Samurai Warriors 5 is a breath of fresh air for the Musou series. If you have not been into these games before it’s unlikely this is the game to win you over to the series. For me, though, this felt like a return to a more traditional form. With keeping the battles simple like I remember back in the day whilst adding plenty of depth to keep you playing for hundreds of hours. I may have taken a break from this series for some time but Samurai Warriors 5 feels like a welcome return to form. If you’re a fan of this series this is definitely one to look out for.
Ayo the Clown ended up being a wonderful platform surprise for me. The developers put a lot of care and attention into this project and it really paid off in the final product. While I did have a few niggles with the controls, this was a highly entertaining game that I found very hard to put down. On top of that, it carries a beautiful message about acts of kindness to other people. Even if you hate clowns Ayo the Clown might be the game that finally makes you think overwise.
Cris Tales is worthy of praise for its gorgeous art design and originality to its gameplay design. The time mechanic gives the game its own identity which will likely net it a dedicated fanbase hungry for a new JRPG that is traditional but different. But being classic it’s not without some classic flaws with irritating random encounters and tedious backtracking. But if you can overlook these niggles you’re in for a game well worth spending your Summer with, or any other season of the year for that matter.
Color Breakers is a very admirable first step in a new series and one of the better attempts at the cooperative genre. If you’re looking for that next co-op fix to share with friends or family I highly recommend giving this game a chance. It does have its issues, the graphics are a bit bland and some of the gameplay designs are questionable. However, this game has huge potential for the future. I would love to see this series grow and become something refined and improved. But as far as first steps go by new developers this really is a winner.
Macrotis: A Mother’s Journey, is an enjoyable game if you’re looking to test your puzzle skills. Controls could be a bit more responsive and the trial and error approach to puzzles can become a bit dull. But it’s easy to say this is the best game starring an elephant shrew-like character I’ve played. It doesn’t do anything to reinvent the wheel but this is a solid casual puzzler if you give it a chance.
A Tale of Synapse: The Chaos Theories is most certainly a unique puzzle platformer. If you are looking for a slow experience that is different from the usual formula then I most certainly recommend giving this a chance. You don’t need to be a Mathematics expert to enjoy the game but you do need to use your brain and think things through. I felt the combat segments felt a little forced and it would have fared better as a more Zen-like puzzle experience. Regardless this is the best video game featuring Mathematics since Math Rescue on PC.
Overall, I really enjoyed my time with Disgaea 6: Defiance of Destiny. As someone who has only casually dabbled in the series, I found the silly story an amusing treat. Any game that can make you laugh is good in my books. For fans of the series, this does feel more of the same, only with the graphical facelift. Whether you are new or old to this series Disgaea 6 is well worth diving into the Netherworld for some well-needed chuckles and compelling combat.
Mini Motorways is a relaxing game that’s ideal for those gaming sessions where you don’t want to think too much. Simple premise but highly addictive. This is a game about controlling traffic, only you won’t get hot and bothered like the real thing. Accessible and entertaining for everyone.
This is one of those reviews where I’m happy to concede that maybe I just don’t get this game. But I think what would help a new player know this for sure, is a demo. If you can, I strongly suggest downloading the free mobile version so you can test it out for yourself. It probably won’t take you much to be better than me. But it would allow you to discover if this is worth the investment on the Nintendo Switch. Kickerinho World is a game that reminds me of a lot of old tricky mobile games like Flappy Bird. You’re either going to gel with the challenge or you’re going to play it a few times and never touch it again. I found the game to be confusing and uncomfortable to play. This would not be the quickfire gaming session I would try in the waiting room myself. But I do believe there is an audience for this type of game. It’s just not for me.
Super Destronaut DX-2 certainly scratches that arcade itch. If you like simple high score chasing space shooters this is one of the good price titles in that category. It doesn’t do much to reinvent the formula, but I can easily see myself jumping back into this during a much-needed coffee break. Though I do imagine I will probably forget to drink my coffee.
I have to say with all my niggles I had fun with Alchemist Adventure. I generally liked what this game was going for. Hopefully, the developers will continue to polish up this game post-release because hidden within all of the difficulties I had is a true gem of a game. Just in its current state, right now you need to put up with some rough design choices.
