Switchaboo
HomepageSwitchaboo's Reviews
Despite the interesting spin, I don’t think Backpack Hero breaks any new ground, but boy is it fun! Despite the aggravating problems, in the grand scheme of things, they are minor issues in an otherwise very addicting roguelike, and I can’t help but give it a thumbs up. It is a shame that it falls into the same trap of poor performance that so many games on the Switch fall into, though. There are many more graphically-intensive games out there that run buttery smooth on the Switch, yet it seems every other day a promising game trips over execution. I’m hoping that the next release from the devs of Backpack Hero will take that into account.
Overall, Lil’ Guardsman is an incredibly hilarious, silly, adorable, low pressure decision-based adventure game that is a must-play in my opinion. If you want a hilarious game with heart and soul, then Lil’ Guardsman is for you. I will definitely be revisiting the game myself to try and see how different I can make the kingdom of ‘The Sprawl’. Now, excuse me…I have to go to town to place my bets for the upcoming goblinball game…could you cover my shift at the guard shed today?
While 8-Colors Star Guardians + is a good game, it is severely held back by its lack of overall gameplay, leaving it feeling pretty forgettable. And as if to prove my own point, I completely forgot I needed to write this review, so I’m hastily writing it the day before it is meant to be submitted…oops.
Like any game, Xuan-Yuan Sword: Mists Beyond the Mountains won’t be everyone’s cup of tea. I would recommend it for fans of old-school role-playing games like Final Fantasy, and especially to people who want to try something a bit different from the usual Western or Japanese video game narratives. The continent-spanning (is Eurasia a continent or a landmass with two continents?) plot, characters, battles, enemies, locations, music, etc. all helped to cement this game’s place as a classic back in the day, and it’s great that there’s now an English localisation for us to enjoy.
I really loved Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince, probably more than I initially thought I would. Its gameplay loop is fun; scouting new monsters and creating new ones out of old ones was pretty addictive. I love exploring all the varied environments and watching in real-time the seasons change and alter the world. I also really enjoyed the accessible combat. This is probably one of my favourite RPGs of 2023!
I love this game. It’s one of the most addicting, simple-yet-fun roguelikes I’ve experienced in a long time and it’s exactly because I loved it so much that it upsets me how little of it there is. Alina of the Arena is definitely a must play for any roguelike or tactics fan, and I have absolutely no reservations saying that. The studio that published it, PINIX, is a Taiwanese studio with only two games to their name, including this one, but Alina of the Arena immediately put them on my radar. I’ll be waiting patiently for whatever they cook up next, because this was delicious.
As disappointing as it is to say, Born of Bread simply never clicked with me. I kept waiting for that "ok, now it's getting good” moment, but despite my wishful thinking, it never came. For fans of the classic Paper Mario entries, there’s still a lot to enjoy from Born of Bread, but I just wouldn’t suggest getting your hopes up too high. If you haven’t already, play Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling; that game does the homage much better.
Overall, I quite enjoyed the challenge of playing it alone but I do honestly believe that Super Crazy Rhythm Castle would be best played with friends or family as a party game. The Overcooked-esque stressful juggling act is sometimes simply too much for one person to bear. Having other people to share the load would alleviate the stress and make it a much more fun experience. Not to mention, there is a VS area for multiplayer that is available when you need a much needed break from the main game. Regardless of its shortcomings, Super Crazy Rhythm Castle is a wonderfully innovative game in the rhythm game genre and I will be keeping the developers Second Impact Games on my radar for their upcoming projects.
Writing that score hurt me inside. I should not have this many negative things to say about a Persona game. I know I shouldn’t expect the heights of quality on these spin off/sequels, I’ve played most of the games in this franchise so I know what to expect, but I didn’t expect this. In short, Persona 5 Tactica is a subpar Persona game and barely a tactical shooter. I only recommend it to the most hardcore Persona fans but let’s face it, they’ll likely just watch someone stream it instead. Psst, I’m streaming the game myself over at twitch.tv/jaxek15, come in and tell me my opinion is wrong ;)
Being honest, Sonic Superstars didn’t really catch me, but I don’t think that’s the game’s fault. It does nothing horribly wrong, and it may be that I’m just not the correct audience for the “Do it again, but faster and better” gameplay loop that it seems to encourage. I didn’t come out of it disappointed, though: It’s a competent game that looks great, can be played in short bursts and keeps up the sense of speed that the franchise has always been known for. Really, I have no reason to complain on the execution front at all. Superstars turned out to not be my cup of tea, but I definitely think that it’s worth picking up for people that are looking for a solid entry in the franchise and already know they’re all about the high-speed world traversal. It’s not for me, but can you blame me for not being able to keep up with the Fastest Thing Alive?
