Justin Celani's Reviews
The story is no slouch either with a great set up premise and some interesting turn of events. It might not blow anyone away today the same way it did then but this is still one worth enjoying for its 25 to 30 hour duration. Overall, Star Ocean First Departure is an excellent remade classic RPG preserved and now available to more players than ever before. It might not be a revelation in RPG gaming by today’s standards but it’s a great look back on an RPG from long ago. Switch players have yet another great RPG to check out they shouldn’t miss. I was completely smitten during my time and had the biggest JRPG smile on my face when playing.
The best part about Bee Simulator is just how unique of a concept it is. The game has a definite sense of style and by that I mean, it feels like the player is truly in the world we know but so much smaller. Running around and popping balloons with my stinger gave me the best sort of smile every time. The game also teaches players about bee’s and other interesting facts making this a game for the entire family. I don’t think Bee Simulator is going to blow anyways away, but at the same time I can see a lot of families and kids really enjoying this one. It’s just a simple, smile inducing title that stands out unique enough to give players something different to experience.
I love a good western game and one with creatures and monsters is even better. I knew little going into Ritual: Crown of Thorns and was probably better off because of it. The name doesn’t exactly resonate well with the theme and I wouldn’t be surprised if people had no idea this was a western game to begin with. Overall, if players are looking for a fun, challenging time, with a great theme, Rituals will be the game to play. It feels a bit more old school in some ways but there is nothing wrong with that. So if a challenging, arcade like, top down shooter sounds enticing, give this undead six shooter a chance.
Jumanji The Videogame is a huge disappointment. What could have been a fun, fantastic action adventure co-op game with comedy is instead turned into something terribly mundane. There is little challenge, little variation, and little reason to actually play through it. Even for a game aimed at a younger audience, there is little reason or depth to want to continue playing this. The price range being $39.99 makes it even more puzzling and makes me wonder if the funds went toward mostly licensing the likeness of characters then making a decent game. The mechanics work alright, the core idea is solid, but this is the most basic, short, and lacking game I’ve played in a long time.
There isn’t much here to complain about. What players get is a charming, funny, and challenging platform game that feels like a combination between an Indiana Jones like adventure mixed with elements of exploration and Mega Man like gameplay, minus the blaster. It’s a title I absolutely loved digging into and I feel anyone that’s a fan of retro games definitely deserves to check this one out. It’s a hidden treasure for sure.
Song of Horror has been an extremely long wait for me. So much that I almost didn’t know if it would finally release. It’s with great pleasure to say that the developers absolutely nailed what they were attempting to do here. Creating a classic feeling survival horror game with some unique elements and permadeath. It’s tense, it’s creepy, and while it might be a bit slow for some, if players can allow themselves to get absorbed into the experience, they are in for a treat. I was reminded of Alone in the Dark and Eternal Darkness during my play through, and I couldn’t be happier. The first two episodes are live now with the third going up in December, fourth in January, and the fifth and final in March. If the first episode is any indication of the rest of the games quality, consider me signed up and ready for any forthcoming console ports. Song of Horror left me terrified in the best ways possible.
Children of Morta is a huge surprise. Not only is it an outstanding rogue-like game, filled with quality all around. It’s an experience that is probably my favorite in the genre at this point. Combining fantastic story telling elements, engaging gameplay, and a rogue-like loop that actually has me excited to do another run each time. Add on local co-op and I don’t see how it could get any better sans an online update later. What the Bergson’s family endures in combat is only half the excitement as I couldn’t wait to see what story beat hit next. I was concerned, I cared. Admittedly once the game is over, there is no huge reason to replay other than starting the story over, or perhaps leveling up some of the other family members, but that’s so minor. Children of Morta is top notch in the genre, a rogue-like fairy tale nightmare everyone should experience.
Vampyr on the Switch is another quality port in my eyes. It took a game I never expected to be able to have on handheld and transformed it into an experience more players can now excess. The core concepts of the original release are retained here and only expected technically issues arise. While Vampyr seems to be a title that’s always had a bit of mixed reception, I feel the same will follow on the Switch release. Yet I find sometimes these are some of the most interesting games released. Now I can take my vampire skills on the go and in the night. If players can enjoy Vampyr on other systems, I say go for it as it’s a cheaper price. If the Switch is the only system or it’s a one for the road, I still highly recommend Vampyr, its one dark tale worth taking in your pocket.
