Deadcraft offers a stimulating farming and harvesting mechanic that keeps the gameplay engaging, despite the easier difficulty level. It targets those who prefer a darker, more punk-nihilistic aesthetic compared to the lighter, cuter style of series like Rune Factory. It runs very well on Nintendo Switch, and while the visuals may not be as polished as a AAA title, Deadcraft makes up for it with its unique style and creative gameplay.
DreadOut distinguishes itself within the horror genre by drawing inspiration from Indonesian folklore, creating a unique and intriguing atmosphere. Regretfully, it is painful to play due to the harrowing roughness of the final product. Despite its current flaws, it possesses potential for improvement. A critical update is necessary to rectify game-breaking glitches, crashes, and graphical bugs. Given the prolonged period of unresolved issues on the PC platform, the likelihood of these fixes being applied to any console versions is remote.
Five Nights at Freddy's: Into the Pit is a surprisingly effective and well-made entry in a franchise that is overblown and played out. The adventure gameplay crossed with survival horror is exactly what this series needed. Bolstered with impressive pixel art and animation, it stands out from average indie horror titles by setting the bar high with its craftsmanship. The plot and time travel rules won't always make sense and come at the expense of the writer trying to tell a story. Looking past these flaws is still an impressive and butt-clenching horror title that is dense with thrills and chills.
Turok 3: Shadow of Oblivion Remastered is far from a definitive remaster. It was always a subpar FPS on Nintendo 64, and try as it might, Nightdive Studios could only polish an average shooter so far. The developer's efforts were also questionable since the multiplayer mode was cut, and some of the new visuals look horribly out of place. At the very least, Turok 3 is (mostly) preserved along with its predecessors, and fans can rest easy knowing that they have the entire trilogy at their fingertips.
Lunar Remastered Collection is a meticulously curated compilation that preserves the integrity of the original PlayStation versions while introducing subtle enhancements. Gameplay remains largely unaltered, with the most significant quality-of-life addition being adjustable battle speed controls, so some modern players may need to curve their expectations. This feature streamlines combat, expediting minor encounters and grinding sessions. Lunar Remastered Collection showcases two exemplary JRPGs from the genre’s peak era and offers a compelling, accessible package at an attractive price, making it an essential experience for enthusiasts seeking a nostalgic yet refined presentation of these influential titles.
Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster offers a streamlined experience with an easier gameplay balance, improved controls and some regretful censored content. While some of these changes may disappoint series veterans, the core appeal remains intact. The overhauled visuals and simplified gameplay mechanics make it more accessible to a wider audience, including younger and casual players.
Among metroidvania titles available, Rusty Rabbit holds its own, though it falls short of its contemporaries due to the disruptive flow of cutscenes and narration. Its controls could be more fluent and responsive, but the dense atmosphere and writing carry the weight of the experience, making it memorable and interesting enough to stand out from the crowd in a saturated genre.
The standout features of Reynatis are its combat mechanics and soundtrack. Overcoming the initial disappointment caused by the subpar visuals and repetitive level design will be challenging for many players. However, those who persevere and allow the game's strengths to emerge will find themselves immersed in the intense action and captivating spectacle.
Haunted House's task-based exploration and emphasis on stealth offer promising foundations for a compelling gameplay loop. However, challenges with enemy interactions, inconsistent stealth cues, and the occasional lack of reliable hiding options detracts from the overall experience. Refining these aspects could elevate gameplay to its full potential. Its premise may not faithfully represent the Atari 2600 Haunted House apart from the scenes of eyes in the darkness, but overall Haunted House does manage to be a compelling experience on its own.
There are many quality games out there made with RPG Maker software, but almost all of them were created on a PC using a professional tier version. It is possible to make something in RPG Maker With on a console, but anyone looking to create their epic magnum opus will be discouraged by the lack of art assets and the sheer density of complexities that go into making anything, which is made harder on a controller. Gamers who only want to play the RPGs might be better off playing any other indie RPG in the eShop. The user generated content will be amusing at best. The RPG Maker With scene might be more interesting on PC, but on consoles, this is a teaching tool for kids to learn about game design.
