Rise of the Third Power is best suited to those looking for an RPG that requires a lot of thought and attention and have plenty of free time at their gaming disposal. The plot is very good in this game and the upgrade system is quite refreshing. But the battle for me was a slow grind to get to grips with. Maybe I’m just stuck in my retro RPG ways. But that’s not to say it won’t click with those that have the time to spend on this. I liked what this game was trying to achieve. I think the developers have done a very good job trying to step out of the traditional RPG formula. That in itself deserves extra praise in my book.
Heroes of Loot 2 is an overall improvement from the first entry in the series. Switching between characters makes for a more flexible gameplay experience. Just like the good old arcade days this is a good pick up and play experience to play alone or with a friend, particularly if you don’t have a lot of gaming time. Heroes of Loot 2 may not have its own arcade cabinet, but it certainly has the spirit of those old games which makes it pretty good in my books.
Guild of Ascension ended up really clicking with me. Its unique blend of action and strategy proved to be an entertaining formula that I really enjoyed whether I could only do a few battles or possibly an entire run. The game does get really tough and kinda repetitive the further you climb the tower. But once I reached its summit I was pretty pleased with the journey I had been on and even felt compelled to return to complete quests I had missed. If you like your rogue-lite game this is another unique spin on the formula that I would recommend.
Rescue Party: Live! Is very entertaining in co-op and will make for some memorable game nights. Whether you succeed or fail in your mission to rescue survivors. You will likely have many gaming giggles to share together. If you’re going solo I’d probably advise staying clear and currently taking caution with the online which seems a touch laggy when I was reviewing it. An issue that may be ironed out over time. There is still plenty of room for co-op games and I’m pleased to say Rescue Party: Live! is one of the good ones.
Overall, I liked Eternal Radiance. The mix of story and action gameplay will certainly appeal to the anime fans or those that are looking for a good old action jRPG. For me, it scores a positive recommendation mostly due to the variety available to the player during combat sections. If you want to treat this as a simple hack and slash you can. But it was enjoyable to experiment with various moves, spells and parrying. What’s on offer is pretty solid but it doesn’t do anything groundbreaking or new. It feels quite formulaic with the approach of collecting side quests, then going out in the field and exploring until you find it. Then return to town, upgrade your equipment and repeat the process until the day is won. If that all sounds good to you then absolutely give Eternal Radiance a look in.
The Longest Road on Earth is a nice little art piece of a game with a really good indie soundtrack which evoked all the feels in me. That being said I can easily see this game just not clicking with many people, much like some random exhibit you take a chance on in a museum. You’re going into this experience to appreciate some good music and zero challenge. It feels like a great way to spend a peaceful night with the Nintendo Switch on the sofa, with a nice drink and a blanket. Of course how you choose to enjoy this game is up to you. This game won’t suit everyone but it certainly deserves its place on Nintendo Switch for those that will open their hearts to it.
I really liked the formula for Merek’s Market. However, the more I played the game the more the niggles with the gameplay started to wear away at me and I didn’t enjoy the single-player as much as I envisioned I would going in. Still, this game probably has the best single player I have played in this genre to date. Co-op of course is where the experience truly shines. Merek’s Market will likely be an experience where you’ll laugh with joy and shout with frustration but the memories of doing that together will make for a great gaming experience. With that said I still recommend this game.
RPGolf Legends for me ended up being a kinda push-pull. When the game focused on golf gameplay and exploration I was really in love with the experience. But the combat in the game really soured it for me. The game does get better the more time you invest into it, once you upgrade your clubs and unlock new classes. It just requires a lot of persistence to get to that point. With that in mind, I still recommend this game since it does put its own spin on the sports RPG formula. It’s just a formula that could have been a hole in one with a few tweaks to the gameplay.
Heaven’s Dust 2 is a brilliant sequel improving in practically all aspects of the original game. This is a great nod to old school survival horror whilst also providing necessary modernization to the controls and gameplay. I was highly impressed with this title and with this sequel, it feels Heavens Dust is now worthy of its own identity in the genre. If the developers continue to make sequels I’ll certainly be back for more.
Mr Addonin Sulpicius Gallus M is not a bad game but it also doesn’t really do a lot to make it stand out from the crowd. Its art style is muddled and confusing, the gameplay is OK but I wouldn’t say I found myself particularly enjoying myself during the short time I played it. To its credit, I didn’t really encounter any bugs or glitches and I kinda dug the music. Maybe with more development time, the awesomeness that is Mr Addon may be fully realized. But in its current state, you’re not gonna miss much if you give this a pass. But if you want to support the developer be sure to give it a look in.
