Reviews – GamerDEAL

September 2, 2026September 13, 2026

Daedalic at Gamescom 2026: Ghost Haunting, Hordeguard and Star Trek’s Q Trials

Ghost Haunting Brings Classic Point and Click Design Back to Life

During our meeting with Daedalic at Gamescom 2026, the first game presented to us was Ghost Haunting, a handcrafted 2D point and click adventure developed by Cologne based studio Creative Monkeys. We did not play the game ourselves during the meeting, but the presentation provided a detailed look at its story, visual direction and accessibility systems. The project is heavily inspired by the LucasArts adventure games of the 1990s, combining low resolution pixel art, linear storytelling, environmental puzzles, item combinations and conversations with strange characters. The developers want the game to look like something from the classic era while still benefiting from three decades of improvements in game design. Every pixel has reportedly been created and adjusted by hand, reinforcing the feeling that this is a carefully produced adventure rather than a quick attempt to imitate retro graphics.

The story follows Gigi, an unpredictable eight and a half year old girl whose grandmother was the only person who truly understood her. After her grandmother dies, Gigi is not given a proper explanation of what happened and assumes that she has simply travelled to the realm of the dead. She later discovers Baron Butternut, a demon trapped inside a talking pumpkin, as well as the truth about her grandfather’s secret work hunting ghosts and monsters. Gigi decides that if spirits can travel from the realm of the dead into the world of the living, she should be able to make the same journey in reverse and bring her grandmother home. Despite the subject of death, the game is built around absurd comedy, including a toilet dwelling goblin, an organisation of verified vegan vampires and a suspicious character named Dr. Calligraphy. The adventure is set in Germany’s Eifel region, with forests, castles, legends and real locations used to give the fictional world a strong local identity.

June 30, 2026

Fruitbus Review: A Heartwarming Road Trip That Sometimes Loses Its Way

A Cozy Adventure Built Around Food, Exploration, and Memories

Fruitbus is one of those games that immediately caught my attention because of how different it feels from the usual farming or cooking simulators. Instead of managing a restaurant or staying in one location, you’re driving your grandmother’s colorful food truck across the Gustum Archipelagos, meeting local communities, gathering fresh ingredients, and preparing meals that reflect the people you meet. It is a charming concept that focuses more on kindness and discovery than competition or challenge.

The game combines exploration, light resource gathering, cooking mechanics, and vehicle customization into a relaxing experience. You travel freely between islands, discover forests, beaches, snowy mountains, and peaceful villages while collecting fruits, vegetables, herbs, mushrooms, and other ingredients. Every destination introduces new recipes, different personalities, and fresh opportunities to improve your Fruitbus. I appreciated how much freedom the game gives the player instead of forcing a strict progression path.

June 29, 2026June 29, 2026

NORSE: Oath of Blood Review

When I first heard about NORSE: Oath of Blood, I was intrigued by its promise of combining tactical turn based combat with an authentic Viking setting. That interest became much stronger after I met the development team at Gamescom 2025. They shared their vision for creating a grounded Viking experience that focused on strategy, storytelling, and historical atmosphere rather than fantasy. After spending time with the final release, I can honestly say that much of that vision made it into the game, although there are also a few areas where I believe it could become even better.

One thing that stood out to me from that meeting was how committed the developers were to listening to their community. Since launch, I have watched them actively respond to player feedback, address reported issues, and release updates on a regular basis. It is refreshing to see a studio that treats player feedback as an important part of the game’s future instead of simply moving on after release.

June 25, 2026June 29, 2026

Grind Survivors Review

There is no shortage of survivor style roguelites these days, so it takes something special to keep me interested beyond the first few runs. After spending time with Grind Survivors, I came away with mixed feelings, but mostly positive ones. It does not reinvent the formula or introduce groundbreaking mechanics, yet it understands exactly what makes this genre enjoyable. Fast progression, satisfying combat, meaningful loot, and constant pressure all come together to create a game that is very easy to keep playing long after you planned to stop.

The game puts you in the boots of a massive armored demon slayer fighting through an Earth that has been completely overrun by hellspawn. Every run throws increasingly dangerous enemy waves at you while encouraging you to experiment with different weapon combinations, upgrades, and crafting options. It is familiar territory for roguelite fans, but the execution is polished enough to make each session feel rewarding.

