While Silent Hope does rely in a very specific sort of routine that may (or may not) click with a player, I had a lot more fun with it than I expected. It was really satisfying to go on excursions into the Abyss. So much so that I got caught up in making sure my Caster and Farmer felt “right” to use, rather than focused on progression and heading deeper for a while. That said, it is a very repetitive game that relies on a certain kind of feedback loop, and those who don’t get invested probably won’t learn all of the game’s secrets.
NIS America said Disgaea 7 would be built with Disgaea 6 feedback in mind, and the result is a much stronger, more traditional entry.
Mineko's Night Market has a great story, fantastic vibes, and fun concept, but the balancing and Switch performance issues are hassle.
Curse Crackers: For Whom the Belle Toils is a novel Switch game that ends up offering way more than you would expect.
Mon-Yu maintains everything you expect from an Experience first-person dungeon crawler, while still being approachable.
Doinksoft does a fun job of integrating Gunbrella's story into platforming gameplay, as well as making use of its "gunbrella" mechanic.
Chants of Sennaar is an incredible adventure that tasks you with solving puzzles and deciphering a language in a challenging, accessible way.
Unlike Stardew Valley and Story of Seasons, it feels like Fae Farm is prioritizing completing quests over farming and living a virtual life.
Rune Factory 3 Special is as enjoyable game as Rune Factory 3, only now it's on more platforms so a larger audience can appreciate it.
Norn9 Last Era is packed with a prequel, an alternate viewpoint of the original game, a sequel, and an omake, but retains some of the original game's issues.
Sea of Stars is a lovely, heartfelt game with a cast of well-realized characters, a fun battle system, and a world begging to be explored.
Six Ages 2 is a sequel that builds on the original, offering an "end of times" tale within familiar framework.
Flutter Away is a short, guided trip through the rainforest to spend a little time chasing after and photographing butterflies.
While many of its minigames aren't great, Pups & Purrs Pet Shop is quite a pleasant pet store sim with a little depth to it.
Arcadian Atlas is an example of a strategy game where improper balancing and design choices result in an "only okay" affair.
Even with some pacing and equipment durability issues, Picontier is a delightful farming sim to pick up on the Switch.
Venba is an incredibly heartfelt, yet short, experience that offers glimpses into a family's life, culture, and delicious-looking meals.
Disney Illusion Island is this bright, bubbly game with a lot of personality, but its design and area execution can bleed together and feel empty.
Radiant Tale is a bright Switch otome game with a strong cast of love interests and supporting characters and a great common route.
Lakeburg Legacies is an open-ended sort of city management simulation where people come first, and its easy to get invested in it.