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Spelunky 2 may not make the kinds of waves that its predecessor did, likely as a consequence of the growth of indies and roguelikes in general. Don’t let that trick you into thinking it’s any less addictive and enjoyable. If you ever think you’ll just play for a bit you’re sure to lose yourself in these lunar caverns, driven by the seemingly infinite possibilities and risk of death. Even if you may never see everything it has to offer, you’ll never feel like you’re missing out with this nearly perfect sequel.
Shin Megami Tensei V succeeds in not just living up to that legacy, but being a glorious RPG in its own right.
With this, remakes like Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, gateways ala the Let’s Go! titles, and the core experience of Sword and Shield; the Switch has become the finest home Pokémon ever had. And dare I say, Legends is the new crown jewel of that collective. It has room to grow and doesn’t always impress in terms of performance, but in tightening the focus on research and catching Pokémon rather than battle after battle it’s honed in on the appeal spirit that Professor Oak taught us two and a half decades ago.
Triangle Strategy is easily one of my favorite games to come out on Switch in the last year or so, despite a slow start and a few minor flaws. It’s a strategy game with enough unique mechanics that I never felt bored or like I had played anything like it before, and the story is ultimately a tale about the price people will pay to get what they want, and the consequences of the actions they’ll take in pursuit of their ambitions and ideals. I’m desperately hoping there is a follow up in the future, because Square Enix really blew me away with this one.
I can imagine somebody else looking at this game and considering it middling, subpar even. Action mechanics that are lower than top of the line, the graphics are outdated, and those allergic to anything remotely “Anime” would scoff. But Rune Factory isn’t trying to be anything it’s not. It’s a game where you can grow a radish, forge that radish into a long sword, and use it to murder sheep monsters while calling your gay partner affectionate nicknames. And do I personally want anything else from a video game? Not without becoming greedy. After a long slumber, the reawakening of this sub-franchise is much beloved, and I sincerely hope to see a Rune Factory 6 sooner than nine years from now.
Let’s not waste time – 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim is a testament to video games as both art and a storytelling medium.
Kirby and the Forgotten Land embraces old and new, becoming a high point for the series and a must-have for fans that had me hooked the moment it greeted me with a full-on theme song. It might leave behind a few pieces of the pink puffball’s history, but it ultimately moves him forward in a big way. With a mouthful of charm, it’s a journey that anyone can love thanks to smart design choices and its addicting mix of secrets and unlockables. Be it a direct sequel or something that carries its style, I need more of this game.
Card Shark is exactly the game I wanted it to be. Its unique concept, setting, and presentation set it apart from every other game on the market right now. The very idea of a game about cheating at cards is brilliant, and the team came up with some pretty ingenious ways to translate what amounts to subtle signals, side glances, and modifying cards into a fun and challenging video game.
Overall, the fighting system in Rivals of Aether is far better and tighter than any other indie platform fighter I’ve played.
While it falls into some trappings both general and unique, its inspired design choices in combat and the wealth of customization it provides makes the game stand out even amongst other Nintendo published titles. It can be intimidating at times, but Astral Chain is a game anyone with a Switch should be investigating for themselves.
The hundreds of puzzles here kept me playing for several hours, but it can’t be overstated how the real strength of Baba is You lies in its concept. Rules and logic are everywhere in video games, and by giving some measure of manipulation over them in truly inspired scenarios here it’s become a Nindie worth thinking over. Or to put it another way — Baba is Great.
Back in the Groove is the faithful return to form Funkotron fans have been rapping about for decades, capturing the magic that made the original so endearing the galaxy over. It may not expand on the OG formula much, but old skool spinmasters from the Sega Genesis era are sure to vibe with ToeJam & Earl’s funky fresh return.
Dark Souls: Remastered on Nintendo Switch might not be the prettiest or best-performing version, but that doesn’t hold back what it manages to achieve. Bringing handheld portability to the series, this is the version of Dark Souls: Remastered most worth considering for those wishing to return to its untold stories and unforgiving fights.
Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Edition stands as a fitting celebration of this ten year-old gem of a game, bringing a fan favorite back with more content than ever. Thanks to the game’s stellar cast of playable characters and addicting, thoroughly enjoyable battle system, it stands as not just a fantastic example of its series, but of its genre.
If I had to bring just one Switch game to a deserted island, it would without a doubt be this one. And I know that I will continue to love this entry, this game, and this franchise for many ages to come.
Valkyria Chronicles 4 draws you into its world and characters, keeping you firmly on the front lines of its all-encompassing war while never losing sight of its more grounded ideals and humanity. Fully equipped to be a unique, involved, and visually exquisite strategy game, there’s hardly anything holding it back from victory.
The controls don’t work quite as well as the two screen setup on Nintendo’s last console, but that doesn’t change the outstanding level design, gameplay, and presentation.
Most of all though, if you want to experience a game that can capture your senses and stir your brain all while being one of the most entertaining modern puzzle experiences available, you have to give Lumines a try.
It might not end up as fondly remembered as what it’s reminding you of, but Star Allies is worth your time. As a breezy platformer full of delight, it’s a stress-free reminder of why games don’t need to be overly complicated. This is classic Kirby as you’ve known him for 25 years — with all the ups and downs that it brings, you can count on this newest adventure when it comes to charm and fun.
Thankfully, the spirit of Pokémon (of catching and collecting these monsters while aiming to be the very best) is alive and well — perhaps more than it’s ever been in a single pair of games. It just comes at the expense of pushing the franchise forward in other areas.