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Affordable Space Adventures is an indie title with a $20 price tag, and that may make some would-be purchasers leery of the investment. I can say with full confidence that the price tag is not only justified, but might even be too low. Big studios never took the time to flesh out the GamePad and see what it was possible of doing, but Affordable Space Adventures shows why the Wii U GamePad exists: to provide an experience that can only be done on the console. Take the plunge, spend the $20, and get lost in the world of Spectaculon to play one of the finest Wii U titles to date.
While it isn't a platforming masterpiece, it is quite good and feels like a complete game instead of a cash-in. If you do enjoy the series, that should definitely bump AVGN Adventures up on your priority list, because this is a great representation. Whether the Nerd has guided you there before or not, this game's offer to take you back to the past is one you should at least consider.
I cannot suggest Story of Seasons to everybody, but those who like the idea of a calming experience that lets you peacefully escape to a charming world should definitely consider Story of Seasons. If you can get over a painfully long opening before the game opens up and lets you actually play the game, a poor soundtrack, and dull characters, you will be rewarded with an engaging world and a ton of variety and options. It is a fun, relaxing experience – just remember that it is anything but perfect.
It's impossible not to be impressed with the second round of DLC: in every way, it either lives up to or even surpasses even the original game, gives tons of content, and does so all while expanding the possibilities of Mario Kart for the future. And it is just eight dollars; less than that if you got the combo pack. Truly, this is a phenomenal example of what DLC should be, and it brings Mario Kart 8 to ever increasing heights.
All in all, Ultatron is definitely worth looking at. Those who want a top down bullet-hell shooter with some gorgeous retro graphics, perfect controls, lots of options and upgrades, fun tracks, and impressive difficulty will find that all here in spades. Just don't expect any innovation, and keep in mind that some effects can be distracting or confusing at times, and you will get a fantastic experience. It's just too bad something so unnecessary takes away so much.
High Strangeness was a game I wanted to love, but I ended up just liking it. The fantastic score and solid visuals can't make up for the short experience and that is quite the shame because what is there is really solid. If a sequel is ever considered, I would hope the developers would consider making a longer voyage. Fans of retro RPGs and Action-RPGs will find enjoyment here, but just don't expect it to last very long.
Swords and Soldier II is a fantastic experience. It is filled with terrific gameplay, beautiful visuals, great music and sound, and laugh out loud moments. The lack of online is disappointing, and there are a few frustrating levels, but all things considered this is a must have for any Wii U owner with an interest in quality experiences – indie or otherwise. It is not a game everyone will love, but if you have even a passing interest in the genre, you owe it to yourself to give this game a second look.
Many fans wanted Splatoon to be Nintendo's answer to Halo or Call of Duty, and I don't know if that is fair. If you are expecting that, Splatoon might not be the game for you. Splatoon is to shooters what Mario Kart was to racers: it emphasizes pick up and play fun. It's a fun and lighthearted game with some great mechanics and focus on elements of the shooting genre that have never been looked at the same way before. The world is alive with color and paint and is a treat for the eyes. While the initial amount of maps and modes may be deterring, the sheer fun of the game manages to outshine any strong negative feelings I had. It's not a perfect game, but it's fun: plain and simple.
As an overall package Adventures of Pip delivers a fun and satisfying platforming adventure. The visuals are charming and beautiful to look at. The soundtrack alone is worth a listen at the least as each track perfectly captures the level's atmosphere and the overall sense of adventure. Adventures of Pip may not be a game that will shake up the gaming industry but it also doesn't need to. It's a solid platforming adventure with a fun storyline that introduces some fresh ideas worth trying out.
So, should you buy Never Alone? It depends. I can't recommend it to everyone: the game is short, and it doesn't really include much challenge in either puzzles nor platforming. But if you can look past that, you'll find a stunning, unique game that uses the medium to deliver a beautiful story and an incredible world – and that's worth experiencing.
Dr. Mario: Miracle Cure offers an entertaining experience for puzzle enthusiasts; however, if you already own Dr. Luigi or want to experience the old NES gameplay, you may want to skip this latest entry.
In the end, Art Academy is certainly an amazing program for any artist regardless of their skill level. Whether you're a beginner or a pro, you're bound to enjoy the robust set of features that it has to offer.
During the 5th and 6th generation of gaming, the 3D platformer was a viable genre that was alive and well. With tons of mascots and different games to choose from, the landscape was brimming with variety. While Kickstarter successes have brought back the appeal of the 3D platformer, it has been quite a while since we have seen 3D platformers like in the 6th generation. The Legend of Kay was a PS2 title released in 2005, and although critically well received, the game went mostly unnoticed by gamers due to stiff competition. Now that the competition has all but dried up, how does the Legend of Kay Anniversary fare on the Wii U?
Overall, Etrian Odyssey 2 Untold: The Fafnir Knight is everything I could ask for from a new EO title. The game features gameplay options that could truly fit any sort of gameplay style. Moreover, the mission and side-content depth means that playing through the game could take anywhere from 30 to even 100 hours, a truly versatile figure for such an expansive dungeon-crawling RPG experience. For those that have played Etrian Odyssey games before, and those that have yet to experience a game in the franchise, Etrian Odyssey 2 Untold: The Fafnir Knight is absolutely worth picking up!
Xeodrifter is a great little game. It's too short and too lacking in boss variety to be an everlasting indie classic, but while playing, it really is stellar.
Nihilumbra has finally released after a delay of almost one year due to technical issues with the Wii U port, and it was worth the wait. The game tells the story of Born, a blob that wants to escape from the void to the world, but there is a problem: the void wants you back. What makes the story more interesting is that a voice will be narrating the story, helping you to progress while including a few elements that make the story stronger.
I always find it fascinating when developers take an incredibly simple concept and blow it up to fill an entire game. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't, but no matter what, it is interesting to see the ways in which they try and expound upon a concept to keep it fresh, or use visual or audio tricks to make it more compelling. Badland: Game Of The Year Edition is one of those games, and fortunately, it works: and it works very, very well.
Overall, Runbow is easily one of the best indie titles currently available on the Wii U, and the single best local multiplayer game I have played on the console. What really sets Runbow apart though isn't just its multiplayer gameplay, but its plethora of modes, innovative level design, charm, and overall gaming excellence.
Truth be told, I had some fun with FullBlast. The visuals are solid, the gameplay is good, and it could have been a stellar title with some more polish. The strange text issues show that this was a bit of a rushed game, along with the fact that the game actually crashed on me twice while looking at the leaderboards. If you are a fan of the classic days of shmup games, FullBlast is worth checking out, just don't expect anything revolutionary in the genre.
Super Mario Maker truly offers you more or less everything you need to create the level of your dreams.