Vesper: Zero Light Edition is a tense, stunning, and cinematic platform-adventure game that any genre fans should add to their collection. Wait till the sun goes down, or whip out your own Drive Gun to absorb the light in your room, boot up your Switch on the big screen or undock your OLED and immerse yourself in the gorgeous colors, sublime sound design, and cleverly haunting world of Vesper: Zero Light Edition.
Rogue Lords is very pretty. They nailed the art design and character models, which I imagine will attract many people to this roguelike RPG. However, I am afraid that the attraction is surface level. With any roguelike game, you expect each run to feel different from the next and reset that excitement and engagement. Still, with Rogue Lords, once you've completed three books or so, it doesn't feel like it has any more to offer. Getting through three books is an achievement, as the gameplay and battle system is tedious, hard and repetitive. With a bit more streamlining of some mechanics and improvements in pacing, you'll have a more polished title that I'd be more comfortable recommending.
In its own right, Nintendo Switch Sports is fantastic, doing everything you hoped it would. Super-responsive controls, family-friendly fun, and a solid online and offline co-op system. However, when you look at what we could have got, and when you compare this to Wii Sports, has the game built on that foundation enough in the last 16 years? I don't think it does. Again, it's a great game and one that I will sink many hours into because it's essentially Wii Sports on the Switch – but when you look at the bigger picture, there is endless potential on what Nintendo could, and probably should, have done. Golf has been confirmed, and I hope that there is more on Spocco Square's horizon, as, with a few more sports and features, Nintendo Switch Sports could become THE must-own game on the system.
Arise: A Simple Story should be recognised as a beautiful and touching story, no matter its short length. It's a heartwarming and truly captivating journey – providing you allow yourself to be immersed in the narrative. With the stop/start nature of the loading screens and the long-winded gameplay, this can be hard but definitely worth pushing through.
THE HOUSE OF THE DEAD: Remake is precisely that, a remake of one of the most iconic and best rail-shooters of all time. In terms of core gameplay and story, there isn't much; however, the touch-ups are all that was needed for a perfect refresh. To add to this, the gyro controls are surprisingly great and the best way to play. Grab yourself a joy-con and a willing partner, and shoot your way through bullet-hell in THE HOUSE OF THE DEAD.
Kombinera describes itself as a brain-bending puzzle platformer, and it succeeded in every word of that description. If you're a fan of simple yet stunning visuals and popping colors coupled with a highly addictive puzzle game Kombinera is precisely for you.
Crystar is an excellent story wedged between way too much repetitive and meaningless combat inside gorgeous yet long-winded dungeons. The non-stop button mashing fights add no value or depth to the story except for the simple reason to progress. Unfortunately, what initially started with a shocking plot and opening unfolded quickly into a tedious gaming experience.
Quest for Infamy is an excellent outing for fans of those old-school, point-and-click fantasy games of yesteryear. It's packed full of missions, side-quests, and things to discover, albeit a little bare. The writing and characters breathe so much life and comedy into this game that you can't help but have a merry old time with Mister Roehm.
But even still, there's still not much. It's slow-paced, laggy, and the environment just isn't friendly to you. The curbs will just stop you in your tracks, and the other vehicles will just keep going as if you don't exist. Everything is against you in Bus Driver Simulator Countryside, and in turn, I am against Bus Driver Simulator Countryside.
While The Cruel King and the Great Hero is a beautiful game and aesthetically unique compared to other RPGs, it's the core gameplay and super slow pacing that stops this from being something I'd recommend over more standard RPGs that do almost everything else better. I'm sorry, Yuu, you're probably one of the most adorable protagonists I've ever played as, but that just isn't enough!
Zombie Rollerz: Pinball Heroes is much more fun than I ever thought it would be; however, it doesn't do enough to hold my attention any more than a handful of battles and doesn't do enough with those battles to make me want to come back. Couple this with the random generation that only hinders your progression, and you have a frustrating game that is only working against you.
Glee-Cheese Studio's motto is to develop innovative games with a strong artistic identity. With A Musical Story, they have done exactly this. It plays and looks like no other rhythm game out there and, to me, is close to faultless. I am very excited to see what they will produce next. Here's hoping for an album release of the soundtrack on streaming services… Please!
35MM is a messy blend of multiple genres lacking any clear definition or direction. The tense atmosphere that it builds isn't enough to keep you invested and definitely needs more depth in its gameplay, story, and performance. This is a real shame, as there is clear potential for this to be far better than what we have received.
If you want your fix of Sherlock and don't feel like whipping a book open, this game is a safe bet to whet your appetite. Sherlock Holmes: Crimes & Punishments has a ton of charm, uniqueness, and freedom, and with the right gamer, this will be a dream.
It won't hold your attention for too long. Still, with the massive pool of customizability and readily available downloads from the AAW community, there is enough here to wet a wrestling fans' appetite. If only it had the same depth with its available modes, it would have gone from a good game to a great one.
About an Elf is a tough game to sell and something you must experience to fully understand what it is and why I genuinely loved my time with it; however, I was left wanting more. More of what, I don't know, but what I do know is that if this is Meringue Interactives first go at making games, then I cannot wait to see what they do in the future.
I completely understand and appreciate their intent with this game, and I'm sure there are a decent bunch who will be swept up by this and adore it. For me, once you've played it once, there is no value in ever returning.
If you have not played the first Windjammers game and are interested in the franchise, with all of the new additions to Windjammers 2, you can't go wrong with this one. However, if you've played the first Windjammers and are still having a great time with it, I would suggest waiting for a sale before purchasing this entry.
Bonfire Peaks is a stunning game that I feel will attract many for its aesthetic alone. A large portion of those will stay for the gameplay, but I can fully relate to players who become frustrated with the movement controls and difficulty spike later on. Aside from the gameplay grumps, the world in which Corey Martin has created tells an isolated yet beautiful tale of a man looking for closure by burning his things, and I am glad I got to experience this.
What it lacks in an actual narrative, FILMECHANISM makes up for in everything else. With its addictive puzzles, simple yet thought-provoking mechanics, catchy soundtrack, and retro but modern 8-bit world, you have the complete package when looking for a 2D puzzle-action game.