Aces of the Sky immediately hits you with frenzied, stylized, WWI-era aerial combat, then does little to change the formula throughout its two stories. Whether you can deal with the repetitiveness depends upon how much of an arcade gamer you (and hopefully a nearby squad mate) really are.
Considering their amazing catalog, I'm not sure why Atari keeps trying to make 1972's Pong relevant for modern gamers. Pong Quest is a clever, valiant run at it, aided by solid controls and some decent multiplayer life. But it's still just Pong, and the game is at its best when they help you forget that.
Spirit of the North is an atmospheric, evocative adventure game with puzzle/platforming elements that—despite being clumsily implemented in parts—are ultimately rewarding if you stick with it.
As a throwback to 8-bit platformers, Miles & Kilo works better than most. It also works as a legitimate reason to fire up your old Nintendo 3DS and remember how much fun action/arcade games were—and how cool that 3D effect was—the first time you played it.
Dread Nautical provides a very good turn-based adventure underneath an unfortunately cartoonish presentation. It can't quite figure out if it wants to be scary or goofy, but the gameplay and level designs are deep enough to keep players engaged throughout.
CAN ANDROIDS PRAY:BLUE tells an effective story of two mech pilots addressing some existential topics as they face imminent death. It's not a game, but a unique narrative that's better if you have someone with whom you can share the characters' struggle.
If you subscribe to Apple Arcade and can play Shinsekai Into the Depths on any of your Apple devices, there's little to be gained by moving it to the Switch. But if the Switch is your only access to this undersea wonderland, Shinsekai is an intriguing, engaging, and beautiful adventure worth exploring.
To do today: get up, brush teeth, follow strange dream about a deer and head off to the cursed castle to see what happens. Sounds like a plan, so what could possibly go wrong? Well, we all know the answer to that question, don't we? In Operencia, you take off on a journey of exploration, adventure, and heroic deeds—not to mention monsters and mayhem. If you enjoy turn based RPGs, this one is worth checking out.
Baron: Fur is Gonna Fly is a clever, comical, completely accessible combat game that'll appeal to arcade action fans of any age level. Gameplay is tight, the characters are engaging, and the music is simply outstanding. The Royal Guardsmen would definitely be proud…even if Snoopy himself is called out here.
Warriors Orochi IV Ultimate is so big and messy that I would never recommend it as an introduction to Mosou-style gaming. If, however, you beat Fire Emblem Warriors or Hyrule Warriors and thought, "Wait…that can't be it," you will not draw the same conclusion here. Not by a longshot.
Dead or School provides a surprisingly long side-scrolling action campaign that's sure to please fans of Castlevania-style games, especially those who've grown tired of countless retro-graphic homages. The action is tight, the story is fun, and the rewards are big.
inbento is a joyful little game that's wonderfully presented. It's perhaps too challenging for young kids, however, and not varied enough for adults. That doesn't mean it's not worth playing, but rather—like lunch itself—that it's best enjoyed if you and a youngster can share the time spent with it.
I'm not sure Wet Dreams Don't Dry is worth playing if you've never been on an adventure with Leisure Suit Larry before, but those of us who have will enjoy the trip back in time to…uh…2020. The comedy is mostly there, the frustrating puzzles are fully there, and the lessons therein will make us take a critical look at ourselves if we're open to doing so. Larry's always been useful in that way.
Although it's great to see new games released for the 3DS (and with a good implementation of the 3D effect that even Nintendo eventually abandoned), Silver Falls: 3 Down Stars isn't worth dusting off your old portable. It's effectively creepy, but it's also buggy, drab, and a general slog. However, it leaves me with hope that the developers will be able to put it all together in future games.
You don't have to be a puzzle aficionado to enjoy Glass Masquerade 2: Illusions. It helps, of course, as would an appreciation for quality artwork. What really matters here, though, is that the game is so well-crafted and presented that it serves as a captivating, ethereal way to spend time relaxing with your Switch.
The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance Tactics doesn't do much to stand out from other turn-based tactics games, but it treats both the genre and the show—and therefore the fans of each—with the respect they deserve.
Although Eclipse: Edge of Light is a highly atmospheric game of planetary exploration, it loses its luster when moved from its VR origins to the flat screen of the Nintendo Switch. It's an easy world to explore for a few hours, but one that offers little overall reward for its $15 asking price.
While I very much appreciate the efforts all the game developers out there put in to entertain us, Demolish and Build falls flat. You get to drive bulldozers and cranes and the like, but it's a lot of work with only a little fun.
Those with no interest in the Japanese idol industry may be alienated by how deeply Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE: Encore digs into it (I'm sure I missed a lot of jokes), but I can't imagine there are Nintendo gamers out there who aren't interested in Japanese entertainment. Don't seek this one out specifically as a Fire Emblem game, but fans of Persona, Shin Megami Tensei, or JRPGs in general should love it.
Puzzle fans seeking a light diversion may not want to devote the time required to solve some of the later challenges in Mushroom Quest, but serious solvers are going to be pleased with this purchase. Long live the block (and the mushrooms that push it).