Overcooked 2 brings to the table new recipes and fresh new kitchen’s to test you and your group’s mettle. Overcooked 2’s big draw is in it’s multiplayer so buyer beware if you’re planning to play alone. As I said in my review of the first game, “…be aware that you won’t find nearly as much fun to be had unless you bring together a group who will play in your living room; or kitchen; I’m not one to judge.” This time around though, you can hop into other people’s living rooms through the wonders of the internet. And yes, I’m still not one to judge where you play. But hey, the couch is more comfortable than a kitchen counter, just sayin’.
Kiwami 2 is such a great game. From the wonderfully crafted story to all the returning activities, I had loads of fun diving back into the world of Yakuza. This series has become one of, if not, my favorite of all. If you would have asked me a few years ago if a Yakuza game would have been in my top tier list alongside the likes of Mass Effect, Halo, and Grand Theft Auto I would have called you crazy. But here I am devouring every little bit of the series I can get and Kiwami 2 delivers on everything I wanted more of.
When the game first released, it came out around the time of Dark Souls 3 so it shared some of that same space with a game that already has an established base. With the Switch port of Salt and Sanctuary, I feel like this is as good a time as any to pick this one up and give it a shot. If you enjoy these styles of games you can’t do much better in 2D than Salt and Sanctuary.
Jackbox has had some great packs over the years and even with the unfortunate inclusion of Steeple Dome, this is one of the strongest showings they’ve had yet. Go out and grab a copy of this game on any device you own; There’s no buyers remorse here. With the Jackbox way of using your phone as the controller, everyone with a smartphone has the skills needed to hop right in. So yes, Jack is indeed back with another hit for your party.
Megaquarium is a fun and enthralling tycoon game. I found there to be a deep amount of depth to each tanks ecosystem and the requirements to bring in more guests. As I mentioned earlier, any other game would have probably just had the player pick a tank of fish and mainly focus on your patron's happiness. But Megaqquarium brings the micromanagement of an actual fish tank to your computer screen. As the team continues to make improvements, leading to an overall better experience, they’re creating more fun along the way. Fun that doesn’t require you to murder a million fish, but to take care and nurture them.
I really wanted to like my time with the sequel; really hoping that they would improve upon the first game. Instead, it’s slow, frustrating, and dull. For all the things the game tries to do right, there’s just more that hampers your experience. If you disliked the first game, this one will not bring you in and if you enjoyed the first, I may still pass on this unless they fix things via patches.
If you’re looking for more Overcooked 2, Surf ‘n’ Turf is that second helping you’re asking for. The kitchens are well designed and the pace is just as tense. It’s got that same flavor as before, but is just a little heartier, satisfying your growing appetite.
So with that out of the way, I do think this is something every switch owner should have in their library. It’s very pick up and play, it’s great for a quick session, or wasting the day away. It’s a great travel game and fun for even pass-and-play with friends or family. If you’re looking for a great title to keep on your Switch home screen, you can’t go wrong with Switch ‘N’ Shoot.
I still love Assassin’s Creed III, and I’ve found myself trying to collect everything, reaching 100% on the Remaster. It’s a world I love to play in and one that is still so fun to play. I love sinking hours into this version of Colonial America, where things strangely feel like home, only they look better now.
Earth Defense Force: Iron Rain is more of the same Earth Defense Force, and that’s great for fans. You will still spend your time battling giants, trying the save the Earth from certain doom. Even for how cheesy the acting can be, for how slow it feels, and for how janky the animation looked, I still had fun doing it.
So should you spend your own hard earned coin on Blazing Beaks? Yeah, I do think it’s worth a home on your Switch. It’s a simple game to hop into for quick play sessions and if you got friends in the same room, why not give the co-op some loving. The game is polished, it’s entertaining, it’s got a quirky soundtrack, and controls well so why not let this bird out of its cage and into your Switch’s heart, or something bird pun related.
That’s about it for the game; it’s all a loop. The end goal for most is to buy your own vacant home and fix & furnish the way you like. But even that will begin to wear thin. With that said, there is something inherently relaxing about the whole ordeal. To me, something is soothing about doing menial tasks like cleaning. It must be something to do with there being a definitive start and endpoint. Add in the fact that they throw in a percentage meter letting me know when each room has been 100% cleaned, and it’s Viscera Cleanup Detail all over again for me. House Flipper is the perfect game to play when you need to distress from the day and one that is good to chill with. It may not be the most engaging game, but it sure is one that hit my inner needs.
For a fan of the series, this isn’t a terrible title to pick up. In fact, it seems to be the best of the bunch. But I wouldn’t recommend this game to anyone else, they just wouldn’t enjoy how the trucks control. Whether casual or really into racing, it’s not a title I’d pitch to them. But if you like big trucks and big air, hop on in.
I found Automachef to be incredibly addictive and thoughtful. It was enjoyable to try and create assembly lines and tickle my brain to try and make it better. I must admit, there were a few times where I had to browse the internet for tips on making my kitchen more efficient. I mean, it’s all just a learning process in the end.
My wish for the end game of Ancestors is to have our character evolve into what we know as the common man, but I honestly have not made my way far enough to know if this is where things go yet, but I’ll keep playing and enjoying my time in the world. I only wish I could make my progression more enjoyable. I have no clue what to expect as I evolve further and I guess that’s the point, to be curious and excited about what’s next.
NASCAR Heat 4, at its core, is still an amazing NASCAR experience. The physics are tight and what you expect to feel when driving. The A.I. seems smarter, and even if it isn’t, they still do a great job of reacting to your presence on the track. But even with how good the core is, the game is still plagued by a career mode that needs some more work if it wants to hold my attention for longer and get me into the Cup series.
I sincerely enjoyed my time with Autonauts and could see anyone from a pro programmer to someone with zero experience having a good time with this game.
I will always enjoy these types of games, constantly trying to chase the high of me pouring hours into titles like ThemePark or Zoo Tycoon. Planet Zoo is another sim management game that I can wholeheartedly recommend. It may not be for the casual player with how much the game asks of you in regards to management, but to everyone else, it’s a heck of a good time. Maybe we’ll get lucky and see some Aquarium stuff out of Frontier Developments next, I’m crossing fingers here.
Maneater has a little bit of everything needed to make a game like this fun. A beautiful and brightly colored world, incredible shark animations, fun gameplay, and a not-so-serious comedic tone to it all. It honestly feels like a first in a genre and a way to bring back an arcade-like feel to games. Throw a score counter at the top, and I could easily see this as a cabinet you’d throw quarters into. I’ve seen the game run far better on more powerful hardware, and it’s incredible, so it’s a shame that the base PS4 suffers so much.
The underpinnings of a great racing sim are here, but for Assetto Corsa to branch out and hit that next level, it needs more next time. They have a physics engine that feels good, even if it’s too temperamental with a gamepad. The cars and the environments are stunning to look at, even if it’s not the best you’ll find on a PS4. It can even be fun to play, but with how dry the game feels, there isn’t any incentive for those other than your hardcore endurance sim fan to continue racing.