Digital Chumps
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iLLOGIKA Studios’ Atari Mania tugs at the heartstrings of old gamers in a good attempt to reignite interest in Atari 2600 games. The way that the game uses older titles to create mini-games is genius, if not straight from the pages of Wario World. The only caveat is that you get some of that 1980s unforgiving difficulty with it, which at times can make the game a bit unfun. It’s still a solid attempt at creating something new with the Atari brand, and certainly one you should check out.
There's a reason (err, several) why It Takes Two earned its Game of the Year accolades in 2021, and Switch owners now have the opportunity to play one of the best co-op games of late. The story remains meaningful, the puzzles innovative. The title continues to succeed in navigating interpersonal strife long after its release and the title's ending being freely available to find online. Even though I knew of some of the events that occurred before reviewing, I was often surprised by its powerful storytelling. It runs incredibly well on the Switch, to boot. Some of the typical Switch-based quirks may be coming with, but it still delivers on a compelling and emotional experience without the compromises that usually accompany a Switch port. With Friend Pass baked into the game, Switch owners are able to play with those in the same room as well as afar. I would personally recommend using a voice comms platform should you play remotely, though.
SIGNALIS from Humble Games is a horror fan’s dream. It’s simple and deep, contains a hefty amount of horror in its atmosphere, narrative, and design, and will keep you entertained from beginning to end.
Century: Age of Ashes from Playwing is a good free-to-play game. It is gorgeous, easy to pick up and go, and has some competitive charm to it. The microtransactions and the thin amount of variety in the game might detour some from extending their time with dragon battling, but I think it’s certainly worth a look.
Mario+Rabbids: Sparks of Hope from Ubisoft Milan and Ubisoft Paris is a fantastic and better follow-up to its original 2017 experiment. The characters are better, the addition of Sparks changes how the gameplay works, and the overall tactical strategy options the game provides the player in a huge world make for a consistently fun adventure. Beware of the difficulty, though, as it can get infuriating at times.
I want to believe that the Switch is capable of supporting graphic adventures, compelling stories, and riveting experiences that are expected from other consoles. For the case of Life is Strange Arcadia Bay Collection, I cannot help but express concern that this remaster is less of a remaster and more of a port of the original 2015 game, graphical artifacts and outdated loading times included. Yes, Life is Strange is an outstanding game and very easily one of the best written games I've played in my lifetime. The Arcadia Bay Collection comes with all the content associated with Life is Strange and Before the Storm. Switch owners should definitely play Life is Strange during their lives. But, if you own other consoles/a PC, then maybe you should consider trying Life is Strange on a platform that makes the game look and feel better than its original. If you already own Life is Strange, then this collection becomes much more difficult to recommend.
Deathloop’s debut on the Xbox Series X is equally as good as it was on the PlayStation 5. You get the same great story and the same perfect gameplay experience. Choose one and enjoy.
Switch owners should definitely consider Nightmare Reaper if you're wishing for a retro shooter that successfully marries roguelite gameplay, fountains of 2D gore, and elements of the original DOOM games. The difficulty curve may be steep at times, but it's worth sticking with given its high replayability and fresh takes on chaotic first-person combat. I highly recommend Nightmare Reaper for those wanting a bloodbath or an adrenaline rush, as you'll definitely get it alongside some fun bonus content.
Few games are as compellingly unique as The Thaumaturge, a murder mystery set in 1905 Poland, brimming with magical realism, intricate writing, and enough clever ideas to cover up a few shortcomings.
Ground Divers! is an interesting specimen, albeit one that looks much better than it ends up playing. On one hand, being a spectator and plotting out mining paths may be an adult's dream of a nuanced Dig Dug. On the other hand, the grindiness of replaying levels and creating gacha-esque weapons with random perks can detract from a strategic experience. The world of Ground Divers! is a charming (but desolate) one, sure, but I want so much more from this game. Should you take the plunge and try your hand at Ground Divers!, I recommend playing in short bursts to avoid burning out on the grind.
Like Guy Ritchie's Snatch, Sunday Gold is criminally underrated for MANY reasons. Outside of its gritty and gruesome portrayals of a dystopian London, it executes a well-blended mix of RPG and point-and-click adventures. The great voice acting, sleek comic-book aesthetic, and grungy music offer players a neat and unique package that's not only worth a try, but worth completing. I can understand that some may not be down for point-and-click gameplay, but please--give it a shot. You won't regret it.
An ambitious amalgamation of familiar formulas, Broken Pieces starts strong but a lack of direction and variety bog down the narrative, eventually causing the game to fracture and cloud the earlier hours of enjoyment with doubt.
Ooblets is a fantastic simulation RPG, albeit an addicting experience in collecting charming characters and exploring a punny world. Although some of the unique elements like the Ooblet collecting and the dance battles may be surface level approaches compared to other games in this genre, I see a great amount of promise in Ooblets' ability to provide a relaxing yet satisfying experience for players who have enjoyed farming, raising cute creatures, and occasionally deckbuilding. Your life may have been a giant toot before now, but Ooblets will definitely charm you to Elswair and back. Give Ooblets a chance -- it's absolutely worth it!
The Last of Us Part 1 is a complex endeavor. Naughty Dog has overhauled one of gaming's touchstones, injecting more life into an intensely human experience while opening it up for new audiences and attempting to draw in veterans.
The Callisto Protocol aims its sights at being an uncompromising vision of terror, frequently succeeding through oscillating tension and stellar sound and lighting that toy with players' fears and expectations.
There's an immense value in preserving classic titles in their original forms, mainly for the better. For the case of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowabunga Collection, it is so easy to relive the glory days of arcade gaming be it in playing any of the thirteen titles it offers OR by perusing the sheer amount of extra content in the Turtle's Lair. And, having online play that works with little issues is the cherry on top. As a fan of TMNT, the Cowabunga Collection is a no-brainer: This is the collection best shared over pizza.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate incorporates traditional roguelike gameplay in way that should familiar for most roguelike players. It just does so in a convoluted fashion. While I appreciate its attempts to fully immerse players in the world of TMNT, the story beats needed to be more frequent and fully realized to hit the emotional highs and lows associated with the series' deep universe. Its couch co-op should be praised, however, as this is best played with friends.
Immortals of Aveum is a blockbuster action game. Much like superhero movies, it excels in combat but loses its heat in the story with lackluster dialogue and a hurried narrative. The cornerstone of Immortals is its graphics. The characters and environments were expertly crafted, highlighting the strong motion-captured characters. It was always refreshing to see how all the colors were utilized in each mission of the game. Excellent level design and fast-paced gameplay made a wonderful pair.
I cannot help but appreciate how Arcadegeddon hooked me into this really player-friendly loot shooter. The arcade-y elements are replayable, rewarding, and worth playing with friends. Arcadegeddon hits the spot as an MMO with roguelite elements with an awesome arcade aesthetic. But, I want more. Much more. If Arcadegeddon is to succeed in the MMO/roguelite space in the longer term, some of the advancement mechanics (such as preserving progress of longer runs) and lategame gameplay needs to be refined and expanded. I want additional modes like time trials that can easily and reliably completed in a single sitting. At the same time, I want some additional variety to make a three hour gauntlet exciting to reach. If you're wanting a co-op loot shooter that's easily picked up and played, look no further than Arcadegeddon. If you want something deeper, wait around a bit. Hopefully Arcadegeddon can hit that sweet spot, too.
I’m so glad that Namco Bandai re-released these games during Klonoa’s twenty-fifth anniversary year. They hold up remarkable well over time and have aged beautifully. I sure hope we see more of Klonoa going forward.