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Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze does not represent a particularly surprising title for Nintendo, and it may not be the title that pushes Wii U sales into the stratosphere, but it is another wonderful classic Nintendo game on a system slowly building a nice library.
[I]t is an intelligent and engaging addition to the series, bringing together the best of the new and old. With the most puzzles and extras of all the Layton games, there is no shortage of things to keep you occupied,and the charming music and fun quirks will balance out even the most vexing of brain teasers. In a series known for its quiet allure and charismatic appeal, Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy is exactly what it should be: a gracious farewell.
Yoshi’s New Island looks great and plays like a Yoshi’s Island game, but that might not be enough for some people. The levels are bland, the bosses are blander, and the difficulty is too low and too static. It has bursts of creativity and maintains competency, but Yoshi’s Island deserves better than competency.
The game isn't revolutionary, but it's still loads of fun whether you've seen the movie or not. Featuring surprisingly funny quips, elongated use of the movie's memorable moments, and great replay value, the Lego Movie Videogame is a worthwhile experience. Players of any age will appreciate the charm and effort TT Games put in to the title, balancing accessibility with small challenges.
Batman: Arkham Origins: Blackgate Deluxe Edition is both fun and frustrating—exactly the kind of game I don't like reviewing. If you can focus on the parts that work (exploration, collectibles) and downplay the stuff that doesn't (the map, the combat), you'll have a good time. I can't recommend this to people who already played it on Vita or 3DS, though—unless you really loved it, it's probably not worth the double-dip.
While there are a few less than stellar games among the mix of new titles, it's hard not to recommend NES Remix 2. The few menu hiccups and mediocre games aside, it breathes new life into some of the most iconic NES titles of all time. Both hardened old-school gamers and neophyte youngsters should have a great time on the couch passing the controller around with this one.
Mario Golf: World Tour succeeds in crafting a stellar golfing experience, one that will likely become a mainstay in multiplayer circles for a long time. The single-player portion doesn't seem fully realized, but the golf gameplay in World Tour is top notch and the stellar online tournaments have the potential to keep the experience fresh for a long time. With a nice variety of courses and lots to unlock, this is another fine entry in the long line of Mario sports games.
It instantly feels familiar, but adds to the Kirby formula by adding a number of unique and interesting scenarios, through both abilities as well as the 3DS hardware. The learning curve is easy enough for any novice to pick up, and the charm and colorful graphics are easy on the eyes. It's a wonderful platformer that is easy to recommend for anyone looking for a fun time on the 3DS.
Scram Kitty and His Buddy on Rails is quite an engaging game, but you need to learn it to fully understand it. Not everyone will be willing to do that as you need a steady hand to complete the many challenges it offers. Once the gameplay clicks though, you can bask in the brilliant level designs and lovely presentation. Scram Kitty is an amazing, stressful rollercoaster that comes together incredibly well.
I like playing Mario Kart 8. I think it's a satisfactory entry in the series, but nothing more. The final package ends up feeling like someone who covers themselves in makeup to hide the fact that they are 10 years older than they are pretending to be.
In the end, I loved Child of Light less than I hoped I would. It is terrific to look at, and its battle system remained addictive for several hours of gameplay. The humdrum exploration, the too-repetitive (though fun) combat, and the unfocused story bring the title down after a strong first impression. I still believe it is worth experiencing, especially given the scarcity of RPGs on the Wii U, but some fundamental flaws keep it from getting my unconditional recommendation.
ASM2 is still a good game at its core, with some improvements over the original, but they really botched the Hero/Menace element.
Squids Odyssey is tough after the first few levels, especially if characters aren't leveled up properly. But that's fine; it never reaches to a frustrating level. Overall, it's a charming game that, at its core, is actually very deep in customization and gameplay. I wish leveling up was more automated, but these are minor qualms compared to the overall experience.
Swords & Soldiers isn't especially long, containing three campaigns with 10 missions apiece, but you can go into Skirmish mode for practice sessions and unlock some interesting mini-games. There's even an interesting two-player mode in which one player uses the GamePad and another play uses the TV and a Wii Remote, which is fantastic.
Pushmo World is another stellar entry in one of Nintendo's premier downloadable franchises. While it's a bummer that the quirks of Crashmo didn't make a return, no one really loses when Pushmo World is so wonderfully crafted, with awesome puzzles and excellent new twists. Let's just hope that Crashmo World is up next on Mallo's quest.
[T]his is a wonderful game that I obviously can't stop playing, and I can't speak highly enough of. Endlessly charming and unusually engaging, Tomodachi Life is a fantastic diversion.
But while it lasts, Ittle Dew is a fun experience. It's not as deep as a Zelda game, but it has charm that some more recent Zelda games seem to lack at times. It's a clever little romp to play around for a few hours, and it's a fine way to spend a couple of days trekking through dungeons and finding new cards and pieces of paper.
The concept of badgers in space suits fighting evil seems promising, but Gravity Badgers ends up being little more than a poor Angry Birds clone.
The sheer volume of content on offer here is quite impressive, as is the presentation. The graphics and music feel authentically 8-bit, and even the Ninja Gaiden-style cutscenes present a story that adds an appealing texture to things. Those patient enough to tolerate 1001 Spikes' punishing design sensibilities should find a valuable treasure beneath its prickly exterior.
[W]hatever version you have access to, I can't recommend Shovel Knight any higher.