Matt Jarvis


31 games reviewed
74.8 average score
80 median score
74.2% of games recommended
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Mar 29, 2021

It is not often that I feel lost for words when reviewing a game but Balan Wonderworld has almost left me speechless. There is so much wrong with this game that it is a wonder that it has passed any sort of quality control. The controls are stiffer than a board, the lack of any narrative is frustrating and the game is just so badly put together that I cannot think of any reason why I would recommend this to anyone at all. Overall Balan Wonderworld is possibly one of the most disappointing games I have played on Nintendo Switch. What were they thinking of when creating this game? Very little it would seem and far from being a world of wonder, this is a total nightmare.

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Nov 1, 2021

I have played and played this game and I so wanted to enjoy it but the flaws with enemies and the lack of depth are just too much and it is such a shame because in here there is a really good game that wants to burst free. If you are a fan of the series then you might well still go for this as it is a good port, but in 2021 it just doesn’t stand up and therefore outside of fans, I simply cannot recommend this one.

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4 / 10 - Vagante
Jan 28, 2022

Whilst Vagante feels like it has been a Labour of love in some ways, it’s lack of variety and shortness means it falls short of being a title I can recommend. Had there been more meat on the bones and a more compelling story to focus upon then this could have been a decent little game and I genuinely feel bad for not liking it but I have to be honest about what I found and whilst it is not the worst game I have played in recent times, Vagante fires plenty of arrows but fails to hit the target.

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Mar 28, 2022

Fighting is a big part of Bush League Hockey but it is also undercooked. Punching doesn’t feel naturally responsive and although it’s got it’s charms it fails to hit the mark. Where the game does shine a little is when you play with friends. Grab a few mates round with a few beers and there is fun to be had for a few hours but the overall package is buggy, laggy and just not as much fun as it could and should have been.

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5 / 10 - Apex Legends
Mar 15, 2021

The feat of getting Apex Legends onto the Nintendo Switch at all is impressive and Panic Button has done all they can to make this work. The problem is that when you are up against other players where the game runs better you are at such a disadvantage that the whole concept quickly falls apart. The muddy graphics, the dips in an already compromised frame rate, and the lack of clarity in the visuals just make it too hard to make a recommendation for Apex Legends at this time. I say ‘at this time’ because future patches may come along that rectify some of the issues and if they do then we have a game that has something to be built upon. In its current state, the only way you will want to play this is if it is the only way you can play it.

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6 / 10 - Cotton 100%
Nov 3, 2021

If you are fans of the Cotton series then I can say you will enjoy this port as it remains true to the original games and is certainly a collectors item. For anyone else it is just so hard to recommend it because it isn’t as good today as it was back in 1994. It is just a harsh reality that sometimes games stand the test of time and sometimes they don’t. Cotton 100% is somewhere in the middle and it’s okay, nothing more.

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Jan 10, 2022

Bat and ball games are not for everyone but if you do have a love for the genre there is fun to be had with this title although non fans will not get much joy I suspect. The solo mode could be better but the co-op is where the game does well and for a couple of hours play there is definitely enough to make this a worthwhile purchase for a low price. The platforming game element is a neat twist. This is a decent game that does what it needs to do well whilst not setting the world on fire.

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If you want a relaxing puzzle game or have younger kids then this is a great game for both purposes. I had a lot of fun with the game but it doesn’t take long to beat. It’s charming, it’s well put together and proves that good things can come in small packages.

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Mar 10, 2022

Despite the little niggles, FAR: Changing Tides is a delightful game that will work your brain and make you sit up and take notice of the world around you. The mechanics are well thought out and common sense will help you through in the majority of situations. I would highly recommend that before playing this game you do play the prequel as it will help you understand what is expected of you and I am glad I did that before sitting down to play and review this sequel. Overall this a game that is a voyage of discovery well worth persevering with and the rewards far outweigh the occasional gripes.

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Feb 23, 2022

Fast, furious, old school retro racing with lots of content and all for a cracking price.

