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They really don’t make games like this one anymore. The game immediately connects you to another era, and gives you the chance to experience something that just doesn’t exist in today’s market. In doing so though, it serves as a demonstration of why games have moved away from so many of the design principles on display in Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz HD. For some, this will be a fun and convenient way to revisit a beloved old game. For most though, the best case on offer is an auto-retrospective experience, unflinchingly showing you all of its best and most mediocre parts.
The shift from random sniper dude who I don’t care about to shadow sniper with cool tech is a big step in the right direction for the series. As is the segmented contract system, which is something I want to see a lot more of in DLC or sequels. Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts is inventive and rewarding, with so many ways to tackle the contracts, challenges, and bounties – this is a game that celebrates its replayability. While there’s rough edges, this is the most satisfying game about being a sniper for a modest price. Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts executes with enough precision to reach its target.
I love a good western game and one with creatures and monsters is even better. I knew little going into Ritual: Crown of Thorns and was probably better off because of it. The name doesn’t exactly resonate well with the theme and I wouldn’t be surprised if people had no idea this was a western game to begin with. Overall, if players are looking for a fun, challenging time, with a great theme, Rituals will be the game to play. It feels a bit more old school in some ways but there is nothing wrong with that. So if a challenging, arcade like, top down shooter sounds enticing, give this undead six shooter a chance.
Jumanji The Videogame is a huge disappointment. What could have been a fun, fantastic action adventure co-op game with comedy is instead turned into something terribly mundane. There is little challenge, little variation, and little reason to actually play through it. Even for a game aimed at a younger audience, there is little reason or depth to want to continue playing this. The price range being $39.99 makes it even more puzzling and makes me wonder if the funds went toward mostly licensing the likeness of characters then making a decent game. The mechanics work alright, the core idea is solid, but this is the most basic, short, and lacking game I’ve played in a long time.
I sincerely enjoyed my time with Autonauts and could see anyone from a pro programmer to someone with zero experience having a good time with this game.
Need For Speed Heat is bathed in neon while offering a great sense of speed, fantastic customization, and generates a great level of tension when being pursued by the cops. The car selection covers a wide variety of eras and types that’s never boring, and there’s more than enough to satisfy everyone. Between the actual races and roaming around challenges, there’s hours of things to do you’ll never tire of. Need For Speed Heat is the best racing game of the year, hands-down.
NASCAR Heat 4, at its core, is still an amazing NASCAR experience. The physics are tight and what you expect to feel when driving. The A.I. seems smarter, and even if it isn’t, they still do a great job of reacting to your presence on the track. But even with how good the core is, the game is still plagued by a career mode that needs some more work if it wants to hold my attention for longer and get me into the Cup series.
There isn’t much here to complain about. What players get is a charming, funny, and challenging platform game that feels like a combination between an Indiana Jones like adventure mixed with elements of exploration and Mega Man like gameplay, minus the blaster. It’s a title I absolutely loved digging into and I feel anyone that’s a fan of retro games definitely deserves to check this one out. It’s a hidden treasure for sure.
Thief of Thieves: Season One is interesting, but on the Switch is hampered by a myriad of issues on every level. The story comes to a satisfying close, but the inevitable tease to season two is an exciting setup. I look forward to being around these characters more, and performing more heists with them. Thief of Thieves: Season One is fun, intriguing, and tells a great interactive story. You should just do so on any other platform but the Switch.
Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition is exactly what it says it is. For all the effort that’s gone into this, it’s kind of insane to get all this game for a mere $20. It plays incredibly well, looks even better, and hasn’t aged a day. Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition is next to perfect. It’s time to strategize like it’s 1999.
It should come as no surprise that Unity of Command II surpasses the original in every way. Its one-screen UI is still the one to beat, and reflects the original in all the right ways. There’s a lot new to the game, and it offers so much depth where there’s so much to talk about. I adore the strict turn-based time limit, as it gets you to think in a different way. Unity of Command II is wargaming at its finest.
While it doesn’t break boundaries or define this generation, it is extremely refined to be the best version of itself. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare offers an engrossing campaign along with a multiplayer suite you can’t quit. It’s a game that’s heartfelt and genuine in its presentation. I’m so terrifically excited for what’s next for the story, and the multiplayer is calling my name. Infinity Ward has cemented the Modern Warfare series as the best of Call of Duty, and this is one not to miss.
