This world is a joy to get lost in and thanks to the unique take on procedural design, it offers a multitude of ways to re-experience the game even after completion. Aside from some minor issues with the ho-hum traversal upgrades, Chasm is an inspired take on a well-worn genre. If you long for the days of annual Igavanias, Chasm’s one of the better modern stabs at that glory.

Dragon Ball FighterZ remains a winner on Nintendo Switch. The game plays fantastically and is fun for both the fighting novice learning the ins and outs and the expert. From casual options that you play with a Joy-Con to online ranked modes that run without too much lag, this title has everything you want out of a fighting game. 24 iconic characters bring a fun variety of moves to the table that thrilled me every time I played.

A lot of hard work and sacrifice likely went into the creation of Soulblight so it’s unfortunate that I can’t recommend it, even as a niche. None of the mechanics were of interest and the visuals need a major overhaul. With not shortage of dungeon crawling roguelikes available on the Switch, my recommendation is to look elsewhere.

Really, it is the same GameCube game with a sprinkling of flourishes here and there for the 3DS.

All in all, Child of Light can be simple and easy, and played with low stress, an experience breezy. The aesthetic is one up there with the best, and if you avoid enemy encounters bosses can be quite a test. Without a doubt here’s a title that’s unique but subtle, yet demands your attention and a look; I’ll hear no rebuttal. Well-suited to those who want a creative RPG that both sticks to and deviates from this genre’s normalcy. If you’re never played it, well now’s the time. Go on and enjoy Child of Light in its Nintendo Switch prime.

Claws of Furry is disappointing. Despite having a fantastic look, it just feels slippery. The controls never feel right, and playing levels in normal mode simply isn't all that fun. There are alternative modes to give you motivation, but they can only give you so much. As you continue to play, the cracks start to show once again. Bad enemy AI isn't an unusual occurrence in a game that prides itself on being a strong beat 'em up outing. It all just stings a little.

A lack of clarity plagues both the aesthetics and gameplay. Reaching a place where you know what you’re doing isn’t an easy task, but getting over the learning curve is worth it. A single run in Risk of Rain is quick, but it’s also so addicting that you’ll rarely ever play just one run.

At best, it’s a neat physics toy, watching our giant protector get knocked about by gravity and his tiny wards, but as a game it’s lacking in substance to go with all this style.

I very much enjoyed Disgaea 1 Complete, but I don’t feel it’s for everybody. On the surface, there’s a great strategy game full of interesting and unique takes on the genre. But it’s also grind-heavy, with a learning curve that can be extremely daunting. If you have a lot of time to spare, this is easily one of the better strategy RPGs released on the Switch thus far.

On paper, The World Ends With You would have been perfect for a Switch adaptation, and it still could be. There hasn’t been any indication of post-launch updates to fix the controls, but in a less cynical view we can be glad they’re not selling Another 7 Days as a separate expansion. But Final Remix is something rare: the Switch port of a classic game that would have been better served happening on 3DS if they wanted to replicate the original experience.

It’s not hard to pour a bunch of time into Prison Architect, and I am happy to recommend it to anyone looking for a sim game to play on their couch.

I first tried to judge Dragalia Lost on how money-hungry it was but instead grew as a gamer. Dragalia Lost proves free-to-play isn’t the demon I thought it was. With a ton of content, deep, fluid gameplay, and top-notch production, Dragalia Lost is worth every penny a player spends on it. See you in co-op!

Both games in Scribblenauts MegaPack are worth revisiting on the Switch. They aren’t perfect, and can be a breeze if you’re looking for something tough. But both games are great for casual play. If you can accept the faults of Unmasked, both games are worth giving another look.

When everything is put together, Rise and Shine is incohesive, and no aspect of it is compelling enough in its own right to make the game more than the sum of its parts. It probably isn’t a waste of an afternoon to play Rise and Shine, but it's probably better to do anything else instead.

It has wit, fun visuals, a good soundtrack, and a lot of personality. The story isn’t super deep, but it’s not trying to be. This is a fun take on a villain doing what old-school villains have always done, and the thought process around that. If you’re into simpler platformers that don’t eat up a lot of time, and want some charming characters, Nefarious might just be for you.

A lot of neat ideas are presented in STAY but they just don’t feel like they were implemented in an effective way. The most interesting segments get interrupted with puzzles that mostly feel like a way of extending the play time. I also ran into a few performance issues like puzzles becoming unresponsive which required a reboot and a chapter restart. I think the developer is on the right track but for this particular game some more polish and better or more relevant puzzles would have gone a long way at creating a more entertaining experience.

While the music is a highlight, it doesn’t always match the visuals on screen, and all in all, I find this title a hard one to recommend. If you’re blown away by the art style or the music, give Twisted Dreams a look, but otherwise look for your sweet dreams somewhere else.

