Qualbert.com's Reviews
Justice Sucks: Tactical Vacuum Action is more than just a sequel to a small 2-hour indie game. This contains around 6-7 hours of story alone with numerous levels to go back and complete. Whilst the narrative may be simple it does so in the weirdest and most wonderful way possible, with puns, silly jokes and all the blood-filled action your robo heart could desire.
There are new plenty of new ideas here, with the Wonder Seed mechanic in particular allowing Nintendo to throw some really interesting (at time insane) ideas into these levels. At the end of the day though, this is still just a side-scrolling platformer. It might be the best side-scrolling platformer available on the Switch…but I left wanting more. Regardless of my personal feeling above, Super Mario Bros Wonder is a worthy addition to the Mario series and it is a must-play game for fans of the franchise and newcomers alike. It is a reminder that even after all these years, Mario’s adventures whether in 2D or 3D continue to be a source of wonder and joy, offering a timeless and heartfelt gaming experience that will undoubtedly leave players with a smile on their face.
If you’re a fan of both rhythm games and electronic music, there’s no doubt that Spin Rhythm XD hits every single note perfectly. Boasting a massive setlist and intuitive, fluid gameplay that can be catered to your own skill level, this is arguably one of the most polished music-based games on Switch. Even if you’re lacking a musical bone in your body and find that rhythm games aren’t your forte, we highly recommend giving this one a spin.
Lies of P may not be as grand as Elden Ring or as challenging as Sekiro but it sets itself apart with its unusual depiction of Pinocchio. A gameplay combination of dodging and parrying makes it feel fast paced and the game does a good job of keeping you on your toes.
I’ve been a colossal Spider-Man fan for 20+ years now, and I can confidently say that from all of the games I’ve played, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 evoked all of the warm, fuzzy feelings that Spider Man 2 gave me almost 2 decades ago. The web-swinging is supreme, the fights are an absolute joy, the presentation is superb, and it all culminates in a video game that I sunk an entire three days into and never wanted to take a break from.
Mortal Kombat 1 is a perfect example of how a long running franchise still has a few tricks up its sleeve. By redefining the whole universe, the future is now a clean slate and can be moulded into new and interesting narratives. Adding a worthy multitude of additional modes with seasonal changes will keep MK lovers coming back long after completing the campaign. This is a new age for fighting games and the sequel just needs to get over here asap!
In an industry where innovation often takes the front seat, Sea of Stars sits atop the flagpole as a remarkable tribute to the golden age of JRPGs. It is a heart-warming yet bittersweet love-letter to the past simply brimming with nostalgia. Sea of Stars respectfully pays homage to the legendary JRPGs of the past whilst simultaneously forging its own path with a total package that is simply beautiful.
The story of the Teal Mask is the main draw here, with a great folklore tale unravelling as you adventure across the small region of Kitakami. This is almost a must play if you intend on playing the Indigo Disk as it will continue the characters story found here. Unless you lose your poke eggs at the notion of filling your Pokedex, this expansion offers little more than that. Short and sweet is the key word here and is probably better waiting for it to go on sale.
It is far from a seamless transition from any other previous Bethesda game into Starfield, and that’s perfectly fine, because with all that Starfield has to offer, it’s worth it to learn how the game works; I was scared this game wouldn’t click for me, but four hours in and I was hooked like nothing else I’ve played to this point this year.
Immortals of Aveum weaves a thoughtful tale of enchanting powers and deadly misunderstandings but is held back due to the FPS genre it boxes itself into. Whilst most of the gameplay is smooth and fun it does get repetitive towards the end against stronger enemies. A more extensive reach into the RPG elements may have been beneficial to achieve an even better finished product.
Layers of Fear 2023 is a perfect blend of psychological horror and jump scares. It has multiple interesting and interlocking stories that have just enough breadcrumbs to tell a story but leaves room for your own interpretation. The game has some replayability too as each story (except The Writer) has multiple endings. If I HAD to pick one thing I wasn’t a fan of, it’s that The Writer’s story ends a little abruptly but everything else was fantastic.
Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, Final Fantasy XVI does what it needed to do – breathes new life into a series that had fallen from its once lofty position at the pinnacle of RPGs. The story returns Final Fantasy to its roots as a true medieval era inspired fantasy adventure with dark and mysterious undertones. While not flawless, Final Fantasy XVI’s strong points overshadow its minor shortcomings, solidifying its place as a must-play entry for both fans and newcomers alike.
When you reach the checkout screen for a game like Atlas Fallen, you know exactly what you’re signing up for. You know that this isn’t the hyper-polished, AAA experience, but instead, a game you can sink a ton of time into and flex your gaming skills with. To answer the question I posed in the introduction, Atlas Fallen may not be a $50 game, but it’s one that’s going to be worth your purchase when it inevitably, swiftly hits a sale soon. You’ll not regret your time exploring, delving, and completing everything you want to in this great action RPG.
Dave the Diver is an easy first-ballot game-of-the-year contender for 2023. It’s that rare game that checks every box, does something fresh, and is a shoe-in to recommend to just about anyone. There’s no pain points, nothing that sticks out like a sore thumb; on the contrary, it’s hard to say what Dave the Diver does best because it does everything so well. I will be delving the depths of Dave the Diver for dozens of hours to come.
Currently, with the posting of this review, Forspoken has been out for 6 months and is at least half-price. With numerous patches and DLC content, now is possibly the best time to leap head-first into the magical world of Athia. If you can get past the less-than-perfect visuals and dialogue, you will love the intricate story with tons of lore that go effortlessly with all the fun fantastical parkour.
If you’re looking to get the same experience you got playing Harvest Moon: A Wonderful Life 19 years ago, you’re going to mostly get that in Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life. Plenty has been touched up and improved, but there are also some jarringly-different character models – so much so to the point that my partner didn’t recognize some characters. Newcomers like myself who’ve dipped their feet into this type of game should still have a good time, as there’s no shortage of content and there’s a lot of satisfaction to be had in making your farm as strong as it can be.
Final Fantasy VI has always been a masterpiece. Its rich and emotionally charged narrative, coupled with a cast of unforgettable characters and strong gameplay mechanics has cemented its status as a must-play game that simply cannot be missed. There are few experiences in the world of videogames as profound as Final Fantasy VI. Whether you’re a long-time fan of the series or a newcomer to the world of Final Fantasy, this game is like a spiritual journey that will stay with you long after the credits roll. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to embark on the definitive version of this unforgettable adventure.
Tears of the Kingdom is the crowning achievement of The Legend of Zelda, incorporating the best aspects of every single game that has come before it. Polishing and perfecting the Breath of the Wild formula and its expansive open-world, the addition of creative mechanics now places power in the player’s hands, allowing infinite possibilities to the game’s puzzles, exploration and combat. Through its compelling story, stellar cast of characters, and an unbelievably polished world, Tears of the Kingdom is a true Master Sword master piece.
Not only is this an incredibly charming, amusing adventure introducing an iconic cast of characters, but it’s also a sheer technical marvel when you remember that it was designed solely for the GameBoy Colour. Although it might not be Shantae’s most outstanding performance, fans of the series and retro gaming alike would be foolish not to at least give this excellent updated port a go on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, or PlayStation 5.
Although thought provoking with gorgeously dead landscapes and fun gameplay, After Us hits the highs way too early. With each area providing little to no new gameplay elements, it can get a bit repetitive. The puzzles and parkour are always great to figure out and the combat adds a bit more variety. Overall, the 8-10 hour story is nice but the game feels like it it’s missing something in its devoid of life atmosphere.