Offering a rather robust challenge mode, a score attack, and local multiplayer, there was more to this little game than I could have imagined. Unfortunately the simple game mechanics and repetitiveness start to run thin sooner rather than later. This is one you'll end up putting down way before you see everything it has to offer.
While the driving force to unlock all the items and game modes doesn't last long, racking up high scores remains both satisfying and addicting. Relatively lengthy load times and a bug are a few blemishes on an otherwise enjoyable game. Like many endless runners your mileage may vary, but for anyone who enjoys the genre, this is an easy recommendation.
What resonated with me the most was just how accessible it is to players of all skill levels. For newcomers, tutorials and novice level computers help to ease you into the game. And for veterans, challenge modes and difficulty up to Grandmaster will certainly be a test of your skill. While I found some set pieces to be unusable and wish there was an online option for a continuous game, these were merely minor complaints in an otherwise outstanding offering from developer Ripstone.
After first seeing RIVE was a combination of both a platformer and a shoot-em-up, I was cautiously enthused. Often when a game tries to do too many things it can result in it not doing any one particular thing great. Fortunately my worries were put to rest as Two Tribes delivers a game that does exactly what it set out to do, blending two styles of play exceptionally well.
Blending light puzzle solving and survival horror elements with the more modern over-the-shoulder perspective delivers a truly menacing experience. Some unfortunate design decisions, mainly forcing the player to switch between characters, hold it back from being among the pantheon of greats in the series. However an interesting story, horrifyingly beautiful environments, and rock solid gameplay provide more than enough to look past its shortcomings.
Delivering the classic vertical shmup gameplay combined with a modern day skill tree that proves to be both fun and addictive. A fully voice acted cast of characters adds charm to the already great gameplay and well designed levels and bosses. There were a few framerate drops along the way and some relatively lengthy load times, but ultimately these are minor complaints when talking about how great the overall experience is.
What I didn't expect was to get Mutant Mudds, Mutant Mudds Super Challenge, and Mudd Blocks all in one convenient package. With the great gameplay of three games present and brand new leaderboards for each game, this is the ultimately collection for anyone interested in the Mudds franchise. The lack of stereoscopic 3D is the only blemish, but hardly enough to diminish an otherwise fantastic offering.
With all the building blocks in place, it seems like we'd have a great physics based puzzle game that allows freedom and creativity on our hands. However a rushed port with horrendous controls and a game altering bug turn this into an utterly frustrating experience on the Switch. It's almost impossible to recommend in its current state, but with promised patches coming, all hope might not be lost. Keep your eyes out for our thoughts on future patches/updates as they release.
The wonderfully crafted campaigns present both fun and challenging tasks that can be tackled in a number of different ways depending on which of the seven classes you choose. It's likely that the game will run thin before really messing around with all the classes, but the soon to launch online mode could help elevate that feeling. Even with a few blemishes with the music and a couple of crashes, the hook of exploration and monster slaying kept me crawling back for more.
The character design is strong and piecing together odd insults has a sense of charm that many wish it had. However limited dialogue options and even fewer scenarios leave much to be desired from a longevity aspect. There is fun to be had especially in a local multiplayer setting, but it still does little to make this more than a paper thin experience.
While it'll be easy to overlook this in favor of the sequel, in doing so you'd not only be doing a disservice to the game, but a disservice to yourself.
For those who have a dedicated group to play with online there are hours worth of fun to be had overcoming the more difficult challenges. However, If you'll need to rely on random players the fun can only go so far without any form of communication. And if playing solo is your only option, I'd highly suggest thinking twice because quite frankly playing alone is not very much fun at all.
This adds a sense of stress that you just don't feel from many other games in the genre. While the Switch port does have some minor slowdown and jarring load screens, it doesn't detract from how horrifically wonderful the game is. With the emphasis back on horror and survival, Outlast is a welcomed return to what made the genre great to begin with.
Steredenn Binary Stars might look like a generic shoot-'em-up on the surface, but it offers quite a bit to be excited about. I found the wonderful selection of weapons and multiphase bosses an absolute delight despite the relentless difficulty. While the all or nothing nature will be more than enough to turn some people off, for those who welcome it will without a doubt find themselves proclaiming, just one more run.
Urban Trial Playground does a few interesting things, but they're overshadowed and ultimately held back by a number of factors. While I found the scored-based levels that relied on tricks to be more fun than the racing sections, gameplay is just not deep enough to be engaging for more than a short period of time. Couple that with the somewhat frequent software crashes and it's easy to see how this ends up becoming a forgettable experience.
While this won't be one you play for hours on end, it's perfect for those looking for bite-sized fast paced action.
When I first picked up South Park The Fractured but Whole, I knew the humor and overall tone of the game would appeal to me, even being a relatively lapsed fan of the series.
While the introductory RC Car is a quick 10-minute build, the other four (Motorbike, Piano, Fishing Rod, and House) are much more involved.
It does a fantastic job of making a captivating atmosphere that's both fun to explore and filled with things to do. There are frame rate issues and the lack of diversity among quests is a bit disappointing, but the jaw dropping visuals and superb audio design left me pining for more. While it certainly won't be everyone's cup of tea, those looking for a laidback trip through a stunning world, look no further.
Not only did they deliver a truly breathtaking rendition of the classic art style, but also introduced an interesting mechanic to the already familiar style of play. There were some choices I didn't love, mainly having to revisit levels numerous times to continue forward. And while it certainly doesn't reinvent the wheel, it hits the sweet spot for those looking to go on a nostalgia trip.