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Whispering Willows is by no means a masterpiece, but it is a beautiful world and an engaging atmosphere that unfortunately is wrapped in undeveloped gameplay and a not very compelling story. Still; it's an experience with a lot to offer for those with a love of eerie and beautiful games.
In the end, Race the Sun is definitely a title that I would recommend to anyone who enjoys the infinite-runner genre.
Understandably Triforce Heroes was designed for 3-player play and the fact that Nintendo still managed to deliver a single player mode is quite welcomed. However, traditional fans of the series going into Triforce Heroes expecting a single player experience as satisfying as past games will find themselves disappointed. The game isn't meant to be a traditional Zelda experience, it's a fresh new formula designed for those on the go or who are seeking a more social experience with the Zelda franchise. If you're looking for some fun and hectic gaming moments with your friends then Triforce Heroes along with its clever puzzles, fun visuals and beautiful soundtrack is sure to please. For those interested in the game because of its Zelda association just be prepared for a less fulfilling experience than you're used to.
With all this said, Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water is easily one of my favorite Wii U games to date. It feels like an old-school horror game but has the modern twists such as GamePad use and HD graphics to make it stand out in the gaming world today. It's a shame that this game didn't get a physical release, because I fear that it might hurt sales for this game. Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water is a must own title for Wii U owners, and horror fans in general might want to pick up a Wii U just for this game – it's that good.
Overall, Yoshi's Woolly World is a "Nintendo" game at its finest. The game not only draws in gamers with a captivating art-style and excellent soundtrack, but it also keeps them engaged with spectacular and diverse gameplay elements. Fortunately, Yoshi's Woolly World packs in a wealth of options too, which accommodate new players as well as Nintendo veterans alike. While it may seem that Nintendo has a relatively sparse Wii U lineup for this fall, Yoshi's Woolly World is a pristine example that sometimes quality should be valued over quantity.
Indie games are certainly very unique. Since the majority of the studios behind these titles are very small, the developers are free to come up with any idea and execute it as they see fit. After all, it is their creation. With that in mind, I'm not one to knock anyone's creative ability; however, I will say that there are some things that are better left as more of an inside joke than an actual public release, and that's exactly how I feel about STARWHAL .
Chibi-Robo! Zip Lash is a solid game that was a very entertaining experience. It's not a ground breaking revolution in gaming, but not every game has to be. It's fun, easy on the eyes, and the gameplay is very well crafted. It's a shame that Nintendo said this could be Chibi's last adventure if this game doesn't sell well, because I think this is the most enjoyable Chibi-Robo game yet. If you plan on picking it up, do yourself a favor and get the amiibo bundle. Even though I'm not the biggest amiibo fan, the quality on the Chibi-Robo amiibo figurine is outstanding. If you are looking for a quality 2D adventure, and enjoy being a completionist, Chibi-Robo! Zip Lash should be on your radar. Chibi whips it, and he whips it good!
So should you buy The Swindle? Absolutely; the game is, quite simply, fun. It has real stakes, and that makes every jump, every break in, every move all the more intense. With great gameplay, great visuals, and great music, it's hard not to suggest The Swindle; just keep in mind that it has got some issues, and it is not for the faint of heart.
It is difficult to get across just what Extreme Exorcism is; the mix of different genres makes it hard to explain the basics. Perhaps the best explanation is that it plays like an arcade version of a brawl game, yet is controlled like a platformer game with shooting elements. It is quite complex to explain, yet so easy to grasp.
Overall, Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer proves to be a substantial disappointment for the franchise. Yes, the game does make large strides in the designing element of Animal Crossing, but it fails to create any sort of experience that is even remotely engaging or captivating. Sure, the series' charm, wit, and quirky dialogue is still all there; though, unfortunately at the end of the day (yes, many will probably finish off the game within a day), manyy players will be left scratching their heads wondering why they ever spent $40 on this cash-in Animal Crossing title.
Year Walk is a game I thought I was going to love, but I just merely like it. It's not a bad game by any means, and I think some fans of both dark art and horror will enjoy this game much more than I did, but for me, I have to hark back to that abstract art analogy I used earlier. You either "get it" or you don't, and for me, Year Walk was just not the game for me.
Valve shook up the puzzle genre with the critically acclaimed Portal and its even better sequel Portal 2. With that precedent set, Toxic Games did their homework in an effort to capture a similar feel with their literally out-of-this-world puzzle-title, Q.U.B.E Director's Cut. With this newly-released version, the game has finally made its way to the Wii U. With a new-story elements and various other improvements, how does this interstellar brain-twister hold up?
Super Mario Maker truly offers you more or less everything you need to create the level of your dreams.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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?