Scarlet Bell's Reviews
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are games I want to rate higher based on my own experiences, but I can't meaningfully do so given their stark technical flaws. If you're a Pokemon fan and can look past the graphical and performance issues, you'll likely have as good a time as I have. If not though, I'd recommend waiting for an update and picking it up down the line.
Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes stands among the best Warriors titles in my eyes, and it's a game I've thoroughly enjoyed playing. For fans of Fodlan wanting to see their favourite characters one more time, it's an absolute delight.
Battle League Football is a game I'm happy to see, even if it isn't necessarily the game I wanted. A far more technical game that I don't feel I have the time to master, it sits in a weird spot of not necessarily being bad in its gameplay execution, but falling short on the content required to keep people coming back. I do feel in time that this game has the potential to become great, but we again see a Mario sports game held back by being released half-baked.
Switch Sports is a fine game and generally does feel great to play. Where I find issue with it is in the lack of replayability and variety for its sports, especially in an offline setting. It's fine, but after seeing the gold standard of this series in Wii Sports Resort, it could have, and really should have, been so much more.
Elden Ring is the most fun I've had with a video game in years. I went into the game expecting to have a bit of fun and came out 100 hours later craving more. If you've been on the fence with the Souls series, there really is no better time to jump in.
In this collection you have three stellar games and a bonus stocking filler. While I have my issues with Danganronpa S, it shouldn't be allowed to overshadow the brilliance of this series and the accessibility being on the Switch brings to it. Be it individually or as the Decadence collection, the Danganronpa games are ones you should check out.
Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania presents a classic Super Monkey Ball experience to the modern masses, and I'm entirely captivated by it. Roll on, oh mighty monkeys. Roll on!
OCO is the kind of game I can pick up and play for ten minutes, or pick up and play for an hour. With an endless stream of user generated content, supported by solid gameplay fundamentals and a gorgeous procedurally generated soundtrack, it's a game you can keep coming back to. Whether on mobile or PC, I encourage any lover of platforming to check it out.
Spiritfarer has been one of the hardest games for me to review in recent memory. Presenting an incredibly personal journey supported by a sublime graphical style and soundtrack, it's something I can't get out of my head, and yet struggle to explain just how it captivated me. It is a fantastic experience, and one I wholeheartedly recommend.
Samurai Warriors 5 is a Warriors game set in my favourite period of history with lush presentation and classic gameplay. It's a great addition to the series and I can't wait to see what comes next.
Monster Hunter Rise is the best Monster Hunter experience to date from a gameplay standpoint. Iterating magnificently from World's shift in pace, the Wirebug gives you freedom and manoeuvrability in a way the clutch claw could only dream of. What holds it back at launch is its limited content offering, leaving long-time fans like myself dead in the water while we wait for the first of what will hopefully be many major content updates. For those wanting everything I'd recommend waiting a few months, or even grabbing the PC release next year. But for others content with a steady stream of new content to keep them coming back, there is no better time to jump into the series.
Disgaea 4 Complete+ puts out a great game on modern hardware, that much is indisputably good. If you've played Disgaea 5 and want something to tide you over until DIsgaea 6 drops later in the year, this is for you. If you want to jump in and use this as your first glimpse into the series, it's a great choice too. However you choose to play, just make sure to avoid the shady corporate "DLC" guy.
Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin is a marvellous game. Pulling together two genres in a fun and unique way, you're left with a game quite unlike anything before it. Give it a shot, you'll find it more than worth the wait.
Moero Crystal H is ultimately a game you know you're going to love or hate after so much as watching a trailer. In many respects, it does little to break from my expectations, but its by the books dungeon crawling paired with the staple humour and open degeneracy of Compile Heart and Idea Factory is reason enough to pick it up if you've enjoyed their games before.
I adore Aokana. From its characters, to its visuals, to its made up sport, I thoroughly love it all. It's the kind of story that will captivate you while saying and ultimately doing little. For visual novel fans on the Switch it's another triumphant port, and one that has me eager to see what PQube decide to bring us next.
For better or worse, this is the Mineral Town we know and love. Complete with quirks both good and bad, it stands as a faithful retelling to this classic ranch story. If you're looking for a peaceful game to play a bit at a time, or just want to revisit a beloved town from your childhood, Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town might just be for you.
Nailing every key part of the Transport Tycoon formula, Railway Empire is a fantastically fun experience through and through. With a heap of content to explore and master, it's a game I'll be revisiting and enjoying regularly.
Trials of Mana is a game I struggle to recommend to the vast majority of people reading this. Though hidden behind a great soundtrack and colourful visuals, it stands as a dated game, complete with a frustrating storyline and a largely unenjoyable combat experience.
Disaster Report 4 is a game like no other. Undeniably flawed both technically and mechanically, I cannot in good nature recommend it to anybody, and yet I find myself recommending it to every person to ask.
A short tale of long distance, A Fold Apart takes you on a journey of emotional turbulence. Easy to follow, easy to play, and easy to fall in love with. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with this game, and I can only hope others will give it the chance it so sorely deserves.