Song of Horror has been an extremely long wait for me. So much that I almost didn’t know if it would finally release. It’s with great pleasure to say that the developers absolutely nailed what they were attempting to do here. Creating a classic feeling survival horror game with some unique elements and permadeath. It’s tense, it’s creepy, and while it might be a bit slow for some, if players can allow themselves to get absorbed into the experience, they are in for a treat. I was reminded of Alone in the Dark and Eternal Darkness during my play through, and I couldn’t be happier. The first two episodes are live now with the third going up in December, fourth in January, and the fifth and final in March. If the first episode is any indication of the rest of the games quality, consider me signed up and ready for any forthcoming console ports. Song of Horror left me terrified in the best ways possible.
Children of Morta is a huge surprise. Not only is it an outstanding rogue-like game, filled with quality all around. It’s an experience that is probably my favorite in the genre at this point. Combining fantastic story telling elements, engaging gameplay, and a rogue-like loop that actually has me excited to do another run each time. Add on local co-op and I don’t see how it could get any better sans an online update later. What the Bergson’s family endures in combat is only half the excitement as I couldn’t wait to see what story beat hit next. I was concerned, I cared. Admittedly once the game is over, there is no huge reason to replay other than starting the story over, or perhaps leveling up some of the other family members, but that’s so minor. Children of Morta is top notch in the genre, a rogue-like fairy tale nightmare everyone should experience.
Vampyr on the Switch is another quality port in my eyes. It took a game I never expected to be able to have on handheld and transformed it into an experience more players can now excess. The core concepts of the original release are retained here and only expected technically issues arise. While Vampyr seems to be a title that’s always had a bit of mixed reception, I feel the same will follow on the Switch release. Yet I find sometimes these are some of the most interesting games released. Now I can take my vampire skills on the go and in the night. If players can enjoy Vampyr on other systems, I say go for it as it’s a cheaper price. If the Switch is the only system or it’s a one for the road, I still highly recommend Vampyr, its one dark tale worth taking in your pocket.
Tight, responsive controls met with highly detailed environments puts Lonely Mountains: Downhill in a class all its own. I take issue with some of the decision decisions to purposefully block your view, or how hard it is to unlock new bikes, but they’re never enough to take away from my enjoyment. The terrain, physics, visual style, and sound design are deserving of awards. This is a game that’s challenging but fair. Lonely Mountains: Downhill is wonderful, top to bottom.
What we have here is a game that is short. Doesn’t look very good. Plays decent, and is better playing couch co-op. I have to say I had more fun playing this than say the recently released Contra Rogue Corps, but that’s not saying much. The brief gameplay time is both a good and bad thing here. It prevented me from getting overly bored, but the price tag of $39.99 makes this one a hard one to swallow, even for hardcore fans of the genre or zombies. Nothing here is completely broken or offensive, it’s just so lackluster and basic it hurts what could have been a bit of a fuller and funnier experience.
I have adored my time with Witcher 3 on Switch. It’s not the prettiest version, but it retains everything that made the game special. Now there is potential for a whole new audience to fall in love with the franchise. Perhaps some are like me, replaying the game for the third time, and just loving that the game is now portable. Whatever the reason may be, Witcher 3 on Switch is a technical achievement. I’d have never expected Witcher 3 ported to the Switch, but here we are and it’s damn impressive.
With a unique control scheme, Into the Dead 2‘s combat is simple yet compelling. You’ll encounter different zombie types, dodging attacks, and avoiding pockets of zombies as you run from one area to the next that’s always exhilarating. There’s so many levels to play, and ways to experience the game that it begs for “one more run”. Into the Dead 2 is a shining example of a mobile to console game done right.
Stranded Sails I would say fits just right in the genre with its own take. If the intro hours were a little quicker I think the pacing would feel much better and I worry some folks will stop before getting there. It reminded me of the first time I played Harvest Moon 64. I had no idea what I was doing, but slowly and surely I came away feeling accomplished and satisfied. Stranded Sails gave me that feeling of heart and charm with a pirate twist.