If you ask whether Corpse Party: Blood Drive is a “good game”, the answer would have to be “not really”. The story is engaging and the characters are all fairly unique in their own rights, and there’s enough back story given to you in-game and in the dictionary you get that you shouldn’t feel too lost while playing. Unfortunately the game takes a hit for how infuriating the chase mechanics can be. Especially when coupled with some often rather vague directions and arbitrary backtracking that doesn’t always make sense as to why it was needed in the first place, and Corpse Party: Blood Drive just can’t squeeze itself out of a really mediocre feeling. It’s a nice sort of wrap-up to the series, or at least the “Heavenly Host saga”, as a sequel series has also been released recently in the west, “Dead Patient”, which you’ll probably see pop up on the review site shortly after this, so it does round the series out for those who’ve followed it this far.
If you’re using your switch as a mobile or handheld device, I can definitely see picking up Into the Dead 2 as a quick game while you’re on public transit, or perhaps between classes, but it definitely isn’t something I would pick up as a “console” title. Considering it’s also free to play, although at reduced content, on mobile, you may want to reconsider the platform that you’re looking to play this on.
Overall, Destiny Connect: is a cute little title that has a decent draw for those new to the RPG scene, but may not have the same draw for the older crowd. The soundtrack is solid and the storyline is rather interesting. Combat is pretty fluid and while there isn’t much of a difficulty, the enemies are pretty interesting and there is a lot of different tactics you can use with the different characters. Although Destiny Connect: Tick Tock Travelers makes for a good introductory RPG, a lot of those looking for another RPG in their larger repertoire may feel let down by the simplicity and “hand holding” that happens. While probably fun for the younger crowd, it may not pass muster for the older crowd.
While I don’t believe it truly lived up to all the hype it’s received, by no means does that make it sub-par. If you’re a fan of traditional JRPGs and Studio Ghibli, you’ll be all over this title if you aren’t already. And even if you did play it on PS3 before, portability on the Switch is always nice to have.
As someone who has always loved a good RPG, I was not disappointed in The Alliance Alive at all. Yes some parts got a little frustrating at times, but that’s part of what makes the experience something you remember. While maybe not as portable as its 3DS brethren (at least for the PS4), the HD remaster is definitely a crisp and vibrant addition to the JRPG scene that I just couldn’t put down.
Ultimately, Gun Gun Pixies isn’t really something that I would be interested in picking up on its own. Part of a pack or on sale? Perhaps, but it feels more like a rushed novelty title than a full production. The controls feel super clunky and awkward, the text is chock full of spelling mistakes, and the hitboxes on the shots can get a little weird sometimes. While there is an interesting premise and the game could have been pulled off rather well, it just feels sort of halfway there. There isn’t really anything making the game unplayable, but there isn’t a whole lot to really keep you playing either.
Overall, Utawarerumono Zan is a bit of an awkward title to give a score to. On the one hand, as someone who has played the other games in the series and knows the plot, it’s really fun without needing to slog through a bunch of text. For new players however, the lack of fleshed out storytelling may leave a bitter taste and feel a bit underwhelming. The series was really made on the story telling, and would do well with more of it, even if it’s in something like a “sidestories” section, so you can have that faster gameplay for those who can’t sit through two hours of intricate characters before needing to shake someone down for loot and exp. Doesn’t stop me from wanting to pick up another title if they do the same thing with “Mask of Truth” though!
You get a lot out of Rio Reincarnation, with three games worth of content, and a bunch of extras in the form of bonus 4-komas and even some bonus novel segments that you can read in the extras. Date-A-Live isn’t for everyone, and if you’re looking for a lot of fanservice then you’re probably going to be disappointed, but if you want a rather legitimate story with some humor and don’t mind the harem-y aspect, I would implore you to give Date-A-Live Rio Reincarnation a try, or even take a stab at the anime or actual novels.
Ultimately, Zombie Driver is one of those games you pick up to play while you’re on the bus, or in the car (not driving) going somewhere. It’s a great title to pick up for a mission/round or two, but it definitely isn’t something I’d be able to sit down with for more than half an hour to an hour at a time, maximum. With the portability the Switch offers, if you use your Switch as a handheld more than a console, this may be that title to fill in the time for your weekly commute that you’ve been looking for.
If you’re hankering for some pinball and were looking for something with a little more fanservice than a shiny metal orb, good news is Senran Kagura Peach Ball is available for you to sidle up to.
Overall I was pleasantly surprised by Project Nimbus. I went in expecting mediocre, and I came out with better than average. If you’re a fan of giant robots and 3D aerial battles, this is definitely something you’d want to check out.
Overall, Professor Lupo and his Horrible Pets was a great puzzle game with a lot of nods to other games and movies, full of challenging quirky puzzles, a self-writing review, and enough bonus tasks to keep you fellow puzzle masochists happy. The story may be rather cliché, but it was written really well, and the quirky interactions and multitude of stages more than make up for it. If you’ve been craving a puzzle game to scratch that brain frying itch, look no further than Professor Lupo and his Horrible Pets.
Overall, I would definitively recommend giving this JRPG a shot, even if you haven’t played the first installment.
Was Neptunia Shooter fun? Definitely. Would I play it for more than an hour? Probably not. As a longtime fan of both the Neptunia franchise and bullet hell games, I can honestly say it’s really fun and pretty challenging, but it could also be a lot more than what it is. If you’re a fan of the bullet hell genre and like the Neptunia series, consider giving it a shot, but I wouldn’t expect many other people to get enamored with the game.
I found the characters mostly interesting, the storyline was engaging, and for a first production project, PQube did really well. Does that justify the faults? Well, maybe not all of them, but like I said, Kotodama is an "experience", both for the players and developer. I really do want that prequel though, so hopefully PQube will release that as a polished version of the gameplay or something similar. If nothing else, I'd definitely suggest checking the game out.
... it’s a real quack up of a game, and you’d best check it out if you’re looking for some multiplayer games for your switch and are into rogue-likes. It’s a fine-feathered time.
With solid music, fun gameplay, and the cutest stack I’ve ever seen, give Lapis Labyrinth a shot if you’re in the mood for a hectic platforming dungeon delve!
Rock of Ages has released for a bunch of platforms now, and the port to the switch has gone pretty well. If you haven’t picked it up on another platform, and are looking for a good game to play in your spare time or with a friend, give Rock of Ages 2 a roll, I’m sure it will be smashing!
World End Syndrome is super user friendly, intriguing, has a really fitting soundtrack, and totally drew me in almost from the get-go. If you enjoy interactive novels, World End Syndrome is definitely an experience you probably don’t want to miss. So come and unravel the mystery behind the Yomibito, and join us in our World End Syndrome.
Overall, while maybe a little…iffier for more general audiences, with a wide variety of characters and customization, as well as the auro combo battle bonuses and rather interesting characters, I definitely came away liking Moero Chronicle H as a dungeon crawler. It wasn’t brutally unforgiving “cough” Dungeon Travelers 2 “cough”, but still a decent challenge. It helps that the music is pretty good and the boss theme is really solid. The plot may be a little lacking, but the customization makes it fun trying to build your own broken team. If you don’t feel awkward owning it, and are into dungeon crawlers, give it a try.