Gears Tactics is a solid turn-based strategy game that has something for genre veterans and newcomers alike.
It's not exactly the top of its field, but Anthill is an engaging experience for short bursts. The simple nature of the game and the streamlined strategic elements make this a great pick-up-and-play title for strategy and tower defense fans, and there's a good deal of content to keep you busy for some time. You'll wish it supported docked play, and multiplayer modes would've been nice, but Anthill remains a title that's worth checking out.
In the end, Vitamin Connection is a fun and endearing addition to the Switch library of exclusives. The level of difficulty is there, but nothing feels impossible unless you're playing solo so beating each stage feels like an accomplishment. The long stages mean that stretches of gameplay can feel lengthy, but the overall duration feels just right, while the New Game+ mode and the ability to improve on each minigame gives the game some legs once you beat the campaign. If you want something that feels fresh in the co-op space, grab Vitamin Connection.
Depixtion is the nice middle ground between the simple Picross games and the more complicated ones that try to throw different genres into the mix. Veteran Picross players should be able to quickly pick up the concept of using different shades of color and different color layers, and it won't be too daunting for newcomers either. The puzzle selection in Depixtion can seem low compared to its contemporaries, but it will take some time to get through them all due to their layout. Overall, Depixtion is a solid puzzle game that fans will appreciate having in their libraries.
Battle Planet: Judgement Day is a shooter that's best played in short bursts with a friend in tow. The lack of objective variety can quickly dull your excitement, and the phantom attacks from enemies can be frustrating. The shooting is good enough that you can suffer through some terrible guns now and then, and the level design is enjoyable enough to merit a break from more involved titles.
If Contra: Rogue Corps were known by any other name, it wouldn't be so bad. The idea of a twin-stick looter shooter is intriguing, and the shooting can be decent even if the level flow isn't exciting. However, that reliance on the franchise name comes with certain expectations. The overheating guns, restricted co-op, and missing weapon sets run counter to what fans have come to expect from the series that's been around for over 30 years. If you aren't too discerning, this may be worth a look if it's in the bargain bin. If fans of the series pick up Rogue Corps, they will be disappointed.
There's nothing wrong with ArtPulse being more of a toy than anything substantial. Sometimes it's fun to just goof off. There's not enough here to make the title realize its potential. The creation tools are woefully limited, and the game's ability to instantly delete things stifles one's creativity even more than the limited toolset does. The inability to share your creations or save them also hurts, but anyone hunting for some easy high-level trophies will be happy. For everyone else, ArtPulse would've been a perfect demo disc experience, but it shouldn't be something that you purchase for real money.
There's barely anything salvageable in Down to Hell. The backgrounds look nice enough, and the music is decent if you aren't too picky about your metal. Everything else is a cautionary example of the kinds of sins that game developers should avoid. Even if you were to find the title for less than $1, there are a plethora of similar games on the Switch that do a much better job, so there's no reason to look in the direction of Down to Hell.
Code Vein should be applauded for doing something different with the Dark Souls formula. It's great to be able to switch out your classes at will and combine them, and the almost-constant presence of co-op is a real selling point for those who may not want to jump into the deep end of this emerging subset of the genre. The rest of the game, from the story to the level design, feels bland, and the combat falls apart when you suddenly have no AI companion by your side. If you don't mind a heavy dose of anime in your action game, Code Vein may be worth checking out.
Disaster Report 4: Summer Memories is a mess of a game.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons offers players a plethora of things to do at a very measured pace. The slow build does well to lull players into a cadence and get them used to some of the basics before going full bore — while still managing to be a relaxing jaunt. Solo play is near-perfect with the new additions that make this feel different from previous outings, while multiplayer is a treat even if some of the methods can feel slightly archaic. Ultimately, this is the kind of long-term game you want to get addicted to because it has a wealth of things to discover and do.
One Punch Man: A Hero Nobody Knows is a game with a decent premise but lackluster execution.
Weakless is a good idea that hasn't been fully realized. The idea of different game perspectives is well thought-out, but everything else is content to be mediocre. From the puzzles to the stages to the story, everything feels familiar and disposable, with no one element to make up for another's shortcomings. It isn't a terrible title if you can overlook some of the bugs, but Weakless is certainly a title that would be better suited for a subscription service as opposed to full ownership.
Warlords of New York won't change your mind about The Division 2.
New Super Lucky's Tale is a charming and well done platformer. The number of moves you have may seem limited, since you learn nothing else in your journey, but the game does a good job of making sure you use all of the moves all of the time. The colorful look is aided by the general charm of the characters to create an experience where you're constantly grinning. It may be easy for genre veterans, and the load times can be annoying, but the short runtime ensures that the game doesn't overstay its welcome.
As the first part of a series, Jenny LeClue: Detectivu makes a great initial impression. The actual detective work strikes a balance between thought-provoking and easy to figure out. The presentation is wonderful, even if the audio could have fared better. It is the story that keeps you hooked with a flawed but likeable main character and a layered, supporting cast. It culminates in a story where the lack of a proper ending is the only thing that sours the experience. Provided that the team can release the second game in a timely manner, this'll be a memorable experience for adventure fans.
As a sequel, My Hero One's Justice 2 does what you would expect it to do. There's an emphasis on more unlockable content and characters, but only a few changes have been made to the overall combat system. It remains a fine game for fans of the first title, and it warrants a purchase, but don't expect anything to tempt you if you weren't already impressed by the first title.
Yuri isn't great, no matter how you spin it.
By now, it should be no surprise that the latest Universal Monsters pack for Pinball FX3 is as solid as all of the previous ones. There's been great care taken to re-create the original tables, from the artwork to the physics, and the additional flourishes do a good job of making the tables look gorgeous without interfering with the gameplay at all. This is an easy recommendation for a buy.
While the concept behind Real Heroes: Firefighter is solid, time has not been kind to the game.