The fun and nostalgic creative choices of '70s ear Bush League Hockey aren't quite enough to make up for its clunky gameplay and bad AI. Its 4-player local multiplayer may appeal to hard-core hockey fans, but consider it a healthy scratch for everyone else.
WitchSpring3 [Re:Fine] – The Story of Eirudy is a port of a made-for-mobile, turn-based JRPG that should've stayed on mobile devices. It's not bad, but it's better played in short bursts where the game's lack of a solid hook and issues with repetition are more forgivable.
WWE 2K Battlegrounds is a decent fighting game marred by multiple bad campaign and transactional decisions. Like the real WWE, it's best enjoyed when you focus on what's happening in the ring and ignore everything that surrounds it.
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.
As far as 2D horror platformers go, Unlife is about as indie as they can get. Grammar errors, UI issues, and awkward controls abound, but they somehow add to the B movie charm if you're in the right mood. It's not a game I'd recommend to most, but to those to whom I would recommend it, I'd do so with gusto.
AdventureQuest 8-Bit: Dungeons & Doomknights has its heart in the right place, but it relies a bit too much on parody to appeal to most gamers. Gameplay is outweighed by the comedy, leaving a generally flat experience if you're not in on the joke.
The core gameplay and roguelite loop of Hello Kitty and Friends Happiness Parade likely won't hold the attention of rhythm game fans for long. Its J-pop charms, however, may be enough to win over Hello Kitty fans or those who just enjoy happiness in general.
The arcade games that comprise Taito Milestones 2 may not be well-known, but that doesn't mean there's no fun to be found here. The collection focuses heavily on shoot 'em ups and platformers, and the best titles come from those genres. The brawlers, unfortunately, are best left forgotten.
There's a great game waiting to be checked out from The Library of Babel, but it's currently buried under platforming puzzles that are too annoying to be fun. It's a beautiful game with a compelling story, but it needs some difficulty adjustments to let the fun parts save the day.
Romancing SaGa -Minstrel Song- Remastered offers a trip back to when JRPGs didn't just offer multiple playthroughs, they counted on them. This game expects you to miss numerous events and items, and to want to try again. Because of its complexity and general aimlessness, however, I'm not sure many will want to.
McPixel 3 is a gag-heavy mashup of microgames and '90s adventure puzzles. It works when relying on speed and insanity, but its repetition and heavy reliance on trial-and-error solutions and gross-out humor will turn all but a few players away before completion.
As far as KEMCO JRPGs go, Fairy Elements does its job-no more, no less. It's fine as a light adventure you can return to from time to time, but you won't be clearing room in your calendar to find that time.
Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance II will provide a mana-blast of nostalgic glee for those who played the original Dark Alliance hack-and-slash RPG on their GameCube, but it doesn't offer enough excitement or variety to otherwise hold your attention.
Touken Ranbu Warriors is a purposeful regression of the Warriors franchise, focusing on the characters and story instead of the Musou-style combat. It works as a lark, especially for fans of the Touken Ranbu franchise. But at the asking price, there are much better options available (and forthcoming) for those who enjoy the 1 vs. 1,000 gameplay mechanics and strategies.
The House of the Dead: Remake successfully moves to the Switch everything you loved about the on-rails shooting arcade game…except the controls. It's fun to play with a friend provided you both understand that the very act of aiming and shooting will be an exercise in frustration.
Corpse Killer – 25th Anniversary Edition offers us a trip back to gaming's horrific full-motion video past. It's an era we should study to make sure we don't repeat our mistakes, but it's far enough behind us now that I can admit some of those mistakes can provide a bit of goofy fun.
Rise Eterna is good enough to give tactical RPG fans something to enjoy while they await big studio releases, but its lack of difficulty and unfortunate UI issues will prevent other gamers from playing through to its unsatisfying ending.
With its unique visuals, clever environmental puzzles, and non-violent gameplay, El Hijo is a welcome entry in the somewhat overlooked stealth/puzzle genre. If you don't buy into the gameplay before the repetition sets in, however, it can become an adventure that's easily abandoned.
Either a shoot 'em up with bubble popper elements or a match-four game with shmup tendences, Galacide is an interesting, visually appealing mash-up. It's something you're likely not used to seeing, but whether you find it successful will depend mostly upon what you like and dislike about each genre.
Those seeking an instantly accessible arcade-action thrill are going to find it with We Are Doomed. Like many arcade games before it, however, that thrill does wear off quickly.