A captivating action sidescroller that early 90s brawler fans, in particular, should get a kick out of.
Even if STATIONflow is about as dull as can be visually, and feels a bit rough around the edges mechanically, the rewarding gameplay often shone through, engaging me for hours on end.
New Horizons draws from familiar Animal Crossing elements while building upon and redecorating them with its fun island motif. It's still fairly minimalistic, but I liken it to a warm honey tea - it may be simple and subdued, but still provides a relaxing, enjoyable experience.
Effie isn't going to blow any minds, but its tried-and-true action and 3D platforming design makes for a delightful callback to yesteryear.
Despite its accessibility, Red Bow is not going to be for everyone. This isn't just because of its darker themes, but its rigid, basic structure that shifts between item gathering and NPC interaction. Even at the $5 asking price, it's tough to recommend to anyone but those who really fancy horror adventures with ample reading.
Don't expect a masterpiece, but those who enjoy pure, undiluted action-survival gameplay - and are fine with a bit of repetition - should get a kick out of Draw Chilly.
While there are certainly moments that dazzle, and over two-dozen hours of joyful fun to be had here, Pokémon Sword & Shield feels fairly standard and lukewarm.
It's tough to knock this too hard given its meager $2 price, but still, a poor game is a poor game, and Cerberus just falls flat in most areas. While it's at least functional - the ambiguities, empty settings, and overpowered, erratic enemies produce an experience that's tough to enjoy for more than a handful of minutes on end.
The core gameplay of Driven Out proves solid and satisfying, and is enhanced by some super nostalgic retro sensibilities. Yet, the combat just seems a touch too slow on your part and imbalanced in favor of your AI opponents, which tends to make it tough to stick with the basic, somewhat repetitive gameplay in the long run.
This sometimes convoluted action RPG won't be for everyone. Still, Code Vein should draw in anime fans looking for a gripping, challenging gaming experience. Souls fans should enjoy this too, assuming they're seeking combat that's a tad less stressful, with additional colorful twists to the old formula.
Terraria is as enriching and fun as ever on the Switch.
AER: Memories of Old teases its potential with some amusing bits - namely the rich atmosphere and the bliss that comes with soaring through the skies as a bird. Still, it feels a bit like Zelda-meets-Myst - with much less detail or interaction. Tough to recommend, unless you find great value in a characteristically passive, serene adventure game.
With the vast array of wacky mutations and other random elements, you can milk a whole lot of enjoyment out of this $20 adventure. Roguelike aficionados and retro gamers alike should definitely give RAD a look.
Lost Orbit: Terminal Velocity is a competent action-scroller that often reaches stellar status. It's a cool little indie with some neat ideas, and definitely worth taking for a spin at $10.
While a few finicky mechanics and a lack of content outside the campaign keep this from getting a universal recommendation, $20 still gets you a memorable experience and offers a deliciously fun twist on the sidescrolling shooter formula.
Mushroom Crusher Extreme is an amusing, albeit sometimes frustrating, isometric retro romp. It offers some thrills for those willing to overcome the somewhat clunky mechanics, and repetitive grinding needed to tap into all of its content.
SpellKeeper feels a bit like the fidget spinner equivalent of a puzzler. It's an almost calming experience to distract your mind with, and while it verges on overly-simplistic at times, it still somehow manages to feel satisfying and rewarding.
Operencia: The Stolen Sun proves ambitious for an indie project, and one that offers a wealth of satisfying content for the asking price. Its methodical, sluggish nature may not be for everyone, but those who accept it as a rough-around-the-edges retro dungeon crawler, should get a kick out of it.
Yoshi’s Crafted World is a pleasant, enduring experience that platforming fans on the Switch shouldn’t miss.
That’s not to say Warparty isn’t a competent, even downright blast to play more often than not, but it won’t soon be overtaking the leaders of the genre.