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I already knew I was going to enjoy Nioh 2 after loving the original, but even I didn’t expect to be so blown away by all of the improvements that have been brought to the experience this time around. Between the super satisfying combat, the brilliantly implemented yokai abilities, the stand out battles with the deadly enemies, and the fun online co-op, Nioh 2 seems to have everything. Simply put, it’s the best game I’ve played so far this year. Nioh 2 offers an outstanding action-experience that improves upon the original game in almost every way – the PlayStation 4 has yet another amazing console-exclusive to welcome into gamer’s lives.
Dead or School offers an enjoyable and action-packed adventure, but some technical issues and a strong focus on grinding do hold it back a little. The variety of weapons and deep levelling up mechanics will certainly do enough to keep you invested in the game though, and there it certainly has a lot more pros than cons – it’s just a shame that the (sometimes repetitive) action can be a little bit too janky to fully appreciate on the Nintendo Switch at times.
Whilst it might not necessarily offer the fantasy battling of the typical deck-building table-top games that I like to play, Mystic Vale hooked me in from the get-go thanks to its unique implementation of card-combining and rewarding gameplay mechanics. I haven’t had this much fun looking tending to my fields since I played Stardew Valley… Mystic Vale is certainly an addictive game though and one that I can see myself coming back to for some time, especially with the online multiplayer and the convenience of playing on the go. Here’s hoping that Nomad Games continue to bring a strong line-up of digital table-top releases over to the Nintendo Switch.
Alien: Isolation is a blast to play on the Nintendo Switch, with its frightening gameplay mechanics and incredibly atmospheric setting helping it establish itself as one of the best horror titles to release on the system. Sure, it has its flaws and I do think the game is a little longer than it needs to be, but being pursued by the Xenomorph is still as intense and daunting now as it was when the game first released five years ago – plus, you can do it all on the go now… what more could you want? Nintendo Switch gamers that are eager for some intense and utterly terrifying action won’t be disappointed by Alien: Isolation.
Blasphemous is brilliant. Between its slick combat mechanics, its finely crafted world, and the showdowns with its ferocious monstrosities of bosses, there really is a lot to love here. There’s a level of finesse to just about everything you do in the game, and it’s that need for precision and strategy that helps Blasphemous stand above similar titles in the genre. It does have its imperfections and I have no doubts that it won’t be for everyone, but those who enjoy themselves a challenging metroidvania-style 2D adventure that wears its inspirations like a badge of honour will NOT want to miss out on Blasphemous.
All in all, what Vambrace: Cold Soul tries to do, it does well. It’s a beautifully crafted game, both visually and through its lore-rich story. What it lacks is the challenge and depth that is so clearly prevalent in the other dungeon-crawling rogue-likes that it has heavily drawn its influences from. It’s a good game, but the fact that it is so heavily inspired by Darkest Dungeon but doesn’t fully embraces the mechanics or quality that made that game so great, is what stops Vambrace: Cold Soul from being a real heavy hitter of the rogue-like genre.
Headliner: NoviNews’ take on news outlets and the influence they have on the world is both intriguing and frightening, with the many outcomes of the actions you take in the game proving that the world is ultimately shaped by the things that people see in the news. It makes for a unique and enjoyable gameplay experience too, though it is one that’s hampered by a lack of depth over repeated playthroughs. There’s no denying that I enjoyed my time with the game though and seeing the many different outcomes of the actions I made was pretty eye-opening. Just don’t be surprised if you find yourself tiring of the repeated gameplay formula by the time you get to your third or fourth playthrough.
There’s a reason that Final Fantasy VIII was remastered, and that’s because it was a masterpiece in its own time that many people loved. You can add me to that list of people too, as I firmly believe that this is one of Square Enix’s finer outings in a long history of RPG excellence. With its updated and beautifully rendered new character models and environments, its enhanced FMVs, and added game features, you can be sure that whether this a return to a classic or a new beginning in the world of Final Fantasy VIII, it’ll be a defining experience that will stick with you for years to come.
Creature in the Well is an undeniably slick and unique experience that blends together action with pinball-like puzzling in a very satisfying way. Whilst the concept is simple, there’s a fair amount of skill and strategy required to progress – it’ll definitely take a bit of time to master its mechanics, but who cares when the action itself is so much fun? The only real downside is that the game can feel repetitive at times, with some of the rooms you encounter utilising the same ideas over and over again. It’s not too much of a bad thing since the core mechanics of the game work so well, but I couldn’t help but to feel a little bored during the more repetitive moments. Still, there’s a heck of a lot more good than bad in Creature in the Well and it certainly stands tall as one of the more unique titles I’ve played so far in 2019. It might not be perfect, but it’s SUPER COOL and will offer plenty of satisfying action to anyone who decides to play it.
Remedy are undoubtedly masters of their craft, and Control is another fantastic title to add to their repertoire of fine releases that focus on bold action and deep dives into the unknown. It kept me captivated from start to end with its mysterious yet rich narrative, its solid combat mechanics that blend together satisfying gunplay with fun telekinetic abilities, and its peculiar allure and sense that just about ANYTHING could be around the corner of The Oldest House’s mysterious hallways. Control’s weird yet wonderful approach may not be for everyone and some of the performance issues could be disappointing. Overall though, they are minor hitches in what is otherwise an amazing experience; Control is simply a must-own title for action fans or those who appreciate games that aren’t afraid to be a little different.
