If you make a living covering awful games, it's either going to be your dream or your nightmare to make a game so bad you can review it on your own show. When it comes to Angry Video Game Nerd Adventures, it's clear that those involved have the respect for what makes a game enjoyable to put forth a good product while still celebrating the junk. It suffers from some rehashing, and not everyone will find the humour up their alley, but fans of AVGN who also don't mind a good platforming struggle shouldn't hesitate to pick this one up.
It feels like parts of this review might read more like a documentary, but much of the significance of EarthBound Beginnings - of Mother - lies in its spirit and the influence of such on subsequent games. EarthBound is absolutely the overall better title available to folks right now, and those who have yet to play either should definitely start with that. If you do enjoy EarthBound, however, then Beginnings is well worth investigating, especially given mod-cons such as save states and rewinding which help take the rough edges off a formative but less refined game. Sticking through its older style of play, with its difficulty and occasional fluctuations in balance, will yield a fine story and a strangely transcendental sense of nostalgia, like a letter of love written to a child who hadn't even been born yet.
Gurumin 3D may be short on epic story and have a few technical blemishes around the edges of its gameplay, but its fun style and a surprising depth in collectibles and replayability make it well worthy of consideration for action-RPG fans. Did we mention there's a pretty sweet drill?
Within its solid and increasingly arduous heart of survival and exploration, Don't Starve: Giant Edition beats with a personality head and shoulders above the hoard of Minecraft clones out there. The sense of never knowing what might lie just ahead and the promise of unlocking additional characters possessing individual quirks will likely be addictive to many who enjoy this type of journey.
With much to explore and so many ways of storming the castle's inhabitants, Unepic is a fun and well-designed challenge for those who enjoy platformers and yon hefty olde RPG feel. Its tight and rewarding core makes it a quest that can be enjoyed along with, or even in spite of, its cheekier sense of humour.
A few small factors aside, Trine Enchanted Edition is a gorgeous rendition to pick up for those who enjoyed the sequel. It's also the sensible place for newcomers to start, although the plot isn't really that deep. The game can be completed in less than 10 hours, but completionists can expect to lengthen this time seeking every nook and cranny. The way multiplayer refreshes the whole experience also can't be expressed enough. Those who love puzzle-platformers can Trine on their own, then pick up a friend or two and Trine, Trine again.
The fundamental platforming of Pip and his pixelated prest-o-change-o are where his adventures shine brightest. While nothing else seems to especially stand out or, in some cases, falls somewhat flat (looking at you, secret areas), the overall package is still pleasantly portrayed and is undoubtedly mechanically sound. Certainly worth a look for anyone who likes their pixels with platforming peril.
Squids Odyssey takes a simple concept and crafts an engaging yet not stifling amount of challenge out of it, resulting in a nice balance of haphazard fun and strategic thought. Although out-of-action menu work might be a bit of a pain, a beautiful world and a good sense of humour provide more than enough charm to forgive it. Another pearl to add to the eShop.
Tumblestone has thought of just about everything to create a fun and rewarding puzzle game experience. It spreads out a smorgasbord of options for one player or more, balancing sit-and-think challenges with drag racing action and spur-of-the-moment accessibility. The whole thing comes wrapped in a pretty package and with a nearly overwhelming amount of extra options. The eShop price for Tumblestone might be on the higher side, and it's a pity there's not much of an online scene at the time of writing, but this is a full game that deserves a place among Tetris Attack, Dr. Mario and other friendly puzzlers that have chiseled out a name for themselves.
The end draws near, we've made our case. Presented to you now, this work of art. It's more than just a pretty face: this game has fun, it has wonder, it has heart.For its fanciful flights of pleasure (and rhyming much better than this) Is Child of Light a treasure? Dear reader, absolutely, it is!