Yuso is a mediocre puzzle game that did very little to keep me hooked. The game lacks that “just one more turn” aspect needed for a puzzle game to be considered a classic. Some will probably find some redeeming qualities here, but there are way better puzzle games to consider before purchasing this one.
MEDIOCRE - The lesson learned here is that there are plenty of great games that do not need remakes. I’d love to see the game designers make a true sequel that plays and looks like the original. In a better world, Super Nintendo owners would have gotten a direct sequel to Shadowgate and this series and others like it would live on today.
I admire the team that finally got this game finished after nine years. Obviously there are Toki fans out there, but after waiting so long I fear most of them will be disappointed, mostly by the game's length and lack of features. For the classic or casual gamer looking for a great 2D platform/adventure title, there are simply far superior choices at a better value.
WORTH CONSIDERING - This is a game that everybody should get some enjoyment out of, but odds are you’ll spend much more time playing the included arcade port. One day I hope to see the quality sequel diehard fans deserve, but for now I am happy to be able to get my Bubble Bobble fix on the Switch. I still had a good time playing through it, and was satisfied completing it, but the original is still light years ahead of this.
State of Anarchy is worth considering if you’re looking for a smaller game to play in short bursts. It’s a fun time killer, but there’s not a lot of depth here. That’s not necessarily a bad thing – sometimes you just want to zone out and shoot everything that moves.
With a brilliant and striking graphical style, Candle will surely get noticed on the crowded Switch eShop storefront. The story and controls hold it back from becoming something truly inspiring and the challenge will no doubt be too high for some. It’s definitely worth considering!
Shaq Fu: A Legend Reborn is a run of the mill brawler, which just happens to feature pretty good boss fights. This game is really funny and is certainly worth playing for that alone. I had plenty of fun with this, despite its many shortcomings. Still, given the choice, I’d go with classics like Streets of Rage 2 or TMNT: Turtles in Time.
Who would have ever thought we’d see a parody of Super Street Fighter II in blackjack form? The concept works and it’s a fun game, but it’s lacking in the features department and the gameplay becomes stale after several rounds. The ‘90s references and music help prop the game up.
There’s no shortage of Metroidvania games on the Nintendo Switch. Ghost 1.0 is fun to explore, features some great music, and has some memorable weapon upgrades. However, the boring environments, mediocre story, and senseless kill rooms hold it back form being something truly special.
WORTH CONSIDERING - Oniken is a solid 2D action/platformer and I had a fun weekend playing through it. However, it doesn’t do anything extraordinary or original. There are plenty of games that overshadow this, but the $9.99 price tag is perfect and for that affordable price, anyone who picks this up will surely get their money’s worth.
20XX is clearly inspired by Mega Man games of yore, but it fails to live up to the intricate level design, memorable enemies, and clever bosses. The randomized nature means each play is different, which may appeal to some gamers, but I’ll take a hand-crafted experience over this any day of the week. There’s a lot to like here, but it never came together quite the way I had hoped.
Gal Metal is a very creative music game, but is held back due to lack of song choices and lots of boring sequences in between stages.
Red’s Kingdom fills a niche that’s been underserved so far on the Switch. The puzzle-adventure genre was never all that popular to begin with, but it’s nice to see a game like this on a current day console. If you like light puzzles, low combat adventure games that are on the cartoony side, this one’s for you!
GOOD - It’s so wonderful to see Nintendo allowing a very adult title on their system. There is no shortage of adventure titles on the Switch, and this is certainly one of the most entertaining. This game should take well over 10 hours to complete and offers a healthy and fair challenge. The major deterrent for buyers is going to be the $39.99 price point, which seems pretty high compared to other games in this genre. Wet Dreams Don’t Dry is filled with laughs, quirky characters, and plenty of humor making fun of the present day world as well as Larry’s past adventures.
I really wanted to like Okami HD more than I did. It features beautiful graphics and solid gameplay mechanics, but the massive amounts of text and slow pacing really put me off. There is a lot to like here and some are sure to like this game more than I did.
The Wardrobe is loaded with memorable characters, tons of pop culture references, funny dialog, and looks great on the Switch. The obtuse puzzles and somewhat short time to beat the game hold it back from being something truly amazing.
Presented in black and white and featuring a great story, White Night should satisfy horror adventure fans. There’s no combat to be found here, and expect a ton of reading, but if that’s your thing you’ll find lots to enjoy here.
GREAT - I’m so happy to see this classic Sega franchise make a comeback. Crowdfunding is surely the best thing to happen to video games in the last decade and as we see more terrific indie games and franchise reboots created with this method. I’m still holding out for new Oasis and Shining Force titles. With Back in the Groove, the story, theme, and dialogue are all rather lackluster and dated, but that doesn’t detract from this being outstanding adventure game that is perfect for the entire family.
Doughlings isn’t going to make any waves in the gaming world, but Turkish developer Hero Concept delivered a solid title, especially since it has been many years since any notable Arkanoid clone has been released. This classic formula equates to fun gamers of any age.
I had a lot of fun with this game and put many more hours into it then I would have expected. I got really into building my character’s stats up and tried to reach the top rankings in all the leagues. Those looking for a great fighting game should look elsewhere, but I’d urge you to give this one a chance. It just might suck you in!