I really enjoyed playing Zenge for this review. It’s a simplistic puzzle idea turned into an engaging puzzle game. The puzzles are not too hard, just the right level of difficulty for the game to remain very relaxing without any frustration setting in. With its minimalist art design, which is beautifully achieved as the puzzle completes, and a little bit more of the journeyman’s story is revealed goes to prove that you don’t need flashy graphics in every game, sometimes less is more. For the few pounds or dollars that Zenge costs to buy in the eShop I have no hesitation in saying if you’re a puzzle fan and even if you’re not Zenge, deserves a spot on your Nintendo Switch. Which only leaves me to say: in my opinion it ticks all the boxes for a quality puzzle game and my score is….
In Help Will Come Tomorrow the basic concepts of survival are straightforward enough: camp, heat, water, but the greater challenge will be dealing with prejudice and class conflicts between the game’s characters. The game suffers from not explaining some of the actions well enough to the player, and of course the small writing that I’ve already mentioned doesn’t help in that area. Long load times as the game starts up are also a problem when your waiting to get into the gameplay. Be prepared to have all your camp survivors die, as it’s not an easy game. I’m even wondering if it’s possible to survive, as I’ve never managed to get the camp to survive until help comes. If you’re new to the genre I would look elsewhere for a easier game to start with.
Active Neurons is a neat wee puzzle game, with quite a few hours of gameplay for the price of a few pounds in the eShop, you can have a good few quality hours of puzzling fun. I don’t think there would be much replay value in the game as once you have played it and if your lucky to have a good memory you will remember how to complete the puzzles. But since it’s such a reasonable price point you do get a lot of puzzles for your dosh. If you’re looking for a puzzle game to play in between something more detailed or just a few hours of puzzling to activate those little grey cells then Active Neurons could be just what you are looking for.
The world of Archaica: The Path of Light is a gorgeous and remarkable place using simple mechanics involving beams of light and mirrors that is brilliantly done. You’ll need your spatial awareness and problem solving skills to be on form and working well to solve the puzzles. I never felt frustrated with the puzzles; between having the hints available to use, and no timer, you’re free to move the mirrors and splitters around the level at your own pace. Adding in new challenges and new concepts as the game progresses, the game always has something fresh ahead for the player. This stops the repetitive nature of some games settling in, and turns an otherwise simple premise into quite the detailed challenge. If you a big fan of puzzle games, I would recommend Archaica: The Path of Light take a spot on your Nintendo Switch.
First of apologies to Chicken Cat Games as this review isn’t quite the review of their game they were probably expecting. After many tries to further my progress in the game I resorted to watching a YouTube video of some gameplay, but again I was thwarted in my attempt to see what was ahead of me in the game as the video didn’t show any farther gameplay than I had gotten. I do like a challenge in a game, however the challenge in Stones of the Revenant was obviously to much for this old girl, if you feel up to taking on the challenge of Stones of the Revenant all I can say is: good luck to you.
Zoom Out Games have added enough new additions to this game in the Labours of Hercules series to make it slightly different and fresher than the first game in the series but also keeping things familiar enough for fans of the series to still enjoy. The formula for a great time management / strategy game is all intact and if you enjoy this genre of game 12 Labours of Hercules II The Cretan Bull will give you more than a few hours of challenging and enjoyable gameplay.
There really isn’t much to write about Theme Park Simulator as there isn’t much to the actual gameplay. Once you have checked out each ride and fiddled around with a few settings for each of them the game is over. There isn’t much to justify the price of this game, nor is there much gameplay to hold the players attention for any length of time. And there certainly isn’t any replay value in Theme Park Simulator.
Roundguard lays a new twist on dungeon crawler games; it’s a clever idea that has been executed very well by the developers and turned into an addictive and cohesive game that works. For those that are missing their puzzle/Peggle hit, Roundguard could fill that gap. While it’s not an overly long game, what it does supply is very enjoyable and fun gameplay.
I like the clean look of Mekorama, there is only the puzzle on screen so there are no distractions for the player and they can just concentrate on completing the puzzle. The physics engine ensures everything moves realistically, such as platforms, and balls. Robot B himself is interesting to watch as he waddles from block to block, arms swaying and his large head swivelling as he moves. His movement is very lifelike and how you would imagine a tubby robot to walk.
