Juan Romero's Reviews
Is this worth your hard earned cash? You bet it is, if you like platformers then this has to be added to your collection. It's beautiful, sounds great, has a whimsical wacky story and is a joy to play. It's only let down in its performance from time to time which is a real shame and may put some off. Other than that and for me personally I didn't find much not to like and this game to me is a powerful reminder of why I love video games and reviewing them. Every so often you get a little bit of magic that comes your way.
Some may enjoy Spartan but I suspect most will ultimately find it too frustrating to persevere with. The game has too many issues to make it a fun and enjoyable experience with the physics presenting some real problems. Couple that with some annoying design decisions, collecting all treasure chests is one of them along with a checkpoint system which has issues also. If I have to force myself to play a game then there is a big problem and it's just how I felt playing this one. If you want a platformer then you already have many to choose from. Unfortunately, the game is below average and is going to find it hard to compete especially at its current price.
The Bunker is a decent enough FMV experience and the genre has come a long way since the early 90s, The Bunker certainly shows that. The movie studio Splendy have done a pretty good job and if you look at it like that I can recommend this as good entertainment for a couple of hours. I quite enjoyed it and I think there is a future for this type of experience on the Switch or any console for that matter. As a game, though I think this falls short and my thoughts in the gameplay section reflect that. Unfortunately, the merging of a game and a movie don't really work. This is saved by the fact that it's unique on the Switch and as a movie, it's rather good. I would like to see more like this in future with more emphasis on key decisions affecting the overall story and having more emphasis on gameplay so the player has more to do. In that respect, I think there is still a long way to go till the balance is right.
This is a simple summary just like this game. Buy it if you enjoy playing team based games and have enough friends or family to play it with because then it becomes a fantastic party game. It will bring you all plenty of joy and the competitive nature out in all of you. However, this is not one to pick up if flying solo.
Urban trial Playground is a nice casual game on the Switch and one I very much enjoyed. The core mechanics and physics all work very well and it's just pure fun either racing to get the best time against the level or pulling off as many tricks as possible. There is fun to be had against friends either in local multiplayer or posting your high scores on the leaderboards but I can't help feeling there is a game here that with a little more thought put into it or more time spent in development the game could have offered a lot more in terms of modes and structure. As it is this is a game that I am sure many of you will enjoy if anything just to have something different, after all this is the very first stunt bike game on the Switch and exclusive at that.
A.O.T.2 is a game with an engrossing story which instantly gets you hooked and you will want to keep playing until the credits roll. The gameplay is full of action and is satisfying if a little repetitive at times. There are some issues with slowdown which I encountered and the game is not perfect technically on the Switch version but I can't deny that it's a game I thoroughly enjoyed and I couldn't help playing until the end of the campaign. If that's all this game offered I would quite happily spend the money on it. The fact that you get a decent online mode as well where you get to play some thoroughly enjoyable battles or that you can ask someone to join you on a mission is great and works well with no drama. Time will tell if the game has a lasting online community. If you can forgive some of the issues mentioned you will have a fantastically enjoyable action game and killing those Titan's just doesn't seem to get old! I will see you on the battlefield folks!
Detention is an indie game which can hold it's own with the best. If you enjoy horror games then this is an essential addition to your collection. A good story steeped in history, great audio, visuals and gameplay where you will enjoy solving puzzles and avoiding ghosts. It does miss that action element some will crave and it's not the longest or most challenging game in the world but if you're after horror then turn the lights down, the sound up, and enjoy this dark and twisted horror experience.
This is a horror game that uses what you can't see to build tension. It expertly builds an atmosphere through its wonderful use of sound and visuals with the paintings themselves being a real star of the show. While the gameplay leaves a little to be desired in that there could have been more for the player to do, by design, this is a walking simulator for you to experience a very good horror story which will keep you glued until the credits roll. If you are a horror fan and want something a little different then this is a worthwhile game experience to add to your collection but if your searching for more involving gameplay or scare easy then best to look elsewhere.
Visually breathtaking with a story which will make you reflect on life itself and the journey we are all on. This is an emotional adventure which will make you think once the credits roll. Buy this game when you have a couple of hours to spare and want something of a more relaxing nature. I do have an issue with the price and if you're looking for lots of gameplay action and challenge then look elsewhere as this will not offer you that. Some brief puzzles yes but that's as far as it goes. As a visual novel, this is short, compact and certainly does not outstay it's welcome. In that regard a resounding success.
Owlboy is a game which invokes many emotions due to its fabulous musical score, inviting visuals and a story which gets better with time as you get to know the characters. It's not the biggest challenge you will face and most will be able to complete the game without issue. The key here is the experience and on that count, this should be a game you consider to add to your collection.
Aperion Cyberstorm is a decent enough twin-stick bullet hell shooter and it's a much better experience shared with friends and family which is to be expected. It's a game anyone can pick up and enjoy. Campaign mode feels like it was a bit of an afterthought and if you are looking for a solo experience then there are better games out there. This though is the type of game I imagined the switch being great for, a few friends, lots of unique ways to set up and play, blasting each other to smithereens. For that, it surely has a place in one's collection.
