Chris Hinton
Alwa's Awakening is exactly what I had hoped I was in for when I booted up the title.
Untitled Goose Game‘s consistent, simple themes are not dull by any stretch.
Simply put, Bastion is an indie masterwork. It fits right at home on the Nintendo Switch, being exactly the type of game suitable for mobile play. The gameplay’s simplistic nature makes it an easy game to hop in and out of on the go. And the optional challenges highlight the game’s thrilling and addictive combat, making it easy to come back to over and over again. My only regret is that I didn’t acknowledge this game sooner. Any gripes I might have towards Bastion seem nitpicky at this point. Seven years ago, Supergiant Games delivered a solid action RPG title. Now, it gets another chance to bask in the sun thanks to the Nintendo Switch.
Blasting the demons of the dark into pixelated piles of bloody mush never felt so good. With a vibrant world, an engaging gameplay loop, and an ever-expanding arsenal of catastrophic weapons at your hands, you, too, will find glory in taking out those pesky demons.
F1 23 is the pinnacle of the Formula One series to date. If ever there was a jumping-on point for new racing fans, this latest entry from Codemasters in the long-running licensed series is it. This F1 simulation manages to innovate the most prominent and constructive aspects of what came before. Using a controller as input never felt better in a racing sim with highly responsive and precise movements, and elements that used to be unnecessary, such as F1 Life in F1 22, have been upgraded into a multi-faceted progression system worth your time and effort. F1 23 is a remarkable package for fans of the sport.
Supergiant has made it clear that stories are important to them. Players seeking a game with strategic combat and simply a great, unique story need not look any further than Transistor.
Despite the dated, simple, yet sometimes challenging gameplay, the drive to see Dirk’s and Ace’s adventures through is what makes these games great.
Ultimately, the visual upgrades and additional options make this version the best way to play the game. FFVIII fans won’t be disappointed.
Giga Wrecker Alt. is a fun action platformer that represents a fresh direction for Game Freak outside of the Pokémon realm.
In the end, it’s important to look at Labo VR for what it is. It’s not comparable to the other VR sets on the market.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Complete Edition is a killer addition to the Nintendo Switch library.
There's something wildly thoughtful and provocative about The Last Case of Benedict Fox. You'll find it within this wondrous 2.5D Metroidvania platformer's beautiful world that is oozing life despite death being front and center. It only wavers in its messy combat experiences with the shadow forces of limbo. Despite this particular fault, there's still plenty to love.
Sonic Origins Plus is a complete and thrilling collection of Sonic's heyday, at least if you stick with the core four remastered games. Because the addition of a couple of playable characters and 12 inconsequential Game Gear games with the Plus expansion to this package doesn't necessarily move the needle, it's impossible to boost the rating from the review of the original base game.
Racing fans will have their hands full with F1 Manager 2023. Racing aside, there's a lot of work behind the success of a team, and this management sim proves it. While the game might be a niche sub-genre only for the most devout fans who thrive in the managerial atmosphere, F1 Manager 2023 absolutely achieves the core vision of providing a well-rounded view of the life of a team principal in the Formula 1 world.
Robocop: Rogue City, like Terminator: Resistance before it, aims to deliver a fan-crafted experience, and it succeeds on nearly every level. With the understanding that this title comes from a smaller studio with limitations in the AA space, it's easy to forgive the lack of polish in certain areas such as facial animations. Otherwise, Rogue City is a thrilling experience through and through.
Super Mutant Alien Assault is a chaotically fun, yet simple experience.
For Nintendo Switch owners who are looking for a racing game that differs from the “kart” scene, the low-gravity and speedy thrill of GRIP is the way to go.
Battle Princess Madelyn is certainly a time capsule from a few decades ago for better and worse. Where the game succeeds, it does so well and with style. But, the multitude of minor pitfalls that inhibits gameplay progression and causes frustration held Madelyn back from being a true indie gem.
Polyroll is a simple adventure that accurately reflects the price you pay for the game. To the title's credit, all things are in good, working order, and I have no complaints about the controls or the game's performance. Polyroll is, by and large, a spiritual sibling to the side-scrolling Sonic games we already know and love. If you're looking for a Sonic experience, Polyroll will handily deliver that in a small, simple, and cost-effective package. Otherwise, this one doesn't do much to stand out in a heavily saturated genre.
Ghostwire: Tokyo is an intriguing gameplay experience, one that is marred by simplistic combat and repetitive mechanics.