April 9, 2026May 14, 2026

Killing Floor 3 Review: Teamwork, Tension, and Terror in 2091

Written by Hamudi Mhamamid

Stepping into the world of Killing Floor 3 transports me back to those golden days of 2014 gaming, where frenzied team based shooters like Left 4 Dead and Call of Duty Zombies kept me glued to my seat. Set in 2091, the game thrusts you into the role of a Nightfall operative, fighting alongside up to five teammates against the relentless waves of Horzine’s monstrous zeds. That familiar sense of escalating tension paired with frantic strategies instantly hooked me, a beautiful blend of nostalgia and fresh challenges that never lets up.

What I love most is how Killing Floor 3 captures that classic round based intensity without trying to reinvent the wheel. The AI-driven zeds have been smartly redesigned to be faster, deadlier, and more tactical, making each encounter pulse acing and unpredictable. But it’s the raw excitement of facing these creatures with a squad that truly shines, the adrenaline while coordinating your attacks, rushing to revive fallen teammates, and managing resources is just electric.

February 19, 2026May 14, 2026

Into the Ural Anomalies: A Personal Journey in Future War Tactics

A Turn-Based Battlefield Set in a Gripping Mystery
The story pulls you into a near-future Ural region plagued by disappearances and bizarre anomalies. As the commander of a Special Operations Forces (SOF) squad, your role is to investigate these disturbances, only to uncover a far more significant threat: an aggressive alien invasion.

What truly struck me was how the developers carefully built up the mystery. Mysterious geomagnetic events, people vanishing without a trace, and strange atmospheric phenomena create a compelling narrative hook. The storytelling gives weight to your tactical decisions. Every new mission site reveals more clues and ramps up the suspense, making it feel like you’re both a strategist and a detective.

January 12, 2026May 14, 2026

The Art of Battle and Craftsmanship in Blades of Fire

Stepping into the world of Blades of Fire, I quickly realized that I was about to experience something special. Developed by the acclaimed studio MercurySteam, this action-adventure game invites players into the role of Aran de Lira, a firstborn of the King’s Ward, caught in the midst of a kingdom where steel is turned to stone by the spell of the newly crowned Queen Nerea. With only the legendary divine metal left in play wielded solely by the Queen’s monstrous army my journey began not only as a player but as an adventurer eager to forge a legend.

January 8, 2026May 14, 2026

Warhammer 40,000: Speed Freeks – Maximum Carnage, Minimum Depth

A Year in the Fast Lane

After nearly a year in early access, where Warhammer 40,000: Speed Freeks was available for free, the game has officially launched with a price tag albeit at a discount. This shift in strategy raised my eyebrows. I can’t ignore the distinct feeling that the game initially aimed to capture the free to play crowd with the expectation of monetizing down the road, only to change course and put a price on it at launch. If you’re going to make that move, you have to deliver something exceptional something that justifies asking players to open their wallets after having gotten a free taste.

Booting up Speed Freeks, I found myself thinking: Is the final product compelling enough to warrant charging for it? From the get go, the answer seems to be a solid “maybe.” There’s no denying the fun factor the thrills and chaos that a Warhammer themed vehicular mayhem game promises are alive and well here. But with that enjoyment comes a creeping awareness of how quickly the excitement plateaus.

January 1, 2026May 14, 2026

When Mechs Meet Monarchs: My Experience with Bonaparte

Bonaparte – A Mechanized Revolution offers a fresh and intriguing take on the French Revolution, set in an alternate 1789 Paris where the Bonaparte legacy continues through characters Céline or César Bonaparte. This turn based strategy game tasks you with navigating a politically charged landscape, deciding whether to defend the monarchy, push for reform, or fully embrace the revolutionary spirit. What makes this game stand out immediately is its blend of political intrigue and tactical military combat, where you must manage armies, recruit soldiers, and command colossal mechanized units on the battlefield.

December 25, 2025May 14, 2026

Alpha Response: When Tactical Ambition Meets Chaotic Action

Stepping Into the Line of Fire

Alpha Response, the latest project from Gooseman the legendary mind behind Counter-Strike immediately caught my attention. As someone who grew up on tactical shooters, the promise of a game that puts you in the boots of elite police units worldwide was too tempting to ignore. The premise is simple yet compelling: respond to critical situations, save innocent lives, and bring order to chaos. But as I dove deeper, I found a game that both thrilled and frustrated me in equal measure.
From the very first mission, Alpha Response throws you into the thick of things. There’s no hand holding, no lengthy tutorials just you, your squad, and a city teetering on the edge. The adrenaline rush is real, especially when you’re not sure if the next door hides a terrified hostage or a shotgun wielding criminal. That tension, that split second decision making, is where the game truly shines.