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Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero is likely to overwhelm even the most experienced of SRPG aficionados at the start, but that's by design. Its depth and uniqueness will delight those choosing to stick with it, while others can just lower the difficulty to push through this colorful and charming adventure.
Cuisineer combines restaurant management and dungeon crawling to create a simple but absorbing game. It is cute and relaxing in a way that makes it easy to unwind while still working towards goals that are satisfying to achieve.
Nintendo continues its long tradition of enhancing past games with Donkey Kong Country Returns HD. While the third time isn't quite the charm it could have been-more of the same Retro Studios title that millions have already experienced on past Nintendo systems-the game is still plenty enjoyable, and even more in co-op. The Cranky Kong in me wants a long overdue brand-new entry in the series. But if you've missed this game through the years, this oldie is still a goodie, and make sure you don't miss it a third time. Even though these bananas are looking a little brown at full launch price, grab the game at a discount, and you'll have a "barrel-blasting adventure!"
With a mixed trio of tables, Williams Pinball Volume 8 offers an uneven package. Black Knight 2000 is peak '80s fun, but for $14.99, you're hoping for every table to be of comparable entertainment. Earthshaker's big claim to fame is HD Rumble, while Banzai Run is a "growing pains" table-empty and struggling to run on Switch. Wishlist this pack for a future sale, or stick with Pinball FX3.
Even if you're not a fan of the show, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita's Rewind is still a good game as far as multiplayer arcade fighters go. If you ARE a fan of the show, you'll really want to add this to your library.
As far as remasters of remakes go, Ys Memoir: The Oath in Felghana is as good as they get. This PSP-era action RPG throwback is right at home on the Nintendo Switch. Its short time to completion helps prevent repetition and occasional aimlessness from being a real problem, making it an adventure worth taking.
Universe for Sale is a visual novel that will challenge genre and sci-fi fans thematically and structurally. While the graphics are certainly the highlight, the game's story and characters are unique enough to hold your attention when the puzzles and pacing slow things down.
Potionomics: Masterwork Edition is a charming and absorbing game that blends the day to day management of a growing business with a cute fantasy world populated by a community of wholesome and interesting characters.
EcoGnomix is a solid strategy game where you'll need to be on your toes through every run of the game. Patience is key with this one.
If these Taito milestone compilations are to continue, a slightly lower price combined with a couple more exclusives could be the winning combination. Some extra historical content (seen in comparable collections) could add welcomed value, too. But I'll say this for emphasis, if you already own the A-material in this third installment as individual Arcade Archive releases, you might not be the ideal audience.
Stray is a post-apocalyptic story told from a feline's perspective. It couples creepiness with tenderness, featuring many interesting characters and puzzles as you unravel the mystery of this dying world. The visuals and audio are delightful, and the story is satisfying to see through to completion. Well done!
If you're looking for a solid party game, Servonauts should be in the running. The fun may be short-lived here, but it's not a bad option if you want something quick to pick up and play.
FAIRY TAIL 2 is JRPG-lite. The story and combat mechanics are both easy to take in and work through, but it will leave genre fans a bit hungry-especially if you're used to meatier adventures or have little knowledge of the Fairy Tail universe.
As far as hidden object games go, Hidden in My Paradise does a great job of remaining challenging and fun. It's a game anyone can enjoy. And considering its inexpensive price, it actually offers a lot more than what first meets the eye.
Super Spy Raccoon offers a clever, stealth-based twist to classic arcade gameplay. Anyone who's ever dropped a quarter into a video game cabinet will feel right at home…once you get past the difficulty and settle into the game's puzzle-based approach to screen cleaning.
You can see the attention to detail and love put into Loco Motive. It's a high-quality game that respects its point-and-click predecessors while carving out its own identity as a graphic adventure. Juggling three characters does lead to occasional pacing hiccups, a few less satisfying puzzles, and a couple of other minor issues. Still, this talkie adventure is great fun with a rewarding payoff.
Journey to Kreisia is a breezy JRPG that clearly shows its 10-year-old mobile origins. It brings nothing new to the genre, but it's confident in what it's trying to be and checks the right boxes with a wink and a nudge.
It takes a bit to get into the puzzle-solving flow of Dungeons of Dreadlock 2: The Dead King's Secret, but it offers an approachable level-based challenge once you do. Fans of the original should appreciate this second adventure, while newcomers will find themselves similarly hooked.
With its attention focused on surveys, and since the game variations aren't very versatile, The Jackbox Survey Scramble can come off as repetitive. However, it retains the franchise's goofy humor. Not only does the game offer its own jokes, it also leaves a lot of room for you and your friends to add your own humor on top of it. It's a great game for parties or even just chill nights.
Aura of Worlds is a game you'll put many hours into once you get past the beginning hump of mastering the controls and bulking up your character. This is a game you'll find yourself going back to now and again.