Rustler can be a fun enough game if you're willing to forgive some of its flaws. The missions may not be that different from other genre titles, but seeing it all play out from a top-down viewpoint can trigger nostalgia for those who have dabbled in the older titles. The humor is subjective enough, and the overall length feels just right, but some can attribute this to bugs and design decisions that may feel archaic nowadays. Rustler may not be for everyone, but it's good enough for those who aren't too fussy about their games.
In the end, Skatebird is a charming but flawed game. The cute characters and strong environments are coupled with a camera system that acts haywire anytime you're near an object. The forgiving respawn system becomes brutal when you return to a spot where you're near an object that is difficult to navigate around. The sometimes-dodgy collision detection can make some quests go on longer than they should. It's still a game worth checking out, but here's hoping that some patches can elevate it into something special.
Green Phoenix aims to serve two distinct audiences but succeeds at pleasing neither. Shooter fans will hate almost everything about it, from the lack of proper aiming to the lack of enemies. Fans of deep narratives will find the story to be derivative and uninspiring and will hate that it is told so poorly. It may look pretty, but there's no real reason to give this a shot.
WarDogs: Red's Return is enjoyable but messy. The fighting is fine, but the little things, like the delayed indication that an enemy has died, the unnecessary slow-motion sequences, and the instances of getting stuck in a juggle combo make it feel unpolished. The upgrade system would be fine if it worked, while the short campaign and lack of modes make WarDogs a disposable title that's good for an afternoon. Thanks to the price, WarDogs is still worth checking out if you want to build up the list of games that you've completed over your lifetime.
Stitchy in Tooki Trouble isn't going to be fun for experienced platform players, but there are also several design decisions that prevent it from being a good choice for younger players who want to get into the genre. From an unremarkable character and story to a lack of urgency in most parts, the excitement of a platformer just isn't present here. Combine that with some flaky minecart segments, a too-sticky vertical camera, and overly long boss fights, and you have a title that conjures up more frustration than fun. Despite the nice overall presentation in Stitchy, you can easily skip this one in favor of other platformers that do a better job of catering to both kids and adults.
Things That Bounce and Explode is one of those games that serves its purpose as a quick distraction or a nice title between bigger experiences. It's simple to understand, but the timed nature of each level and the chaos brought forth by other elements keeps it exciting. The fact that you're always earning XP leads to less frustration, since you're always progressing toward something, and while the lack of a solid narrative or steady stream of levels might throw off some people, it enforces the idea that this is meant to be played in short bursts. With a relatively low $4 price tag, Things That Bounce and Explode is worth adding to the library if you crave something akin to the arcades of yore.
Big Rumble Boxing: Creed Champions is a pleasant surprise for fans of arcade-style boxing games. It might not overflow with modes, and the lack of online play hurts, but the Arcade mode offers some well done, if ridiculous stories. The mechanics are simple to understand but deep, allowing for some technically smart fights to occur. In the end, the game won't go down as a classic, but it provides a fun experience and would be a good addition to your local versus game lineup.
In the end, Lake delivers on producing a "slice of life" experience but with some issues that keep it from being excellent. The characters are interesting to talk to, even if only a few of them break out from being one-dimensional. The vocal performances are good, but the stiff facial and body animations and rushed story don't give it a chance to connect with players. If you can forgive these shortcomings and don't find the mail delivery mechanic to be tedious, Lake is relaxing and different enough from other offerings to warrant a glance.
The TakeOver is an absolutely solid beat-'em-up experience. Get past some of the shortcomings, like constant load times and bad cut scene art, and you have a title that uses a solid base with additions that feel just right for the genre without going overboard. It's fun either solo or with a friend, and while online play would've been nice, fans of the genre will enjoy every minute with the game.
For $5, Crossbow: Bloodnight provides a nice, quick arcade experience for those who want something simple and don't have lots of time to spare. The fast-paced nature keeps things exciting, and while there are times that can feel like the game is using unfair tactics, the instantaneous replay system and focus on shooting keeps you glued to the screen, even for a short while. If you need a quick palate cleanser between bigger titles, this'll do in a pinch.
