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Panzer Dragoon: Remake brings with it an adventure that fans of the original are sure to enjoy, though some clunky controls and a high price point may put some gamers off. That’s not to say that newcomers won’t enjoy themselves though, with the solid level design and epic airborne battles offering plenty of fun throughout – I’m a sucker for the on-rail shooting genre too, so it ticked plenty of boxes for me. Panzer Dragoon: Remake could have just done with a little bit more polish in order to hit the heights that it’s capable of (and maybe an adventure that lasted a little bit longer than an hour).
Hyperspace Delivery Service really manages to nail the old-school vibe with its presentation, whilst the simple yet enjoyable gameplay mechanics ensure that your space-delivering adventure is fun. It’s just a shame that it could feel a bit repetitive in design, whilst the random (and unfortunate) events you face could get a little tedious too. Those who fancy a classic space adventure will certainly get a lot out of the game though and it does feel like a perfect fit for the Nintendo Switch. Just expect to need a bit of patience and a lot of luck to survive Hyperspace Delivery Service’s many challenges.
I had a really good time playing Sky Racket, with its genre-mashing gameplay proving both fun and addictive throughout. The main campaign is a little bit on the short side, but with its multiplayer action and the tricky challenges each level offers, there’s plenty here to keep you blasting projectiles back at your enemies for some time. Add to that the charmingly impressive presentation, and you’ll quickly find that Sky Racket is another Nintendo Switch indie gem that’s worth your attention.
Mekorama is a simple and fun puzzler that offers a good few hours of enjoyment to puzzling fans. It is a bit of shame that the level creator doesn’t have any sharing options because it’d bring a potentially endless assortment of levels to play in the long run, but there’s still plenty here for Switch players to enjoy at a nice budget price.
Despite being a seven-year old game, Saints Row IV: Re-Elected remains a hell of a lot of fun to play, with the zany narrative and the over-the-top gameplay still standing tall in 2020. Best of all, the Nintendo Switch port is a good one, with a steady performance throughout – it’s certainly an improvement over Saints Row: The Third, so those put off by their early experience there can rest assured everything is a lot smoother this time around. Whether you’re looking for an open-world action-packed fix or just want to play a really weird game, Saints Row IV: Re-Elected is certainly a worthy addition to any Switch owner’s library.
Deep Sky Derelicts: Definitive Edition offers an accessible and enjoyable take on the deck-building dungeon-crawling genre, with the fun combat and slick presentation helping it stand out in the crowd. It’s just a shame that its explorative mechanics felt a little lacking, with the grid-based maps just feeling bland in design and growing repetitive to explore. Still, the game is a good starting point for those new to the card-orientated combat mechanics of the game, whilst deck-building veterans will find plenty of depth too. It might have some imperfections, but Deep Sky Derelicts: Definitive Edition is certainly a solid release in the genre.
Exit the Gungeon offers an enjoyable take on its predecessor’s established formula, with the frantic action and bite-sized nature of the game making for some thrilling escapades as you attempt to leave the treacherous Gungeon. That’s not to say that it’s perfect by any means though, with the random nature of the guns and the simpler premise of the game bringing some frustrations to the mix here and there. For the most part though, Exit the Gungeon offers another fun foray into the titular Gungeon and I’m sure most gamers won’t want to be leaving it too soon…
Stela’s adventure is incredibly atmospheric and I certainly enjoyed playing through it, though the short run-time and slightly high price may put some gamers off. It offers a beautiful yet desolate world to explore and the brilliant sound design helps bring every intense moment to life, whilst each encounter with the grim creatures that ravage the environment will certainly keep you on the edge of your seat as you fight for your survival. Just don’t expect to be tested too much throughout the game, with most of Stela’s puzzles and platforming sequences feeling a little bit too simple in design and offering little challenge to the player.
DOOM Eternal offers more of the same brilliant and brutal action that made the series so beloved to begin with, but also evolves upon the traditional formula by bringing bigger and more open-levels to the fray that encourage a lot more acrobatic manoeuvres from the player. It comes together perfectly to make for a fantastic first-person shooter that not only lives up to the DOOM name, but boasts a more fleshed-out and expansive experience than any other release in the series before it. It’s f*cking awesome. DOOM Eternal is simply one the finest shooters that has released in this generation of gaming, and if it wasn’t for some sketchy platforming sections here and there it’d be pretty close to first-person shooting perfection.
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.