What we have here is a game that is short. Doesn’t look very good. Plays decent, and is better playing couch co-op. I have to say I had more fun playing this than say the recently released Contra Rogue Corps, but that’s not saying much. The brief gameplay time is both a good and bad thing here. It prevented me from getting overly bored, but the price tag of $39.99 makes this one a hard one to swallow, even for hardcore fans of the genre or zombies. Nothing here is completely broken or offensive, it’s just so lackluster and basic it hurts what could have been a bit of a fuller and funnier experience.
I have adored my time with Witcher 3 on Switch. It’s not the prettiest version, but it retains everything that made the game special. Now there is potential for a whole new audience to fall in love with the franchise. Perhaps some are like me, replaying the game for the third time, and just loving that the game is now portable. Whatever the reason may be, Witcher 3 on Switch is a technical achievement. I’d have never expected Witcher 3 ported to the Switch, but here we are and it’s damn impressive.
Stranded Sails I would say fits just right in the genre with its own take. If the intro hours were a little quicker I think the pacing would feel much better and I worry some folks will stop before getting there. It reminded me of the first time I played Harvest Moon 64. I had no idea what I was doing, but slowly and surely I came away feeling accomplished and satisfied. Stranded Sails gave me that feeling of heart and charm with a pirate twist.
The Ninja Warriors is reborn in this latest installment and I couldn’t be happier. I would have loved to see some new levels or bosses. Maybe even a boss rush mode. Yet I feel like that’s just being greedy. The fact this new release has come with its already added features is a treasure. This was a game I played at the very tail end the SNES life. I recall just thinking it was an amazing arcade like experience transferred to my home console. While it might not have the same impact for players today, it’s great to see it preserved and enhanced. We could all do with more old classics re-vitalized just like this one.
A Knights Quest started off a bit rough for me and I thought perhaps my expectations were set a bit too high after having watched the trailers. Luckily over time, the best elements of its world, exploration, and it stellar music won me over. The combat is so close to feeling good, but just can’t quite get there. Overall I’d still recommend fans of this genre to check it out. A Knight’s Quest has a great adventure in store, only missing the mark just barely.
My time in Jericho City has been a combat fueled, cyberpunk nightmare come true. What we have here is a sequel that sticks to what it the series does well and expands on it. The bigger maps and hub like city have been an absolute joy to explore. The fighting is as visceral and engaging as ever. The boss battles are demanding and sometimes towering. The defeats will be devastating, the victories bitter sweet. The Surge has returned and it’s time to put on the exosuit, start the body modification, and figure out what happened to Jericho City.
Fans of single player games who love shows like X-files, Twin Peaks, and the sort,this is a must play. It’s refreshing to get a superbly crafted, story driven game, with no multiplayer and no micro transactions in today’s market. Fans of the genre need to have Control in their sights and I truly hope Remedy has a bonafide success on their hands. Control is one of the weirdest, fascinating, and most intriguing games I’ve ever played, a wild ride for sure. I’ll be there for the future DLC and a sequel if one ever comes.
It's been an extremely long time since I've played an RPG that's scratched an adventure itch in a classic sense.
I've always enjoyed the genre, and everything in Sky Force Reloaded is solid enough. From a visual, gameplay, and soundtrack standpoint, I'm more than happy. I just can't shake this feeling that the game was designed to kill hours on the phone, and for me it just doesn't translate into a great home console experience.
Even though the mini games were a blast, the other half is missing, and it's just not a party without them.
The Black Mirror is ripe for being that classic creepy haunted manor mystery type setting, but everything surrounding its tale makes it hard to get pulled into and constantly pulls players out of the experience with its follies. This mirror is still worth looking into, but its cracks definitely show.
REV 2, even with its issues is a huge jump in quality compared to the Vita release. I'd love to see more Resident Evil games on the Switch so this seems like a no brainer.