Author: Marie Brownhill

Starfleet officer educated in the liberal arts, commanding a starship fueled on enthusiasm and armed with photon torpedoes made of duct tape, legal reasoning, and d20s that only roll natural twenties.

Cleaning Up Dirty Deeds in Crime Scene Cleaner

This week Modern Gamer finds some realistic October gruesome gore for the Halloween season with Crime Scene Cleaner, a simulator that has players transforming grisly crime scenes into neat and tidy spaces once more.

Playing the Right Cards With Uno Ultimate Edition

Pretty much the quintessential family card game, Uno has been popular for generations with people of all ages. Now, Ubisoft brings the Ultimate Edition of Uno so that anyone can enjoy it on just about every platform.

Going on an Arcade Adventure in Fishing Break

This week Modern Gamer columnist Marie Brownhill reviews Fishing Break for the Nintendo Switch. Instead of a slow and detailed simulation, this mobile port is all about fun and offers players arcade fishing in 22 locations in eight worlds.

The Last Alchemist Crafts a World of Science and Fantasy

The Last Alchemist is a cozy alchemy simulation that is now available on Steam. In The Last Alchemist, players get to explore a vibrant fantasy world where they can make their own workshops and craft items, tools and machines as they try to find a cure for an insidious plague.

Growing A Farming Empire in Farm Manager World

Farm Manager World lives up to its name, letting players set up huge farming empires all around the world in places like Europe, Central America and Asia. The available crops and livestock will change based on geography, but players need to be able to make their farming empires profitable anywhere.

Trading and Exploring in the Magical World of Fireside

Fireside shipwrecks the player on a strange island populated by interesting and colorful characters who also need a helping hand. Trading, exploring and making friends are some of the goals in Fireside, but the journey is more important than the destination.

ServiceIT: You Can Do IT Brings a Tech Twist to Business Simulations

ServiceIT: You Can Do IT is a business simulation in which players get to run an IT company and try to make it profitable while completing puzzles and dealing with an adversary. Players complete tasks like fixing hardware, retrieving or removing data and OS installation at an enterprise level.

The Classic Settlers Of Catan Board Game Beautifully Conquers Switch

The Settlers of Catan is a beloved classic board game around the world and is played in multiple countries in over 40 languages. Now, that magic comes to the console with CATAN for Nintendo Switch with all the classic board game’s strategy and some enjoyable Switch-specific additions.

Journeying Through the Beyond With Point and Click Cat and Ghostly Road

Cat and Ghostly Road is an atmospheric point and click adventure title that has players go on a journey as a cat named Yang who travels to the spirit world to save his friend. Players are tasked with solving puzzles and completing quests as they journey through the world of ghosts and demons.

Furious Turn-Based Strategy Warfare Continues in Clash II

Clash II continues the endless battles in the series and pitts the colonizing Pure Ones against the druidic-like Old Ones fighting for strategic lands. At its core, Clash II offers players a solid but formulaic turn-based strategy experience.

Keeping the Trains Running on Time in Rail Route

Modern Gamer columnist Marie Brownhill this week is planning and managing some really intricate train schedules in the train dispatcher simulator Rail Route, where players are tasked with keeping an entire city’s rail lines working at peak efficiency, with all the trains running on time.

Making the Grain With Beer Factory

Not surprisingly, Beer Factory puts players in charge of running a beer factory. But there are quite a few twists to deal with first like broken-down equipment, unsanitary working conditions and even squatters living along the production line.

Dancing the Night Away With Disco Simulator: Prologue

Disco Simulator: Prologue lets players manage every aspect of the hottest new club in town with dancing, drinks and entertainment. But first, players will need to do a lot of work, from arranging furniture to hiring employees and buying equipment.

Mathematics Meets Animal Crossing in Tales of Mathasia

Parents looking for ways to make the sometimes-challenging subject of math fun for their kids should take a look at Tales of Mathasia. It’s a title that combines cute animals, puzzles and activities that will help make math more entertaining.

Folklore Based Howl Tackles Tactical and Puzzle Gaming

This week Modern Gamer columnist Marie Brownhill delves into the world of Howl, a tactical strategy title with deep roots in ancient folklore. Part puzzle adventure and part turn-based strategy, Howl is certainly a unique experience.

