River City Girls 2 almost ticks all the boxes: fun gameplay mixed with anime-style aesthetics and a humorous story. The jarring loading screens between each playable area annoyingly slow the pacing. It's enjoyable, it's just not as smooth as it should be.
Intrepid Izzy is a clear labor of love that looks great and plays well, although minor flaws stop it from being perfect. If you enjoy Shantae's adventures, this is a nice homage to that series.
Oddworld: Soulstorm – Oddtimized Edition is a darker take that tests the titular Abe in a much bigger quest. The high-quality cinematic style is impressive, and the game plays well overall. It's less humorous than the original, and lacks that nostalgic factor fans of the '90s versions may have. Yet it's still a challenging and entertaining platformer that will test your patience and prowess.
Mario Kart has been the king of kart racing for a long time. These latest additions only serve to further cement this title, with stunning visuals and engaging gameplay that bring a smile every time; it's just that good.
Buddy Simulator 1984 surprised me with the way it morphed from a text-based adventure into a creepy-yet-sweet story. If you're looking for something completely different, this is one title you should consider checking out.
Doraemon's second Story of Seasons outing is another crossover event that's likely to appeal to fans of both Doraemon and Story of Seasons. It looks fantastic and has a deep narrative, however the story can get it in the way of the actual farming at times.
Ultra Kaiju Monster Rancher surprised me by its addictive nature. Who knew raising Kaiju could be so engaging? This simulation title makes giant creatures loveable companions, with plenty to keep you busy. I enjoyed this guilty pleasure.
Shatter Remastered Deluxe takes the simple block-breaking concept and adds its own twist. With many modes, a fun mechanic, and varied level design, this addictive score chaser is worth a visit.
Also underbaked is the level design. All levels have the same look and feel to them. This area of gameplay could have spent more time in the oven. The only unique aspect is the enemy design. And the bosses are also well-created. It’s too bad because you can tell a lot of time when designing the baddies, but nothing is memorable without better-designed levels.
The Battle of Polytopia is a fun game about expanding your own empire. The cute graphics and varied options provide an entertaining and welcome addition to the Nintendo Switch library.
Letterbox by POWGI is simple and fun. The no-frills style won't provide much longevity after you're done, but if you like word puzzles, this is enjoyable. Some future DLC – though unlikely – would also be welcome to help extend the game's life.
Nickelodeon Kart Racers 3 is a second-rate version of Mario Kart; there's no denying it. It tries to keep things fresh, and the voice acting is a welcome addition. Although there were a few smiles along the way, the presentation and gameplay aren't up to scratch, and it's a little pricey.
LEGO Bricktales takes the simple building blocks we know and love and wraps them within a cute puzzle environment. The satisfying builds and relaxing setting result in a journey into every kid's dream: living in a world made of LEGO.
C.A.R.L is a short and sweet platformer with RPG vibes that captures the fun of classic arcade games from the '80s and '90s. The quirky humor and many collectibles make this a title that's sure to keep genre fans entertained.
Beacon Pines is an engaging choose-your-own-adventure story with a variety of characters, excellent graphics and score, and overall narrative about a town in peril combine to create a wonderfully addictive game.
Cat Maze is an entertaining romp into a magical world of potions and animals. Initial frustrations paved the way for an enjoyable adventure, with plenty to discover and a fulfilling story.
Gerda: A Flame in Winter is an interactive novel featuring well-written dialogue and varied pathways, coupled with simple RPG elements. Much like a good book, this is one game that's hard to put down.
River City Saga: Three Kingdoms is a fun yet flawed beat 'em up. The neat historical aspect and familair faces should appeal to fans, though it's marred by performance issues and a convoluted map system.
Dyna Bomb 2 is a fun and tricky platformer that provides an addictive experience if you're into collecting everything on screen. It's unpolished, though, and the price is a little high for something of this caliber.
Overall, Cult of the Lamb is a breath of fresh air. In a gaming world full of roguelikes, this offers a different take on the genre, mashing it with a management sim that is oh-so-much fun. The cutesy graphics help tone it down, but don’t be mistaken – this is a dark game at times; it’s also a must-play title if you’re looking for something new and different.