GameSpew
HomepageVane is a unique experience and for that in itself Friend & Foe should be applauded. As an artwork, it’s compelling. But as a game, it’s recommended with strings attached: this is a harsh, uncompromising world and you’re going to need to struggle to survive.
At this moment in time, Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown is only really brought down by the occasional frustration felt upon the often unfair failure of a mission. Its campaign really is great overall, but sometimes you’ll curse when a timer imposed upon you expires when you’re just shy of meeting a score target.
Forever Forest feels like an early access game; it looks and sounds a treat but there’s disappointingly little joy to be had here.
Broken Toys isn’t perfect, but its dialogue is superb, its pacing is fluid and its gameplay is fun and engaging. Stick with The Walking Dead to the end, and I have no doubt you’ll be happy with the result.
My Time at Portia takes a lot of positive notes from popular farming simulators like Stardew Valley and Minecraft, and puts its own creative spin on things.
Carefully balancing atmospheric exploration, strategic combat and brain-teasing puzzles, Onimusha: Warlords never feels like a chore to play. It doesn’t stretch itself too thin, and I appreciate that now more than ever.
Its asking price may be a little steep considering the game’s lack of replayability, but if you’re a fan of platforming and adventuring, Elli definitely has enough to offer that’ll keep you engaged for several hours.
Hitman HD Enhanced Collection thankfully isn’t a lazy port, but I can’t help but feel that a mistake has been made with regards to its pricing.
The Eternal Castle [REMASTERED] is not like any other game I’ve played. It is both hyper-modern and old-school, horrifying and uplifting, rich with detail yet surprisingly concise when all things are considered. It has immense replay value, not in the least because of extensive new game plus content. On the whole, it is something of a cinematic masterpiece that still feels like a game and rewards a gamer’s curiosity, investigation, and persistence.
This is indeed the Definitive Edition of Tales of Vesperia, just don’t expect it to blow your socks off like it once did, that’s all.
Bury Me, My Love isn’t always an easy trek, perhaps reflecting its subject matter, and it’s still better suited to mobile phones. But it’s so emotionally engaging that, despite multiple, doomed playthroughs, you won’t leave Nour’s side until you’ve guided her to safety.
If at some point during your youth you owned an Atari 2600, you’re probably going to love Atari Flashback Classics for the Nintendo Switch.
London Detective Mysteria is a perfectly good visual novel that I’ll definitely be going back to so I can romance each and every one of the available hunks.
If developer/publisher Firebrand Games had gone the extra mile to implement such features, Solar Flux would have been much more of a compelling purchase.
Overall then, RollerCoaster Tycoon Adventures won’t be the best theme park simulator you’ve ever played, but as the only one available on Switch, it’ll be a welcome addition to your library.
Step through Vivette’s doors, by all means, but be prepared for an uneven stay.
Trouserheart is a great pick-up-and-play game for children who are new to gaming.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate beautifully tows the line of accessibility for casual players and depth for the hardcore fans.
If you’re looking for your next meaty turn-based strategy to sink your teeth into, though, this isn’t it.
Override: Mech City Brawl may not quite nail the grand sense of scale, and I would certainly have loved to see some more organic monsters added to the roster, but it’s an entertaining little fighter to dip into. And, if you can drag a few friends into battle, it makes for one hell of a fun party game.