Spencer Legacy's Reviews
Mr. Sleepy Man is a game that will appeal to absolute weirdos – myself included – through and through. It’s a blast to run around, and platform in, and the creatively bizarre world and characters are unlike anything I’ve played before. It can certainly be a bit confusing if you try to play it like a regular platformer, but if you’re willing to wade in the weird, this is one game you won’t forget for a good while.
Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly Remake is a pleasantly anxiety-inducing game that combines the creepy thrills of the horror genre with the sharp satisfaction of taking a good photo. Though there are a couple of bumps in the road when it comes to how smoothly the game plays, the atmosphere and vibes are unparalleled and, when combined with the creative photography-based gameplay, create a remake that is absolutely worth experiencing – so long as you have a bit of extra patience.
Scott Pilgrim EX is a strong follow-up to the nearly 16-year-old original beat-em-up that builds on most of its ideas. Though the format is a bit less enjoyable than a more straightforward game in this genre would be, the amount of passion for the source material and the satisfying feel of combat should be more than enough to make this a worthwhile buy for fans of Scott Pilgrim, beat-em-ups, or an especially solid purchase for fans of both.
The Disney Afternoon Collection is a brilliant bunch of Disney video games that are mostly well worth playing 30+ years later. Though some of the games stand out above others, they’re largely a blast to play, with the two new inclusions standing out as especially grand games that certainly deserve some additional spotlight. I hope Digital Eclipse and Atari find a way to get Bonkers and Goof Troop to the other platforms’ versions of The Disney Afternoon Collection, because they’ve really made this an essential gathering of retro classics.
Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties is an overall great package that retains or expands on most of what made Yakuza 3 great while also adding a welcome new story from Mine’s perspective. Some of the cut content and added content can be just a little bit puzzling, and I’m a little nervous about the altered story content, but otherwise, this is a brilliant way to revisit one of the most underrated Yakuza titles.
Mario Tennis Fever is a fantastic tennis game that overcomes its slow and hand-hold-y story mode through its breadth of modes and gameplay styles, charming characterization, and excellent core gameplay. Even if sports aren’t typically your thing, I recommend checking out Mario Tennis Fever, as it’s another exceptional Nintendo Switch 2 title to fill out the first year’s library.
Tokyo Scramble has some neat ideas, but the frustrating gameplay, choppy performance, and poorly-written characters hold it back from succeeding as a stealth game. I hope the more inventive aspects of the game can make a return in a more polished title down the line, as Tokyo Scramble sadly isn’t worth buying for those alone.
Super Bomberman Collection is an all-around fantastic bundle of numerous classic Bomberman games. Fans and newcomers alike will find plenty to enjoy in this, and the series' evolution throughout the Super Nintendo era is something to behold. Hopefully, later Bomberman games receive similar treatment, as I’d love to give the 3D-era games a go.
My Hero Academia: All’s Justice features fun gameplay and some nifty side modes, but the unbalanced battles in the Team Missions and story mode make for a bit of an uneven experience. The playable roster and additional narrative content are great, so fans of My Hero Academia may find it worth checking out for those features alone.
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond has a couple of stumbling points, but it’s still a primarily great follow-up to the titles that came before. The environments are soaked in eerie atmospherics, the characters are surprisingly pleasant, and the gameplay is as satisfying as ever. The linearity may not be everybody’s cup of tea, but I think that this all comes together to make for a unique and solid Metroid Prime title. Let’s just hope we get the next one before 2033.
Pokémon Legends: Z-A – Mega Dimension does a lot right, bringing a decent amount of new side content and returning Pokémon into the mix alongside great new Mega forms and a pleasantly refined system for finding Shinies. The story lags a bit, but the total package is still worth your time.
Kirby Air Riders is further proof that Masahiro Sakurai and his team just can’t go wrong. The racing mechanics are incredibly satisfying, there’s no shortage of content to enjoy, and it always feels like you’re accomplishing something and unlocking new things. Even if you’re not too into racing games, I implore you to give Kirby Air Riders a try, as it’s fun in its purest form.
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment does plenty of things well, making for an exciting and enjoyable musou game. I wish it had a couple more memorable characters and a bit of a stronger story, but pretty much everything else about the game is excellent and worth experiencing if you dig Tears of the Kingdom.
Dispatch is a fantastic take on the familiar adventure game formula that anyone who digs superheroes will find plenty to love. It has a couple of small things that could be improved upon, but it’s an overall refreshing adventure.
The Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection is another strong collection from Digital Eclipse, despite some strange missteps. The included games and ports range in quality, but they’re presented with the excellence we’ve come to expect from the devs. The online is frustratingly limited at launch, but the bonus content and various available ports make this worth checking out if you have any interest in the series’s early days.
Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake is a brilliant package that brings new life and depth to two of the most influential RPGs of all time. The improved visuals, voice acting, and story changes go a long way in making these classics feel both retro and new, even if the first game is a little tough for modern players. This is the best way to play these two once-revolutionary titles, and I truly hope that Square Enix continues to remake the earlier Dragon Quest games with such care and style.
Pokémon Legends: Z-A is an overall strong step forward for the series, as it utilizes past mechanics alongside interesting new changes to great effect. The visuals are still underwhelming, and it takes a good while to get going, but other than that, this really does feel like the Pokémon Z we thought we’d get so long ago, but with plenty of exciting modern twists.
Once Upon a Katamari is a brilliant new entry in the long-rolling Katamari series that I think anyone could find enjoyment in. The time travel theme and creative stages are an absolute blast to partake in, while the story is just as weird and silly as ever. If you’ve been wanting to see the Katamari series come back to its foundations with just a little extra on the side, then you need to play Once Upon a Katamari as soon as possible.
There’s no doubt that Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Galaxy 2 are excellent games, just as they were when released. This Switch release is a bit off with its pricing and some of the controls in Super Mario Galaxy 2, but the games at the center of it all are brilliant as a whole.
LEGO Party is a solid take on the board game genre that rarely works outside of Mario Party itself. There’s a ton to unlock, plenty of LEGO charm, and interesting board themes. It’s definitely got a lot of luck to it, but if you can look past that, you’ll find a great game to play with friends and family here.