Cody Peterson
Ultimately, A Dance with Dragons is an excellent addition to what was an already content-rich game. The new cards complement the fast-paced nature of the altered rule set well, and is well-suited to those who want an extra challenge. Fans of A Game of Thrones: The Board Game - Digital Edition would be wise to get their hands on this expansion as soon as possible.
Rain On Your Parade is a clever little puzzle game that references and spoofs dozens of popular video games.
Maskmaker isn't a bad game by any means, but it is generic and restrictive in what it allows players to do. Making masks and exploring the world can be immensely enjoyable at times, but the game seems intent on stopping the player from interacting with those elements with any regularity. What's here is a strong foundation for future pursuits, but in its current form, Maskmaker feels a little too lackluster to recommend to anyone who isn't a dedicated VR aficionado looking for their next title amongst the genre's somewhat limited options.
Lack of content ruins a good progression system.
Despite the update, its mechanics feel dated.
Before We Leave is a non-violent 4X strategy game that is perfect for newcomers, but its lack of challenge and overly simplified mechanics will leave genre veterans bored.
Of Bird and Cage is probably one of the most experimental video games to release in recent memory, but just because a game is unique doesn't necessarily mean that it's worth playing. Heavy metal fans are better off picking up an album from their favorite band, and those who love interactive story games should stick to the best of the Telltale games and their ilk. Of Bird and Cage struggles at nearly everything it sets out to do, and its few interesting songs can't save an ultimately disjointed and unremarkable experience.
Rust Console Edition manages to capture the same brutally difficult experience from the PC version, but a poor control scheme and outdated mechanics make the overall game frustrating for fans.
All new content is either broken or repetitive.
Knockout City is in a strong place to capture the hearts of both casual and competitive gamers alike. Its cutesy graphics hide deeply rewarding dodgeball-throwing mechanics that never fail to be both entertaining and engaging. Once ranked leagues and other gameplay modes pick up steam it will be interesting to see how many gamers jump on the bandwagon. Player engagement is always difficult to predict, but as a product, Knockout City has a chance to be a truly special game based on its mechanics alone.
TTRPG video games at their finest.
Game Builder Garage is an excellent choice for any gamers who are fascinated by the video game designing process but have little experience with how it all works. Its simplicity and cutesy approachability make it the best entry point for those with no experience, and a great learning tool for kids in particular. Without the ability to share creations or more complex design features, Game Builder Garage probably won't hold anyone's attention for long, but it fills a niche well and accomplishes all the major goals it sets out to with its presentation.
Lumberhill is a great party game to break out when friends come over or for parents who want to game with their younger children. The unresponsiveness of its controls can make the game frustrating to play at times, but those who are just playing casually shouldn't have too many problems. Those who need a chaotic multiplayer title could do a lot worse that Lumberhill's goofy lumberjack antics.
Overall Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 is an excellent experience no matter what system it is played on. The Nintendo Switch version of the game is a little different, with a few limitations on what the game is able to achieve thanks to the hardware, but it remains enjoyable throughout. The Switch port of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 is ideal for the who wants to play in handheld mode on the Switch, but those who will be mostly playing from their couch on a television will want to pick up a different version if possible.
Sniper Elite VR may not be as polished as titles like The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners, but despite this, VR may be Sniper Elite's ideal eventual home. Concepts and mechanics that may have felt overdone in a standard console shooter are reinvigorated by the VR format. Sniper Elite VR has some rough spots, but it's easy to look past them when the end result is as fun and immersive as it is. This a must-play for fans of Sniper Elite and VR enthusiasts alike.
Chernobylite is nearly impossible to put in a specific genre and it feels generally unpolished, but the sheer amount of fun and excitement that it provides makes the game more than worth playing.
City of Gangsters is strategy mafia management game that excels with its character interaction and trading mechanics, and is just as much fun as the giants of the strategy genre.
Tormented Souls is a very clumsy and corny survival horror game that plays like a love letter to genre giants.