A Night in the Woods is a game which requires patience and is best savoured like a good wine or meal. There is lots to explore, many strands of story to uncover, and Possom Springs is a place with characters which just draws you in. Once hooked, it doesn't let go until the credits roll. Mae is an imperfect cat with many vulnerabilities and that's why the story resonates so deep; because when you play this there is no doubt that many will have experienced some of the things in this game. Even though it is a supernatural adventure these are just characters living normal lives with everyday problems which the writers have brought to the fore with an excellent written script. I can't promise that this will be for everyone, but I can confidently say that those that are willing to give this one the time it deserves will be richly rewarded.
Celeste is one of those gems of a game which doesn't come around very often and is one of those games I talk about which will be remembered in years to come. Everything this game does, it does well, every decision the developer has made I cannot argue with or criticise. The story we can all relate too and identify with, which will make you feel more for the characters. The music is outstanding at creating an atmosphere which makes you believe you are up there on the mountain. It's beautifully composed. Many will say that these type of visuals don't belong in 2018, I would strongly disagree. This game showcases that you can still make a game beautiful without huge budgets. In any case, it's easy to overlook when the gameplay is this mesmerising and fun. This is a game everyone on Switch should own. It's absolutely essential and is the new standard to which 2D platformers should aspire too.
Super Meat Boy is as good today as it was back in 2010. It's hilarious, challenging and frustrating, you will feel elation and be infuriated. It will test your platforming skills to the nth degree. There are only certain games that can take you through this wide range of emotions and it's why you come back for more every time. If you have never played Super Meat Boy then there has never been a better time than on the Switch. A game which was influenced and pays homage to some fantastic games of the past but stands tall alongside them.
World to the West is a decent sequel from Rain Games but I can't help feeling it could have been something more. Everything here is pretty well made and is of a decent enough standard. I thoroughly enjoyed the puzzles, exploration and finding out a little more about the four characters. I don't want to spoil the story but it wasn't as good as it could have been and was a lacking depth for me. The combat wasn't challenging and it felt like it was just there to slow you down rather than being a meaningful part of this game. Overall, it's a decent effort and an adventure you are sure to enjoy.
I had no idea what to expect from Furi other than the fact I heard it was hard. That certainly does not put me off a game. What I wasn't expecting from this was the level of polish it had, the deep story it was trying to tell, a stunning soundtrack, beautiful visuals and boss designs and just how unique it felt mixing up some of my favourite genres all in one game. The game does have some frame rate issues which is a shame but not enough of a problem to ruin the experience. The gameplay is fun and solid and is a game which will present you with a mighty stiff challenge which is always fair and while difficult not impossible. Bare in mind that you will have to really work at it to complete this game and it will become repetitive and some may find it too much of a challenge but for those that enjoy Boss battles which are challenging there is a lot to like and recommend here.
At first, this game seems very simple and lacking depth, as you play more you begin to realise that there are many combinations of moves which are fun to pull off and combine together. All of this in a package which has great visuals, audio, tight controls and fun gameplay which is a decent price. The freestyle nature and music may not be to everyone's taste and it would have been great had there been a few more modes but overall it's a game which is fully recommended as it's very fun to play solo or with a friend.
We love our Shoot em ups here at Switchwatch and this one is a welcome addition to the Switch library and one I have no hesitation in recommending. There is a decent story, great audio and decent visuals all in a package with fun gameplay either on your own or with a friend.I like the switching screens mechanic even though it took some getting used too as it adds something different to the genre. You may prefer a single screen experience but until you try this you will not know for sure so bare that in mind. While the game does have a few flaws none of them detracted too much from what is overall a solid package.
I had a blast with Bleed and out of all the indies I have played on Switch, it’s one that I enjoyed immensely. It’s fast and the action never stops. Tight controls, great set pieces, varied enemies and bosses are brilliant but it’s the uniqueness of the control scheme and how good it feels to play that’s the real standout. Throw in the ultra-smooth performance and this is one everyone should consider at some point. It’s just a shame it wasn’t priced a little more competitively.
Yooka-Laylee is a game which brings us back to the 3D platformer retro roots and brings all of what made those games from the 90s great with it. In doing so though, it also brought with it most of the faults which should have been ironed out a long time ago. I have mentioned the camera a few times, but it really hampers what otherwise could have been a great experience and makes the challenge more frustrating than it otherwise should have been. I love a challenge, but I want it to be a fair one and not hampered by game design issues. If you are after a 3d platformer which harks back to the 90s and brings all of the good and bad points from that era, then this might be for you. Yooka-Laylee are certainly adorable characters, the writing is quite funny, the visuals are nice and the music is lovely. It's a shame the gameplay doesn't quite marry up due to persistent niggles.