The boss fights range from pretty easy to dozen-death difficult, but the real joy is in thoroughly exploring the map, seeing heights you can't reach and doors you can't open and then returning later with newfound powers that enable you to continue your adventure. Alwa's Awakening is a great investment for those who grew up with old-school Castlevania games or those who prefer Zelda II to The Legend of Zelda. It's not fast-paced or action-packed, but it has plenty of nostalgia and is well-suited to those who prefer jumping to shooting, spell-casting to sword-swinging. Well, how can I forget you, Zoe? When there's always another Metroidvania to remind me.
One specific comparison that stuck with me is that the stages are significantly longer, but I also found some of them more memorable and engaging than ones from previous Mega Man games. With Mega Man 11, Capcom is catering to new players and hardened veterans, and satisfies both to a degree, but it will likely disappoint some players, too. It might not be the Mega Man game we need, but on October 2 it will be the one we get.
One interesting wrinkle that Lightening Force brings to the table is that you can also stretch the screen vertically and explore the space above and below your ship to find different enemies, avoid fire, or discover hidden power-ups. When you beat the game, you also open up a new ship with different weapons, which adds replay value. There is a lot to like about this initial offering in the Sega Ages series, and growing up without ever owning a Sega console, I'm eager to see more of these titles, especially given the obvious TLC being put into them.
Spreading out the 700 or so crystals of some stages across three or four more manageable stages would help the game feel fresher and more exciting. While the music is a highlight, it doesn't always match the visuals on screen, and all in all, I find this title a hard one to recommend. If you're blown away by the art style or the music, give Twisted Dreams a look, but otherwise look for your sweet dreams somewhere else.
Well-suited to those who want a creative RPG that both sticks to and deviates from this genre's normalcy. If you're never played it, well now's the time. Go on and enjoy Child of Light in its Nintendo Switch prime.
I did enjoy how the stories intertwined with one another, but there were also times when I wouldn't get a letter from one character for hours and it would be hard to pick up where his or her story left off. Before picking this one up, be aware that it's essentially a novel with multiple characters and various endings to discover to move the overall story forward. I'm thinking to myself: it is a wonderful world, but not necessarily a wonderful game.
While the arena segments and shooting remind me of arcade classics like Smash TV or Robotron, I have never played a game like that with such heartfelt characters and story, pieces that didn't just feel like an afterthought. I won't go so far as to say Zarvot has the wit and soul of a poet, but the writing gives the game life, and it's a title that will stand out this year as having the types of genuinely touching moments we don't often see in video games. I can't give anymore, so check out Zarvot and fall in love with these cubes.
That said, it's hard to recommend this game to a general audience, especially with the miles better Mario Kart 8 Deluxe available on Switch, and Team Sonic Racing on the horizon. Nickelodeon Kart Racers has no online function, and its unlockable Grand Prix cups are just different combinations of tracks from the base cups. There is a decent progression and cart customization system here, but bland visuals and uninspired gameplay mean you can probably sit this race out.
I am thrilled to have completed what I can safely say is one of the most challenging video games I have ever played. From now on, I'm no longer saying "the Dark Souls of." For me, it's "the Save me Mr Tako of," and this game is definitely the Save me Mr Tako of Game Boy inspired action-platformers.
You might not want to play more than 20 hours of Diablo III: Eternal Collection, but the time you do put in will be unbelievably entertaining. If you want more of this game, the Seasonal options are there for you, and if you have a few buddies who also pick it up, the more is definitely the merrier. And because I can't stop thinking it, even though Diablo started out as a computer game, it feels better as a console one.
If you enjoy beat-‘em-ups and are looking for a unique take on the genre, give Speed Brawl a look. Otherwise, I can't recommend the game for more casual players as trying to clear screens as fast as possible is often easier said than done. Without a doubt, speed kills, but in this case, it would be nice to slow down a little.
Road Redemption is punctuated by moments of absolute chaos: cars flying through the air and crushing bikes beneath them or using your attacks to smash one rider into another, sending them both flying off a bridge. The game finds a way to capture my attention, but it isn't polished enough to hold it. In trying to combine a variety of genres, Road Redemption ends up simply being a master of none.
There are so many other better multiplayer games on the Switch that also have a decent amount of solo content. I did like the fact that you can unlock a number of cool sumo wrestling venues, but that's one of the only bright spots here. Circle of Sumo doesn't last more than a few minutes in the ring.
Speaking more positively, I was pleased to see 26 achievements, co-op play, six unlockable characters and seven unlockable DLC stages, so the game has a pretty good amount of content and replay value. For those looking for a challenging and different take on both stealth and strategy games, Party Hard is absolutely worth a look. For those without patience or those wanting more of an action title, you might want to decline this party invite.
It feels polished and plays wonderfully, and I am looking forward to its predecessor, LOVE, hitting Switch in 2019. My only critique is that it's over too soon, but I will be diving back in to find all of the secrets, play more of the versus mode, and enjoy that sweet soundtrack. For those that know the meaning of “kuso” in Japanese, I can safely say that while that might accurately describe the visuals, the gameplay is the complete opposite.
GRIS is a powerful and exceedingly worthwhile title that deserves to be played by everyone in total immersion. Set aside a few hours, turn off the lights, put on your headphones. And then lose yourself in this world.
The online leaderboards and collectable cards add some long-term play, too. However, the lack of players online, the random unlocks, and the pedestrian shoot-‘em-up stages leave a lot to be desired. Some may find good value here, but I can't wholeheartedly recommend Rival Megagun to a general Switch audience.
Firewatch has an affective and engaging story that draws you in, and I couldn't put the game down after the halfway point. What initially seems like more of a relaxing walking simulator becomes something more consequential and dire. Anyone interested in great stories—not just those told through video games—needs to pick up Firewatch. Like Celeste and GRIS, Firewatch is a triumph of artistic and thought-provoking game design, and it can remind you of summer as you bundle up for the cold winter ahead.
In trying to revive a decades-old series, Causal Bit Games created a Frankenstein's Monster of sorts. Adding adventure and exploration elements to the Ghouls ‘N Ghosts formula hasn't improved the experience. Forcing the player to replay the entire game only to retrieve a special weapon that can truly defeat the final boss was a better design choice than the ones made in Battle Princess Madelyn's Story Mode. The Arcade Mode saves it from mediocrity in that it allows players to enjoy the different environments, weapons, and bosses through a tough but beatable campaign. Regardless, questionable design choices and lack of gameplay explanations detract from the overall satisfaction. After spending time with Battle Princess Madelyn, I'm left with one lasting impression: I really want to replay Super Ghouls ‘N Ghosts.
It is going to be hard for anyone without a strong affinity for Atari games to enjoy the gameplay that these titles offer.