MLB The Show 20 marks another solid entry for the series. New additions to the fielding game are welcome and fans of the sport will find a wealth of systems and modes to enjoy. It may be a bit overwhelming for newcomers, but offers a great range of tutorials to get payers up to speed. There's a lot of game here, provided you enjoy the sport. While it wont make you a fan if you weren't already, it's still the best rendition of the sport you can enjoy from the comfort of the couch.
Capcom has once again delivered an incredible remake of a twenty year old classic. From it's incredible visuals to the excellent action-horror gameplay, the Resident Evil 3 remake succeeds in almost every aspect. Thanks to some masterful touches and a wealth of gameplay refinements, Capcom has made a game that feels right at home in the 2020 triple-A space and fans of the series will love every moment.
Nioh 2 shows Team Ninja at the top of their game. From it's newly added mechanics to the awesome character creator and skill trees, the amount of depth on offer is incredible. The sequel improves on the original in every conceivable way and makes it one of the best entries in the genre. While it may be sadistically difficult at times, it's wildly entertaining combat will have you going back time and time again.
Two Point Hospital does an excellent job of bringing the genre into the modern-day gaming space. From its simple and excellent graphics to the pitch-perfect humour and gameplay, I can't recommend it highly enough to fans of the genre. While we may never see a sequel to Theme Hospital, I'm more than content with Two Point Studios taking the reigns and can't wait to see what the studio does next.
Darksiders Genesis is a welcome addition to a solid franchise and does a good job at expanding on the universe. Despite the shift in camera perspective, the game retains its signature blend of combat, puzzles and platforming and is a joy to play. Small issues like a woeful map and occasional bugs get in the way of the action a little, but the addition of co-op and the excellent gameplay more than makes up for any shortfalls. Genesis is a must-play for fans of the series and those looking for some solid action on the Switch.
Snack World: The Dungeon Crawl Gold falls short in most areas with it's dull, monotonous gameplay. Repetitive missions and gameplay lead to this one wearing out it's welcome after a few short hours, despite having lots of content.
Patapon 2 Remastered doesn't introduce anything new to the game, but is still fun to play for fans of the genre. Input lag can unfortunately rear it's ugly head, which can make an already difficult game, nigh impossible on harder difficulties. It's tough to recommend this one for any but the most devout of fans as there are a wealth of better rhythm based games out there right now.
I wanted to love Journey to the Savage Planet, but ultimately it falls short.
Pokemon Sword & Shield doesn't take enough risks or attempt anything really new and important. The overwhelming amount of re-used assets and shortcuts leads to one of the biggest missed opportunities on the Switch to date. Newcomers will find a lot to love here, with no previous games to measure it against, but longtime series fans will likely be left wanting in almost every area.
Need for Speed: Heat can be a ton of fun but is held back by incredibly questionable AI. The vehicle customisation and tuning is incredible and the games has plenty of content to keep you racing for weeks. The story feels a little silly but the racing itself is a joy to play. This is the course-correction the series so desperately needed, and I can't wait to see Ghost Games build on this solid foundation for their next entry.
While Death Stranding will surely be the most divisive game of this generation, there is no arguing that it offers new ideas on pushing the medium forward and shows that games don't always typically have to be "fun". The story is beautifully presented and is surprisingly restrained and focused for a Kojima title. All of the actors put on amazing performances and while its gameplay will be too slow for many, those willing to peel back the layers will discover a thoughtfully designed experience that will leave you ruminating for weeks after finishing.
Luigi's Mansion 3 is yet another excellent Nintendo exclusive and is the perfect antidote to the doom and gloom that runs rampant in the horror genre these days.
The Outer Worlds, much like a solar eclipse has blocked out the rest of the genre with it's excellent systems and setting. Obsidian have delivered one of the best games of the year and in my opinion the best RPG of its kind in years. From it's jaw-dropping visuals and design, to the hilarious world and its colorful cast of characters, The Outer Worlds represents the new benchmark for the genre and is a masterclass in player choice. If you hold even a passing interest in RPGs, stop everything you're doing and play it right away. This is a very special game that deserves all of the recognition I'm sure is coming.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Complete Edition is something of a technical marvel on the Switch. Through what seems like techno-black magic, CD Projekt Red and Saber Interactive have ported one of the generations best games with smart compromises made to deliver the full experience.
Grid is a great looking game and features some excellent driving and physics. It's let down by a questionable damage system and boring design. From the games dull menus to no-frills racing, there's just not enough here to separate it from the pack.
Trine 4 re-establishes the series as a leader in the genre. I can't remember the last time I played a puzzle game that made me feel so smart and satsified. It's magical world is full of wonderful inhabitants
Concrete Genie is a wonderful game for younger gamers. From its stunning graphics and art style to the heartwarming story of childhood and the effects we can have on others, the game delivers its message beautifully. I just wish it could have been a bit longer. It's definitely a bit simple for adults, but if you're looking for the perfect game to play with your kids, I can't recommend it highly enough. It's one of the most lovely little adventures I've been on this year.
Ghost Recon Breakpoint doesn't do anything new but still provides a lot of fun, if you're willing to slow down and play tactically. The game falls short in many areas and doesn't quite keep up with it's competition but shooter and stealth fans will have a blast. Performance issues do hinder the experience and some questionable design choices left me baffled. If you're a huge third-person shooter fan and love open-world games, you wont regret giving it a shot, provided you check your expectations at the door.
Zelda Link's Awakening is an extremely well done remake and stays true to the original in all of the best ways. The wonderful new art style and score make this hands-down my new favourite way to experience this classic. The lack of hand-holding may make things challenging for first-time younger players, but a solution is thankfully never too far away. Whether you've played the original a hundred times or have never experienced it at all, the Switch version is far and away the best way to p[lay it today.
The Sinking City features a genuinely interesting story and setting but is let down by performance issues and very poor combat controls. Traversing the city is often a chore and will have you hitting more dead-ends than a night of speed-dating. The Switch port is the worst way to experience the game and I can only recommend it to the most die-hard Lovecraft fans.