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There’s a lot of fun to be had playing Road Redemption, with its satisfying racing, sweet combat, and variety of environments doing more than enough to keep you entertained throughout each race. Sure, it has its imperfections with the AI being a bit too clever and the collision-detection a bit off, but overall it gets more right than it does wrong. Unfortunately, the single player campaign holds it back a little with the repetitive nature of playing the same events over and over growing a bit wearing over time, but with individual events outside of the campaign and multiplayer on offer there’s plenty to keep you coming back for more. It might be far from perfect, but Road Redemption will certainly scratch that Road RASH itch (…I’ll grab my coat).
Nippon Marathon offered some fun with its multiplayer showdowns and my friends and I had plenty of laughs as we raced across each bizarre course, but there’s no denying that it’s ultimately a flawed experience that lacks the depth to keep you hooked in for too long. Add to that some janky physics, a varying quality of level design, and a lacking single player mode and it’d be easy to completely dismiss the game and play something better. Still, the moments of fun it does offer deserve some praise and the silliness of the whole experience did offer something completely unique when looking for that local multiplayer fix. There are undoubtedly better multiplayer games to play out there, but if you want something a bit different (and completely bizarre) it might be worth giving Nippon Marathon a look just to experience the absurdity of it all first hand – just don’t expect to want to spend more than a few hours playing it.
LEGO The Incredibles isn’t a bad game by any means and there’s certainly fun to be had playing through TT Games’ representation of the Pixar heroes’ adventures, but when compared to the most recent releases in the LEGO franchise I can’t help but to find it a little underwhelming. I just felt like there wasn’t anything here that I hadn’t seen done before, which is something that the LEGO games have been guilty of over the last few years but somehow feels more predominant here than ever before. Like I said though, there’s enjoyment to be had with LEGO The Incredibles and I’m sure youngsters in particular will enjoy zipping around levels as Dash, smashing through walls with Mr Incredible, stretching through stages as Elastigirl, and smashing things apart with Violet’s energy blasts. It’s just a shame that the game doesn’t quite live up to its ‘incredible’ name, and instead just feels a little bit ordinary.
Bomberman has always been a series that I’ve held close to my heart, and whilst it might have got off to a rocky start on the Nintendo Switch, the commitment Konami has shown in releasing free updates has been commendable. Everything has been packaged together nicely in Super Bomberman R: Shiny Edition, and it’s helped make it a genuinely worthwhile title in the series that’s an absolute blast to play (both figuratively and literally). Whilst Super Bomberman R’s original release on the Nintendo Switch might have left gamers feeling a bit short-changed, the new ‘shiny’ edition is simply jam-packed with enough content to keep you bombing your friends and online foes for a long time.
The team at Coldwood Interactive have took what was already a delightful platforming experience and improved it ten-fold thanks to the addition of a second character. Swinging your way through Unravel Two’s impressive levels with a friend is just a blast, whilst the improved level design and tighter controls just add to the experience. Unravel Two was a really pleasant surprise when it was revealed at E3 2018, and after playing it through to its conclusion, it’s actually exceeded my already high expectations. Whether playing on your own or with a trusty co-op partner, Unravel Two is simply a stunning adventure that you don’t want to miss out on.
TO THE TOP provides one of those exciting gaming experiences that simply wouldn’t be the same if you played it outside of virtual reality. The controls are solid throughout, the level design creative, whilst the sheer size of levels (and the amount there are to play through) will keep you busy for hours on end – the fact that virtual reality just makes it feel all the more immersive is just the cherry on top. Add to that a really enjoyable multiplayer component, and it’s easy to see that TO THE TOP is simply an essential purchase for PlayStation VR owners. Just don’t be surprised if some levels induce plenty of rage and cause you to unleash a myriad of different swear words that you didn’t even know existed…
I think that Illusion: A Tale of the Mind is probably the perfect example of what is considered an ‘average’ game. There’s no denying that it has a wonderfully weird world and that there are some really clever moments to encounter during the roughly four-hour adventure, but there were also too many times where I was left frustrated by some poorly designed puzzle or annoying chase sequence for me too feel too enamoured by it all. It’s certainly not a bad game and I wasn’t bored during my time with Illusion: A Tale of the Mind. There are just too many better puzzle-adventures out there right now that are probably a bit more deserving of your time.
