James Eckhoff
Technical difficulties aside, Horace is an endearing, nostalgic, platforming masterpiece. Even after having to start fresh at one point, I could not wait to jump right back in and play more.
Attractive visuals and level variety could not quite make up for the technical difficulties present in Fin and the Ancient Mystery. However, given the approachable price point and mild replayability, this game might be worth a quick playthrough for fans of platforming games, assuming depth is not part of your gaming pursuits.
As random as it sounds, combining robots, pinball, and hack and slash game play absolutely works. The Creature in the Well is by no means a casual game due to its difficulty, though the slow but steady ramping of skill required and the satisfaction of completing a dungeon section are more than enough to keep almost any gamer trying to beat just one more room.
Gorgeous visuals, charming characters, and engaging story abound in this remaster. While changes are purely graphical in nature, Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch certainly deserves a play for newcomers and veterans alike.
While I enjoyed my time with Cat Quest 2, a bit more depth all around would have been "purr-furred." Perhaps the developer's hints of updates to come will remedy this oversight sufficiently.
Indivisible is a gorgeous game that beautifully blends genres to create an engaging, exciting experience. This is a pleasantly refreshing take on a much reproduced gaming formula.
If you are willing to brave the chaotic difficulty and dystopian grittiness, Valfaris is absolutely worth every moment!
While a bit simplistic in some ways, the simplicity of Autonauts lends itself beautifully to engaging gameplay and fun to all who play it.
Little Town Hero is a refreshing take on the turn-based RPG genre, with gorgeous visuals, a perfect soundtrack, and endearing characters. If the tedium of combat was tuned a bit, this would be a 10 out of 10 hands down.
Technical difficulties sadly sabotage what could otherwise have been an enjoyable medieval management sim. Perhaps future patches will soften up these rough edges.
Inconsistent voice acting aside, Moons of Madness nails the eldritch ambiance and unmitigated madness that its Lovecraftian influence deserves.
Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz HD could be a wonderfully fun and enjoyable game. Sadly, control difficulties and horrendous camera mechanics greatly diminish the fun to be had.
Northgard certainly is not a bad game by any means, though I felt myself wanting it to be more of a game. Whether simplified for console release or not, I found myself craving more depth throughout my time in this Norse world.
Skybolt Zack is a hard to put down, quite enjoyable, if mildly shallow, game for anyone who enjoys speed-running and score maxing. That, combined with the excellent visuals and soundtrack, makes Skybolt Zack well worth a play-through.
New Super Lucky's Tale is a delight to play, and I strongly encourage young and old alike to give it a try. Just make sure you are patient with loading screens...
Blacksad: Under the Skin has a pleasantly engaging story and fine, if somewhat repetitive, game play mechanics. Unfortunately, the end result just did not seem to be a finished product. Significant patch work will be needed to do justice to the story.
Bad press aside, I found Pokemon Shield to be a solid entry in the Pokemon franchise. If only the difficulty was a bit elevated for seasoned players.
SuperEpic's satirical style might not be for everyone, but if you are OK with that aspect then this is an excellent addition to the ever growing Metroidvania genre. Graphics, soundtrack, and gameplay fit together beautifully, making SuperEpic difficult to put down.
Colorful, chaotic geometry simultaneous made me want to run to the hills and try "just one more time" when playing through Thoth. Excellently polished game that deserves a spot on everyone's Nintendo Switch without a doubt.
Might & Magic: Chess Royale is an excellent game for passing small bits of time, though the lack of depth makes it feel stale over time. Nothing revolutionary has been added to either genre here. Regardless, if proper updates persist, this could be an excellent addition to the autobattler genre.