Crow Country

A wonderful, PS1-style, survival horror game about a girl solving puzzles, and fighting (and running from!) monsters, in a creepy abandoned theme park. There's lots of great puzzle design, and refreshingly there are several items that are used multiple times -- keys of each type open multiple doors, and even the ubiquitous survival-horror crank is used in a half dozen different places. The weapon aiming system is clunky, but I think it's intentionally so, to keep you nervous and scared until you get the hang of it. And once I did get the hang of it it was just fine. Lots of fun both for old-school survival horror fans and puzzle adventure fans alike!

I was initially quite uncertain that I will like this. It honestly blew me away with its progression, hidden alternative solutions to some puzzles, very interesting story and many optional riddles. I was genuinely scared at times Beat it once on normal difficulty, then immediately went and replayed on Exploration to find all of the secrets and ng+ collectibles. Interestingly, on Exploration the game ditches combat altogether and becomes a very interesting adventure (quite fun!). This enters my list of "favorite games that feel like cool puzzleboxes", joining Outer Wilds and Tunic

I love this game so much! It has a unique artstyle, fun cast of characters, excellent pacing, lots of secrets, and a story that has stuck with me for years ever since I watched a playthrough for it. My only gripe is that the gun controls are clunky but the game on normal difficulty gives you plenty of healing and ammo so it at least doesn't feel punishing. Also, I can't stop mimicking the crow sound that plays when you boot the game, please help