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Mr. Shifty encourages you to replay a stage to run it faster and finish it with fewer deaths with the ultimate goal being a perfect 0. Mr. Shifty will be released on both Steam and the Nintendo Switch with the later of the two being the better platform. With stages set to last between 5 to 20 minutes this style of gameplay lends itself to pick up and go mobile play.
It’s funny that people still argue about games as art. Because when I play The Signal from Tolva, with its Ian McQue inspired landscapes and robotic citizenry, I can’t help but see it as one. From top to bottom, including the lore document that’s not even “part” of the game, such tender care went into every detail of Tolva that it’s clear to me its as much a work of art as any film. Like THX 1138, Metropolis or Blade Runner, The Signal from Tolva is a great example of science fiction as art. It’s not a perfect game, but it’s a wholly unique experience and an adventure well worth exploring for the inquisitive gamer.
As another beat draws to a close, I take a break to wrap up this review. I’m hooked on this simple, but loveable title. While I’m still itching for a realistic police title, I’m pleased with how more games about law enforcement fiction are appearing in the last year or so, and Beat Cop sits at the top of the pile in terms of enjoyment.
There’s pure gaming joy to be had here, when you successfully pull off a move you’ve been trying to do or climb to a vista you’ve been trying to reach. Though 15 levels may not seem like a lot, the collections and getting 100% on the game will give you goals to strive for after you’ve successfully finished the game. There are no enemies to defeat here, no bosses to destroy – just you against your own limitations as a snake. Snake Pass is beautiful game, even on the Switch, with a fantastically thematic and ambient soundtrack to boot. It’s worth the $20 price of admission, and here’s hoping Sumo has inklings for more adventures to come.
No, The Crow’s Eye didn’t turn out how I expected, and in that way I’m disappointed. As a huge fan of horror games, I was let down by The Crow’s Eye failing to live up to the horror that the teasers seemed to promise. But, I can appreciate a good puzzle game and that’s exactly what this is, and having a decent narrative is icing on the cake.
Vikings is an OK game but it’s nothing special given its potential based on setting. For a certain type of combo action fighting with arcade-style speed type of person, it may be perfectly fine. For an ARPG fan who was looking for the next great game, it’s just not there yet.
People keep saying the Nintendo Switch is light on launch games. I think they mean it’s light on big AAA games, because the Indie titles like Has Been Heroes are a bright shining light for great content on the Switch. Even if you don’t have the console, I’d suggest checking out the other versions of Has Been Heroes. If you like games like FTL, Darkest Dungeon, and other unique roguelikes that focus on strategy you’ll be more than pleased. It’ll be nice if Frozenbyte adds more and more to this game, but even if they don’t it’s a great experience. Recommended.
If there was any real complaint about Fast RMX, it’s that it’s missing the modern novelty of RPG progression in its racers. I’d love to upgrade them, tweak them to my liking, and customize them in general. Otherwise, this is a really stellar racer for a mere $20, and one of the best games on the Switch right now. There’s even a great 8-player online component, split screen vs mode too. Highly recommended.
Toukiden 2 will likely be swept away in the hubbub of larger AAA releases. But if you’re a fan of this style of Action RPG, do yourself a favor and check it out. There’s even a decent online co-op for up to four people where you can rove the world and hunt Oni together. It’s a fun and solid Action RPG, and the best Monster Hunter clone we’ve seen yet.
88 Heroes may not win any awards, but if this isn't an instant addiction I don't know what is. It's great for a quick gaming fix with a classic aesthetic and a silly overtone.
Whether it’s the combat system that is both new and familiar or multiplayer with its improvements or the interesting variety of quests or the epic score that screams Mass Effect, it all gels together into a whole. Ryder’s galaxy is as well-suited to her as the Milky Way was for Shepard. If we’re lucky, there are a lot more adventures in store for Ryder and her crew. To take a phrase from the original trilogy’s Anderson, “You did good, BioWare. You did good and I’m proud of you.”
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is not only the greatest game so far this year, it’s one of the greatest games ever created and a title we’ll all be playing years from now.
Styx: Shards of Darkness is everything you could expect this game to be and more. It offers hardcore stealth gameplay for those who are interested in it while simultaneously lowering the skill cap for those who just want to finish the game and do not shy away from a messy slaughter or alarm or two. It is hard to resist Styx’s wits and cockiness even in the middle of situation he gets into. If you were waiting for a sign that Styx: Shards of Darkness is an amazing game worthy of your time, consider this to be just it.
While the world often feels lifeless, and the combat runs on the routine side, the cast of loveable (and hateable) characters is sure to keep you locked to the screen a few hours at a time wondering where everything will lead. The game could’ve passed with the title Atelier Firis: The Mysterious Journey, because that’s exactly what it is. When I’m wrapped up with Atelier Firis, I’m likely to go back and check out the rest of the series as well and see just how we got to this point.
Super Bomberman R is a good, not great, return for the franchise. It’s charming in its retro gameplay, but also a bit disappointing that the first new game in a decade does little to push the IP forward.
Wildlands is a shooter with a brain. Unlike most shooters, you're rewarded for careful approaches, timed shots, and planned executions. Your drone becomes a necessary ally, just as the Rebels become a wonderful assistant to your village onslaughts. Killing civilians isn't just collateral damage, but it can actually cause a game over. It's rare for an action game where anything goes to include that sort of reminder that not everyone is the bad guy.
That’s not to say there aren’t problems with Stories Untold. The puzzles aren’t terribly hard, the scares aren’t particularly scary… But for what the game is trying to do, and actually accomplishes in its final act, it’s hard to really care about any of the minor flaws. I cannot recommend this game enough. I can see Stories Untold being one of the best, most unexpected indie gems of this year.
Sublevel Zero: Redux is a remastered and expanded version of the original 2015 release on PC. Having never played the PC version, I can’t comment on the changes to the original formula. What I can say consoles needed a 6DOF shooter a Sublevel Zero fills that void nicely. Its RPG and rogue-like elements elicit the addictive anticipation of one more run and, before you know it, you’re off again. The downsides of random generation aren’t unique to Sublevel Zero, but are disappointing nonetheless. The long-game isn’t quite there, and a few extra how-tos would be most welcome, but the mechanics of blasting your way through its robot infested halls are a lot of fun to master.
Horizon Zero Dawn won’t be remembered for being superbly unique. It’ll be remembered because it’s so well-crafted, lovingly cared for, and downright stupendously executed. It doesn’t chart new territory in gameplay, but it charts plenty of new ground with its world, characters, and more. Guerilla took a major risk shifting IPs and genres, and with Horizon New Dawn they’ve created a universe I can’t wait to explore again. If you own a PlayStation 4, this is a game for you. And if you don’t? Maybe it’s time you bought one.
To sum it all up, Torment: Tides of Numenera is an amazing game set in a unique and easily recognizable setting. It has a very steep learning curve and a lot of complexity to the systems. Adding the sheer amount of information thrown at the Castoff, the game might be overwhelming for a new player. The companions are well written and varied in their behavior and reactions. Many NPCs are memorable and quest text quality is befitting of a book. In short, Numenera is a decent successor to Planescape: Torment and pays respects to the classic games of the genre.