Roger Reichardt's Reviews
The Company Man is a competent platformer with beautifully hand-drawn artwork. The character designs are impressive. The boss battles are genuine, and each boss is unique in its design. However, the game suffers from some design flaws, mainly around the inability to aim projectiles and duck. This will require you to rethink how you may handle some of the more challenging bosses. In addition, the story isn't intriguing, and it's disappointing that the story didn't match the beauty of the game's art.
Action Arcade Wrestling is a beautiful and smooth game that's very attractively priced. Easy to pick up and play, it boasts a deep (but separate) creator's tool with plenty of community-created wrestlers to download. What it does, it does well. But it's missing features to make it a great game, specifically a career or federation mode. The framework is there, so hopefully, we will see that in the future.
What Big Bang Pro Wrestling does well, it does very well. The detail in each character and animation is impressive, especially for a game that was initially released on a handheld system over twenty years ago. More options for wrestlers would have been an excellent addition. In addition, the button timing mechanic is frustrating.
Get Packed: Couch Chaos doesn't add anything new to the puzzle/party genre. It's a quirky game that focuses on the chaos aspect instead of strategy. It could be a bit more polished, but perhaps that's part of the appeal and identity of the game. You can play this one solo, but the real beauty of the game is found in the multiplayer mode. If you have young kids who get frustrated with other games in this genre because they don't understand the strategy, this might be a good pick-up. There's a lot of silly fun to be had.
The strength of Silt is in the atmosphere it creates. The art and the sound provide a horror-like vibe to this adventure puzzle game. And both of those aspects will pull you into the weird and mysterious world that Silt creates. The game doesn't hold your hand in any of the puzzles. And while most times this isn't an issue, as the puzzles are reasonably short and contained, it's the lengthier ones where this can cause some frustration. Overall, Silt provides a unique experience, just not a perfect one.
Circus Electrique is unlike any other RPG. Genre fans who like deep stat management will find a lot to like here. The mix of circus management and combat makes for a unique experience, although the management aspect does disrupt the flow. The game's strength is in its storytelling and how well the voice acting and art compliment the narrative. The preferred way to play this game is on the TV, as in handheld mode, it's difficult to read the text or see the different icons for the characters.
While the races are thrilling, the lack of any features found in other racers, such as sliding or braking, prevents you from building skills to master the game. Most times, it feels like you win on sheer luck. Coupled with the fact that the tracks all feel relatively the same, the experience gets stale fairly quickly.
I want to like Egglia. The writing and characters are fun, the village building aspect is an enjoyable twist, and the art is beautiful. Unfortunately, the game feels too stripped down to be enjoyable. Grinding and not knowing what level you need to challenge a boss is frustrating. I think this works as a mobile game where you might play in short bursts, but for a console game, it just feels off.
There's a solid base for a kart game here, but there's just not enough content to be considered a contender on the Switch. As a result, it's hard to compete against something like Mario Kart. And priced at $40, spend the extra $20 and get Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on the Switch instead.
Splotches feels like a game geared towards a younger audience. Mixing colors to cause explosions and solve puzzles is appealing to kids. However, I found the puzzles to be one-sided, just figuring out what the designer wanted you to do to solve them. A good puzzle game should allow me to be creative and feel like I solved the board because of my ingenuity. Unfortunately, I never got that with Splotches.
I respect the idea that Circa Infinity is going for; a unique puzzle arcade game that will attract speedrunners and those looking for a challenge. If you enjoy punishing titles and can handle motion sickness, then this release may be for you. However, a game's supposed to be fun. With the brain-breaking movement scheme, flashing lights, and constant moving images, I felt sick playing it.
Simply put, there's too much going on in Undungeon. It feels like several different mechanics ratcheted together. But none of it is cohesive. Moreover, the story is too complicated; you must read a novel every time you interact with someone. Finally, the controls feel cumbersome, and the numerous loading screens take you out of the experience.
As a concept, Ashwalkers is fascinating, mixing the survival genre with a visual novel. The world created in Ashwalkers is one of hope surrounded by despair, but the execution lacks the polish to make this one a game that I could suggest. The technical issues alone should have been caught before the release. But even with that aside, the lack of character development and a risk and reward system makes for a very dull experience.
Forgotten Hill Disillusion loses itself trying to be a challenging click-and-point puzzle game. While some of the puzzles are well-designed, the ones that don't provide enough context outweigh the better riddles and thus make for a frustrating experience. The game does offer a help option, but often it feels like you have to rely on the help all too often to figure out the solution.
It's too bad Takorita Meets Fries isn't good. As there are few hero quest stories with female protagonists, Takorita could've been great for a younger audience. Unfortunately, Takorita Meets Fries struggles with its identity and who the intended audience is supposed to be. The simplistic story, lack of gameplay, and cartoon artwork might appeal to a much younger crowd. But the crude humor takes away that option.
Fans of puzzle games and ’80s horror movies will find plenty to love in Slayaway Camp 2. The addition of new character types not only enhances gameplay but also allows for more inventive puzzles. While the cartoony art style softens the tone, the game is still a bit gory—though less so than its predecessor—making it unsuitable for younger audiences. That said, Slayaway Camp 2 stands out as one of the best puzzle games on the market, offering a nostalgic and entertaining experience.
In a VR landscape dominated by shooters, Maestro is a breath of fresh air. The game cleverly combines the joy of conducting an orchestra with fascinating historical insights into the music. Its humor and charm elevate the experience, making it truly unforgettable. Double Jack has crafted a masterpiece with Maestro. If you’re seeking a unique and delightful addition to your Meta Quest library, this game is well worth your time.
Entropy Survivors easily earns a spot among my favorite roguelikes, largely in part due to its impressive depth of customization and the satisfying sense of progression with every run. Each attempt feels meaningful, making it hard to resist diving back in for just one more round. The inclusion of online co-op for up to four players adds even more replay value, and I can already see it becoming my go-to game for gaming nights with friends. Plus, it runs beautifully on the Steam Deck, making it easy for me to pick up and play anytime.
Despite its flaws, I’m willing to forgive Mirthwood because it offers so much. One of my favorite aspects is how the game lets me experience it at my own pace. Social interactions are a major focus—meeting locals, building (or sabotaging) relationships, and even pursuing romance. I can marry, have children, and shape my personal story through these connections. The morality system adds another layer of depth. Certain deeds can raise or lower my morality, and being "all good" isn’t always the best path. For instance, I met a merchant who refused to sell me goods because I hadn’t "gotten my hands dirty" enough. These nuanced mechanics make the world feel dynamic and responsive to my choices. Mirthwood was one of my most anticipated games this year, and its ability to blend depth, freedom, and storytelling exceeded my expectations.
Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist is a dream come true for Metroidvania fans. Its world is brought to life with vibrant art and a beautifully crafted soundtrack. I love how every boss—each one uniquely designed—becomes an ally, forming the foundation of my attacks. The story is deep and intriguing, though it can get complex at times. For fans of the Metroidvania genre, this is a must-play!