Ben Schuster's Reviews
Made it to the end of the review and made it out alive? Then surely you’re intrigued enough to venture into the mysterious metro tunnels. Despite its minimalist nature, The Exit 8 VR is a surreal experience only enhanced thanks to the immersion provided through virtual reality. At just over an hour long, it’s a bite-sized experience that feels less like a videogame, and more like an interactive piece of art. If you’re a VR enthusiast and have a fascination for the disturbing, you’d be mad not to enter the Exit 8 VR.
While the Geometry Survivor’s lack of traditional levels may deter some players looking for a more structured experience, this is the perfect indie homage to the beautiful simplicity of Geometry Wars. If you’re a seasoned veteran of the series, or a newcomer who loves a good arcade shooter, you’d be mad to not give this one a shot. It’s clear that the devs have strived to carry on the neon-lit legacy of this cult classic series.
Despite its release 20 years ago, the Mario vs. Donkey Kong Remake holds up as a solid choice for fans of puzzle platformers. Its simple yet challenging gameplay, vibrant visuals, and catchy soundtrack make it a joy to play. While the gameplay can become repetitive and tiresome after a while, the addition of bonus levels and post-game content keeps things interesting. If you’ve not played the original GBA title, you’ll definitely find this remake quite a-peel-ing!
An equally absurd follow-up to the motion-controlled madness of Smooth Moves, Move It! injects even more absurdity into its microgames, making it possibly the most ridiculous (and entertaining) WarioWare game to date. Although some games are held back by the inaccuracy of the Joy-Cons, this is barely a dampener on the enjoyment. Despite a smattering of single-player content, a huge set of delightful party modes make Move It! a must-have multiplayer title that’ll result in non-stop laughs every time you pick it up.
If you’re a fan of both rhythm games and electronic music, there’s no doubt that Spin Rhythm XD hits every single note perfectly. Boasting a massive setlist and intuitive, fluid gameplay that can be catered to your own skill level, this is arguably one of the most polished music-based games on Switch. Even if you’re lacking a musical bone in your body and find that rhythm games aren’t your forte, we highly recommend giving this one a spin.
Tears of the Kingdom is the crowning achievement of The Legend of Zelda, incorporating the best aspects of every single game that has come before it. Polishing and perfecting the Breath of the Wild formula and its expansive open-world, the addition of creative mechanics now places power in the player’s hands, allowing infinite possibilities to the game’s puzzles, exploration and combat. Through its compelling story, stellar cast of characters, and an unbelievably polished world, Tears of the Kingdom is a true Master Sword master piece.
Not only is this an incredibly charming, amusing adventure introducing an iconic cast of characters, but it’s also a sheer technical marvel when you remember that it was designed solely for the GameBoy Colour. Although it might not be Shantae’s most outstanding performance, fans of the series and retro gaming alike would be foolish not to at least give this excellent updated port a go on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, or PlayStation 5.
Advance Wars – what is it good for? Absolutely everything. While the GameBoy Advance classics are turn-based gems, WayForward have magnificently modernised these military masterpieces. More than just a gorgeous visual style to bring beloved characters to life; gameplay, music, and accessibility have been revitalised for a new audience. So if you’re a strategy game fan, then head to your nearest recruitment centre and enlist in Re-Boot Camp today!
For a spin-off to stray so far from the gameplay of its source material is a huge risk, and yet Bayonetta Origins somehow delivers this in spades. Crafting a charming narrative exploring Bayonetta’s beginnings, this game does so with a delightfully unique visual style and unbelievably polished audio design. By blending fairy-tale style with intuitive single-player co-op that relies upon the relationship of its protagonists, Cereza and the Lost Demon is an origin story you won’t want to put down until you close the book on the final chapter.
At the time of its original release in 2005, Resident Evil 4 was hailed as one of the finest horror games of all-time. Almost 20 years later, the Resident Evil 4 Remake reaffirms that claim to fame. Through a near flawless remake, Capcom reinvigorate the horror classic and add a level of polish rarely seen in remakes. By crafting the perfect blend of new gameplay while staying true to the original, the Resident Evil 4 Remake is without a doubt the definitive way to enjoy the series at its peak. So now that you’ve finished reading our review, I have one question to ask about which game you’ll be purchasing next: Whattaya buyin’?