Baten Kaitos I & II HD Remaster is frustrating because it is so close to being great and is only undermined by its utterly perplexing choices put into the boosters. The meta of resisting the boosters is too distracting for the experience, and succumbing turns these games into walking sims with some visual novel elements. The new UI elements have an air of "mobile game" about them, but thankfully the in-game visuals still look hot, and the QOL feature to speed up combat is a worthwhile addition. Baten Kaitos I & II are not the best from Monolith Soft, but they are both still way better than Xenosaga: Episode II and are roughly on the same level as Xenoblade Chronicles 2. Even without the boosters, there are better retro JPRGs out there, but few of them will look as nice as these.
Pathologic 2 is extremely unpleasant and crushing to play, but that is seemingly the entire point. The thought and effort poured into the balance of all the economies to make every action carry immense weight took courage from the developer. Haruspex are healers with a single purpose and live to save lives, but living does not come so easily in Pathologic 2. Those who are fascinated by the prospect of an immersive survival game where the fun is trying to make the best out of a losing situation will find this worth their time. Just keep an eye on your blood pressure while playing.
Fans going into Contra: Operation Galuga will be very bored and repulsed by the hideous mobile-like graphics. Anyone else who just wants to mindlessly run and gun while taking it easy, might have a few hours of amusement. The lack of polished controls and excessive load times on Nintendo Switch don't do this one any favours, either. This is a very mediocre shooter that plays it too safe and feels soulless.
Bzzzt is a solid bite-sized action platformer that is elevated thanks to its incredible pixel art and music. The generic story won't be the reason why anyone plays it and might make the game forgettable, but the gameplay and challenge leave a lingering impression. For its price, there is no going wrong with it, and fans of the genre will be engaged by its tight mechanics.
For a kid's game, Ufouria: The Saga 2 is certainly going to capture the imaginations of its target audience. Fans of the original Ufouria are likely in their late 30s to early 40s and will likely find this to be a very safe and by-the-numbers languid platformer. Anyone who enjoys the likes of Kirby will feel right at home with this surreal and charming Metroidvania, but those that have grown tired of the genre will be better off looking elsewhere for thrills.
The Legend of Legacy HD Remastered is a solid JRPG, but its story leaves something to be desired. There is almost nothing to emotionally latch onto. However, it offers a satisfying gameplay loop for those who enjoy grinding out weapon skills and spells, and exploring vast regions. If you're looking for a more engaging narrative and deeper gameplay systems, however, Emerald SaGa might be a better choice. While both games share similar turn-based combat, Emerald SaGa boasts a richer story and more robust mechanics.
SaGa Frontier 2 Remastered is a dramatically improved iteration in almost all aspects. The only area where it disappoints is the sloppily applied AI filtering effect for the once-beautiful watercolour backgrounds. The wealth of new features, restored story content, and refined gameplay has finally made this classic PlayStation RPG all that it can be and more. The medieval German flavour and political intrigue with fantasy elements will make this a hit with fans of Game of Thrones, and gamers that felt disappointed by it when it came out will have renewed appreciation thanks to the gameplay enhancements.
Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven is a classic turn-based JRPG that has been reinvigorated with deeper gameplay and new ideas that will keep it relevant for years to come. It's faithful where it counts and improves upon the experience, justifying itself with innovations and rebalances that invite veterans and newcomers to see why this franchise keeps enduring.
Aside from its main gimmick of confining and leaning on a main human with medium abilities, Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero is a plain strategy RPG. It has no shortage of content and will keep gamers playing for well over 100 hours if they aim to defeat the optional superbosses or endlessly grind characters to god-like strength in hopes of surviving the hardest modes. It can be exhausting and sleep-inducing, but it is a well-made strategy RPG for anyone who has a tolerance for intense sweetness.
Star Wars: Battlefront Classic Collection is close to being enjoyable. There is a solid foundation to build from in these games, but the lack of variety makes them boring. Fans of the originals and of the movies will be unsatisfied since these versions are hopelessly broken, and the online play, which is supposed to be the main draw, is unplayable. If there is an update to address the technical failings, both Battlefront titles are still just a couple of average movie tie-ins from the 2000s.