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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
If you've already played Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons on another platform there's not much in the story or in-game achievements to warrant another trip. Playing with a partner, however, creates a whole new experience that's certainly worth sharing. And if you've never experienced this tale before, you should. The puzzles are fun, the story is touching, and it comes together in a way that's likely to leave a lasting impact.
All of this comes together for a mostly engaging strategic experience that is just long enough to not wear out its welcome. You're not going to sink hundreds of hours into it like you did with Breath of Wild and Xenoblade Chronicles 2, but that's a good thing in this case. Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac age chugs along at a decent speed (albeit sometimes slowed by long, repetitive environments and the micromanagement of the gambit system), with story elements dropped in just often enough to keep you intrigued.
If you're new to Kemco games or JPRGs in general, Sephirothic Stories serves as a light, quick (the game can be finished in around 10 hours), simple introduction to the genre. Unless you're looking for a deep challenge or a modern presentation, there's nothing really wrong here. However, there's also not much new or terribly interesting, making Sephirothic Stories a game that's okay to miss.
It's unfortunate that Theatre Tales was released in this unfinished state because it could be a fun, charming game for young players. In its current version, however, it's a big disappointment…like buying a volume of classic fairy tales with the pages of all but one story glued shut. The game's only $1.99, but you'll still feel cheated after Red gets her happily ever after. But hey, at least someone did.
Get Mechstermation Force, get a partner if you can, and get ready to save the world. You're going to frequently die trying, but the process will be a blast.
Silence provides a fun, thoughtful, but brief experience on the Nintendo Switch. Its charms may be lost on younger gamers, but old-school adventurers will like the way it harks back to the days of yore while eschewing many of the more annoying aspects of the genre. Silence has a great story that's well acted, wonderful environments to explore and puzzles that are fun to solve, but you may want to wait for a sale before you set off.
Lyrica comes together quite well in presentation and gameplay, but it's going to have a limited audience by design. The theme—although interesting—doesn't lend itself to the type of frenetic fun conveyed through most other rhythm games. Also, rhythm games on the Switch require portable play and (ideally) a pair of headphones, limiting their accessibility. If you're used to that, Lyrica is a unique entry in the genre. If not, there are others out there that will likely hold your attention longer and at a lower price point.
If you tend to play games for the story, you'll find plenty to like about The Liar Princess and the Blind Prince. If you're more about the puzzles and the platforming action, however, it'd be best to leave this particular storybook on the shelf.
I enjoyed Golf Peaks from start to finish. It's a fun, light game that's perfectly suited for portable play on the Switch, but is equally engaging in docked mode where it's easy to have some others help solve the puzzles. This is not priced to be a game that'll remain on your Switch for a long time, but you may find you'll keep it around for some quick brain flexing between bigger sessions with your standard, go-to titles.
With its methodical, unforgiving gameplay, Aragami: Shadow Edition is not for everyone. However, it doesn't try to be. It's aimed squarely at the Tenchu crowd, with whom it should be a hit. If you're a younger gamer who's never tried a true stealth game, Aragami is a great place to start.
There's certainly some roguelike fun to be had in Airheart – Tales of Broken Wings, especially for fans of twin-stick shooters and classic arcade action. Unfortunately, the elements outside of skyfishing and dogfighting are more of an interference than an enhancement, and they may put you off this game before you're able to get to the good stuff.
Fans of the series will (and should) relish the chance to finally play this entry in the series, and there's enough Tales goodness here to make it worth the wait. The story is involving, the acting is top-notch, and the remastered graphics are colorful and (mostly) crisp. However, these may not be at a level that will win over anyone who's never played a Tales game before. And to those who moved to the Switch from the PS3/4 and have recently enjoyed Tales of Xillia, Zestiria or Berseria, the overall presentation and combat system will feel like a regression. As long as you're okay with that, you'll enjoy this Tale.
Fake boxing in front of my TV is not an alternative to the gym. I get that. But I'm not going to a gym—like, ever again. So, as an alternative to whatever show I'd be watching or game I'd be playing, Fitness Boxing succeeds at its $50 asking price (although I'd rank it a bit higher at $40). If you're likely to feel the same, I recommend getting the digital download so it's always present and ready when you fire up your Switch to play something else (and there is a demo you can try). A half hour of cardio before two hours of Octopath Traveller is a really good idea.