I'd highly recommend Ender Magnolia to the fans of the metroidvania genre, everyone will find something for themselves here.

The Nintendo Switch doesn’t allow for too many racing games to shine with the well-regarded Mario Kart 8 Deluxe hogging the spotlight. But Gear.Club Unlimited is stealing the limelight this holiday season with its racing sim action, RPG-lite upgrade system and beautifully rendered licensed cars. Although it’s not a true racing sim, this is still the best racing game available on the Nintendo Switch to date.

Pascal's Wager has ticked every box to draw in a gamer who enjoys realism, anticipation, and intrigue centered around combat that offers challenge. With a few tweaks, I have no doubt this game could go down in history as one of the best souls-like games to be released on a mobile phone, paving the way for many more titles similar to its level of entertainment.

Avicii Invector is a high intensity rhythmic game centered around the largely praised electronic musician Avicii. The tap-to-the-beat game play coincides with many of Avicii's greatest works, joyfully playing against an illuminated theme park track, that is reminiscent of the EDM scene as a whole. Although the story in Avicii Invector leaves much to be desired, and some higher difficulties will prove too challenging for the fledgling rhythmic gamer, Avicii Invector is a faithful tribute to the late musician and his work.

Oriental Empires is a fantastic option for seasoned RTS fans that are looking for something new and a little different. While this might not appeal to those that are either not excited about Asian culture or those not as familiar with strategy games due to the confusing menus and somewhat unclear “hints”, this certainly has its place in an RTS fans library especially at virtually half the price of other games of a similar nature.

Little Goody Two Shoes is a bewitching scary fairy tale about the most secret desires of our heroine Elise and the price that is required to fulfill them. It sets out to teach players and Elise a lesson, but everyone is free to decide for themselves what that lesson is.

Cyberpunk 2077 Phantom Liberty will not bring anything super expected, or something that will make everyone pull out their hair. This game has already taken a very worthy place, and it is very deserved and justified, just even if you look at its path. And this is true. I liked this expansion and I recommend everyone to explore this universe, there are so many interesting and new places and characters in it that it would be wrong to say something bad. The developers did not abandon their project, which became almost the most discussed topic of 2020, but they got together and did what few could. They created a universe that millions loved.

A great offering in the tactical action genre with massive scale, excellent combat solid RPG offerings.

Dry Drowning is a dark, interactive murder mystery novel with a compelling story that is represented well on the Nintendo Switch. The otherwise gripping story is marred slightly by some poor user interface design choices but otherwise delivers everything you'd look for in a top-notch visual novel!

If your fingers need a break from the shooter and platforming games and you have a flair for story-based, fantasy-filled role-playing games then you should take a look at Seers Isle. While considered a "game" it's clear that non-gaming young adult+ book readers can find something to enjoy here as well! What you'll find is a visually pleasing and interactive experience that can easily be enjoyed on the go. It's a "game" where your choices matter and they have a impact on the story's outcome. While relatively short, it encourages replaying through again where selecting different choices can reward you with multiple alternate endings!

Pragmata is not a game about robots. It’s a game about you. About me. About remembering that inside each of us there's a child who sometimes just needs a warm down jacket (even if it's the wrong size) and the right to go barefoot.

Borderlands 4! Still crazy. Still cool. This successful sequel learns from the mistakes of the past. It builds on the strengths of the series, such as loot hunting, responsive shooting and memorable character interactions. Despite some flaws, it offers a fun and exciting co-op experience.

Darksiders Genesis translates everything from its 3rd person predecessors perfectly, I have zero complaints about the gameplay itself. The additional core system and the myriad of upgrades ensures boredom never sets in and I highly recommend anyone who’s got an even passing interest in this gives it a go.

Playing Edna & Harvey: The Breakout – Anniversary Edition is akin to playing the unspoken stepchild of Matt Groening, Seth MacFarlane and LucasArts. The two main characters, Edna and Harvey, are witty, offbeat and humorous. These are probably two of the most memorable adventure game characters since Sam & Max Hit the Road! While the controls take a bit to get used to without a cursor or touch support the offbeat humour and solutions are memorable. If you're looking to relive some of those classic adventure game years look no further than this Anniversary Edition!

