Josh Speer's Reviews
Put simply, Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution is a ton of fun. Not only does it add neat little tricks like how dancing draws items closer to you, but it features challenging boss battles, clever puzzles, and an engaging cast of characters with stellar humor constantly on display. If I weren’t already a super fan of the series, this game would have helped make me one. It’s a blast from the past that’s perfectly suited for modern gamers, and a game I highly recommend you check out.
I wasn’t sure if Donkey Kong Bananza would hold up to my hype, but thankfully, it absolutely did. Not only does this game reinvent Donkey Kong for a totally new era and console, but it manages to bring it to the present with style to spare, and even makes the game part of the broader universe seen in Super Mario Odyssey. Throw in tons of replay value, some really fun cameos and surprises aplenty, and you have one must-own adventure and the first truly great game in the Nintendo Switch 2 library.
Despite some disharmony, overall, I really enjoyed Fretless – The Wrath of Riffson. Yes, it’s a short burn, and yes, some minor issues held it back. But it’s still a charming, retro, GuitaR-PG with a lot of heart. If you’re in the mood for an epic Battle of the Bands with a likeable hometown hero, look no further!
I really wanted to love Section 13, and while I did enjoy it, it was held back by the incremental pace of the game as well as the brutal difficulty of enemy encounters. This is a very, very grindy game, and while I don’t mind spending time with an adventure, I do wish this particular game were on Switch 2. I find portable play is ideal for rogue adventures, and I feel I would have had much more success were that an option. That said, Section 13 is still a compelling game, it’s just one that regularly feels like a slog. Here’s hoping the next adventure from Ocean Drive Studio manages to capitalize on the rogue genre’s strengths better.
Combined with the lack of balance, overly complex mechanics, and brutal CPU opponents, ultimately, I found plenty of roadblocks to my enjoyment in Battle Train. I wanted the art, humor, and overall play experience to mesh better. But sadly, it’s just one deckbuilder that’s hard for this fan to recommend.
As a gamer who grew up when so many movies were relegated to shlocky video game adaptations, I can confidently say TRON: Catalyst is not that. But even though this is a faithful and creative game experience, it’s also one that’s not always well balanced and feels a bit too padded out for this gamer. That said, diehard fans of TRON will probably find plenty to enjoy in this neon-hued adventure.
On one hand, Starlight Legacy might not blow the world away with any huge innovation or captivating ideas. But everything here is rock solid and well made, and this is easily the best game I’ve played from eastasiasoft in years. I’m also happy to see there might be potential sequels in the works. If you’re a fan of retro JRPGs and want something fun and inexpensive, this is the game for you.
Overall, I still enjoyed my time with StarVaders. I just wish the game wasn’t so punishing for those who want to experience the entirety of the adventure. As someone who managed to fully beat Slay the Spire, I expect difficulty in roguelike deckbuilders. But I also need it properly balanced. That said, if you enjoy tactical mayhem and need something fun to play, you’ll probably enjoy this adventure from Joystick Ventures.
Pocket Trap and PM Studios haven’t just given us a lovingly crafted adventure with unique mechanics and memorable characters. They’ve given us one of the best games of the year. Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo is a great reminder that indies are blazing a path for everyone to follow!
After spending sufficient time with the game, I’m fond of Cooking Companions, even if I don’t feel it reached its fullest potential. It’s a dark, unsettling VN with uncomfortable subject matter, told skillfully and subtly. While the Switch version of the game is occasionally a bit laggy and some functionality doesn’t seem to work properly, I’d still recommend fans of dark stories check the game out, even if it’s on a different console.
As a fan of horror, especially classic examples in the genre, I really loved the attention to detail and world-building in Labyrinth of the Demon King. Unfortunately, the combat in the game is uncompromising and will make life unbearable for the vast majority of gamers. Combined with randomized enemy placement and mind-scratching puzzles, this is a game that will push you to the limit.
I really wanted to give Into the Restless Ruins a rosier review. But I’m a longtime deckbuilder addict, and I call them as I see them. The deckbuilding itself is unique and neat, but it could do more to streamline the placement of cards. That said, the game is far from horrible and should provide a robust experience for those willing to put up with the unsatisfying combat.
While I did find the game’s balance off at times, and was frustrated by some of the quirks I encountered in the game, I’d still recommend folks check out Knock on the Coffin Lid. It’s clear to me this is a work of passion from a group that loves the genre. If nothing else, it’s a compelling tale with wonderful artwork and solid musical design. Just maybe don’t be afraid to play it on the lowest difficulty, because even on Normal, this deckbuilder will kick your butt.
Even with those small missteps, Shotgun Cop Man is an incredibly diverse, creative, and silly adventure that will appeal to any fans of absurd humor or platformers. I’m glad to see DeadToast manage to switch things up in this adventure, and hope they’re able to keep things fresh in the future.
Honestly, the only complaint I have after playing Nif Nif is that I wish there were more to do in this charming world. Sure, there’s unlockable content and two playable characters, but the genre is all about immersive replay value. I spent more than a couple of hours playing the game and have unlocked a good chunk of it. I suspect you can unlock everything in less than 10 hours, which is great for those on a schedule, but bad if you want to unwind in this family-friendly world.
These issues aside, Rusty Rabbit was still an enjoyable adventure with a unique story and colorful characters. While the platforming and combat were held back by some design issues, and though I was personally frustrated by an occasional lack of guidance in the game, I still think this is a fun adventure that’s worth checking out.
While I honestly enjoyed some of my time Shadow of the Orient, I feel like it was the wrong genre. There’s so much effort put into making expansive levels that I feel this would have worked better as a small Metroidvania than a lackluster platformer. It’s clear Spacelab Games put a lot of time into the experience, and I strongly suspect they might have some future great game in them. As for this one, fans of retro might enjoy it, but probably not many others.
I really wanted to love Gal Guardians: Servants of the Dark. I kept giving it more and more time to prove itself and get past the sophomoric slump I kept finding myself in. But alas, this is not the sequel I was hoping for or expecting after Gal Guardians: Demon Purge. This would be one thing from some new upstart developer, but it’s truly surprising and disappointing from the talented folks at Inti Creates. That said, if you can tolerate bad platforming, poorly managed mechanics, and frustrating balance, then you might still find something to love here. For everyone else, this isn’t the adventure for you.
Despite an intense and often unforgiving difficulty and unclear emulation, I still had a good time playing through the blast from the past that is Rendering Ranger: R² [Rewind]. It’s clear to me that Manfred Trenz is a very talented and creative developer, though perhaps one who isn’t very focused on balance in his adventures. Still, if you’re a fan of video game history and don’t mind getting your butt kicked repeatedly, you might want to check this out today.
My complaints about the difficulty aside, Rift of the NecroDancer is a hell of a good time. This is a colorful, charming, and unpredictable story that’s a lot of fun to experience. Not to be outdone, there’s a ton of content here, from 20+ main songs to DLC tunes, Steam Workshop music, and more. While I wish the game had been a bit more precise about the difficulty selections, I think any fan of rhythm games will find something to enjoy in the latest from Brace Yourself Games.