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Rogue Lords is very pretty. They nailed the art design and character models, which I imagine will attract many people to this roguelike RPG. However, I am afraid that the attraction is surface level. With any roguelike game, you expect each run to feel different from the next and reset that excitement and engagement. Still, with Rogue Lords, once you've completed three books or so, it doesn't feel like it has any more to offer. Getting through three books is an achievement, as the gameplay and battle system is tedious, hard and repetitive. With a bit more streamlining of some mechanics and improvements in pacing, you'll have a more polished title that I'd be more comfortable recommending.
Zombie Army 4: Dead War might be one of the most technically impressive games to come to Nintendo Switch in quite some time. With all the action on screen, the game manages to maintain a smooth and consistent experience regardless of how many enemies or online players are present. It's a goofy, campy title that knows it's goofy and steers into that goofiness throughout your adventure. It's also unique in that it's as much fun to play by yourself as it is to play with friends, although I have to admit playing with friends makes the experience a little more hysterical. While the character movement is too janky for its own good, this doesn't ruin the experience at all. Put simply, if you're looking for a good zombie shooter to play by yourself or with friends, then Zombie Army 4 must absolutely be at the top of your list.
In its own right, Nintendo Switch Sports is fantastic, doing everything you hoped it would. Super-responsive controls, family-friendly fun, and a solid online and offline co-op system. However, when you look at what we could have got, and when you compare this to Wii Sports, has the game built on that foundation enough in the last 16 years? I don't think it does. Again, it's a great game and one that I will sink many hours into because it's essentially Wii Sports on the Switch – but when you look at the bigger picture, there is endless potential on what Nintendo could, and probably should, have done. Golf has been confirmed, and I hope that there is more on Spocco Square's horizon, as, with a few more sports and features, Nintendo Switch Sports could become THE must-own game on the system.
Basically an officially licensed version of What the Dub?!, RiffTrax: The Game succeeds as a creative/comedy party game by adding the familiar voices of the RiffTrax crew. A few gameplay tweaks improve the dialogue riffing formula, but more movie clips and some variation in the game's rounds would keep the fun running longer.
Kraken Academy!! is a well-crafted adventure story. With endearing characters, intriguing time-travel mechanics, and a retro-style look, Kraken Academy!! will undoubtedly appeal to those looking for a game reminiscent of the adventure games of the '90s.
Arise: A Simple Story should be recognised as a beautiful and touching story, no matter its short length. It's a heartwarming and truly captivating journey – providing you allow yourself to be immersed in the narrative. With the stop/start nature of the loading screens and the long-winded gameplay, this can be hard but definitely worth pushing through.
Roguebook offers enough unique takes on gameplay to create a compelling experience for those highly interested in deck building games and a fun experience for those who aren't quite as familiar with the genre. The dual hero system and presentation truly makes Roguebook stand out. However, the usual issues with the deck building game remain. It's the random luck of the draw as to whether you're given good enough cards to succeed in battle. Otherwise, you have to grind your way around to find useful cards or upgrades to help you. It might not be a game for everyone, but Roguebook is definitely worth checking out.
Toodee and Topdee is a fun, challenging game with an original concept. Change your perspective from 2D, to Top-Down with the press of a button, solve puzzles and defeat awesome bosses. Highly recommended for the player that loves puzzle games.
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed may be an older game, but it's still fun to play and Star Wars fans who haven't previously enjoyed this title should give it a go. The engaging story and excellent voice work help bring it to life, despite the slightly dated graphics and relatively simple gameplay.
If you're looking for an endless outer space toy box to play in (and there are options to play without a scenario goal or with unlimited funds), then orbit.industries is a fun diversion. Learn, and fail, and start again on your way to the stars. Just don't forget about the interest rates.
Crystar combines a stunning supernatural setting with simple hack-and-slash fighting to draw you through a complex and profound plot that bounces betweens realms.
If you enjoy platformers, Flat Kingdom Paper's Cut Edition is a good addition. It doesn't rank the highest on my list because of sensitive jump points which can oftentimes be frustrating. But when taken for what it is-a unique platformer with fun narrative and visual twists-it's worth the purchase.
Genre fans might find Buck Bradley Comic Adventure worth grabbing (on sale) to pass a couple of hours. But from presentation to puzzles and beyond, this is an average release at best that most can skip without worry. Unfortunately, this title falls short in too many ways.
Cat Cafe Manager is a cafe management sim in which you adopt cats and run your very own store. Serve your customers, build bonds with your regulars, adopt your choice of cats, and just generally enjoy life in a cute and friendly town.
Rotund Rebound is an ambitious sequel that retains its cute style and rapid pace, but gets somewhat lost in its new features.
The visuals of Mokoko X are only slightly lurid, and the cuckoo-for-Cocoa-Puffs flavor text doesn't distract from a solid Qix clone with ingenious level design and challenging bosses.
The House of the Dead: Remake successfully moves to the Switch everything you loved about the on-rails shooting arcade game…except the controls. It's fun to play with a friend provided you both understand that the very act of aiming and shooting will be an exercise in frustration.
There's no doubt Slipstream has issues, but the core gameplay mechanics are fun enough that you may be able to look past them as I could and enjoy some knockoff Out Run.
Defend the Rook is a rogue-like tactics game that's challenging enough to make you earn your victories while keeping you ready to try again when it beats you. If you like strategy games, this entry is worth adding to your Switch library.
TAITO Milestones is a no-frills package of ten '80s-era arcade games, most of which are available separately in the Nintendo eShop. If you don't already own the ones you want, it's a decent collection with some obscure gems that may become your new favorites. A couple, however, don't make a smooth transition from their arcade controls to your Joy-Con.