Time Recoil won't be the cornerstone of your gaming sessions, but it works in providing small rations of fun in between the more major titles, and will at least briefly transport you back to the action-based gaming days of yesteryear.
Lichtspeer: Double Speer Edition is a bizarre juxtaposition of an off-the-wall premise and aesthetics coupled with some basic shooting mechanics that stress trajectory and timing above all else. There isn't a ton of meat to the gameplay, but it's a fun little diversion and overall satisfying gaming appetizer.
SteamWorld Dig 2 feels a bit like the beginner's guide to sandbox games with its relative simplicity, but it maintains a sense of grandiosity and proves nonetheless entertaining with its Metroidvania-style adventuring and its marriage of both linear and nonlinear gameplay elements.
You'll want to steer clear of Dead Alliance, especially at its ridiculous $40 price tag. There is a decent game buried here, but digging through the bugs, shallow gameplay and underwhelming mechanics is just not worth it. If you simply love FPS and are quite fond of the idea of weaponized zombies, at least wait until a big price reduction, a number of major patches, or give it a rental.
Unlike its unique predecessor, you largely know what you're getting into with this third person ink shooter sequel, but that's not a bad thing. Shortcomings aside, Splatoon 2 still just might be the best multiplayer experience on the Nintendo Switch so far.
Feral Fury is a fun little pick-up-and-play shooter that serves its function quite well. It feels at once familiar in its gameplay, and fresh in its cartoony overlay.
The smattering of flaws aside, NBA Playgrounds manages to be a fun multiplayer street hoops experience that is at least partially successful in recapturing the charm of NBA Jam. Player decks and lottery pick meter are subtle but effective elements to help give the game a bit of its own character.
With some solid gameplay - and there is lots of it to be found - Puyo Puyo Tetris might just be one of the definitive puzzle games of 2017, particularly on the Switch where the handheld, play-on-the-go nature fits it like a glove.
Has-Been Heroes is a solid tower defense experience that borrows attributes from Plants vs Zombies, while putting its own twist on the formula. Plenty of repetition and frustration - exacerbated by too many randomized elements - but the addictive and enduring gameplay shines through on occasion.
High Noon Revolver borrows the arcade formula of rapid-fire gameplay and frequent deaths, and emulates it moderately well. The difference is at least you don't have to keep throwing away your quarters. This type of experience isn't for everyone, but there are plenty who will get a kick out of it.
Halo Wars 2 doesn't break any new ground, and won't soon overtake the leaders of the genre, but it offers plenty for gamers who seek a refined console-focused RTS and another joyous trip into the Halo universe.
This indie roguelike is nothing revolutionary, but acts as a fun tribute to the action focused dungeon crawlers of yesteryear. Those looking to get a satisfying, adrenaline-inducing dose of hack n' slash nostalgia shouldn't be disappointed.
A mildly fun multiplayer experience at best, and a flawed, derivative dungeon crawler at worst. Good for some fun with friends in short bursts, but has a knack for growing old rather quickly, especially when venturing out solo.
What you see is pretty much what you get here – Pokken Tournament is a solid multiplayer experience that should make both Pokemon and fighting genre aficionados take notice.
A great union of retro flare and novel concepts, strengthened by solid mechanics and some great music, Road to Ballhalla is sure to provide many with at least some entertainment, especially those who favor arcade-style gaming.
TurnOn is definitely a neat idea on paper, and though it does some things well, it leaves a bit to be desired at times. Tough to recommend at full price, but fans of platformers, and those who just want a relaxing gaming experience, are likely to get some enjoyment out of it.
Star Fox Zero tries to do too much with gimmicks that simply don't work, while neglecting the core mechanics of its predecessors. Even diehard fans would probably be hard pressed to find many redeeming qualities from this sequel.
While Xenoblade Chronicles X doesn't quite hit must-buy territory, for those who appreciate RPGs, particularly with a focus on action and an open-world brimming with tons of content, should give this Wii U exclusive a chance.
Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash provides the bare minimum tennis experience, as shallow gameplay is disguised with gimmicks, particularly when it comes to the single player offerings. The pretty graphics and online functionality are largely its only strong points.
Bard’s Gold comes off largely as a homage to tricky hardcore dungeon crawlers. But it is solid enough in its own right, proving to be fun, addictive, and rewarding, despite its somewhat simplistic concept and the often grueling gameplay that can lead to some frustrating moments.