Lander Van der Biest
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle was already an excellent adventure game, and this Nintendo Switch 2 version does it justice. Handheld mode comes with a few expected compromises, but MachineGames has delivered a remarkably polished port that makes Indy’s latest adventure feel right at home on Nintendo’s hybrid console.
Directive 8020 is a major step forward for The Dark Pictures Anthology. The story is engaging, the production values are excellent, and the added gameplay mechanics make this the most interactive entry in the series so far. The stealth sections can become a bit repetitive, but they never get in the way of what is still a tense and highly entertaining sci-fi horror survival adventure.
Mixtape is one of the most personal and emotionally resonant games I’ve played in years. Its experimental structure and collection of strange mini-games won’t work for everyone, but for me, every part of it clicked. The music, visual style, and coming-of-age story come together in a way that feels incredibly intimate and honest. It made me laugh, reflect on my own youth, and at times left me surprisingly emotional. Even though the story is rooted in a very specific time and place, the feelings behind it are universal. Mixtape won’t appeal to everyone, but if it connects with you, it will stay with you long after the final song fades out.
Kiln has a clever core idea and some real Double Fine magic behind it, but right now it feels a bit too limited. The pottery mechanics are great, the multiplayer can be fun, but the game could really use more content and variety to keep things interesting long-term.
Adorable Adventures is indeed very adorable, but could have been a bit more adventurous with its mechanics. It has a very clever core mechanic, but it could have used a bit more variation to really stand out. Even so, it’s still a fun little adventure, especially for younger players.
Little Nightmares VR: Altered Echoes doesn’t change the key ingredients of the Little Nightmares franchise, but puts you in the middle of the horrors. It’s very immersive, more direct, and sometimes a bit rough because of it. Not everything works perfectly, but it’s one of the most memorable VR games out there for sure.
Tides of Tomorrow introduces one of the most interesting gameplay mechanics in years, but it’s not without its flaws. The story lacks some depth, and the gameplay loop can become repetitive a bit too quickly. That being said, it still stands out as one of the more unique games out there and deserves credit for that. If you’re looking to try something different, this might be worth your time.
Pragmata dares to be different and commits to it from start to finish. Its blend of action and hacking creates something that feels fresh and surprisingly natural once it clicks. Combine that with memorable characters and plenty of hidden secrets, and you’re in for a wild ride. It’s not flawless, but it’s one of the most original and engaging games I’ve played in a long time.
Mega Man Star Force Legacy Collection gives these games the second chance they deserved. The core gameplay still stands, and the added quality-of-life features make it easier to get into. It’s not perfect though, and some rough edges are still hard to ignore. A great collection for fans, but definitely not for everyone.
Darwin’s Paradox! doesn’t always get the basics right, but it makes up for it with creativity and character. It’s rough in places, yet hard to put down once it gets going. A flawed but enjoyable game.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder: Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Meetup in Bellabel Park feels like the definitive version of one of the best modern Mario games. While returning players might have hoped for more new content, what’s here is polished, creative, and a lot of fun. If you missed the original release, this is an easy recommendation.
Kena: Bridge of Spirits feels right at home on Nintendo Switch 2 and still offers an adventure that’s well worth experiencing. While there are some minor technical hiccups and a noticeable visual downgrade compared to PlayStation 5, none of it takes away from the charm, atmosphere, and satisfying gameplay.
Minishoot’ Adventure offers a unique mix of twin-stick shooting and classic adventure that works surprisingly well. It doesn’t try to impress with visuals or complexity, but instead focuses on delivering a charming and rewarding experience. Some repetition holds it back slightly, but at its price, this is an adventure that’s absolutely worth your time.
Collector’s Cove offers a relaxing, cozy gameplay loop that easily made me lose track of time, especially thanks to its tropical atmosphere and laid-back pace. Unfortunately, a lack of variation and a few technical hiccups prevent it from reaching the heights of the genre’s best entries. Still, if you’re looking for a cozy game on a budget, this might be the one for you.
Tales of Berseria Remastered brings one of the best stories in the franchise to modern consoles, but the Nintendo Switch version never quite feels like a true remaster. Content-wise, there are some welcome quality-of-life improvements, yet graphical hiccups and a capped framerate prevent it from fully living up to that label. It’s still one of the strongest stories the series has to offer, but sadly not the best remaster.
Resident Evil Requiem is the new blueprint for what survival horror should be. Capcom really delivered with its dual perspective, offering extreme horror on one side and over-the-top action on the other. It’s the perfect marriage of the two Resident Evil styles, and I thoroughly enjoyed my time with it. There are small letdowns in the story that prevent me from giving it a perfect score, but this one is a no-brainer nevertheless. If you’re a fan of the genre, this is a must-have.
Tokyo Scramble starts with a few interesting ideas, but it never manages to make them entertaining. Between the messy story, unclear stealth, recycled enemies, and a gameplay loop that quickly wears thin, this ends up feeling unfinished. I kept waiting for it to click, but in the end, it simply didn’t.
Xenoblade Chronicles X is still a fantastic RPG, and the jump to 60fps on Switch 2 genuinely makes a huge difference. Sadly, the strange upscaling in handheld holds this version back from feeling truly definitive. Docked looks great, portable less so. With a patch, this could easily be fixed, but right now it feels like an upgrade with rough edges, and that’s a shame for a game this iconic.
High on Life 2 is bigger and louder than the first game, but it also feels more considered. Movement finally matters and feels tight while exploration feeds back into progression in meaningful ways. The humor is still relentless, but it’s paced better, and the world gives you more space to exist between jokes. It’s not flawless. I ran into performance hiccups on Xbox, and not every gag lands. Some fights still drift into visual overload. But I never felt bored, and I never felt like the game was coasting on novelty alone. If you enjoyed the first game’s energy, this gives you more of that but with better flow and stronger structure underneath. If you already hated the talking guns, you won’t last long here.
Halfway through the game, I stopped comparing it to the big God of War entries and just let it be what it is; that helped a lot. Some fights could’ve hit harder. A few bosses are cool in the moment but don’t really stick. The map made me circle back more than once, wondering if I missed something obvious. And yet… I kept going. It’s not spectacular. It’s not one of those “you have to play this” entries in the franchise. But it’s a solid, surprisingly thoughtful Metroidvania with Kratos at the center, and once I met it on its own terms, I genuinely enjoyed my time with it.