While feeling more “evolutionary” instead of “revolutionary” overall, this enriching Mario journey is still as memorable as ever, and makes a terrific swan song for the Switch.
Move It!’s fun factor doesn’t quite reach the heights it could, thanks to occasionally spotty controls, ambiguous commands, and brief microgames that vary wildly in toughness. Still, the series has always thrived on this balance of simplicity and unpredictable microgame chaos - traits that Move It! unapologetically leans on.
This attempt to “meet in the middle” between styles, while it should appeal to a wider range of fans, doesn’t really excel in the realms of stealth or ARPG. The result is a fairly average action-adventure with glimpses of greatness, but which lacks cohesion and doesn’t quite rise to its potential.
With so little in the way of content or progression, bland level design, awkward mechanics, and a generally cheap feel throughout, Hammer of Virtue feels more like a strange tech demo than a game.
I was mostly enthralled exploring Sanctuary, dungeon-crawling, and wreaking havoc. However, the experience was marred by some spotty online issues, bouts of repetition, and uninspired lore.
Squanch Games is certainly onto something when it comes to the satirical motifs laced with chaotic action, but the formula could use some refining and further fleshing out.
Scarlet & Violet bring alluring open-world gameplay and a slew of colorful new monsters to the fold, but quirks and spotty performance keep it from being the Titan it could've been.
Kirby and the Forgotten Land reminds fans of what makes this charming franchise so uniquely fun. At the same time, Nintendo and HAL elevate the formula with Kirby’s range of strong and often absurd powers, dense 3D settings, and (relative) depth through upgrades and extras.
If you can appreciate this one for what it is - a polished, fleshed-out homage to Golden Era-Mario Party - then this gem really shines.
Lost Words is a heartfelt adventure that’s more interactive storybook than standard game.
Those seeking to experience Tetris with some flashier modern-day flair and neat gameplay twists won’t be disappointed.
Beyond some slight blemishes and the somewhat “slow burn” of both the combat and story, there’s much to love about this gripping Norse epic.
An amusing, atmospheric journey that succeeds in fusing new concepts with a familiar retro style.
A dynamic, polished remake of the classic Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 & 2 - with new skaters, challenges, unlockables, online gameplay, and an all-new soundtrack to complement the classic tracks.
Phobia taps into a very visceral sensibility with Carrion’s fluid, action-based mechanics, which are both simple and fun to execute.
Clubhouse Games excels in both the quantity and quality of its diverse, enjoyable set of recognizable games.
A fun and charming new take on the franchise that many fans should enjoy.
While this is a semi-competent port for Switch, ultimately Star Horizon's core gameplay is uninteresting and tired, while its mechanics lack polish.
It won’t soon dethrone the likes of Final Fantasy or Dragon Quest, but it's nonetheless a faithful remake that’s sure to satisfy Mana fans.
CHANGE is an interesting survival indie that's both enjoyable and thematically relevant. Its grim undertones set the stage for a memorable experience, strengthened by solid mechanics and rewarding gameplay.