Without looking through nostalgic-tinted goggles, Jedi Academy seems pretty dated, especially compared to more modern titles such as Jedi Fallen Order or the Force Unleashed. But growing up with the Jedi Knight series has given me an appreciation for the old ways of playing as a Jedi. Just like Shadows of the Empire, the comfort of playing an old classic Star Wars title overcomes the janky controls and dated graphics. These titles may not be canon, but now that Jedi Academy is on the mobile Nintendo Switch, this game will now be with me, always.
In an age when developers often compete with each other on who can provide the darkest timeline, or those that put the heroes through what could often be considered torture, it’s a breath of fresh air to play a game as truly wholesome as Trails of Cold Steel 3. The complexity of the story leaves you hanging on every word, and each line of dialogue feels authentic and meaningful.
Underhero even replicates the same goofy humour that Paper Mario fans are accustomed to. Dialogue between characters is well written and plenty of laughs are to be had. Underhero is a perfect example of an indie game that can fill the void left by an old favourite, and fans who’ve been waiting patiently for Paper Mario to go back to its RPG roots should definitely take notice.
Play as the World War I ace, in his Sopwith Camel, taking on the Red Baron in: Red Wings – Aces of the Sky on Nintendo Switch. This review takes a look at the mechanics of the game and what to expect in the skies over Western Europe.
Cloudbase Prime may not have a whole lot of substance with its simple graphics and minimalist design, but the final experience is still greater than the sum of its parts. Dialogue is written with some well-received levity that provides light comedic breaks in between catapulting from column to column. Replayability is certainly up for debate since the levels are fairly simple in scale but at least for a period of time the experience of catapulting around a 3D environment in Cloudbase Prime is a decent amount of fun.
Not since Paperboy on the NES have I been so infatuated with a title revolving around bicycling. By having all the trails locked behind the completion of challenges a strong sense of accomplishment provides the motivation longer play times. Whether you enjoy the tranquility of a nice ride through a beautiful forest, or the adrenaline rush of flying down a hill at breakneck speeds, Lonely Mountains: Downhill is the type of game that can make time float away like a leaf in the breeze of a sweet Spring morning.
With its engaging story and enjoyable combat mechanics, Dread Nautical has the potential to make a splash on the Nintendo handheld. Even after making it through the demonic ship, there’s enough variety and a strong enough combat system to encourage multiple playthrough.
The retro era style of graphics and gameplay that’s best enjoyed in short bursts is a good fit for the mobile platform. It may not be as exciting as a flamethrowing guitarist chasing down folks escaping from a post-apocalyptic dictator, but it's still a refreshing take on a genre looking for a new lease on life.
What all this adds up to is the best way to experience Persona 5, whether you’re looking to replay the story again, or jumping in for your first go. Persona 5 Royal takes one of the best games ever made and improves on it, with a ton of extra content you never saw coming.
To really get the most out of it, you'll want to be a fan of Gwent, a card game that often gets ignored even by the most hardcore of Witcher fans. The story is worth the price of admission, but if you're not a fan of card-based combat mechanics this title is probably not for you. Thronebreaker certainly is fun, but it might be worth trying out a few hands of Gwent with Geralt back in Witcher 3 to make sure your interest can be sustained for 30 or so hours.
While the switch version of EQQO is probably not the ideal way to experience this story, it is a cute and small game that is great for someone who is looking to play something in short bursts. Take your time getting adjusted to the controls. If you take on a chapter each night, you will more than get your money out of it. Just don't go in and expect a full top-down Zelda dungeon experience.
What may be surprising to both new and old fans alike is just how much time is spent in combat. All of the terrific dialogue and interactions between characters is gated behind hours of complex combat mechanics and some difficult battles. The time commitment is definitely worth it, but just make sure you're ready for the trademark Kawazu punishment that you'll inevitably experience.
Lord of the Rings: The Adventure Card Game is charming, if stunted by some inconsistent voice acting and less polished user interface. While some might have wished for player-versus-player options included, the single-player focus allows the card game to hone-in on its core strength – engaging narrated storytelling tied into a solid card game foundation. If you are a lone ring bearer rather than part of a fellowship, this could be a precious experience to you.
Sparklite does an exemplary job of taking what works from the 2D Zelda genre but putting their own unique look and feel to the design. Where it falters is that the maps and dungeons that are a joy to explore in the Legend of Zelda have been replaced with dull and monotonous procedural generation. The discovery of new items and the different ways you can defeat enemies are enough to recommend Sparklite to those who are fans of the genre, the lack of meaningful exploration unfortunately prevents it from becoming a must-play title.
I consider myself both a CRPG fan and a retro enthusiast, but the experience of trying to play Baldur's Gate on Switch is a frustration that I wouldn't wish on anyone. I'm not saying you shouldn't play a Baldur's Gate title in your lifetime; I just don't recommend you get it on Switch. This is an experience that is meant for a PC and the prospect of having in it on the go is not enough to overcome the poor implementation. If you really need to play these games portably, I recommend purchasing a laptop.
If you picked up Alliance Alive the first time around, whatever that experience was for you will likely be repeated on the Switch. To those whose main interest is the battle system, if grinding for moves and abilities is your thing, this remastered is a much prettier and convenient version to play.
Generally, I enjoy turn-based strategy games and I had high expectations for what Overland had to offer. I have no problem with the game trying to move me out of my comfort zone and consider strategies not regularly employed in other titles, but it just wasn't enough to keep my interest. I think there's likely a group of people that will appreciate the simplified strategy and minimalistic take, but since I'm not one of them, they can feel free to abandon me like the poor soul in the tutorial.
Square Enix has struggled in the past with its previous ports of the Final Fantasy franchise, but may finally be hitting its stride. All of the improvements and enhancements give Final Fantasy VIII a much more modern feel without sacrificing any of its soul. As a lifelong fan of the Final Fantasy franchise and VIII in particular, I couldn't be happier with this remaster and look forward to hours of enjoyment wherever I go.
The themes, mechanics, and aesthetics are all so similar that I was convinced it had to be the same developer. As a publisher, Devolver Digital has a deep understanding of its market and what their fans are looking for. If you think Katana Zero is a Game of the Year candidate, than you should have a real fun time with its inspiration.
Fell Seal: Arbiter's Mark is a terrific option for fans of the tactical RPG genre who are looking for a title with a more retro feel. It provides that feeling of nostalgia while still making its own unique mark. Wonderfully written dialogue and a plethora of customization options will provide hours of entertainment for those who get sucked into its world.