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Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour is, first and foremost, a tech demo. Thinking of it in terms of a tech demo it is really rather good. It demonstrates the functions of the Switch 2 really well and offers a lot of information on the design and technology that has gone into the console. Welcome Tour is, however, a paid piece of software. A game. As a game, it is shallow at best. The mini-games offer a little light fun but that is all. If this was a free or bundled game you could probably consider it a good introduction to the switch 2 and then move on. Given there is a price attached it suddenly becomes more akin to a cynical cash grab except the whole experience isn’t even good enough to call it that.
Streets of Survival is a fun use of The Walking Dead IP, a much better use of the license than some past games. It’s a serviceable side scrolling romp that is perfect for newbies, but may lack depth that veterans of the genre are used to.
Your overall mileage, pun intended, will vary based on what you want in a racer. If you want colorful tracks, bopping background tunes, quick jump in/out races, and a fun time without the stress of car management, Hot Wheels Infinite Rush might be what you are looking for. But if you crave a bit more control and a world that feels real, this one won’t be parked in your gaming garage anytime soon.
I don’t say this often, but if there are games that are ‘required playing’ for Switch 2 owners. Orbitals would find itself alongside Switch 2 greats like Donkey Kong Bananza and Pokopia for me. The story and world is charming and nostalgic while also feeling new and different for the console.
I like Backyard Baseball. In an era of realistic simulation sports games, it stands out with its art style and animations, giving it a personality that so many other sports games wish it had. While fielding can be a bit of a struggle, going up to bat is always great. However, it’s also like the early 2010s Philadelphia Phillies. Overpriced, as £33 for a game with no extra modes and no online gameplay is a lot to ask. I would say if you’re a big fan of Backyard Baseball, or Backyard Sports in general, it’s probably more worth it to you, but I would say wait for a sale otherwise.
A masterpiece it’s not, but by execution of the brief alone they’ve done an excellent job of modernising for a new audience. I think if you’ve played the classic version you’ll appreciate what’s on offer here. If you are brand new to the series you will absolutely feel a sense of gravitas and awe that this game is kind of a big deal. I don’t know if I will go back multiple times, as at 2 or 3 run throughs, I’m certainly content with the experience had.
It’s hard to rate Halo: Campaign Evolved without factoring in the nostalgia we have for this title. Yes the PvP multiplayer isn’t there, but that doesn’t really matter here. The core experience is brilliant, it feels how Halo originally felt but with a modern twist. The changes that have been made and the tweaks to the game may not be for everyone, but in our eyes they’ve only gone and improved on an already brilliant game. Whether you’re new to Halo, or have been playing for decades, Campaign Evolved is a must play!
[...] playing through Black Flag felt fresher than the sea air and we mainly forgot we were playing a decade plus old game. Resynced is still the same great game from years ago. Ubisoft have approached this remake the right way, trimming the weaker parts and introducing changes that make for a much better overall experience. It harks back to the prebloat of more recent Assassins Creed games, a more streamlined game.
Splatoon Raiders is peak character design and one of the best looking Nintendo Switch 2 games to date. As said before, each level is unique and the graphics beautiful. The base itself is very detailed, even when you ink around a workstation and then use the station, the ink is still visible. The workstations themselves have a lot of detailed parts and items laying around giving it that lived-in feel. Overall the world detail, Salmonid visual upgrades, and the equipment you hold all look great and give Splatoon Raiders a top spot graphically on the Switch 2.
Monopoly: Star Wars Heroes vs Villains offers variety in its cast of characters and the unpredictability of human opponents and dice rolls. However it struggles to generate meaningful long-term replay-ability. Too much of each match hinges on the roll of the dice, while GO events can alter the course of play in a significant way. As a result, each game feels different in outcome, but not necessarily in experience. It’s enjoyable to revisit with friends on occasion, yet it lacks evolving systems and gameplay, that would bring strategic depth to encourage continuous play.
Rhythm Paradise Groove is a lot of fun and can present quite a challenge. You will laugh and laugh either when you play solo or when you play with others. If you’re looking for a good party game, this will fit the bill. There is a huge variety in the minigames so you and your friends will find a game that suits you best. You can even enjoy it if you have as much rhythm as a scarecrow like me. If you’ve ever been to the arcade and enjoyed the rhythm games there you will love Rhythm Paradise Groove.
Overall, Wargroove 2 is a fun time. The combat is engaging, with a stylistic flare to the visuals that made it easy for me to stay engaged. Moreover, the gameplay has both a narrative and versus mode which were intuitive initially and easy to revisit with all of the tools designed for learning. I was not overly enthralled with the story, but the core gameplay loop is still a lot of fun, and this title is one I can easily recommend to fans of the genre.
As a whole, the Marvel Maximum Collection is a decent package. Two of the games are fun, and were worth the playthrough. While Silver Surfer may appeal to others, the Spider-Man games did not impress, even as someone who likes a wide variety of games. For the current asking price, I think this is a good package, but mainly for the two beat-em-ups and the chance to experience a licensed IP’s gaming history. This one would be good to pick up on sale.
Unrailed 2: Back on Track upgrades everything from the original game and multiples things to the nth degree. The amount of fun you will have might be determined by your friend group or online partners you match with. The fun and shenanigans and out of pocket yelling matches reminded me of games like Overcooked and Moving Out which put you alongside friends to work together.
I absolutely loved my time with LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight. The game has great visuals, a storied past that wraps and intertwines decades of Batman tales, a traversal and gameplay out of the Arkham series, all in a well-built Gotham City. If you love Batman or LEGO games, this is a must buy.
If you like Bond, action games or even working out light puzzles to hack your way into locations, you will love First Light. Even if you don’t like these things, First Light may just surprise you, it never outstays its welcome and will have you gripped to its conclusion. First Light has reinvigorated my love of Bond and I hope the movies follow suit, looking at the series with new eyes and taking it in a fresh, modern direction.
If gamers are picking up Yoshi & The Mysterious Book to have some deep and thought provoking platforming experience, with a story that has you questioning every action they’ve taken in life…they’ll be disappointed. Let’s be honest, these games have always been designed with charm and fun at the forefront. Simplistic gameplay that can be done in “pick up and go” chunks, with oodles of instances that will have the player grinning from ear to ear. We know it’s not for everyone, but this is definitely one book you shouldn’t judge by the cover alone.
Coming back to Starfield on PS5 Pro after initially dismissing the game back in 2023, shows me clearly that this is significantly improved version of the game. Systems are deeper, traversal is more engaging, and there’s a lot of polish here that simply didn’t exist at launch. It gives me that Cyberpunk 2077 journey all over again. For the first time it feels like a world that’s easier to settle into, and easier to stay in. Yet after more than 80 hours, what stands out still hasn’t changed for me. For Starfield’s scale, flexibility and freedom, it struggles to create a sense of urgency.
Buy Pragmata. We cannot stress enough how much of a fun experience this game was to play. Capcom have gone from strength to strength recently and this feels like another huge success for them. Yes the story is a bit weak at times, yes the core mechanics can take a little to get used to, but it all pays off. Pragmata is an excellent game that will tug at your heart strings and really make you reconsider the next time you fire up an AI chat bot.
To sum up, Elementallis is a lovingly created adventure which is a joy to play. It fills you to the brim with nostalgia, whilst doing just enough to change the formula. The element system is unique and engaging and gives the player a great deal of freedom. If you’re a fan of old school Zelda games, or top down adventures in general, I cannot recommend this game enough.