Justin Nation's Reviews
Being honest I’d say you really only should need one de Blob game in your life, though if you truly love the original and wanted more it won’t disappoint as long as you set your expectations towards more of the same. If you’re interested in the title but haven’t played the original it’s really a bit of a toss up which would be better. Honestly I prefer the pacing and objectives of the first to the sequel so in that case I’d point towards the remastered original that’s no less attractive and I think paced better for the Switch. Still, de Blob 2 is no slouch and does a great job of providing a less complicated 3D platformer that’s fun for all ages on the system.
If you’re a big fan of crazy shooters, and especially if you appreciate anime art and funky humor to boot, Azure Reflections may not be the best out there but it very much stands out as unique without question. Rather than go the path of merely imitating one of the other popular series it brings a few ideas of its own to the table and that’s always refreshing. Just be ready to get visually assaulted along the way, it’s one of the most colorful shooters I’ve ever seen.
When reviewing titles I always attempt to make it more about what the game is trying to be than what I wish it was but in the case of The VideoKid its inspirations are so obvious that it’s tough for me not to at least make comparisons. Mentally removing Paperboy from my mind this is a reasonably good arcade-style game that may end abruptly but is well-suited to quick sessions and is lovingly dipped in nostalgia with some “deep cut” references. However, keeping that classic in mind I find it hard not to get distracted by what’s been lost in translation. If you have no idea what Paperboy is, you’ll probably get some satisfaction, but if you’re a fan and were hoping this would rekindle that old flame just understand that there are some major caveats but some of its spirit is still present.
Given the likely polarizing nature of the game's controls, Manual Samuel gets a highly conditional recommendation. If you're willing to roll with the punches, there's definitely a unique good time to be had here, just be very aware of its intent to make controlling just about anything more challenging than you'd ever imagine.
What the game really ends up centering around is its action, and that’s really where the problem lies...
In the game you’ll be playing the part of a sheriff, looking to gun down the nasty gunslinging customers looking to threaten your town...
Games that are so clearly terrific and special in many ways, but that have a degree of difficulty that makes me concerned not everyone will get a chance to appreciate it, always pose a scoring challenge for me. Unlike, say, a roguelike where some mild progression and sheer luck can give you good runs every once in a while here there are no tricks, shortcuts, or luck to be had. Your options are merely to “git gud” or to stop playing. It’s an approach I find admirable, and given the generally generous spacing of checkpoints I think it’s as fair as it can be without completely compromising. If you’re up to the challenge, or to give it a serious try, this is absolutely a rewarding experience and one that pays off more and more the further in you’re able to go. The evolution of its visual style and gameplay are something I’ve simply never seen before and I think will inevitably be copied, they’re so impressively done. What will be far tougher to have any hope of replicating, and what really sets The Messenger apart, is the game’s tremendous sense of humor and poking fun at itself. The result is one of the most deserving titles of “the hype” I’ve seen in quite some time.
In all, as a part-time fighting game fan, I’ll say that I’m both surprised by and very satisfied with this initial entry into the genre by Studio Saizensen. Feeling more polished and comparable than you’d expect with more established series it seems to have struck a nice balance between accessibility and leaving room for more technical fighters to explore. While it doesn’t have a massive roster the characters are varied and there should be match for pretty well everyone here whether you prefer more traditional or a little off-center. Only time will tell if this can break into the big leagues and gain acceptance from the greater fighting community but if you’re looking for something that feels fresh and plays well it’s a solid package.
If you’re looking to have something unique to play at a party, especially if you have some friends or family that are know-it-alls, this could get to be interesting. As a separate thought it would actually make an excellent game to play in workplaces if you’re looking to engage in some team building through communication as well. It’s extremely niche in nature and essentially locked in stone in terms of what it does, but it can still be thrilling and fun to enjoy with others.
