Indie games continue to explore a wide range of ideas, from brutal top-down shooters and atmospheric puzzle adventures to nostalgic platformers inspired by gaming’s past. This roundup takes a closer look at three titles that each approach their chosen genre differently: Cohen 1939 delivers fast-paced, unforgiving combat against a backdrop of 1930s gangster crime, Desolus invites players to unravel spatial puzzles in a haunting, fractured world, and Mister Scary – Where Are You? brings colorful retro platforming and spooky charm to PS5. While all three have their strengths, they also demonstrate how execution can make the difference between a promising concept and a truly memorable experience.
Cohen 1939 review (PC)
Developed by Cube of Cube and published by 2P Games, Cohen 1939 is a top-down shooter that combines the unforgiving combat of Hotline Miami with the gangster atmosphere of 1930s Birmingham. Following the murder of her husband Richard, Elisa embarks on a bloody quest for revenge that soon grows into a larger story of betrayal and criminal conspiracies. The premise provides a solid foundation for an action-packed campaign, and Elisa makes for a compelling protagonist in a world populated by ruthless gangsters. The narrative has its moments, although the frequently unconvincing voice acting and awkward attempts at British accents undermine the otherwise fitting setting.
Combat is where Cohen 1939 makes its strongest impression. Almost any bullet can prove fatal, forcing players to consider enemy positions, weapon availability and possible escape routes before committing to a fight. Charging into a room without a plan is generally a recipe for a quick restart, but learning enemy patterns and finding the right opening can make each encounter satisfying. The ability to throw an empty gun to stun an opponent before grabbing another weapon is a particularly enjoyable touch, encouraging players to keep moving and maintain their momentum. Four playable characters, each with unique abilities, add variety, while weapon unlocks and progression systems provide reasons to revisit earlier stages. However, the demanding trial-and-error approach can become frustrating, particularly during boss encounters that sometimes feel more dependent on repeated attempts than genuine tactical skill.
The controls generally support the fast pace, with responsive movement helping players react quickly once they understand the mechanics. Elisa’s raven ability is a useful addition, allowing her to scout ahead and identify threats before entering dangerous areas. Nevertheless, the initial learning process is less comfortable than it should be, as tutorial prompts can display keyboard inputs even when playing with a controller. The tight overhead camera can also leave enemies approaching from the lower edge of the screen difficult to spot in time, making some deaths feel unfair rather than deserved. Short missions help soften these frustrations, allowing players to jump back into the action without lengthy interruptions.
Visually, Cohen 1939 establishes an appealing crime-fiction atmosphere through rain-soaked streets, smoky interiors and sharply dressed mobsters. The presentation suits its setting, while the energetic electronic soundtrack gives firefights plenty of momentum, even if its modern sound occasionally clashes with the historical backdrop. Gunfire sounds suitably forceful, but the impact of combat is less convincing: enemy reactions can feel sluggish, and takedowns lack the weight needed to make the violence truly satisfying. Overall, Cohen 1939 is an entertaining, if uneven, action game with a strong central combat concept and enough progression to encourage repeated runs. Its atmosphere and inventive weapon mechanics make it worth considering for fans of this genre, but inconsistent presentation and questionable boss design prevent it from reaching the heights of its inspiration.
DESOLUS review (PS5)
Desolus is a first-person puzzle adventure that makes a strong first impression with its haunting Gothic architecture and fractured sense of reality. Developed by Mark J. Mayers, the game takes players through a deserted city caught between past and future, where a mysterious catastrophe has left buildings suspended between different versions of existence. Its narrative revolves around preventing further destruction, with a mysterious guardian offering some direction, but the storytelling remains deliberately cryptic and relatively sparse. The atmosphere does much of the heavy lifting, creating a melancholic sense of isolation, although those hoping for a compelling mystery with clearly developed characters and meaningful narrative revelations may find the story underwhelming.
