Neal Ronaghan


395 games reviewed
78.5 average score
80 median score
70.0% of games recommended
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Sep 15, 2022

This is a very cool puzzle game that I recommend to anyone who wants to explore artwork in unique, ponderous ways. In lieu of going to a modern art museum or something, maybe just kick back with a glass of wine and bounce around these three puzzle types and soak in some art.

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Sep 8, 2022

A modest Kickstarter success, this was never pitched to be a massive, huge game. Even still, it's not something I'd recommend to the majority of people. Unless you're really into the idea of a kaiju dating sim that is actually just a set of trial-and-error multiple choice quizzes with nice animation, there's no reason to take Gigachu on a world tour of destructive dates.

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Sep 4, 2022

The playfulness of just rolling around in the free-roll mode is endearing, but the totality of the experience isn't gripping for more than a few fleeting moments. Dream Buffet is evocative of a mediocre dessert at a diner. You knew what you signed up for and you hoped maybe you'll land on the piece of pie that is out of this world, but at the end of the day it's just midnight at a diner, and you're wondering why you're still eating this passable apple pie.

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8 / 10.0 - Mixolumia
Aug 31, 2022

You have a handful of modes that range from frictionless relaxation and sped-up brain-bending fury and a variety of color palette customization options. I appreciate the wide variety of accessibility features, both for difficulty and visuals, but aside from fine-tuning my scores across the modes, not much is there to pull me back in. Still, Mixolumia is a dynamite puzzle concept that I'd love to see further expanded on in the future.

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Or maybe you just want to watch a playthrough of Hyperstone Heist just because. Cowabunga Collection presents so many ways to experience the Turtles games of the '80s and '90s, making it enjoyable for anyone who has any interest in the Turtles or their video game exploits. This truly is radical.

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Jul 12, 2022

is a fun ride. Contrary to the aforementioned buzz, though, truth be told, it isn't quite at the same level of Metroid Dread (but what is?). This team is clearly onto something, though, and I wouldn't be surprised if their next effort in this space gives Samus a real run for her money.

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8.5 / 10.0 - ElecHead
Jun 22, 2022

It feels familiar, but also so distinct. While I appreciate a satisfying game that doesn't overstay its welcome, I easily could have spent much more time with a more expanded version of this concept. On the other hand, maybe ElecHead is as good as it is because its pace is so fast and joyous. Regardless, it's a wonderful thing this game made the leap to Switch.

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9 / 10.0 - Freshly Frosted
Jun 18, 2022

I should have known better than to doubt the minds behind Tumblestone (seriously, check that game out), but Freshly Frosted blew me away with how much I enjoyed it. This is a delectable artisanal puzzle game that absolutely should not be missed by anyone who is down for a relaxing time with some good brain-teasers.

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If that add-on delivers, there's a good chance the Switch version is the definitive version of this 2004 Xbox classic. Until then, this is a fine way to play a good game with some caveats. Hopefully those caveats become a thing of a past, but time will tell.

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9 / 10.0 - Fishing Paradiso
Jun 2, 2022

It scratched all the right itches for me, providing a pleasant fishing experience that was relaxing without being mindless. It tells a deep story (albeit with some stilted dialogue) that claws at what the afterlife is and deals with some heady topics in a playful, contemplative way. Distill Fishing Paradiso to its essence and it's straightforward, but this is a game that is far greater than the sum of its parts.

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8.5 / 10.0 - The Big Con
May 27, 2022

undefined.The Big Con is a stylish adventure game that feels more playful than mystifying, nailing a good balance that opens up to a wider audience than most of its kind. The '90s Nick feel definitely makes it more appealing to those of a certain age, but the goofy period piece design of the world is unspecific enough to not feel impenetrable if you don't know your Skeeters from your Stimpys. The charm far outweighs the thievery for Ali as she tries to save her mom's video store by robbing the world blind.

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May 5, 2022

Switch Sports will be adding golf in a future update, so there will be more than the six sports available on launch day in the future. While the online could sway the eventual review score one way or the other, I'm extremely positive on Switch Sports and look forward to playing it more with friends and family locally as well hopping online and unlocking new gear and equipment and trying to join the Pro Leagues. We'll be back soon with a final verdict on Nintendo Switch Sports.

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8.5 / 10.0 - Parkasaurus
May 5, 2022

For my 4-year-old, he had a sandbox where he could screw around and set up whatever dream-like dinosaur scenarios he wanted to. We were able to do all this with a charming-as-heck visual aesthetic and a complex but workable user interface. Life finds a way.

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8.5 / 10.0 - Bugsnax
Apr 28, 2022

This is a wild and weird game that is a welcome addition to the Switch library. There is nothing else out there quite like Bugsnax and while the Switch version is not the best performing version, folks with only the Nintendo console or a desire for portable play shouldn't have too much to complain about if they decide to journey to Snaktooth Island.

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9 / 10.0 - MLB The Show 22
Apr 14, 2022

It has all of the modes of the 4K versions, including the wonderful March to October, Road to the Show, and Diamond Dynasty offerings. While the online and visual aspects falter at times, the good far outweighs the bad here, as MLB The Show 22 is one of the best sports games of its kind and the Switch version is an excellent way to play it portably and an acceptable way to play it on a television. Here's hoping The Show is a perennial All-Star on Switch because I could get used to having an assortment of killer baseball games on Nintendo systems again.

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Apr 13, 2022

undefined.Gotta Protectors: Cart of Darkness is a delightfully unique twist on old-school retro brawlers that does enough to keep repetitive gameplay fresh enough, especially if you have friends to play with locally or online. It has a ton of content and a wild number of endearing collectables that should supply you (and hopefully your friends) with enough retro love letter magic to carry you right back in time to the 1980s and 1990s styles it evokes so wonderfully.

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8.5 / 10.0 - Toodee and Topdee
Apr 13, 2022

Toodee and Topdee delivers on the promise of its brilliant concept. It can be a little hard to wrap your mind around, but once you start thinking in 2D/top-down hybrid design, the puzzles are a delight and if you get stumped, you can make use of the assist options. This is a remarkable puzzle platformer on Switch that stands out from the crowd.

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The speed-up and toggles for enemy encounters and battle boosts were welcome in this playthrough, mostly because I could toy with elements and characters more than I did in the past. While Radical Dreamers isn't much more than an alternate history curiosity, the fact it is actually localized and legitimately available outside of Nintendo's long inactive downloadable Satellaview network is incredible. Chrono Cross is a wonderful game - hands down my favorite PlayStation RPG - and the Radical Dreamers Edition is the best and friendliest way to play it.

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6 / 10.0 - Chocobo GP
Mar 3, 2022

Chocobo GP is a totally fine kart racer, featuring a good deal to unlock and more than 20 characters. This isn’t the new gold standard for the genre, but it’s still a fun ride, especially with the syrupy sweet story and good deal of Final Fantasy references. The true potential is in the potential of the titular Chocobo GP mode, which is also the stand-out feature for the entire game. The fact it’s accessible with the Lite mode might give it a longer tail. Some of the season pass content rubs me the wrong way, but the base game is satisfying enough that it’s a good time even if you don’t shell out real-world money to race as Cloud.

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8.5 / 10.0 - Ocean's Heart
Feb 14, 2022

Still, Ocean's Heart is a tremendous experience even with some rough edges. It's evocative of the likes of Minish Cap in all the best ways and succeeds at being more organic and open than a lot of similar games. I'd love to see this game's foundation build and grow because the promise is immense, but even if this is the peak of Ocean's Heart's developer Max Mraz, it's still an enjoyable game.

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