NOTE FROM THE EDITOR: We here at GameTyrant have been absolutely bombarded with so many products and games this year already. We will be rolling out select quick reviews to let our audience know about products, games, and DLC that may have slipped under their radar. We appreciate the amazing support from all publishers and developers out there!
ZOMBUTCHER
Let me preface this by saying that I’ve really grown to enjoy these silly little simulator games. Titles like TCG Card Shop Simulator, Schedule 1, and plenty of others have taken over the shop sim space in a fun way, so I’m usually willing to give a new one a shot.
That being said, I do have a few requirements when it comes to these types of games. First, there needs to be rewarding progression. Second, the gameplay loop needs to stay interesting and avoid getting stale too quickly. Third, and most importantly, it needs to run smoothly. I can be a little more forgiving with the first two because those are subjective. A gameplay loop that doesn’t fully click for me might be exactly what someone else is looking for. Performance, however, feels like a non-negotiable in this genre.
That is unfortunately where ZOMBUTCHER struggles the most. I like the idea of the game quite a bit. The concept is funny, weird, and definitely has potential, but it ran pretty poorly on my setup. I tested it with a 4070 Super and even tried it on a 5070, but the performance issues were still noticeable enough to hurt the experience.
The other problem is that the gameplay runs out of steam a bit too quickly. There is a fun idea here, and I can see the bones of a solid shop sim underneath it, but it needs more variety, stronger progression, and some technical cleanup. With a few more additions and a bit of TLC, ZOMBUTCHER could turn into a genuinely fun simulator. Right now, though, it feels like an interesting idea that is not quite there yet.
ZOMBUTCHER is planned to release on June 11th via Steam.
Swan Song
I loaded up Swan Song expecting a fun, quick puzzle game. What I did not expect was a trigger warning and an extremely sad story. This one caught me off guard in a way I honestly appreciated.
The puzzle elements themselves are pretty simple, but not completely mindless. There are moments where you do have to stop and think, even if the game never becomes overly complicated. It feels like the puzzles are there more to support the emotional journey than to be the entire focus, and that works for the kind of experience Swan Song is trying to deliver.
What really stands out is the tone. Swan Song is short, quiet, and heartbreaking. It does not need a massive runtime or overly complex mechanics to leave an impact. It knows what kind of story it wants to tell and gets there without overstaying its welcome.
If you are looking for something quick that will also hit you emotionally, Swan Song does the job. Just know going in that this is not simply a light puzzle game. It has a heavier story than you might expect.
Swan Song is planned to release June 4th via Steam.
Scale the Depths
My biggest issue with Scale the Depths is that it is very short, which is frustrating mostly because I wanted more of it. In the game, you play as a fisherman who catches, prepares, and sells fish right off the side of your boat. It is a simple idea, but it works surprisingly well.
The fishing itself is dynamic and unique, almost taking on a maze-like or roguelike feel. It gives the act of catching fish more personality than just pressing a button and waiting. There is enough interaction to keep it engaging, and the way you prepare and sell your fish adds a nice little loop that makes the whole experience feel satisfying.
What helps Scale the Depths stand out even more is its upgrade system. Progression actually feels meaningful, and each upgrade gives you a reason to keep playing. The only downside is that the game ends before you really get to fully enjoy that sense of growth. I would have loved a slightly longer experience that gave the upgrades more room to shine.
Even with that complaint, Scale the Depths is easy to recommend, especially for the cheap price. It is charming, engaging, and has a strong core loop that makes its short length feel like the only real drawback.
Scale the Depths is available now via Steam.
