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Yars Rising is a terrific platformer. It features satisfying puzzles, shooting elements, a fast-paced and humorus story, along with a clever integration of a classic Atari game. Apart from some annoying loading screens, this is absolutely a game worth checking out.
Volgarr The Viking II is a fun, but flawed, platformer. There's a lack of communication that leaves one guessing as to the terms of play. It's meant to be punishing, and the zombie option helps, but things could benefit from difficulty options or a better restart system.
SteamWorld Heist II has so many outstanding core elements that, even chasing new horizons at the expense of some balance, it's still a recommended sequel. While quirks might make it run out of steam at points, don't be surprised when it keeps you coming back for more. With a presentation polished as a pearl and some fun twists, this lengthy sequel should find a place in the Switch collections of those up for the challenge.
Sunsoft is Back! Retro Game Selection is more about peculiarity than playability. If you're into NES-era oddities, all three games will deliver despite their difficulty. Priced to move, it's a fun collection to experience. Just don't expect that experience to last.
It's a shame because, despite its flaws, I initially had fun with Cilla. The concept has potential, and the presentation (pixel art backgrounds and music) is pleasing. But the narrative focus demands good writing, and this game lacks it. The same goes for clever enemies, fun weapon variety, and two-player support. Coupled with frequent glitches, this is one alien invasion few will feel compelled to stop.
Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn is an exceptionally difficult arcade-action game that's best enjoyed when shared with a friend. This release's gameplay and visual tweaks modernize the experience a bit, but it's still likely to appeal solely to those accustomed to the challenges of early '90s NES action games.
If you're a fan of puzzle/exploration, or sci-fi games and you don't have the money to afford a spaceship, I highly recommend checking out Deliver Us The Moon. While the game lacks typical sci-fi stuff like alien creatures and other-worldly monsters, it's a fun adventure filled with surprises, that will make you want to keep playing.
Star Wars: Bounty Hunter is a classic title that, while imperfect, offers a fun, action-packed outing. The story is the game's selling point, recounting the untold tale of Jango Fett's entanglement with the galaxy's darker side. A true remaster that added features like save points and a map would have been appreciated, but this slightly improved in-situ version still mostly holds up.
Cat Quest III is a fantastic addition to a terrific series. with local co-op and a sea-faring theme, everything feels fresh yet familiar. A humorous story coupled with fast-paced action makes this one a fun time all round.
Farewell North is a beautiful game in every way, exploring a rich and emotional story that draws you deep into the lives of its characters, woven throughout a stunning recreation of some of Scotland's most incredible natural scenery.
BAKERU is a light-hearted action game that's as vibrant and boisterous as the festival you're tasked with quelling. The combat can feel repetitive across the game's 50+ levels, but there's enough to learn and do to keep players pushing ahead in this rollicking adventure through fairy tale Japan.
Overall, Astor: Blade of the Monolith is a fun hack-n-slash action game, at least for a little while. The story and the world aren't strong enough to keep your attention, but the battles are fun in the beginning. Soon enough, you'll feel you've seen all the game offers before you've completed the main story.
If you really like platformers, Jello can provide a bit of a unique challenge with the level layout and more so with the non-standard movement controls. I had a bit of a hard time getting into it, but if you're fine with grinding a level until you can run it quickly, and you like getting your name on a leaderboard, then there is some fun to be had with this game.
The premise of switching between three characters with unique skills is cool in theory. Sadly, it didn't work well because of the controls. Arcadia: Colony certainly has potential, but it needs a serious tune-up.
Darkest Dungeon II provides an extremely challenging, roguelike adventure for fans turn-based combat games. The difficulty will turn away some players, but those who stick with it will be rewarded by fun gameplay and a compelling story set in an astoundingly designed world.
Natsu-Mon: 20th Century Summer Kid provides a gaming adventure as cozy as its name. Its stakes may be low, but it packs in plenty to accomplish and will have players feeling nostalgic for a time they may have never even experienced.
SNK VS. CAPCOM SVC CHAOS is a faithful port of the 2003 original, with a few extras thrown in for good measure. It's not the best 2D fighting game around, but fans of the original will appreciate the extra details.
You went spend a lot of time in the escape room puzzles of The Star Named EOS, but the time you will spend there is fun, creative, and captivating.
Though some extras would've been beneficial, Parasol Stars is a likable release in many ways. It's straightforward fun yet still offers plenty of excitement as you find secret doors, the "Hurry" message appears, and more. Bubble Bobble fans will want to scoop up this "third" entry, as will fans of quarter munchers, even if this classic skipped the arcades for the home console realm.
Elrentaros Wanderings is a well-crafted, well-designed game that is cleverly paced and set in an adorable fantasy world with great animation and movement. The combat is simple and the missions not particularly challenging, but even the elements that could be more fully realized don't take away from the overall enjoyment of the game.