Trevor Gould's Reviews
Real-life hunters should appreciate Hunting Simulator 2. Virtual hunters may sometimes find themselves in want, as this game can straddle the line between relaxing and dull. But it should grow on you, as your canine companion also grows beside you. You'll develop "nerves of steel, and an incredible amount of patience." Be prepared to invest a lot of time to get the most out of this entertaining if uneven offering, though.
A different kind of point-and-click adventure, Agatha Christie – The ABC Murders has both highs and lows on the Nintendo Switch. But it's the quantity and quality of speech that pushes it over the edge for me, despite the inexplicable lack of handheld play.
The foundation is here, but, like The Simpson's orphanage, it needs more walls – "three is not enough." With subpar controls, music missing the mark, and a disappointing map, Two Parsecs From Earth's great visual style remains, but it's not enough to keep me playing.
No Straight Roads often has a frustrating difficulty that stems more from developer choices and less from player skill, making for flawed fun. This rhythm brawler is best played as an in-sync duo or trio. But a slicker, more stylish toe-tapping passion product, you're not likely to find. I hope to see more of Bunk Bed Junction.
It doesn't pack a lot of content to keep you playing, but Hide & Dance is a good-humored rhythm game with catchy tunes.
After sinking several hours, I can say that Mini Motor Racing X is pretty fun. From seemingly small options to many extras, it offers a lot. While I wonder if it'll prove a memorable racer when compared to many, I suspect it's a game I'll keep downloaded to revisit for short spells now and again.
Given my fondness for hidden object adventures, I found a smidge of entertainment with The Last Days' story elements. It's a bit of a bush-league release overall, though, and the port has some evident issues. So, unless it gets a patch, I struggle to recommend to all but big genre enthusiasts.
While this series may never be more than what it is now, Birthday of Midnight still brings enjoyable gameplay to the table. It's a pretty safe sequel that fans will get a few hours of enjoyment out of for a fair price.
I'm a bit more hesitant to recommend at full price, if only because the superior 3DS version is still available to buy. But the Quell series is enjoyable, and everyone should play (and replay) at least one of these relaxing puzzlers. You may find yourself hooked.
Can I give Bounty Battle a slight recommendation for character diversity alone? No, I can't. There are excessive issues through and through, including (but certainly not limited to) lack of fluency, gameplay variety, and depth.
If you have an hour or two to spare, Macbat 64: Journey of a Nice Chap is pretty good for the inexpensive price. The blurry visuals and the subpar camera are part of the nostalgic charm. The fun characters and level designs have me hoping for a more substantial sequel. So, pick this one up to help make it happen.
Cavemen Tales isn't as good as its predecessor-the theme's weaker, and the characters are less appealing. Mostly, being an untimely reskin, it just can't have the same impact that Country Tales had.
While it has some needless gore and pacing baggage, MO: Astray is a success on the whole. The gameplay's unique and varied, the world's intriguing and fully realized, the bosses are memorable, and the challenge is addictive. Impressive stuff.
Phoenotopia: Awakening has a highly inviting look, but the gameplay can't match the tone. Some ill-fitting decisions work against it, and the emphasis isn't always where it should be. It's still an ambitious, impressive indie adventure that demonstrates real passion, but one reflecting growing pains.
Golf Zero has an unexpected twist on familiar gameplay, but the execution isn't in a manner that I found enjoyable. This physics platformer is a bogey on the Switch. Try the mobile version (with touch support) instead.
While Fight Crab is far from the best fighting game I've played, it is among the funniest fighters, which gives the title real value, despite its quirks.
While Commander Keen in Keen Dreams: Definitive Edition kind of checks off some of my old-school boxes, it's not a markedly high-quality release on the Nintendo Switch in 2020. By all means, wishlist it if you have fond memories of the original, the series, or late '80s/early '90s DOS games in general. Even then, wait for a sale; $14.99 is too much for this short "definitive" release.
Adventures of Pip presents a refreshing take on platforming, aesthetically impressive with gameplay to match. I sunk hours into the original, and I'm happy to do so again with this Switch port. Hopefully, this indie from Tic Toc Games succeeds enough to warrant a sequel. Platformer fans won't want to overlook this one.
Instant Sports Summer Games isn't a memorable release, but I respect it for what it tries to (and sometimes does) accomplish. With the Summer Olympic games lost to the pandemic, this Switch exclusive could score with families. Just keep in mind that the motion controls, while quite successful for the most part, will probably have you playing for only a little bit here and there.
Music fans should dig Avicii Invector, especially those inclined to appreciate the deep lyrics in these tracks. For non-enthusiasts, an easy difficulty setting makes the game inviting, even for those with limited experience in rhythm games. While the gameplay can certainly get repetitious after time, it's a fun game to watch even if you pass the controller to a friend. Avicii is on my radar now, thanks to Avicii Invector.