Don't Die, Minerva! vs Past Cure
Don't Die, Minerva!
Don't Die, Minerva! is a Halloween-themed, arcade shooter-like, rogue-lite where you play as 11-year-old Minerva who was trapped in a haunted mansion and is desperate to find a way out. Kite enemies around, dodge colorful projectiles, and deploy your trusty stuffed animal-slash-turret whenever possible just so you can make it to the next elevator in one piece!The game looks and feels like a roguelite that’s aimed towards midcore/casual gamers as well as children who enjoy challenging games, due to its easy-to-grasp gameplay and also its child-friendly visuals (no blood or gore). The protagonist herself is also a child, so there’s that. However, the game doesn’t seem to offer much once you’ve grinded and unlocked all your skills, and because of this, its full price is definitely a bit on the higher end.
Still, if you love playing rogue-lites and would like to buy a game that both you and your child can enjoy, Don’t Die, Minerva is a really great choice. It’s just that you might want to wait for a discount before you buy the game.
Past Cure
Past Cure is a story-driven thriller/adventure game where you play as a Syrian ex-army veteran, Ian, who was kidnapped and subjected to horrific, and very much illegal, scientific experiments. As a result, Ian has gained superhuman mental capabilities, including the ability to conjure astral projections and use mind bashes to destroy objects, in addition to his already intensive military training from being a soldier. However, all of this comes at a terrible cost - Ian's mind is destabilized and only the effects of an experimental yet powerful drug called Blue is able to help him keep his mental demons at bay.Although the game contains game mechanics like shooting, melee combat (boxing) and stealth, Past Cure is still primarily a story-oriented adventure game. Progression here is pretty linear, as most single narrative games are, and there aren't a lot of depth when it comes to its game features, with the sole exception of its intriguing storyline and several puzzle-like scenarios. The atmosphere generated in the game is astounding though! The music, especially during creepy scenes, makes your skin crawl, and the game features plenty of brilliantly edited cutscenes with some cool cinematographic effects.
So, despite the negative reviews on Steam, Past Cure is a really well-made interactive experience, story-wise. However, if you're expecting anything else, such as a hardcore stealth-based game, then you might feel like the game's a huge let-down. At least now you know what you can expect before you purchase the game!