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Although The Swapper was originally released on PC nearly a year and half ago, this does little to dampen its appeal on Wii U; this is a title feels fresh and unique when stacked up against some of the other download games the eShop has to offer. With its unsettling environment, intriguing storytelling and some truly mind-bending puzzles, the entire experience oozes quality.
Costume Quest 2 is an enjoyable romp through an appealing story of fun and sugary treats. The characters are all delightful and the game looks the part. Unfortunately the novelty of the combat wears thin rather quickly and some crippling performance issues can at times make the game a frustrating mess. Its simplistic gameplay is more suited to those with less gaming experience, but there's still plenty to be enjoyed by more hardcore fans looking for something a bit more relaxing or less complicated for a change; just be prepared to play for the charm and story instead of the repetitive combat sequences.
Even through mimicking XCOM's tactical gameplay and utilizing the setting of the popular TNT series as a reference point for the campaign, Falling Skies: The Game feels about ten years too late to impress. Currently, there's nothing else that delivers a tactical shooter of this kind on Wii U, which is something of a selling point. Unfortunately what it delivers is a bland, watered-down version of the genre that even hardcore fans will probably want to stay away from.
Trap Team continues the Skylanders legacy in style, serving up an excellent adventure with fun gameplay, lots of variety and top-notch production values both on-screen and off. It's kid-friendly in every sense of the word, though grown-up gamers will find plenty to enjoy here as well.
Pier Solar is a labour of love that makes its passion known right from the first scene. It's an absolutely gorgeous title with inspiration from just about every classic Japanese role-playing game released in the late 80's and early 90's. Unfortunately, it drags some artefacts from that era with it, and as a result features conspicuous problems that will get in the way of your fun. If you can ignore the slow battle system, vapid story, and abysmal dialogue, Pier Solar's efforts may win your heart. If you've got no love for this genre, steer clear — this is one for enthusiasts only.
It's a gem of an indie titles on the Wii U eShop, and any puzzle fan would be mad to miss out.
While Ultimate NES Remix is technically a sound game, it comes across as a rather modest, slightly lazy port. You're only getting about two thirds of the original content from the original Wii U eShop releases, and what was arguably one of the most fun instances of Miiverse integration is completely absent. If you don't see yourself getting a Wii U in the near future and desperately want to see what the fuss is all about, this is still a good investment, but otherwise it's probably best to just pick up the original titles or wait for the combo pack.
With its 2D visuals and seemingly flat environments, Lone Survivor might seem like a simplistic take on the horror genre. Ultimately however, it's under the limitations of this simplicity that the game really shines, leaving just enough to the imagination without seeming too bare. Through the blurred lens of it's admittedly tired pixelated graphics, environments drip with atmosphere, creatures shamble along menacingly, and the search for answers is always compelling. Though it takes some getting used to, partly due to a baffling map system, the psychological horror of Lone Survivor can extend far beyond the confines of the television screen.
Stealth Inc 2: A Game of Clones is a gem from Curve Studios, and one of the very best download games on the Wii U.
Overall, Just Dance 2015 is much like its predecessors, but in the struggle to do something 'new' with the game, Ubisoft has added a lot of features that are not really worth your bother. Luckily these don't interfere with your enjoyment from the very entertaining main game, and as long as you've got some good friends and enough self-confidence, Just Dance 2015 could well give you the licence to be the dancing buffoon you always wanted to be.
With a relatively small asking price and a unique premise, Cosmophony is a game that should at least be experienced by anyone who rates gameplay above all other aspects.
On balance the Disney Infinity 2.0: Marvel Super Heroes The Avengers Starter Pack — to give it its full name — offers a lot of value on its own. Providing families understand that the additional toys are optional extras rather than necessities they should be able to resist over-spending at super market checkouts. The improved upgrades, enhanced Toy Box experience and Marvel franchise make this year's game an enticing proposition.
Mobot Studios clearly put a lot of effort into this title, adding a new overworld and several new levels. The use of a physical controller as opposed to an iOS touch-screen makes Paper Monsters Recut the definitive edition of the game; though Paper Monsters Recut does unfortunately falter a bit technically, this lovingly crafted platformer is a fine addition to the eShop.
Bayonetta 2 is brilliant, brash and impossible to ignore.
Remarkable production values combined with a staggering amount of content and fan service make Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS an entertaining, rewarding and downright addictive title that's immensely hard to put down. It's a hugely successful transition from the big screen, which retains everything — the in-depth gameplay, the seamlessly merged crossover universe and that unrivalled Nintendo charm — that has made each home console instalment to date an instant classic. It feels familiar, further defining the mould of the series instead of reshaping it, but it does so to impeccably high standards.That said, it's not perfect: the online multiplayer can be very hit-or-miss in terms of connection quality, and the customisation features are pretty lacking, although these aren't considerable enough to damage the overall experience. As the wealth of modes, stages, characters and other features prove, this isn't a quick release intended to tide over players until the Wii U version comes along. Rather, it delivers more than a 3DS game should feasibly be able to do, so much so that it'll be enjoyed alongside its HD counterpart and in its own right for years to come.
KickBeat is a fairly standard rhythm game augmented by some visual flair and a polarising soundtrack. The attention to detail we've come to expect from Zen Studios is present in full effect, both in the luscious 3D models and in the interface with statistics galore. This isn't a title you'll likely still be playing years from now, but it's a surprisingly meaty experience, and if you're a music game addict or a huge fan of early '00s mainstream hard rock music, you'll love kicking these beats.
Bayonetta's distribution — as part of Bayonetta 2's release in various packages or as an eShop download — makes it a must have for action fans intent on jumping into the newer entry. It lays important groundwork with the lore and story, while also giving us a look at the gameplay foundations that have been further refined in the sequel. In its own right it's a cocky, self-assured and bombastic video game, yet maintains a sense of irreverence and fantastical fun nevertheless.
For those that come in expecting a classic Legend of Zelda adventure this could potentially be an underwhelming experience; yet as a fun action game with plenty of content is delivers well. Once the problem of perception — courtesy of the iconic characters at play — is resolved, this is an entertaining addition for action fans.
Unlimited World Red is a good example of a licensed game done well. If you're a One Piece fan, you'll be in high-seas heaven; the gang's all here, they look and sound great, and the gameplay — while it has its issues — provides a solid foundation for the adventure. Poor camera controls and some repetitive design dampen the experience, and will be harder to swallow for non-fans, but even players who can't tell a Straw Hat from a straw hat can enjoy the the bright, high-energy action and colourful characters.
Theatrhythm Final Fantasy: Curtain Call is far more than a lazy expansion to the original release. The volume of extra content is truly impressive, but it also shakes up the formula with new modes to give the experience a fresh feel. Terrific music and tight controls are the stars, while competitive players will surely get a kick out of the online mode; whether you're a fan of music rhythm games, Final Fantasy or both, this is a must buy.