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A Hero and a Garden is a simple visual novel with minimal gameplay and a deep story. It's a short, fun game, and it's worth anyone's time.
RPG Maker MV provides plenty of tools, but the least possible direction on how to use them. The tutorial is embarrassingly bad, and a help section is nonexistent. Unless you're experienced with this series, skip this Switch port.
Regina & Mac recreates the '90s with its retro-inspured 3D worlds. It's a little on the blocky side, but the mechanics are clever, fun and challenging. The amusing characters are a bonus, too.
Journey of the Broken Circle is a lovely, thought-provoking game that uses simplicity to explore the complexity of relationships.
Those seeking an instantly accessible arcade-action thrill are going to find it with We Are Doomed. Like many arcade games before it, however, that thrill does wear off quickly.
Sentinels of Freedom is a turn-based strategy RPG where creating your own hero is enjoyable. However, the fun mechanics only last so long since this is just one chapter of the story.
While Fight Crab is far from the best fighting game I've played, it is among the funniest fighters, which gives the title real value, despite its quirks.
OkunoKA Madness is a great little platformer, with tight controls and gorgeous artwork that really puts your skill and precision to the test.
While Commander Keen in Keen Dreams: Definitive Edition kind of checks off some of my old-school boxes, it's not a markedly high-quality release on the Nintendo Switch in 2020. By all means, wishlist it if you have fond memories of the original, the series, or late '80s/early '90s DOS games in general. Even then, wait for a sale; $14.99 is too much for this short "definitive" release.
Bite the Bullet is a decent run-and-gun game; the eating mechanic was a fun addition to the style. While long levels may seem like a good idea, it often felt a bit overwhelming. The level goals were also a decent addition to the genre; however, the length of the levels had me struggling to complete them. Fans of run-and-gun games may want to consider Bite the Bullet. Players who are not run-and-gun enthusiasts might want to steer away from this title.
Adventures of Pip presents a refreshing take on platforming, aesthetically impressive with gameplay to match. I sunk hours into the original, and I'm happy to do so again with this Switch port. Hopefully, this indie from Tic Toc Games succeeds enough to warrant a sequel. Platformer fans won't want to overlook this one.
While coming in at the end of the 11th story arc of the show might feel like an odd starting point, the game does a good job with a quick introduction of the characters. While it may leave some questions if you are unfamiliar with the series, it still gives enough information for newcomers to enjoy; Fairy Tale enthusiasts will certainly have no trouble knowing what is going on. Fairy Tale is certainly a solid game on the Nintendo Switch.
Instant Sports Summer Games isn't a memorable release, but I respect it for what it tries to (and sometimes does) accomplish. With the Summer Olympic games lost to the pandemic, this Switch exclusive could score with families. Just keep in mind that the motion controls, while quite successful for the most part, will probably have you playing for only a little bit here and there.
Even the Ocean is a combination between a visual novel and platformer that tells a compelling story, while doing justice to both genres.
Music fans should dig Avicii Invector, especially those inclined to appreciate the deep lyrics in these tracks. For non-enthusiasts, an easy difficulty setting makes the game inviting, even for those with limited experience in rhythm games. While the gameplay can certainly get repetitious after time, it's a fun game to watch even if you pass the controller to a friend. Avicii is on my radar now, thanks to Avicii Invector.
Although it's based on a long-running British TV show, no previous knowledge is required to enjoy solving the tricky time-manipulation puzzles of Peaky Blinders: Mastermind. In a world where tie-in games are generally awful, this is a rare entry that works for show fans and non-fans alike.
Runestone Keeper is an easy game to pick up, and for dungeon crawler fans, this one was certainly an entertaining time. While it doesn't hold a lot of replay value for me personally, I still had fun with it!
Gleamlight is a simple 2D platformer with a pretty premise but not a lot of substance to back it up.
Metamorphosis is a good puzzle/adventure game with some platformer elements, but it fails to take the experience quite as far as it could. If you are into the surreal, consider it a solid option for a little creative time-wasting on your Nintendo Switch.
Spiritfarer is a game that brightens death, a dark and touchy subject. When playing, you will learn to say goodbye to the ones you love, and to enjoy every moment with those around you.