When looked at through a modern lens, it is difficult to recommend Postal Redux to anyone who didn't play the original on the PC decades ago. The early attempts at being edgy backfire now into groan-worthy territory, while the singular focus gets tiresome if you're playing through the short campaign. The inaccuracy of your guns and their muted damage makes ammo management almost impossible, while the larger hitboxes create far too many missed shots and accidental deaths. The result isn't a terrible game since there's still some grim fun to be had, but there are certainly better shooter titles out there unless you're set on experiencing the shooters of yesteryear.
Ghosts 'n Goblins Resurrection stands out as perhaps one of the most accessible games in the series yet. The various difficulty levels, accompanying adjustments, and the unlimited lives for all difficulty levels give series newcomers a sense of hope that they can see the game to its conclusion. At the same time, the title remains tough and uncompromising in enemy count and gameplay, giving longtime fans some comfort that the series hasn't lost its appeal. It is a solid game, and the only players who should stay away are those who hate facing an elevated level of difficulty from the get-go.
32 Secs might work fine as a mobile title, but it doesn't feel like much was done to ensure that it would be a good fit for the Nintendo Switch. From the lack of an overall objective to an intense amount of grind, it feels exactly like the mobile game but with a higher price tag to replace microtransactions. The Switch may not be the first platform for racing games, but racing fans should look elsewhere to get their fix.
Overall, Jay and Silent Bob: Mall Brawl is an enjoyable title if you can forgive some of its issues. The overly aggressive AI, the short hit reach, and the classic game padding don't make for a pleasant experience once you notice them. However, the experience is solidly enjoyable, with some concessions made for those aforementioned flaws, and it accomplishes the rare feat of having the solo experience be a bit more fun than the multiplayer one. While fans of the duo will get a big kick out of this game, and even those who aren't familiar with these characters will enjoy their time with this title.
For Sparta is fine once you accept its general simplicity. The attempts at adding depth, such as the enemy variance and the multitude of power-ups, work rather well, even if it veers toward silliness, and the core gameplay remains tight and easy to understand. The lack of actual variety in the backdrop can become problematic, and the lack of any real progression can be a deterrent for those who aren't into classic high score chases. For those who are, For Sparta is worth looking into, especially considering the low $1.99 price tag.
For newcomers to the series, Neptunia ReVerse isn't a bad starting point. The story is breezy and the overall gameplay is good, even if you have to deal with uneven difficulty. For veterans, the new fishing minigame is cute, but Arrange mode throws off the balance and isn't much of an incentive to return to the game. Overall, it isn't a bad PS5-exclusive RPG, but you might want to wait for the team to develop something new for the platform.
The Xbox Series X version of Microsoft Flight Simulator works best if you look at it as the closest approximation that anyone could get to a sophisticated flight simulator without a beefy PC. The cracks start to show when you check the ground for details, and the frame rate could be better, but it remains a stunning game that showcases the system's power. The controls remain technical enough to scare away the easily intimidated, but the number of tutorials and assists ensure that you can get into the air with ease - even if getting back on the ground can be a challenge. It does well in its promise to let players see the world from above, and if you have the patience to deal with a byzantine menu system and don't want to fire off any missiles, you'll enjoy the countless hours you can spend with Microsoft Flight Simulator.
Scarlet Nexus is an absolutely solid action-RPG title. The story might get too complicated for its own good, but the characters keep things interesting. Having to revisit the same environments multiple times can get tedious, but the combat is enjoyable throughout due to the new abilities afforded to you by the constant leveling and party member changes. It is a fun romp overall, with enough of a reason to revisit it after completion. Scarlet Nexus is a game that anime fans will thoroughly enjoy.
On the one hand, getting Zombies Ate My Neighbors and Ghoul Patrol on a modern platform is great, especially on the Switch, where docked and portable play has always served as the system's strength. The former is still a classic title that holds up well even if the difficulty can scare people away, while the latter is good but not as ambitious or polished as its predecessor. On the other hand, the inability to disable bezels is a shame, but the unclear save system and the unnecessary control changes ruin things for new and old players alike. This isn't the ideal way to play any of these games, but it works when no other options are available.
No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle is a game that takes the formula of the first game and greatly improves upon it. The action is amplified, and while the minigames are more interesting this time around, they aren't necessary if you want to beat the game. The overall streamlining keeps the gameplay rhythm going, as the pacing is much better, but the story is more straightforward and less ludicrous than before. It remains a well-done game, but it would've been better if the options for PC players were up to modern snuff.