Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter is a significantly bigger video game than its predecessor, so if you're open to an RPG that can easily take 60-100 hours, you'll find one here that's worthy of your time. I did find the impact a bit muted compared to the tighter 1st Chapter and its focus on Joshua and Estelle as a pair, but Estelle herself does well to carry the sequel with the help of her familiar comrades. Even though 2nd Chapter doesn't bring a lot of new innovations, it runs exquisitely on Switch 2 in both configurations. Certainly, you'd want to play the first game beforehand, but when you're ready for more Trails in the Sky, 2nd Chapter is a great follow-up to the almost flawless 1st Chapter.
That being said, I can't overlook the disservice that these types of Switch 2 releases are doing to fans who supported an at-the-time more niche RPG franchise. Yes, the Trails in the Sky FC remake has shone the spotlight on the modern Legend of Heroes titles, but let's throw a bone to the players who were there first. I'll dig my heels in against an all-digital future without upgrade options as we move from one console to the next.
The jump in difficulty for the area bosses is a bit of a bummer, as are the forced collectathon elements, but the co-op and solo gameplay experiences are pretty solid. After having been away from the platformer genre for a little while, Marsupilami 2 certainly rekindled that passion in me, and I'm eager to show more of the game to my kids and even pick up the first game if I see it on sale. The Marsupilamis may look like skinny Chester Cheetahs with longer tails, but I'm glad I had a chance to jump and swing along to their world's salsa beats and be reminded of all the great mascot platformers that have come before and now inspire a new generation of game makers.
The pixelated look of Moonlighter has been replaced with an art style more befitting the sequel's shift to 3D, which well suits its variety of environments and its blend of fantasy, real life, and sci-fi themes. Enjoyers of the first Moonlighter may bristle against the changes implemented for Moonlighter 2, but what's new here has made a fan out of me. Simply put, I'm over the moon.
I can’t wait to revisit Mina’s story to blaze a new path through it, and to try weapons and trinkets unexplored on my maiden voyage. Just like I could revisit the world of Shovel Knight through its added campaigns, so too can I look forward to pushing over the stones I left unturned when I next boot up Mina the Hollower. The once hollow part of my heart that long awaited this release is now full, and I couldn’t be happier.
One annoying issue with the game is the high number of crashes, which forced me back to the Switch home menu on nearly every run; the game's autosave meant I never lost any progress, but I was constantly worrying that I would experience a crash during one of the boss fights, rather than before or after–which added unnecessary tension beyond what the game was already offering. I'm a major fan of how the bosses scale up as you take down their compatriots, leading to tough but meaningful choices as you plan out the route of each run. Those who enjoy the difficulty of titles like Hollow Knight, Blasphemous, and Nine Sols will relish how much Gurei pushes you, but it will need a patch to address the crashes before I wholeheartedly recommend it.
undefined.Digimon Story Time Stranger is a fine turn-based RPG with creature collecting and some rough story and progression edges. A notable feather in its cap is how smooth it runs and how nice it looks on Switch 2, not to mention miniscule load times both portably and on TV. I'm glad to have finally checked out a modern Digimon game, even if my expectations weren't fully met, and I'm curious what form the next one ends up taking. Maybe start with clear bad guys that aren't just evil Digimon.
There's plenty to do on your monstrous homestead and a charming collection of neighbors into whose lives you can insert yourself, however much you choose. It's worth noting that stamina and mana meters can feel a bit restrictive, especially early on, and the purple tinged nights of the spring and summer seasons can grow tiresome. All in all, though, Moonlight Peaks is a delightful cozy experience that is built for fans of the genre and welcoming enough to newcomers as well.
A bit too much is left up to the player to figure out, and I would have welcomed a bit more transparency while I struggled through my first couple hours with the game. By the time I hit my stride, I was bored of fighting the same enemies and bosses over and over. Short bursts and co-op play feel like the best ways to enjoy Dark Scrolls. Even then, there's really not enough charm or polish to shine through an experience that references the classics without containing what gives them staying power.