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Oct 31, 2021

The graphics are cute and everything is easy to see and follow without being outstanding. The game is easy to learn but the challenge should not be underestimated as the game progresses. The music is really repetitive and sounds like a tinny version of the James Bond theme stuck on a loop. The game can become repetitive after a while but it’s a perfect title for the Nintendo Switch and for a decent price on the Nintendo eShop it will appeal to those looking for a speed running challenge or something to fill a few hours. 10 Second Ninja X is definitely one of those games where you will lose track of time as you keep saying ‘just one more go.’

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Nov 11, 2021

At times the tiny enemies and their tiny bullets can get really frustrating but overall this is a great homage to run and gun games of the 1990’s and the learning curve is just about right. The game is without doubt a lot of fun and a real blast to play and all for less than a supermarket meal deal. For fans I would definitely recommend adding this one to your Nintendo Switch collection.

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7 / 10 - Epic Chef
Nov 17, 2021

Epic Chef is a strange game really. It sits somewhere between a cooking game and land management sim and has a wealth of activities for many hours of entertainment. At times it can feel a little too slow-paced but I feel it is an ambitious effort to do something a little different with a tested formula and in the most part it does work well. It is not a game for everyone but if you like this type of game and you can overlook its shortfalls, you will be able to have a lot of fun with Epic Chef.

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7 / 10 - Beyond Blue
Nov 19, 2021

I still stick by my feeling that this isn’t a game but an educational tool but it’s a bold attempt and overall it does work well, anyone with an interest in the Ocean will find plenty to learn and discover and for that alone this is worth being applauded. If you want a chillout experience with some great mood melodies and you have a thirst for education, Beyond Blue is worth a look. For anyone else, it is probably not going to float your boat.

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Mar 22, 2021

This is powerful stuff. A world of light and dark, a world that feels familiar and unsettling. Sea of Solitude: Director’s Cut is an incredible journey as well as being a well-thought-out game. I highly recommend this to any gamer and I praise anyone who stands up for mental health and gets it out there to be discussed and understood.

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8 / 10 - Toree 2
Oct 5, 2021

It is times like this that I love gaming so very much just for its simplicity, and developers such as Diplodocus really should be applauded for delivering a truly joyous, albeit brief experience to gamers. Imagine what they could do with a bigger budget!

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8 / 10 - Glyph
Nov 5, 2021

Glyph is a beautifully designed puzzle, platform adventure game filled with ingenuity and despite the odd flaw is well worth your time and I can recommend that this game is a worthy addition to any Nintendo Switch collection.

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Dec 6, 2021

Whilst there are some annoying quirks in the game, they are mostly able to be overlooked and could easily be rectified in a post-release patch although I passionately believe that post-release patches shouldn’t be needed but I digress. For adventure fans and fans of graphic novels, there is plenty of content in Beyond a Steel Sky with great character portrayal and music that really evocates the world you must survive in and overall it is a great game worth serious consideration.

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8 / 10 - Windjammers 2
Jan 20, 2022

If you are a multiplayer arcade game fan then you need Windjammers 2 in your collection right away. It’s fast, it is fun and it’s super addictive, ticking all of the right boxes when it comes to multiplayer gaming and there is little I can find to criticise from that aspect. If you are intending to play solo though there isn’t enough here to recommend a purchase on day one as it will be over fairly quickly and the characters just don’t have enough identity or individuality about them to make it worth your while and the play value is limited. As an arcade game, this is an absolute belter and one that really has captured the arcade scene of the 90’s perfectly so grab a friend and get jamming.

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Mar 22, 2021

The combat and gyro controls make this a killer of a game and I mean that in a good way. A very good way. Everything runs better than Doom 2016 and playing Eternal on the go is truly a joy to behold, despite the obvious concessions. The main disappointment is the multiplayer element and some of the cut scenes can feel like they will never end and don’t really add anything to the game or the story. Overall this is an absolute gem of a game and is a superb port that every Switch owner should have in their collection!

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