It’s not a game you’ll ever go out of your way to play, but keep it on your home screen and you might be surprised how often you’ll bust it open.
Forest Home is a pleasant puzzler with cute animals that will charm and challenge children until it gets too big for them. It takes a long while to get interesting for older gamers, but at least the woodland characters don't get annoying along the way. The sheer volume of puzzles explains the asking price, but it's unlikely players in any age group are going to finish them all. Maybe that's the point; let the whole family take their turns on the same account and, after a while, all of the forest creatures will finally find their home.
So, what we've got in Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night is a well-designed game that's poorly developed. A championship-caliber team that needs another few months (or perhaps another year) of training camp. 505 Games has promised to fix the glaring problems, but I can't review a game based on promises. There's still some fun to be had here, but it shouldn't have been released in its current state. Wait for the updates. If they don't come, wait for a sale…and stay away from the bookshelves.
Giga Wrecker Alt is a pretty cool game. It has some issues and likely won't compel all players to keep going, but the puzzles are good, and getting to throw a ton of junk to smash a robot is always fun. The game looks good, sounds good, and offers plenty of play time, so get in there and wreck it.
Captain Cat is an entertaining, addictive puzzle game that's great for killing time, be it while riding down the highway or after rage quitting your other games. It won't provide you a reason to leave dinner unfinished so you can race back to it, but the time you do spend with this fishing feline will be fun.
That Terraria continues to receive ports to new systems is a testament to the game's playability. It continues to attract new fans while prompting long-time players to double- and even triple-dip. I don't think you need the Switch version if you're already set up on your other gaming system(s) of preference (especially at the current price). If the Switch is your only option, however, it's good enough for us to offer a recommendation. Let's just hope the developers manage to dig up and build couch co-op before night falls again.
Hero Concept's additions help to break up the inherent monotony of Space Invaders, but Doughlings: Invasion is still a game that's fun for short bursts only. That's not a deal killer, of course, just something to consider before buying.
Listen; I know I shouldn't expect much when spending $0.99 on a 3DS game, but I at least expect a full product. Squarcat feels like a group assignment in Beginners Programming, and two of the team members decided they'd rather get drunk and make Tik Tok videos than help their classmates.
However you decide to play Agent A: A Puzzle in Disguise, do it. The game is clever, it's funny, it's well-designed, and it's involving. It's a great game to share with others, but it's fun to play on your own, too.
I liked Vambrace: Cold Soul, but it's certainly not for everyone. It requires more patience than many gamers can afford, and that's even among those who are already into roguelikes. If you can settle into its groove, however (and won't lose it when you're sucker-punched right out of that groove), there's some good, challenging fun to be had here.
Puzzle Quest was a highly addictive, wonderfully designed game back when it was originally released for the Nintendo 3DS and PSP back in 2007, and it’s equally addictive in this updated and expanded release for the Nintendo Switch.
Shmup fans are going to find a passable game in here. The unique visuals and ability to choose your missions do help to set Escape From the Universe apart from the competition. The gameplay, however, doesn't, and the general repetition and need to grind for credits make this a game that most will be fine to avoid.
Honestly, if it had been released as a handheld electronic game in 1982 my brothers and I would've been all over it. But it wasn't. It's 2019, and even for $1 on a dying gaming system I expected better results from my Space Intervention.
The Tiny Bang Story is a fun, gentle, whimsical title for anyone who enjoys a good puzzle or brain teaser. It's accessible to younger gamers without talking down to them, making it fun for adults, too. The game can be finished quicker than you may like, but it's priced accordingly and doesn't waste a single moment on anything other than the joy provided by its gameplay and presentation.
The Alliance Alive is a slightly above-average game that's dwarfed by the myriad JRPGs already available for and coming to the Switch. It can serve as a decent filler between them, but there's nothing in this HD remaster to make it a better option than its original 3DS release. Save yourself some cash and go that route if you can…just be sure to rotate those save files.
If I could find a $7.99 port of the BurgerTime arcade game (or, preferably, its Intellivision counterpart), that would be enough. That doesn't exist, however, so thankfully BurgerTime Party adds enough new content to justify its $19.99 asking price. The core arcade gameplay is as fun as ever, and although not all of the additions are necessary (or wanted), Marvelous got enough right to make this an entertaining diversion whether you're playing with a group or on your own.
So, yeah. Fatal Fracture is a bad game. It functions, but it has no reason to be. The process of buying it is actually more engaging than the game itself, and I think I'll just close this review with that.
If you haven't made room in your crowded wish list for DRAGON QUEST XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age, do so now. You don't need to take my word that it's one of most enjoyable Switch releases of the year, you can hit up the eShop for the demo and let the game's first 10 hours speak for themselves.
Trine 4: The Nightmare Prince may be the best of the Trine series, and it certainly deserves your consideration. If it's been a while since you've played Trine 1 or 2, by all means, dig in. But if you're just now getting into the series via any of the multiple packages available, you may start to feel burnt out before finishing this particular chapter.
The RPG element has been overblown, but it provides just enough incentive for you to get up and move. More importantly, it's engaging enough to keep you on top of it well after you'd've lost interest in other exercise apps. The Ring-Con itself is a quality accessory that's easy to use, and the whole package provides mostly accurate readings and feedback.