The story might be largely irrelevant, but the gameplay is absolutely excellent especially if you’re into other trading card games and/or board games and becomes even better in multiplayer. It finds a happy medium squarely as part of both those genres with a variety of card art and abilities that make for a wide range of deck strategies and replayability.

Whether you’re an older gamer like me chasing the experience we had in our youth, or a newcomer to the retro genre, it’s worth your time. You’re in for hours of entertainment from one playthrough alone, and even more, if you’re a completionist that craves finding all the secrets a game has to offer. So do yourself a favor: load up the eShop (or Steam if you don’t have a Switch), search for Tiny Barbarian DX, click the ‘buy’ button and settle in for a great time.

Neon Chrome’s environmental destruction and bright, cyberpunk colors do a lot to help it stand out from a crowd of dark and dreary rogue-likes. Giving players a sense of progression helps motivate you to play through multiple rounds, and the procedurally generated levels mean you are always doing your best to scout ahead and make a plan for the next room, whether that be taking out a few walls or running in guns blazing.

When a game can bring about those kinds of emotions but also stay fun and enjoyable, that’s how you know it’s really good in my book. You never want to give up and only want to keep trying til you beat it.

While some of it does seem trope-y and parts been done before, I feel Gianty has done enough to make the story in Goken their own. Overall the game felt like a good solid addition to anyone’s Action RPG library.

While 88 Heroes can be fun for a quick play session, the premise feels as though it hurts the overall game. Making each level beatable by each hero makes the game a little too easy at times, but it is fun to get one of your favorite heroes and mess around with their unique abilities. While you can unlock modes that let you limit the heroes you wish to use, to either a pool of 8 with Magnificent 8 mode or 1 with solo, it still doesn’t quite solve the game’s issue of needing to cater to all of the heroes as a whole.

If you’re going to choose between RTR on the other consoles or the PC, and the Switch? The only reason to choose the Switch is if you simply must have the game in a portable fashion. It’s not that it plays poorly, it’s that it’s so clearly a downgraded version of the revamped game, making it a zero-sum equation if you know what I mean.

This game has everything I personally love in a third person action shooter. It provides a satisfying blend of action and story with the freedom of play, personable characters, and a compelling storyline. The comic book presentation gives the shooter its own personality and character and it has online cooperative play. If you enjoy a thoughtful tactical shooter, then I would recommend giving Rogue Trooper Redux a try.

All in all, if you're a fan of open-world exploration and complex combat, ELEX may be the game for you, though I would add the caveat that you may want to see how things improve over the coming months.

And I think that what really hinders South Park: The Fractured But Whole more than anything is the story does not take things to the epic scale the first one did. The gravitas and imperativeness of saving the entire world are not there like it was in Stick of Truth. Which is a bummer because these superhero characters were so great and this could’ve gone for a way larger scale.

Gundam Versus is a fun game. If you love the Gundam series you will find something about this to like I’m sure. There is a possibility of gameplay getting stale after a while because it’s a lather-rinse experience of playing, get XP, then unlock something.

The Hunter: CotW drops most of the arcade style and replaces it with a slower paced, more realistic hunt. At first, I thought this would limit the audience to a more narrow scope of player. That is, until my 9-year-old daughter quit playing Minecraft, sat down next to me and asked, “Can I play?” Since then, she has logged more time playing than I have.

Mikami’s new game may not compare to the horrific Resident Evil 7, but it doesn’t have to either. The Evil Within 2 is a memorable and compelling game all on its own, and one that deserves to be played by horror fans and action game fans alike. The frustrations of the first game (which have been documented by others) are non-existent here and instead, this sequel outshines its predecessor in almost every aspect. Next time, just give us a bit better story and dialog, and a more interesting protagonist.

Those two semi-complaints aside, I definitely think that Tooth and Tail is worth a look. It has a compelling and well-crafted world coupled with beautiful pixel art graphics and a challenging and interesting campaign. It has a unique and fun multiplayer mode that has grown on me despite my quibbles. And more than anything, it shows the power of a studio determined to execute on their vision and the dedication to achieve a design laser-focused on providing a specific experience.

This is the best Forza Motorsports game yet and, dare I say, the best racing game all year. From the gorgeous graphics, dynamic weather, and largest roster of cars to date; this is the ultimate in racing simulation and I can’t wait to experience this game on the upcoming Xbox One X to see it all in glorious 4K.

Despite any drawbacks, I found the game to be very absorbing and challenging. Gameplay requires a balance of skill and quick maneuvering as well as equipment upgrading and intelligent item use to keep you alive. After progressing through level after increasingly difficult level I found myself continually more compelled to play on and discover the intents behind the forces fighting for dominance on this dark and lonely moon.

If you are looking for an RTS that you can simply play as a solo campaign, this is not the game for you. However, if you are someone who likes strategy games that allow you to work in tandem with others and want to be a part of building up an RTS gaming community by championing KAVA’s values of Competition, Cooperation, and Community, Divided We Fall is worth checking out.

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.

Mushroom Wars 2 was a surprisingly engaging for me. I really wasn’t expecting myself to get pulled into what seemed on the surface to be a simplified RTS. Yet with it’s engaging, layered combat, easy to pick up and play attitude, four episode campaign and some great multiplayer offerings, Mushroom Wars 2 is a title worth spending some time with.

There is so much more to the game I didn’t get to explore or have room to explain. Characters can upgrade and merge gear. Gear can be recrafted to fit the partner. There is pvp and raids and seasonal events. This is a game with a lot to offer. It’s free to play and if you’re looking for a classic MMORPG experience with a community then this game is worth checking out.

I would recommend JYDGE (and Neon Chrome) to anyone that wants a good, small twin-stick shooter experience.

Jettomero isn’t terribly difficult and, if the art style grabs you, the lack of complex game play may be refreshing. The backstory of the protagonist is worth discovering, and the argument could be made that the point here isn’t so much to be challenged as it is to just be Jettomero, and see the world through the eyes of a humongous, well-meaning sentient robot who wants to help but keeps accidentally stepping on things.

It is the little things added to FIFA that always set the game apart. The stadiums, the feel of the game, even trash blowing across the pitch make you feel like you are in a real match. EA has been on a mission to make all of these elements a strong part of the game to put any fan into the matchday insanity. We had a lot of fun with FIFA 2018 and will continue to play for a while.

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.

After delving into the game in its release form for several hours, I found I greatly enjoyed the game and felt that it had lived up to the expectations set by what was available in the preview. The game is unique and enjoyable with a compelling story and diverse characters that embody a complex culmination and interaction of various subcultures that deviate from each other while simultaneously holding true to what I would imagine is the nature of New York in that time era.

For $20, Steamworld Dig 2 packs an immense amount of value and fun into a refreshing platformer with an interesting narrative, lots of explosions, and the satisfying feeling of exploration and constant progression. Really, what more could you want from something that costs less than a real-life pickaxe?

Don’t get me wrong, Omega Strike is an enjoyable romp into the platformer genre, however, it’s not one that I feel brings anything new to the table. If you’re a fan of the Wolbyware’s previous work or are a fan of platformers I think Omega Strike is definitely worth a look-in however for this writer there’s not enough to keep bringing me back to the title.

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.