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Banner of the Maid is a highly unique entry in the shoulder-to-shoulder "thin red line" of turn-based JRPGs available for Nintendo Switch. Its alternate take on the French Revolution provides a wonderful backdrop for some of the best strategic gameplay I've experienced since Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn. Vive la France!
Distraint 2 is a solemn and moving game that uses puzzles to guide you through a very human darkness.
A construction and management simulation with a broader appeal (thanks to three difficulty modes), Country Tales succeeds on the Nintendo Switch. It's a fun title that can be addictively challenging as you strategize how to manage your time best. Just make sure to play it in handheld mode if you're looking for speed.
Brightstone Mysteries: Paranormal Hotel offers a fun premise for puzzle/adventure fans, but it fails to follow through it nearly every regard. The graphics, the puzzles, the story, and even the docked-mode controls combine to make this a crime not worth solving.
Nowhere Prophet combines a well-structured card battler with an intense story and a gorgeous art style to create a deck-building roguelike with genuine depth.
We Should Talk is a great game that was fun to play through. As you dissect your various relationships, you are in for a treat. The overall story is unique—more than I expected it to be. I also felt the balance between text and the actual conversation was very well balanced and well done. The asking price of $6.99 is well worth it.
As a solo game, I could take it or leave it. But when played cooperatively, Starlit Adventures Golden Stars checks a ton of boxes to be a highly entertaining title. With a favorable amount of content, this charming release should appeal to anyone longing for a more in-depth arcade-style experience. Whether you're a younger kid, a seasoned completionist, or somewhere in between, don't overlook Starlit Adventures Golden Stars.
Creepy Tale is aptly titled; it had no trouble giving me goosebumps. The gloomy atmosphere is aesthetically pleasing and the cryptic puzzles will tease your brain, bordering on frustrating at times – patience and trial and error are key attributes here. This one will likely appeal to fans of point-and-click style puzzle games with horror elements.
Mittelborg: City of Mages is a simplistic game with dull mechanics and no high stakes within the lackluster story.
Epic Word Search Collection 2 is a relaxing puzzle game that you can pick up and play whenever you feel so inclined.
Despite many positive elements that Dodo Peak has to make it satisfying, I must admit that I genuinely didn't have much fun playing it. It's challenging, but not in a way that held my interest beyond a few minutes at a time. Further, the familiar three-star setup is weakened by an emphasis on speed and random enemy placement. This Dodo might not take flight on the Nintendo Switch.
Jisei: The First Case HD is a classic murder mystery with amazing art and voice acting. The story is intriguing and engaging, yet not too complex. If you enjoy visual novels and murder mysteries, this game is a must.
When I started playing Demon's Rise – War for the Deep, I really wanted to like the game. Unfortunately, there are too many little bad things stacked up to really get into this one.
Paper Mario: The Origami King is a wonderful addition to the series. While the battle system isn't my favorite, it's challenging. The overall game is hilarious with an engaging story and fun gameplay.
Aircraft Evolution offers a lot of action and a lot of destruction, but not a whole lot of variation. Like the arcade games to which it pays homage, it's best enjoyed a few "quarters" at a time.
If you're a family with younger kids, Explosive Dinosaurs isn't a poor choice. It offers some fun, albeit shallow, minigames. But a few omissions prevent this from being a must-have title.
REZ PLZ is a creative platforms game that blends a darkly funny premise with clever puzzles in a genuinely fun and original way that is let down by a couple of annoying (but hopefully temporary) bugs.
Ultra Hat Dimension feels like a game created by people who loved old dungeon-based puzzlers. The game requires strategy, but it is entertainingly deceitful. It's a balance of frustration and cutesy atmosphere that I really appreciate. Somewhat strange premise aside, Ultra Hat Dimension is a fun game woven with care.
The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel III drops JRPGo fans into the middle of a massive story arc and then has a tendency to meander. However, it provides more than enough thrills and compelling moments to make this an adventure worth taking.
The gameplay mix intrigues, but it's weighed down by overemphasis on all too familiar rogue-lite tropes. I want to love Void Terrarium, but fine ingredients don't always make for a satisfying dish if they aren't balanced well. This game is too heavy-handed on tedium, and progress coming from random chance rather than skill.