Saturday Morning RPG offers a short-but-sweet RPG experience that doesn’t break boundaries within the genre, but still offers plenty of fun. It’s quirky and neat, whilst the constant 80s pop culture references kept a smile on my face from start to end. Whilst it can start to grow a little repetitive with time, its short length ensures that it never outstays it’s welcome. Add to that the bonus of a fairly low price point, and it’s easy to see that Saturday Morning RPG is a worthy addition to anyone’s Nintendo Switch library.
Earthlock: Festival of Magic plays like an old-school RPG but with a modern (and pretty) lick of paint, though that’s for better and worse: fans of RPGs from the PlayStation One era are going to love it, but those who’re used to a bit more depth might expect more from the genre. Personally, I was a fan of the game and whilst it did have a few shortcomings here and there, my experience was a positive one. Earthlock: Festival of Magic might not necessarily be the best RPG you’re going to play, but it doesn’t mean it’s not a thoroughly enjoyable one that fans of the genre will definitely want to check out.
City of Brass offers plenty of thrills with its Arabian Nights roguelike adventuring, but after beating it once it doesn’t offer much to keep you coming back for more. The genre typically lends itself well to repeated playthroughs and extended challenges, but after completing the game in a relatively short time there wasn’t much there to encourage me to keep playing – a lack of variety as far as gameplay is concerned doesn’t help the situation, either. It doesn’t make City of Brass a bad game nor does it make it one that’s not worth checking out, but players hoping to be whipping their way through malicious genies for hours on end might be left a little bit disappointed by the lack of depth on show.
I went into Solo with very little in the form of expectations, but it ended up being a charming little adventure that I’m genuinely glad I got to play through. Don’t get me wrong, it doesn’t do anything overly thrilling on the gameplay side of things whilst the concept of answering questions about love could be guilty of feeling a little pretentious, but if you get yourself in the mind-set that the game demands you’ll find that you can have a surprisingly meaningful experience. It doesn’t outstay its welcome too, which is a necessity for a title that doesn’t have the most complicated of gameplay mechanics. There’s no doubting that Solo won’t be for everyone, but those who’d enjoy an evocative little journey that does something different will certainly want to check it out.
Ys Origin embraces the old-school style of RPGs and mixes it up with quick-paced action-packed battling, and it makes for a surprisingly intuitive and very enjoyable experience. I had a lot of fun fighting my way through Devil’s Tower as all three characters and each adventure managed to feel unique in its own little way. The only real problem with the game is that it takes the ‘old-school’ approach too literally at times, with some features of the game a little too simplified and the saving system a little unforgiving. The game shows its age at times visually too, especially with some of the bland environments you explore. Still, none of these flaws stop Ys Origin from being a great action-RPG experience and one that fans of the genre will want to check out – regardless of whether or not it’s their first time with the Ys series.
It might seem repetitive to some, but The Sword of Ditto’s cycle of battling against the evil witch Malmo offers hours upon hours of entertainment. The world of Ditto is both stunning and intriguing, and whilst there’s fun to be had conquering its villain, it’s just as exciting to simply explore it and take in all it has to offer. That being said, some of the game’s mechanics could falter the more you play, with the most noticeable one being the passing down of experience points between heroes. There were some technical issues that could be a pain too, though fortunately those are a bit more few and far between. There’s certainly more pros than cons though, with The Swords of Ditto offering more adventuring smiles than sighs. Whether playing alone or with a friend, this is a world you’ll want to save time and time again.