If you have read this review up until this point it should not come as a surprise that I really like this game. Hidden Through Time is a delightful engrossing and cute little game. For anyone with a young family to entertain, Hidden Through Time would be a fantastic opportunity for some quality family time in front of the TV and the Nintendo Switch.
Kingdom Rush Frontiers is a classic Tower Defence game, that has been ported to the Nintendo Switch with all its charm, fun, enjoyable and frantic gameplay intact. If you were to buy Kingdom Rush Frontiers on mobile, all of the premium content such as the additional Heroes would be locked behind a paywall. That would be far more expensive in the long run than buying the full game on the Nintendo Switch.
Two Point Hospital is instantly accessible to the player, it is a modern management game with a classic strategy gameplay that keeps you hooked. Civilization fans will know the saying “Just one more turn” where you think to yourself, I’ll have one more turn and then quit: hours later you’re still playing and before you know it it’s 3am. Two point hospital is that sort of simulation game. It sucks you right in. There is a very delicate balance in management or strategy games of keeping the player busy but not being overwhelmed. In my opinion Two Point Hospital has managed to do that brilliantly and with lots of humour.
Poly Puzzle looks like a simplistic game, but as they say looks can be deceiving. The same can be sometimes be said for Poly Puzzle. There is no story to this game as it’s a series of puzzles with the simple premise of completing the puzzle to earn three stars to unlock the next set of puzzles.
Breeder Homegrown Directors Cut is a weird and strange game, and let’s not forget short as well. Though in saying that, it doesn’t make it a bad game, I did enjoy the story even if I was a bit mystified after it had finished as to what I had seen during the game play. If the point of the developers when making Breeder Homegrown was to leave the player with a unsettled feeling and a sense of bewilderment after having completed the game, I have to say they have succeeded in that for sure.
Mousecraft presents itself in a lovely polished package, under the ever watchful eyes of Schrödinger the cat who adds some character and humor to the game. The game has addicting gameplay that gives you a sense of satisfaction once the mice make it safely to the block of cheese. You’ll not find anything new or mind blowing in the game but you will find a charming and entertaining puzzle game which fits the Nintendo Switch purrfectly!!
WanderLust Travel Stories is centered around a group of five strangers who meet on Rapa Nui (Easter Island). They recognise in each other kindred travelling spirits and decide that they will meet every night during their stay to hear each other’s respective stories of the journey that changed them. Through four long stories and five shorter stories in this anthology of travel you’ll learn more about each character and make decisions that shape how each character responds both in the present and within their own individual story.
In Dungeon Rushers you start with one character, Elian. He is a young lad who works as a toilet cleaner and has decided he has had enough of the rat race and the daily grind. One morning he makes a big decision to join the community of dungeon looters (like you would do) to make life more interesting. Dungeon Rushers is part of the Indie Gems Bundle JRPG recently released. Fans of tactical games will like what both Dungeon Rushers and Robothorium offer in terms of gameplay, though it might be a good idea to wait until the game gets an update. It has a tendency to shut down in between gameplay at the moment of writing (February 2020). However, the core gameplay is very good!
Following along the same lines as the first game, Glass Masquerade 2 revolves around jigsaw puzzles where the player is asked to piece together a stained glass window. In the first game the puzzles were all clock-faces with a theme of cultures from around the world. This time, clocks don’t make an appearance. The clocks have been replaced with circular puzzles with a fantasy theme. The puzzles in Glass Masquerade Illusions are more intricate than the clock faces in the first game. The game is just as addictive and I find the game brilliant for playing in short bursts. It’s perfectly suited to the portable nature of the Nintendo Switch and playing in handheld.
Ever thought you’d like to construct bridges, to be a bridge engineer and architect? In Bridge Constructor Ultimate Edition that’s exactly the role you play as you create and design your own structures. Watch the cars and trucks drive over them. Will they cross safely or will you see them fall and crash while your inferior creations collapse due to weight and the laws of physics? Bridge Constructor is the sort of puzzle game that you would play in short bursts, maybe when inspiration strikes. Remember one thing: Triangles are your friend when building bridges!
Visually Orn the Tiny Forest Sprite looks good, with the bright lush colours in Japanese style. The idea behind the platformer of progressing through the levels clearing away all obstacles using the runes is a nice one. But sadly, the way you fill up the jump meter, and the problems it causes spoils the gameplay for me. Hopefully a future update changes or improves the use of the magic meter.