Nintendojo's Reviews
Overall, this game is worth the $30 price tag. It might be short but the amount of content and story makes up for the length of gameplay. BlueTwelve Studio has crafted a world that feels simultaneously alien and familiar, blending futuristic elements with warmth and humanity and offering an intimate and unique lens through which to explore a world filled with wonder. Perhaps its greatest achievement though is how it connects players emotionally—not just to the story, but to the very act of being a cat. Whether you’re a cat lover or a fan of immersive adventures, Stray is a must-play, hence the A+ rating. Let us know what you think in the comments!
Overall I think this game is so fun and expansive, I would love to play with friends so they could help me build and fight, but it is also kinda relaxing just playing alone. Especially now that cold, cozy weather is finally here, this game is perfect for a day off or night in to just get lost in. Let us know in the comments what you think!
If you’ve been hankering for a more classic Zelda experience, Echoes of Wisdom should do the trick. That said, with its unique Echoes mechanic in tow, this adventure feels like something new and old at the same time. Its gorgeous graphics and engaging soundtrack are a treat for the senses, brought down a peg only by some shaky performance woes. Still, the technical problems that Echoes of Wisdom has aren’t enough to dissuade me from recommending fans give this one a shot. Echoes of Wisdom is a wonderful, worthwhile addition to the Zelda library of games.
The story is around 12 hours to complete and, as I mentioned above, there were some bugs and some minor gameplay frustrations. But do give it a chance if you enjoy strong narratives that keep you on the edge of your seat and have an interest in the macabre.
Ace Attorney Investigations Collection represents the culmination of years of work remastering the entire Ace Attorney series for modern consoles. The love and care can be felt throughout this compilation. While it isn’t perfect, whether it’s the reworked localization and its spelling errors, or some of the quirks of gameplay, these remain two incredibly strong adventure games nonetheless. They’re expertly designed, with gorgeous graphics, catchy music, and fun, engaging gameplay. The stories will keep most players guessing until the end, and those with knowledge of the Ace Attorney series will get the most from them. Definitely consider adding Investigations Collection to your Switch library.
Overall, this is a perfect budget friendly cozy game if you’re looking for something simple and stress free. Let us know what you think in the comments!
TTYD on Switch is a good case study in how to do a remaster well. While it’s not perfect, it by and large does right by the original game by making improvements where necessary without negatively impacting what made the original so good in the first place. In my humble opinion, this game is by far the strongest in the Paper Mario series.
Beyond that, however, I really loved NWC. It’s a bonafide party game staple and easily captures the spirit of the original Nintendo World Championships from back in the day. It’s best played with others, but even alone there’s enough to keep you entertained for a while. Once the initial enjoyment starts to wear off, however, it remains a joy to head into Survival Mode and go for the top ranking. Here’s hoping Nintendo is secretly at work on an SNES followup. In the meanwhile, I strongly recommend adding NWC to your collection.
That said, it certainly isn’t unplayable, and if you can get past the glitches and warts, there’s a solid, enjoyable Contra game here. Operation Galuga might be flawed, but the heart and devotion that WayForward is known for shines through. What I hope is that this serves as the foundation for more entries in the series to come and that WayForward is given another shot at getting things 100 percent right in a sequel. Until then, Operation Galuga will do.
Botany Manor can easily be completed in a day. While this may seem short and the linear story of Botany Manor might mean there is little replay value, the beauty and relaxing nature of the game will bring me back wherever I am craving a stroll through a beautiful English garden.
Overall, I enjoyed my time with Superliminal. I love how the game constantly plays with the user’s expectations, and the unique gimmick made for some puzzles that stumped me. The ever shifting visuals kept me engaged all the way through and made me excited to see what the game would do next. While it is a little short at around three hours, it is an experience that I believe most people should try. While the game can be short and simple, it creates a fun and engaging time throughout.