The real attraction lies in the puzzles, which revolve around manipulating black holes, shifting between timelines and repositioning portals to reconnect otherwise inaccessible parts of the environment. New ideas are gradually introduced and combined, giving the experience a satisfying learning curve without making it excessively demanding. Examining the surroundings and understanding how architectural elements relate to one another is often more important than complicated button combinations, and the straightforward first-person controls make exploration intuitive on PS5. However, the relatively limited range of interactions can make some challenges feel like exercises in moving objects until the correct arrangement becomes apparent. Players experienced with puzzle games may also find that the game ends just as its mechanics begin to reach their full potential.
Desolus’ visuals are the game’s greatest strength. Its imposing cathedrals, elaborate structures and surreal transitions between different versions of the city create a distinctive identity, while the interplay between architecture and spatial puzzles ensures that the scenery serves a practical purpose rather than merely looking attractive. The minimal interface also helps preserve immersion, allowing players to concentrate on their surroundings. The piano-led soundtrack complements the setting beautifully, reinforcing the feeling of wandering through a once-inhabited place that has been abandoned to an impending disaster. Together, the visuals and audio give the adventure a contemplative quality that makes exploration enjoyable even when the puzzles themselves are relatively straightforward.
Ultimately, Desolus is an atmospheric and thoughtfully constructed puzzle game whose presentation is more memorable than its narrative or mechanical depth. Its clever use of time and space provides some satisfying moments of discovery, and the combination of striking architecture and understated music makes the journey worthwhile for fans of slower-paced, first-person puzzlers. Nevertheless, its short length, modest storytelling and occasional reliance on trial and error limit its overall impact. Mayers’ long development journey has resulted in a distinctive world with plenty of visual character, but the finished experience could have benefited from more substantial late-game challenges and a stronger narrative payoff. Desolus is worth considering for players who value atmosphere and accessible spatial puzzles, although those seeking a lengthy, demanding adventure may leave wanting more.
Mister Scary – Where Are You? review (PS5)
Mister Scary – Where Are You? is a retro-inspired 2D platformer from calgames, published by Ratalaika Games for PlayStation 5, in which a purple monster sets out to find his missing family. The adventure takes him through six stages filled with hostile creatures, environmental hazards, hidden collectibles and boss encounters. Its colorful, Halloween-inspired aesthetic gives it a playful identity, with environments ranging from spooky forests to more unusual locations. However, the straightforward premise offers little narrative depth, leaving the platforming itself to carry most of the experience. While the visual variety helps maintain interest, the overall presentation remains deliberately old-fashioned rather than particularly ambitious.
The gameplay revolves around familiar platforming fundamentals, including jumping on enemies, collecting tokens for extra lives and using special food-based power-ups to unleash fire or ice attacks. One of its more unusual mechanics allows Mister Scary to lie down for a nap, making him temporarily immune to damage. This provides a useful defensive option, although it requires some thought, as certain airborne enemies can remain dangerous when he wakes up. The main problem is the movement physics: Mister Scary can jump impressively high, but his limited forward momentum makes crossing wide gaps unexpectedly awkward. Enemy knockback compounds the frustration, particularly in the opening stage, where the difficulty can feel more punishing than demanding.
Fortunately, the PlayStation 5 version benefits from a rewind feature that can make mistakes less costly, offering a welcome alternative to repeatedly restarting difficult sections. This quality-of-life addition makes the experience more approachable, particularly for players who enjoy retro platformers but have less patience for dated design decisions. The level layouts and hazards offer some variety, while the bosses provide encounters that reward learning their attack patterns. Unfortunately, the difficulty curve feels inconsistent: the opening level can be disproportionately frustrating, whereas later sections and boss fights are considerably easier. That imbalance makes the challenge feel less carefully tuned than it should be.
Visually, Mister Scary – Where Are You? has enough charm to distinguish itself from more generic retro platformers, with colorful scenery and recognisable spooky imagery giving its worlds some personality. The soundtrack also provides an enjoyable backdrop, supporting the lighthearted horror atmosphere without demanding too much attention. Controls are generally straightforward in concept, but the unusual jumping behavior undermines the precision that a platformer of this kind needs. The rewind option helps soften that frustration, yet it cannot completely compensate for uneven level design and a challenge that drops off sharply after a rough start. Mister Scary is therefore a reasonable choice for players seeking a brief, nostalgic platforming adventure, but its mechanical shortcomings prevent it from becoming a particularly memorable one.