Wild Guns Reloaded is a lot of fun and without a doubt the most definitive way to enjoy Natsume’s classic gallery shooter, though it does have a few shortcomings that stop it from becoming a must-own release. Add to that a fairly steep price point, and it’s easy to see why it’s a game that’s worth grabbing on sale rather than at full price. Still, if you’re already a fan of the original or want an arcade shooting fix, Wild Guns Reloaded will undoubtedly provide hours of entertainment. It’s far from perfect, but it’s still a game that deserves some attention.
Super Daryl Deluxe’s action-RPG style side-scrolling brawling and bizarre questing makes for a unique and enjoyable experience, with the action-packed adventure proving satisfying throughout. Add to that the stunningly creative art style, and it’s easy to get yourself absorbed in the fairly meaty adventure. It is guilty of feeling a little repetitive at times and there could be a bit too much of an emphasis on grinding out battles with enemies, but in all Super Daryl Deluxe was a hell of a lot of fun. It’s certainly a game that action-RPG fans with an affinity for Napoleon Dynamite won’t want to miss out on…
Super Amazeballs takes an incredibly simple concept and turns it into a thoroughly enjoyable little experience. In fact, the only real disappointment came when I ran out mazes to complete – here’s hoping we’ll see more in the future. It’s hardly the most in depth of games you’ll play on PlayStation VR and the controls can be a little bit finicky at times, but at such a low price point it’s certainly worth checking Super Amazeballs out.
Clusterpuck 99 offers a simple and charming experience, but it’ll blow your socks off when played in multiplayer with a group of friends. It’s a whole lot of fun and will have you laughing (and sometimes arguing) as you take part in chaotic showdowns across a huge range of levels. Add to that a level builder that allows you to make whatever childish creation you want, and you just know you’re going to have a good time. If you’re looking for a single player game though, I’d stay well away - it’s just not the same experience and you’ll find yourself growing bored of it after ten minutes or so of play. Clusterpuck 99 is a multiplayer-focused title, and no half-hearted challenge mode or dumb AI bot is ever going to change that. If you’ve got a good group of friends together though (and enough controllers), I can’t recommend Clusterpuck 99 enough. It’s not the most in-depth multiplayer experience you can have on the Nintendo Switch, but it’s certainly one of the most enjoyable.
Operation Warcade gives PlayStation VR owners a solid fix of nostalgic shooting action that will appeal to gamers of any age. Sure, it’ll tug at older gamers’ heartstrings more thanks to its old-school presentation, but it offers more than enough modern features that even youngsters that haven’t heard of the likes of Operation Wolf will be able to have fun with it too. It does have a few flaws here and there though, with the presentation in particular being a little sketchy throughout. Those who enjoy some fun shooting action in virtual reality really ought to give Operation Warcade a go, though.
Batman - The Telltale Series: The Enemy Within improves upon its predecessor in all ways, with it offering a more intense narrative, meatier episodes, a more cinematic presentation, and a less bug-filled adventure for wannabe caped-vigilantes to head out on. Add to that a finale episode that REALLY takes your choices on board with its arcing structure, and it might even be considered Telltale Games’ best release yet… maybe. I might be riding high on Batman - The Telltale Series: The Enemy Within since I’m a big fan of Batman anyway, but it really is a great game. I had fun with it from start to end and now I’m left eagerly anticipating what Telltale Games will do with the inevitable third season.
Masters of Anima brings something unique and charming to the Nintendo Switch with its mixture of RTS-like action and fantasy exploration, and it really makes for a good time. I had a lot of fun with the game and whilst it may not always be the most thrilling adventure you’ll head out on, there’s no denying that it’s always an enjoyable one. Sure, the narrative could be a little forgettable and cheesy whilst the combat itself could be a little bit too tricky at times too, but overall Masters of Anima offers an entertaining fantasy adventure that’s certainly worth being a part of.