Full Metal Furies is high-quality side-scrolling brawler that understands its roots while still managing to both pushes the genre forward with its inclusion of some great RPG elements as well as add its own unique style to the genre. Furies offers many hours of single-player fun and shines exceptionally well when played to its full potential as a co-op experience. I highly recommend picking this title up if you’re looking for something new and charming.

Potionomics will blow you away with its intertwined mechanics, wonderfully made features, thoughtful gameplay and charming characters. There are certain weaknesses and a regretful lack of freeplay mode, but the time spent in the game is well worth it.

Silksong can be considered an excellent and even exemplary Metroidvania. It is damn nice to play while exploring every picturesque corner of the teeming world. It is gorgeously structured, the modified role-playing system, although it has become a little less diverse, is still pleasant. And the rebalanced battles of the sequel, each duel in which resembles a rhythmic dance, cause an influx of adrenaline. However, the game is not without its flaws.

While the comparisons to Diablo III will obviously be made, Victor Vran adds different mechanics to shake up the tried-and-true ARPG format and does a great job doing so.

Shadow of War may not be perfect. Its camera can still get lost, Talion’s free-running can often be a hindrance rather than a help, and the UI can sometimes bug out for no apparent reason in menus and the main game. But these are little issues in a very large game, and even with the Loot Boxes as optional purchases (they truly are optional), I can’t help but recommend this game to any and all fans of open world adventures. With or without the DLC there are dozens of hours of playtime to be had, and it’s mostly of the highest quality.

Escape from Duckov is a brilliant, witty, and incredibly addictive experience. It's a must-play not only for Tarkov fans looking for a fresh perspective on the familiar torment, but also for anyone who appreciates deep, systemic games with impeccable game design. It's a loud and clear signal to the entire industry: the future of the genre lies in manageable difficulty, respect for players and their time, and a willingness to embrace bold experiments, even if they start with a joke about ducks.

What got me excited fast is that unlike your common park area’s you may have experienced previously like in Cities Skylines Green City, Parklife allows you to edit over such areas or wherever you wish, so your chosen theme puts itself in between everything filling in empty spaces already there.

Not only is it one of the best Warriors spin-offs to date, but chances are you’re a Zelda fan if you own the Switch and it’s just a great spinoff of Link’s adventures altogether. Can it get repetitive? Sure, but that’s the nature of Action RPGs like this – Warriors games are essentially 3rd-Person Diablos without the loot hunt. Playing coop is a joy, the Adventure Mode is an awesome addition, and raising your own fairy is surprisingly cute and meaningful. With all the content on display, it’s worth the full price of entry.

TimeMelters is a unique mix of Tower Defense and third-person action-adventure, offering a time-traveling experience like no other.

As a reviewer, I cannot handwave this experience away even if Owlcat Games is a studio well-known for their strong post-launch support, yet rating the game on what I’ve actually played through would also be unfair to its final build. This is why this review comes out unscored with an update to follow once I had enough time and a chance to test some of the pricklier parts of the game that were problematic in the early version to compare the performance. Once done, this section will be dedicated the overall technical state of the game and the final thoughts.

It's another great indie puzzle game for the Switch that plays well on the go. While it isn't overly challenging and won't take forever to get through, you will get your money's worth for the meagre price tag of $4.99.

Two games that people of any age will love.

Maneater is just the type of game a shark enthusiast, such as myself, has been waiting for. The sharks get their revenge on humans and other predators as it grows. The combat and swimming systems work very well, and mix well with the blood and gore that gives a realistic feel to the title. I loved most aspects of the game and the story and will enjoy playing it through to completion to reach the ultimate evolution. For $39.99 USD this is a very beautiful game about sharks and while some areas may lack fullness it is worth that price.

The developers of Moonscars have taken the old Metroidvania techniques and Souls-like game mechanics and managed to mix them in a unique way, creating a wild fusion of visual style, emotional storytelling and gameplay.

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown's game world is interesting, and the combo-based combat feels like a mad cross between DMC and the Ori series. The game is absolutely worth the time to explore its huge map, and will provide us with interesting characters, in a reboot of the game series and a great introduction to 2024.

While it doesn’t quite stand as tall as the Mario Odyssey masterpiece, Yooka-Laylee is a game every Switch owner should consider. Fantastic fun for all ages, and tons of content to boot.

