Netto’s Game Room's Reviews
V Rising is an intense but very enjoyable experience that truly delivers on the fantasy of being a Vampire, embracing both the good and the bad that comes with it (like the infernal sun!). Personally, I believe this is not only a great solo game but definitely an amazing multiplayer experience with friends. With how easy it is to customize your gameplay—even after a playthrough has started—it never feels like you're wasting your time. I warmly recommend this game and consider it an essential experience, particularly if you've been looking for a Vampire game. It has never felt this good to be a child of the night!
Donkey Kong Bananza is a very special game, and it unexpectedly took me right back to my childhood. That feeling I had the first time I picked up a Nintendo 64 controller to play Super Mario 64? Bananza brought it all back. There is something magical about this world and the amount of freedom Donkey Kong now has to explore it. Destroying everything in sight, coming up with creative ways to solve puzzles, and boss fights that initially seem simple but eventually evolve into unforgettable encounters... The art design, the soundtrack, and Pauline in general—there is just so much to love here. All of these individual pieces come together to create something I never want to end. I went into this game expecting at least to have a fun time, but what I never counted on was it becoming one of my new all-time favorites. If you have a Nintendo Switch 2, you owe it to yourself to play this game.
BlazBlue Entropy Effect is a very fun game. Although fans may be disappointed to learn that it isn't truly a part of the BlazBlue series, the game's original story and roguelike gameplay more than makes up for it. Being able to use fan favorite characters like Ragna, Noel, Jin, and Lambda is great, but even without the BlazBlue representation this would've been a solid game. Every single character is unique, there are customization options to make the game easier or harder, and the combat simply feels great. There is some repetitiveness, sure, but simply changing your character or going with a different build will greatly change the experience. It is a game that is easy to come back to from time to time, with each run only taking up 10 to 20 minutes of your time. A perfect pick up and go title, that also thankfully saves mid run! For sure worth checking out even if you do not know a thing about the BlazBlue characters featured here.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons truly is a must play for newcomers and fans alike. Some fans will still prefer their old favorites in the series, but that doesn't change the fact that this game is packed with content and offers a new take on its gameplay thanks to island customization. Even without spending hundreds of hours making everything "perfect," there is still plenty to see and do, and it is a great hang-out game to play with friends. The DLC expansion added enough content to be a game on its own, with a heavy focus on interior designing, but even the base game without the add-ons is more than enough. This is a game I personally plan on coming back to for years to come, and I really cannot recommend it anymore. This isn't how I felt about the game back when it first came out, but after playing it for five years straight, I've come to see it in a completely new light!
While nothing in What Remains of Edith Finch is truly groundbreaking, it is the way the narrative and unique mix of gameplay blend together that truly draws you in. The short time you spend learning about each character and their death makes you feel like you've known them your entire life, and you can't help but look at the empty rooms and feel a sense of sadness. These are fictional characters, but the pain of losing someone is very real, and this game does an excellent job capturing that. Some stories will hit hard for those who can relate, and it might make others rethink their own actions. The emptiness this game leaves you with is something that is hard to describe, but it is a feeling I will never forget... And that is how you know this game is special.
Persona 5: The Phantom X is a solid spin off entry, and a game that successfully brings the main gameplay of Persona 5 to mobile devices, with plenty of extras added on as well. The game has some awkward animations at times, and some of the writing is laughable, but it hasn't impacted my enjoyment at all. The intro took quite a bit of time to get through (which was expected), but once more options opened up, I found myself having a lot more fun. I still enjoy the turn based battles (this is one of the few mobile games where I turn off auto battle), I liked the dungeons and puzzles, and I really like the additional social aspects that comes with this being a mobile game. I feel like anyone interested in Persona or Shin Megami Tensei should at least give this one a shot.
Even after all of these years, the Portal series remains a must play for fans of puzzle games, and those looking for an interesting and dark, yet funny, story. The inclusion of Portal: Still Alive makes this collection a must for long time fans who never got to play the Xbox 360 exclusive, and Portal 2 continues to be both an outstanding single player and co-op experience. This collection is the perfect way for newcomers to get into the series and see what all the hype was about, and it is also a great bundle for fans as well. It being on the Switch also means players can finally take these games with them on the go, and the puzzles really are perfect for the pick up and play style on handheld devices. Either way, Portal as a whole really is a series everyone should experience at least once, and Portal: Companion Collection is the perfect excuse to jump on in.
I really enjoyed my time with Ruffy and the Riverside. I don't think I quit smiling from the time I booted the game up until I finished it. Between the adorable characters, the intriguing story, the incredibly delightful world to explore, and the inventive and fun game mechanics, I think Ruffy is a very special game that absolutely deserves your time and money. I don't think you'll play anything like this again for some time, maybe until Zockrates Labs develops a sequel, which they definitely should. I believe they've maybe created the next indie gaming icon here. I think they should look into doing sequels and spin-offs, getting into RPGs, kart racers (or hay bale racers), maybe even a full-blown skateboarding game: Ruffy Hawk's Pro Hay Bale Riding. In all seriousness, I genuinely hope to see Ruffy become a full-fledged franchise. The game was a wonderful experience and I highly recommend it.
