Justin Nation's Reviews
Overall, the handful of hours I spent getting to Semblance’s conclusion were rewarding and well-spent. Having played so many indie titles on both the PC and Switch I’m always taken aback when I run into something so fresh and new, and from its terrific visuals and music to its continuously evolving challenge this game manages to check just about every box I can think of. When you throw in its extremely reasonable price I consider Semblance to be an absolute steal and a title anyone who enjoys puzzle platforming should be looking to pick up.
For the most part that’s Spheroids biggest problem, it faithfully takes some ideas from a variety of influences (including foreground/background action that specifically feels straight out of Mutant Mudds) but it really doesn’t do anything new with them. The platforming never really feels satisfying or inspired, it just breaks up the arcade Pang! action. Unfortunately, the majority of play inspired by that arcade classic also stays safely within the lines, never really breaking out and doing anything of note to stand out in that area either. While Spheroids offers up a reasonably good experience it never does anything to get out from the shadow of the games that inspired it.
While I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my trip through the somewhat mad minds of the developers I’ll admit that I can see where not everyone may appreciate it. If your approach to the game is to try to master it, insisting on trying to get all of the trophies on each level for completing them quickly, making no mistakes, using a minimal number of shots, and clearing the table you’ll likely want to throw your controller. While pool is generally a game of precision in Pool Panic everything is relative, mainly because you’ll need to make many shots on the move. Throw in balls that will avoid you, throw you around, attack you, or that have a short window of time where you can hit them and if you’re seeking perfection you’ll inevitably be disappointed. The good news is that in order for the level to count as complete you don’t need any of those trophies, simply working out the main puzzle and sinking most of the balls will let you then knock in the 8-ball and move on. In a sea of titles that are laser focused on the destination, Pool Panic is refreshingly instead all about the simple joy of the journey itself. Strap yourself in, load it up, and let the madness wash over you… there’s simply nothing else out there quite like it.
Putting it bluntly getting the hang of racing in this game is brutal...
The game really breaks down into a gauntlet of different types of challenges that you’ll need to complete with a variety of characters...
Starting with the Adventure mode, which is based around a multi-day reality show, you’ll be able to slowly go through the paces of each of the mini games under the guise of helping out your friends...
The focus here is managing your resources of wood, food, and people in order to survive each of the stages you’ll encounter as you try to stay ahead of a storm...
When reviewing things that are less "games" in the sense you'd normally think of them, and that focus more on ambiance or storytelling, it's always a bit of a challenge...
Overall, I found Mugsters to be a fresh breath of fun, both solo and in co-op mode. Certainly adding another person to the mix amps up the fun, but it also opens the door to more complications as control in these sorts of games is always a bit relative. If you’re patient, take in the challenges before you, and are willing to experiment to find the best way to deal with your problems it can be a rewardingly silly experience.
It isn’t terribly surprising that the storyline is plain bizarre and that the motivations and behaviors of pretty well all of the characters are hard to follow for a newcomer...
In pretty well every way Hand of Fate 2 has run with everything that made the original work and has made it better. The scenarios all test you in unique ways, the number of unique event cards has greatly expanded which allows for far more versatility as the game progresses, and the trials in both combat and gambling have diversified greatly. The result is a very challenging and thus satisfying package that blends a degree of chance, skill in building and effectively using your deck, and becoming proficient in the game’s combat. It’s a combination that is really without an equal on the console and is highly recommended if you’re looking for a sustained challenge on the Switch.
If you’re looking for an entertaining way to play some arcade volleyball Super Volley Blast does a pretty good job of delivering the goods. While it isn’t souped up with special attacks, meters, and the like it covers the bases of actual play pretty well, with the only major omission being the ability to block at the net. Throw in a Story mode that will make you work to unlock some increasingly silly and strange characters and if you’re a fan of the sport it sets you up pretty nicely for some fun.
In the end I’m very torn on Super Destronaut DX because so much about it works very well but given its simplicity just a few major problems really drag it down. It looks and sounds great, is pretty well ideal for play in handheld mode, and the multiple modes and online leaderboards are great touches. However, the constant stream of incoming grey ships that you can’t shoot and must keep track of to dodge on top of the main action just feels a bit cheap as a distraction. The worst is really the lack of consistency in the otherwise excellent Challenge mode when you get down to the last handful of stages. But if you’re a big fan of arcade action, even with these issues it is still probably well worth picking up.
Overall I was entranced by the stories in The Lion’s Song and their themes. The interconnected nature of the characters, both in terms of how they find their inspirations and even intersect in small ways with one another is well-planned and executed to help deliver its point. Though it doesn’t have much gameplay to speak of for its price it offers a unique and introspective experience on the Switch I was glad to have the opportunity to enjoy.
If you’re a massive Punch-Out fan who enjoys the thrill of figuring out your opponent’s moves and taking them out there’s no question Pato Box is for you. Every bout is unique, varied, challenging… and some could even say brutal. Timing and recognizing each fighter’s various tells is essential to victory. The touch of getting your meter back once you’re at critical health, if you can avoid taking a hit for a few seconds, is essential and really what saves package as a whole. If you’ve been looking for something that’s both challenging and very different from just about anything in the Switch’s line-up Pato Box absolutely delivers a knock-out punch.
Props to the folks at Lightwood Games for putting together something both familiar and different with Fill-a-Pix, it’s absolutely something different and the scale of the puzzles is pretty incredible… though at times intimidating as well. The implementation of the tools and helpers is both thoughtful and impressive, and really helps you keep from completely drowning as you contemplate the substantial grid of numbers and spaces everywhere. Help is always there if you need it, but if you’re insistent on doing it yourself you can always opt not to use it. If you love pixel puzzles and are up for a new challenge it’s well worth checking out.
Taking the silly premise of a bomb-laying chicken and then milking it for all its worth Bomb Chicken is an unusual mix of platforming and puzzling...
Another World is a pretty fascinating look back at gameplay and presentation elements from another time. Its influence on how games were presented is easy to see and appreciate but its mechanics are undoubtedly aggravating by today’s standards. I’m very happy to see its arrival on the Switch, as milestones in video game history like it need to preserved and appreciated but you’ll need to be mindful of its dated nature if you decide to take the plunge.
As a non-fan of Mega Man the roguelike nature of 20XX at least appeals to me more than that series as a whole. The quick pick up and play nature of it, and never quite knowing what to expect, is fun and I appreciate the inclusion of the two base characters who play out very differently. If you happen to be both a roguelike fan and someone who appreciates the Mega Man X series I’d say it is a pretty easy title to suggest, if you’re only into one of the two your mileage will likely vary. Even with quite a bit of competition in this genre on the Switch 20XX is a pretty unique package, making it noteworthy if you’re a fan of challenging platforming and boss fights.
Bomber Crew is absolutely not going to be a game for everyone, as it swings away from direct action and into more passive strategy and people management of sorts. Its learning curve can be rough, and the path to success will likely be established over the wreck of a few planes and bodies of the unfortunate crew you weren’t yet capable of saving. The result is an engaging challenge and when you somehow manage to complete your mission with your plane shot to hell and barely remaining in the air it can be quite a thrill. If you’re looking for something completely different than anything you’ve likely played before and enjoy testing your people and situation management skills Bomber Crew could be a great fit.