Cat Capacity is a title I would advise coming into with caution. Its muddled art style won’t work for everyone. For me, the game scrapes a pass for a few reasons. For starters it didn’t have any obvious bugs which hampered its gameplay, it felt like a complete experience. I also really admired the solo developers’ attempt at something original here. Certainly rough around the edges and plenty of room to improve the gameplay which lacks depth. I still ended up playing through the entire two-hour experience which did hook my attention. I hope the developer continues as if they continue at this trajectory they will be onto a winner in the near future. Cat Capacity is not purr-fect but there is certainly fun to be had. Want to try the cat antics first? There’s a free demo available on Steam.
Zniw Adventure is a family-friendly dinosaur adventure suitable for absolutely anyone that loves point and click titles or dinosaurs. The game does an excellent job of entertaining with its fun sense of humour whilst also slipping in some interesting snippets of education if you’re willing to give it a look in. One I would easily recommend to share with young gamers or those that just want to go back in time and enjoy a wholesome adventure with dinosaurs.
Flynn: Son of Crimson may just look like another 2D adventure, something that there really is no shortage of in releases this year alone. But this one ranks up easily as one of the greats. Tight combat, a great soundtrack and an adventure that is short but instantly replayable. Flynn: Son of Crimson is a game that doesn’t waste your time. I don’t remember a moment where I was bored or frustrated despite playing many games like this before. It even gave me Wonder Boy vibes which is always good in my book. Plus it has one of the coolest spirit dogs in gaming. A fantastic way to top off 2021 for me and I hope you too find the time to check it out.
Loop Odyssey is an interesting idea but I just don’t think it’s for me at this stage of my life. The reason for this is that this type of experience is just incompatible with my current lifestyle. I don’t work in front of a PC for my real-life job and even when I do spend time writing articles on PC it’s not hours at a time. Which wouldn’t allow for the time needed for this to grind away in the background. That been said the game is well put together and knows what it aims to be. I can see some gamers really getting into this concept. It’s a shame a demo is not currently available to allow folk to see if this works for them. Loop Odyssey is a long grind to enjoy in very short bursts but does require your PC to be on for absurd lengths of time. If that sounds like fun to you then get looping.
Tunnel of Doom is another rogue-lite hit for me. I continue to be amazed that developers can find new spins on this genre. Tunnel of Doom will suit the gamer that wants to take their time and plan things out. It also just feels a bit more flexible than a typical tower defence game. Sure quick reflexes may help you but the biggest rewards for this game come from slowing things down and learning from your mistakes. While this is a tale of doom and gloom, as a video game it’s highly entertaining and well worth your time if you’re looking for a new rogue-lite adventure.
Scarf is an enjoyable 3D puzzle platformer with a low difficulty but a very big heart. It’s ideal if you’re looking for a casual game to enjoy with minimal stress. A short experience that doesn’t outstay is welcome. The only mild niggle I had is some of the formulas to the puzzles became a touch familiar over time. Still, it’s a very cute game with a nice relaxing soundtrack (another one to add to the list on Steam). Whenever I put on my scarf while I’m out and about this winter it will be hard for me not to think there’s a hidden dragon spirit inside it.
Aspire: Ina’s Tales, ticks all the right boxes for a puzzle platformer. I don’t feel that the game quite lives up to other games in this genre but it’s a very good attempt from the developers. What works best is the beautiful art style, music and an experience that most certainly doesn’t outstay its welcome. However, the slightly awkward controls is a design that may not work for everyone. I enjoyed my playthrough and the developers have certainly sold me on their soundtrack. If you’re looking for a title to enjoy on the sofa with a blanket and a good drink with your headphones plugged in then Aspire is a good choice to make on Nintendo Switch.
If you’re a fan of Asteroids, love your retro games or need a game to enjoy in short bursts. Asteroids: Recharged is easy to recommend. The Recharged series may be starting to show a repetitive formula but it’s a design that works. There could be room for improvement but it gets the core gameplay right. Asteroids: Recharged is a fun arcade game and for most gamers, that’s all that counts.
Shovel Knight Pocket Dungeon will absolutely scratch that puzzle itch if you’re looking for something original and different. A simple pick up and play concept that is easy to get into but offers plenty of challenges to keep you coming back again and again. With extensive options and accessibility. This title offers an experience you can tailor to your liking which I can see many gamers appreciating. This may be the PC version I’m reviewing but I will likely grab this game on Nintendo Switch as it truly feels like a pretty brilliant pocket puzzler. So, grab a shovel and get puzzling.
Cruis’n Blast is a fantastic explosion of arcade goodness. If you’re looking for an arcade racer that’s just about having fun and enjoying some good music then this is a must buy. It is also a great game to enjoy with up to four players locally, even for players not well versed in racing games. The entire time I was playing the game I had a huge smile on my face from the comfortable controls and the utterly absurd spectacle on display. Plus, this game has dinosaurs, which is always a win in my books. The game may be incredibly short but it’s highly replayable. Cruis’n Blast will not be leaving my Nintendo Switch anytime soon and hopefully, you’ll enjoy it as much as I did.