Noisy Pixel
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Summer in Mara is a whimsical adventure that doesn’t require the player to micromanage their days. The balance of exploration, discovery, and farming-sim elements make this a charming way to spend an afternoon. Still, the repetition of it all will make long play sessions dull.
Outbuddies DX is a far more accessible version of this Metroid-inspired adventure. However, there’s still a lack of direction that causes many moments of frustration, which stem from the game’s complex control scheme and maze-like design.
Persona 4 Golden on PC is the best thing that could have happened to this game. Once held to Vita exclusivity, many new gamers can discover all the great moments that this adventure has to offer. Add in the inclusion of a few PC-only graphic enhancements and Japanese audio, and you now have the definitive version of this timeless RPG.
Master Magistrate is an excellent detective adventure that is continually engaging during every moment of gameplay. The cast of characters is full of interesting voices and personalities who keep this mystery grounded. This is further enhanced with the game’s visual presentation, which makes it stand out effectively as it carves out its own identity within the genre. Where it falls apart is found in some of its delivery, but that won’t hinder the overall experience.
Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition offers the best way to experience this timeless RPG for again or for the first time. The improvements to the game’s graphics, UI, and battle system make many complaints about the Wii release a thing of the past. Furthermore, the added Future Connected story content bridges the gap of loose story arcs and paves the way for the future of the series.
Warborn has a great foundation of SRPG mechanics and beautiful animations. However, I never once felt connected or concerned about my units or challenged after the first few minutes of a match. Each campaign plays out relatively the same, and after hours of gameplay, you’ll feel like you are merely playing the same mission over and over.
Desperados III doesn’t have a groundbreaking plot or outstanding graphics. Still, its gameplay mechanics end up making it one of the best tactical campaigns that I’ve ever played in a while. I had a blast getting the most out of each character’s unique skillset even during some of the more difficult missions.
Project Warlock is a gem that borrows influences from the greatest FPS titles of our past and throws in a unique presentation with an added dose of magic. The arsenal of weapons and spells allows you to approach the action how you wish, and it continually feels rewarding.
Disintegration seemed to be in a hurry to introduce itself to the world, and this ended up hurting its campaign. The plot won’t hold your attention, but the unique gameplay mechanics of FPS and RTS systems will surely keep you invested across each map. When it works, Disintegration is a hell of a fun time.
Ys: Memories of Celceta is a game where it’s more about the journey than the destination. Every portion of the map presents a new discovery, and that becomes wildly satisfying across the 20-hour runtime. The story elements and flimsy side-missions don’t always help with the overall engagement, but that doesn’t really matter when the battle system is just so much fun.
Ultimately, Demon’s Tier+ is a charming twin-stick shooter that doesn’t take a whole lot of skill to get into. Its entry-level mechanics make it approachable to new fans of the genre, but skilled players will quickly discover how to take advantage of the game’s systems and get through it without much trouble.
Strawberry Vinegar ends up being incredibly straight forward if not a little messy with some of its story elements. I thought the writing was comical and engaging, but then the pacing would be hurt by Rie’s unbalanced characteristics and overly mature attitude. In the end, it’s a visual novel about food and friendship, and you’ll get plenty of that here.
Evan’s Remains is a beautiful game that blends puzzle and visual novel elements together to tell a gripping narrative. However, some dark themes emerge from this with a few convenient “ah-ha” moments that don’t really match up with what is revealed to the player.
Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics is a solid compilation of some fantastic games. No, not all of them are winners, but the vast majority are engaging simple versions of the best tabletop games around. Though the single-player experience might be slightly lacking, Clubhouse Games is undoubtedly one of the best local multiplayer experiences on the Switch.
If you have the option to play The Outer Worlds on any other console, I suggest you do that. If you don’t have anything other than a Switch and still want to check out the Halcyon system for yourself or simply want to play the game again on the go, this port gives you a chance, though don’t expect the best version of the game.
The TakeOver has next to nothing special about it. Aside from its stellar soundtrack, everything else about the game screams “mediocre:” its gameplay, its art style, its modes… nothing about it stands out. While it isn’t necessarily bad, it has the makings of a game that will be completely forgotten about in a few days.
Liberated presents an affectingly grim dystopian narrative stylized in a viscerally dark comic style. Transitioning from panels of illustrations to action scenes never gets old and is extremely enjoyable. Some in-game graphics are sadly dated with lengthy load times, and the short runtime of the adventure might leave some wanting more, but if you’re looking for a cautionary tale as compelling as it is cynical, Liberated is the comic and game for you.
Those Who Remain leaves much to be desired and never pays off, no matter how many notes you read. Sure, there’s a decent narrative to discover within the game’s dark themes, but that is overshadowed by the sloppy structure and poor control scheme.
Dungeon Defenders: Awakened is an accumulation of the feedback and skills that this developer has received throughout the series. The gameloop of stopping hordes of enemies in their tracks just works, but if you’re a fan of the series, then you’ll be getting more of the same with this entry.
Shantae and the Seven Sirens stays true to classic entries but pushes the series forward with the inclusion of unique abilities and new characters. Thankfully the game’s smartphone roots don’t appear to hold back the console experience, and we are left with one of the best Shantae games to date. The load times and lack of direction might cause a few points of frustration, but not enough to make this experience any less enjoyable.