Although we're certainly in the company of undead kings, Defend Your Crypt doesn't have grand ambitions. Instead it aims to deliver a solid puzzle title with a unique twist on the tried and tested 'tower-defense' formula. The Egyptian setting alone is something you don't often see from the perspective of an undead Pharaoh, so while the gameplay is slightly repetitious there's still enough here to justify giving it a shot. We'd steer slightly towards the 3DS version due to it suiting shorter-form gameplay sessions more, but either option is a safe bet if you're looking for a neat puzzler to try out for a few hours. Rise from your grave....and defend it!
Paper Mario: Color Splash isn't just painting by the numbers. The series still straddles that awkward middle ground between pure RPG and adventure title, but this most recent entry has successfully found a comfortable niche that has silenced many of our prior gripes. Almost everything has been polished to a papery sheen - showcasing some of the series' best writing and presentation to date. Both the battle system and the overall plot are still some of the weaker aspects of the experience unfortunately, though they're moving slowly in the right direction.Simply put, even when we were left unsatisfied by enemy encounters, Prism Island was always a joy to explore, with diverse environments and an endless amount of catchy tunes to keep you engaged from start to finish. It's a game of memorable moments that we would love to share but wouldn't dream of spoiling on you. Take Color Splash for what it is, and you might just find it to be a messy work of art.
Power Disc Slam is a game that almost gets everything right, but is held back by some core issues that permeate the entire experience. It needed to be fast, responsive and fun above all else, but while it might have some strategic depth and a wealth of content, it lacks any kind of identity or style. This isn't only a letdown in its own right, but is the risk you run when acting as a spiritual sequel to a madcap cult classic like Windjammers. It feels clunky and lifeless by comparison, but there's a serviceable game to be found here beneath a layer of modest graphics and awkward controls.
Puzzle Labyrinth is going to confuse and delight in equal measure. Despite the name, it's less focused on creating complex mazes than it is on testing your ability to decipher clues and explore the environment, encouraging the player to experiment and learn an ever-changing set of rules. There isn't any story or visual flair to keep you hooked, but if deciphering cryptic clues and performing strange favours for monsters sounds like a good time, then we'd suggest getting lost in this budget title. Just be wary of translation errors throughout and a few overly simplistic puzzles at the outset.
BOXBOXBOY! doesn't exactly blow expectation out of the water - the only real change is literally in the name - but having two sets of boxes to work with makes for more interesting and complex puzzles than before. While we'd argue that previous fans will get the most out of this sequel in the long run, it's a perfectly manageable entry point for newcomers if the tight mechanics and bite-sized chunks of puzzling goodness are starting to sound pretty good this time around.
It's not a bad game, nor is it a particularly good one; there's still some potential here, it just needs a proper jolt before the party really gets started. Maybe in 2020, eh?
All in all, Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE is an RPG that's roughly 85% Shin Megami Tensei, 15% Fire Emblem, and somehow ends up feeling like something completely separate from either of the two. It strikes a middle ground that's rooted in the format of many modern role playing titles, boasting an energetic and dynamic combat system all wrapped up in a setting that takes J-Pop cheesiness to astral heights. While it's so extremely niche that we doubt it'll convert any nonbelievers in the slightest, there's a remarkably lengthy and enjoyable experience to be found here for anyone that doesn't already have stage-fright. Even if the idea of pop-star superheroes is an immediate turn off, a slew of rewarding mechanics might just be enough to pull you back in. Whether you ignore the silliness or embrace it, we'd dare say that any title featuring a rocket-powered cyborg pegasus is worth investigating.
Run Run and Die may look deceptively cute, but with a title like that we suppose we've only got ourselves to blame for underestimating its difficulty. It doles out death by the bucket-load, but its major flaw is that it rarely makes it feel like the player's fault. The windows of timing are too narrow, the camera angles work against you, obstacles pop up out of nowhere and it all piles up into an extremely frustrating experience with little else to show for it. It's cheap, fast, and designed to make you angry. Sounds fun? Well, it's your funeral...
Having been ported from mobile devices, Dan McFox: Head Hunter is understandably simple, straightforward, and best suited to shorter play sessions, but there's fun to be had just as long as you like the core concept. Using an expanded version of 'Guess Who?' to hunt down wacky criminals is a suitably light-hearted way to pass a few moments, with online leaderboards and SpotPass challenges bulking things up a little with a competitive slant. What you see is pretty much what you get, so as long as you aren't expecting a real spy thriller then the price is just about right on this one.