Given time to polish their new formula over the last few years, Square Enix have finally crafted the crown jewel of the HD-2D series in Octopath Traveler II. Improving on all aspects of the original game, this engaging tale of eight delivers superb visuals, a colossal soundtrack, and one of the most charming sets of characters ever to feature in a single title. The classic JRPG is well and truly alive, and if you’re eager for yet another incredible adventure, we encourage you to follow the Octopath.
Theatrhythm Final Bar Line truly is the Ultima musical love letter to Final Fantasy. With a gargantuan offering of tracks from across 35 years of musical history, and a tonne of added gameplay to keep you hooked, this is easily one of the most impressive rhythm games ever made. Where the series set a solid foundation on the 3DS with the original and Curtain Call, Final Bar Line lifts the bar in every single way possible.
Metroid Prime Remastered is a classic made flawless and an essential title to add to your Nintendo Switch library. With the release of Remastered, the Nintendo Switch is without a doubt the definitive way to experience the crown jewel of Nintendo’s timeless Metroid series. Given a complete visual overhaul, modern dual-stick controls, and a surreal surround sound mix with more atmosphere than ever, this is Metroid at its absolute Prime.
From the moment the game opens with The Black Keys’ “Lonely Boy“, to smashing bosses with a guitar while Beethoven’s 5th Symphony blares, Hi-Fi RUSH is musical headliner packed with melodic mayhem. Its platforming and combat are enhanced every step of the way through clever incorporation of its soundtrack, offering an approachable blend of classic beat ’em up gameplay mashed together with rhythmic elements. With a colourful performance from its charming characters, and an even more vibrant visual style, Hi-Fi RUSH is a videogame treat that doesn’t miss a beat.
Rhythm Sprout is yet another creative rhythm game that proves the indie scene is truly pushing the genre forward. While it’s simple enough for anyone to pick up and play, the game’s difficulty will put even seasoned pros to the test. Boasting a super sleek visual style and an absurd sense of humour, players hungry for a short and sweet rhythm game will be left satisfied by Rhythm Sprout.
Persona 3 is the kind of game that comes along maybe once in a decade. This title revolutionised Persona and developed the core gameplay of the series as we now know it. For the longest of time, Persona 3 has been inaccessible for millions, with many new fans of the series lacking any means to play it. The Persona 3 Portable remaster has changed this completely and brings one of the finest games of all-time finally to a console near you.
It’s obvious to see why Crisis Core is revered as such a PlayStation Portable classic, and with the game now available to play on all modern consoles, there’s really no excuse not to play it. Returning to Midgar for this thrilling prequel will give newcomers far more of an appreciation for the world of Final Fantasy VII and its characters, while those who have played the PSP original will appreciate the significant improvements in Reunion. Overall, this is a delightful spin-off that should be considered as part of the core Final Fantasy experience.
Dragon Quest Treasures is a real gem of a spin-off that will delight any fan of the Dragon Quest series. Those who grew up playing Dragon Quest Monsters will have the most appreciation for Treasures, which pays homage to and modernises the gameplay of this fan-favourite series. Through its approachable combat and expansive exploration, Treasures manages to create a simple yet addictive adventure that’s truly worth its weight in gold.
Pokemon Scarlet is a conflicting experience to say the least – like a confused Pokemon. While it’s certainly the least polished Pokemon game to date, most fans of the series will still find plenty to enjoy in Paldea. The open world formula and fresh gameplay, even riddled with visual glitches, is clearly a step in the right direction for the franchise. Scarlet also treats players to not only a heartfelt story, but some of the best battle themes heart across the entire series. This is still a must-play for Pokemon fans, even if at times it hurts itself in confusion.
Bayonetta 3 is the definitive Bayonetta experience polished to near perfection over the last decade of the series. Despite being held back by the technical limitations of the Switch, this latest entry delivers some of the most bombastic, ridiculous, and extravagant gameplay featured in any videogame. Platinum have taken their distinct action game style and turned it up to 11 at every given opportunity. So whether or not you’re a fan of action games, or whether or not you’ve played any of the previous Bayonetta games, if you enjoy fun, you won’t want to miss the Umbra Witch on the Switch.