Blade Strangers isn't an outright terrible game; it just doesn't feel like the concept ever got off the ground. While characters retain their charm, story suffers from a lack of originality. There is also a distinct lack of depth, as combos are fairly straightforward, with some moves using repeated inputs adding unneeded mistakes. Add in lackluster and in some cases awful sprites and it's an experience that really comes down to if you like the characters enough to see them in a new setting. If this is enough, then you might like this, otherwise it's a paint by numbers fighting game that doesn't do anything well enough to stand out beyond the fact notable characters are present.
Strange Brigade might not have a lot of long term value, but it's a fantastic game to play with others. The interesting locations and solid visuals with stand out, with the puzzles being just hard enough to be fun, without them being so hard players will be confused or feel left out. So, if you're looking for a fun game to play with your friends, look no further than Strange Brigade. However, if you want something to play for weeks or months, you might want to consider looking at something else.
Yakuza Kiwami 2 might not be perfect but it's a fantastic example of why some things should be remastered. Not only does it perform better than it's PlayStation 2 counterpart, it looks good enough to be within this generation's standards.
Despite being challenging, especially if you want the optional true end, Guacamelee! 2 retains everything that made the original great.
If you’re looking for an easy version of Enter the Gungeon or a game where you have to plan every encounter, you’ll love Dead Cells. However, if you want an experience where you absolutely have to make the most of what RNG gives you, it might not be for you.
Between slow and clunky controls to a generic story that is basically making fun of similar generic stories, you're left with an underwhelming game that just isn't that fun to play. So, unless you really want to play a beat 'em up on the Switch, play as countless characters or just enjoy the usual anime game tropes, this isn't for you.
While I wouldn’t consider Red Faction: Guerrilla a classic like Killzone 2 or Halo 2, it’s still a lot of fun to play. Sure, it hasn’t aged as well as other games but it’s still a fun experience, if only for the fact it allows you to think outside of the box. Maybe you smash this skull or blow up that wall, giving players a fair amount to consider while trying to free the people of Mars. Combine it with a story that instantly hooks you, though it fails to maintain the momentum, decent gunplay and plenty to see and do, it makes a solid choice for fans and newcomers alike.
Shining Resonance Refrain is an interesting, trope heavy, story with combat that could be fun, if there was less padding. None of these things stop it from being a good game, it just prevents it from being truly great. Despite the negativity towards a lot of it, the characters were fun enough where I found myself excited on seeing where things would go, it just requires you to be interested in a lot of clichés found in things like anime. Outside of that, combat is fun, at least when you’re not out classed, with the Switch having some slight performance issues, making Shining Resonance Refrain an okay experience. One fantasy and anime fans will probably like, with it having very little for anyone else. Well, outside of nice music and pretty visuals.
Despite the largely negative review, Next Up Hero can be fun, it's just a very monotonous gameplay loop. All roads involve killing the same enemies, at the same locations, under the same handful of modifiers, to get resources that allow you to do the same thing, just at higher numbers. In a lot of ways, it seems like a fantastic title for the Switch. The idea of finishing a couple levels on the go or slowly chipping away at things works better on a portable console than a home one. But, in the end, Next Up Hero has some interesting ideas, such as using fallen players, including yourself, to help everyone finish the level (everyone who tries is also rewarded if it is successfully completed), it just ends up being an experience that is very simple. If this sounds appealing, odds are you'll likely have a lot of fun, where as if you want something closer to Issac or Gungeon, look elsewhere.
Despite some small annoyances, Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana is a blast on the Switch. The simply, yet fun, combat is a winner whether you’re on the go or playing at home. Add in a thrilling story and it makes for one of the better offerings for the platform. Sure, it could perform a little better and do a better job with direction, but these things are quickly forgotten when you’re defending your settlement or finding new residents.