Lost Reavers is bitterly frustrating. Not awful, not unplayable, but frustrating. There's a great idea in here somewhere - at times it even manages to shine through - but there's far too much awkward padding and grinding repetition without the depth of gameplay that keeps players coming back for more. The best thing about it may well be that it's free to download right now on the eShop, so there's every reason to give it a try and maybe even get a few friends together into a group. It's worth a shot, but we can't be the only ones who see the potential here yet mourn the lifeless end result.
A lot of the enjoyment is still left up to the player and their expectations, with little inherent substance to grab and keep direct hold of your attention for long. It's a difficult experience to pin a score on for this reason, but despite the improvements, we're still left wanting something more from any future installments.
A grim example of a sequel that doesn't do enough to improve on the flaws of the original, Witch & Hero 2 mirrors far more than it should without bringing anything truly exciting to the table. Controlling two characters at once is an interesting challenge at first, but the game feels so creatively bankrupt that it becomes difficult to remain focused in anything other than small doses. If it really seems like something you'd enjoy then we could perhaps recommend it as a very simple time waster at a low price, but even in that category there are better options to be found on the eShop.
Like any good game show, U Host is a little cheesy, a little crazy, fit to burst with questions and stars a host with a power complex. It's a robust little gem that makes excellent use of the GamePad, while championing an accessible party experience that can be adapted to fit almost any crowd. Some extra polish and a little more glitz and glam would have helped presentation, but designing and hosting your own quiz is great fun regardless. We'd recommend U Host to anyone looking to re-invigorate game night with something a bit different, as long as you have plenty of willing contestents to COME ON DOWWWWWN!
We'd almost want to recommend Dreamals on the concept of three adorable, bickering animals alone, but unfortunately the waking world didn't quite live up to expectation. Once the initial burst of cutesy charm wears off it's still a decently satisfying puzzler with a steady difficulty curve that starts off tough and slowly implements new mechanics as you progress. There isn't enough within the story or characters to keep the player interested beyond that however, so make sure you're up for a challenge and want a simple little distraction before diving in.
Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam totally succeeds as an accessible, entertaining and lengthy crossover for fans and newcomers alike. It introduces a solid list of worthy new mechanics, particularly building upon the battle system in some exciting new ways, and breaking exploration up with random quests. It's more of a mini RPG than ever, but doesn't quite nail it when it comes to environmental design and storytelling. In the end it's Paper Jam's simplicity that makes it a great starting point and an easy recommendation, but also holds it back from taking full advantage of more dimensions than ever before.
Project Zero: Maiden of Black Water has been put through a wringer of doubt and speculation in the run up to its release, but manages to come out the other side still just as drenched with atmosphere and intrigue as ever. Innovation should give fans that spark of renewed excitement, while newcomers are eased into an excellent horror adventure with plenty of time to learn the mechanics. A bit too much repetition and a few rough edges do mar the experience a little, but that absolutely shouldn't stop you from taking the plunge regardless. The water is lovely.
Q.U.B.E: Director's Cut is a challenging, satisfying game that does just enough differently to escape the shadow of its influences and rise above some unfortunate technical issues. The puzzles vary between satisfyingly clever and maddeningly difficult, though all of them have been well-crafted to suit different ways of thinking. We may not have been the biggest fans of the plot, but its hard to deny that its inclusion alongside extra puzzles and time-trial stages go a long way in tying the experience together. If you can look past this cube's jagged edges, then its well worth a look for the sheer variety of gameplay alone.
Badland is as dark, brooding, and mysterious as the most sullen teenager, but this seemingly simple game is built on a foundation of ingenious design. Its hands-off approach to guiding the player makes for an invigorating challenge where it counts, and plentiful checkpoints help alleviate the frustration that comes from later levels. It teaches you how to interact with the environment before turning it all on its head with a slew of mutations that change your abilities, and that's a little bit brilliant.
Just keep in mind; you'll need patience and focus to make the most of the lessons, so it won't interest anyone looking for something on the Splatoon side of fine art. Overall though, we reckon this is the best Art Academy title yet, and it simply wouldn't be possible on any other home console. Now if you'll excuse us, we're off to try on some berets...
One for the cult history books - an imperfect classic that fits into a very welcome little niche on the eShop.