As a whole, I can see why this game is appealing. But with sticky controls and extreme repetition it’s not something I see myself picking up in the future. I don’t even think I’d recommend it to a younger audience since the challenge fluctuates too much and it’s not something you’d play enough to see the credits roll. I’d just leave it if I were you, unless you have a hidden love for the Captain Sabertooth franchise.
Put every friendship you've ever had on the line with this beat 'em up classic from Boneloaf. Take on the persona of a boneless creature, put on your best animal onesie and get down to it. Fight on skyscrapers, cranes, lighthouses, you name it - you can brawl there. Bring all your friends together for the survival of the fittest, and just pray you will be the last one standing.
When your whole world comes crashing down and you're the only survivor, how are you expected to rebuild from that? Whilst many would sit back and give up, Stranded Deep lets you face every fear. From unknown creatures dwelling below the surface to harsh weather conditions that keep knocking you down, are you going to get up and fight? Or will you sit back and let life take its course?
Despite deriving a lot of its influences from games like Animal Crossing, especially with its island life and anthropomorphic animal inhabitants, Hokko Life severely lacks in personality and unique identity. For a game that promises a relaxing experience, you spend more time walking around trying to find something to do rather than sitting back and enjoying the game's gentle progression. There are a few redeemable factors through customisation and its sound design, but outside of that, Hokko Life doesn't offer anything we haven't seen before.
As a whole Professor Lupo: Ocean is easy to pick up and can be enjoyed without prior experience with the first game. The game is well designed and the concept is engaging, however the slow movement and heavy controls let it down. I can see myself picking it up and completing a few levels at a time, but I’ll admit there wasn’t enough to keep me invested in the story to play for hours. It’s a short game, so it is definitely one worth playing to pass the time. I’d definitely recommend it for that.
As we grow up, many of us lose touch with the things we adored as a kid. When was the last time you sat down to colour in? Or create a scrapbook with all your friends? Luckily, Momolu the panda is ready to show you how to slow down for a minute and understand that mistakes are okay, and you're never too old to learn. Let's take a closer look at what Momolu and Friends is all about on Nintendo Switch.
Although Circus Electrique has its intriguing quirks, with the reliance on devotion and the occasional circus-management opportunity, too many flaws accompany them. With most of its story revolving around combat, it soon becomes an annoyance rather than an enjoyable element. The game does offer refreshing and unique twists on the genre; still, there's a lack of drive to keep you wanting to fight through London's steampunk streets. The story grips you initially, but it takes a while to develop and a lot of the initial dialogue is wasted on family feuds which offer no real substance. To fans of turn-based strategy and those who loved Darkest Dungeon, Circus Electrique may be more enjoyable, but it's a little too disjointed and repetitive to recommend wholeheartedly.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet is an audacious experiment toward the franchise's future and hosts a lot of potential to grow into something that changes everything we know about Pokemon for the better. It has a lot of issues in performance which could do with some tender love and care, but that doesn't stray from the fact it's a solid, wholesome Pokemon game down to its core.
The game recycles a lot of content already featured in the franchise. Although the new character customisation and photo mode is refreshing, it doesn’t seem like enough to tie us over. Despite the art style and location being different, the game as a whole remains the same. It’s enjoyable, sure. But to fans of the franchise it’s a little disappointing since we have all definitely experienced it beforehand.
OMNO is a relaxing experience for anyone looking to escape for a little while. There's enough to keep players involved without feeling overwhelmed, and there's enough charm to its design to keep it from being repetitive. As a whole, it's a good game to pass the time, but not something you'd come back to time and time again.
Even though Doraemon Story of Seasons: Friends of the Great Kingdom doesn't offer much to separate itself from the first game, there's no denying it is a wholesome bundle of farming fun that still manages to carve out its own identity compared to other life and farming sims. Outside of the cutscenes which drag on and then some, it never feels too repetitive - an issue a considerable number of farming sims face thanks to the crop-based tasks associated with the genre - and outside of navigation issues with the map, it's welcoming to both new players of the genre and still feels relatively fresh to those who are incredibly familiar with the Story of Seasons franchise. If you go into this game expecting a decent Doraemon farming sim, you won't be disappointed.
Potion Permit makes an effort to implement engaging minigame mechanics through potion brewing and patient diagnosis, but outside of that, a lack of challenge and a feeling of repetition means it struggles to stand out in the vast field of life sims. Still, it presents a fun and enchanting experience which gets a massive shot in the arm from excellent presentation in both the audio and visual departments. Potion Permit fits the bill for something to pick up now and then and pass a few hours, and there are certainly enough quests for you to sink your teeth into and keep you entertained for a while, even if it's not as catching as the best in the genre.
Despite the evident control flaws, Ooblets is an undeniably charming and fun life simulator perfect for anyone looking for a relaxing approach to adventure. There's enough content within this adorable game to keep any player occupied for hours, with the central campaign taking around thirty hours to complete - though avid explorers will get closer to the sixty-hour mark if they can get past the expensive, exhausting stamina system. Still, even post storyline, Ooblets kept us coming back for more farming and more dance-offs.
RPG Time: The Legend Of Wright is a beautifully imaginative, charming RPG. Protagonist Kenta's childlike glee paired with some inventive storytelling techniques and fantastic presentation make it feel like more than just a one-and-done title. The six-ish-hour campaign has enough to explore to bring you back for another go, even if the storyline sometimes feels slightly sporadic and unconnected. It's not perfect, with a soundtrack which quickly grates and narration that threatens to do the same, but it remains a charming childhood homage, and a gentle reminder for every player to keep their imagination alive.
Frogun sets out to do exactly what it intends. There is more than enough to enjoy in the game, with around a five hours campaign to play through and the added replayability of finding collectibles that you may have missed the first time. And, although the story is simple, at no point did we find ourselves getting bored. Even the frustration of repeating levels is genuinely reflective of early gaming. It's safe to say that Frogun succeeds in evoking that retro-style puzzle-platforming of the '90s.
As a whole, this game may look pretty basic upon first glance. But once picking it up, you will definitely spend hours trying to get all your new pals to safety. I fell in love with this game far harder than I expected to. I’ve played many platform games in my life, but this one stands out as one of the best for sure. Puzzles are fun and don’t repeat themselves, and everything seems oddly charming. Even down to the ominous black cloud which is never really explained. If you want to lose yourself amongst a handful of shapes for a few hours, I’d highly recommend this game.
As a whole, this collection is definitely one worth picking up if you want a comforting trip down memory lane. I’d recommend it highly to anyone who played these games when they were released on GameBoy. To new players, maybe give it a thought since they can be considerably difficult to understand, but if you’re up for the challenge – what’s stopping you?
Friends of Mineral Town is perfect for the switch. Controls are fluid and easy going, and tasks are simple so don’t need a huge screen to focus on. It is a perfect time consumer for both on the go or a rainy afternoon. I’ve already spent hours perfecting my farm, and I know for a fact I will continue to do so.
Take yourself on a thrilling journey to discover the truth behind what Nicole thought was her mother's suicide. With no one to talk to besides a mysterious voice on the other end of the phone, rely entirely on your senses to discover and investigate the very location you grew up in. But be warned, you may not be as alone as you think...
If you are looking for a game similar to Breath of the Wild but with a smaller price tag, it will most certainly fill your needs. I definitely see myself picking this game up again in the near future. But if you’re looking for an entirely new experience, keep searching. Going into this after playing the first Oceanhorn game would definitely help your experience since you know what to expect.