Assassin's Creed has dipped itself firmly in RPG mechanics and a wonderful new setting. It is as deep as it is wide and will keep you occupied for a very long time to come. It certainly fits the myths in which it is steeped.
Super Mario Party is a fantastic entry in the series, one that uses the unique attributes of the Switch wonderfully. The modes on offer are plentiful and varied and all a lot of fun. If you have been hoping for a good family game, then this is it.
It's rare that a modern return of a classic gaming series hits the mark, but Mega Man 11 lets off a charged burster shot that obliterates any worries you might have had. It encapsulates much of what made the old games so great, but the new abilities feel fresh and more modern at the same time. This is a much needed return to form for the Blue Bomber. Can Battle Network come back now too?
Wandersong is by no means perfect, but it is very different. Charm oozes out of every note and motion you make. Despite the technical glitches it is consistently winning and moving, with a lack of aggression and a genuine optimism that beams through like nothing else. It really will bring a smile to your face.
While the underlying game is still fantastic, the Switch port of Cities: Skylines is plagued with poor performance and finicky controls. If this is the only version available to you then it may well be worth a look, otherwise you'd be better off elsewhere.
A fantastic entry point for those who are unfamiliar with the series as well as being a great addition for long time fans. Torna ~ The Golden Country manages to be approachable and enjoyable for everyone. The new changes to combat really help make things more interesting and the world is huge. Definitely worth a play.
The game has a gooey smooth outer coating that contains a rough, unpleasant centre. Unfortunately, Black Clover Quartet Knights is much like Asta himself; completely lacking in magic.
This might be the first Naruto game in a long time that does something new, blending anime with class-based online battles. The idea may seem a little strange but it works well, and it would be great to see Bandai Namco build off this with other anime franchises in future. Shinobi Striker is well worth your time if you like the Naruto series and even worth trying out if you just want a new multiplayer experience to get lost in.
Planet Alpha is a gorgeous trek through an alien world and the strange timey wimey things that afflict it. While the pacing can occasionally feel a little bit off, the slower moments do allow you time to take everything in. The puzzles are the only real challenge throughout and most aren't so obtuse that they become frustrating so it works well. If you are after a striking world to get lost in then maybe this is the one for you.
Into The Breach is a fantastic example of how you can play around with an established genre. Taking turn-based strategy and letting you see what is about to happen changes everything about what would normally play out. The feeling of intellectual superiority you feel when you outsmart the aliens is incredible and will keep you playing through every loss you will experience. Best of all the bite-size maps fit onto the Switch so perfectly that the idea of playing it on a PC is absurd. This is a game made for a handheld, and damn is it good.
While Freedom Planet doesn't hit the same dizzying heights as Sonic Mania, it is still an incredibly enjoyable platformer that just about manages to carve out its own identity. The great visual style really helps to build the world it is set in and the three playable characters help to give some replay value as you explore their abilities. By the end of the game Freedom Planet establishes its own way of doing things that puts it apart from its inspirations, it's just a shame that it doesn't do more to differentiate itself straight away.
Divinity: Original Sin 2 was one of the best games of last year, console players were worse of for not getting to play it. The definitive edition rectifies this and changes some of the marginally less-than-stellar elements to create what is undoubtedly one of the most enjoyable CRPGs in a very long time, and a must play.
Bad North has a lot of potential, but it wastes most of that by doubling down on simplicity over depth. In many rogue-lite games starting a new run is an exciting prospect, as you know your newly acquired player skill will carry you through, but the slower pace here makes it feel a lot more like having to do the hoovering again because someone ate a pastry with no regard for your nice clean carpet.
Guacamelee 2 is a fantastic combination of jokes, knowing nods to other games and media, and titanium hard gameplay. Not only does it build on everything the first game did so well, it does it with the kind of spice that most sequels can only dream of. Grab your nachos and get involved.
Faeria has always been an intriguing game, with the Fall of Everlife expansion and the move away from free-to-play it has truly become something worth taking note of. The unique mechanics at play here really help it stand apart from the competition. With the addition of brand new cards including an army of yaks, now is the perfect time to jump in.
Vroom Kaboom has a great core concept, but doesn't do anywhere near enough with it. If you want to see what this game is all about then get the free version and think of it like a demo. Just keep in mind that the chances are you are going to find the experience as flimsy as a Vespa in the face of Tank.
There's a huge amount of potential in this dystopian 1960s drug trip, but ultimately it starts to feel frustrating quite quickly. Every time We Happy Few draws you in with an interesting tidbit about the world or the character you are playing as it's scuppered by the systems fighting against you. It just becomes frustrating and makes a potentially immersive experience an irritating exercise in dealing with the game mistaking your intentions. Much like the dystopian world in which it is set, We Happy Few never feels quite right.
With incredibly satisfying gameplay, a constant stream of unlocks, and a world that challenge every cell of your being, Dead Cells is a must own for anyone who likes even one aspect of what has been mentioned here. Every success will fill you with endorphins, every failure will inspire you to get better. When you finally take out the final boss you will be elated. It is here that Dead Cells lets you know that it is just the begining, there are a few more go around yet, and each one gets harder and harder. This is the kind of game that can last you forever, you just have to let it beat you in the head a few times.
Beast Of Winter is a fantastic slice of everything that Pillars of Eternity does well.
With an off-the-wall sense of humour and style, Pool Panic is a very different pocket to sink your balls into. There are plenty of high points here that help to counteract the occasional camera issues and make for an entertaining experience all round. The multiplayer will probably drag plenty of your friends into this strange world too and there's no reason not to enjoy that. Pool Panic excels at being exactly what it is, a weird puzzle adventure game with a lot of personality and plenty to do.