Craig Majaski's Reviews
Some games just should never be made and Awkward is a perfect example of one. It’s not worth 99 cents let alone the $12 asking price. The premise had promise but the actual questions are ridiculously watered down and boring. Don’t bother with this one.
This is a terrible game for the Switch. There’s literally no strategy involved in playing and the game is so generic that it’s almost an insult to see the icon on my Switch home screen. Even though it’s only $5, spend that elsewhere and thank me later.
BAD - Gleamlight commits the cardinal sin of gaming by being boring. There’s nothing good to see here, and that’s a shame considering its premise seemed promising. The gameplay is boring, the visuals are generic, the AI is terrible, the core mission is on the short side, and that all adds up to a bad time. This is a very crowded market on the Switch and you can find so many other titles worthy of your time.
MEDIOCRE - It pains me to score The Jackbox Party Pack 6 so low because I’m truly a huge fan of the series. Normally at least two or three of the five included games are a blast, but this time around only one (Trivia Murder Party 2) really delivered the goods. Some may find a few more of the included games worth their time, but overall I can’t help but be disappointed.
MEDIOCRE - On the surface Dragon Marked For Death ticked all the right boxes: beautiful sprites, colorful graphics, co-op action/adventure, RPG elements, and compelling story. After playing it became obvious the game offers a very shallow gameplay experience with repetitive combat, difficulty spikes, and bosses that just won’t die. The bottom line is that this one just isn’t all that fun to play.
Hardcore strategy RPG fans might find something to like here, but chances are you own a PC and have already checked out Wasteland 2. A frustratingly unfair combat system and gaudy graphics leave much to be desired.
WORTH CONSIDERING - I had high hopes for Trüberbrook. With its unique graphics, surreal setting, and sci-fi point-and-click adventure I figured it would be right up my alley. Unfortunately clunky and slow controls combined with so-so puzzles and uninteresting dialog made for a slightly above average affair.
WORTH CONSIDERING - The King’s Bird could have been something truly special, but middling controls, average level design, and infuriating difficulty will leave many giving up on it well before the ending. Some will no doubt cherish the challenge, but most would be better served looking elsewhere.
Trailblazers incorporates some fun ideas, like painting the road to create boost strips, but fails to deliver in the controls department. It’s worth considering if you’re looking for something else that isn’t Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – but it’s nowhere near as fun.
The Fall Part 2: Unbound looked extremely promising. Metroidvania exploration? Check. Point and click adventure? Check. Sign me up! Unfortunately the gameplay mechanics are stiff and uninspired and the puzzle solving is either too easy at times or too “out there”, which can lead to clicking on everything until something works.
World To The West is worth considering if you enjoy adventure games like Zelda. I just wish it had a more interesting story, better graphics, and wasn’t so generic in its gameplay. Some will find enjoyment here, but I wasn’t impressed.
WORTH CONSIDERING - A lack of innovation, boring exploration, and disappointing graphics make Rune Factory 5 a game you could probably skip over unless you’re a super fan of the series. Newcomers might find enough to like here, but might be better served waiting for a price drop just to make sure.
WORTH CONSIDERING - Fans of the original game on the Mega Drive/Genesis will no doubt appreciate all of the hard work that went into updating Wonder Boy: Asha in Monster World for the modern era. Despite its wonderful animations and enchanting soundtrack, the gameplay and level design leave a bit to be desired. The game isn’t overly long and for $34.99 it’s hard to recommend this one to anyone that doesn’t already know what they’re getting into.
WORTH CONSIDERING - Namco Museum Archives Volume 2 contains a more eclectic batch of games that may have a harder time resonating with much of the gaming public. That being said, it’s worth checking out if you have a history with the titles included and several are still very playable today.
WORTH CONSIDERING - Panzer Dragoon: Remake will certainly appeal to fans of the original Saturn game and to those of you I say absolutely pick this one up. I had a fun time blasting my way through the game and really enjoyed the updated visuals. The new soundtrack lacks the punch of the original, but sounds more sophisticated. Luckily the original can be toggled from the options so you get the best of both worlds. A high price combined with a short campaign and a niche genre makes this one difficult to recommend to anyone except devoted fans.
WORTH CONSIDERING - Langrisser I & II is the definition of a game worthy of consideration. Fans of the tactical RPG genre that don’t mind playing map after map of battles with no tutorials and sparse story will be right at home. Newcomers to the genre would be better served elsewhere. These games come directly from the early ‘90s and despite a new coat of paint don’t have a modern feel to them. A free demo on the eShop is recommended before throwing down 50 bones.
WORTH CONSIDERING - Jet Kave Adventure checks all the boxes for what a sidescrolling action platformer should be, but it doesn’t go above and beyond to create a lasting impression. What’s here is solid and there are some fun levels to play through. The soundtrack is pretty boring, but the graphics are pretty to look at and the jetpack gameplay mechanic is enjoyable. This is a good pick up if you’re yearning for more platforming on a system filled with platformers.
WORTH CONSIDERING - I give the developers credit for trying some new gameplay ideas, but they mostly failed at creating a funny narrative and worlds that are fun to explore. I was never wowed by anything in the game, and that’s a shame. Still, the co-op can be fun and the game did release at a reasonable $39.99, making it worth considering for younger gamers.
WORTH CONSIDERING - I had such high hopes for Battle Princess Madelyn. The core concept works and if you’re just looking for another Ghouls ‘N Ghosts action game, play the arcade mode. The adventure mode is a mess with poor stage design and little to no direction on where or what to do next. Without a walkthrough most will never see the end.
I really wanted to like Bombslinger and in some ways I did. The grueling difficulty spikes (which are randomized) and the game’s bugs got in the way of my enjoyment. The multiplayer mode is probably worth the price of admission for those looking for an alternative to Bomberman.