Inbetween all the running and screaming, Justin and Cole are just looking for someone to hug in the dark. Maybe a little food would help, too.

Previous Little Nightmares experience

• Watched a trailer or two that didn't stand out.
• Read something about the creature design being a focus during development that caught my attention.

Initial Expectations, Hopes, Dreams, Fears

• I hope it's not boring or too slow.
• Can it be scary from this side scrolling perspective?
• Will the story be engaging at all?
• Do I want to play another linear puzzle platformer?
• I'm going to see some borderline disturbing moments.

What actually happened

I can't remember what made me try Little Nightmares as I though I had had my fill of abstract puzzle platforming games. I remember writing it off and then a week or so after release it just kind of stuck in my brain. I couldn't shake it. Maybe it was a screenshot or the feeling that got tied to it, but I kept finding myself looking at it on the store. I guess I just had to know, and I'm glad I now know that I really like Little Nightmares.

The last thing I expected from Little Nightmares was to be entertained. That may sound weird, but even on the high side of my expectations I thought I'd just be creeped out or some moment from the game would be so disturbing that it was seared into my memory forever. Instead I actually genuinely enjoyed playing the game and exploring its atmosphere. There's a lot of texture to the world and characters, especially for a game without any narrative/dialog to be read/heard.

Little Nightmares pulled me in immediately with clever moments that revealed its simple control scheme without taking me out of the moment with button prompts or pauses. I was able to figure things out as I explored it at my own pace. The swaying of the level as the boat you are on rocks back and forth gives everything a small but constant momentum even when you are meant to stand still. I found myself always wanting to press forward even when I was scared to death as to what was around the corner.

A couple hours in and all of the payoffs have been satisfying. Survival is earned without making the deaths and failures feel cheap. Every standout moment builds off of the previous one so that the swings between dread and elation feel organic and memorable. It makes me never want Little Nightmares to end.

Will I keep playing?

From what I've read, I've only got a couple hours left of Little Nightmares. The only reason I wouldn't finish it is so that I'd feel like I always had more to play. However, I really want to see what other enemies the game is going to throw in my way. I also have to get this girl off the boat, whatever it takes.

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Let's be clear. I expected to have a good and silly time with Puyo Puyo Tetris. On other platforms it had achieved a bit of a buzz around its quirky world, and I genuinely enjoy fierce Tetris battles. The joy that creeped across my face from the moment I hit start on the story mode is something no one could prepare me for.

I had/have no idea what was/is happening in the story mode. I don't know why anyone is fighting, and I don't know how the writing is as entertaining as it is. I want to skip all of the cutscenes, but I want to see everything! It's all so damn adorable that I feel like my eyeballs should reward the effort that went into it. This shouldn't exist, but it makes me a happier person because it does.

I'll admit that the presentation isn't going to be for everyone, so my biggest questions going into this game were - what the hell is Puyo Puyo and will it get in the way of my Tetris? I tried to fight playing Puyo Puyo in this game as my focus was to regain my Tetris skills. After 6-7 hours though, I can't decide which puzzle mode I enjoy more.

If I'm going to go solo or I'm going to try to 3 star a story level, I still want to play Tetris. I want to get great at Tetris, and I want to get fast at Tetris. If we're going multiplayer though, and I have the chance to crush some fools... give me Puyo Puyo. The thrill of pulling off a ridiculous Puyo Puyo combo is somehow even more satisfying than setting up multiple Tetrises(?). I didn't think it was possible. In the moment it feels awesome, and then you get to hear your opponent scream which just makes you want to do it again!

There's nothing earth shattering here. Admittedly, it's been a while since I played a competitive real-time puzzle game, but Puyo Puyo Tetris just feels perfect on the Switch. Online play with strangers is entertaining and its even better with friends. Handheld mode is the icing on the blocks. This is the most fun I've had with friends on the Switch yet.

Puyo Puyo Tetris is available now on Nintendo Switch and PS4.

It's a party and you're all invited! Aaron might have not received an invitation by mail, but he's got front row seats to repeatedly die for!

Previous The Sexy Brutale Experience

• Skimmed over reviews from Destructoid and The Jimquistion the day before release.

Initial Expectations, Hopes, Dreams, Fears

• I liked the art design.
• The idea of a story-drive time puzzler intrigued me.
• Would it require perfect timing and become frustrating?
• How smug would the characters/world be, similar to Braid?

What actually happened

Much like the confused masked protagonist who awakens in the middle of a decorated room at noon on a seemingly random Saturday, I wasn't quite sure what to expect from The Sexy Brutale. A strange and oozing woman entered the room and began to explain my abilities to me. Restarting the day at noon. Listening to my surroundings. Leering through keyholes like the literal creeper that I was. That's how I was taught to watch the first victim get shot to death. Back to noon.

The second time, I had a mission. Figure out how to save the victim's life without directly and physically interfering with him or his killer, lest the masks that they were wearing magically levitate off their heads and murder me. Not waiting to try out this "mask death", I listened and peeped my way from room to room until I came upon the murder weapon. Let me just take this gun before the killer does. Seems like the right thing to do. I realize the rifle is bolted down and I've apparently been skipping arm day at the gym. The victim bites the bullet again. Back to noon.

This time, I follow the victim's routine and pocket a blank round that falls from the safe he searches. I insert the blank into the secured rifle with ease and await the attempted murder. The trigger is pulled with a piddly pop, leaving the killer confused and having to ready the real bullet. The victim chucks a candlestick from across the room, knocking the killer out cold. I may not know who the man I just saved was, but I'm feeling pretty good. I'm rewarded with a very important power, then surprise. Back to noon.

Will I keep playing?

More accurately, I've already played it again and completed the story! The Sexy Brutale is a well-crafted experience that put its hooks into me after the first stream and encouraged me to finish what I started.

While the game takes place entirely inside the confines of a mansion with attached casino, becoming increasingly familiar with the layout is necessary to solving the puzzles within it. There are some collectibles I missed and some stones left unturned, but something tells me I'll be visiting the walls of The Sexy Brutale again.

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GO Team is onto something. They got to the core of Hitman, but I wasn't sure how distilling down Tomb Raider would turn out. I figured it would be too slow or other turn-based issues would get in the way of it actually feeling like Tomb Raider. Before the end of the first stage it was clear that Lara Croft GO is the purest form of tomb raiding. It also didn't hurt anything that Lara Croft GO turned out to be a perfect compliment to the console release.

Feels like Tomb Raider? That's enough to get me in the door, but it's the puzzle design and art style that makes the the Lara Croft GO experience so memorable. While it works great as a mobile game that you can pick up and play for any amount of time, I couldn't stop myself. Each new puzzle mechanic is introduced smartly and then integrated into more complex levels without ever treating the player like an idiot. Naturally, this makes each level satisfying while at the same time whetting your appetite for the next puzzle. Thanks for letting me think I could keep up with the Tomb Raider, Lara Croft GO.

Stay tuned for more Games of 2015 this month as we build towards The 2015 Grimmys - Horrible Night's Games of the Year Awards.