Slipping Into the Stone Age With Tribe: Primitive Builder

This week Modern Gamer columnist Marie Brownhill tries out Tribe: Primitive Builder, which is one of the most relaxing building titles you will probably ever play. And despite being set during the Stone Age, it’s actually constructed using the Unreal Engine 5.1, so everything looks really good.

Piloting Big Mechs and Frying the Competition in Nimbus Infinity

Mech titles where players get to control giant robots are really popular, and the developers of Nimbus INFINITY have done a good job of making theirs easy to play with little experience needed. Players will be flying through space in intense mech combat in no time.

Interesting New Life Simulation Crops Up In Farmer’s Life

This week Modern Gamer columnist Marie Brownhill travels back to the 1940s to try and survive as a farmer in Eastern Europe. Surviving in Farmer’s Life is tough as there are many dangers, but the title can also be surprisingly weird and funny as well.

Making a Splash with Kid Friendly Mermaid Castle 2

This week Modern Gamer columnist Marie Brownhill swims with the mermaids of Mermaid Castle 2, a delightful and brightly colored cartoon platformer where the entire adventure takes place underwater. Players will need to build up their castles and save the day for their undersea kingdom.

Fan Collective Unimatrix 47: Christmas in the Star Trek Universe

Warp Speed Ahead

Star Trek Generations offers us a glimpse into how the 24th century approaches the celebration of Christmas, but the message isn’t exactly what we see in Hallmark movies. This week Fan Collective Unimatrix 47 examines Christmas in the Star Trek universe.

Satisfying a Hankering for Heists With Thief Simulator 2

Thief Simulator 2 manages to straddle the line between a simulator and a stealth action title. It’s a quality experience that will satisfy players who enjoy heist gaming that includes a lot of research before each mission and then carefully executing a plan to steal everything of value at each location.

Fan Collective Unimatrix 47: What Do Electric Picards Dream of?

Star Trek has dipped its franchise toes into the pool of transhumanism, the theory that the human race can evolve beyond its current limitations by means of science and technology, at least three times. Fan Collective Unimatrix 47 this week looks at the theory’s application in Star Trek’s franchise.

Running and Gunning With Sci-Fi Shooter Sprawl

This week Modern Gamer columnist Marie Brownhill takes on the military junta ruling the massive dystopian sci-fi city of SPRAWL, a fast-paced shooter where building up adrenaline is just as important as collecting ammo.

Solving a Mystery in the Interactive Korean Drama Love Too Easily

This week Modern Gamer columnist Marie Brownhill investigates a romantic comedy mystery in the interactive Korean drama Love Too Easily. In Love Too Easily, players must help the main character solve her mystery by talking to characters, completing tasks in the form of minigames and gathering clues.

Building Vibrant Villages in Land of the Vikings

This week Modern Gamer columnist Marie Brownhill examines Land of the Vikings, a Viking-themed survival colony sim title. Land of the Vikings challenges players to flourish in an untamed land, build a thriving settlement and to lead their Vikings to glory.

Dying To Play You Will Die Here Tonight Survival Horror

You Will Die Here Tonight is a survival horror title inspired by the golden age of the genre, but it’s one with a pretty unique twist. Death is only the beginning of You Will Die Here Tonight’s story, and each of the player’s six characters are expected to die at some point to advance the plot.

Fan Collective Unimatrix 47: Star Trek: Lower Decks “Caves” Episode

In Star Trek: Lower Decks eighth episode of season four, the Lower Decks crew is paired up for a cave exploring assignment. What could have been a completely routine mission ends up becoming a zany adventure that explores the meaning of friendship as only Star Trek: Lower Decks can.

Solving a Sci-Fi Mystery Adventure in Twin Mind: Nobody’s Here

Modern Gamer columnist Marie Brownhill continues her exploration of spooky titles for the Halloween season. This week she investigates a spooky sci-fi mystery as two detectives with a unique bond in Twin Mind: Nobody’s Here, which is out now for Steam and the Nintendo Switch.