Howl by Mi'pu'mi Games is an enjoyable mix of strategic challenges and folkloric aesthetics, inviting players to immerse themselves in a world painted with “living ink.” For fans of turn-based tactical adventures, this is worth checking out. It may have its share of hiccups, but much like the protagonist's journey, the experience is about embracing the challenges.
Roots of Pacha is a wonderful breath of fresh air in a recently oversaturated genre. Its setting and story development feel like a natural fit, providing a magnificent sense of discovery and intrigue. In addition, the item management and UI are the most intuitive we’ve ever experienced in a farming sim, allowing players to enjoy the game without unnecessary frustration. As Roots of Pacha doesn’t explicitly mention any specific civilisation for its inspiration, the story and setting feel open and relatable. The plot and its cultural elements make the game feel connected with reality, and even on occasion, you may notice some on-the-nose inspirations from a variety of indigenous stories.
Ultimately, if you like WarioWare games, you'll enjoy WarioWare: Move It! because it is just more of what you’re expecting with all the same loveable cast. While there are some micro games that are difficult to work out what you have to do at first glance, there is still a lot of fun to be enjoyed with friends and family. This is a strong recommendation for anyone who has people to play this with on a night of fun together.
If you were excited for this game, you were right to be. Super Mario RPG is a very faithful remake, clearly made by a team with love and respect for the original. The only negatives I could list are edge case issues that the average player is likely not to notice. I personally don’t have nostalgia for the original (I own an original SNES cart, but only got it within the last eight years and have also never played it before the week leading to the remake’s release for research purposes), so suffice it to say that I would be giving this same glowing review if this was a brand new release. If you’re a fan of the original, buy this game. If you’re a fan of Super Mario, buy this game. If you’re a fan of classic JRPGs, buy this game.
Right at the start of the review, I promised more on Halberd Studios, and shortly before this review was published in November 2023, they announced their second title, Mariachi Legends. It’s currently going through a Kickstarter campaign and already has an excited following. In case I didn’t make it clear, 9 Years of Shadows is an engaging, beautiful and well-balanced metroidvania and is up there with some of the best in the genre. If Mariachi Legends is half as good, we’ll be in for a treat!
DAVE THE DIVER is such a fun experience to play and is a strong contender as a memorable title for this year, in a year full of massive game releases. There is so much charm, character, and content packed into DAVE THE DIVER that it's bursting at the seams and is so worth the investment of any gamer. Roll the rice and fish in some seaweed, load up the harpoon and DIVE into the uniquely fun experience.
Star Ocean: The Second Story R is a fantastic adventure to get absorbed in, with an engrossing plot set in a beautiful, intricately detailed world that offers you so much to do. There is so much packed into the game, and so much optional content, that you’ll likely need a walkthrough if you’re looking to thoroughly uncover everything. This remake manages to modernise and add to the original game while still ticking so many boxes for fans of classic 90s JRPGs.
Ebenezer and the Invisible World looks great and has a difficulty level that has been perfectly balanced to stand up to some of the best metroidvanias out there without going down the overly trodden route of making it Souls-like. Sure, there’s not a whole lot original on offer here, but that feels like a harsh stick to beat the developers with in a very crowded genre. Ebenezer and the Invisible World won’t be for metroidvania purists, but if you're a fan of Christmas and anything Dickensian, you will not be disappointed!
I'm really enjoying the Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed experience, even with its issues. Even though I've completed the story mode, there’s still plenty to unlock. I really love playing as the ghost characters, mainly because of the havoc you can cause other players; it makes matches quite thrilling. Even though the online is great fun with real players, I have encountered a few disconnects, which can be frustrating. The story isn't very long, but unlocking everything else will lengthen your time with the game, so there's plenty of potential to add further content in the future.
WORLD OF HORROR is a fantastic game but an absolute nightmare on the Switch (badum-tish), its aesthetics do a lot of the heavy lifting. While I do not recommend playing WORLD OF HORROR on Nintendo Switch (or other consoles in general assuming they have the same problems), if you can, I’d highly suggest trying the game out on PC only.