Dominick Ashtear


27 games reviewed
79.3 average score
80 median score
70.4% of games recommended
Are you Dominick Ashtear? If so, email [email protected] to claim this critic page.
Nov 29, 2019

That being said, you shouldn't go into this one looking to speedrun it. Like, well, a fine wine, this game is meant to be savored. Play half an hour a night, maybe an hour. The stories will still be there for you. Your friends might hop from town to town, but you'll always be able to find them. And if you're unlucky, or perhaps lucky, the Wolf will also find you.

Read full review

9.5 / 10.0 - Hades
Oct 2, 2020

Supergiant Games has reached a new pinnacle of its craft with Hades, and I can now count the number of rogue-like games I enjoy on one finger. Even pushing to get through it for this review, I never felt bored or frustrated. The game doesn't have a single real flaw. It's not the perfect game for every single gamer, but if you enjoy an experience that rewards skill and has an amazing story, spot-on voice acting, beautiful music, and - I can't emphasize this enough - the ability to pet Cerberus, Hound of the Underworld, as many times as you want, then it's definitely the game for you.

Read full review

9 / 10.0 - CrossCode
Jul 11, 2020

With its high-quality story, gameplay, and delightful protagonist, I want to tell everyone to play CrossCode.

Read full review

Sep 17, 2021

WarioWare: Get It Together doesn't reinvent the wheel, but it keeps the bizarre charm of the series going with a whole new layer of gameplay. I adored how well the developers were able to keep everything feeling fresh after almost 20 years of this series. It's funny, it's challenging, it's addicting, and it reeks of Wario. This is a real gift to all the microgame fans out there.

Read full review

Sep 30, 2021

Deltarune is the follow-up to the critically acclaimed indie RPG Undertale. The first two chapters have all of the great humor, music, writing, and storytelling you would expect from Toby Fox and makes the series's world much deeper and more mysterious.

Read full review

8.5 / 10.0 - Bee Simulator
Dec 14, 2019

Bee Simulator on the Nintendo Switch is a unique game experience that combines educational messages, fun mechanics, and a ton of bee puns.

Read full review

8.5 / 10.0 - Trials of Mana
Apr 22, 2020

Trials of Mana is a wonderful remake of a classic JRPG that most Westerners never experienced. More than that, it's proof that Square Enix is willing to put in the work and learn from its past mistakes when updating old favorites.

Read full review

8.5 / 10.0 - Knockout City
May 21, 2021

[Disclosure: The author of this article was sent a press mailer. This did not affect the review in any way.]

Read full review

8.5 / 10.0 - Miitopia
Jun 10, 2021

Miitopia feels almost anachronistic, despite being originally released just four short years ago. The gameplay, the design, and even the very presence of Miis all remind you that this is a port from another era of Nintendo. That being said, it's a celebration of the Mii, giving them character and life and new customization options. I hope the success of this title can spur the Big N to continue making quirky, random, exciting things.

Read full review

8.5 / 10.0 - Bonito Days
Nov 3, 2021

Sometimes a minigame is so good, so pure, that it inspires someone to make something truly special. The folks at Studio Somewhere loved Monkey Target from Super Monkey Ball so much, they developed an entire game around it. With a little bit of NiGHTS into Dreams and a relaxing city pop soundtrack for good measure, Bonito Days is a great way to unwind after a long day. Some gamers may want more modes, but as it is, there's nothing to get in the way of the gameplay. As an elevated minigame, it's the perfect experience if you're looking to enjoy some chill vibes while flying around the beach for a few rounds at a time.

Read full review

Dec 11, 2021

I'm the kind of person who enjoys solving a few sudoku puzzles before bed, so Big Brain Academy fits into my lifestyle seamlessly. It's great for gamers who like to hone their thinking skills in bite-sized chunks. While it's a little light on features, it excels at what it does have and has a fun and adorable presentation. It's a joy to play, whether you're taking on a few minigames by yourself or using your beefy brain to win friendly contests. If you enjoy solving puzzles, competing against friends and strangers in tests of brainpower, or just keeping your mind sharp, this is definitely the game for you.

Read full review

8.5 / 10.0 - Infernax
Feb 11, 2022

Infernax is like an amazing cover of a favorite song. It perfectly encapsulates what a quintessential "'80s game" might feel like, complete with over-the-top carnage and a Game Genie reference that enhances your gameplay. If it's your jam, you'll want to play it over and over, just to see what's behind all the locked doors and try to get all the endings. Even dying is fun because of all the different death animations. The marketing for this game singles out Zelda II and Castlevania II, but it's got a ton of Metroid, Legacy of the Wizard, and more baked in. If you love the classics, or want a fantastic introduction to NES-style platformers, this is a game that deserves your attention.

Read full review

8 / 10.0 - 198X
Jan 25, 2020

Short as it was, I enjoyed 198X immensely. It does exactly what it sets out to do — provide a nostalgic '80s story with retro-inspired minigames — with an incredible level of polish. With the retro style, the remembered nostalgia, and the actual memories, it was a bittersweet experience from beginning to end. I'll be keeping an eye out for part two, as I want to experience the rest of Kid's story. After all, it reminded me so much of my own story, and those of so many other geeks of a certain age.

Read full review

8 / 10.0 - Samurai Shodown
Feb 25, 2020

Samurai Shodown is a fighter made for the old crowd, but it offers a unique experience to modern gamers. SNK has done an incredible job adapting the series to the Nintendo Switch. It's not perfect, but it does what it does incredibly well. If you think you would enjoy a fighting game that rewards patience, strategy, and timing, give this one a chance. You'll be rewarded with one of the most well-designed fighting games there is.

Read full review

I enjoyed it greatly, so I'd say it's worth it, with the caveat that we don't know much about the second half of the Expansion Pass yet. Just make sure to get the right version.

Read full review

If you're someone who enjoys sidescrolling platformers, wacky humor, or just the AVGN series, you'll probably enjoy this one. At the very least, it won't make you want to set your Switch on fire, shoot it with a gun, cut it in half with a katana, take a dump on it, or subject it to any of the other things the Nerd has done to sh*tty games over the years.

Read full review

8 / 10.0 - Phogs!
Dec 2, 2020

Overall, I greatly enjoyed the PHOGS! experience. The fiddly controls and wild camera couldn't put a damper on the joy of playing as a dog going around and helping wacky creatures. Besides solving puzzles and helping weirdos, I loved getting to explore the vibrant cartoony worlds, taking in the adorable music, and barking for no reason at all. It was a wonderful treat that I hope to share with more friends some time in the future. In the meantime, there are still a bunch of collectable bones to fetch and one very good dog to pet.

Read full review

8 / 10.0 - Dreamscaper
Aug 4, 2021

Dreamscaper was a rich, deep, intimate experience through the mind of a person suffering under the weight of her trauma. The gameplay and the story serve each other in a way that's rare to see in video games. There are a ton of little touches that make it a joy to play, and I found myself wanting to learn more about Cassidy and what happened to her after her sister died. While not everything wound up being a home run, I enjoyed the game overall. I'm grateful to the team at Afterburner for this sometimes satisfying, sometimes painful piece of art.

Read full review

"Though the worlds may seem far apart and out of reach, they nonetheless remain connected by invisible ties. As do our hearts."

Read full review

7.5 / 10.0 - Darkestville Castle
Aug 12, 2020

I keep bringing this series up, but if you liked the Monkey Island games, you'll almost certainly enjoy Darkestville Castle. In fact, if you've always wanted to try one and are allergic to PC gaming, this is not a bad experience on Switch at all. The visuals and humor are worth it, at the very least.

Read full review