Dave Aubrey's Reviews
Warframe is definitely one of the best free to play games available right now, and a fantastic shooter in its own right. It's fun and frantic, with loads of content to sink your teeth into for hours. Whether by yourself, with friends or with random people found through matchmaking, this is a great game, well worth your time. And it's now available on the go, too.
A blend of touchscreen controls and physical buttons makes this one of the most convenient ways to play Civilization VI, and the portability makes it the best version to play on the go. Recommended to everyone who's looking to build a nation or take over the world.
My nostalgia for this series is strong and could've destroyed the fun I had with Pokémon: Let's Go Pikachu and Eevee, but instead galvanised it. This is the classic original generation of Pokémon, but it looks better, plays better, and feels incredibly refreshing. Pokémon on Nintendo Switch isn't just a Pokémon GO companion piece, it's a fantastic RPG in its own right, and with any luck, will spawn its own series of Pokémon games for the future. A great Pokémon game for veterans and newcomers. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a Pokédex to complete.
SNK 40th Anniversary Collection is an interesting package, but even with the upcoming titles to be added, I have to question its value. Luckily, this is not a full price package, but even then many gamers will doubt the value proposition, quite rightly. I'm not saying don't buy the SNK 40th Anniversary Collection, but whether you'll keep playing the game after a few multiplayer sessions with friends is questionable indeed.
It's not the most engrossing narrative I've ever experienced, but it's certainly incredibly memorable. I enjoyed all of my time with 11-11: Memories Retold and can heartily recommend it to the narrative adventure fans, or anyone who just wants to see a game rendered in an incredibly unique art style. I can't wait to see what kind of game Aardman makes next.
Taiko no Tatsujin: Drum 'N' Fun is aimed at a specific audience, those that feel comfortable smashing away to J-pop and flailing their arms. And it caters to that audience perfectly. With more than 70 songs and dozens of minigames, it's going to keep players tapping and drumming along for hours, and likely humming the songs for hours after playing too.
Marching Fire is For Honor's biggest update yet, and it's a doozy. Arcade mode, Breach and the new characters all add loads of content for For Honor fans to enjoy, but if you're out of the loop with the game, this doesn't do much to persuade you to start playing now.
So The World Ends With You Final Remix is a port with problems, that much is certain, but I can't help but feel it's still a game well worth playing. I genuinely expected to be disappointed with how the game plays, and while there are some frustrations present that you shouldn't have to deal with, it's still such an enjoyable venture that I have to recommend it to JRPG fans. Oh, and the music is amazing.
SoulCalibur VI is one of the most approachable fighters I've played in years, while offering plenty of depth for players who wish to attain true skill. It's hard not to recommend, especially when there's so much for all kinds of players to enjoy. Give SoulCalibur VI a try, it's great fun.
If you've been eager to get more parties pumping with your Nintendo Switch, then Super Mario Party might be the game to make that happen. Though it could also make your friends throttle one another. Either way, good times are had, and memories are formed and shared. Poetry in motion.
Torna: The Golden Country makes for a fantastic place to start in the series and an essential play for anyone that enjoyed Xenoblade Chronicles 2. It's been shortened, streamlined, and depending on your preferences, you might find that this DLC expansion handles a few mechanics better than the main game ever did. Essential for Xenoblade fans, and a good place to begin for those uninitiated.
Nintendo Labo Vehicle Kit is another fascinating, clever step in Nintendo's Labo line, one that still managed to be as enjoyable as the first time I started folding cardboard months ago. The building is still far better than the playing, and adults will likely find it too simple, but kids and creatives will once again find loads to while away their time with here.
There are so many things I can complain about with Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker, but ultimately, I can't help but admire the effort. It's not a cinematic experience like the Ultimate Ninja Storm games, and it won't take you through the story of Naruto or even Boruto, but when the multiplayer games work in your favour, it feels good, and unique. It's just a shame it doesn't feel good for long.
Should you buy Strange Brigade? If you have some friends looking to invest some time in this game playing with you (and some money too, since they'll have to buy their own copies) then yes, absolutely. With pals, this is a great ride. Looking to go solo? Um, it's a bit more of a hard sell. You can jump in with people online of course, but it's not the same as your friends being along for the ride.
Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate is one of the best entries in the series and well worth playing for fans. Players new to Monster Hunter might find it difficult to get along with at first, but stick with it and you'll find an engrossing, valuable hunting experience.
WarioWare Gold has so many tiny things in it that make me smile, and smile I certainly did. This game has so much charm and personality it's hard not to love. Highly recommended for anyone that knows what they're getting into.
Go Vacation is an incredibly basic game, in addition to being a seven year old port. But somehow, despite my initial inklings that this was a shovelware game, I actually found myself really enjoying it. I always admire local multiplayer experiences, and I was looking for one more on Nintendo Switch, and Go Vacation has somehow filled the gap. It won't keep multiplayer parties going on all night long, but it'll certainly get pulled out whenever I have four players to keep entertained.
Ultimately, how much you will enjoy Octopath Traveler depends on what kind of JRPG player you are. Are you here for the story and characters, or are you the kind of gamer that loves maxing out stats and dealing massive damage? If it's the latter, Octopath Traveler is perfect for you. If it's the former? Well, sadly, you might get tired of it, but it's still a fun JRPG that can last you for hours.
Should you invest in Koihime Enbu Ryo Rai Rai? Well, it's a difficult one. If you are the kind of fighting game player that puts more stock in new mechanics than flashy animations - and perhaps really likes anime girls - then Koihime Enbu Ryo Rai Rai is a great package at a decent price on both PSN and Steam. If you're newer to fighting games though, or a more casual player, there's no way I would suggest this game. Not that it's complicated, just neither the most endearing nor visually enticing fighter out there.
Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker is one of the most delightfully charming puzzle games of in recent memory and the dollhouse-style puzzle boxes are wonderful to explore and it's cute and adorable all the way through. Sadly, Wii U owners will find few reasons to pick up this edition of the game, but anyone who hasn't already played Captain Toad will find a puzzle game they'll finish and just want more of.