SNK 40th Anniversary Collection is an awesome anthology of classics that felt about time it should exist. The games included can be debatable, but holding out-of-print or hard-to-find games in the palm of your hands is way cooler than coming up empty. The Museum feature alone really is a blast from the past. The Watch feature is a new innovation that lets players not only witness a playthrough, but control it and resume the game from any point they choose. Overall, this is a worthy package created with care.
6 Eyes Studio is a 2-person developer who had a vision to make a great rpg experience and they've succeeded in every regard. Fell Seal: Arbiter's Mark is a joy to play. Turn-based Strategy purists should give this one a run as the customization and gameplay are easily the core highlights to that type of experience. The fantastic art and music only make the experience grander. If you've been missing a Final Fantasy Tactics-like game, then look no further.
Children of Morta is has multiple beautiful pieces that fit together. The Diablo-esque style gameplay is satisfying. The emphasis on family and bonds is told & shown throughout the game in a wholesome way. The pixel graphics and animation are very high quality and is simply gorgeous. There's oomph and impact you can feel. The procedurally-generated dungeon runs and grind might not be for everyone, but Dead Mage Studio shows exactly how it can be done properly.
SteamWorld Dig: A Fistful of Dirt may not be good as SteamWorld Dig 2, but it's still good. Getting to know the characters and even having different moves is enough to warrant playing it if you haven't already, but it's fun anyway. If this game is your introduction and you are into the metroidvania genre, you will also enjoy this. It has a pacing that never dulls and you're constantly being rewarded. It's about time you dig in.
It always feels good to play a game that pays total homage to The Legend of Zelda. The world design found in Blossom Tales: The Sleeping King shows it was cared for and the controls feel good. There aren't many collectibles and upgrades and the game doesn't put up a fight through most of it, but I can't deny the strength in all of its departments be it dungeons, bosses, charming dialog and vibrant art style. Heart went into this game. Anyone looking for a fun Zelda clone shouldn't look past Blossom Tales. It's worth picking up. It's worth getting a sequel. I want more.
Ittle Dew from 2013 has always been seen as a game that took direct inspiration from The Legend of Zelda series. Ittle Dew 2+ follows that principle, but adds so much more than the original game and sets out to create its own identity. It's sort of like allowing a game like Zelda to go a little crazy by not being entirely serious and be a well-designed game at the same time. Players looking for sidequests in order to have more to do won't exactly find that in Ittle Dew 2+. Instead, the puzzles and dungeons that are in the game are enough to fill that void. The developer Ludosity created an even better product than Ittle Dew's first outing and this game is sure to please fans of the first game as well as players looking for a puzzle-solving top-down action-adventure in the same vein as The Legend of Zelda. The team has great ideas and I'd love to see what they could come up with if given the opportunity of a bigger production budget.
Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate truly is the ultimate Monster Hunter package. It's missing the quality of life improvements, openness, and spectacular visuals found in Monster Hunter World, but what it's not lacking is content and varied gameplay which can be seen as the best in the series. This action-rpg is no hack & slash. It's depth is engaging. Over 14 weapon types means 14 distinct fighting styles. Tons to craft, collect and sights to see. The 93 bosses are unique in both design and their patterns which provides a fresh experience every time you meet a new one. The game is fine solo, but if you grab a few buddies and get to work, it's one of the best times. Just stay away from fighting on the edges of areas. Happy Hunting!
Labyrinth of Refrain: Coven of Dusk is like if Disgaea was a first-person dungeon-crawler RPG, albeit with an entirely different cast. The character and enemy designs are good and the humor is still intact. Above all, the battle system is fun to play. Exploring the different labyrinths can be feel a bit repetitive at the start, but it helps you earn the experience and learn the mechanics. The game continues to open up and flows much better as you learn more abilities and are able to craft more Puppet Soldiers to your party. As far as dungeon crawlers are concerned, Labyrinth of Refrain: Coven of Dusk pretty much nails it.
Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles is like The Elder Scrolls for the most casual player all the way to The Legend of Zelda to its charming world design. While it can be compared to an open-world Harvest Moon, it's very much its own identity. There's plenty of deep rewards for those who live for that stuff. The sense of discovery kept me engaged the whole time. I wanted to collect everything not because I was forced to, but because I wanted to. Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles evokes the feeling of that time of innocence while being a kid roaming grassy fields and stuffing your backpack with everything you can find and knowing that even simple sticks & stones were treasures because they were yours. Then you mastered their uses and felt like the best adventurer ever.
