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HyperParasite is “another one of those”, but it does it well. The fact that you can control one of your enemies for as long as you can last extends the lifetime of not only the game, but each run. A lot of it still comes down to randomness or RNG, but your skills get put to the test that help offset it. When the game becomes a shmup, it’s such a visual and aural treat. This the definition of a Steam Early Access success. HyperParasite excites and delights every time you play it.
Over the course of fifteen or so hours to see the game to completion, Iron Danger offers a good challenge, even on the default normal difficulty. The ability to infinitely bend time to your will to fine-tune encounters to perfection can be really satisfying. Its biggest detriment is how clunky and unpolished it all feels. That said, Iron Danger is really fun, and completely distinct from every other tactical combat game you’ve played. And for that, it should be on your radar.
Exit the Gungeon isn’t a sequel, nor does it pretend to be. I still find 2016’s Enter the Gungeon to be a fuller experience, with more depth and variety. Exit the Gungeon is not a game you should ignore. This Gungeon may have lost a little bit of itself along the way, but enough of its humor and sensibilities are very much intact for enjoying Dodge Roll’s twist on the Gungeon formula for the price point. Exit the Gungeon is a delightful spin-off, a blast to play, and the changes to the gameplay compliment the new perspective wonderfully.
Ori and the Will of the Wisps marks a thrilling return to the unique, gorgeous world created by its predecessor. In many ways it is more of the same, but only in the best ways possible, as Will of the Wisps succeeds in retaining all of the high points of Ori and the Blind Forest, while making great improvements and updates across the board. It’s an emotional journey with a lovely story about friendship and family that looks incredible, sounds lovely, and feels really great to play. Sequels have the unenviable task of being both the full embodiment of and improvement over their progenitors, and Will of the Wisps absolutely delivers on this difficult task. It’s every bit the follow-up you would want to see, and it stands in its own right as an excellent game.
Darksiders: Genesis is a worthy continuation of the Darksiders franchise, delivering another solid entry in the Darksiders franchise in a package that’s fun to play and tough to put down. The bonus of being able to play through with a friend just makes the experience all the better, and if you don’t mind hunting for upgrade items and collectibles, this is a fun romp that helps further flesh out the game’s universe. It performs well on Switch and it’s great to see the franchise getting due attention on the platform. More importantly, it proves out that Darksiders can still delight and surprise, not just in spite of, but because of its willingness to experiment.
It’s clear that there was a strong, central vision for what Knights and Bikes should be, as it shines through in the writing, the artwork, and all of the extra little touches. This is a game about the pleasures and predicaments of childhood; it’s about family, friends, and connection; it’s about navigating a world as a person with goals, thoughts, and feelings that aren’t always taken seriously by the people around you. There’s a lot to discover about Knights and Bikes as you play, and the experience is one worth having firsthand. It’s a whimsical, joyful, sweet adventure that deals with some very heavy subject matter but manages to stay positive in the face of difficulty in the way that only a child really can.
BEAUTIFUL DESOLATION offers a weird, and wonderful future of Earth to explore where you can make your mark. The journey is just as exciting and fantastic as the destination. There’s a unique world and game here that’s never been seen before, and THE BROTHERHOOD made sure of that. There’s nothing quite like BEAUTIFUL DESOLATION; it’s an experience you won’t soon forget, and is one of the finest adventure games I’ve ever played.
Table Manners gets the experience of dating half-right, capturing the nervousness and awkward conversation in totality. The in-game app meant to cultivate your relationship(s) often leads to disappointment or confusion. Unless you’re out to sabotage everything in the name of a good time, there’s not much room for fun or risk losing the relationship. When trying to do your best, the simulation and physics often get in the way. It’s certainly enjoyable for hours on end, but it doesn’t quite come together like it should.
Dead Cells remains great, replete with free updates and free DLC. Now there’s paid DLC in The Bad Seed, it’s a must-buy. The team at Motion Twin and Evil Empire have earned your trust, and treated you well in Early Access and post-release, so I don’t feel bad returning the favor. If you’ve been gone a while, now’s the perfect time to return. If you’ve been playing a while, this is the perfect DLC to be interwoven into the game seamlessly. The Bad Seed is DLC done right, guilt-free and without burden.
