Justin Nation's Reviews
The original Deadly Premonition was a polarizing title to say the least, some people really loved the quirk and utter weirdness of the characters and overall design (willing to overlook its technical shortcomings) but if you weren't in that camp there was generally negativity instead...
Where CrossCode excels is in its scope and ambition...
As a huge shooter fan in general I'm pleased that the Switch has a true abundance of riches when it comes to the genre...
Elden is really an experience where you can see the bits and pieces of influences from other games in the look and feel of the action, but at best it struggles to really come together well...
Sometimes there are games out there on Switch where you load them up and from the time you start playing your face takes on a sort of perplexed "Whaaa?" look until you stop...
With a pretty fresh take on first-person puzzling Superliminal definitely has its moments where the perspective and size shifting mechanics that serve as its core shine...
While I have a great appreciation for epic games that feature massive worlds and complex storylines for me to discover over many hours since I grew up in the arcades I also appreciate a tight experience that challenges me and is fun in bursts...
This is an example of a game that runs with an extremely simple premise, being given a few facial characteristics to match a criminal and then identifying them in a slowly-growing crowd, and runs with it as far as it can...
There's nothing wrong with a decent budget side-scrolling retro romp and if you're looking only for that Clash Force offers it up...
There are games that merely dabble in weird but then there are also those titles that set up camp in crazyville, unpack their things, and get cozy...
I first encountered Biped at PAX East, repeatedly walking by the booth on the way to other appointments and seeing small crowds forming and having a great time...
Horror adventure / walking simulation games have seemed to be quite abundant on the Switch but unfortunately they've all been pretty middle of the road without any clearly stepping up and achieving something great...
With a cute overall look and a lead character who is full of attitude and spunk, Keen works to stand out as more than a generic puzzle game, and in general in that area it succeeds...
There's a weird sort of effect where when you see a promo for a game you envision a certain type of play, and when the style doesn't fit your concept it can be disappointing...
Not all games have to be action-packed thrill rides, and the Switch has had quite a number of excellent titles that have proven to be more calm and contemplative but still very much worthwhile...
Shakespeare, long ago, may have penned "Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown", but it isn't until you contemplate being in that position that you begin to understand it...
If you've read some of my reviews on interactive novel-styled "games" before you'll know I tend to be in the unenthusiastic crowd, though there have been some exceptional that have trended into the more interactive and user agency focused side that have been rock solid...
Remasters are always a tricky affair, and topping that potential problem with a licensed game is likely all the more risky...
Genre-blending is one of the things I appreciate most in the indie space, at least when it is well-executed...
Sometimes games can be an interesting means of helping to convey powerful messages in a different way...