Mario Party has seen its fair share of good and bad over the years, but Super Mario Party swings the pendulum back in the right direction. The return of the classic style is a welcome one, and the plethora of different minigames hit the mark more often than not. It would have been nice to see another board or two, but the assortment of other fully-fledged modes helps to mitigate that feeling.

My family and I had a great time trying this out. My dad, who usually takes a bit to pick up on controls, even had fun playing. For anyone looking for a simple party game to add to their library, this is a great choice.

Broken Age is a faithful callback to the Golden Age of point-and-click adventures. While this holds in back in some respects, the game was a joy to play with fun puzzles and a captivating story.

Lightening Force is a bright star in the vast shoot ‘em up sky and an easy recommendation to fans of these types of games. Other players might find the difficulty a little steep, but a little practice and the option to use save states will help those who might not be as familiar with horizontal shooters; there’s also Kids Mode.

For a very budget-friendly racer, Boxy Racers delivered a far higher level of quality and polish than I expected, even if not necessarily the challenge. The racing itself reminds me most of the classic RC Pro-AM back on the NES, though this control style is far superior. While experienced racers won’t likely struggle to get through all three circuits, if you’re able to play against a friend, or online play picks up, I could see where it would make for great competitive racing or simply goofing off in one of the four diverse Battle Modes. There’s a fair amount of quality racing in this low-cost title, and I’d love to see more of it… hopefully with a bit higher degree of difficulty.

If you’re a big fan of crazy shooters, and especially if you appreciate anime art and funky humor to boot, Azure Reflections may not be the best out there but it very much stands out as unique without question. Rather than go the path of merely imitating one of the other popular series it brings a few ideas of its own to the table and that’s always refreshing. Just be ready to get visually assaulted along the way, it’s one of the most colorful shooters I’ve ever seen.

Having the option to play on the big screen is always nice but it’s in handheld mode where titles like this truly shine, with the touchscreen in handheld mode always offering a quicker and easier way to play. If you love a good puzzle challenge Piczle Lines DX is neck and neck with the likes of Picross for quality and offers a unique style worthy of your time.

If you're looking to do some dungeon crawling and battling against creepy monsters from Japanese folklore book your trip to Hyakki Castle.

Marble It Up as it is right now is an excellent marble puzzle platformer with not a lot of meat on its bones. It’s hard to recommend in its current form because it’s so threadbare, but it’s something worth keeping an eye on as updates are made.

This version might be missing modes found on other consoles, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth your time. From the newly-added UEFA Champions League mode, to the updated online that now lets you play with friends, there’s plenty to see and do. The top-tier gameplay feels fluid and crisp, the visual upgrades are noticeable, and having the FIFA experience portable is a great feeling. For those who want more than the standard Career modes or love diving into the Ultimate Team this version might not be for you, but if those aren’t deal breakers, then FIFA 19 on the Switch is a fantastic way to get your soccer fix.

A Case of Distrust is a really fun adventure game/visual novel. It has a solid, if telegraphed, mystery and a unique cast of characters. It succeeds in capturing Roaring Twenties San Francisco and the evolving social mores of the interwar period. Its style is captivating, and positively contributes to gameplay. This is a strong recommendation for anyone who loves a good murder mystery.

With Mega Man 11, Capcom is catering to new players and hardened veterans, and satisfies both to a degree, but it will likely disappoint some players, too. It might not be the Mega Man game we need, but on October 2 it will be the one we get.

While the Variety Kit did provide some entertainment, I felt that the replayability of that initial Labo came up short, which led to my reduced enthusiasm in the product line. If you had a similar feeling to what I did, don’t let that previous experience prevent you from trying out this new offering. Whether Nintendo learned some lessons during the first run or if the extra time in development allowed them to release a more polished experience, I’m not sure. But what I do know is that the Labo Vehicle Kit is miles ahead of its predecessors and has made me excited again about the future of this franchise.

Sonic 1 feels slightly more primitive than the other Sonic games, but that’s alright. The addition of the newer dash moves brings it closer to the more recent Sonic games in feel, but if you want speed, Sonic Mania would be a better pick. Still, M2 did phenomenal work on bringing this game to the Switch in a way that doesn't feel stale. If you want to see where Sonic came from and are interested in how the new features enhance this classic game, there’s no reason to stay away.

Alwa’s Awakening is a great investment for those who grew up with old-school Castlevania games or those who prefer Zelda II to The Legend of Zelda. It’s not fast-paced or action-packed, but it has plenty of nostalgia and is well-suited to those who prefer jumping to shooting, spell-casting to sword-swinging. Well, how can I forget you, Zoe? When there’s always another Metroidvania to remind me.