Star Overdrive is an impressive game made by a really small team, but it is also a game that tried to bite off more than it could chew. The hoverboard action is so much fun, and honestly the only thing this game really needed to succeed! The board customization is great, the power ups are fun to use in combination with the hoverboard, and the gameplay itself is both fast and fluid. Sadly the rest of the game slows to a crawl the moment you are off the board, with clunky and repetitive combat, and puzzles that overstay their welcome.
Battle for Bikini Bottom - Rehydrated is a solid experience. It's a little long for me, and there's some very annoying progress hindrance where they want you to revisit stages in order to move the story forward and collect more Golden Spatulas (this game's equivalent of Gold Stars/Shine Sprites/Power Moons from Mario games.) If you enjoy exploring this world though, it might not be frustrating to you to have go and complete more missions and see more of the game. It's a fun, lighthearted jaunt of a gaming experience, and I think if you can find it on a sale, you'll be in for a good time, especially if you're an established fan of the franchise.
Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma is an impressive step up from the previously released Rune Factory 5. The streamlined farming and city building system, mixed with the greatly enhanced social elements and RPG aspects, makes this one of the best entries in the series to date. Those who are here for farming may be let down by this faster simplified system, but the rest of the game more than makes up for it!
Scar-Lead Salvation had the potential to be a really good game. Its core gameplay is fun, the first patch greatly improved the difficulty and bosses, both the character dialogue and story are interesting, the anime aesthetics are visually pleasing, and there are some fun customization options to play with! In theory this game should have everything going for it; however, it is greatly held back by extremely repetitive gameplay.
Space Marine 2 has been an absolute blast to spend time with. The game is graphically gorgeous, with a staggering amount of detail put into the world. The wild gameplay is like nothing else, truly providing the most fun I've had with a game in years. Everything about Space Marine 2 is the product of a studio who cares about authenticity and crafting a wonderful, action-packed thrill-ride of a game from beginning to end. I'm still pinching myself that this game even exists, and the fact that we're now getting a third one feels like I'm living in a dream.
Mario Kart World is an outstanding new entry in the long running series, and it is a worthy launch title for the Nintendo Switch 2. Its unique gameplay prevents it from being a replacement for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, and allows for both games to exist on the same console side by side. Anyone who enjoys Mario Kart should for sure give this one a chance, and it is the perfect introduction for new players as well.
If you are a fan of sci-fi post apocalyptic stories, and enjoy space management simulators, then IXION is a game you do not want to miss out on! It provides countless hours of fun, and serves as a great distraction from your everyday life.
Mostroscopy is a fun indie fighting game, with a very interesting art style and great character design. Every character is unique, and the simple combat system allows even newbies to fighting games to pick up a controller and combo like a pro. It has some rough edges, but it is a good start to something that has the potential to be great. It lacks in main single player content, and has a handful of smaller issues, but it is still a fun game to sit down and play with friends. If the developers continue to expand upon the game, then the series can easily have a bright future.
FUGA: Melodies of Steel isn't like other RPGs on the market. There is no exploration, no level grinding, and you basically spend the entire game inside of a tank. While it lacks other RPG standards, it more than makes up for this with its solid gameplay, great cast of characters, and interesting story that leaves you wanting more. It has a learning curve players will need to overcome, but once you do, the game becomes extremely addicting and trying out different character combinations is a lot of fun. While the gameplay might not click for everyone, those who enjoy deep strategics turn based battles will find a lot to love here. If this sounds like a game you'd enjoy, then do yourself a favor and check it out as soon as you get the chance.
Ghost Frequency is a mini horror experience that has some pretty good ideas at its core. I would love to see this be developed into a full title, as it feels more like a prologue to something bigger, but I can recommend it to any horror fan who has a little extra cash to spend on a few hours of entertainment. If you are looking for something more substantial, then there are a lot more options out there, but I personally liked what I played… It just left me wanting more.
The Abandoned Planet is a fun callback to classic PC adventure games, with a unique retro art style, and a variety of puzzles to solve. Each act throws something new into the mix, and by the end you will find yourself exploring larger areas with multi-step challenges to overcome. It is a little on the easy side, but it is entertaining from start to finish.
RuneScape Dragonwilds has a very promising base game even this early on. Despite all of my issues I brought up I have honestly had a blast with it and I am impatiently waiting for updates so I can adventure even further with friends. I would say though that if the game is worth in its current form and asking price heavily will depend on if you like this genre. However, if you're unsure I would say wait a few updates before you deep dive into it yourself, but I can definitely recommend the game as is already.