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WORTH CONSIDERING - A lack of innovation, boring exploration, and disappointing graphics make Rune Factory 5 a game you could probably skip over unless you’re a super fan of the series. Newcomers might find enough to like here, but might be better served waiting for a price drop just to make sure.
MEDIOCRE - While it’s the most ambitious motorcycle racing game that I have played, the limitations of the Switch and its controllers will make this a frustrating experience for many gamers. Unless you have no other choice of console and figure you can put up with the lower framerates, scaled back graphics, and difficult control because you absolutely love the sport then, by all means, give it a try because the craftsmanship of RiMS could be well worth it for you.
EXCELLENT - Eat, train, and fight like Goku and all the other Z Fighters now from the comfort of your Flying Nimbus! The Switch version is a great way to play through this lengthy game!
GREAT - Cris Tales is a fun game that has a great concept reminiscent of Chrono Trigger or Radiant Historia. Technical issues hold it back from truly spectacular status.
WORTH CONSIDERING - Legend of Mana is a confusing and, at times, clunky mess of a game that is carried by its beautiful visuals and a stellar soundtrack.
GOOD - Crypto-137 is back and he’s just as pissed off at humanity as ever. The game is a blast to play, but this might be the worst looking version of the game available, especially when docked on the TV. It does look good in handheld though!
GREAT - In the gaming space of off-roading playground titles, SnowRunner is the pack leader by far. Having honed their franchise for the better part of nearly 8 years, the game has some of the best terrain deformation I’ve seen, and realistic-feeling physics that truly make you engaged like you’re slogging through completely inhospitable terrain. There are some drawbacks in terms of onboarding difficulty, and some platform specifics like handheld mode being a toasty battery drain unlike I’ve ever seen before, but if the Switch is your gaming console of choice, it’s a total treat to have SnowRunner perform so well and provide countless hours through its campaigns.
GOOD - Sludge Life is a short but charming visual recreation of what the ‘90s might have looked like if you were consistently on hallucinogenic drugs and into graffiti. If you like either of those things then this might be the game for you.
WORTH CONSIDERING - Fans of the original game on the Mega Drive/Genesis will no doubt appreciate all of the hard work that went into updating Wonder Boy: Asha in Monster World for the modern era. Despite its wonderful animations and enchanting soundtrack, the gameplay and level design leave a bit to be desired. The game isn’t overly long and for $34.99 it’s hard to recommend this one to anyone that doesn’t already know what they’re getting into.
GREAT - If you’re looking for something meaty to sink your teeth into, Maneater is sure to satisfy your appetite for destruction - now on the go!
GOOD - Rise of the Slime is a very personable deck-building roguelike game. Robust gameplay mechanics with just the right blend of randomization and skill, as well as high replayability that makes it the perfect game on-the-go. The visuals are charming, but a bit lifeless, however the game is accessible through use of both the Touch and Joy-Con controls. With a competitive price point of $14.99, if you’re of a fan of games like Slay the Spire, Rise of the Slime will be good company in your library.
GOOD - R-Type fans are sure to enjoy this new romp through space. Newcomers will be glad to see multiple difficulty options from the get-go. Although the audio-visual presentation is somewhat lacking, the gameplay is still addictive and fun.
GREAT - The Game of Life 2 takes on the classic board game, and gives it a fresh look with several themes, and some updated and enticing gameplay. With the ability to play any way you like with friends, strangers, or just alone against CPU opponents on your lunch break, the game finds its footing equally with the cartoony graphics, responsive touch controls, and quick game rounds. The Game of Life 2 doesn’t disappoint for really any age group to dive in and see where life takes them.
WORTH CONSIDERING - Monster Jam Steel Titans 2 improves on its predecessor and delivers an engaging arcade monster truck experience for all ages. With a solid progression system, loads of trucks (fan favorites and more to unlock), and fictional environments to toy around in, there’s plenty of truck hopping fun to be had. You’ll have to navigate some minor to moderate grievances that may potentially effect hardcore players more so than younger kids, but we’re still talking about an enjoyable Monster Jam experience here.
BAD - Haven introduces some nice ideas but fails to capture its core audience: people who are actually in relationships. If it can’t do that, I’m not really sure who this game is for.
WORTH CONSIDERING - Cultist Simulator brings a card-based roguelike to the table, with a great thematic setting and deep lore. The core game mechanics are simple to interact with, however the game struggles deeply to gain traction because of an intentional design decision to avoid any tutorials or context to what’s happening on screen, leaving me mostly stabbing at the dark to play the game. Some will enjoy the variable experimentation, but not all will drink the Kool-Aid.
GREAT - Little Nightmares II absolutely nails the dreary and hopeless atmosphere thanks to its detailed graphics and ominous musical score. Even though there’s no narration or story told through text, the game somehow manages to make you care about the main characters and want to help them escape to a better life. Unenjoyable combat and sloppy controls hold the game back from becoming what it could have been, but there’s plenty here to like to give it a hearty recommendation.
MEDIOCRE - Empire of Sin wants you to be the Mob Boss in all of Chicago. From managing relationships, to hostile takeovers, running an underground economy, and with an X-Com inspired combat system layered on top for action moments, this game has all the right makings for a top-notch prohibition management game. However, the menus are cluttered, heavy, and an unnecessary time sink, and the combat is just too light with clunky opponents, making the whole experience a bit awkward for me to really love.
MEDIOCRE - John Wick Hex had some major potential to be one of the best action games of all time, but instead the developers opted for a strategy game. With stilted animations, boring graphics, and middling gameplay, there’s not much here for those looking for a game based on the hit movies. Hardcore strategy game fans will find some enjoyment, but everyone else should probably pass.
EXCELLENT - The wizards at Panic Button have once again done the impossible of porting one of the biggest and greatest shooters of 2020, maybe all time, offering Switch owners the chance to hunt demons anywhere and anytime. It’s time to rip ‘n’ tear on the go with Doom Eternal.