Niche Gamer
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The only reason we can not give it a perfect score is due to the game’s teleport mechanic not working properly on multiple occasions and that there is only one difficulty to play the game on; there were a few times where we had to relaunch the game because we would teleport and end up glitched outside of the map unable to get back in. We expect that this issue will be fixed in the near future, but until then, enjoy its ambitious performance.
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Whether you choose to buy it outright or play it through Game Pass, you will enjoy your experience so long as you know what you are getting into. We are glad to see that Bam Margera was added to the game, even if it was a last-minute input, and hope that he continues on his path of redemption.
Blade Chimera is a solid title if you want a short game that goes down easy. The exploration is incredibly smooth, the visuals are fantastic, and the plot is surprisingly gripping. If you are a fan of Metroidvanias or just want to try a game that does most things right, give Blade Chimera a shot.
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is a worthwhile sequel that earns its place as one of Kojima’s best games, even if it does come off a bit misguided at times. This is the kind of experience where you lose track of the time when trying to help the community build a highway, and the nagging urge to do one last delivery keeps you up all night.
Mostrocopy is a fun diversion and freak side-show at best. It’s basic but makes up for it with flair and personality. There needs to be more to do in it. For its price, it’s a fair exchange, but if it stays as an intensely austere experience, then it’s a tough recommendation for anyone serious about fighting games or party games.
Survival Kids will be a hard sell for long-time fans of the series, especially since it’s the same price as Clair Obscur. If you get it on sale and have children, this is a wonderful and underrated Switch 2 exclusive that’s hard to put down. Its cozy and low-stakes ambiance, combined with fun puzzles, will make it a hit with young gamers.
Thankfully, we are still getting remasters of their once-known greatness. Front Mission 3: Remake is a fantastic remaster of an all-time classic, and is no exception to that very clear and objectionable fact that Squaresoft no longer exists, and we are left with Square Enix, a mere shadow of its former self.
Ultimately, Ruffy and the Riverside is an excellent homage and possibly the most fun I’ve had with an indie platformer since A Hat in Time or Nikoderiko. Ruffy and the Riverside was clearly made by a team that knows and loves the genre.
It’s exciting to watch them build this shared fable universe in real time, and even though we don’t know what’s next for them as developers, it’s difficult to imagine it being less than excellent.
Yes, GEX is one of the first platformers that introduced a fully voiced protagonist, but beyond that, the franchise is fairly average. This re-release of the GEX Trilogy could have been so much more, but instead it just banks on nostalgia over being an entry point for new gamers.
Competition has gotten fierce within this sub-genre, yet Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma is by far still a worthy addition to the landscape and is a faithful addition to the beloved franchise.
Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo is consistently engrossing and creative. It’s packed with variety and inventive gimmicks that have never been done before in similar games, elevating it from being just another retro throwback fan game. Its novelty is only surpassed by its charming characters and deft audio/visual design.
Mario Kart World is another great Mario Kart. It isn’t eighty dollars good, but if you can get it for around sixty, you’ll be very happy with the value it offers. There are plenty of features and stuff to do to keep players enjoying this endlessly, like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, but it is not the generational leap forward like some of the past entries.
Speed Freeks is bleeding out players fast, and it doesn’t feel like it’ll be long before all matches are filled with bots. The game has some great characters and environment designs, as well as a very fun customization system, but the bot-filled online-only matches make it a difficult title to recommend.
Wings of Endless‘ biggest failing is how utterly dull, amateurish, and milquetoast it can be. The entire package feels like a formless gray sludge that lacks any bite or confidence.
RATSHAKER is a bizarre, minimalistic satirical experience that will make you chuckle a few times, but you’ll be hard-pressed to ever replay it. There isn’t much to it, but that shouldn’t be surprising considering how cheap it is. The visual style during the nightmarish sequences will leave an impression, but not as much as the moronic wails of that rat.
Being divorced from the Elder Scrolls and being able to do its own thing elevates Tainted Grail. It has more personality than being a generic medieval Tolkien-esque fantasy and combines elements from real-world history and myth to realize its twisted vision.
Players willing to put up with some repetitive exploration and rough enemy placements will be rewarded with fun boss fights and weapons that are exciting to use, but for the most part, AI Limit feels like a chore to play.
Starlight Legacy will appeal to a very specific older gamer who played the original Pokémon and 16-bit Final Fantasy games. While it is really short for a JRPG (about 8-10 hours), it earns its value due to its fair price point. It’s a very condensed adventure that packs in all the beats quickly and doesn’t overstay its welcome.