Dreams is an ambitious game that succeeds on every front where others have failed. Media Molecule took what they designed, developed, and created over the years and encapsulated it into an experience that has endless possibilities; for them and us. It's hard to sum up how groundbreaking and pioneering the game is as it's more than the sum of its parts, it's exactly what you make of it. Let your dreams come true.
The first-person survival horror aspect of the game doesn't suffer at all on the Switch. From the visuals, audio, and inputs, everything feels and plays as if the series was made for the console. In fact, it's a testament that the Switch is more than the sum of its parts. Though there is a loss of some visual fidelity, and some sacrifice made while playing in handheld mode that comes in the form of battery life, Metro 2033 Redux and Metro: Last Light feel at home on this hybrid console.
Outbuddies DX is the quintessential perfect game, regardless of how you cut it. From the music that sets the tone and ramps up in the heat of battle, to the many weapons available, and the iconic and memorable boss battles, it's clear that years of development Outbuddies DX has gone through will revolutionize the Metroidvania genre.
F1® 2020 is an amazing step in the right direction for Codemasters. By adding the My Team mode to the series, it gives this racing game a different personality; one sprinkled with adventure elements, and it works.
With Trine 4: The Nightmare Prince, Frozenbyte has returned the series to its origins by making dynamic puzzles the main attraction.
The Ninja Saviors: Return of the Warriors is a refreshing take on a classic game. Its fast paced action and beat 'em up styles feels like a natural fit on the Nintendo Switch. With its updated graphics, audio, and game modes, it makes this game perfect for a quick fix for action and chaos.
Darksiders Genesis is by far the best game in the series. As someone who has played all of them, I can honestly say that this is more than a hack and slash game where you slay demons, but a kick-ass demon slaying game that has found new life by remixing what it does best and incorporating the best features of other games to create something new in the series.
MLB The Show 20 is clearly the culmination of all the hard work that went into the previous iterations, and then some. The updated and added game mechanics such as First Step and Perfect-Perfect batting add a sense of realism to a game where instincts and being quick on your feet is important. With a plethora of game modes, it's almost overwhelming at times because you don't know where to start. But once you begin, this game is hard to put down.
With all the different battle royale games on the market, all seeming to offer the same experiences, Warzone might give the most realistic, precise, and investing performance of them all, but it will need to stay innovative. Sounds of ricocheting bullets, footsteps of the enemy, and a highly detailed world keep it a cut above its competition. I easily found this to be one of my favorite battle royale games to date.
Saints Row: IV Re-elected on the Switch is a much-welcomed game as it runs amazing in handheld and docked mode, brings a beloved franchise to millions of gamers, and almost feels a bit naughty to have next to my Mario games. With its smooth gunplay, game mechanics that mesh well with the control scheme of the Switch, and ability to cram all of its explosive, expansive, and destructive gameplay into your hand, you cannot pass this game up.
Neversong is an amazing adventure through a world that feels uniquely crafted. It stands out in its genre because it takes platforming, thriller, and side-scrolling game elements, mashes them together, and what we get is a well-balanced narrative adventure game.
Neon Abyss plays like a panic-stricken, action, rouge game that knows exactly what it wants to be from beginning to the end. The guns are big, the options are plentiful, and randomness is the name of the game. The boss battles left me a bit empty, but this game is definitely more than a glass half full.
Plants vs. Zombies: Battle for Neighborville is an amazing next chapter in the series. Its story campaign alone is enough to warrant a buy. It's not just the graphics, the characters, or the amazing multiplayer that makes it a must buy, it's the charm that the developers have dialed into this game. Every minute playing feels like you're on track to discover something ridiculously funny and over the top. Though there are a few key tweaks needed to make the battles spot on, it's the culmination of other things that make this a great game.
The Long Dark is an amazing spectacle of narrative brilliance and survival. The twists and unexpected turns of the story are complemented by the survival mechanics that are challenging and thought provoking. The Survival Mode gives players a sandbox to play in, and allows them to play and survive how they see fit. With the story being released in episodic expansions, there's always a reason to come back and play.
Journey to the Savage Planet is an amazing experience of alien planetary exploration where the developer's imaginations were allowed to paint a canvas of fun, art style, and humor that never felt forced or over the top. Once you temper expectations and remind yourself that this is a game about exploration and not an alien shoot em' up or a fully packed RPG, you begin to realize how special this game is. The game offers 2-player co-op online which many titles like this wouldn't even think twice about.
I found this long awaited Season Pass and DLC to be worth every minute, even if I died hundreds of times. The new locations, Yokai boss battles, weapons, and enemies all intensified the demanding and challenging game. While I do wish the overall story was a bit deeper, maybe more will be explained in the two upcoming expansions.
Interrogation: You will be deceived is a game that some will play straight through for the narrative experience and some will for the experience of being a detective. Both offer an amazing experience that is elevated by the characters and strong narrative. I just wish that during the times of stress, the game made the player feel a sense of angst.
Likening this game to the movie Up, Arise: A Simple Story is much more than what its title lets on. It forces us to take a step back and analyze life. With its time control mechanics that manipulate the world in so many ways, platforming style of play, and its ability to tell a narrative story without dialogue, Arise is one of those games that makes you question whether small titles like this are becoming the status quo.
Ruiner is a cyberpunk-style, guns blazing, top-down shooter that pulls no punches when it comes to action. Where the levels lack depth and unique flair, the gameplay makes up for it with a diverse of ways to approach playing.
Himno is like listening to those free relaxation apps you can download to find your Zen. It never wants to be something it isn't. Its music, gameplay, and game mechanics all fit within the realm of serenity and relaxation, especially on the Switch. Sometimes it's good to just take a moment for yourself and let your mind be at peace.