Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy — The Definitive Edition was set to be one of this year's biggest and most celebrated releases. Unfortunately, due to multiple questionable decisions by those involved in the project, what we received was a collection that did little to deserve the nickname “definitive” registered in its name.
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King's Bounty 2 shows that sometimes less is more. When trying to offer two distinct experiences in the same package, this sequel unfortunately fails to realize the full potential of either part. Despite the problems, its combat system still looks interesting, so fans of the genre will still find fun here. But, for better and for worse, the warning is registered that the majesty cannot be sustained only in the deeds of the past.
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With a generic open world, an uninteresting cast, and an extensive list of bugs, Saints Row fails in its core mission to introduce the franchise with pageantry to a new generation. Here you can still find traces of the uncompromising creativity that once put the series on the industry and gamers map, but for the most part, Volition's work shows that renewing for the sake of renewing isn't always the best choice.
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Baldo: The Guardian Owls is a curious case. The legend of the pure-hearted child has its merits, but as time passes in its world, it becomes clear that it lacks the refinement that makes its greatest references shine. Patient The Legend of Zelda and adventure games fans will find fun here, but it's not hard to think about what was missing for this game to reach higher levels.
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Neptunia Virtual Stars is not a bad game. Thanks to the light narrative, fans of the series will find here an opportunity to quell the longing for Neptune and his gang, who remain as charismatic as ever. However, the difference in gameplay between the protagonists ends up causing an imbalance that should not be ignored, and the very inclusion of VTubers seems shallow when looking at the product as a whole. Therefore, it is necessary to keep expectations in check; that way, walking around the planet Emote and flirting with the idol career will probably be much more enjoyable.
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Temtem is a fun RPG, but it definitely lacks originality. Without a lot of ideas of its own, it's hard not to think about the concept of a missed opportunity, especially when you consider the creators' multiplayer ambitions and the pretty stable formula. Even so, it is an adventure recommended for fans of the genre — it is enough that expectations are properly dosed, as there is absolutely nothing revolutionary here.
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Another worthy representative of the new era of beat'em ups, Young Souls is a fun title that is likely to please fans of the genre. Although its protagonists sometimes tread a dangerous path between daring and boring, and the Switch adaptation isn't the best technically speaking, here's a charismatic adventure with moments of brilliance, especially in multiplayer.
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Rise of Third Power is a competent homage to the golden age of classic RPGs. Despite the flaws in crucial points of the genre such as the story, it is possible to feel at different times the developers' affection for their work, so that, with controlled expectations, it becomes fully possible to find fun in the adventure of Rowan and his unlikely team.
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Big Brain Academy: Brain vs. Brain manages to successfully bring the dormant franchise to the new generation. Its almost complete focus on multiplayer and the relatively low number of minigames preclude a more incisive recommendation, but players who are aware of what to expect will find here one of the best educational games in years. After all, who was it who said that training your own brain can't be fun?
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Undungeon has its merits and should be on the radar of every player who wants an RPG that values the narrative and the complexity of its systems. Unfortunately, issues such as the stiff movement and questionable difficulty prevent the title from reaching the pantheon of great independent games, but it's undeniable that there's fun to be found here — it's enough that expectations are correctly adjusted to reality.
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Although it has flaws in its execution, Gamedec is a recommendable title. The plethora of information available to the player can sometimes be annoying, but it's undeniable that solving cases and solving mysteries is fun. Fans of games with an emphasis on storytelling and freedom of choice will feel right at home, and cyberpunk-themed enthusiasts will also find entertainment — if expectations are properly balanced.
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Boomerang X is certainly a unique game. Fans of FPS and arena shooters looking for something different are sure to feel right at home, and the title's arcade feel makes it a good choice for unpretentious fun times. The gameplay here is the high point, and with a little practice it is possible to do cinematic moves. However, even with all the quality of the concept, there is no way to turn a blind eye to the amount of content present here, as well as to the fact that there is an untouched and unrealized potential in practically every corner of this creation.
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The Survivalists has its merits. The adventure has good ideas and manages to provide good moments (especially in multiplayer), but veteran players will soon realize that there is a lack of content after a few hours, and the absence of a more robust challenge unfortunately can also result in a tranquility that dangerously borders on monotony. The base built here is solid, and I hope that the developers keep the promises established by the roadmap and deliver new content in the future.
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Megadimension Neptunia VII knows its own audience and wants to please it. It is a pity, therefore, that in the course of this process experience in general is impaired. Disregarding the technical problems of porting it to Switch and the sometimes unnecessary layers of fan service, there is a fun JRPG with a lot of content which, although not belonging to the big echelon of the genre, can surprise enthusiasts.
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Ultra Kaiju Monster Rancher demonstrates that, even after a long, uneventful hiatus, the Monster Rancher franchise still has plenty of wood to burn. Its sometimes repetitive gameplay and slow progression may scare players who like quick results, but for all intents and purposes, there's no denying that this is a natural and successful crossover like few others.
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Victoria 3 is rich, vast and above all captivating. While its shallow combat system is at odds with the rest of the work, shaping entire nations is fun enough to entertain for quite a while. Whether you're a grand strategy game veteran or newcomer, know that Paradox's newest feat doesn't disappoint in its core mission of granting the player the freedom to rewrite a sizable portion of world history as they see fit.
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Strictly following the feat of your inspirations can prove to be a double-edged sword, but in Coromon's case, the mix of nostalgic formula with punctual additions works too well to be ignore. In the end, the reality is that the adventure through Velua may not be as bright as the sun (or its great reference), but it doesn't stop being fun. And that cannot be overlooked.
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Monster Rancher 1 & 2 DX successfully brings two classic games to today's platforms. Even more than twenty years after their original releases, the unique concept remains fun and interesting, and the implementation of the search for a music catalog ensures that part of the magic of generating new monsters through discs remains preserved, albeit partially.
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Voice of Cards: The Isle Dragon Roars is a welcome surprise among this year's RPGs. Every little detail oozes charisma and you can feel the developers' affection for their creation in virtually every moment of the game. The absence of more difficulty levels and the overall mechanics' simplicity may not suit everyone, and the line between calm and boredom is always a difficult one to traverse, but those who appreciate the proposal and moderate their expectations will find a concise adventure here, relaxing and — most importantly — fun.
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In an increasingly competitive scenario, Evertried manages to stand out with its unique mix of turn-based strategy, grid movement and roguelite mechanics, proving to be a beautiful exponent of the interesting and growing Brazilian indie scene. Even its occasional problems are not enough to detract from a work that finds its best version on the Nintendo Switch, given its play style and the system's natural portability and flexibility. The hope is that an eventual sequel will expand the concepts presented here — the potential, like a certain haunted tower, is too great to go unnoticed.
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