Ys has a long and respected history. Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of DANA is only carrying the torch of what came before. There's so much to love about this game from its characters, the environments, the enemy designs and the juicy combat system. You can expect the usual JRPG goodness such as typical anime tropes, silly dialogue, humorous moments and dramatic events. The soundtrack is no slouch, either. It's great. There is performance issues and the localization is far from perfect, but Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of DANA at its core and every unique thing it offers makes for a jolly time. If this is your only way of playing the game, then you need this JRPG in your library immediately.
Vaporum is a well-rounded RPG that properly executes a classic experience with a nice coat of paint. It takes what you commonly love in a more fantasy/medieval setting and interprets it into a steampunk setting. Vaporum looks the part and sound effects and environment ambiance also help sell the atmosphere. The combat is fast, but flexible. And the choices given for certain playstyles make it a worthwhile experience.
SNK HEROINES ~Tag Team Frenzy~ is made with love from the creators and it shows. It's accessibility is meant for players of all skill types, neither catering to only the hardcore players or only casuals; just both at once. There is plenty of content to unlock and plenty of ways to customize your character. Even if it's not as sharp as the PlayStation 4 version, it's still eye-candy on the Switch. The soundtrack is also pretty good with the best remixes of past songs. There's enough single player for the solo player and co-op/versus for players of two, but up to 8 can play together both offline and online. Above all, it's just fun to play. Looking forward to the future characters being added to the roster.
Cursed Castilla EX is on Nintendo Switch and it may as well be the best version. In a time where 2D pixel-art have made a huge comeback, don't let Cursed Castilla EX get lost in the shuffle. Cursed Castilla EX respects your time when playing it and Locomalito has certainly earned my respect as a developer after playing it. Fans of Super Ghouls n' Ghosts/Ghosts & Goblins looking for something on par should look no further. With tight controls, carefully crafted levels, hidden secrets and fantastic bosses... Cursed Castilla EX is all-around quality and a polished experience.
So it looks like Bridge Constructor and Portal got married. I hope it's going well. They look nice together. I hope they add more members to the family.
Pode takes the cooperative experience from Snipperclips and puts it into 3d environments, yet is warmer and even cuter. The Norwegian-influenced art direction is pleasant to see come to life via pop-up book aesthetic. The puzzles are creative and remain a suitable challenge for all players. There is no negativity to be found in the game and the wonderful audiovisual aspect drives that notion home. Good vibes all around.
If winter never came for you, then it's here now. Vambrace: Cold Soul does a fine job in its atmosphere and has the lore built around it that's believable and easy to get into. It's a harsh world and death could come easily. It's even more enjoyable thanks to the fantastic artwork and dozens of outfits to unlock. The turn-based battles aren't groundbreaking, but they're enough to present a challenge at the very least. What's impressive about Vambrace is its world. Every character has something new to say after every event and so much of it can be missed. Depending on your choices, you will get one of three different endings. The people you meet along the way play a huge role in what's to be seen. Even with its flaws, Vambrace: Cold Soul is a chilling ride that many players could warm up to.
Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & the Secret Fairy more-or-less does what the sequel should be. We're on another adventure in the Ryza universe with refinements, returning with Ryza herself and the crew, no less. I can see how certain features being streamlined, such as synthesizing, may be seen as toned down for long-time players, but it just feels better. Atelier is probably too wholesome for its own good, as often the obvious and expected are just that, but I wouldn't want it any other way. Ryza 2 provides some new mechanics that leaves one wondering about future improvements and is enough to enjoy embarking on a new adventure. (Even though Fi was largely annoying for most of the game).
Earthlock can be summed up as the JRPG to get for anyone needing to get their fill of a classic formula while being fresh at the same time. Everything about the game is pretty well-done and if one didn't know an indie developer was behind its creation, one might think that it came from a widely popular studio instead. Occasionally the writing comes off flat and more could be done to be emotionally attached to some of the characters, but the gameplay, visuals and music are great! It can be a grind, but it also won't leave your mind. Bring on the remaining games in this trilogy.
When it comes down to it, the core gameplay is just as fun as it has ever been. Playing with others is what makes this series remain fresh after all these years. People only looking for a single player experience should look elsewhere.
Layers of Fear: Legacy isn't your typical horror game with weaponry or with the means of survival from enemies. Instead, it takes a more artistic direction, technically, and manages to feel compelling from start to finish. The gameplay itself isn't too deep, but the narrative and atmosphere are top notch. Simply put, this is a great experience for anyone looking for eerie undertones without the baggage of item management and the stress of time.