Netto’s Game Room's Reviews
Armageddon is just as solid as it was back in 1999 and has been made even better thanks to modern-day improvements. It has the ability to remain "the" go-to Worms title and is a must for fans of the series. It's a great place for newcomers to start as well, but don't expect to be a master right off the bat.
Gal Guardians: Servants of the Dark is a very unique game, to say the least. It takes the 2D action gameplay Inti Creates is known for and mixes it with that of a Metroidvania. The gameplay itself is fast and fluid, and the two main characters cover both ranged and melee-based playstyles. It can be played solo by switching between characters on the fly, or in co-op with a friend. Bosses are unique and challenging, but even the normal enemies can easily take you out if you aren’t careful. Transferring perks between picked-up items lets you customize your character’s stats to your liking, and unlocking new abilities is a lot of fun as well. Everything about this core gameplay is spot on and makes Servants of the Dark a joy to play; it is pretty much everything a fan of 2D action games could ask for! However, the rough edges are what makes playing the game a challenge at times.
I didn’t know I needed Artis Impact in my life. I’ve spent countless hours playing RPGs so similar to each other that I often forget what it's like to experience something new and unexpected. Artis Impact is both of these things, while also being familiar in a comforting way. It is a charming world with a main character I quickly grew attached to and an impressive amount of ways to interact with the environment. The social aspects helped keep me invested in this girl's life, and the ever-changing art style was visually pleasing from start to finish. The standard RPG elements were a bit light, as Akane became overpowered pretty easily, but role-playing her life more than made up for it. In the end, Artis Impact was a game I never wanted to end, and it had me jumping back in for a second playthrough once the credits rolled—something very few games have made me want to do.
Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound is hands-down one of the most enjoyable 2D action games I've played in recent years. It flawlessly merges the classic NES experience with modern refinements, perfectly preserving the spirit of both old and new Ninja Gaiden titles.
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.