Dave Aubrey's Reviews
The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles is a Godsend for AA fans, finally compiling and localising two games that the fanbase have been begging for. While the Ace Attorney formula hasn't actually been changed much, what is here is what the fans adore. Interactions with Herlock Sholmes manage to be a highlight, and uncovering mysteries through twisted testimonies is as satisfying as ever.
Microsoft Flight Simulator deserves to be played - but it shouldn't be considered essential. It's a unique experience, one that won't capture everyone in the same way, but you really do owe it to yourself to find your house, your partner's, your parent's, your favourite holiday destination, and just fly over. The world looks very different from thousands of feet in the air, and for now, Microsoft Flight Simulator is the only way I can get that irresistible point of view.
Rocket League is a great, exciting game, and none of that is lost on Switch, even if it is a less pretty version of the game. If you want a Rocket League experience you can take on the go, this is the perfect way.
Crackdown 3 is a weird one to review, because it feels distinctly out of date. The delays and changes in direction have resulted in a modern game with design sensibilities that feel over a decade old, but they hold up incredibly well. While not a long campaign, the time I spent with Crackdown 3 was a lot of fun, and recommended to fans of the original. Just make sure to play as Terry Crews to improve the experience.
Star Fox Zero is great. It's loads of fun, even more fun with friends, and I can't help but recommend it. Another Wii U essential? Well, it might not be for everyone but Star Fox fans will adore it.
Predictable moments blended with some absolutely fantastic music and gameplay creates one of the best JRPGs of the year, if not the best. Still, it doesn't reach the heights of past Tales games.
Pokkén Tournament is how so many people want Pokémon battles to look in the main games. In lieu of that we'll deal with Pokkén - this a great fighter and fun for everyone.
One of the best campaigns of the series, and one hell of a solid multiplayer. Call of Duty Infinite Warfare could be the boldest entry we’ve ever seen, though fans of Black Ops III might find Multiplayer and Zombies modes to be too familiar and frankly old-hat.
A lovely art style combines with some great crafting mechanics in this delightful RPG. It really is the best Minecraft-like I've seen, and with the charming Toriyama art style and more structured progression system, it's a game you can play for hours. Recommended for young gamers, Dragon Quest fans, and anyone looking for something new on Nintendo Switch.
The Ringed City is possibly the best DLC of the series - Bloodborne's Old Hunters included. It's challenging, intriguing and mysterious, like a good entry in the Souls series should be, but takes all of those factors to the max. A wonderful conclusion to the series, but we can't help but want more...
Good tracks and great racing combine in this well-positioned futuristic racer. It's nothing groundbreaking, and is very similar to its predecessor, but it has enough new content and multiplayer fun to keep me coming back for hours.
Guilty Gear is a hardcore fighter, both to its benefit and its detriment. On the one hand, fighting game players will adore Guilty Gear for its fast paced gameplay, beautiful art style and deep tools for learning advanced techniques, but for anyone not either immersed in fighting games or the Guilty Gear series it's a tough, if not impossible sell. A wonderful game, but not one likely to earn any new fans.
While there are a few minor technical problems, I haven't played a puzzle adventure game that's absorbed me like The Sexy Brutale has in a long time. A great story well worth telling.
ARMS isn't the best fighting game, but it's a damn good one, and one of the most instantly enjoyable and accessible I've ever played. Probably not EVO material, but will be hours of fun with friends.
Metroid: Samus Returns is another wonderful 3DS game that gives owners yet another reason to pick up their 3DS consoles, even with the Switch's growing library. It looks great, plays great, and is as faithful to older Metroid games as you could ask for. All we can hope for now is that this is just the beginning of the 2D Metroid renaissance.
All in all, Resident Evil Revelations 2 is an affordable and fun experience for Nintendo Switch owners. Not quite up to the standard of a full Resident Evil experience, but not far off either - great to play with gyro controls, too.
Traditional "hardcore" gamers won't get the most out of Labo unless they're willing to massively step outside of what is their gaming comfort zone, while creatives, musicians and children will find so, so much to do and enjoy. But regardless of your playstyle or preference, I can heartily recommend trying Nintendo Labo when you get the chance to put your hands on it. Playing it is fun, everything works, but the satisfaction of building your own peripherals is entirely unique.
Mario Tennis Aces is one of the best Mario Tennis games, and well worth it for gamers that love to sit back with groups of friends. If you appreciate a good game of tennis with some whacky rules to spice it all up, you'll surely enjoy this.
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.
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.