Windowkill

We've all, at some point or another, struggled to close every window on our desktop. That elusive "X" button at the top-right corner of every window can get surprisingly evasive when you're trying to close a particularly 'sensitive' window. But what if closing those windows meant the difference between life and death? Sounds hyperbolic? No, that's just Windowkill.

In this game, You're stuck inside what looks like your old Windows XP desktop, except now those windows are trying to squish you like a bug.

To be perfectly honest, I didn't expect much when I first booted this one up. Another retro-styled indie game with a quirky premise? Been there, done that. But man, was I wrong. Like Vampire Survivors before it, Windowkill proves that sometimes the simplest ideas make for the most addictive games.

Crashing Windows

Remember that satisfying feeling of dragging windows around your desktop? Now imagine doing that while dodging bullets and fighting screen-filling boss battles. The window you're playing in is constantly trying to close itself, and you've got to shoot its edges to push it around the screen. It's absolutely chaotic, and I love it.

The game makes an exceptional effort to make sure the player feels under pressure every second. The result is a roguelite title that never relents, but also one that's incredibly enjoyable to master. The unique gameplay mechanics make Windowkill a true trailblazer – something I hadn't found in a game since Portal.

Deceptively Deep

At first glance, Windowkill seems pretty straightforward. Shoot stuff, don't die, try not to get squished. But there's way more going on under the hood. Like any great indie game, mastering movement goes a long way in how much mileage you'll get out of Windowkill.

The last time I remember having this much fun with how a game moved was in Dustforce, and that came out over a decade ago! Still, Windowkiller is one of those games that catches you unawares with how addictive – and satisfying – it can be.

The roguelike elements keep things fresh too. You never know what power-ups you'll find, and combining them in different ways can lead to some absolutely broken (in a good way) builds.

Retro Done Right

Look, I know that saying that an indie game has retro-inspired visuals is like saying that the sun will shine, but bear with me for a second. Instead of just slapping on some pixel art and calling it a day, Windowkill perfectly captures that old-school PC aesthetic. Everything from the menu designs to the error message-style game over screens feels like it was ripped straight from Windows XP.

This love letter to Microsoft Windows recreates everything we loved about the legendary OS before it became what it is today. Even the iconic Bliss wallpaper is here, in all of its green glory. If you're a fan of Windows, twin-stick shooters, or just blowing stuff up in general, Windowkill won't disappoint you.

Pros

• Ingenious gameplay mechanics
• Perfect blend of chaos and strategy
• Nails the retro PC aesthetic without overdoing it

Cons

• Can be brutally difficult at first
• Might make you rage-quit a few times (or a lot)
• Can get repetitive pretty fast