Craig Majaski's Reviews
OUTSTANDING - It’s not too often we give perfect scores, but if ever a game was deserving of one, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is definitely it. Amazing gameplay mechanics, an enchanting world of discovery, and stunning visuals come together for an unforgettable experience.
Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is the full package. It has a compelling story, fun combat, likable characters, amazing music, nice visuals, and rewards exploration. One could easily spend over 100 hours in the world of Alrest, and we wouldn’t blame you if you never wanted to leave. An excellent choice for your Switch!
Valkyria Chronicles 4 continued to surprise me with just how damn fun and addicting the combat is. Fun and memorable characters, a wonderful presentation, and spot-on controls make this a game you won’t want to miss.
I never expected to be so enamored with a pinball adventure game, but here we are! Yoku’s Island Express combines fantastic visuals, sublime audio, and addicting gameplay mechanics to create a truly spectacular Switch experience. Pick this one up – it’s something special!
Dead Cells managed to surprise me over and over again. The gameplay is so much fun and the audiovisual production sublime. If you have a disdain for Roguelikes (as I usually do) I think you still should give this one a chance! There’s a lot to like here and it’s easily one of the best Switch experiences so far this year.
EXCELLENT - I absolutely adore Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Fans of the series will appreciate numerous quality of life improvements, especially when it comes to interior decorating. The new crafting mechanic and Nook Miles Rewards system are welcome additions to an already addictive experience. With beautiful graphics, charming characters, memorable soundtrack, and an unbelievable lasting value, this one will be on my Switch HOME screen for years to come.
EXCELLENT - Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom is one of the best Metroidvania games yet for the Nintendo Switch. The graphics are amazing, the music is memorable, the controls are impeccable, and the ability to change into different monsters makes for fresh and exciting gameplay. Difficulty spikes and timed puzzles can be frustrating at times, but they’re a slight blemish on an otherwise fantastic game!
This isn’t your father’s Pac-Man! Featuring new gameplay mechanics and colorful visuals, this is high-octane adrenaline-filled pure fun that any lover of arcade games will appreciate. The two-player co-op mode is a ton of fun and a perfect fit for the Switch’s “Share The Joy” concept. Don’t let this one pass you up.
Shantae: Half-Genie Hero has a ton of content and most of it is worth your time. The game features awesome visuals, great music, and spot-on controls. The witty dialog and humorous story make for an entertaining experience that won’t be forgotten.
Octopath Traveler is a fantastic example of taking a tried-and-true formula and applying new ideas to make it feel fresh and exciting again. The classic 16-bit graphics are enhanced with modern day effects to create a truly unique look. It features a fun turn-based battle system, wonderful music, and intriguing story. Don’t miss out on this Switch exclusive!
Gorgeous visuals, haunting music, a great story, and exceptionally fun gameplay mechanics make Diablo III: Eternal Collection one of the best titles on the Switch.
EXCELLENT - Inti Creates does it again with Blaster Master Zero 2! This sequel is filled with all sorts of new gameplay mechanics that are really fun to mess around with. There’s a lot of areas to explore and abilities to learn that will help mitigate the game’s somewhat high difficulty curve.
EXCELLENT - It’s not often that a current day indie game can meet or exceed the IP its drawing inspiration from, but Blazing Chrome somehow manages to perfectly capture the Contra III essence with some modern day sensibilities thrown in. If you enjoy 2-player co-op run and gun shooters, this one needs to be on your Switch right now.
EXCELLENT - The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening is a fantastic experience from start to finish. With an incredibly adorable art style and stunning soundtrack the most noticeable upgrades, it’s the improved control scheme that really makes this game more approachable than ever before. Newcomers can expect at least 15 hours of game (more if you want to collect everything), whereas veterans should have no trouble blowing through the game at a much quicker pace. The value will be in the eye of the beholder, but after seeing the credits roll I felt the $60 price tag was more than fair.
EXCELLENT - I never expected a developer I had never heard of (DevHour Games) to outdo Jupiter (the developers of the original Picross), but Depixtion does just that. Each image features three layers (each a different primary color) of Picross puzzles to solve, making the final picture even more satisfying upon completion. Add in a superb soundtrack and you have yourself a winner. Puzzle fans should eat this one up.
EXCELLENT - Gamers have overlooked the beat’em up genre for decades, but Streets of Rage 4 is here to knock some sense into them. It walks that fine line of providing just the right amount nostalgia while at the same time injecting new characters and gameplay to create a fantastic experience that should appeal to the teenagers of the ‘80s and today. Grab a friend and kick some butt. Don’t sleep on this one!
EXCELLENT - Hades revolutionizes storytelling by unraveling new dialog and exposition each time you die, making every single attempt at escaping the Underworld new and exciting. The replayability is extremely high here with randomized rooms and perks, and a gameplay loop that will have you saying, “Just one more time!” well past your bedtime. Don’t let the roguelike description scare you away from giving this one a try.
Runbow takes a simple concept and, pardon the pun, runs with it. The color-changing mechanic is easy to understand and puts a fun spin on what would otherwise be a standard platformer. Couch multiplayer is where this game really shines, so be sure to whip this one out at parties for a sure-fire hit.
Banner Saga 2 picks up after the first, so start there if you’re able to. With more classes, slightly enhanced visuals, and an expertly crafted story, there’s a lot to offer here. Fans of strategy RPGs should definitely consider this series.
Hollow Knight is yet another example of a great fit on the Switch. The game is extremely challenging and offers up some fun gameplay mechanics. It’s also very long for this type of game, so you’re sure to get your money’s worth!