If y'all have been keeping up with my Fave Games of Ludum Dare #41 mini-reviews, you'll know that I tried to put a focus on games you might have missed. With this post, I'm going to drop a lot of objectivity here and just talk about my personal top five games- games that I had the most fun with or games with aesthetic and style that really appeal to me.

With all that out of the way, these are my favorite games of Ludum Dare #41:

5) Puttsy! by @caterein , @giantdad , and @morrilet https://ldjam.com/events/ludum-dare/41/puttsy

Okay so maybe we hate IRL golf but apparently we're all about those eSports... but like... not Overwatch (though I do play (but I also suck)). Puttsy! is minigolf with tower defense elements and man, its addictive. This reminds me of the puzzle games I would stay up all night playing, with more time and just a bit more polish, Puttsy! absolutely has what it takes to be a satisfying, long lasting experience.

4) On the Fly by @rebecca-kremer and @qkjosh https://ldjam.com/events/ludum-dare/41/on-the-fly

I posted about this one early into my reviews. Again, the art is such a gorgeous hook here but also this his a chill as hell experience that I just really appreciated. There's serenity in the design and gentility in the writing but also some well placed humor too. This game is a delight, I'm so impressed it was made so quickly!

3) Woodsy by @ghodan https://ldjam.com/events/ludum-dare/41/woodsy

Listen, I know I posted this game a few days ago as a 'general' fave of Ludum Dare but I love this game. The art, the mood, the style, the narrative, the simple but solid mechanics... This game is also very close to being a solid purchasable title, too! You can read my earlier review of Woodsy but for now, just know that I love this game and that I would like for Peter to replace my current neighbors).

2) Bomb in Rhythm by @finalspace https://ldjam.com/events/ludum-dare/41/bomb-in-rhythm

This is game with competing themes of peace and war combined into a unique package of rhythm game + bullet hell. I love that there's a little wordplay between the mechanic and narrative themes going on here, as this is a fun experience that packs a bit of thematic impact. The dev used Asset store components in designing the level bit they did a fantastic job with lighting, placement, style, etc that really add a peaceful feel to the game- at least until you start getting inundated by warheads. As far as gameplay goes, the mechanics are simple- dodge bullets, get notes but both are solid and challenging. The music, in my opinion, is the most interesting I've seen in this Dare. Not only is there a background track constantly playing but picking up the notes adds a harmonious melody on top that doesn't disrupt the soundtrack, even if you miss a few notes. All in all, this game is a pleasure to play.

1) Roulette Knight by @finlal and the Four Quarters team https://ldjam.com/events/ludum-dare/41/roulette-knight-1

Roulette Knight unbelievably polished for being produced in 72 hours. The art is cohesive and stylish with a look all its own and the whole game has an extremely professional, budgeted look that kinda blows my mind a little. The UI is clean and super well designed and frankly, I can't praise the stylistic choices here enough (so clean! so consistent!). Beyond that, however, Roulette Knight is an engaging mix of gallows-humor, luck, and strategy as it combines RPG elements with... Russian Roulette, which isn't a game genre at all and had never occurred to me as a potential element of this Dare. These two genres are combined at the mechanic level, making it a true mix of incompatibility that ultimately makes for a super harmonious, fun experience.