Life is Strange Remastered Collection is only good because Life is Strange is so good. The upgrades are nice, but they aren’t evenly applied and sometimes make the game look worse. It also has an inexcusable number of bugs. Life is Strange and Before the Storm are great games, but this collection is lacking. I recommend just picking up the original versions. You can probably find them cheaper than this collection, and they offer just as good an experience. They offer a better experience in some ways.
Dusk is a fantastic game. I think it loses a little bit by being on the Switch as controlling such a fast character with a controller just doesn’t feel as good as it does with mouse and keyboard. Combine that with a weapon wheel that doesn’t slow time, and you can have some chaotic moments that come from annoyance as you struggle to get the weapon you want while bunny-hopping around. Still, the atmosphere, level design, and pure frenetic gameplay are more than enough to make up for these minor drawbacks. Dusk on Switch is a horrifically good time, and being able to take it on the go is worth a few compromises.
Wasteland 3 is one of the best RPGs around. The world is fantastic, the characters are interesting, it is packed with content, and combat is engaging. It has a few issues, but the game is just too good for them to distract me.
Darkestville Castle is a humorous point and click adventure game that doesn't add anything new, but offers a very polished experience. Some control annoyances do little to hamper the experience and jokes land more often than not.
Hellpoint is an interesting entry to the popular Souls-like genre and I think it is one worth playing. I wish it was more clear on the rules of the world and I'm not a fan of fast travel being restricted. Still, the black hole and rewarding exploration make Hellpoint a fun and rewarding game.
Othercide is an engaging tactical rpg and I'm going to hop right back in. There are so many different strategies to employ that it never gets boring. The timeline is a fantastic idea that adds a lot of strategic options. It can be almost too hard at times, but I know I'll get through anything given enough time.
There just isn't a reason to play Carrion. There is little narrative, repetitive combat, limited puzzles, and almost zero horror elements. The atmosphere is okay and it reminds me of Alien but that's about as far as it goes with horror. Just leave this monster stuck in the vent.
The Primate Observation Club has you watching monkeys as you struggle to pay for more cages while taking care of yourself. The balance between time and money is consistently engaging. The subject's lives are yours to watch. There is just one key rule: Do not feed the monkeys.
Dread Nautical offers minimalistic graphics and gameplay. The core gameplay loop is too repetitive to be interesting beyond a few hours. Survivors, combat, and looting all needed to be fleshed out more to create more engaging systems. Dread Nautical is a cruise I won't regret skipping.
DOOM Eternal is drastically better than DOOM (2016), which was already an incredible game. Some players may not enjoy just how much more complex DOOM Eternal is, but I find it addicting. This is one of the best shooters I've ever played.
If you have never played a Yakuza game, Yakuza 0 makes for the perfect entry point. It introduces a host of wacky characters and starts the journey of Kiryu that certainly doesn't end here. Beyond that, though, Yakuza 0 is just a damn good game, and that's rad.
Nioh 2 does a lot right and fixes many of my issues with the first one. Much like the first one, however, it is a flawed experience. It's still incredibly enjoyable and certainly worth a playthrough, I just wish it was a little less tedious in areas.
The Curse of Anabelle isn't scary. It isn't funny. It certainly isn't a good game. The only thing scary about this game is the fact that it can kill the player of pure boredom.
Not Tonight: Take Back Control Edition is equal parts stressful and fun. The risk and reward approach had me questioning my decisions while the perfect difficulty curve made sure I was never bored. The story is simple but effective and very fun. Not Tonight is simply fantastic in all regards.
Virgo Versus the Zodiac is clearly inspired by other titles like the Mario RPGs and Undertale but its unique humor and stellar writing help it stand apart. This is a fresh RPG that is incredibly fun from start to finish. While not quite at the level of Undertale, this is not a game to miss if you love unique RPGs.
Romancing SaGa 3 is a strange game. I like some of its oddities, but others not so much. The game is a bit of a mess. It is, however, a really pretty mess with a great soundtrack. There is a lot of good here, but I just wish it wasn't so bogged down with nonsense.
Thief of Thieves is an interesting but unpolished stealth game that offers a great cast of characters but has little else going for it. The voice acting and writing had me invested in these characters and I enjoyed my journey with them; I just wish it had less of the stealth gameplay which isn't exactly great since this is a stealth game. In the end, it just really made me want to play Dishonored again.
Code Vein is an anime Souls-lite. It doesn't have the same mystery or quiet contemplation found in the Souls series, but that also means it offers something different. The world is interesting, the story kept my attention, and the combat is smooth. If you have an itch for a new Soul-like, Code Vein is perfect for you.
Stygian: Reign of the Old Ones is a fantastic RPG. The story is interesting, the characters are unique, the quests are varied, and the systems run deep. There are a variety of different ways to play this game and I can't wait to jump back in and explore some new paths. This is one nightmare I highly recommend.
Daemon X Machina is a great mech action game in a genre that has pretty much disappeared. The combat and customization options are first rate and I never got bored with experimenting with different weaponry. This really is like a mecha anime, and it's one I highly recommend, even if it isn't as great as it could be.