The Adventures of Bluke Bifton Conjures Up 90s Animation Vibes

The first chapter of The Adventures of Bluke Bifton by Brainloaf Studio could have likely been ripped from the screen of a 1990s cartoon given the animation style. This over-the-top adventure plays out in a series of exploration and mini-game missions that will highly appeal to its target audience.

The Fur Flies in Cute Catlord Adventure

This week Modern Gamer columnist Marie Brownhill examines Catlord, an action-adventure title for the Nintendo Switch that will have players helping their cat character defend their territory from other creatures that really want to ruffle your fur. If you are itching for some weekend entertainment on the Nintendo Switch, Catlord might scratch that for you.

Riding the Waves of Adventure in Frigato Shadows of the Caribbean

This week Modern Gamer Marie Brownhill examines Frigato: Shadows of the Caribbean which is currently in Early Access on Steam. In Frigato, players are the captain of a motley crew of sea rogues who are trying to beat the British Royal Navy to the Caribbean’s most valuable treasure.

Transmogrify Transforms Ordinary Puzzle Platforming

Transmogrify is a unique puzzle platformer that challenges players to brave waves of enemies, hitting them with a sci-fi transmogrification ray that turns them into something more useful, like building blocks which can then be used to escape levels or to climb ever higher.

Arcade Racing on the Retro Roads of Sunrise GP

This week Modern Gamer columnist Marie Brownhill turns the key on the retro-themed racer Sunrise GP. Developer Gamedust has created a really entertaining experience for the Nintendo Switch that looks like a classic arcade title but drives like a modern racer.

Miami Vice Meets Police Quest in Rough Justice 84

Modern Gamer columnist Marie Brownhill hits the mean streets of Rough Justice 84, a title that challenges players to run a rough and tumble detective agency in the 1980s. There is big hair, shoulder pads, IBM PC computers, flashy cars, neon lights and more crime than you can shake a cassette tape at this week.

Fan Collective Unimatrix 47: Star Trek: Strange New Worlds “Charades” Episode

In Star Trek: Strange New Worlds fifth episode of season two, a shuttle accident while en route to investigate anomalous energy readings at the site of an ancient civilization turns Spock human. Meanwhile, T’Pring’s family has demanded that he participate in necessary rituals that no human could perform, or they’ll cancel the engagement.

Trekker’s Delight Looks at Star Trek: Strange New Worlds “Charades” Episode

This week the Trekker’s Delight crew discusses Star Trek: Strange New Worlds fifth episode of season two about Spock and Nurse Chapel making first contact with a species no one has seen in a century, and an accident prompts the Kerkhovians to make serious alterations to Spock. Meanwhile, T’Pring’s parents demand that he participates in an important Vulcan ritual, all while indisposed.

Twice Reborn Is a Vampire Visual Novel Worth Sinking Your Fangs Into

This week Modern Gamer columnist Marie Brownhill covers a title that lets players follow the story of a newly created creature of the night in Twice Reborn: A Vampire Visual Novel. Twice Reborn includes adult themes and tough choices, and it might be perfect for fans of the vampire genre or anyone who enjoys well-written visual novels.

Supersized Ship Recycling Entertainment in Ship Graveyard Simulator

This week Modern Gamer columnist Marie Brownhill felt like breaking something, and Ship Graveyard Simulator fit that bill nicely, tasking players to smash up decommissioned ships for fun and profit. Ship Graveyard Simulator has players dismantling ships, selling materials to vendors, hiring workers and more.

Medieval Fantasy Meets Management Simulations in Potion Tycoon

This week our intrepid Modern Gamer Marie Brownhill dons her best witch hat and goes into business selling magical elixirs in Potion Tycoon. The title is highly detailed, to the point that it might feel a touch too much like having an actual second job, but is perfect for those who enjoy detailed management simulations.

Painting the Town Red (and Lots of Other Colors Too) With Painter Simulator

This week, Modern Gamer Marie Brownhill looks at Painter Simulator, currently in Early Access on Steam that lets players paint by numbers, animating those objects once they are fully colored in. The title also offers some others interesting activities, and the more painting that is done, the more special missions that can be unlocked.