Small issues aside, I can safely and enthusiastically recommend Chronicles of Nyanya. For an indie title, it is very clear that this game is no half-assed RPG. It has all of the right elements and every feature that any seasoned player will expect and a lot more to boot. Triple-A developers should take note: This one has it all.

8-Bit Armies is a game that deserves your attention.

Though Trover Saves The Universe is a short playthrough, clocking in around six hours, it's still worth taking a stab at it. The 3D control aspect is refreshing and the dialogue is hilarious (assuming you're not easily offended). Gameplay was fun and finding all those Power Babies is a reward in itself. Trover Saves The Universe is definitely a comedy adventure game that is fit to sit on the shelf with those other iconic titles in the genre.

While the game causes you to go through some learning pains, The Flame in The Flood will reward those who stick with it to a great experience that you won’t find elsewhere. Playing through this game throws the player into a situation that will make the player feel helpless and constantly struggle to look for material, rather than eventually getting so powerful you just feel like you won the game.

This game performs well as a 2D platformer. It feels like a mix of Mario Brothers and Sonic the Hedgehog with the Shadow Core feature added into it. With your friend Stryx, you will attempt to save the dark world of Numbra from whatever comes your way. You will lose yourself in hours of gameplay and platformer fun.

Fallback is a rogue-like adventure game developed by Endroad. The game is limited in scope and will not take you a ton of time to finish. It is a charming game with a great atmosphere and addictive gameplay. You play a human survivor who is trying to make their way to the surface, fighting robotic guardians that have turned against their makers.

Mystic Pillars has an elegant Indian story woven into the game's puzzle design. At times the storyboards felt more like a barrier to getting to the next set of fun and engaging pillar puzzles. Even though a story-based puzzle game is a novel idea Mystic Pillars would stand strong on being just an outright "puzzle game". The simplicity of the controls also makes it an exceptional "travel game" via the Switch's undocked mode and touch screen support!

The game loop is incredibly addictive and you can return to any of the short missions at any time with all your upgrades, increase the difficulty, skip all dialogue and try to climb as high as you can on the leaderboard. The plot in the game is not the most interesting, but these games are addictive just not the plot. If you like games like: Hotline Miami, John Wick, Police Stories, Party Hard, you should try this game.

The game culminates into an expert combination of storytelling, survival, and community management, leaving me quite satisfied with the result.

Astrologaster is not a game that is meant to be rushed through.

It is an exciting game and worth your time regardless if you are Final Fantasy fan or not. If you like JRPGs this is a great one.

South Park: The Fractured But Whole is an excellent RPG with a South Park skin. If you love the crass fourth graders and their adventures as much as I do, then chances are you're going to have a great time. If you're more of a tangential fan, you'll probably still find a lot to love. But if South Park isn't your bag of tea, then the gameplay alone may not make this one worth your time.

El Hijo is just downright fun to play. It doesn't take a tremendous amount of thought to get through levels and the game is forgiving when you do get "caught". The inspiring of in-game children is a great motivational system that will entice you to replay levels to get 100% completion!

Sucker for Love: A Date to Die For has it all: horror, horny, humor, wholesome. Conduct a dark ritual and summon your partner to begin this unholy adventure that will keep you invested for a good 5 to 10 hours.

A great mobile game. If you’re a fan of Gundam there is a great deal of nostalgia in all the Gundam's and pilots you can find.

Soulcalibur VI also brings back its character creator, which plays a key role in the Libra of Souls mode.

Gunman Taco Truck isn’t a particularly complex game once you work out how to beat it. There is limited longevity to this format, simply because it has a win and failure state, but it is absolutely worth your time. If you are sick of ghastly grey post-apocalyptic nightmares hen it might be worth spicing up your taco with Romero Studios' latest creation.

Sequel to the beloved action adventure from Odd Bug Studio, Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter puts players in the shoes of Arlo, the heir to the Warden of the Wastes, as he seeks to avenge his father and rebuild his home. Prepare to fight fang and claw, go through numerous equipment to see what fits you and helps in the battles with unique bosses, all against the stunning backdrop of dark medieval fantasy.

What it does have in spades is the Lovecraft mythos, and it does it very well.