Lumines Remastered's enjoyment is largely dependent on your ability and interest in achieving high scores and/or think about things creatively. This makes it hard to judge, since the only mode with outside factors is versus. Even though that mode can be, in a word, brutal, the other modes offer more than enough content to have an enjoyable experience. It's also so simple that, even if you can't achieve insane combos, even a terrible player can last a while if they're good enough at managing their workspace. So, if you're looking for a puzzle game or something to do on the go, Lumines Remastered is a fantastic choice.
Fallen Legion: Rise to Glory isn’t perfect, especially in terms of story, though it’s a fair amount of fun.
The Lost Child might not be perfect, though it can be fun. Once you accept the story is a little out there, it becomes a decent ride with enough thought to be fun. Gameplay is rather dull, if only for the fact there isn't much going on, which is why the auto route and battle functions can be helpful. Combine this with fascinating characters, like a priest that reminded me of Mr. House from Fallout New Vegas, and you have a decent adventure with a fair amount to do.
There are so many issues in New Gundam Breaker that it manages to be the worst thing an anime game can be – a title with the sole positive being the fact it's Gundam. Combat is boring, repetitive, with a targeting system that manages to be frustrating. Even if bland gameplay is not a problem, so many of the mechanics have needless limits or seem pointless. Throw in a generic story that is about as forgettable as they come and it feels less like a game Gundam fans will love, something that has been true for previous entries, and instead a rushed title with whatever they could toss together at the last second.
Full Metal Panic! Fight! Who Dares Win could be a better game if it was more hands on or featured a faster combat system, it's just too slow. This, along with an oddly paced story, which might be better on some of the other paths, makes for a fairly underwhelming experience. To put it simply, unless you're a fan of the series or really enjoy tactics, this is not going to be a fun experience.
The Elder Scrolls Online: Summerset does a good job of giving everyone something to be excited for. Crafters have jewelry, solo players have more of the usual things, guilds get a new trial to grind and world event chasers have a new challenge and world bosses. This, plus the beautiful world of Summerset make for a fantastic experience. Sure, the trial could be harder and some other minor things but overall this is a solid expansion that will make many happy.
Shaq Fu: A Legend Reborn accepts and understands it's a novelty but is too heavy handed in it's approach. With a couple references to the other silly things Shaq has done in the past (Steel, Kazaam), countless TV appearances (Static Shock), other endorsements (The General Car Insurance) or even his delightful NBA 2K18 commercial this approach might've worked, though in its current form it just isn't there. If this is enough to amuse you, something that certainly gave me more than a couple laughs, especially at some of the delightful animations, then you'll likely enjoy it.
BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle might be rough around the edges and have some questionable DLC choices, though it doesn't stop it from looking great or being fun. The number of tutorials are great, with there being an okay amount for players to do. Sure, it isn't the most jam packed game Arc System Works has ever released but if you're looking for a new fighting or just enjoy the series included, odds are you'll get your moneys worth out of BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle.
Vampyr is a hard game to review, because there is enough to warrant a low score, yet the experience is satisfying enough to make up for this. For better or worse, giving answers and explaining things make it easier to invest in the story, with the conclusion certainly being worth the time. The ability to interact with NPCs, heal them, figure out more about the world and extract new information also adds a lot. It's just, when it comes to gameplay, Vampyr falls short. With loading screens being common when players move too fast, combat often being more about managing stamina, difficulty stemming from how willing are you to kill innocent people and a needlessly frustrating waypoint system, it's easy to get frustrated. With this in mind, anyone looking for a vampire romance story or just want to experience a world filled with answers should consider picking Vampyr up, where as action-RPG or open world fans can probably skip it.
In the end, Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection isn't perfect but it has enough content to give it value. The various games might not have obvious differences, yet they're something fans and newcomers will appreciate. The ability to save and play online give it longevity, with history giving players more to experience. Sure, it sucks online doesn't include every title, or at least all the non-Street Fighter II ones, and there could be more training, yet this is still a great experience for fans and newcomers alike.