Beghost

I like looking at new releases of fairly inexpensive games and seeing what stuff is there that I'd never know about otherwise, and I don't really expect a whole lot when doing so. There are a lot of games that get low review counts that aren't super great, and a lot of games that are not super expensive that aren't super great. Usually, when people price a game cheaply, it's because it doesn't have a huge amount to offer and you'll be done with it in no time. But I like doing this because I can never know what is there otherwise. I can take a chance on something and just see what I wind up finding. I just wasn't expecting to find a contender for my personal game of the year, but here we are. Thank you for this beautiful experience.

This was a really pleasant surprise! A charming little Zelda-lite with a story that, while simple, is well told and genuinely sweet. Beghost is a prime example of a game that knows what it wants to do, knows its limitations, and does exactly what it needs to deliver on it's concept while taking evident care throughout the entire process. It's a relatively breezy game to play, both in terms of length (getting to the 'true' end will likely take you around 3hrs) and in terms of difficulty, and is consistently entertaining throughout. Mechanically, and graphically, this is a clear homage to the Gameboy Zelda games, but there are also shades of Stars in Time and Undertale when it comes to vibe and humour. Primary gameplay is your standard Zelda dungeon crawling, puzzle solving, and combat, only with a Navi-esque companion, Bee, who is narratively the primary protagonist. A lot of effort clearly went into making Bee likeable, and it pays off - but if you don't like her? Well the game offers cruelty potential as much as kindness potential (you monster). I'd also like to make special mention of the soundtrack, mixed in amongst the original soundtrack are a few classical music tracks. Often when games do this it feels like a bit of a cop out, but the uses here are well considered and fit the tone of the sections they're used in (including one particularly well timed choice which got a full on snort laugh out of me). Honestly, you'd be hard pressed to find a more endearingly cosy way to spend under £3. Honestly surprised it hasn't picked up more buzz - it might be relatively small in scope, but it's perfectly formed and witty, and is the cost of a coffee. The perfect game to pair with a mug of hot chocolate, while swaddling yourself in some blankets.

If you can manage a bite-sized classic Zelda adventure, you'll struggle to find a more touching story for so cheap.

Heartwarming

A true masterpiece, I get emotional at most things but this game left me bawling like nothing else.

Beghost is a fantastic game. While the gameplay is quite simplistic, the story, the characters, the dialogues and soundtrack make up for it. The fact that this game is 3$ is outrageous, because it should cost WAY more. This is the first underpriced game ever. If you have 3$ and want something that has the gameplay of old Zeldas and characters and overall vibe simillar to Undertale, this is the game for you. I still have to do some other endings and achievements but I can already say that this game is an absolute gem and I hope that vidboy's next game will release soon, because I really want to support their work in any way possible.

42 minutes in there was a steamed hams reference. This game is worth every penny.