Robby Bisschop's Reviews
Donkey Kong Country Returns HD can be pretty frustrating at times, and if there is one thing I don’t like in my games, it’s frustration. There is a lot of content here and especially for people like me who never played the original you’ll keep busy for quite a while. But there are better 2D platformers under Nintendo’s wings and I recommend playing them first.
A Short Flight with a lot of bugs. I really wanted to like Mika and the Witch’s Mountain as it’s exactly the type of game I normally enjoy, but the many bugs and weird collision detection gave me more headaches than satisfaction. There are some nice ideas here, so it’s a shame there is so much standing in the way for me to enjoy them.
Naiad is a relaxing, soothing game that will swim warm circles around your heart if you let it. It’s an extremely satisfying game to just explore at your own pace, with the only frustrations coming from my own completionist urges and some design decisions that feel like they are going against the stream of such a playthrough. The gorgeous visuals and enchanting music alone makes this a recommended play. The fact that it actually calms down my children is a bonus side-effect!
Super Mario Bros Wonder is another great first-party Nintendo release in a stellar year full of massive hits. The new upgrades, wonders and badges bring plenty of new gameplay elements to keep players engaged, and it does so in a typically colourful jacket overall that is sure to please gamers of all ages.
Lake – Season’s Greetings has genuine human interactions, a bright visual art style that is like a balm for the soul, and a no-stress approach to story-telling. You’re guaranteed to come out of it a more relaxed human being after playing it. It’s also the perfect DLC to get into the holiday mood!
Neva is a short emotional adventure with canvas-worthy art design and a beautiful soundtrack that I instantly added to my spotify playlist. The platforming gameplay is tight, the combat is simple yet satisfying and the relationship between you and your titular antlered wolf pet feels incredibly wholesome.
Metal: Hellsinger is a rhythm FPS that has all the elements you need for a delightful symphony full of fast-paced action and heart-pounding metal music. It was one of my favourite games of 2022 and the musical crescendo it built up to resonated so much with me that I was excited to play through it again in VR.
Phantom Spark delivers an exhilarating experience for fans of fast-paced, time-trial racing games, reminiscent of Trackmania. Its focus on constant improvement and speed will satisfy those who love pushing for faster lap times. However, it’s not for everyone. if you’re not into high-speed precision and repetition, it may feel less appealing.
Invector Rhythm Galaxy is the perfect follow-up to an already perfect rhythm game. Its eye-popping visuals light up my living room as its bass lines make my teeth chitter in pure glee. This game makes me happy and that is probably the best praise I can think of.
This minesweeper roguelike swept me away. It took a few runs to get into things, but eventually, it managed to plant its flag into my daily rotation, and I was hooked.
Princess Peach Showtime pirouettes onto the scene, delivering a standing ovation-worthy performance that’s easy enough for kids, but dazzling for all ages, proving you don’t need a mustache to save the day.
With its blend of whimsical humor, clever mechanics, and charming artwork, Lil Guardsman earns its place among this year’s finest indiegames, leaving me eagerly anticipating my eventual return on my quest for completion. If you’re into point & click-style adventures or just enjoy laughing at bizarre situations with even weirder outcomes, then this is a game you shouldn’t miss!
Stunt Paradise is a great little indie game that will provide a few hours worth of fun while you discover its setpiece stunts. I’ve played it together with my two kids and that only added to the enjoyment as seeing them cheer with glee after beating a level is pure bliss.
Balatro deals a winning hand with its innovative twist on an age-old formula. It breaks the rules of poker in many fun yet unfair ways, with playthroughs that are as varied as a shuffled deck. It’s a title I can see myself sinking hundreds of hours into and if other 2024 titles hope to have a shot at Game Of The Year, they better up the ante!
Let’s Sing 2024 is the perfect party game for the holidays. Invite your friends and family and have a laugh while singing to your favourite songs. Just make sure to spring for the VIP subscription or you’ll soon tire of singing the same titles over and over again. The attempt at a single-player campaign was handled poorly and the few bugs here and there also dampened my excitement versus last year’s version.
In a year of Nintendo triumphs, the Super Mario RPG remake by ArtePiazza is no exception. This nostalgic journey from the SNES era brings a rush of Nintendorphines, leaving me grinning from ear to ear throughout the game.
Bluey The Videogame faithfully captures the show’s charm, offering a delightful interactive episode experience. While young gamers will relish every moment, the fun ends a little too quickly. Lio & Fé give it two thumbs (or paws) up!
Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 – Turbocharged promises near-endless fun, especially in multiplayer showdowns. Still, it rides in the slipstream of its predecessor, more akin to a turbocharged DLC than a groundbreaking sequel.
Headbangers: Rhythm Royale is the perfect Xbox Game Pass game as it’s not for everyone, but still worth checking out. It’s full of fun and quirky minigames and if you have a good sense of rhythm, you can finally show the world who’s the boss of the pigeon coop. Sadly, the online issues plaguing the game at the moment make it hard to recommend as I’ve personally walked away from it with a ton of frustrations.
Warioware Move It! is the perfect party game to play with your friends if you want to show what the Switch’s motion control is capable of. It’s a ton of fun to discover the various minigames and find out just what’s expected of you, but in the end, the novelty will run thin and it doesn’t take long to have seen everything the game has to offer.