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I don't give many games a score of ten. That is reserved for experiences that are so gripping and mechanics that change the landscape of a franchise. Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope does just that. Every moment I wasn't playing Sparks of Hope, I was thinking about it. And for a studio to take a proven formula, shake it up, and try something new is risky but rewarding. I can't recommend this game enough.
C.A.R.L is a short and sweet platformer with RPG vibes that captures the fun of classic arcade games from the '80s and '90s. The quirky humor and many collectibles make this a title that's sure to keep genre fans entertained.
Moncage is a puzzle game that should be treated like a collection of short stories rather than a novel. Enjoy it over several sessions, pausing when it's difficult to think about the different parts, rather than consume it as one experience. It's quite literally to be puzzled over.
Dorfromantik is a unique puzzle game that people looking for a chill experience should check out. Yes, it has some weird control scheme decisions that take away from the fun, relaxed experience. That said, Dorfomantik does what every good puzzle game should do: offers smart simplicity. It's a simple to understand but increasingly challenging game that people must check out. It's a relaxing game for people looking for a chill experience and honestly, it's a refreshing change people should enjoy.
Atari Mania's mash-up of microgames presents a chaotic blast of nostalgia, but the general repetition and some frustrating difficulty dampen the mood pretty quickly. Its unique approach to retro gaming is, therefore, best enjoyed by those with fond memories of playing all these games back in the day.
Youropa is a special puzzle game that manages to do enough memorable things to keep you interested and invested. Smart puzzle designs make the game a fun challenge to complete, along with clever new abilities you unlock as you play. The big miss here is its painting mechanic, which it describes as an important aspect, but rarely ever uses the feature. Youropa offers plenty of variety to keep you playing throughout its adventure.
The Dark Prophecy is a fun little point-and-click adventure. All the puzzles make enough sense, and you can finish the whole thing in under an hour. It teases further parts of the story, and this certainly feels like the first chapter of what will hopefully be a longer tale.
At its surface, Gunslingers & Zombies is a run-of-the-mill tactical RPG with some performance issues. In spite of these concerns, the end result is still a fairly enjoyable experience for fans of the genre.
Blending fun territories and weapons with easily accessible features, a variety of gameplay modes and a solid solo offering, this installment makes for the kind of game that does the Splatoon name proud.
Beacon Pines is an engaging choose-your-own-adventure story with a variety of characters, excellent graphics and score, and overall narrative about a town in peril combine to create a wonderfully addictive game.
Foretales has a lot of moving parts to this card-based game. The narrative-driven mechanic allows the players freedom to select which path to choose and how to play their hand is a fascinating, albeit risky, take on the genre. However, it works. You'll enjoy your time with the game if you approach Foretales as a strategy game rather than a deck-builder.
No Place for Bravery-an action/adventure RPG from Ysbryd Games and Glitch Factory-does have some issues; the retro graphics aren't the best, and they still produce some frame rate problems. The intriguing (mature) story and interesting environments, however, result in a good title worth checking out.
Penko Park is an adventure game that combines creepy and cute. You visit an abandoned wildlife park where you must get photos of the creatures who live there. The game is super fun and comforting, providing a great way to help pass some free time.
Both games included fun graphics and pixelated characters. The music was fun, and the voice acting was excellent. However, they needed more variety in the gameplay.
Severed Steel is a rapid-pace first-person shooter that demands quick reflexes and creative thinking to blast your way through the minions of a nefarious mega-corporation wreaking havoc in a dark future.
Arcade Paradise-a mashup business sim / retro arcade throwback-is one of those indie gems you look forward to telling other people about. If you're a fan of the '80s laser and chrome aesthetic, put on your puffy jacket and download it today.
Cat Maze is an entertaining romp into a magical world of potions and animals. Initial frustrations paved the way for an enjoyable adventure, with plenty to discover and a fulfilling story.
Overall, Hokko Life is a bland shell that wants to ride the coattails of Animal Crossing without doing anything to stand out or be unique. The game could be more polished, with lag and weird choices in camera zooms, though not outright terrible enough to get mad at. While the visuals don't look bad, the music is forgettable. An average game at best, its $19.99 launch price means I can't really recommend it.
Bear and Breakfast stands out as one of my favorite games of the year. Its visual style is instantly appealing and its gameplay feels nearly flawless. It's a chill game that wants you to feel relaxed while micromanaging your own bed and breakfast locations. The game has a wonderful reward system and there's a ton of things to unlock to keep you playing for hours on end. The game on Nintendo Switch is extremely well done, despite a control scheme that requires a bit of practice to get used to. Bear and Breakfast feels right at home on the platform sitting next to the likes of Animal Crossing and Stardew Valley. Bear and Breakfast managed to be so wonderful that it jumped to the top of my game-of-the-year contender list. Do yourself a favor, go and buy this game. It's an absolutely wonderful title that must be played for a bear-y good time (I'm sorry, I couldn't resist).
The Legend of Heroes: Trails From Zero takes us back to the formation of the SSS, an organization Switch gamers will know from the Trails of Cold Steel games. It also takes us back to a relatively simpler system that's perfectly sized for JRPG adventuring on the go.