Fan Collective Unimatrix 47’s Motherhood in Trek: Amanda Grayson

Despite being the mother of one of Trek’s most iconic characters, we know comparatively little about Amanda Grayson. However, what we do know is that through three franchise installments and four actors, she’s an important part of Trek lore and worthy of some analysis in her own right.

Trekker’s Delight Star Trek News Roundup

This week the TD crew discusses the major events facing Paramount Plus and the potential future for the Star Trek franchise and the WGA strike. They also discuss some characters from Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.

Walking in the Woods With Forest Ranger Simulator

This week our intrepid Modern Gamer Marie Brownhill puts on some virtual hiking boots and goes deep into the woods in Forest Ranger Simulator, where she builds bridges, collects tons of trash and becomes a true guardian of the forest.

Tower Defense Lands on Mars in Escape From The Red Planet

Escape from The Red Planet incorporates aspects of FPS and resource management and requires quick thinking and reactionary gameplay. The year is 1979 and the Martians are not too happy at the disturbance of a space explorer who crash landed on their planet, which leads to some epic defensive fights in this uniquely focused tower defense battler.

Fan Collective Unimatrix 47: Star Trek: Picard’s “Surrender” Episode

In Star Trek: Picard’s eighth episode of season three, Vadic begins terrorizing the remaining crew of the U.S.S. Titan-A, promising violence if Jack Crusher doesn’t surrender himself to her. Aboard the Shrike, Will Riker and Deanna Troi have a much needed heart-to-heart, and some familiar faces return to save the day.

WW2 Rebuilder Restores and Illuminates Wartime History

Titles based on construction and building are very popular these days, but WW2 Rebuilder takes things to a whole new level. Set just after World War II, players will be tasked with rebuilding sites destroyed by war, while also learning about the history of those places and the people who lived there.

Fan Collective Unimatrix 47: Star Trek: Picard’s “Dominion” Episode

In Star Trek: Picard’s seventh episode of season three, the fugitives aboard the Titan have run out of potential allies and must reconsider their strategy. Picard believes he has a plan, but unforeseen forces create obstacles. Vadic has a few things to say, and Jack’s Irumodic Syndrome may not be all it appears.

Wild Terra 2 Delivers A Player Driven MMO World

Unlike most massively multiplayer online games, Wild Terra 2 forgoes traditional questing and plots in favor of a fully open, sandbox world where everything from the economy to the ecosystem is either controlled or heavily influenced by the players themselves.

Amazing Loot Questing With Xploquest 3

If you are still waiting for Diablo IV or have dived way too deep into any of the Torchlight games, then you might want to give Xploquest 3 a try. It’s got the fight, loot and upgrade gameplay loop down perfectly and is great for some mindless monster-killing fun.

Post-Apocalyptic Storytelling Meets Open World RPG Platforming in Kandria

Kandria is a story-intensive title with lots of action and platforming in a surprisingly huge post-apocalyptic world filled with corrupted androids and other hazards. With 250 individually designed rooms to explore along with a variety of quests to complete, Kandria offers a unique challenge in a 2D pixel world.

Playing in the Handcrafted Paper World of Papetura

This week our Modern Gamer Marie takes a look at Papetura, a casual title where the entire world and even the characters in it are constructed of paper. It’s certainly a unique point and click adventure that many gamers should enjoy.

Life Is Good Playing Life Is Strange 2 on the Switch

The Life Is Strange series, one of the most remarkable adventure game series that developer DONTNOD Entertainment has created, makes a move to the Nintendo Switch with Life Is Strange 2, and Modern Gamer Marie was so very happy to sit down and play it this week.

Returning to the Classic Oregon Trail Game in Style

Modern Gamer columnist Marie Brownhill was a member of the original Oregon Trail gaming generation. This week, she steps back into her wagon to see if the new remake lives up to that classic or dies of dysentery along the dusty trail.

Serene and Green With Garden In Sim

Garden In is a relaxing simulation where players grow amazing plants to decorate their virtual homes. Advanced gardeners can even crossbreed their plants to create never before seen shrubbery for their serene and green homes.