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With the jump to the Nintendo Switch, this latest version of World of Final Fantasy Maxima brings the adorable console experience into the palm of your hands once more. Unfortunately, it sacrifices some of that visual charm along the way.
Achtung! Cthulhu Tactics is akin to playing a tabletop game with an unimaginative DM who was going through the motions and throwing combat rather than story at my team. This may be an unfair criticism – after all the game sells itself on being a tactics game – but I found myself bogged down in combat situations that felt repetitive with little narrative drive to progress. The RPG aspects of the game are held back by the lack of real character allowed for your team members who were more like chess pieces than scripted individuals. There is so much potential for the four unlikely allies to be developed through dialogue and roleplay, but this potential is not realised here. As it stands, Achtung! is a competent tactical combat game with an interesting setting that promises more but never realises it.
NBA 2K Playgrounds 2 is an extremely fun and competitive game at its core, and with the publisher's history of terrible microtransactions, it's good to see a basketball game that's easy to pick up and enjoy without having to spend money. The game is generous with its in game currency which makes playing the game very rewarding, especially if you invest time in the game's improved Season Mode. If you're looking for a slightly silly, competitive basketball game to play online, this is definitely for you.
There's so much that I like about 11–11 Memories Retold; the wonderful story, exceptional vocal performances and, for the most part, a beautiful and refreshingly unique art style. These elements all delight, yet they are let down by some poor minigames and underdeveloped gameplay mechanics. Despite these issues though, I was compelled to see this story to its conclusion, thanks to some smart plotting and a narrative that zips along like the very best page-turning novel.
This collection may not appeal to everyone, as when you boil it down a lot of these title feel the same. This serves more as a collector's piece, which isn't a bad thing; it's just very niche. As you can see though, SNK 40th Anniversary Collection does has a lot on offer. With thirteen titles from the off, eleven more coming the month after, and the various versions included, this anniversary bundle makes for quite the collection of portable nostalgia. Old games are very hard and it's important that we know where all the wonderful games we play today, started out. If you're interested in seeing those beginnings, then pick this game up and fill your boots.
While there is a bit more depth than first appears in SkyScrappers it doesn't often rely on any of this. It is fairly easy to accidentally die because you didn't see a falling rock or fall behind because the platforms are just slightly out of reach. The game itself can be a fair bit of fun with friends, but the single-player is little more than an hour long tutorial and sadly there isn't anything else to do.
Having been disappointed by Lego The Incredibles, confused by Lego Ninjago The Movie's linear approach, and slightly underwhelmed by the obscure roster of Lego Marvel Super Heroes 2, I am happy to report that Lego DC Super-Villains is a real return to form for Traveller's Tales. It eclipses Lego Batman 2 to become my joint favourite alongside the first Lego Marvel Super Heroes; this is an essential play for any fan of comics, Lego games, or fun in general! Particularly when played in local co-op, there is so much to do and explore here without even considering the emergent and environmental fun to be had. Being bad never felt so good.
GRIP: Combat Racing is an unpolished gem that's currently too flawed to fully recommend. When it comes together – particularly in multiplayer – GRIP is capable of providing some of the most engaging future racing this side of Wipeout 2097, but it's all too easy for it to fall apart, especially when you're placed in the hands of the game's cheating AI.
Perhaps all three acts together will be a complete package worth a purchase, but this just feels like more of the same, except rushed out to meet an audience and lacking the unerring attention to detail that made the main campaign so special. Whilst Black Cat herself is pretty excellent, the story around her isn't one that is gripping, at least, not yet.
Taiko no Tatsujin: Drum 'n' Fun is, in all honestly, a near-perfect rhythm game. Every piece of the puzzle that makes up this game is meticulously chosen to create a wonderful experience for newbies and pros alike. Beginners will be instantly engaged by the simple two-button gameplay, while advanced players will be able to test their strength on the insane speed of higher difficulty tracks. No matter which side you fall on, there's enough content here to keep you engaged for a long time.
Battle Chef Brigade Deluxe brings this wonderful little dish to a new home and adds a little extra spice to an already brilliant experience. The whole experience looks wonderful, is completely and utterly joyful and is one that is worth the preparation time for a memorable dish you can even share with friends. Bon Appétit.
Valthirian Arc: Hero School Story is one of those strange games that can easily consume hours of your time in one sitting. The strange mix of management and adventure makes for a fun distraction. The graphics are cute, the music is good, and the characters are charming if a little odd. If you want something fun to dip in and out of instead of a monumental task, then this may well be what you are looking for.
Call of Cthulhu is not a particularly good game. It looks and feels dated, contains some frustratingly realised mechanics and has possibly the worst gun combat I've ever experienced (luckily this is only a short section). What it does do well, however, is capture the feel of a Lovecraft story.
Gal Metal has some great ideas, but fails to execute them soundly.
There is almost nothing here to recommend.
This is a solid collection of games that is a welcome addition to anyone's party arsenal. The Jackbox games can be a little hit and miss sometimes, but this is certainly one of the best entries and will keep you all entertained for hours. There's some of the best game variety yet and each one feels different enough to really be worth dipping into. Of course, you'll get more mileage the more you have people round, but even if it is sporadic this is a worthwhile inclusion.
My Hero One's Justice sees Bandai at their property-managing best, bringing a hugely enjoyable fighting game experience to the My Hero Academia franchise. The Switch version has a few rough edges, but ultimately the colourful anime brawling feels perfectly at home on Nintendo's continually surprising handheld.
The hype being created for Red Dead Redemption 2 and the expectations of the passionate fan-base made a part of me believe that Rockstar Games could never deliver on all of their many promises. They did, and then some. From the feeling of a realistic living world they've created to the emotional bonds you build, Red Dead Redemption 2 is the video game experience of this generation.
Though I've got a fair few criticisms, Industries feels like a worthwhile addition to Cities: Skylines, taking a long overlooked side of the game's city building and adding a lot more depth and nuance.
Velocity 2X is a marvellous, quick paced experience with plenty of re-playability, that definitely finds its home on the Nintendo Switch. If you've never experienced Velocity 2X before then you are in for a treat. Get it in your (solar) system, now.