KUNAI is absolutely kinetic. Momentum, traversal, and combat are the key pillars. They all work in tandem to produce a game that moves at a frenetic pace, and one you’ve not known in a Metroidvania-style of game. TurtleBlaze have something special here, and it’s in your best interest not to miss it. KUNAI is a refreshing take on the genre, and an exciting one at that.
I started this review talking about my fear of heights. I didn’t really mention it again. Somehow, that’s the amount of impact it had on my enjoyment of this game. Oh, and final word: Don’t play this game with low ceilings unless you like scraped knuckles.
It’s clear with Monster Energy Supercross – The Official Videogame 3, it is driven by passion and authenticity for the sport. It’s the best in the series, even if it has a few rough edges. The UI takes a few unnecessary extra steps to navigate, but when that’s your largest issue, there’s little to worry about. The bevy of modes, inclusivity of riders, and wonderful simulation of supercross is unmatched. Now go try it with the first-person camera.
Overall, Oddworld: Stranger’s Wrath HD on Switch is a great game, sporting some huge improvements over the original release and offering up a classic game in a highly playable package. The game play itself still feels mostly great, even if it is a little dated, and the improvements to the game’s visuals are not just noticeable, but well-executed and highly polished. The end result is a well-preserved artifact; a crystal clear look into a highly-regarded classic of the mid-2000’s era of gaming. While this isn’t the first time Stranger’s Wrath HD has been re-released, it is arguably one of the best options for playing the game, purely given the ability to take the game with you, and in many ways it feels very well suited to the Nintendo Switch and is sure to please both long-time fans and newcomers alike.
Farming Simulator 19: Platinum Edition is the latest to come out of the Farming Simulator series; that is until 20 inevitably comes out for PC next year. I’ll be reviewing this game as a whole as we don’t have a standalone review for the base game. The Farming Simulator franchise has been around for over ten years now. That formula hasn’t changed all that much. Which depending on the type of player you are, it is either a good or bad point.
Manifold Garden delivers a unique, exciting world to explore with some mind-bending environments that tightly integrate with its puzzles and play systems. While it doesn’t reinvent the genre, it experiments in some exciting and playful ways that make it a memorable experience you’ll hang onto long after you’ve finished.
I will always enjoy these types of games, constantly trying to chase the high of me pouring hours into titles like ThemePark or Zoo Tycoon. Planet Zoo is another sim management game that I can wholeheartedly recommend. It may not be for the casual player with how much the game asks of you in regards to management, but to everyone else, it’s a heck of a good time. Maybe we’ll get lucky and see some Aquarium stuff out of Frontier Developments next, I’m crossing fingers here.
The story is no slouch either with a great set up premise and some interesting turn of events. It might not blow anyone away today the same way it did then but this is still one worth enjoying for its 25 to 30 hour duration. Overall, Star Ocean First Departure is an excellent remade classic RPG preserved and now available to more players than ever before. It might not be a revelation in RPG gaming by today’s standards but it’s a great look back on an RPG from long ago. Switch players have yet another great RPG to check out they shouldn’t miss. I was completely smitten during my time and had the biggest JRPG smile on my face when playing.
With Spyro Reignited Trilogy, you have the rare chance to plunge back into a world you may have spent countless hours exploring as a kid, with all the fit and finish of a present-day title. It’s sure to please longtime fans of the series, and newcomers will find plenty here to enjoy. There’s never been a better time (or a better way) to play Spyro.
The combat is intense, frenetic, and never bogged down by the managerial aspects. The story is solid, and the characters are okay, but the BattleTech lore that begins to unfold throughout steals the show. MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries captures the essence so beautifully of what made the MechWarrior: Mercenaries games so great two decades ago. It’s a welcome return for a singleplayer campaign of this storied franchise. MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries skips all the pretenses, and lets you manage the finances and the intricate details of your own mercenary units to stomp around the galaxy at your leisure.
The best part about Bee Simulator is just how unique of a concept it is. The game has a definite sense of style and by that I mean, it feels like the player is truly in the world we know but so much smaller. Running around and popping balloons with my stinger gave me the best sort of smile every time. The game also teaches players about bee’s and other interesting facts making this a game for the entire family. I don’t think Bee Simulator is going to blow anyways away, but at the same time I can see a lot of families and kids really enjoying this one. It’s just a simple, smile inducing title that stands out unique enough to give players something different to experience.