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Don't look at Chained Echoes as a throwback to the 16-bit JRPGs of yesteryear, just look at it as an amazing game with an engaging battle system and wonderfully paced story. You can also look at it as one of the best Nintendo Switch games of 2022.
The platform and theme are simple, but Swordship is not easy. Its take on shmups is unique, its visuals are interesting and its story is just enough to inspire the whole "be the hero" ethos. If you like dodge-em games this one is a good addition to your game library.
Intrepid Izzy is a clear labor of love that looks great and plays well, although minor flaws stop it from being perfect. If you enjoy Shantae's adventures, this is a nice homage to that series.
Romancing SaGa -Minstrel Song- Remastered offers a trip back to when JRPGs didn't just offer multiple playthroughs, they counted on them. This game expects you to miss numerous events and items, and to want to try again. Because of its complexity and general aimlessness, however, I'm not sure many will want to.
It Takes Two is a great co-op game to add to your Nintendo Switch library. It could even be something fun for you and your special someone to do on rainy days, or even a weekly date night. I would have really loved some side quests, or collectibles, but I still had a great time playing It Takes Two.
Orbital Bullet is a fine rougelike run 'n gun game that can be fun for a few hours. Its circular stage design and rougelike randomness offer a wide ranging experience every time you play. That rougelike element will ultimately be the make-or-break for anyone's enjoyment of the game. In my experience, it's usually more unfair to you when you start a run, giving you the worst weapons, stages and enemies to fight. It also does nothing new that a few dozen other games haven't done before. Orbital Bullet can best be described as an average experience designed for those who truly love roguelike games.
Oddworld: Soulstorm – Oddtimized Edition is a darker take that tests the titular Abe in a much bigger quest. The high-quality cinematic style is impressive, and the game plays well overall. It's less humorous than the original, and lacks that nostalgic factor fans of the '90s versions may have. Yet it's still a challenging and entertaining platformer that will test your patience and prowess.
Samurai Maiden gives players a goofy mix of hack-and-slash action, light platforming, and yuri fan service. Surprisingly, it also gives us some pretty fun combat when it's not being overly frustrating. The game will appeal more to achievement completionists than those seeking a good (or even coherent) story, so consider that when looking at this game at full price.
Wobbledogs is a pet simulator in which you raise out-of-the-ordinary dogs. You care for them by feeding and playing with them. You can decorate their pens, and you can also breed them to create whatever breed you wish. It's a good game for those who would like to just sit back and relax, and maybe create the weirdest pets imaginable.
Mario Kart has been the king of kart racing for a long time. These latest additions only serve to further cement this title, with stunning visuals and engaging gameplay that bring a smile every time; it's just that good.
Buddy Simulator 1984 surprised me with the way it morphed from a text-based adventure into a creepy-yet-sweet story. If you're looking for something completely different, this is one title you should consider checking out.
Once Upon a Jester is a classic hero quest told through some creative gameplay and writing. There are plenty of touching moments mixed in with the humor, which I wasn't expecting. The music sets the scenes perfectly as well. What I love about Once Upon a Jester is that the creators took a lot of risks, from the story to the voice acting, and even the mechanics for putting on a show. And all of these features stick the landing. This game is everything I love about the indie scene.
Super Kiwi 64 is pretty decent overall and won't hurt your wallet. That said, despite the many things working in its favor, it has a rough around the edges feel I didn't expect. A patch may determine if this a game you go back to every so often or if it's a one-and-done deal.
There's a solid base for a kart game here, but there's just not enough content to be considered a contender on the Switch. As a result, it's hard to compete against something like Mario Kart. And priced at $40, spend the extra $20 and get Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on the Switch instead.
In lesser hands, Harvestella's balance of JRPG and farming sim could've ended up as a bland mishmash. Instead, Live Wire and Square Enix have created a solid blend. Its effective gameplay loop and engaging story push you down surprising paths that are fun to travel.
Surprisingly, the online play works well, and it is cool to have a portable version of ARK for playing on the go. But would I recommend it on Nintendo Switch? $49.99 is…pricey for the quality. It's worth it if you have no other way to play ARK, but only if it goes on sale. ARK: Ultimate Survivor Edition itself is a very good, if not great, game, but this port is more mediocre than the best it can be. While I like playing it on Switch as an existing fan, I'm not sure I would if I was new to the game.
Space Tail comes across as an forgettably mediocre game. While its art direction and strong story start seem to lead to a potential great adventure, the game mechanics you use are fundamentally broken or just boring. This makes the entire experience feel dragged out and not fun. It's a game that I played for this review and ultimately will never go back to. While it is by no means a bad game, Space Tail is a game I can't recommend for people. There are plenty of better games on Nintendo Switch for you to check out.
Doraemon's second Story of Seasons outing is another crossover event that's likely to appeal to fans of both Doraemon and Story of Seasons. It looks fantastic and has a deep narrative, however the story can get it in the way of the actual farming at times.
McPixel 3 is a gag-heavy mashup of microgames and '90s adventure puzzles. It works when relying on speed and insanity, but its repetition and heavy reliance on trial-and-error solutions and gross-out humor will turn all but a few players away before completion.
Dropsy is a game that tries to show the human species that being a good person does matter. While there were some things I would change, especially the controls (I personally couldn't stand them), this is an interesting, original game. If you're a fan of point-and-click adventures, you will definitely want to check this one out.