Gris is an immensely important game, one that is another shining example of how much can be done with the medium. The visuals and the sound design are both complemented perfectly by the intense story and serve to create an incredible experience. Gris is a must play and shouldn't be missed for any reason.
Just Cause 4 is a game for those who want to be creative, but those who don’t mind when it is all taken away and they have to hack into some consoles in-between waves of generic enemies. Fun, but not as fun as it could be.
Aside from the new tweaks to levelling up and the chance to create a band of explorers from friends, the series has been diluted rather than enriched.
This is by far and away the best the series has ever been and is well worth a look if you want something a little different to jump into.
All in all, it is so good to have a Katamari game on Nintendo Switch. Katamari Damacy Reroll is a brilliant game and is one for anyone who wants something truly unique, the weird gameplay and wonderful sense of humour combine to make a game that will have you quizzically smiling throughout, then promptly jumping back in to see if you can beat your last scores. You’ll have a hard time stopping once you start rolling.
Battle Princess Madelyn is an immensely enjoyable throwback to the old-school that is consistently charming. The soundtrack and the graphics are both a delight and the character design is wonderful. While it can occasionally be a little frustrating the optimism in every aspect will keep you pushing through.
Screencheat is a hit of nostalgia for those who are beginning to feel old, and a fun new way to play for those who aren’t.
Party Hard is an arcade game with a great gameplay loop, a lot of challenging levels, and some really fun mechanics to work with. The levels are intensely difficult throughout because you’re always aiming for a clean sweep to succeed. The joy that comes from success is the sign of a level well-played, one where you either planned everything perfectly or were just quick on your feet. It’s that feeling that defines Party Hard, the feeling of succeeding and wanting to try again and do even better. This is sure to hook you if you are in the mood for something a little different, and a little reticent of the days that we all used to spend chasing high scores.
Smash Bros. has often felt a bit like it was trying to do too much and while it has always been a fun series, the disparity between the fighting game and the party game didn't always mesh well. Ultimate is the perfect fusion of the two styles.
Let's Sing 2019 is sure to keep fans of singing with friends happy. It doesn't reinvent the wheel, but it doesn't really need to. The jukebox function is a nice touch, as is the smartphone integration.
With beautiful presentation, fantastic emulation, and the potential for co-operation, this is a great collection for those who have fond memories of the old-school.
This is a great take on a 2D real-time strategy game, it has a good sense of humour, and most importantly; it is a lot of fun. The single-player campaign is well written, but the multi-player is where the game truly shines.
A refreshing new entry in the Pokémon series that serves as an entry point for new players, and offers up some interesting new challenges for veterans. Don't sleep on this just because it is different.
Maybe it is just the way the game is designed, maybe it is because of the poor balance, but The Legend of Evil ends up feeling like a puzzle game. It doesn't work as intended, or at least it doesn't seem like it. Without better balance, or maybe just a better explanation of what you are meant to do, this game has an unplayable campaign, but an enjoyable enough ‘arcade' mode.
The Bug Butcher is a spiritual successor that is very much possessed by its muse. This isn't a subtle nod, it is soaked in Pang and it's great because of it. The ability to play the game endlessly to beat your own score will keep you coming back. The fact that you can do it with a friend is just an even bigger incentive. The Bug Butcher isn't reinventing anything, but it is a damn fine version of a classic game.
Galak-Z: Variant S just feels a bit soulless, as someone who has played the original. Where that game was sleek and well designed, this feels basic and haphazard. The Switch would have been far better served by a port of the first game, and when you add microtransactions into the mix you get a spoiled experience and a somewhat tainted memory of a better time for the series.
Unfortunately, it is let down by some of the design choices and difficulty that will you feeling unfulfilled. There will be some who love this game despite this, but it crosses over the line from challenging to unfair and sets up shop there. It is hard to recommend a game that doesn't even feel like it wants to be played.
Full of good ideas, but less than stellar execution
Diablo 3: Eternal Collection is everything from the last five years squeezed into a portable package. It plays brilliantly whether docked or not, and has more content than you could ever see. This is a game that is a must-play and to have access to it anywhere is almost unbelievable.
While there is a bit more depth than first appears in SkyScrappers it doesn't often rely on any of this. It is fairly easy to accidentally die because you didn't see a falling rock or fall behind because the platforms are just slightly out of reach. The game itself can be a fair bit of fun with friends, but the single-player is little more than an hour long tutorial and sadly there isn't anything else to do.