There’s no doubting that Catherine: Full Body is wacky and bizarre, but those qualities are embraced in a mighty enjoyable way. It is as stylish as it is thought-provoking with an extra layer of childlike hilarity that ensures you’re kept entertained, whether that’s when divulging in the game’s narrative or during Vincent’s nightmarish climbs. Is it mainstream? No. Will everyone enjoy it if they give it a chance? Yes. It doesn’t take itself too seriously, but Catherine: Full Body explores the more mature aspects of human intimacy and the many, many pitfalls that come with love and growing up in ways that not many other games manage. Add to that a solid story, enjoyable block-based puzzling, and some fresh additions built entirely for the new release, and you’ll quickly find that Atlus are onto another winner here.
With its blend of satisfyingly designed enigmas and its slick Bond-like presentation, Agent A: A Puzzle in Disguise will tick plenty of boxes for puzzle-solving sleuths. It does have a few flaws thanks to its emphasis on repeatedly traveling across the environment, whilst the controls can be a little sketchy when playing outside of the Switch’s handheld mode too. However, neither of these issues prevent Agent A: A Puzzle in Disguise from being a tantalising little puzzler that will totally grip players in during its five-hour runtime.
Heave Ho is an utter delight to play, with its co-operative and outright zany take on being a trapeze artist making (kind of?) for a uniquely fun escapade. It’s a bit tough to recommend as a single player experience as it loses a lot of its charm when playing solo, so it’s definitely a case of ‘the more, the merrier’. If you can get some friends to join you though, you’re in for heck of a good time (and maybe the occasional argument if one of you gets slippery fingers…)
Whipseey and the Lost Atlas is a decent platformer that has some genuinely fun moments, but the lack of variety in its gameplay mechanics and a quick runtime see it fall short when compared to similar titles in the genre. It’s not that anything it does is ever bad per se, but rather that it doesn’t do enough to really capture the imagination. With its low price-point it might be worth checking out if you’re a platforming fan, but don’t be surprised if you find yourself wanting more from this pink hero’s little adventure.
Oninaki is more proof that the team at Tokyo RPG Factory are more than capable of putting together an enjoyable RPG, though the transition to a more action-focused battle system has seen it falter a little when compared to their more traditional (and better) previous releases. That’s not to say that Oninaki is a bad game when compared to I Am Setsuna and Lost Sphear though; in fact, I had a good time battling with the use of various Daemons, whilst the deep upgrade system and the twists and turns of the narrative kept me engaged throughout. With an excessive use of padding throughout the final third of the experience and some underwhelming gameplay mechanics though, Oninaki can be a little guilty of outstaying its welcome as you reach its drawn-out conclusion.
Never Give Up offers a platforming experience that’s both fun and challenging, but it lacks that SOMETHING to help make it stand out as an essential release. It’s not that it does anything bad (although some of those repeated levels may frustrate some gamers), but rather that it doesn’t do anything that you wouldn’t have seen before. Still, if you’re itching for a fix of trial and error-based masochistic platforming action, it serves that up in abundance. It might not stand out in the crowd, but Never Give Up certainly gets the essentials right.
Ancestors Legacy is a glorious and bloody jaunt through the middle ages, matched perfectly with amazing strategic depth, a dark atmosphere and real attention to detail. You might find some of the games concepts a little tried and tested at times, and there are moments in cutscenes where you’ll get a little stutter whilst your loading a chapter of the campaign, but nothing that diminishes what the game is all about. Which is enjoying the ambience, challenge and glorious bloodshed of the middle ages and having to really think about how you approach each scenario. Mix that with a cleverly simplistic, but clean UI and you have the makings of what Ancestors Legacy is, a great addition to the RTS genre that will leave you feeling nostalgic and satiated.
Chroma Squad offers a satisfying tactical experience that blends together the fun of the Power Rangers with some enjoyable management aspects – it’s a combination that sounds slightly peculiar, but actually makes for a fun time. It can be guilty of being a little bit repetitive in places and it’s lacking the depth seen in similar titles in the genre, but fortunately there’s enough excitement to be found throughout Chroma Squad that you’ll easily find yourself hooked in until you reach the final season’s big finale.
There’s no denying that Fantasy Strike is an enjoyable game, with its simple controls and accessible nature making it easy for just about anyone to pick up and play. Multiplayer is a blast too, especially when you match up against players who’re of a similar skill level to you. It’s just lacking the depth to really appeal to players for the long-term. You’ll see everything each character really has to offer in one fight alone, with the repetitive nature of their moves creeping through more and more after an hour or so of play. It just keeps things a little TOO simple at times which leaves Fantasy Strike feeling a little underwhelming when compared to more intricate fighting games. Still, if you’re after an accessible fighter that’s genuinely fun, Fantasy Strike is definitely worth checking out. Just don’t expect to find the fighting mechanics as deep or addictive as they are in similar titles in the genre.
Wolfenstein: Youngblood offers an enjoyable co-operative take on the famed Nazi-killing series that introduces some clever new ideas to go along with the traditional (and satisfying) first-person shooting set pieces. Admittedly, some of those ideas do miss the mark a bit, especially when they leave some weapons feeling unsatisfying to use on occasions – there’s a little bit too much of a focus on having to upgrade weapons, which can slow down your progress during the game’s trickier sections. However, with the typically brilliant gunplay, intuitive levelling up mechanics, and fun co-op gameplay, there’s a hell of a lot more good than bad in MachineGames’ latest release and it’s an essential purchase for fans of the first-person shooting series.