While it is a short game, I think the phrase “short and sweet” applies rather well to this title. While it might not have the most to offer in terms of campaign, it well makes up for in couch co-op-ability, and yes that’s now a word. If you’re looking for something to do with a few friends, if you have those, go check out Assault Android Cactus, available on pretty much any system you can shake a stick at.
While most of the mechanics persist, there are a few that make a few appearances and then bugger off for the rest of the game. The shadow arenas could have been a persistent theme, and while I’m certainly glad they weren’t, that doesn’t mean I will simply condone dropping a mechanic basically after introducing twice. Making them a bonus investment would have been a good idea. While I wouldn’t give the first Darksiders any sort of critical acclaim, it certainly isn’t fishing bottom of the barrel either. I would definitely consider picking up this switch version if you missed out on it earlier.
Va11ha11a is a really odd game. Not because it’s bad, or particularly weird per se, but because I have nothing to really draw a parallel to for comparison. Yes, there are visual novels with gimmicks, but those normally culminate in something, whether it be snagging a girl or unraveling a magical conspiracy by fighting with giant mechs using anthropomorphic books (yes that’s an actual example). Va11ha11a, on the other hand, is perfectly content to just be as it is, which is something I can say is rather novel to find. You aren’t going to find much action here, but the company certainly kept me coming back for more.
Overall, while maybe a little…iffier for more general audiences, with a wide variety of characters and customization, as well as the auro combo battle bonuses and rather interesting characters, I definitely came away liking Moero Chronicle H as a dungeon crawler. It wasn’t brutally unforgiving “cough” Dungeon Travelers 2 “cough”, but still a decent challenge. It helps that the music is pretty good and the boss theme is really solid. The plot may be a little lacking, but the customization makes it fun trying to build your own broken team. If you don’t feel awkward owning it, and are into dungeon crawlers, give it a try.
World End Syndrome is super user friendly, intriguing, has a really fitting soundtrack, and totally drew me in almost from the get-go. If you enjoy interactive novels, World End Syndrome is definitely an experience you probably don’t want to miss. So come and unravel the mystery behind the Yomibito, and join us in our World End Syndrome.
Rock of Ages has released for a bunch of platforms now, and the port to the switch has gone pretty well. If you haven’t picked it up on another platform, and are looking for a good game to play in your spare time or with a friend, give Rock of Ages 2 a roll, I’m sure it will be smashing!
With solid music, fun gameplay, and the cutest stack I’ve ever seen, give Lapis Labyrinth a shot if you’re in the mood for a hectic platforming dungeon delve!
... it’s a real quack up of a game, and you’d best check it out if you’re looking for some multiplayer games for your switch and are into rogue-likes. It’s a fine-feathered time.
I found the characters mostly interesting, the storyline was engaging, and for a first production project, PQube did really well. Does that justify the faults? Well, maybe not all of them, but like I said, Kotodama is an "experience", both for the players and developer. I really do want that prequel though, so hopefully PQube will release that as a polished version of the gameplay or something similar. If nothing else, I'd definitely suggest checking the game out.
Was Neptunia Shooter fun? Definitely. Would I play it for more than an hour? Probably not. As a longtime fan of both the Neptunia franchise and bullet hell games, I can honestly say it’s really fun and pretty challenging, but it could also be a lot more than what it is. If you’re a fan of the bullet hell genre and like the Neptunia series, consider giving it a shot, but I wouldn’t expect many other people to get enamored with the game.
Overall, I would definitively recommend giving this JRPG a shot, even if you haven’t played the first installment.
Overall, Professor Lupo and his Horrible Pets was a great puzzle game with a lot of nods to other games and movies, full of challenging quirky puzzles, a self-writing review, and enough bonus tasks to keep you fellow puzzle masochists happy. The story may be rather cliché, but it was written really well, and the quirky interactions and multitude of stages more than make up for it. If you’ve been craving a puzzle game to scratch that brain frying itch, look no further than Professor Lupo and his Horrible Pets.
Overall I was pleasantly surprised by Project Nimbus. I went in expecting mediocre, and I came out with better than average. If you’re a fan of giant robots and 3D aerial battles, this is definitely something you’d want to check out.
If you’re hankering for some pinball and were looking for something with a little more fanservice than a shiny metal orb, good news is Senran Kagura Peach Ball is available for you to sidle up to.
Ultimately, Zombie Driver is one of those games you pick up to play while you’re on the bus, or in the car (not driving) going somewhere. It’s a great title to pick up for a mission/round or two, but it definitely isn’t something I’d be able to sit down with for more than half an hour to an hour at a time, maximum. With the portability the Switch offers, if you use your Switch as a handheld more than a console, this may be that title to fill in the time for your weekly commute that you’ve been looking for.
You get a lot out of Rio Reincarnation, with three games worth of content, and a bunch of extras in the form of bonus 4-komas and even some bonus novel segments that you can read in the extras. Date-A-Live isn’t for everyone, and if you’re looking for a lot of fanservice then you’re probably going to be disappointed, but if you want a rather legitimate story with some humor and don’t mind the harem-y aspect, I would implore you to give Date-A-Live Rio Reincarnation a try, or even take a stab at the anime or actual novels.
Overall, Utawarerumono Zan is a bit of an awkward title to give a score to. On the one hand, as someone who has played the other games in the series and knows the plot, it’s really fun without needing to slog through a bunch of text. For new players however, the lack of fleshed out storytelling may leave a bitter taste and feel a bit underwhelming. The series was really made on the story telling, and would do well with more of it, even if it’s in something like a “sidestories” section, so you can have that faster gameplay for those who can’t sit through two hours of intricate characters before needing to shake someone down for loot and exp. Doesn’t stop me from wanting to pick up another title if they do the same thing with “Mask of Truth” though!
Ultimately, Gun Gun Pixies isn’t really something that I would be interested in picking up on its own. Part of a pack or on sale? Perhaps, but it feels more like a rushed novelty title than a full production. The controls feel super clunky and awkward, the text is chock full of spelling mistakes, and the hitboxes on the shots can get a little weird sometimes. While there is an interesting premise and the game could have been pulled off rather well, it just feels sort of halfway there. There isn’t really anything making the game unplayable, but there isn’t a whole lot to really keep you playing either.
As someone who has always loved a good RPG, I was not disappointed in The Alliance Alive at all. Yes some parts got a little frustrating at times, but that’s part of what makes the experience something you remember. While maybe not as portable as its 3DS brethren (at least for the PS4), the HD remaster is definitely a crisp and vibrant addition to the JRPG scene that I just couldn’t put down.
While I don’t believe it truly lived up to all the hype it’s received, by no means does that make it sub-par. If you’re a fan of traditional JRPGs and Studio Ghibli, you’ll be all over this title if you aren’t already. And even if you did play it on PS3 before, portability on the Switch is always nice to have.