TowerFall is an outrageously incredible local multiplayer game, quite possibly one of my favorites of all time. Smash Bros. might draw attention away from TowerFall when it launches, but I’m reminded of how when Super Smash Bros. for Wii U came out, I had a group of friends over and we wound up playing more TowerFall than Smash. In the ever-expanding sea of local multiplayer games on Switch, TowerFall stands out, thanks to its intuitive and fun gameplay, excellent style and presentation, and variety of play.

Wandersong is definitely worth checking out on the basis of how different and unique it is. From the fun, new interaction method to the hand-crafted art style, this is something completely fresh.

In Between is a real solid puzzle-platformer in a world with many on Nintendo Switch. The darker tone of the story questions life, death and everything between with care. There are some puzzle bits that could've been formed better, but it is a fantastic game in the grand scheme of things. All in all, this is one of those games I would recommend putting on headphones for and kick it back in handheld mode. The intensity of some individual moments are really well suited for a personal display.

The style of Ultimate Chicken Horse is great and when it all comes together, it is a special brand of silly party gaming. Unfortunately, unless you find that perfect situation, the quality of the fun can vary wildly. So much of the amusement here is dependent on having the right people to play with. Find that setup and this is a madcap party game.

I would recommend it to Excitebike super fans, arcade aficionados, gaming historians, and Nintendo fanatics who just want to experience any oddity related to the company’s history. Anyone else may get their fix by playing the original version of Excitebike, which is currently part of the Nintendo Entertainment System Nintendo Switch Online app. And who knows, maybe months or years down the line the ultimate version of Excitebike, VS. Excitebike from the Famicom Disk System, may hit the service as well.

Armello is a brilliant combination of board game ideas poured into a video game. A variety of ways to play mix well with the layers of strategy and charming presentation to make an impressive addition to the Switch multiplayer library. This is a grand, polished experience that is fun by yourself and even better online. It’s shame about the lack of local play, but it makes up for it by being so good otherwise.

I appreciate This is the Police II in that it tries to be a more ambitious game than the original. It still carries aspects from the first game that I liked, such as the atmosphere and narrative. But between the sharp increase in difficulty, juggling the various gameplay elements and the long-winded storytelling, it simply isn’t that fun to play. Sometimes trying to do so much dilutes what you’re trying to accomplish, and This is The Police II is a prime example of that.

Overall, the game is fantastic. It’s fun for solo play and is even better when working in co-op. I’ve poured hours into the game and have still not completed every possible task available. There’s so much replayability and it’ll have you craving for more Yo-kai madness… or maybe a Yo-kai is making you think that. Regardless, the game is definitely fantastic and I’d highly recommend adding it to your 3DS’s library.

Overall, the game is fantastic. It’s fun for solo play and is even better when working in co-op. I’ve poured hours into the game and have still not completed every possible task available. There’s so much replayability and it’ll have you craving for more Yo-kai madness… or maybe a Yo-kai is making you think that. Regardless, the game is definitely fantastic and I’d highly recommend adding it to your 3DS’s library.

The board game segments are the draw of Light Fingers, and as long as you don’t venture off that path, you’ll likely have a fantastic time.

I found the first couple runs mildly entertaining with diminishing returns on each subsequent playthrough.

Final Fantasy XV: Pocket Edition HD is a weird game to review. While it doesn't exactly fill an RPG-sized hole, it’s still fun to play. The challenge might be lacking, but it is fun going through the motions.

This is one of the finest action games I've played in a while, and every individual piece about it works.

Broken Sword 5 delivers a competent point-and-click, with a cast of colorful characters, a rollicking-if-cheesy adventure, and solid puzzle design. Some minor issues with gameplay and puzzle design don’t harm the game’s quality too much, and in such an undeserved genre they’re forgivable. The biggest issue with the game is that it is a bit too married to convention both in plot and gameplay. Broken Sword 5 won't stick with like classics of the point-and-click Golden Age, but it’s still a solid adventure and I’ll be keeping my eyes open for future (and past) travels of George and Nico.

If you don’t really care for brawlers, the games in this collection aren’t going to change your mind. That said, there is a lot of value in the Capcom Beat ‘Em Up Bundle, and I highly recommend it to fans of the genre or those who love couch co-op games.

The Gardens Between is one of the bigger surprises I've played on Nintendo Switch. The title proved to be a smartly designed puzzler that anyone quickly can understand. Solutions are found by using logic in tandem with the rules of the world. The flow of time plays a major role in all of this and a keen eye can help you all the way through. The only error I can see here is that The Gardens Between ends on a weird note. This is something that could've been expanded upon, but the developers left us guessing. The complaint is rather minor in the grand scheme of it all as the experience is one that shouldn't be missed.

