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.
Pure Crosswords is a great example of a simple game done well. The clean interface and personalization make this an accessible and fun title. There's plenty of content to keep you busy for a very long time and crossword enthusiasts won't be disappointed.
Bassmaster Fishing 2022 is a great fishing sim, especially if you're a hardcore angler. If not, this might be a little too detailed for you. But if you're a patient fishing enthusiast, you'll find plenty to keep yourself busy in this realistic-feeling title.
Wave two of the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe DLC hits the spot in every way. Every track brings a smile and feels like it truly belongs. It's a fun yet challenging collection that will have you laughing, even while occasionally losing in frustration.
Logic Pic is a fun picross title that boasts many puzzles to solve. If you're a nonogram fan, you'll absolutely enjoy this outing. With zoom controls, this would score even higher. As it is, it's still well worth your time.
Overall, The Hand of Merlin is a tactical game that plays well if you can look past the long loading times and user interface issues. While it initially put me off with its complicated menus, the decent visuals and engaging battles are fun once you get the hang of them. It's possibly a tad on the expensive side, but fans of turn-based strategies will likely find some subtle enjoyment here.