It’s lighthearted tone and lovable art style works in tandem with clever puzzles to create an experience that any gamer can enjoy. Every new item had me either laughing at the ridiculousness of it or the sheer absurdity of how many items I had.

Total War: Warhammer 3 is a uniquely complex game, mildly overwhelming with the diversity of features and options it offers, each adding their own nuances to gameplay. Any strategy or RPG lover will find something to enjoy in this game, from memorable cast of characters to massive army battles and sieges.

While Red Faction Guerrilla Re-Mars-tered doesn't bring any new content to the ten year old game, the graphics upgrade is well worth checking out, as it brings it up to par with all but the top-tier AAA titles of recent times.

Fantasy Strike is not what I originally thought it would be. With the vibrant world and brightly colored characters, you will have a good time fighting against computer enemies or real people. For the price of $29.99 USD, there is plenty for you to do. It is a full game, just like Mortal Kombat or Street Fighter, but for half the price. If you want a change in pace from those other guys, give this one a try.

Capturing the essence of the 1991 classic, HumaNature Studios hits all of the right notes with ToeJam & Earl: Back in the Groove. With nine playable characters, light RPG progression, online co-operative gameplay, and a whole lot of funk, the latest entry into the ToeJam & Earl franchise rests solidly in the pocket where it is meant to be.

Nioh: Complete Edition is a worthy “Soulsbourne” game, and maybe one of the best. With the inclusion of all the DLC and the great performance of the port, Nioh should be a day 1 purchase for all fans of the genre. The combat system allows you to play fast and aggressive or slow and defensive, whichever suits your playstyle, and the inclusion of DLC weapons from the start means that you have an incredible amount of customization right off the bat to play through this deep, lengthy game.

Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed is an impressive remake of an already marvelous game. It features the story depth that is unusual for Disney, going beyond the confines of cartoonish fairy tales, while also paying the tribute to the company's classics. This is a mix that certainly deserves your attention.

The game is interesting if you play with someone, but I'm sure that the game will get its popularity in casual games. Shooting, locations, monsters they are Archaeans are worked out and made at the highest level, the game lacks a little polish, but I'm sure that in less than a week after the release it will all be fixed.

Green Hell still comes across as a refreshing survival game. The difficulty level of the game will have many players screaming "bloody green hell". Initially, patience is key and learning as you go. If you do decide to stick with it you'll be treated to a rewarding experience.

SkyBox Labs has done a great job with Stela when you look at it as a piece of art rather than a video game. That said, they haven’t messed up with the gameplay either. The only thing that could affect the beautiful art, the incredible music and the simple gameplay of Stela is the fact that it ends much sooner than it should.

The Bard's Tale 4: Director's Cut is the version of the game we deserved.

If you are looking for a tactical RPG with comical themes, an unlikely protagonist, and plenty of heart, Regalia is worth its weight in gold.

Quotation forthcoming.

Playing a thief is never easy, but Seven: The Days Long Gone makes it fun. This new isometric RPG is packed with a few amazing elements one of the best is the deep dark story. Seven plays well but can be unforgiving at times, just the like world it takes place in. For fans of isometric RPGs, Seven delivers a lot of surprises.

Overall Deathtrap Dungeon was a great throwback to the choose your own adventure books and I enjoyed my time with it and listening to Eddie Marsan. At $10 USD on Steam, it’s a steal and a fun trip that can be a great introduction to these types of books and a look at a light Dungeon & Dragons feel to it. The dice rolls can feel overly monotonous towards the end of the story and having them simply get thrown out without any interaction from me detracted from my overall enjoyment.

Mary Skelter 2 is a wonderful, first-person dungeon-romping adventure RPG.

The puzzles, while not all of them were hard, they were intriguing and fun. As a person who loves mythology, I thoroughly enjoyed the maze puzzle. There are plenty of things I would have done differently but the fun of the game is to progress even when you fail. I'm looking forward to the next episode when it releases.

A refreshing and inventive addition to the puzzle genre.

Shank n’ Bake excels at giving the player doses of shock humor with challenging gameplay. Seriously, once you start running, you don’t want to stop. It never feels like a punishment when you have to start all the way over because the randomly generated run with quirky ways to die keeps a lot of the gameplay fresh and entertaining. I only made it through to about the second boss of the game because I am genuinely awful at it, but I had a helluva fun time playing it. It’s a great game to pick up when you need to blow off some steam, but maybe not when you want to wind down. The constant running keeps you on edge, and Shake n’ Bake will definitely test your Mario skills and quick reflexes.

