Adam Abou-Nasr
Divinity: Original Sin II Definitive Edition deserves your attention.
I'm mostly disappointed in Super Cane Magic Zero. The fun, dumb world and deep RPG mechanics could have hooked me, but the punishing repetition and clunky combat kept me angry through almost all of my playtime. An extremely specific group of hardcore goofballs could have fun with Super Cane Magic Zero, but most players can find a better use for a group of friends.
Citizens Of Space offers a ton of worthwhile content for anyone in search of something light. Technical issues keep the adventure from matching its scenario's quality, but the excellent music plays on in my head. The last 9% of Earth still calls. The galaxy may be saved, but this ambassador ambasses on.
I'm not mad at Shakedown: Hawaii, just disappointed. Vblank demonstrated a deep understanding of mechanics-based story cohesion in its last release, but that seems to be forgotten here. The disconnect between plot and play in Shakedown leave both shallow and underwhelming.
Perhaps The King's Bird's brilliance shines through on other platforms. Maybe speedrunners will find the level timer an irresistible challenge. I might even Git Gud myself if significant updates round out the edges, but for now, I'd recommend something a bit more polished.
Let’s Go’s fresh ideas have me excited for the future of Pokémon, but these changes now mar the very experience that had me fall in love with this world.
But it's so damn short. Red's epic lasts just a few hours. New Game + promises to carry over my progress and beef up the Process accordingly, and the Sandbox still hides challenges, so there's replayability here. Still, I want more time with Red and her endearing sword. Transistor is too good to end so soon.
While BlobCat on Switch does capture the essence of Chu Chu Rocket's cat-and-mouse gameplay, it doesn't do quite enough to replace the original in my heart. It's worth grabbing for on the go, but I'll be here hoping the original pops up again.
Captain Toad is a cute little dude, but he is no baby. His quest full of danger and discovery can be enjoyed by anyone in search of a few dozen great puzzles. Not much has changed here, but that includes Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker being a must-play.
Captain Toad is a cute little dude, but he is no baby. His quest full of danger and discovery can be enjoyed by anyone in search of a few dozen great puzzles. Not much has changed here, but that includes Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker being a must-play.
Heroki is a light breeze perfect for between naps on a long summer road trip, just don't expect to remember it when something else blows by.
Tight platforming and an ever-expanding arsenal of abilities kept me finding new areas hidden behind tall walls or long gaps. Platforming challenges reminiscent of Mario's red-coin sections acted as stand-out therapeutic sessions. The beautiful diversity of Hollownest's areas kept things from getting as bland as the underground setting may imply.
Listing actor names in a game review may seem odd, but The Infectious Madness of Doctor Dekker is more performance than gameplay. Of course, anyone looking for a fast-paced shmup should pass, but fans of narrative-driven interactives should schedule a session with Dekker. Just remember to bring a USB keyboard or you might go a bit mad yourself.
Despite Dungeon Rushers' many, many technical flaws, the core experience is solid. I can't recommend this game to everyone, but hardcore RPG fans looking for a simple, no-pressure RPG to play while watching TV should consider Dungeon Rushers.
The Framed Collection is a beautiful experiment in interactivity. The heist-comic book premise permeates every inch of these games from puzzles to story to art. A few puzzles didn't quite land for me, but the tight pacing and variety in complexity kept me engaged until the end that came too soon.
I'm not thinking about Laura. I don't care about her job or what her friends are doing. While Another Lost Phone: Laura's Story has noble intentions, it doesn't have a heart. The first game was about leaning on others and drawing strength from a community; this one is just about reading someone's texts.
A Normal Lost Phone does a lot of things right: unlocking story bits is interesting, the phone premise pays off, and the atmosphere sells Sam's character. Seeing such delicate subject matter in a game is nice, but the end game felt a bit preachy without offering anything too helpful. I would definitely play another phone-snooping game with more surprises in the story as I wasn't blown away by any revelations here.
With five difficulty levels and randomly generated ships, I can honestly recommend SteamWorld Heist to anyone. The world is rich, the combat is engaging and the portability of the Switch pairs perfectly with the short missions (even if the game is beautiful on a big TV). Plug in your headphones and play this game.
Cartoon Network: Battle Crashers is fine for younger players. I still feel they're being robbed of a solid experience or even meaningful engagement with their favorite brands. I did fall into the groove a few times and found myself enjoying it, but the overall experience was a punishing chore.
But mostly, Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 looks, sounds and feels like Dragon Ball Z. Voices are spot-on, cinematic are true to the original and the battles are epic. A few characters are way too wordy, but so is the source material, so I'll give it a pass. This is a love letter to Dragon Ball Z, and anyone who ever enjoyed the show will find something fun here. Just make sure to bring some friends.