Just when it begins to become nearly too overwhelming, though, it’s all over. GRIS is undoubtedly a compact experience, but one that needs to be experienced, either on Switch or PC (though it’s worth mentioning whilst it looks terrific in handheld mode, GRIS really should be experienced docked on a big screen). Whether it be the spectacular soundtrack or well, the spectacular visuals, GRIS tells a story that is tragic and uplifting, emotionally fuelled and near-perfect in its execution.
Monster Boy stands alongside the likes of Celeste and Yoku’s Island Express as truly fantastic representations of the genre, doing enough differently and with enough style, polish and care to ensure it’s kicking and screaming on the doors of the Game of the Year contenders.
It’s by no means an awful game. The level design is solid, it keeps you on your toes constantly and playing with friends can be a blast. The issue is I’ve no doubt you have similar games in your collection which are similar and much, much better.
The Heist then is a packed DLC, kicking off with a terrific new story and leaving us desperately awaiting the next episode. There’s plenty to be getting on with and with a whole new story to tell, it’s been great to jump back into Insomniac’s New York and I can’t wait to see what’s next.
The whole team weigh in on Insomniac's mighty Marvel triumph, Spider-Man.
It’s a kart racer, that’s it. Nothing more, nothing less and let’s be honest, these characters deserve far, far better than this.
The Legend of Evil is a fun little game that you can complete in a few hours if you’re any good at it (you can switch over to a lower difficulty at the beginning of each level if you’re finding it particularly tricky) and with its sense of humour and lovely visuals, it’s got an awful lot of bang for your five quid (yeah, this game’s a fiver). The added Rogue Conquest mode turns the game once its head once again by making the levels procedurally generated, adding an extra layer of difficulty which brings an entirely new way to play the game right from the off. It’s all about that risk and reward.
So if you wanted SkyScrappers from the PS4 and PC on your Switch, you’ve got it. You have the definitive version thanks to the brilliantly executed Tate Mode, allowing SkyScrappers to be played in a far more natural orientation. There lack of any real updates elsewhere is a bit of a shame but let’s be honest, I’m just glad I now have SkyScrappers on my Switch. It’s a welcome return to a game I thought I’d never see anything more of again and that’s just fine by me.
All in all – and I hate finishing reviews like this but there’s no real other way of saying it – if you got something out of the main game, you’re going to want to dip in here. It’s nothing more, nothing less than exactly what you’ve already played, just more of it. And seeing as we’re big fans of Strange Brigade, that’s absolutely fine by us.
Minor camera/control niggles aside, there’s very little here I can moan about. It’s essentially the most open-ended wrestling sim you could ever want, and its creation tools along with the fully customisable licensing ensures there’s more than enough here to ensure you’re never going to get bored. How can you when the game essentially never ends?
Velocity 2X then remains an absolutely unmissable experience. The control issues may initially throw off the seasoned player, and you’ll have to adjust rather dramatically, even with a single button change it’s crazy the affect it has on your knowledge of the game. That being said, it’s still utterly, utterly brilliant.
As I was forcing myself to play through this game for the sake of the review my partner was watching on and having a right old laugh at me attempting to rip out teeth, quite literally. We’ve played the game together several times and came to a very strange conclusion that the game is far more fun to watch someone play than it is to play yourself.
The more I navigated my way through the game I realised that I can’t steer these characters into any kind of direction which would require me to dig myself out of a hole or to build my way back up. There’s very little peril and it makes the entire experience really rather uneventful.
Ninjin Clash of Carrots is a blast in co-op, but difficulty spikes may put you off the challenge on your own.
F1 2018 then is another damn near spot on recreation of the worlds biggest motoring sport. It looks absolutely divine, is loaded with fan service and presented like a gift-wrapped set of car keys to a world that’s going to test your metal if you give yourself up to the absurdly detailed depth this game offers seasoned players. If you master F1 2018 and every single corner of its intricacies there’s every chance you could probably run your own F1 team in real life.
Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes is a genius game to port to the Switch. It’s so absurdly entertaining, so enthralling and addictive that it’s knocked out Mario Kart 8 as our go to multiplayer game for the time being. Its unique aspects ensure that it’s an essential title to add to your Switch line-up, and is yet another port that’s found a brand new home. I now prefer playing it this way to VR, which is something I never thought I’d say as I ranked it as one of the best PSVR experiences a couple years ago.
Polygod then is going to test your metal in every sense of the word and should you want a hardcore rogue challenge you’re not going to go wrong here. Krafted Games have um, crafted an experience that is partly ridiculous, partly wonderful and altogether just tough as balls.
Road to Ballhalla then is a fun old time and whilst it isn’t going to blow you away in terms of original mechanics or gameplay, the smart and fiendish level designs, sense of humour and replay factors are enough for us to recommend it, especially if you’re going to want something to play on a journey. There’s enough here to keep your brain ticking over for a good while, and the sense of completion is hugely satisfying.
Sadly, at this present moment I just can’t recommend Anamorphine. It’s powerful, intense and delicate in its depiction of mental health care with a touching and emotional journey, but your patience will be tested with its issues that sadly have to be ironed out before I can say it’s worth buying. I’m going to be keeping an eye on it, because there is a story here that is genuinely worth your time.
Overcooked! 2 then, whilst not a revolutionary leap from the first is still as madcap and downright ridiculous as its predecessor and then some. It’s still hilarious to play with friends and adds enough fresh elements and ideas to keep ardent fans delighted. It’s still hard as nails in some parts but the gentle easing in of new mechanics ensures you’re always ready for what’s to come. It’s now replaced Overcooked! on the top of our multiplayer game night lists, and if that isn’t high praise I don’t know what is.