Aviary Attorney is a must-have game for players who love narrative adventures, police procedurals, and courtroom drama. With its amazing soundtrack, gorgeous artwork, and hilarious dialog, it's definitely a must-have for Switch owners!

Tandem: A Tale of Shadows is a pleasure to play through, leaving the burning desire to learn what’s next and a storm of emotions and feelings as the game’s storyline reaches its conclusion.

Matching pixel stylings with the ambient soundscapes of Jim Guthrie makes Swordbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP a wonderfully weird journey with a good balance of action and puzzle-puzzle-solving.

From the gorgeous pixel-art to the fun side-events, the gameplay of Children of Morta was rarely repetitive or boring.

Override: Mech City Brawl is a unique mix of colorful chrome plated mayhem and explosive combat that will blow you away.

The Outer Worlds 2 may not be the most innovative RPG, but what it does, it generally does very well. A step above the original game, TOW2 is worth the price of admission if you prefer story over run and gun action.

If you're looking for a game that can challenge you and where you can spend many hours of fun exploding animated driftwood, alien zombies, and elves with muskets while collecting tons of loot - then welcome to Remnant 2.

Blaster Master Zero 2 does a great job of coming off as a fun, difficulty-laden retro game of years past, while not feeling like its cheating the player with artificial difficulty.

Sunless Skies is another well-written story from Failbetter Games. The story and setting carry the game, but the combat mechanics can take some getting used to and may feel limiting. If you like your stories thick in the dark and strange ways of things like H.P. Lovecraft than this could very well be your cup of maddening tea. And you do like tea, don’t you? Of course you do, the Queen wouldn’t allow it to be otherwise and She is watching, always watching.

From the first moment when I fired up The Sinking City, I was immediately transported to a world HP Lovecraft could have created himself.

The Last Sarkorians is a solid addition to Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous, further expanding the game's already phenomenal main campaign with the introduction of a new companion, his personal questchain and more. If you crave more Pathfinder content, you can't do wrong with this DLC.

One of the more fun games that I have reviewed in the last year. I love the Gundam Wing feel to the game and how it incorporates the smaller vessels and other capital ships into the fights as well.

Darkestville Castle does the adventure point-and-click genre justice. It keeps true to the object hunt playstyle and the "use this object on that object" puzzle-solving design. The game is nicely voice acted and contains plenty of humour in an all-ages environment. The colourful graphics and humour are pleasing and give off a Tim Burton-esque vibe that is fun and rewarding to play.

Star Renegades is a fun, challenging Rogue-lite RPG. Its creative use of familiar game mechanics is a bit of a double-edged (laser)sword. On the one hand, once you get the rhythm of gameplay and world navigation it's a great gameplay experience. However getting to that point can be a bit of a slog, especially for gamers who are dipping their toes in the genre. Overall, though, Massive Damage has created a game that sets itself apart enough with its unique gameplay and premise, that it’s worth taking a look at.

Golf Story is like Stardew Valley and Caddyshack had a baby. And that baby is the best baby, you guys. It’s out now on the Switch eshop, and there’s no wonder it’s currently sitting atop the best sellers. One can only hope we get a Badminton Story, a Croquet Story, and perhaps a Water Polo Story next. Let’s keep this thing going.

SteamWorld Quest: Hand of Gilgamech is a very good, if short, game. Every fight will be different depending on your party composition, equipment, and deck setup, with each fight having multiple ways you could overcome them. With a combination of luck, skill, and planning, each fight was both a chance to gain exp before the next boss, and an opportunity to try out combos before the big fight, fulfilling a card game player’s dream.

Path to Nowhere is a mobile game that blends strategic gameplay with a dark narrative, offering players a unique experience in the world of tactical RPGs and engaging them in stories that are both thrilling and emotionally captivating. If nothing else, it is worth experiencing for its stunning art style and impeccable aesthetics.

