Scarlet Bell's Reviews
Avoid this game. I cannot put it more simply than that.
I went into Naheulbeuk's Dungeon Master really ready to enjoy all the work that goes into making a dungeon great. Unfortunately there just wasn't all that much to do. Between an underbaked tavern, limited dungeon management, and an unbalanced staffing system, it feels like a game that just needed more time to decide what it wanted to be. If it does get updated down the line it may be worth revisiting. As it is now though, I can't say I feel it worth the price of admission.
Battle League Football is a game I'm happy to see, even if it isn't necessarily the game I wanted. A far more technical game that I don't feel I have the time to master, it sits in a weird spot of not necessarily being bad in its gameplay execution, but falling short on the content required to keep people coming back. I do feel in time that this game has the potential to become great, but we again see a Mario sports game held back by being released half-baked.
Trials of Mana is a game I struggle to recommend to the vast majority of people reading this. Though hidden behind a great soundtrack and colourful visuals, it stands as a dated game, complete with a frustrating storyline and a largely unenjoyable combat experience.
Super Neptunia RPG is a game I tried incredibly hard to like. Despite its stunning visuals and interesting ideas, the game falls short in far too many basic areas. From horrible loading times to lifeless NPCs, strange design choices, and an overall feel of a rushed release, it's something I can only recommend to the die-hard Neptunia fans out there that feel they must see it all. To you brave few, I wish you luck.
To me, Shape of the World feels like Proteus injected with a shallow feeling of progression on a linear path. Removing the freedom and unbound nature without considering the ramifications, it expects you to play with no real motivation nor driving factor. If you are content with a short slow-paced walk through some undeniably interesting scenery, this might yet be for you, but don't be expecting much beyond this.
Switch Sports is a fine game and generally does feel great to play. Where I find issue with it is in the lack of replayability and variety for its sports, especially in an offline setting. It's fine, but after seeing the gold standard of this series in Wii Sports Resort, it could have, and really should have, been so much more.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are games I want to rate higher based on my own experiences, but I can't meaningfully do so given their stark technical flaws. If you're a Pokemon fan and can look past the graphical and performance issues, you'll likely have as good a time as I have. If not though, I'd recommend waiting for an update and picking it up down the line.
All in all, Snakeybus is a fine arcade experience. Featuring a unique and fantastically fun take on a classic game, the Switch port is perfect to enjoy in small bursts. Though lacking the multiplayer mayhem of its PC counterpart, there's still enough here to warrant the price of entry.
Nelke and The Legendary Alchemists is a celebration of the Atelier series in the truest sense. Putting forward an experience both accessible to series newcomers and engaging for veterans, it does a brilliant job of captivating players despite its relatively easy to grasp gameplay loop. Though slightly let down by its RPG elements, it's a game I can recommend for anybody who enjoys careful planning and watching their efforts slowly come to fruition; your ideal town is right at your fingertips.
If I had to pick a single word to describe Nippon Marathon, it would be fun. While I struggle to ascertain exactly which part of this beautiful mess calls to me so, I can recommend it for anybody looking for a wild multiplayer experience. Pick up four controllers and get ready for the marathon of your life.
Senran Kagura Reflexions is no masterpiece, but it was never made to be one. It is a short and sweet adventure of discovery and love, of poking, slapping, grabbing, and ultimately, massaging.
Despite its shortcomings, I did enjoy my time with SNK Heroines. Its weak plot and lacklustre single player options did leave me wanting more, but the fun and ease of playing with friends really stood out to me. If you have a group to play with or find yourself eager to play against the masses online, it's definitely a game I can recommend. An appreciation for the partially dressed also helps.
Mario Party: The Top 100 delivers on what it sets out to, providing a modern way to play 100 classic minigames, each legendary in its own right. Where the game falls short is in delivering what fans yearn for, almost teasing them with half of what made the series so brilliant. Were this game to embrace the chaos and beautiful madness many have come to love the series for, it would have potential to be the greatest entry yet.
Shaq Fu: A Legend Reborn is a game by any normal definition should not exist. It is a game I am truly surprised people wanted and funded. To those of you who took the leap more than four years ago; I say thank you. I sit here with a rough diamond, most certainly not perfect, but memorable and hilarious at every chance it gets. While short, this is not a game to be overlooked—Shaq is back.
For those of you looking for a game to work at; a game to break apart piece by piece, finding every secret, and beating every challenge. For those of you who like item progression, and the slow but sure enhancement of movement and gameplay. For those of you looking to continue your SteamWorld saga. This game is for you. This is a love letter to collectors, to diggers, but sadly remains a flawed jewel.
Bayonetta Origins is a bold move for the larger Bayonetta series, but it's one I think really paid off. It's a slower and more methodical tale of a more timid witch finding her feet, and it's a tale magnificently told. With a free demo available on the eShop, it's a game I encourage you to check out.
All in all, Sisters Royale is a fine addition to the shoot 'em up library for the Switch. Though short-lived, it features a delightfully fun cast of characters and a story so bizarre you can't help but be amused.
Gal Metal is a game that is what you make of it. If you want a tall string of technical combinations, this is a game for you. If you want a satisfying and consistent beat through some brilliant metal beats, this is still a game for you. The flexibility and personal nature of the experience feels entirely unique, let down only by the limited list of 13 tracks. Pick this up if you're a fan of metal, of drumming, or of violently swinging a Joy Con; you won't regret it.
Detective Pikachu is a game I feel is held back by its overly child-friendly ideas. I can wholeheartedly recommend this to those wishing for their children to experience Pokemon in a new light, but older fans of the series will be left underwhelmed.