If you can get past the purposeful pixelated graphics and 8-bit sounding music you’ll no doubt enjoy the throwback feel and pace this game has to offer. There’s a lot of frivolities to be had here if one decides to partake in it!
Shadowgate for the Nintendo Switch is a wonderful rendition of the 8-bit NES version that is near and dear to many of our hearts. This rendition isn't merely a direct port but a re-imagining that still holds true to the classic Shadowgate formula. While the user interface is a bit cumbersome at first, patience and a little time spent in the game will make that an afterthought. For the modest price of $19.99, you can take this classic adventure game on the road. Shadowgate is perhaps one of the earliest point-and-click adventure games conceived and with this modernized version it gets to renew its crown!
Mystic Pillars has an elegant Indian story woven into the game's puzzle design. At times the storyboards felt more like a barrier to getting to the next set of fun and engaging pillar puzzles. Even though a story-based puzzle game is a novel idea Mystic Pillars would stand strong on being just an outright "puzzle game". The simplicity of the controls also makes it an exceptional "travel game" via the Switch's undocked mode and touch screen support!
Inkle Studios' Overboard won't be every gamer and why should it be? If you're the type who likes to take a more relaxed approach to their gaming and don't mind reading then Overboard is a solid game choice! You as the player make your own choices and choose your own actions to drive the story down different paths. A lot of the fun is based on playing a detective's nemesis where you're trying to outwit other characters to get away with murder!
El Hijo is just downright fun to play. It doesn't take a tremendous amount of thought to get through levels and the game is forgiving when you do get "caught". The inspiring of in-game children is a great motivational system that will entice you to replay levels to get 100% completion!
Jurassic World Evolution: Complete Edition on the Nintendo Switch is a surprisingly pleasurable port of a rather hefty console game. Whether you're a dinosaur fan or not there is plenty of fun here for fans and newcomers to the sim genre. It would have been naive to not assume that the graphics would take some loss as compared to the more powerful competitor consoles. If you can live with that and the abundance of small text to be read then the tradeoffs are worth the portability.
If you need a peaceful break from shooter games or the doldrums of fantasy-filled role-playing games then you can do no better than taking a look at Along The Edge. While considered a "game" it's clear that non-gaming mature book readers can find something to enjoy here as well! What you'll find is an engrossing visual, interactive experience that can easily be enjoyed on the go. It's a "game" where your choices matter and they have a visual impact on the source material. It certainly would make a strong candidate for anyone's "Book Club"!
Raji: An Ancient Epic is an action, adventure platforming puzzler that draws you in with its deep storyline built upon the foundation of Hindu and Balinese mythology. The action elements are diverse, challenging, and fun. While there are slower story focused interspaced between the action it's in these lulls that players can enjoy the beautiful aesthetics. With light exploration features and jumping/platforming mechanics that pay homage to the early Prince Of Persia games, you'll find a lot to like in this cultural gem!
Darkestville Castle does the adventure point-and-click genre justice. It keeps true to the object hunt playstyle and the "use this object on that object" puzzle-solving design. The game is nicely voice acted and contains plenty of humour in an all-ages environment. The colourful graphics and humour are pleasing and give off a Tim Burton-esque vibe that is fun and rewarding to play.
Goosebumps Dead Of Night won't provide the longest or most challenging experience for hardcore gamers. For most of us, it serves as a wonderful homage to the Goosebumps franchise. Its family-friendly content makes a game that households with younger gamers can enjoy with, or without, their parents. Even those not fully versed in the Goosebumps series will find plenty of characters here that seem awfully familiar. At the end of the day, it's an excitingly fun experience because who wouldn't find fun in blasting and being chased by life-size Gummy Bears?
This remake of a Gameboy Advance classic will hopefully find some new followers on this newer system. The easy-going, laid back, open-world style might not be the perfect fit for everyone. The game's tried-and-true formula, with short calendar days, seems to be a prime fit for short gameplay stints, especially for people who have busy lives.
Samurai Shodown, the reboot, for the Nintendo Switch carries on the traditions from the game's original introduction. With plenty of battle mode options and a plethora of unique characters to choose from boredom shouldn't happen anytime soon. The game's mechanics focus more on timely execution of a move versus stringing together a complex set of combos. This mechanic alone opens up the doors for more players, even those who are "fighting game challenged"!
Mary Skelter 2 is a wonderful, first-person dungeon-romping adventure RPG. Even if you're not an anime fan you'll find some delightful and fun characters here to enjoy. The game is packed with things to manage and a few gameplay doldrum avoiders in "Jail Trails" and puzzles encountered along the way. The beautiful character drawings and voice acting can be enjoyed equally well at home or on the go!
Darksiders II Deathinitive Edition for the Nintendo Switch is a strong entry in the Switch's Action RPG category. The game is full of beautiful, vibrant comic book-like artwork all woven into an entertaining, well-acted mythological story. Responsive controls and top-notch playability in undocked mode make this game a strong buy! The next question that comes to mind is when will Darksiders III be released on the Nintendo Switch?
Bottom line, Green Hell still comes across as a refreshing survival game. The difficulty level of the game will have many players screaming "bloody green hell". Initially, patience is key and learning as you go. If you do decide to stick with it you'll be treated to a rewarding experience.
Fracter is a dark yet hauntingly refreshing puzzle game. The game is short in story and length but priced fairly to match. Each of the levels was relatively complex and contained unique and fun brain teasers without causing one to become frustratingly mad. Any puzzle fanatic looking for a "quick fix" should add this one to their "wish list"!
Though Trover Saves The Universe is a short playthrough, clocking in around six hours, it's still worth taking a stab at it. The 3D control aspect is refreshing and the dialogue is hilarious (assuming you're not easily offended). Gameplay was fun and finding all those Power Babies is a reward in itself. Trover Saves The Universe is definitely a comedy adventure game that is fit to sit on the shelf with those other iconic titles in the genre!
Be warned Vambrace: Cold Soul starts out challenging. If you realize what you're getting yourself into, and go in expecting that you'll die quite a bit early on, then your persistence will lead to a fun, visually beautiful and rewarding experience.
Dauntless is a marvellous co-op action RPG wrapped into a wonderful and fun monster hunting game. It's an excellent F2P choice for casual gamers and hardcore hunters alike. It's also one of the few games that console only owners can cooperatively play alongside their PC-centric friends! Phoenix Labs has set a new standard for cross-play that we hope other developers will one day also embrace! Bottom line this game is monstrously fun!
Dangerous Driving is a fun-filled, reckless racing game that should satiate fans that hunger for more of racing classics like the Burnout series. There's also a home here for non-racing game players as well since being reckless in Dangerous Driving is not held against you! Being dangerous behind a wheel has never been so much fun!