The inspirations are clear, but so too is the understanding of what makes for enjoyable minute-to-minute gameplay. The longer you play, the more the cracks begin to show, but the story manages to push you forward and the hidden plots beneath it make going out of your way an oft fulfilling detour. The red mage-looking Elliot has made a fan out of me, and if Link ever wants to take a break from stopping Ganon, Square Enix has a capable backup waiting in the wings.
For some, seeing Sektori in action or hearing it be described might be enough, but I didn't "get it" until I had a controller in hand that eventually became sticky with sweat as I realized just how long I had been playing before taking a break. This is the logical evolution of classics like Geometry Wars, Resogun, and of course, Asteroids. And if you took any of those and added even more lights, colors, and a pulse-pounding soundtrack, you'd be within that heavenly realm that Sektori occupies. A true high-score chasing masterpiece in every sense of the word, Sektori is an unmissable addition to the Switch 2 library and an experience that I plan to stretch out for the rest of 2026 and beyond.
When it wasn't the bugs and performance doing it, it was the repetitive, boring dungeons that nearly had me cast aside my controller. Sadly, Starbites neither aims high enough to get anywhere near the stars, nor does it have enough firepower to even breach the atmosphere. If you do somehow feel compelled to play it, leave the Switch version buried in the desert where it belongs.
Solid first-person shooter gameplay and unique bosses make it easy to recommend for fans of the genre, especially those who don't mind the extended experience. Switch 2 players may particularly enjoy mouse mode, a fitting way to play, but there is some stuttering in Performance mode, which aims at 60 fps. If you love a good trenchcoat-clad, heat-packing hero with a wit as sharp as his cheese, go ahead and hire this mouse to take a sharp-toothed bite out of crime.
It lacks the depth of movement abilities and character interactions that have come from Ys VIII through X, but it still manages to offer a very compelling adventure almost the whole way through. For anyone who missed playing an earlier version of Celceta or who just loves a solid action-RPG with fast-paced combat and movement, Ys Memoire: Revelations in Celceta is an easy recommendation. I'm hoping it won't be long until we see Adol's next adventure or revisit another of his old ones.
In more ways than one, it's not for the faint of heart, but those seeking a retro-style challenge in 8-bit packaging will very likely enjoy the ride. While not all of its design choices land flush, the overall journey makes for a fun afternoon. A co-op mode made me wonder whom I might subject to this punishing experience, but once through was enough for me to hit my cursing quota for the year.
The few high notes aren't able to fully compensate for the safe storytelling and narrative design, and the combat waffles too much between tedious and novel. That said, I couldn't help but feel taken by the game's commitment to being a music-themed adventure; constant puns and shake-ups to the combat mechanics gave me a genuine sense of joy. There wasn't enough momentum, however, to sustain those positive vibes, and I was left wanting to just roll credits in double time rather than slowing down the beat and soaking it all in.
When there’s no shortage of old and new games to discover and rediscover, this veteran gamer tends to really appreciate a streamlined adventure with lots of optional content. And I can usually find a solid 20 hours to smash a bicycle on some gangster’s face, sock a few dingers, or catch up on classic Sega arcade games.
One look at Chico's Rebound tickled the 8-bit nostalgia strings of this '80s kid, but I found a surprising amount of depth the more I played. There's a light story and some cute characters, but these are window dressing for a challenging and satisfying block-breaking adventure that doesn't overstay its welcome. Even if you're only lightly interested in the genre, Chico's Rebound is a standout that's well worth a look.
Bridge of Spirits isn't overly unique in its gameplay, but it compensates for that with a charming story and beautiful environments. Even in handheld mode, the game holds up well and the charm remains intact. Kena: Bridge of Spirits doesn't outstay its welcome, and with luck it will continue the practice of what were once PlayStation exclusives finding a home on Nintendo platforms.
Its use of familiar mechanics in a novel wrapping and the enticing aesthetic and presentation do help to smooth out some of the rougher edges mentioned above. At present, I'm hovering around a lukewarm recommendation, but check out Nintendo World Report dot com closer to the game's March 25th release date for a final score update. In the meantime, DAMON and BABY does have an eShop demo with progress that carries over to the full game, so check out for yourself how it feels to play as this devilish cute duo ahead of launch.