John Rairdin's Reviews
Windscape is an incredibly ambitious game and developer Dennis Witte deserves a lot of praise for pulling it off as well as he has. While there are certainly areas, such as combat, where things have been kept simple, the vast majority of Windscape represents a thrilling adventure that is simply oozing with charm.
Even playing it my third time through, I still found it absolutely delightful. While its original weak points remain present in this remaster, so to do its strengths shine through. The customizable performance options, coupled with the Switch's portability make this my favorite way to play an excellent game. Bring on Darksiders II and Darksiders III.
Each boss is uniquely designed, and realized with an outstanding degree of care and attention. From the moment you boot Mechstermination Force, it is immediately fun, and that fun never stops. This is a gameplay loop distilled to its purest form, and it is an absolute joy.
This can cause it to be intimidating and more than a little confusing at times. The quality of its many systems range from addictive to annoying. However, taken as a whole My Time at Portia is a rich world full of activity that, when played at an appropriately chill pace, will yield many hours of charming fun.
Some of the best content is in fact free, meaning that even if you're done spending money on Starlink, it is worth taking the time to revisit it for this update. If you're hankering for more Star Fox adventures (no pun intended), then take that extra step and call in the team. Ultimately, it serves as an unexpected but welcome send off to a game that sadly ended too soon. For the faithful, attach that giant plastic Arwing to your Joy-Con one last time, and head back into Atlas.
Its performance levels make it a bit of a rough ride as well. All that said, its grasp on the genre is solid enough that I still found myself having a very good time playing it. If you're hankering for a classic 3D space shooter you can take on the go, give Strike Suit Zero a shot.
Add to that the performance issues on Switch and the console release becomes an even harder sell. Were it not for a truly delightful core gameplay loop, Golem Gates would be an easy pass. As it is, there is a compelling experience to be found, but it's buried deep.
For mech fans, there is certainly something to be said for the customization that War Tech Fighters brings to the table. Beyond that, there is a solid space game that unfortunately doesn't make the best use of the mechs themselves. If you're a fan of one or the other, you may lose interest, but as an avid fan of both, I found plenty to enjoy.
Lost Orbit takes a simple premise and builds it into something that is more than the sum of its parts. Load times aside, it is a fantastic portable experience on Switch. Solid, ever-evolving gameplay and great presentation make this an easy pick up for anyone who likes high score games.
Whether playing docked or portably, Rise certainly makes a name for itself in this regard. Rise: Race the Future is a fantastic racing game at its core that is held back only by the limits of its own ambition. While it would benefit greatly from a further exploration of its own mechanics and multiplayer functionality, it remains a very fun and technically-solid racer that can more than hold its own against the system's best.
Regrettably, the game that surrounds this mechanic is a shallow and repetitive misunderstanding of open-world design. Add to this the less than impressive performance levels of the Switch version and you're left with a great idea that just doesn't have the design to support it. Much like the result of its primary game mechanic, Red Faction Guerrilla crumbles without the support of more engaging gameplay to surround that mechanic.
undefined.Subdivision Infinity DX is a functional 3D Space Shooter that handles great but does absolutely nothing to define itself. It serves as yet another example of a game that in the mobile space exhibits above average effort, yet falls firmly into the realm of mediocrity when ported to a full console. There is certainly some fun to be had here, but it is all fun that has been done better by other 3D space shooters on Switch.
Given your character's role as a police officer, I found the gradual de-emphasizing of the investigation mechanics to be a tad disappointing. A few areas of the visual design could also use work, but they'll hardly affect enjoyment of the game. Ultimately, what we're left with is one of the most exciting and original action games on Switch, if not the most.
While the Switch port does run into some issues in specific instances, the overall experience feels very smooth. Darksiders 2 is the best entry in the current Darksiders trilogy, and the Switch version, while not perfect, is a great way to experience it. Now we just need Darksiders 3 on Switch so I can take this entire excellent series everywhere I go.
On top of that, the writing constantly had me chuckling to myself. There is an incredible amount of charm and character to A Knight's Quest. I'd strongly encourage anyone who thinks they can get past the technical and combat issues to give A Knight's Quest a try. While those issues are substantial and may turn some off, there is an amazing game resting just below the surface.
Whether Witcher 3 will be your entry point into the larger Witcher universe or you're a longtime fan, I cannot recommend it enough. It is a game that to some extent transcends its genre and one that everyone should play. Witcher 3 is not only one of the most impressive of the impossible ports on Switch, it is one of the best games on Switch, and perhaps the finest western RPG of all time.
Up until then, progress is smooth with excellently designed and balanced puzzles throughout. The docked controls are functional but handheld play is where Eyes of Ara really shines. If you're part of the ever more niche crowd who still enjoys clicking their way through a complex environment, reading journals, and solving deep puzzles, Eyes of Ara ought to satisfy.
It takes the fun original release and turns it into something pretty special. The Switch could be a fantastic new start for Lucky. Who knows, maybe he could have a crossover with another Nintendo fox someday. While the Switch has no shortage of great 3D platformers, New Super Lucky's Tale shouldn't be too far from the top of your list.
Whether you happened to cross paths with this odd little genre during its brief popularity or Sublevel Zero Redux will be your first dizzying journey, you're in for a great blend of retro game design with a twist of modern mechanics. While I do wish the art and mechanics worked a little better together now and then, it doesn't hamper the addictive gameplay to any significant degree. Grab some motion sickness medicine and get ready to spin and shoot.
Pine feels like a very promising alpha, not a game that should be sold as finished. The presence of Pine on the eShop is baffling. While I earnestly hope it improves, I simply can't recommend it in its current form.