In a previous job I had when I was younger one of the managers used to say I was weird as a description of my character. For a long time, I interpreted being called weird as a negative. As I grew older I did realise that we have that choice to interpret this ourselves as a positive or a negative. Onirike is a weird game and for some, it won’t gel. The platforming is a bit awkward. The story is confusing and the invisibility and dash features feel more of a chore than enjoyable features. But despite my niggles I choose to see Onrike as the positive weird and for those gamers that give it a chance, I hope you do too.
I get the impression My Maitê is a game the developer may have made for their child. There may be a cute story behind the game’s creation and I get the impression there are a lot of good intentions behind this project. If the developer was able to enjoy this with their child and gain some warm fuzzy feelings from it then I would consider that mission accomplished. The trouble is, it’s unlikely the rest of the gaming audience is going to feel this way. With such a simple premise, lacking depth and variety to its gameplay, My Maitê is very unlikely to turn heads. With so many other platformers available at the same price point, My Maitê just feels like another retro platformer in a sea of many other competitors. It’s not terrible, it’s just OK and with so many games competing for players’ precious time, that might not be enough.
If you like your simple arcade-style games and fancy one that’s not going to break the bank, then Arkan: The Dog Adventurer is a nice distraction for a few gaming sessions. You know the drill with a coffee game. Grab a nice drink, relax and attempt to save the realm by flinging balls at enemies. Not a bad way to spend a night in.
32 Secs is one of the better mobile to Nintendo Switch ports but some elements feel like they could use more polish. Controls feel a little stiff and the upgrade system just doesn’t feel as effective as it should. Still, it is probably one of the best motorbike style games I have played on the Nintendo Switch that doesn’t include the usual chap with a moustache.
Ender Lilies Quietus of the Knights is one of those games where, usually, this level of high difficulty would put me off and I would just walk away due to frustration. But I didn’t, some bosses took me multiple attempts to complete and yes I had to take breaks, but I kept getting drawn back to fight the darkness. Maybe it was the delightful piano score, the light vs dark story arc or the smooth control system but I just couldn’t help being drawn back in. I’ll admit I was not very good at the game but this is a rare occasion where despite my hardships I have nothing but praise for this title. Not for everyone, but as the game seems to hint at in the darkest of depths there is always light. At least that’s what I took from it.
Crazy Jump, just like its name, is a very basic platformer. While I had some fun with it I didn’t feel at all compelled to get all 3 stars on every level. PC is a good place for new developers to start to hone their craft but it’s unlikely Crazy Jump is going to turn heads. The graphics are too plain and the gameplay lacks anything unique. If Crazy Jump was the only platformer you ever played in the 1980s you might think it’s pretty awesome but today it’s just another platformer in a sea of so many others. I guess it is pretty cheap though.
Clan O’Conall and the Crown of the Stag is one of the best games I have played this year. On the surface, it gives the impression of a typical action platformer. But with its unique Celtic design, tight controls, memorable soundtrack and awesome characters this is a game that just gets everything right. Clan O’Conall was a wonderful experience that I hope as many people as possible get to enjoy. Now if you’ll excuse me I’m going to buy a book on Celtic folklore and listen to absurd amounts of Celtic violin music. For now, the game is only available on PC but let’s hope it finds its way to other systems very soon.
In general, I quite liked Skellboy Refractured. It has its fair share of niggles from flimsy combat and difficulty finding the next quest. But with each fault, I often found a fair few things to laugh at. If a game can make you smile despite its faults I see that as a success. A funny adventure worth trying alone or with a friend or loved one.
Scampr to me feels like someone’s portfolio project to help them get a job in the game industry. If that is the case they certainly deserve that job. Scampr has a lot of good ideas in it. But it doesn’t fully form into a complete experience. More just feeling like a proof of concept for possibly something better later. But with rough performance issues and generally little content, this won’t be for everyone. For its ridiculously cheap price, it’s certainly tempting to have a go but there’s not a lot of game here, just a very peculiar squirrel walking simulator.