We Got This Covered
HomepageShenmue IIII pushes its epic story forward while holding firmly onto dated concepts, game design, and narrative presentation, but it will likely please die-hard fans of the series. Everyone else, meanwhile, might wonder what all the fuss is about.
It may not quite reach the series' previous highs, but Layton's Mystery Journey: Katrielle and the Millionaires' Conspiracy is a more than serviceable addition, and a welcome debut on the Nintendo Switch.
Pokémon Sword and Shield is not only a worthy start for the series on mainline consoles, but is quite possibly the best entry in the series. With the new Pokémon, Dynamax raids, gyms, and the expansive Wild Area, Pokémon Sword and Shield filled me with a joy I rarely feel playing games.
The Star Wars spirit is strong with Fallen Order, and it came as close to making me feel the way I did when watching the original trilogy for the first time. However, unlike those movies, this one could use some post-release touch-ups.
A mostly lackluster collection of minigames, Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 is fine enough for a general audience. However, the Switch's potent line-up of multiplayer titles makes this offering worth ignoring.
Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness and the Secret Hideout feels like a massive step backward, both in terms of gameplay and story. Although GUST attempted to inject some real-world themes into this tale, it's unfortunately just more of the same.
Sparklite is a safe, stock-standard rogue-lite RPG that attempts to mimic The Legend of Zelda, but never manages to emulate it. An otherwise brief journey that requires some samey exploration to prepare for late-game hurdles leaves this adventure feeling a little stale.
WWE 2K20 has its issues, and maybe they could have been overlooked if all the game modes worked. Sadly, that is not the case, and it feels like a broken game from the get-go.
Like any genre-pushing work of art, Death Stranding is sure to be divisive. That said, the unflinching vision of its director is a breath of fresh air in an industry increasingly unwilling to swing for the fences.
Nihon Falcom has delivered yet another stellar entry in the Trails of Cold Steel series. If you're a newcomer, you'll need to start at the beginning to genuinely appreciate the whole package. However, if you're a long-time fan of the franchise, then you'll love every thrilling second of it.