very cool design though.
store.steampowered.com/app/3458170/...
store.steampowered.com/app/3458170/...
Leap Year: March on Steam
Leap Year: March continues the adventure for players who have beaten Leap Year and want an even greater challenge. Use the same tools you learned in Leap Year to explore another hand drawn world that’...
store.steampowered.com
December 31, 2025 at 4:26 AM
(13/31) Leap Year: March is DLC for a game that I _really_ loved. This is more of the same, but it's pretty tough. I didn't feel like I was making as much consistent progress as I was with the base game. Still very cool design though.
store.steampowered.com/app/3458170/...
store.steampowered.com/app/3458170/...
(12/31) Kaizen: A Factory Story (by @coincidence.games) is the latest in a long lineage of Zach-like programming games. It's got superb presentation and fiendish but satisfying puzzles. One of my favorites from this year for sure!
coincidence.games/kaizen/
coincidence.games/kaizen/
coincidence | Kaizen: A Factory Story
coincidence.games
December 31, 2025 at 4:26 AM
(12/31) Kaizen: A Factory Story (by @coincidence.games) is the latest in a long lineage of Zach-like programming games. It's got superb presentation and fiendish but satisfying puzzles. One of my favorites from this year for sure!
coincidence.games/kaizen/
coincidence.games/kaizen/
(11/31) Is This Seat Taken (@potipoti.studio) is a charming little constraint solving game about shapes with very specific needs. It's great and tactile, plus includes a little bit of narrative. We came away very impressed with this one. Available on a ton of platforms, too!
www.potipoti.studio
www.potipoti.studio
Is This Seat Taken? - Poti Poti
Developed by Poti Poti
www.potipoti.studio
December 31, 2025 at 4:26 AM
(11/31) Is This Seat Taken (@potipoti.studio) is a charming little constraint solving game about shapes with very specific needs. It's great and tactile, plus includes a little bit of narrative. We came away very impressed with this one. Available on a ton of platforms, too!
www.potipoti.studio
www.potipoti.studio