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Super Stickman Athletics definitely isn't a contender against other full-priced Olympic themed games, but we shouldn't expect it to be for its low asking price. Gamers who enjoy having something to play in short bursts now and then might enjoy this title as a budget cost, but those who want a little more longevity and incentive to play may be left underwhelmed.
Tallowmere is an excellent roguelike. Its value comes from its customization options — you can make the game easier or harder in a variety of ways, run special challenges, and play with buddies. It's all wrapped up with plenty of weapons and gear, a good variety of enemies, cool music, and an addictive gameplay hook that's immediately accessible for newbies of the genre yet deep enough for veterans. The graphics might not be the greatest and there are a few quirks resulting from its PC roots, but this deeply replayable gem is not to be missed if you have any interest in the genre.
As a whole, Tetraminos is an average experience at best. It's easy to sit down and play because it does somewhat keep the core values of Tetris intact, though it still falls short when it comes to offering anything new or enticing. Perhaps look around for a classic Tetris experience available on the Nintendo eShop if you would rather play it safe.
Games like Pong, Tetris and Pole Position, for example, are definitions of simple but fun experiences. They prove that basic games can be satisfying and entertaining. Unfortunately, that's not the case with Brick Race, which strangely is exclusive to New 3DS (like due to its support for more development tools than the original system). There's nothing about it that is exciting. There's no encouragement to keep playing. There's no real skill involved. Some annoying music and dodging brick cars? That's all there is to it, and it's just not worth a block of time.
With such a concise playtime, it's hard to recommend PANDA LOVE to any hardened veteran; at best, this is a simple starter game for young children. While it has acceptable production values in the sound and visuals department, and is an affordable price, it's a game that's nevertheless over within the space of five to ten minutes. You could likely find the exact same type of game, more padded out, for free on a mobile app store or browser game website; as a result it's hard to show too much love for this one.
Pixel Paint 3DS is a fine tool for creating pixel art, but as a port it doesn't improve on its predecessor enough to make it great. Creative types will find a lot to love here, but beginners looking for tutorials or some help along the way won't benefit a great deal. Whether you'll enjoy what Pixel Paint 3DS has to offer comes down to your artistic abilities; we just wish that this could have been considered a definitive edition.
Shadow Archer is a fantastic arcade game that deserves a download from any fan of simple, classic games. The great difficulty balancing, accessible gameplay, crisp aesthetics and pretty solid control make this an addictive experience. Whether you're looking to perfect a high score run or just need something to play in short bursts to blow off some steam, Shadow Archer gives a lot to love for the price.
A perfectly passable, prototypical roguelike RPG, Adventure Labyrinth Story is a decently diverting game that's happy to entertain without leaving a lasting impression. It takes tried and true gameplay elements and wraps them up in a plain presentation, resulting in a dependable experience that does what it says on the tin. That's not a problem in and of itself, of course, and if you're just looking to do some randomized exploring with all the trappings (and traps!) of the genre, this will definitely scratch that itch — it's comfort gaming, and on the cheap, too. But it's severely lacking in soul, and if you've got a few more gold to spare, we'd recommend Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity or Etrian Mystery Dungeon as far more memorable experiences in the same vein.
Letter Quest Remaster is admittedly not going to bode well with every Wii U owner out there, but if you're seeking a title that channels the basic fun of classic tile games such as Scrabble, and at the same time has the potential to educate and entertain a wider audience, there is arguably no better game available on the eShop right now. Letter Quest is filled to the brim with content including a stack of levels, a long list of quests and achievements, and many unlocks to enjoy. By the time you complete Grimm's journey, you'll be a qualified wordsmith.
You may have noticed the intentional similarities to a certain, popular Nintendo franchise in the game's logo and appearance, which is likely to divide opinion among many. Whether this is a positive or a negative thing is unimportant, in the end, because The Legend of Kusakari can stand proudly in its own right as a highly enjoyable, nicely polished puzzle adventure. Besides, who doesn't find enjoyment in hacking down every last bit of grass in Hyrule anyway?Addictive gameplay, along with great humour and charming character make The Legend of Kusakari a very pleasant experience, and when the only downside is a want for more story and more chapters to play through, you know you're onto a winner.
