The Thirsty Mage
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As a fan of Ace Attorney and Danganronpa, my itch for mystery gets scratched but in a way that is different from either of those series. Makoto Wakaido’s Case Files Trilogy Deluxe Review is another light but fun Switch experience.
I’m certainly happy that the Shovel Knight franchise continues to thrive, and none of the magic has been lost with step up to 16-bit graphics. I’m personally a bit worn out from the tidal wave of great Roguelike titles but Dig certainly represents the genre well
Blending modern pixel art with classic turn-based combat is the team at So Romantic, developers of the new and exciting game, Jack Move. The short but impressive title does a terrific job of providing a safe and familiar turn-based experience with a warm and heartfelt story.
The main story of Yurkill can be completed in a very enjoyable 10 hour span. Some of the dialogue can go on a little long but otherwise the pacing of the story beats drop at a decent rate. As a visual novel, Yurukill is an easy recommendation.
The sweat and tears exerted by the single individual development team can be felt throughout the experience that gets much more mileage than meets the eye. The fast paced twin-stick platformer doesn’t reinvent the wheel when it comes to roguelikes but it’s a game that will definitely appeal to fans of the genre.
It is less about being a “good” game and more about being an enjoyable and playful reflection on gaming’s past while serving as a self-reflective parody of the interaction between players and developers. The interaction between the developer and the player in tERRORbane is messy, combative, and antagonistic, but it is also thoughtful, concerned, and culminates as a unique bond. tERRORbane knows what it wants to be and defies convention to be an utterly unique experience.
Backbone sells itself as a new kind of point-and-click adventure that includes dialogue choices and some light stealth mechanics. It does technically have these, but whether they help Backbone stand out over traditional games in the genre is a matter of debate. The main attraction here is definitely the masterful pixel art design that is head and shoulders above the crowd.
Between the seamless mechanics, delightful graphics, and enjoyable humour in the writing, Toodee and Topdee is a whole lot of fun for folks of all ages.
Haven is a charming and endearing story of two people who have found and cultivated a meaningful and intimate relationship. By the end of the story, you’ll more than likely have grown attached to Kay and Yu; it’s easy to sympathize with what they’ve been through and the troubles they face on Source. Adding to the effectiveness of the characters is some truly fine writing and voice work to match.
It is moments like these, through utilising minimalistic storytelling that relies upon the underlying gameplay mechanics, that reveal how the developers have successfully crafted a game that weaves together the experience of what many of the citizens of Warsaw experienced in the autumn of 1944 in a mostly respectful and reverent manner.
Giraffe and Annika is a title that feels right for 2020. The evolution of the story as you meet fun and interesting characters overshadows much of the shortcomings, like the lack of challenge and somewhat disappointing dungeon sequences. Normally, a game with little difficulty that relies on its charm as entertainment isn’t really up my alley. But in a time where most people are stuck at home and surrounded by negativity, getting lost in an overly positive and relaxing island environment is a pleasant escape.
Play as the World War I ace, in his Sopwith Camel, taking on the Red Baron in: Red Wings – Aces of the Sky on Nintendo Switch. This review takes a look at the mechanics of the game and what to expect in the skies over Western Europe.
For a game created by just three people, Fixfox really does sparkle in so many ways. The pixel graphics are warm and beautiful, and the western themed soundtrack really captures the essence of the wholesome adventure. The story is a wonderfully written tale but the open world also has enough character for those who just want to take a look around. If you’re looking for an experience that’s comparable to drinking hot chocolate and eating cookies, this is it.
The biggest takeaway from my playthrough of The Ascent definitely has to be the amount of polish that went into the game. The Neon Giant team is made up of a number of AAA developer veterans and it really does show in the final product. The experience is fairly similar between the Xbox and PlayStation versions though the extra immersion via the DualSense controller makes this the definitive version of the game.
Young Souls is definitely a lot of fun, especially if you enjoy playing games like Final Fight or Streets of Rage. Finishing up at around 12 hours seems like the perfect amount of time for a game of this nature. Long enough to experiment with different weapons and load ups but not overstaying its welcome. Young Souls is an impressive success and I look forward to what the future may hold for this up and coming indie development tandem.
Taro follows in the footsteps of Shakespeare by following his masterful comedy with a breath-taking tragedy.
Between the cute graphics, enjoyable platforming, and terrific soundtrack, Grapple Dog is a great first offer from Super Rare Games and matches the spirit that the company projects with its selections of indie games.
Rise of the Third Power succeeds in both presenting a combat system that’s worth exploring, and a group of characters worth getting emotionally invested in.
UnMetal is an entertaining adventure. While the brash, joke-a-minute pace and low-brow adult humor might not be to everyone's taste, the stealth gameplay and variety of challenges are enough to recommend at least taking a look or trying a demo.
WitchSpring 3 [Re:Fine]: The Story of Euridy is a pleasant and engaging game on the Nintendo Switch. The delightful story pairs well with the flexible playstyle and character development options. WitchSpring 3 [Re:Fine]: The Story of Euridy is a bit shorter than a typical console role-playing game, but I found it was just the right length before its systems and narrative lost their sense of fulfillment and satisfaction.