There's an old adage that says "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." FIFA 15 perfectly embodies that sentiment. This game subtly refines the mechanics of what was already a great series, and while it's very similar to previous iterations, that's largely a good thing.
New Frontier Days offers a very different experience from anything else in the early Switch lineup, and I think it’s a valuable one for people who enjoy this type of game. While the game can be overwhelming at times, it’s very rewarding to see your little settlement grow and thrive. Unlike some similar games, it always feels like you’re playing an integral role in what’s going on, but that also means you always have to give it your full attention.
Super Sidekicks takes simple mechanics to the extreme, but in doing so creates an experience that's chaotic and often frustrating. Lovers of the beautiful game are going to need to wait a bit longer for a worthwhile representation of the sport on Switch.
FIFA 18 on Switch does what it does very well, but it's hard to ignore just how much is missing. This really is the best FIFA on a portable there has ever been, and the most full featured, but compared to other console versions, it is lacking. Hopefully EA will continue the series on Switch and add some of that content back in, but for now, whether this game is worthwhile will depend on how you like to play it.
Transcripted is exactly the kind of new and interesting concept that services like the eShop are built for, doing a very good job of getting the most out of that concept. This fusion of two very played-out genres creates an experience that's far more engaging than you would think it should be, and adds another strong title to the Switch eShop.
undefined.Bleed mostly does a good job of making the most out of its relatively simple design, with the time slowing mechanic resulting in a unique feel that sets it apart from other run and gun games. The checkpoints and upgrades, as well as variable difficulty settings, make it very accessible in a way you don't always see in this genre. Bleed is yet another compelling indie experience on the Switch eShop.
Aperion Cyberstorm does many things reasonably well, but nothing well enough to really set it apart from other shooters on the platform. The uninteresting Campaign mode drags down the other, better-executed ideas, and prevents the game from being all that it could have been.
Bleed 2 is a very accurately named game. In many ways it could be seen as a level pack for its predecessor, but the few small changes in the design all help to make it a better experience. These kinds of short, creative games are perfect for the eShop, and if we see Bleed 3 at some point I wouldn't hesitate to pick it up.
This game was clearly designed for a mouse interface, and the options here leave a lot to be desired. And while the depth on offer here can be staggering at times, someone who's really looking for this kind of experience will be disappointed by the features from the PC original that this lacks. Those who get past that will find a very competent sports sim here.
The included content in Lode Runner Legacy is fairly straightforward, but the online level sharing gives new life to the series. If you enjoy the Lode Runner series, this entry is well worth it just for the user-generated content.
RBI Baseball 18 adds significant new content to what was a fairly shallow game in the form of that franchise mode as well as a home run derby, but it still remains a simple game, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. If it were a more polished experience it would be easy to recommend to Switch-owning baseball fans, but as it is it doesn't really feel finished. If you can get past the mostly minor issues, though, it's an enjoyable arcade baseball game.
These small flaws keep Battle Worlds: Kronos from being as good as it could have been. While the interface quirks take some getting used to and the campaign difficulty may turn some off, there's definitely enjoyment to be had here for fans of the turn-based strategy genre.
Never Give Up is clearly inspired by games like Super Meat Boy, right down to details like blood from previous failed attempts splattered across the levels. That's a bar that many indie developers aspire to, but this is a game that's mostly worthy of that lofty comparison. Switch owners are spoiled for choice when it comes to platformers, but this is one that stands out as worth playing.
Cryogear brings some interesting new ideas to the genre, but unfortunately it doesn't execute them well enough to really stand out. There's a lot of depth to the gameplay, but most of it feels unnecessary and doesn't influence the gameplay substantially. I'd love to see some of these ideas implemented more effectively, but as is it's hard to widely recommend.
While the learning curve in Deep Sky Derelicts is very steep, as I began to really understand how the systems work I enjoyed it more and more. There's a lot of replay value here with the different classes and the ships being procedurally generated, and a greater understanding of the mechanics helped me appreciate how well they all work together. If you enjoy deep RPGs in sci-fi settings, Deep Sky Derelicts is worth the effort.
MO: Astray has a clear, creative premise, and its ability to stay fresh by introducing new ideas every time you think you've mastered it keeps it compelling the whole way through. On an eShop full of platformers, this is one of the better examples to come along in quite a while.
World Splitter brings an interesting concept to puzzle platforming, and for the most part executes it well. While it can be frustrating at times, I'd recommend it to fans of the genre looking for something new who want a thoughtful and challenging experience.
By combining two classic ideas, twin-stick shooting and action-adventure, Trigger Witch concocts a video game potion that tastes distinct and stays flavorful throughout. While it does carry over a few of the flaws of those games, the combat is solid enough that it's easy to look past them.
I don't want to seem too down on Ruin Raiders, because the core strategy gameplay works well. If you're willing to put in the time, it does start to have more variety and more customization after you build up blueprints and base facilities, but the road to that point can be pretty monotonous. It would have been much better served to have more variety in the early stages, which would have been a much better and easier to recommend game.
undefined.Grapple Dog has some neat ideas, and it keeps them coming throughout the campaign so it continues to mix things up along the way, but it doesn't really stand out in a major way. It's an enjoyable game, but it doesn't do any one thing exceptionally well. If you're a platformer freak like I am it's definitely worth a look, but there's not much here to put it above some of the great examples of the genre on Switch.