Grounded on Switch is what it needs to be, a stellar survival sandbox with a uniquely crafted world and visual style. Added features like quests help to guide players new to the genre and those who have played these types of games before, but want a more quest focused experience, closer to an Obsidian-style game. What Grounded really seems to nail the most is it’s uniqueness in a space that is filled with similarly functioning games. Obsidian has found a way to take a tried and true formula and make it work in a new way that fits within the story and world that they have created. It also fits nicely on Switch, despite the fact that the long loading screens make it a drag at times, but this can be avoided by sticking to the respawn system instead of loading saves.
Before wrapping things up, I’ll say that the Scarescraper multiplayer mode from Dark Moon has returned here… for what it’s worth. I personally don’t have any interest in the Luigi’s Mansion multiplayer modes, but they’re there for those who are interested and work well enough. At the end of the day, as far as I’m concerned, Luigi’s Mansion is a series about its solo adventuring. Solving puzzles, catching ghosts, and exploring beautiful, haunting (no pun intended) locales. In that regard, Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD is a winner, but the constant rambling interruptions to gameplay by Professor E. Gadd are a real mood killer. Thankfully when the good professor does shut up and let Luigi get to work, the improved visuals and controls shine and will keep the player hooked all the way to the end. Don’t expect the near-perfection of Luigi’s Mansion 3, but also definitely don’t miss out on this strong, fun sequel.
If you like your games challenging, weird, beautiful, and a little unsettling, ANIMAL WELL should be on your must-play list.
Overall, I found that Loretta is a captivating and thought-provoking experience that explores the darker aspects of human nature. Whether you’re a fan of narrative-driven games or simply enjoy a good mystery, it’s sure to leave a lasting impression and have you constantly thinking about it. I believe it’s a must-play title for fans of interactive storytelling and psychological thrillers. I am eager to give it another playthrough to see what ending I’ll get next!
By the time the credits roll on Zau, players will have fought through swaths of foes and explored many interesting locales. As much as Zau manages to get right, it’s ultimately failed by a lack of innovation that results in an experience that feels like something is missing that would have pushed the game to the next level. Whether it might have been more creative uses of Zau’s powers, or more inventive world exploration, it’s hard to say exactly. I would nonetheless still love to see Salim and Surgent Studios team on another project and take what they learned with Zau and expand upon it. I give Zau a light recommendation for those who have been wanting a new Metroidvania to play, but anyone looking for something truly new is likely to be disappointed.
Princess Peach: Showtime! had the potential to be much more than it is. It’s upsetting that it’s so simple and easy, and feels like a waste of the sheer amount of creativity that went into the concept of the theater, plays, and costumes. It’s that creativity that’s preventing me from giving this game a lower score. But on the merits of its gameplay alone (and the fact that it’s not a very long game — I completed it in about 15 hours), this isn’t Nintendo’s strongest showing.
Overall, South Park: Snow Day! is a mixed bag with its pros and its cons. It hits the nail on the head with the humor and charm that recreates what the South Park universe is all about, but its repetitive gameplay, technical issues, and lack of depth holds it back from reaching its full potential. Die-hard fans of the series may find enjoyment in the game’s humor and multiplayer modes more than the solo adventure. If there was some more polishing done and a more varied gameplay, Snow Day! could have been a standout title, but as it is, it’s best enjoyed in short bursts rather than fuller extended play sessions.
That isn’t to say everything is lackluster here, as the artwork is fantastic and the music and sound are also quite solid, but it isn’t enough to carry Tamarak Trail when so much could be improved upon elsewhere.
OTXO is a brutal game. It’s unforgiving, enemies are relentless, and you will likely find yourself frustrated by having to restart entirely from the beginning if (and when) you’re killed. But that’s the point of this game: to be a challenge and to push the player to get better with every run. If you’re invested in the story and trying to figure out the mysteries of the world, just know that it’s likely going to take a long time and many, many tries to unlock some of those secrets (or at least until you get better and can survive longer). And while OTXO is getting compared to other solid games in its genre, it’s a unique experience that shouldn’t be written off as a clone of anything. It’s incredibly fun and addicting despite being so punishing, and is a game I’ll definitely find myself returning to. Give this game a shot.