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).
Clumsy Rush is priced to do exactly what it's meant to do. Boot this game up when you've got friends and family over for the holidays, hand them a controller, and let the hilarity ensue. Everyone is going to want a turn, but don't be surprised when they willingly give up their turn after just a few minutes.
You're not going to get much replay value out of Breathing Fear, but that's expected at its asking price of $5.00. It's best enjoyed in one prolonged gaming session, so it's more effective as a slightly unsettling way to kill a couple hours on a road trip…hopefully to an abandoned house in the middle of the woods on a very dark night. Remember to pack your batteries and alcohol.
Bee Simulator's flying mechanics will frustrate younger gamers, and its grade-school level presentation will turn away adults. If you're able to find some happy ground between the two of them, however, it's a thoughtful, educational, and fun way to live out the life of a bee.
The core arcade shoot-em-up action is what carries Battle Planet – Judgement Day through. It's a little too repetitive by design to push you straight through, but it's a fun, fairly priced diversion to boot up every now and again, especially with a buddy by your side.
Those who are familiar with or already participate in Zumba classes are going to love the familiarity of Zumba: Burn it Up and the distraction-free access to the routines. Those who aren't, however, will have to get past an initial period of ineptitude while you figure out the moves. I'd personally rather do that at home than at an actual Zumba class, but with nothing here beyond the energetic exercises to keep you motivated, actual classes will serve you better if you're in it for the long haul.
The mature content and somber approach of The Witcher III: Wild Hunt – Complete Edition may put off some gamers, but it's a can't-miss game for those seeking an RPG with more bite and consequence (not to mention playable characters above the age of 15) than we normally get on Nintendo systems.
If you really like the open-world, GTA-style games and haven't grown tired of really old graphics technology, there is some fun to be had with Shakedown: Hawaii. Otherwise, you might want to look for a more robust game to squeeze some more life out of you Nintendo 3DS.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.