While it manages to avoid falling into too many repetitive patterns and stays engaging I’d say the experience has charm on its side more than excitement. It’s a solid traditional game but with the variety that’s out there, though not necessarily all on the Switch, unless that’s specifically what you’re seeking it may not be as appealing. This is more of a light romp initially but if you’re down for a challenge the unlocked modes more than deliver. If you’re itching to shoot things like it’s the old days this may be the ticket for you but if you’re thirsting for more modern sensibilities you may want to look elsewhere.
While it’s inevitable for Victor Vran to be compared to the series that obviously inspired it presuming that it is merely a clone or some lesser attempt would be a mistake. It may borrow elements, but aside from having great core gameplay it also does some things very differently, and even as someone who had invested hundreds of hours into the Diablo series I appreciate there being a strong competitor out there that has dared to be different. If you’re seeking some challenging and satisfying action RPG gameplay on the Switch, Victor Vran absolutely delivers.
Those mostly minor issues aside Shio is a well-presented title with high ambitions that simply can’t deliver the polish to make it all work. If you’re willing to work with it you may find that you don’t notice the delay or can compensate for it, and doing so would mostly nullify my misgivings. That said, when execution is so absolutely critical even a split-second can make all the difference, and as I got further into the handful of hours the game offers this became a consistent frustration. For hardcore platforming enthusiasts this will likely be a treat, but for average gamers it may not be something you’ll be able to stick with to the end.
With an abundance of adventure options available on the Switch what Detective Gallo has that helps set it apart is the noir theme mixed with the often deadpan humor delivered by the main character. At a minimum the game is easy on the eyes and the voice acting, while perhaps not always perfect, at least generally maintains a consistent level of quality. If you like your protagonists a bit hard-boiled and your humor a bit silly Detective Gallo is a fun choice.
In it you’ll play the part of a detective who has a history of having disturbing visions who takes an assignment to investigate the disappearance of a young girl...
On the whole there’s quite a lot to like about Morphies Law and the ways it has played with the shooter formula. The mass stealing and jump boosting mechanics can provide for unexpected situations and some fun, though there’s definitely a learning curve to making the most of it all and becoming accustomed to some of the game’s quirks. Consistent online play is probably it’s weakest element, followed by the unlock and progression rate, but hopefully these can be addressed in patches in the near future. The potential for greatness is certainly there, and when everything clicks into place it can be a good time, but until it all gets refined it may be a bit too early for everyone to jump on the Morphie train just yet.
Your main character, Yu Ming Wang, is obviously a troubled soul and what’s somewhat fascinating as you go is the disconnect between his somewhat fantastical perceptions and “reality”...
At its base there are definitely things about Next Up Hero that make sense and work. Its art style and general flow of gameplay aren’t bad, and the variety of character attacks are interesting and worth trying out to see what suits you. Unfortunately, it’s pretty much everything from that point on that falls apart. Truly, this feels like a collection of game ideas thrown together in the same basket without the care to get any of it to be cohesive. Progression is slow, there are entire modes for levels that plain aren’t fun and make no sense (including one where you take damage for collecting prestige points, pretty well guaranteeing your melee fighter is screwed as they fall when an enemy dies), enemy damage is all over the place, and the story feels more like an excuse to have some out of synch character art to include in the package than anything else. I would like to enjoy it for what it does right, but the avalanche of issues it has make it seem like it wasn’t ready for release.
The controls in Spectrum are incredibly simple, you’ll be able to move your black glob left and right, and then using the buttons thrust it up and down...
What story there is over the handful of hours you’ll play tends to be odd as well, but the strange characters and the ever-present narrator commentating on what you’re doing (complete with celebratory hashtags for mundane achievements like taking a leak) do a good job of rewarding your continued efforts. If you can see the amusement of nearly killing yourself while simply trying to drink some water or narrowly avoiding running over little old ladies while struggling to control your car (of course complete with a manual transmission) the experience has its silly rewards. Given the likely polarizing nature of the game’s controls Manual Samuel gets a highly conditional recommendation. If you’re willing to roll with the punches, there’s definitely a unique good time to be had here, just be very aware of its intent to make controlling just about anything more challenging than you’d ever imagine.
With the ability to play solo or with a friend, you’ll play as Robb and Otto...