Aegis Defenders is a good experience that fully prevents itself from being great. There's a ton to love in its mixing of platforming and tower defense, but ultimately you're required to love it with a friend. Otherwise, you're better off looking elsewhere.
Vostok Inc. is one of the year's most addicting games, seamlessly combining two genres into a beautifully executed sci-fi capitalism shooter. It's not all that robust or complex, but the sheer thrills will get your inner money goblin going, and once that happens, there's no coming back.
Floor Kids is a must play for anyone with even a passing interest in hip-hop or rhythm games. Its unique spin on rhythm gameplay does impose some limitations, but the core gameplay loop, stunning art design, and irresistible soundtrack make for non-stop fun.
A Hat In Time is a solid 3D platformer. It's not as magical as the games it's striving to emulate, but it is loveable and fills a void sorely missing on consoles.
Battle Chef Brigade is a fun, lovable and unique game that blends seemingly unrelated genres into a cohesive whole. Its formula works well and the game features a strikingly lovable cast of characters who will stick with you long after you beat the game, but issues with pacing, loadout design, and post-game content hold it back from being truly spectacular. While it can't be perfect though, it certainly is great and presents yet another 'Must Play' to add to any Switch library.
Wulverblade is an enjoyable update to the classic brawler genre that works well as a quick play game while also offering depth and challenge. If you don't like brawlers, this won't change that, but if you're looking to satisfy an old school craving, Wulverblade will more than settle that while delivering stunning environments and rich animations to boot.
Echo is a tense and intriguing sci-fi puzzler that keeps you on your toes but is not without its faults. It places a strong focus on stealth and can often make you feel trapped because of it, but as a stealth game feels rewarding creative thanks to its smart AI system. For those looking for a quiet and patient challenge, Echo is a worthy contender for your time and skills.
With really no downsides, Golf Story is exactly what the Switch needs right now—a smart, lovable, and addicting game that fits the console mission perfectly.
Songbringer is a fun game that is not without its problems.
While you can't accurately judge an episodic game off just the first episode, Life is Strange: Before the Storm is shaping up to be an excellent experience.
Superhot VR is fast, action-filled, and addictive. It's one of the few VR games that truly makes you feel a part of the action, and while the aiming mechanics can be poor at times, the game more than makes up for it in fun and flair. If you liked Superhot or are looking for the pinnacle of where VR games are at at the moment, Superhot VR won't let you down.
Given that this game shares such a strong base with its predecessor, it'd be easy to get whether or not this is a sequel or a rehash, but the point is that Nidhogg did what it did perfectly and enjoyably. It was a simple game and concept that was best unadorned and uncluttered with other mechanics, modes, etc. Nidhogg 2 is fully aware of that and instead of changing what already works. It adds more in ways that don't detract from the core of the game, instead choosing to give it a healthy dose of identity, character and zany atmosphere that will stick with you much longer than bland colored square men in basic environments. It plays beautifully and the quick kills and high tension matches make for a perfect two-player experience.
Super Cloudbuilt is an enjoyable and fast paced adventure that can be as tough as you let it be. With hours of platforming and seemingly endless challenges to augment the story mode, the game does a surprising job of never feeling stale or overbearing. It's slick and stylish, and it feels really great to play once you get the hang of the mechanics. With very limited downsides, it's definitely a game we plan on returning to whenever we need a high-velocity fix among the clouds.
As a whole, Bulb Boy is a gross yet endearing update to the classic 2D adventure games from studios like Lucasarts and Sierra Interactive. It feels right at home on the Switch, especially when played in handheld mode. While the grim setting and disgusting visuals can be off-putting for some, it's the enjoyable characters and inviting strangeness that make it a worthwhile experience. If you have a classic adventure game itch, this is one of those.
The years since its original release have not treated Oceanhorn well. As a mobile game, it's a decent experience, and with a play time of around 10 hours, probably one of the closest experiences you'll find to a console-like adventure game. On an actual console though, Oceanhorn is substandard and lacking in any real substance that would make it worth the time. While limited, the Switch already has numerous experiences that are a much better use of money in its library with more on the way each week. Try as it may, Oceanhorn is not quite the nostalgic Zelda clone it hopes to be, turning out as a tedious adventure walking in the shadow of its inspiration.
If you have a PSVR setup at your home, GNOG is an absolute don't miss. It's a stunning and immersive experience, and it's an experience that you can also easily share with your friends and family. As a TV based puzzler too, it's pretty darn good, just a little less worth the $20 price tag on it.
Luckily, Loot Rascals is so charming that the permadeath is much less of a frustration than it is in most roguelikes. The world is bright and colorful, and there’s always a collection of new, laughably weird monsters to battle. Many of the cards you pick up are humorous too like a salt sock that prevents you from slipping on ice or an inflatable pool toy for a weapon. The game is like a cartoon version of Red Dwarf by way of Adult Swim.
It’s a game that strives to be a lot of things and delivers on most, while falling flat on a handful of others. It’s a super stylish action RPG with one of the most satisfying combat systems I’ve played on the PS4, and it largely accomplishes what it sets out to be. The shortcomings don’t ruin the game, but they do a consistent job of reminding you that they’re there, taking away from the overall experience at times. Ultimately, if you’re looking for flashy, fast paced fights and epic robot action in a beautifully designed world and atmosphere, NieR: Automata is a must play.
Overall, Night In The Woods is a charming and well-executed slice of American life in a small town.
Seeing the world from Raz’s perspective is great and something anyone with a PSVR headset should jump into. It feels very much like the original Psychonauts but updated for 2017. The environment is colorful and inventive, taking place mostly in the ‘real’ world with some minor detours for mindscapes. The sound design is excellent too, working well with the headset to form an immersive environment.