My initial impressions were much stronger than my later ones, and as I made my way through the different stages, conquered the bosses, and replayed stages to seek out more coins and collectables, the weaknesses became more prominent and the strengths less so. My understanding is that the developers are aware of some of these issues, so this could turn into a somewhat decent title in the future. At present, though, if there's an alchemy to turn lead into gold, it's sorely needed here.
The slow beginning of the first Ryza game is remedied somewhat here, and the ability to fast-travel from anywhere to almost anywhere else is pure bliss. The story's lighter fare, doubly so for the side quests, won't appeal to everyone, but the solid battle system, intuitive but deep crafting system, and decent overall gameplay loop were all enough to hold my attention and then some. Even though the concoction might not have come out perfect, it absolutely Ryza's to the occasion.
I can't imagine that many fans of the original Super Meat Boy won't love this new take on the formula. The levels have been masterfully crafted to accentuate the auto-run mechanic, and frankly it's refreshing to not have just another tough-as-nails platformer given their abundance on Switch eShop.
Grinding aimlessly will lead to frustration, and the fairly high encounter rate can be taken advantage of when you know how and why your characters actually grow. The bottom line with Collection of SaGa is that RPG aficionados, with or without prior experience, should add these classic titles to their Switch library. It's great to see the saga of SaGa find a home on Switch, even if a little mental assembly is required to enjoy them.
Trip aesthetic that will get the most enjoyment out of this one. If you've never gone on a Bit.Trip, don't start with this one. But if you've enjoyed some of the other entries in the series, maybe you'll want to tempt Fate more than I did.
Haven is a charming and endearing story of two people who have found and cultivated a meaningful and intimate relationship. By the end of the story, you’ll more than likely have grown attached to Kay and Yu; it’s easy to sympathize with what they’ve been through and the troubles they face on Source. Adding to the effectiveness of the characters is some truly fine writing and voice work to match.
There's also no denying that the humor is still incredibly effective. Still, playing the game on Switch is likely to leave you longing for a mouse as the experience just isn't great on a controller. Anyone looking for a strong dose of comedy with their adventure is likely to find it here, but it would have been nice to see the remaster do a little more heavy lifting.
As someone who has finished and loved the GBA, 3DS, and Switch iterations, I can't wholeheartedly recommend the Famicom/NES version of the first Fire Emblem game. The DS remake, however different from the original, would be a much better way to slake your tactics thirst. Unless you're prepared for a slow and meandering, albeit decent for the time, 10-15 hours, get your Fire Emblem fix somewhere else.
Switch players should avoid this version for now, however. Fortunately, the developers have indicated long-term support for the game, so keep an eye out for updates in the meantime. You'll definitely want to live, die, repeat, but ideally in the game, rather than playing crash, reboot, reload with your Switch console.
undefined.The lovable Jobski and his part-time endeavors are absolutely worth checking out on Switch. Even if you've already played the mobile version of Part Time UFO, this latest release adds co-op, and the adventure and stacking modes I mentioned earlier, so there's reason to jump back in. We all need a dose of pure happiness now and again, and if there's anything that comes out HAL's version of the classic claw machine, it's joy.
Three difficulty modes, the hardest of which is unlocked after completing the main dungeon, two secondary dungeons after the first, and dozens of cards, enemies, and more to unlock give the game some real staying power. The watercolor aesthetic and haunting soundtrack contribute beautifully to the endearing story and satisfying gameplay. Some menu issues and the inability to adjust difficulty level within a save file shouldn't hold back another strong contender for a spot in your Switch library, especially those craving that "one more run" loving feeling.
There may be just as many, though, that open up the box and begin setting up the game only to find that their home just isn't a great fit or they don't have others around to enjoy it with. Without question, its novelty is charming and it makes a stellar first impression, but the experience can start to seem shallow the more and more laps you make around the track. If you have a good amount of space and flexibility where you can play, Mario Kart Live is a neat and well-functioning toy, but diehard Kart fans are likely to be left in the dust not long after the race begins.
Leaderboards for each room and an unlockable Hard mode give players ample reason to continue playing even after conquering all 50 rooms, which is no small feat in itself. Unfortunately, as of review, one room seems to be suffering from a game-breaking bug, and to roll credits I needed to unlock the final area of the ship in the options menu to proceed, so hopefully that gets fixed at or before launch. Regardless, the meat of Disc Room is more than enough to warrant a pick up, especially if you think flinging a cartoon scientist into sharp, spinning discs is a good way to spend your time.
Completionists have dozens of collectables to find and badges to unlock, and the subtle background music evokes the feeling of traipsing through a wintery forest. Even though some of the character designs are a little off-putting, the overall art style is quite attractive. Despite not really bringing anything new to the table, Röki provides a solid puzzle-adventure experience that only drags a little towards the end.
The dungeons also have some basic puzzle solving that adds good variety, and it's nothing short of divine that you save the game, change party members, and heal up by talking to a random cat just lounging in place. If Super Mario RPG helped you become a master of timing-based moves, Ikenfell offers a warm and satisfying playthrough. Undoubtedly, though, some will find the non-combat elements overly simple and the battles too demanding.
But you might want to meditate before and after each session. Calm, blue penguin. Calm, blue penguin.
Electronic Super Joy 2 is even more of a joy to play than the first game, and it makes a welcome addition to any platforming fan's Switch library. As long as you know that it's much more metal than Mario, those seeking a serious and satisfying challenge are sure to find it here. You might not want sexual moaning with your running and jumping, but don't let that dissuade you from an excellent gameplay experience.
Fortunately, there are unique story beats for each one, some new bosses as well, and they each play quite differently. While a single playthrough can take 6-10 hours, the additional content makes replays worthwhile, so Ys Origin is a fairly Ys-sy recommendation. The one-note setting aside, this is a great action-RPG to add to your Switch library.
The workplace setting adds a unique charm to a genre that feels over-represented on the eShop these days. Ultimately, those seeking a satisfying challenge with dynamic dungeons will find a job opportunity worth applying for. A variety of accessibility options, such as increased health and longer invincibility after getting hit, can help less experienced applicants, too. Even if Fizzle is in danger of Going Under, it's worth taking a long look at their job posting on the eShop.
One noticeable issue with the game is lengthy load times before entering and exiting combat and when loading a scenario; these can take upward of 30 seconds. If you're thirsty for a bloody, in-depth strategy title, Immortal Realms: Vampire Wars may just slake your thirst. That's if the combat segments don't put a stake through your heart first.