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As a whole, Bulb Boy is a gross yet endearing update to the classic 2D adventure games from studios like Lucasarts and Sierra Interactive. It feels right at home on the Switch, especially when played in handheld mode. While the grim setting and disgusting visuals can be off-putting for some, it's the enjoyable characters and inviting strangeness that make it a worthwhile experience. If you have a classic adventure game itch, this is one of those.
Whether it's including a gallery of art from every game in the franchise or fully customizable playlists including music across all titles, Tekken 7 is an addictive collection of fisticuffs that make for a fun time deserving attention of any fan of fighting games. With so much to offer for a game that comes from an arcade cabinet, you can guarantee hundreds of hours being poured into its offline and online modes. Tekken 7 even holding a lack of a great story has been a great experience that I continually look forward to playing.
So is Valkyria Revolution worth a look? My answer is no, not even for the diehard of diehard fans. Perhaps a rental if curiosity levels really cap out but seriously, let this one go. Remember fondly the series of old and let this call to arms go unanswered.
Vicarious Visions has honored the legacy created by Naughty Dog. They may have only repainted some of the cracks, but the foundation is still intact. Whether you're in it for nostalgia or curiosity, Crash Bandicoot N.Sane Trilogy a journey worth its weight in wumpa fruit.
The years since its original release have not treated Oceanhorn well. As a mobile game, it's a decent experience, and with a play time of around 10 hours, probably one of the closest experiences you'll find to a console-like adventure game. On an actual console though, Oceanhorn is substandard and lacking in any real substance that would make it worth the time. While limited, the Switch already has numerous experiences that are a much better use of money in its library with more on the way each week. Try as it may, Oceanhorn is not quite the nostalgic Zelda clone it hopes to be, turning out as a tedious adventure walking in the shadow of its inspiration.
If you have a PSVR setup at your home, GNOG is an absolute don't miss. It's a stunning and immersive experience, and it's an experience that you can also easily share with your friends and family. As a TV based puzzler too, it's pretty darn good, just a little less worth the $20 price tag on it.
ARMS tries to do several things at once and only barely manages. There's a great foundation with the gameplay that makes it great for both casual parties and fighting game junkies looking for something new. But the shallow mini-games and lack of customization options leave a lot to be desired for those looking for some quick fun and the competitive meta can do with some needed balance tweaks. On top of other questionable creative decisions, the final product is a lot like the franchise mascot Spring Man: a gangly yet spry pile of energy that has it where it counts but could use a bit more meat on its bones.
Shadows of Valentia is more Fire Emblem but also a change of pace. More recent fans might not like the missing romance options, weapon triangle, and battlefield changes. These are sometimes dramatic differences, but those looking for a compelling strategy game with the series' staple excellent characters, will be pleased by what's included as well as the new features this remake has up its sleeve. Just be ready for some enemy AI shenanigans along the way.
All in all, RiME took me about six hours to beat. Still, I feel there're corridors I should have ventured through, caves I left unexplored, details I missed. While there's definitely a replayability value for collectors and explorers, I do believe RiME's main attribute is that of its narrative significance. The one that will invite you in the future to come back for more.
As it stands, Friday The 13th can best be described as a perfect embodiment of the slasher genre it draws inspiration from. It's made on a budget, full of annoying guff and chintz, but becomes very entertaining once the blood starts flying. It's a steep price at $40 with what is on offer, but if you're a huge fan of the antics at Camp Crystal Lake it's not a bad way to spend a weekend.
Besides a map system that could be better and a few glitched side quests, my experience with Prey was flawless. There were some misteps near the end, but the final scene gave me chills and the existential implications therein made it all worth it. To me, Prey easily stands toe to toe with some of the best sci-fi games in recent years, and if the world is just, should be remembered as one of the finest gaming experiences of all time. This is an instant classic that you shouldn't overlook.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed World to the West. It was a lovable eight hour distraction full of amiable heroes, interesting puzzles and an atmosphere that instills so much excitement and intrigue. If this game is a sign of what Rain Games is capable of in the future, I will be more than happy to see more of this endearing world that they have created.
Glitches aside, Cosmic Star Heroine is one of those pleasant experiences made by a talented smaller studio that revels in gaming's roots. All at once a homage and a refinement of classic RPGs with just enough heart and imagination to rope in players of any age or skill.
All in all, The Sexy Brutale will keep you hooked with its general freshness. In its own right, it encapsulates the best of what the intrigue genre has to offer, accomplishing a distinct style with its sparkling originality and humor.
For better and for worse Yooka-Laylee accomplishes exactly what it sets out to do. A throwback to a time when 3D platformers reigned supreme, but it holds on to nostalgia too closely, never quite coming into its own. The lack of new gameplay ideas, a camera that gets in the way far too often, and too much of a focus on old gameplay tropes keeps Yooka-Laylee from being great.
Even by JRPG slow boil standards, Persona 5 takes forever to get going and trips over its own feet along the way, losing some progressive teeth in the process. But once it starts going it is still an absorbing experience thanks to some tight gameplay and fetching visuals. If you’re craving a new JRPG that will steal at least a hundred hours of your life while keeping you entertained, this one is for you.
Luckily, Loot Rascals is so charming that the permadeath is much less of a frustration than it is in most roguelikes. The world is bright and colorful, and there’s always a collection of new, laughably weird monsters to battle. Many of the cards you pick up are humorous too like a salt sock that prevents you from slipping on ice or an inflatable pool toy for a weapon. The game is like a cartoon version of Red Dwarf by way of Adult Swim.
Breath of the Wild is a bold and powerful testament to Nintendo’s work. A grand adventure that takes a lot of risks and haves them pay off. An utterly engrossing swan song for the Wii U and a promise for the future of the Nintendo Switch. A once in a lifetime experience that soars above any minor issues it has to take its place as a modern classic.
It’s a game that strives to be a lot of things and delivers on most, while falling flat on a handful of others. It’s a super stylish action RPG with one of the most satisfying combat systems I’ve played on the PS4, and it largely accomplishes what it sets out to be. The shortcomings don’t ruin the game, but they do a consistent job of reminding you that they’re there, taking away from the overall experience at times. Ultimately, if you’re looking for flashy, fast paced fights and epic robot action in a beautifully designed world and atmosphere, NieR: Automata is a must play.
It should be noted that there is an upgrade system in Ghost Recon: Wildlands, but it’s so incremental that you will rarely notice the difference. By the end of the game you will have unlocked the majority of the upgrades, so no real builds are necessary. In a game so focused on co-op, it would have been nice to need builds for different characters, or abilities that would drastically change the way you took each mission. But that’s not what we get here.