Scarlet Bell's Reviews
After 11 years Nintendo return with what might just be a series high for Super Mario Bros. A wonderfully creative adventure filled with small details to enjoy throughout, it's a game I can wholeheartedly recommend picking up for any fan of Mario or just a good 2D platforming experience. You won't be disappointed.
I went into Naheulbeuk's Dungeon Master really ready to enjoy all the work that goes into making a dungeon great. Unfortunately there just wasn't all that much to do. Between an underbaked tavern, limited dungeon management, and an unbalanced staffing system, it feels like a game that just needed more time to decide what it wanted to be. If it does get updated down the line it may be worth revisiting. As it is now though, I can't say I feel it worth the price of admission.
Disgaea 7 marks a definitive return to form for the series after the slump of its predecessor. This is a great game for those with a taste for Disgaea, even if those new to the series likely find more value in older titles.
Viewfinder is a rare type of game that pops up with a concept and executes it magnificently from start to end. Though some will be disappointed by its length, it's undoubtedly a memorable experience and one I can wholeheartedly recommend.
The latest game in the Nobunaga's Ambition series, Awakening puts a fresh coat of paint onto the Warring States Period of Japanese history and again asks you to quell the chaos and unify the nation. Though some of the changes may be as divisive as Nobunaga's own ideology at the time, this is a game well worth checking out for strategy fans and enjoyers of Japanese history.
Marvelous have worked their magic to give us another stellar remake from the high points of the series. A Wonderful Life puts forward a charming and unique tale that I can wholeheartedly recommend to anybody who never got to experience it all the way back in 2003.
Tears of the Kingdom is the natural evolution of Breath of the Wild, and builds upon the foundations laid six years ago magnificently. Featuring an open world full of life and gameplay mechanics limited only by your creativity, it is a gem I can wholeheartedly recommend.
Bayonetta Origins is a bold move for the larger Bayonetta series, but it's one I think really paid off. It's a slower and more methodical tale of a more timid witch finding her feet, and it's a tale magnificently told. With a free demo available on the eShop, it's a game I encourage you to check out.
Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe is a great port of a great Kirby game. Keeping the magic of the original alive with a fresh coat of paint and meaningful new content, it's a game I can recommend to any lover of Kirby, platforming, or a good couch co-op experience.
While Fire Emblem Engage might miss the mark in terms of compelling storytelling, it stands as a series high for its gameplay. There's a lot to like about Engage, and it's a game I can recommend without hesitation to any fan of the series.
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.