Qualbert.com's Reviews
Despite its release 20 years ago, the Mario vs. Donkey Kong Remake holds up as a solid choice for fans of puzzle platformers. Its simple yet challenging gameplay, vibrant visuals, and catchy soundtrack make it a joy to play. While the gameplay can become repetitive and tiresome after a while, the addition of bonus levels and post-game content keeps things interesting. If you’ve not played the original GBA title, you’ll definitely find this remake quite a-peel-ing!
As Ubisoft’s CEO struggles to convince consumers that a full-priced live service game is worth buying in the vein of Skull and Bones, I can’t help but feel like Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League is a case in point as to why $60 and $70 USD new games are as hard a sell as ever. With significant performance hampers, missions that put your arsenal on hold, and no autosaves that risk you losing tons of progress in a second, this game doesn’t feel ready for the public even after years of delays.
Mirari & Co have created some intriguing ideas by integrating several key elements from different game types. Most of this works well enough but occasionally Dark Light feels a bit too bloated with an abundance of design choices. However, this doesn’t make it less fun or challenging, especially if you take advantage of the nightmare mode.
Tekken 8 is a triumph of fighting game excellence that surpasses even the high bar set by its predecessors. The gripping narrative, breathtaking graphics, and immersive audio collectively create an experience that caters to longtime fans. Meanwhile, an incredible set of features make this game more accessible to series newcomers than ever before. By seamlessly blending nostalgia with innovation, Bandai Namco has crafted a game that not only pays homage to the legacy of Tekken but also sets a new standard for the fighting game genre.
While the Iron’s Hot is a fantastic little indie game that really does put its heart into FORGING an identity. It STRIKES a nice balance between all of its elements and fits them into a space with a very pleasant atmosphere. Where it really HITS THE NAIL ON THE HEAD is in its characterisation and all of the silly little incidental character interactions the player will have across the whole experience. There is a lot to do and with all of the focus on the key art of smithing the developer managed to design around that key concept in a fun and interactive way. It’s just a really good time!
The Last of Us Part II has always been a polarizing game. I was part of the public that let my curiosity get the better of me and saw the disparaging leaks before the game released. Despite this, I soldiered on and enjoyed the game’s attention-to-detail, combat, and atmosphere in spite of its shortcomings elsewhere. I also subscribe to the fact that this series having more remasters than original entries is ludicrous – but I’m complacent in the fact that the addition of No Return makes this particular remaster so worth it.
Generation 9 of Pokémon has probably been the most rocky of the Nintendo Switch era. With its first true open world brought an abundance of performance issues and glitches that made for funny yet frustrating times for fans. However, a year later and two story content drops, Scarlet/Violet still keeps the Pokémon world alive with mystery and of course, a crazy amount of Pokémon to catch. If you have slept on this title and are itching to put on your trainer belt again, now is definitely the time to fly into Paldea!
Dead Island 2’s HAUS DLC is an enjoyable little excursion into a new area that slightly expands on the original ending and leaves us with more questions than answers. In many ways, I feel there is a lot of missed potential from this DLC. It could have expanded the world more than it did and it could have offered significantly more playtime.
If you’re looking for a puzzle game to immerse yourself in, then Jusant is it. With a chilled-out soundtrack and not overly difficult gameplay, it’s perfect to zone out and just enjoy the climb. Whilst some story elements have taken a back seat, the details and mystery more than make up for it along with the impressive views. Oh and don’t forget to give Ballast a hug!
Sailing through the cold southern area of The Pale Reach was an icy blast even though it was short-lived. Leaving you wanting more is generally a good sign that the developers have done their job right and this is definitely the case for this DLC. However, unlocking the new equipment would come in handy during the main game rather than after it as after completing these missions there is nothing left to do.
An equally absurd follow-up to the motion-controlled madness of Smooth Moves, Move It! injects even more absurdity into its microgames, making it possibly the most ridiculous (and entertaining) WarioWare game to date. Although some games are held back by the inaccuracy of the Joy-Cons, this is barely a dampener on the enjoyment. Despite a smattering of single-player content, a huge set of delightful party modes make Move It! a must-have multiplayer title that’ll result in non-stop laughs every time you pick it up.
The Invincible is a stunning narrative that takes you to the edge of science fiction. Exploring a desolate planet feels isolating, yet the tension almost never wavers. With an unpredictable story and great characters this is for any sci-fi fan or anyone who wants an in depth tale of survival, exploration and pushing the barriers of the unknown.
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.