Trevor Gould's Reviews
It's the compelling interplay of thrilling story, memorable characters, enjoyable puzzles, and stunning presentation that ensures Broken Sword – Shadow of the Templars: Reforged will become a top choice for a new generation of players. Let's hope the sequel (and the rest of the series) finds a home on Nintendo hardware. It's 2024, and my game of the year is a graphic adventure first released in 1996. Go figure.
Fans of the original are sure to enjoy this excellent, faithful update with quality additions and improvements. Yet, I'm even more excited for those who've never played this one. Beyond the notable balance and pacing successes, this game excels with characters, locales, and plot developments. With little to complain about and much to celebrate, Super Mario RPG is a delight, one of the most enjoyable games I've played on the Switch. Not to be missed.
Image & Form has crafted an excellent sequel that's bested its predecessor in sizable ways. All Nintendo fans would do well to look at this game, either in HD or 3D, and consider adding it to their collection.
The writing is captivating, and the visual updates appreciated. It's satisfying to finish, yet I was also a bit sad to see the credits roll.
Zen Studios bring a top-notch level of quality that you'd expect from a company established in video game pinball supremacy. Whether you're a casual fan or a pinball enthusiast, you're bound to find enjoyment with Star Wars Pinball. This package is a real bargain on Nintendo Switch too, with replay value as high as Bespin's Cloud City. Zen Studios has done the Star Wars license proud.
Despite its modest handheld origins, The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening is a true console experience. With updated aesthetics and superior controls (especially for inventory), it's shaping up to carry on the Game Boy legacy and be both a critical and commercial hit. An innovative, generally light-hearted installment that's full of surprises, Zelda enthusiasts won't want to overlook this game. Link's Awakening is also an ideal entry for those who aren't Zelda fans.
With better aesthetics, all DLC included, and new puzzles, this 3DS port has a lot going for it. LAYTON'S MYSTERY JOURNEY: Katrielle and the Millionaires' Conspiracy – Deluxe Edition is a great series debut on the Nintendo Switch, and it should excite fans of LEVEL-5's long-running series. It'd even be a good starting point for first-time Layton players.
Neversong is a highly effective release in so many ways. The standout framework and subsequent story building leave room for interpretation, and the apt aesthetics go well beyond mere window dressing. You don't see one-man studio releases of this high quality very often. Nearly everything falls into place in the best way imaginable.
A Short Hike is a game the whole family can love. It's an homage to classics while still very much it's own release. There is much to explore, fun characters to interact with, and the entirety of the title just had me smiling. Carve out a couple of hours in your day, curl up with some 'Strawberries and Toast,' and give A Short Hike a play. You won't regret it.
Gleylancer is a deep shooter that grew from a good shmup to a great one the longer I played it. To those in the know, this clever shooter's a tour de force, and I can now see why. It's smooth, addictive, highly replayable, and enjoyable, with rarely a dull moment. If you're a genre enthusiast, consider this an essential addition to your gaming library. Kudos to Ratalaika Games for publishing this, and for only $6.99. If this game had co-op, it might've been a 10.
If you own the original, it's well worth the $9.99 update with DLC. At the same time, those on the fence waiting (hoping) for SNES Aladdin, it's finally here to offer the best of both 16-bit worlds. The Jungle Book (Genesis version) is icing on the cakes. Disney Classic Games Collection: Aladdin, The Lion King, and The Jungle Book is an easy recommendation for 16-bit fans.
Whether you're looking for a nostalgic kick, curious to check out rare titles, or looking to bone up on games of a bygone era, Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration has you covered. Yes, some odd omissions, seemingly from something other than licensing, leave you wondering. And there are numerous redundant and "one time is enough" games. But the rare gems are worth finding, playing, and replaying.
Even with an inconveniently designed save system, Lunark is a game I'll look back fondly on for reaching the highest of highs. It's easily one of my favorite titles in recent years, one I'll undoubtedly revisit. A must-play for cinematic platformer fans, Lunark's full of surprises, bound to leave lasting positive impressions with players. If this is indie studio Canari Games' first release, I can't wait to see what they come up with next.
Beyond Good & Evil is proving a timeless game, and $19.99 for this 20th Anniversry edition with extras and updates is "beyond" fair. In truth, the original was already great back in the day, though being beloved by critics didn't translate into high sales. So, I'm happy that this action-adventure is getting progressively more popular with the advancement of time, as it's an outstanding game not to be missed!
Though I've always enjoyed Epic Mickey, I'm thrilled to have revisited the game, as it has held up remarkably well. This remake makes it better than ever. If you're looking for that "Disney Magic," so to speak, you'd be hard-pressed to find much better than this. Full of surprises, Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed is a delight.
Will the Switch catch the GameCube for the number of Mario Party entries on a single system? Probably not. But if Jamboree is the last on the hybrid, it's a great game to go out on. It's a celebration of boards, and "Pro Rules" go a long way in making previous series' complaints no longer valid. While there are a few minor issues, let's face it: this game will sell millions, and deservedly so. Imposter Bowser and his boss minions don't stand a chance, whether you're a party of one, a group of local friends, or an online crew. Collecting stars hasn't been this much fun in years.
For just $7.99 the amount of content is extensive, providing hours of both relaxing and exhilarating entertainment.
If you missed this game on Wii U (and far too many did) don't let it pass you by again. Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker is great on any Nintendo system. Don't take my word for it, try the demo for yourself.
In many ways, it's in the upper echelon of indies. It has a level of professional polish that can't be overlooked.
The Nintendo Switch has several strong point-and-click games, it's true. But while some have tried to re-design the genre, Broken Sword 5 reminds how it helped cement the best of it in the first place. The series has a timeless quality, and part 5 simultaneously offers a celebration of the past and encouragement of heading in the right direction for the future. It hits the ground running to get you hooked, and its weaknesses end up not hurting the overall package, which took me just under15 hours, as much as you might've thought. Throw in some Switch exclusive behind the scenes movies (better late than never for this port) and you have even more of a winner.