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Lumberhill is a perfectly enjoyable, if not entirely original, time-challenge multi-tasking party game with levels that take you to some fun places.
Wonder Boy Collection is stacked with four classic titles that are all worth your time to a degree. Fans of the franchise will likely be disappointed by the omission of other titles that hold much more value in terms of critic appeal. The two standout games for me, Wonder Boy and Monster World IV, have both been remade on the Nintendo Switch as their own standalone video games with updated graphics and some quality-of-life features. After playing through this collection, I'm now tempted to revisit these via their remastered counterparts. Wonder Boy Collection feels more like a collector's item rather than an item you'll purchase because you genuinely want to play these classics.
Touken Ranbu Warriors is a purposeful regression of the Warriors franchise, focusing on the characters and story instead of the Musou-style combat. It works as a lark, especially for fans of the Touken Ranbu franchise. But at the asking price, there are much better options available (and forthcoming) for those who enjoy the 1 vs. 1,000 gameplay mechanics and strategies.
Galacticon pays homage to games like Joust, Asteroids, and Defender, but adds its own elements to make it feel fresh. The strategy around how to get the best score for each run certainly makes for a challenging and addictive game. My only complaint is that you don't get information about how points are earned until you beat the first level. But for only $4.99 and the amount of enjoyment I've gotten out of Galacticon, this game is worth picking up, especially if you are a fan of arcade-style games.
It's easy to see why this is a cult classic. BIOMOTOR UNITRON is a retro RPG done right. While it can be something of a grind, it offers more depth than you might think. And considering an original NGPC cart commands triple-digit pricing, this eShop release is a steal at only $7.99. So, if you're a fan of dungeon crawlers, this sci-fi take shouldn't be missed.
Vesper: Zero Light Edition might've needed to stay in the oven a bit longer, but there's still a decent game here for puzzle platformer fans. The heaviness of the time-based stuff combined with fiddly Switch controls and your slow-moving android eventually takes a toll. But when the puzzle mechanic works unencumbered, it's clever and satisfying, and the audio/visual package goes a long way. With better balancing, Cordens Interactive should have a hit with their next release.
Parkasaurus can get tiresome, especially when playing this Switch port. It won't grab hybrid players who aren't already genre fans. But an instructive campaign mode, combined with a sandbox mode, means plenty of content is here, ultimately making for a decent (though certainly not great) game.
Cotton Fantasy: Superlative Night Dreams is a bit pricey for the time it takes to get to the end. However, it's a shoot-em-up. It's not about getting through a story, it's about shooting baddies and getting a high score. Fans of shmups (and of the recently revitalized Cotton in particular) will have some fun with this one.
The strength of Silt is in the atmosphere it creates. The art and the sound provide a horror-like vibe to this adventure puzzle game. And both of those aspects will pull you into the weird and mysterious world that Silt creates. The game doesn't hold your hand in any of the puzzles. And while most times this isn't an issue, as the puzzles are reasonably short and contained, it's the lengthier ones where this can cause some frustration. Overall, Silt provides a unique experience, just not a perfect one.
There isn't too much to say about Robo Wars. I genuinely appreciate the desire to create a simplistic game that is easy to understand and control. The problem is that it gives the game very little depth and provides little replay value. Each of the 10 stages look identical and its simplicity in gameplay ultimately makes you feel bored after a short while. It's not a bad game, but it's one that I likely won't remember anytime soon. It unfortunately falls in that unmemorable category, a game I'll see in the eShop deals page and say "oh yeah I think I played that game." For now, It's best that you steer clear of Robo Wars.
Like the potions you'll mix, The Serpent Rogue is an odd concoction-a mixture of casual open-world play and twitch combat. I definitely prefer the former, but like the joy I felt when finding a successful formula, figuring out a way to crush an enemy after several defeats feels like an accomplishment. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go find some blueberries.
Dungeons of Dreadrock is a fun tribute to the earliest generation of dungeon crawler puzzle games that combines fun puzzles with a cute rescue story.
Research and Destroy does enough to be a fun turn-based strategy game. The unique gameplay elements truly make you strategize completely before acting on the battlefield. There's also the great drop-in and drop-out multiplayer, creating a new level of chaotic fun. It does lack replayability, as you're shown everything on your first runthrough. That said, if you're a fan of turn-based strategies, this is one game you should check out.
Get Packed: Couch Chaos doesn't add anything new to the puzzle/party genre. It's a quirky game that focuses on the chaos aspect instead of strategy. It could be a bit more polished, but perhaps that's part of the appeal and identity of the game. You can play this one solo, but the real beauty of the game is found in the multiplayer mode. If you have young kids who get frustrated with other games in this genre because they don't understand the strategy, this might be a good pick-up. There's a lot of silly fun to be had.
Wildcat Gun Machine is an addictive and incredibly difficult shooter. The vast variety of weapons and the exploratory element keep it interesting. If you're looking for a challenge, you'll certainly find it here.
Sockventure is a welcome addition to the list of 2D platformers that perfectly combine being challenging and a joy to play.
Revita has a lot going for it. Part roguelike, part shooter, part platformer, it has something for just about everyone. Throw in a melancholic story and addictive gameplay, and you're in for an enjoyable time.
Legend of Ixtona is a by-the-numbers JRPG with turn-based battles fought on an isometric grid. The ability to hire customizable characters and invest in your village adds some unique elements, but not enough to fully overcome the generic gameplay, graphics, and story.
While the graphics are terrific and the level design is highly creative, the gameplay leaves much to be desired. This game is entertaining and visually appealing but left a lot else on the table.
Watcher Chronicles offers enough of an RPG action platforming challenge to make you work for it, and provides enough satisfaction to keep you coming back for more (especially in local multiplayer). It doesn't take itself too seriously, it just lets the player(s) get on with enjoying the game.