Impulsegamer
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The same weird and wonderful aesthetic and fast-paced mini-game fun as its predecessors, with some fresh twists.
NBA 2K22 Switch simply doesn't cut it. It tries to pack too much into too little, and ends up with modes that don't work, difficult to embrace graphics, endless load times, poor shot meter dynamics, and impossible on-ball defense. An impossible start to a title not likely to get patched to playability.
Grab a copy and start dying as soon as you can!
Despite all of its gains…and perhaps I'm being over-critical…but NBA 2K22 remains a gorgeous but ultimately non-fun experience unless for those who spend lot of money on VC. Yes, you can grind, but this alternative would take dozens of hours and hundreds of painful losses online/offline. Also, the solid improvements to the shot meter, off ball defense and overall AI cannot overcome the lack of on-ball spacing, right stick spamming requirements, and/or omnipresent sensation of being stuck to a defender indefinitely.
Sam and Max Save the World (Remastered) is an incredible triumph. Hands down a fantastic release and an insanely comical and enjoyable title to play.
High concept horrible execution.
A beautiful tale about three siblings in their quest to rid the world on an ancient evil, hell bent of corruption and destruction.
When it's the only show in town, it's impossible to recommend alternatives. Madden 22 returns almost all of 21, but with some slight immersion and gameplay upgrades. Annoying bugs and gameplay question marks persist, as does the convoluted and highest barrier of entry control scheme. Still, veterans of the series – especially most skilled – will willingly dive in.
I'm enjoying it as much as I have any of the previous games and I'm nearly 70 hours in so I'd say it's pretty decent value for money. I suspect most people (certainly myself) have become used to being able to pick up the other games in the series for about $5 or so on special… so having a new game in the series come out at full price seems a bit harsh… but it's pretty reasonable considering how much gameplay there is here and how much of a technological advancement it is (but yes… you can still get a bit stuck on scenery if you walk/ride the wrong way on/off something… so some things never change).
Spelunker HD Deluxe completes everything it sets out to achieve, it is a faithful remaster of the 2010 version with enough additions (multiplayer) to feel warranted. The controls are tight enough that deaths don't feel too cheap and the depth of levels will keep you entertained for a lot longer than most remasters. My only real issues is I feel they could have done more to the 3D graphics to make it really feel like a remaster. Instead of just a port with additions.
Space Invaders Invincible Collection's price tag is perhaps its greatest downfall. The franchise didn't age gracefully, and its best recent title in a more affordable package on the same Switch store. Only purists will appreciate what this limited collection has to offer.
Spiritfarer is an absolutely gorgeous adventure that tells a heartfelt tale of love and loss.
All in all, as you can probably guess, Dragon Star Varnir is quite a mixed bag in terms of enjoyment. While it provides an intricate and engaging combat system as well as some solid alternate modes, the rest of its elements are unfortunately rather lackluster or just plain inconveniencing.
If you have never played Ghosts of Tshuima before, the Director's Cut is a must have and play game due to its carefully crafted story with exceptional gameplay mechanics, graphics and audio. While I would not call it a true next-gen experience, it is very close and Sucker Punch should be commended on creating such an engaging world with its rich visuals that are led by a very interesting protagonist. The world also fees quite organic opposed to a static closed-world which makes exploring such as a treat. Lastly, Jin is a great protagonist who has secrets and a path of redemption ahead of him. If you own the previous game, you can purchase an 'upgrade' to the Director's Cut that is value for money if you loved the original as it adds to the legacy of Jin and tweaks some of the inconsistencies from the original.
While a port to the PlayStation 5, Hades is still a masterclass in game design on this next-gen console. It flawlessly integrates its incredible story with its exceptional gameplay in ways that very few games have been able to achieve before it. The gameplay is tight, complex and addictively fun to engage with. The visuals are absolutely stunning and the music is phenomenal on the PS5 with none of the "issues" of the Nintendo Switch version. So if you're seeking a compelling game to invest your time in, this Rogue-Lite game called Hades is absolutely worth it!
To date, 'Warhammer 40,000: Battlesector' is the best digital rendition of the Warhammer 40k table-top miniatures game that I've ever played. The amazing attention to detail and unknowing nature of each mission will resonate deeply with 40k fans and be a good starting point for newcomers to the franchise. Personally, I would have loved to have seen more factions engaged in battle but introducing the Sisters of Battle as reinforcements has been a clever way to expand the list of units available without straying away from the deep lore that the game is set in. Although I wouldn't call 'Battlesector' a difficult game, it does pose quite the challenge for players of all skill levels. I recommend this game to anyone who wants to get into Warhammer or is already a fan. Hopefully more units and factions will become available in the future, further adding to enormous amount replay value.
Sam & Max are back... again... but now in VR!
There's a decent chance players equipment will be a significant factor in how "fun" this game is… I found it quite enjoyable using an Oculus Quest 2 via Air Link, movements seemed responsive, reloading (once I got used to it) felt quite smooth and I could get into a comfortable rhythm (which I haven't in some other shooter VR titles). If in doubt… wait for a sale, but if you are a fan of the series you will have a pretty good idea of what to expect here… but now you can enjoy it in the far more personal VR perspective. I'd recommend it.
For the price it sits at… I think it's a decent purchase. There's a lot to enjoy even just in looking around the world that has been built here, there are plenty of battles to keep you going and there's the story to play through from start to finish. Scratches that neon lit cyberpunk aesthetic itch just right.
In terms of would I recommend the game… that's not easy to answer. Given the length of "play time"I would certainly start by suggesting waiting for a sale. If you are after a lot of interaction then I'd say avoid it. If you quite like choose your own adventures or indie theatre performances then this might just be up your alley. If you feel non binary or just overwhelmed at what life has in store for you while studying or after completing study… this might be the familiar voice you want to hear. It's far more an experience than a game so if that's your thing then give it a try, if not then look elsewhere.