James Romero
I found Moon Hunters to be a game I really wanted to love, the clever world building that takes place over generations and the stat and skill building that is on offer leads me to want a deep and rich experience that never quite materialised. There are some fantastic moments and clever storytelling but the loading times, bugs and such short campaign runs hold back what could have been a very good game with a few tweaks.
Vesta offers a good puzzler experience with fun dual character gameplay and a nice and steady progression curve. For the positives however we have some performance issues and generally frustrating controls that will turn some off. Overall the game is a nice way to pass a few hours but it won't be one you reach for after a playthrough.
InnerSpace aims to soar high and you have to give the development team credit for their ambition. As an experience I found the concept and exploration intriguing but in practice as a game there is a lot to be desired. The gameplay is not cohesive at times and the game can feel rather aimless. Overall, InnerSpace won't be for everyone but some will love its break from traditional game design.
Lost Sphear is a game of two sides, on one hand, it takes us on a trip rife with nostalgia that can bring a smile to our face whilst on the other hand it crams this nostalgia down our throat without giving us a chance to get deeply into any individual element. During my time with the game, I experienced boredom and frustration with some enjoyment thrown in for good measure. It's a game that borrows from our past but loses itself a bit in the process. Is it the best JRPG? No, certainly not but it does deliver glimmers of a great game.
Crawl is a good example of a classic dungeon crawler with some really clever twists, the randomly generated levels combined with multiplayer madness leads to some fun with friends though, the experience is quite highly priced and didn't keep us entertained for a huge amount of time.
Mulaka is a wonderful view into the Tarahumara with a very strong and unique style. From a substance perspective though I found the gameplay, story and visuals to be OK but not gripping. The game is certainly worth a play but there are stronger adventure games out there. Performance wise there are issues though there is a stable build in the works due at the end of March
Saturday Morning RPG is a trip down memory lane, if you grew up in the 80's you might enjoy this casual JRPG featuring an excellent soundtrack. On the other hand if you are after a deep and rewarding game then this won't be for you.
Hunter's Arena: Legends is a fun battle royale with a combat system which is easy to learn but hard to master. Unfortunately, some technical flaws and the wild grinding make the game clumsy and reduce the scope of the project.
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Swim Out is a simple yet engaging puzzle game thats a welcome break from slashing monsters or timing runs perfectly. It isn't advanced or complex but it is quite challenging and kept me entertained.
Slayaway Camp: Butchers Cut does a great job of keeping the gameplay simple and engaging. The 80's horror throwback is a great and imaginative setting that you would not expect here. Overall its a fun little puzzle game.
SUMMARY The Escapists 2 has a fantastic premise and builds upon the original game, playing on the go is a great way to play and there are some great moments however I feel as though it gets a bit bogged down in menus and systems. The developer has missed the opportunity to give us a bit more back story for the character we play for each prison. Nevertheless its a creative and expressive game worth picking up if you like a sandbox game.
Burly Men at Sea is a magical nordic fairytale adventure with plenty of charm and a slathering of wit, it has some rough edges and the short play throughs and light touch gameplay won't be for every one but if you enjoy a good tale and a laugh you will likely enjoy this unique game.
Aces of the Luftwaffe is a solid Shoot Em Up and plays out particularly well in multiplayer or when playing solo on the move. For a first Nintendo Switch game, Handy Games have done a fantastic job in producing a game without many technical hick-ups, as a result, if you are in the market for this type of game you can't go far wrong here.
Worms WMD pays homage to its roots and the addition of crafting, buildings and vehicles add a few interesting twists to this classic. Worms is all about multiplayer and the lack of online play with friends is a real shame though getting pals together for a local match is as fun as its ever been and the best worms in a very long time.
Dandara is a game built out of passion and a strong identity. This shines throughout and its a great example of touchscreen use on the Switch and a fantastic game.
I didn't know what to expect with this Subsurface Circular review, the game was billed as a short play experience in between main projects for the developer and I think it fits this role for its audience as well. If you have a few hours to burn they will be well spent picking this up, you may find yourself reflecting on our current world landscape from a slightly different perspective and playing through this game is a smooth and easy go along ride. For such a small investment in money and time its fair to say that this game packs a punch and if you are not put off by what you have read then its definitely a worthwhile experience.
The End Is Nigh is a game with very clear purpose. Its a razor focused game with a strong identity that isn't for everyone but offers a thrilling challenge for those who enjoy a tough platform experience.