Through the Ashes is a down-to-earth addition to Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous, offering players a different look at the events of Kenabres through the eyes of a new protagonist. The DLC utilizes new mechanics to keep the playthrough fresh and different from the adventures of the Commander in the main campaign.

While Hexologic might not be as difficult as they'd have you believe it is still fun and relaxing even in small doses.

Overall, I love the old-school feels of Black Ops in Cold War and I love the storyline. All of the modes are fun to play and offer a lot for old players and new players alike. It is fun to get back into the action with players from all consoles and on PC to make the action that much better with cross-play. There are some issues with multiplayer that will seemingly never go away but such is life for an online multiplayer game.

Final Fantasy 12: The Zodiac Age Remastered is one of the better ports I have played in any game series. I played entirely in handheld mode and only ran into the problem of recharging the system every three hours of gameplay or so. You can once again get lost in FFXII with all updated graphics and gameplay. And if you've never had the chance to play it before, any Switch owner and RPG lover would do well to pick this one up.

REANIMAL is definitely one of the best games of the year. Of course, many hits are still to come, but this game is dark, exciting, and cooperative. It will make you cower on the couch in fear and leave you with food for thought. My partner and I, for example, discussed what was happening for a long time and came up with all sorts of theories. Despite a few drawbacks, the Swedish developers have created a genuinely frightening game. They achieved this not with jump scares, but with an oppressive atmosphere and terrifying imagery.

Jurassic World Evolution is a simply gorgeous and robust game. This multilayered gameplay experience takes place in a beautifully crafted world with lush terrain, changing weather patterns, and an incredible amount of control. Even the musical score awakens that sense of wonder and the gravity of what you are doing - you get to run Jurassic World! It is an outlier in the long line of movie-based video games, standing as a beacon of hope that it is possible for them to actually be good while staying true to their source material.

Once you're adventuring on the island, fishing, crafting, learning new skills, finding new secrets, and meeting new survivors, Ys VIII becomes a very memorable experience. It makes me hope we don't wait so long for a Ys IX, and that it's given the care and attention it deserves.

Raji: An Ancient Epic is an action, adventure platforming puzzler that draws you in with its deep storyline built upon the foundation of Hindu and Balinese mythology. The action elements are diverse, challenging, and fun. While there are slower story focused interspaced between the action it's in these lulls that players can enjoy the beautiful aesthetics. With light exploration features and jumping/platforming mechanics that pay homage to the early Prince Of Persia games, you'll find a lot to like in this cultural gem!

The creators of Sifu have made a game even for those who don't like sports. In mid-April, testing of Rematch began, and at that time, the peak number of online players on Steam exceeded 120,000, and some gamers are already calling the new game the future of virtual football. As soon as the game is released, it has every chance of becoming the new gaming discovery of the year. Despite some minor flaws, REMACH is a game that definitely deserves attention. With these shortcomings addressed, it could become a real hit, winning the hearts of millions of players.

All in all Metalhead Software Inc. hit another one out of the park with Super Mega Baseball 2.

Wytchwood is a dark fantasy indie adventure game that immerses you into a phantasmagorical land with endless troubles thanks to the villainous animal antagonists that inhabit it. Luckily, or not so luckily, you play an old witch who has made a pact with an ancient, black goat that's fond of eating grimoire pages and expects you to do something about the fairytale world's woes. What ensues is hours of hilariously creative dialogue and story, framed by colorful characters, relaxing music, and an enjoyable crafting system. There are always more spells to cast and mushrooms to pick for those that know where to look. Wytchwood is one of those rare gems that supports its rich story with a very successful crafting and gathering system that rewards creative and conniving crones. Collect all the souls and maybe, just maybe, you can enjoy that nap in your rocking chair without fairytale creatures knocking down your door for help. Who are we kidding? There's always another villain.

Inkle Studios' Overboard won't be every gamer and why should it be? If you're the type who likes to take a more relaxed approach to their gaming and don't mind reading then Overboard is a solid game choice! You as the player make your own choices and choose your own actions to drive the story down different paths. A lot of the fun is based on playing a detective's nemesis where you're trying to outwit other characters to get away with murder!

Be warned Vambrace: Cold Soul starts out challenging. If you realize what you're getting yourself into, and go in expecting that you'll die quite a bit early on, then your persistence will lead to a fun, visually beautiful and rewarding experience.