Samurai Riot is a passable experience. The fighting mechanics are fine, and the moral choices add something to the game, even if the story that accompanies it is rather uninteresting. The pacing, however, detracts enough from the game that unless you want to see all of the potential storylines, you'll stop playing if you can muster enough interest to finish one storyline. If you plan on playing this with a friend, then it isn't a bad purchase, but those looking for more from their beat-'em-ups can skip this one for now.
It really is the gunplay and time powers that make Time Recoil worth checking out. A lot of enjoyment can be had in discovering the best combo that leaves behind a slow-motion trail of destruction. At the same time, the lack of level variety and objective variance makes this a better candidate for gaming in short bursts, and the lack of multiplayer hurts as well. Even with these flaws, Time Recoil is a solid twin-stick shooter that is worth checking out.
Hand of Fate 2 is certainly a much more improved product over the original. Upgraded presentation aside, there's more of a story to back up the game, so you're given a purpose instead of playing The Dealer's game just for the sake of it. Combat may not have improved much, but everything else has, making for a deeper journey even if luck spoils things now and again. Even without the upcoming extras, Hand of Fate 2 is worth checking out.
Earth Atlantis is a game that is best played if you pace yourself. The quick boss encounters and ease with which you can find enemy mobs makes for some frantic gaming, but that high frequency also means that the experience can get repetitive. The overall mechanics are good, and the look is certainly distinct. It differs enough from normal shooters that it's worth a look, especially if you want a more exploratory adventure to go with your shooting.
X-Morph Defense is a pleasant surprise. The blend of shooting action and tower defense fits rather well, and the constant action keeps things at a very frantic pace almost all of the time. It could've used more weapon variety and more modes outside of co-op, but as it stands now, X-Morph Defense is an enjoyable romp for fans of either genre.
If you're lucky enough to not have been plagued with port issues, then you'll find Nioh: Complete Edition to be a wonderfully difficult action game. Though it brings along a high level of difficulty that seems to be en vogue for recent action games, its emphasis on faster action makes it a perfect complement for the competition. Similarly, the loot drops are a great addition, and the oddball story makes the game feel more distinct. It would've been nice to see more PC-specific optimization, but Nioh is worth checking out for fans of difficult action games.
Comet Crash 2: The Kronkoid Wars is a solid title even if it differs very little from the original. The blending of tower defense and RTS gameplay works fine, especially since the stages are confined to one screen, and the game's length is perfect if you want to spend a few lazy afternoons with it. The presentation feels a bit muted, but it works well enough so you can discern which units are yours. However, those seeking multiplayer are better served with nearby friends, as online play is all but dead now. If you think of Comet Crash 2 as more of a single-player game, then you can check out this title.
.hack//G.U. Last Recode is really for the fans. The ability to go through the whole trilogy with overpowered characters is perfect for those who want to reminisce without the grind, and the bonus fourth episode adds a natural closure to the series. It becomes a little harder for new fans to get used to some of the JRPG tropes and the meandering pace of the first episode, but things pick up later, so it's worthwhile to stick with it. All in all, those interested in a title that most likely influenced other anime like Sword Art Online should definitely check out .hack//G.U. Last Recode.
Conga Master Party is one of those games that is a novel experience for a short amount of time. You're not really going to find a game that essentially takes Snake and changes enough of the mechanics that it feels fresh again. With that said, the novelty wears out quickly, and although the multiplayer tries to balance things out, its shallow depth means that Conga Master Party is a game you'll play once or twice before shelving it — until your choices thin out again.
If this were any other platform or if this were released much later in the system's life, Ninja Shodown wouldn't be anything extraordinary. The multiplayer does the job, albeit without much flair, while the rest of the modes are more frustrating than enjoyable. On the Switch, however, the title barely has any competition, so those looking for a party-style combat game will find it more appealing despite the $15 price. If you can find Ninja Shodown for cheap and you're guaranteed to have a bunch of friends over often, then give this game a look until some of the stronger multiplayer combat titles hit the scene.
Cat Quest is an excellent and charming action RPG for all ages. Combat is enjoyable, and the usual elements in the genre, like inventory control and stat tracking, never become overwhelming. The quests flow smoothly into one another, and the adventure is just the right length. Most of all, the game is charming, and despite the story and game mechanics not delving too deep, thisis a title you'll want to keep playing until it's 100% complete. For adventure and action-RPG fans, Cat Quest is a must-have.
In the end, A Hat In Time features enough charm to overcome its shortcomings. If you can live with the unreliable camera, then you'll find a game that offers a pleasant platforming experience, tons of secrets to uncover, and a good amount of abilities to experiment with. The variety of environments and activities is appreciated, as are some of the breaks from platforming norms. The characters may be the main reason for playing the gamefrom beginning to end, just to see what they'll say or do next. For fans of platformers, A Hat In Time is well worth your time.
EA Sports UFC 3 is a solid title that comes highly recommended for both die-hard UFC fans and those wanting to get into the series. Even with some fighters occupying several different weight classes, the roster count is huge, and it complements the improved striking system. The modes contain some depth and some twists that work well, while the presentation remains as good as it was before. The knocks against the submission system make it a little tougher for grapplers to deal some damage, and while the loot box system doesn't hurt the game as badly as the publisher's other titles, the additions to the economy seem extraneous. Overall, the combination of good and bad changes makes UFC3 a sideways upgrade rather than an essential one, especially if you're still deeply entrenched in the second title.
Fe is a game that you want to get lost in. Even if you discard the beautiful visuals, the forest world has so many areas to explore that you'll enjoy wandering around aimlessly. Thankfully, the platforming and light puzzles are done well, so those who want some purpose have something to contend with, while the abstract storytelling will mesmerize others. Overall, Fe is an excellent game, especially for those who prefer exploration over violence.
Megaton Rainfall is a game at odds with itself. It seems like it was built to be a VR title about being a superhero, but it lacks the hardware support on the PC to make that a reality. It tries to make you a more responsible superhero when it comes to protecting innocent lives, but the controls and lack of a good targeting system make it difficult to follow through. The game provides an open universe to explore but very few things to actually check out. In the end, Megaton Rainfall is a curiosity, and although it isn't a must-have title, it could be worth a look if the price is right.
Raiden V: Director's Cut is a fine shooter. While it introduces some things to keep rookies engaged, it also has enough to keep veterans playing thanks to multiple routes and plane configurations. There's a limited selection of shooters for the bullet hell crowd to enjoy, and despite its issues with bullet visibility, Raiden V deserves a place in that library.
Fighting fans and those who enjoy the DC universe should definitely own this game.
Tesla vs. Lovecraft isn't going to win you over if you crave innovation. There isn't anything here that hasn't been seen in other twin-stick shooters, but there isn't much for those wanting something off the wall, either. The story is lacking, but the game provides a solid and lengthy shooting experience, and even though there isn't a shortage of that genre on the PC, Tesla vs. Lovecraft is good enough for fans to check out.
Dungeons III is a good hybrid of real-time strategy and dungeon management. The quests are fun, the simple mechanics are tight, and the humor is nice, even if it can be grating at times. Its lack of difficulty will turn off anyone looking for a challenge, and the lack of a community means that those who like playing with others will find nothing here. The whole experience is worth it if you like what's on display here.
There's nothing wrong with Nightingale Downs being short. Indeed, a short and cheap RPG can be a primer to see if a player who's unfamiliar with the genre would like it before trying meatier fare. However, the imbalanced gameplay, odd pacing, and wonky battle system demonstrate a poor idea of what the typical RPG experience would look like. Paired with decent graphics but terrible audio, it's difficult to recommend Nightingale Downs, even if it is only $2.