Sufin' Sam is a disappointing platformer. The controls are floaty, the level design is poor and forces you to take leaps of faith and backtrack, the sound effects are grating, and the game looks like a mashup of mismatched assets. It's playable, sure, but beyond that it offers little redemption; we recommend that you stay away from this one.
While not a bad game by any stretch, Collateral Thinking struggles to draw players in. Its control issues (which are apparently being addressed in a post-launch update) and uneven music only serve to accentuate the trial-and-error gameplay that will frustrate most casual players enough to make them give up early on. Give it a try if you're looking for a retro arcade experience, but be warned that you'll be replaying the levels a lot.
Psycho Pigs remains an arcade game despite its makeover, and is best played in short and frantic bursts. It is a good example of a simple and fast-paced game to play without too much commitment; this is certainly a reasonable option for quickfire fun.
Armikrog feels like a game for a different era, for good and ill. While point-and-click adventures can play to the nostalgia of some, they can feel mired in traditions that just don't translate to a more mainstream audience. If the former sounds like something you'd be into Armikrog will probably push your buttons. If the latter sounds like something you fear, Armikrog's lack of clear goals and an expectation of excessive patience means it's probably not for you.
Credit must be given to Delve Interactive for encouraging exploration in a genre that is regularly perceived as one of the most linear gaming experiences on offer. The complication of this depth is the fact the platforming and puzzle elements of Poncho become quite a test over time, and often require an excessive amount of trial and error. This title is not for faint-hearted players as a result; each puzzle and platform element can be cruel despite the infinite retry feature. There is no hand holding and there is no instantaneous sense of accomplishment or joy as you would receive from a more traditional platformer. Check out Poncho if you enjoy puzzle problem solving within a slower-paced platforming game environment, otherwise think carefully before trying it out.
Zero Time Dilemma is an impressively polished, unsettling ride, but whether it's worth playing is entirely dependent on your previous experience with the series. If you've played and enjoyed the first two games in the trilogy you'll absolutely love Zero's last stand. You'll find the same twisting, twisted narrative, the same satisfyingly tricky puzzles, and plenty more of Uchikoshi's signature style, and watching the story's climax unfold after three games is a real rush. If you haven't played the first two games but you're interested in the series, this isn't the best place to start — to really enjoy it, you'll want to have both Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors (on DS and iOS) and Virtue's Last Reward (on 3DS and Vita) under your belt before jumping in here.However you arrive at Zero Time Dilemma, if you're into the series' mix of horror and Hegel you're in for a treat — and you may never look at a snail the same way again.
We look forward to seeing what the future of this particular spin off holds, because as it stands right now Federation Force is an impressive and solid foundation; it's more than able to satisfy hardcore Metroid fans until the inevitable return of Samus Aran.
Disney Art Academy is a solid and inviting way to learn the fundamentals of artistic techniques. There's a real attraction in learning how to master these iconic characters – and while this title may primarily appeal to kids, there's certainly a lot to love here for grown-ups ready to supplement their adult colouring books with something that covers earlier steps in the creative process. The tools on offer may not be of the highest fidelity thanks to outdated hardware, but they are intelligently crafted to be more than adequate for exploring creativity or sparking a love of art. That's a net-win in our book.
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.
Blast Ball very much feels like a game that's still in development. The ball physics feel off, there's not a whole lot of content and it feels half-baked. When viewed as a standalone piece of software it's not exceptional in any way, though it's still worth a shot as a free download. It'll also feature within Federation Force (with the servers switching to that full game in North America), and it seems likely to serve as a shallow diversion that you'll no doubt find yourself coming back to now and then. We'd recommend you pick up Blast Ball in its free incarnation (which is permanent in Europe but not North America) as it's an entertaining mini-game that offers up some mindless fun, but it's not necessarily the best advert for Federation Force.