At the end of the day, Shoppe Keep 2 lacks any sort of depth. Its generic setting and art style, which is matched by the boring combat, make adventuring a total bore.
Youropa is a fantastic puzzle-platformer that constantly evolves. The puzzles keep getting bigger and better as they throw new twists at you. While some of the vehicle sections are a bore and the Onesiders don't feel like a threat, it doesn't detract from the overall experience too much. The game also features one of my favorite protagonists since they are just so fun to decorate. While the game may fumble in a few places, the overall experience is great and enjoyable, even if they make me kick dogs.
Unicorn Dungeon wanted to be funny but ended up only being a joke of a game. Its visuals are terrible, the combat is some of the worst ever, and the writing falls flat. There is not one aspect this game succeeds in. Absolutely everything is terrible. Sir Typhil of Brokengamedesign can ride his unicorn into hell. Now excuse me, I think I will go get wasted and play Ride to Hell: Retribution because that is a more enjoyable experience than Unicorn Dungeon.
Mario Tennis Aces isn't a terrible game, but is a forgettable one. Online doesn't work consistently, Adventure mode is pretty boring and uninspired, and there is a smattering of content. The game just lacks the heart that Nintendo titles have, and this leaves us with a bland and forgettable game that doesn't do anything interesting. It's not bad if you are just looking to get some friends or family together to play a few matches, but don't expect the appeal to last much further than that.
Hand of Fate 2 has stellar writing, fun deck building, and interesting stories. What it doesn't have, however, is good combat. While I have grown to find the combat manageable, it should be fun and exciting. It stands as an odd blemish that has been carried over from the original while everything else as been prettied up. Still, I recommend giving Hand of Fate 2 a chance, especially if you never played the original. Even with the lackluster combat there is plenty to enjoy here.
Madden NFL 19 is a fantastic entry into the long-running series. The new Player Movement System and air collision system lead to far more fluent gameplay and animation while MUT comes in better than ever. The MUT challenges are enjoyable and offer a great way to start building your team and a new emphasis on training and chemistry allows for more strategy. New or returning, Madden NFL 19 is a must buy for football fans.
I know I would love Monster Hunter Generations far more than I do if I never played Monster Hunter World. Generations is clunkier, slower, and lacks the size and polish of World. If you really want some Monster Hunter action on the Switch, then you can't go wrong with Generations. New fans coming in hot of the heels of World, be prepared for a drastic quality difference.
Shadows: Awakening is a damn good action-RPG. The combat is quick and varied while the characters are interesting. While the story lacks originality, it is still well written and allows the different characters to shine. There are a lot of different elements at play, and they all work together to create a fantastic experience.
PES 2019 may lack the fancy presentation of FIFA, but when it comes to gameplay, PES 2019 can more than hold its own. Smooth gameplay, a variety of animations, and interesting game modes take the sting off of the lack of licensed teams. FIFA may wear the crown, but PES is a worthy rival.
Life is Strange 2: Episode one is a good start to an interesting adventure. The beginning is terrible and the political statements feel forced, but the dynamic relationship between Sean and Daniel is relatable and enjoyable. Episode one has flaws, but I'm excited to see what happens next.
While Impulsion doesn't reach the same heights as Portal, it is an enjoyable, fast-paced platformer in it's own rights. I was always eager for the next challenge and never afraid to fail and learn. While it may not be a long experience, I enjoyed every minute of it.
NBA 2K19 is a fun basketball game held back by unnecessary bells and whistles alongside intrusive microtransactions. The basketball is second-to-none and the players feel and look incredible. It is a true shame the game is shackled by microtransactions which make progression a grind both for MyTeam and your player.
The Conjuring House takes parts and pieces from other horror games but fails to add anything new. The in-your-face ghost and technical issues stop whatever scares the game could offer. At the end of the day, The Conjuring House is nothing more than a scavenger hunt in the frame of a generic ghost story that lacks creativity and scares.
Call of Cthulhu is a thrilling experience from start to end. The monsters may be a little lackluster, but the writing, puzzles, and characters are all interesting enough to keep you going until the very end. While the graphics are disappointing, the art style, vocal work, and atmosphere do enough to make up for it. Fans of horror or mystery will find plenty to love here.
Kingdom Hearts III is a product of a development hell. It has too many ideas, too many characters, and too many mistakes holding it back. It is a fun experience that I recommend just for how addictive and smooth the combat is. Kingdom Hearts III is a fun game, it just easily could have been a great one.
From a presentation standpoint, Ride 3 is outstanding. The bikes look fantastic and I love all the customization options. Unfortunately, it is lacking in terms of gameplay. With this being a video game and all, that's a bit of a problem. If you really need a bike racer then this may be the best of your very limited options, but with the harsh learning curve, lack of teaching, and uninspired game modes, there are far superior racing games on the market.
Blair Witch fails to impress at every turn. The story is interesting but unfulfilling, the environment is dull, and the creatures are boring. Worst of all, everything you do is very repetitive. I love horror games but the only thing scary about Blair Witch is how boring it is.
After looking at all the evidence, I must say I almost enjoyed The Sinking City. There is a solid game here buried under technical problems and tedium. The interesting characters and quirky protagonist were almost enough to keep me interested, but sloppy combat and plentiful walking eventually wore me down. This is a paranormal call I recommend walking away from.
Daemon X Machina is a great mech action game in a genre that has pretty much disappeared. The combat and customization options are first rate and I never got bored with experimenting with different weaponry. This really is like a mecha anime, and it's one I highly recommend, even if it isn't as great as it could be.
Stygian: Reign of the Old Ones is a fantastic RPG. The story is interesting, the characters are unique, the quests are varied, and the systems run deep. There are a variety of different ways to play this game and I can't wait to jump back in and explore some new paths. This is one nightmare I highly recommend.