I don’t recommend Hover: Revolt of Gamers on the Switch at all. Even after five years of development, it feels incredibly undercooked. The user interface is not intuitive, and the gameplay and camera together make it feel like a bad VR game. Maybe it’s more fun on a powerful desktop PC, but it just doesn’t feel at home here.

I was charmed by the style and presentation of Reigns: Kings and Queens. While the repetition of decisions can slow the fun at times, the quest system gives you something to constantly be trying to figure out. The story goes to enough offbeat places and as long as you’re progressing through the quests, adds in enough small bits of gameplay to stay fresh. Reigns is much more experiential than gamey, but it’s an experience worth checking out.

Fall of Light features multiple weapons and fighting stances, but these features just did not feel different enough to me to combat all the problems that I experienced. If you are looking for a Dark Souls experience, I would wait and spend the money when the remaster comes out rather than subject yourself to Fall of Light.

Going through the experience today, it’s easy to see why Undertale was the talk of the town two years ago. It’s not an overly long playthrough, but it’s an impactful 7+ hours. A slow burn that starts off cute, but builds up to an absolutely thrilling last couple hours. I’m not sure if the Pope has gotten around to playing it yet, but he would be doing himself a disservice if he hasn’t.

Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Torna ~ The Golden Country, despite technically being DLC, is a remarkably accessible adventure to new players. For those viewing this simply as a DLC, I expect you’ll be floored by just how new it all feels. As a separate experience it has some very real pacing issues, and if you found the map, compass, or field skills frustrating in the original you’ll likely be revisiting that frustration here. Regardless however it the best combat the franchise has ever had. The story and gameplay all hold their own well against the Xenoblade series reputation for excellence, and will likely leave you wanting more.

Reflexions is not great. There’s not much content, there aren’t enough massage mini-games, there aren’t enough dress-up options (at least, not yet), and the voyeuristic tone is creepy. And then there’s the fantasy involving Asuka being your little sister, which almost makes me want to nuke the game from orbit. For the Senran Kagura superfan, it’s probably required reading but everyone else can just wait for Peach Beach Pinball.

A few tweaks here and there, would assist in the overall experience, but all in all I recommend checking into The Penrose for a few puzzling nights.

Steady rhythm gameplay doesn’t hide the fact that I’d rather play the original songs and not the modern throwbacks.

You can do pretty much whatever you want, whether it’s play every game with your favorite team, sim seasons and be a manager, invent your own team, bring in legends to the modern NBA, or play through cinematic stories. It’s a lot to take in and sift through, but if you have a passing affinity for basketball, a mode is likely here for you. NBA 2K19 is a top-tier sports game, even on the Switch. It’s just a shame the microtransactions are ever present.

Overall, if you’re a fan of the De Blob series or if you’re just looking for a nice and peaceful game to add to your Switch library, I’d recommend giving this one a shot and letting your inner graffiti artist run wild.

Labyrinth of Refrain: Coven of Dusk is the dungeon crawler I've been waiting for. The way you build up characters and use them in battle is so incredibly well put together. Everything you do to prepare feels important, and readies you for what comes next. Naturally there are a few things to be said about the story's setup and the not-so-massive enemy count, but this can be forgiven in the grand scheme of things. The game knows what it wants to be, and I gladly spent well close to 100 hours seeing it all through. If you are looking for a game that will keep you going, Labyrinth of Refrain has your back.

All in all, Robbotto is a decent but unfulfilling attempt at trying to replicate the whimsical Bubble Bobble. Robb’s jumping is too floaty and makes certain levels and situations more difficult than they should be. The charge shot moves slowly and can only be fired one at a time and is frustratingly coupled with extremely short range on the water hose. These issues negatively impact enjoyment of the game. You can work on setting a high score and there are basic achievements to complete, but these add little to the overall experience.

If you have a game night with a group of friends who like playing a handful of silly multiplayer games that’ll cause laughter and aggravation when getting too competitive, Slam Land with its visual goofiness, quirks, and crazy on-screen dunk action will belong beautifully as part of your rotation. I’ll have a bunch of fun with my friends when they come to visit next, but the game will likely go untouched until then.

The best way to experience Wasteland 2 is undoubtedly on PC, but if that’s not an option the Switch version is an acceptable, though compromised solution. A healthy amount of patience and a reasonable amount of stress toleration will be needed but ultimately it will be worth it.

My time with Broforce followed an arc of first loving the concept, then being exhausted by it before coming back around and loving the blend of nonsense bro jokes and amusing gunplay and levels. This all works best with a bros playing locally, but even if you’re playing solo (brolo?), Broforce is still a fun romp.

If you’re a fan of metroidvania-style games, games with a good story, or even just something to pass the time, I would absolutely recommend adding this game to your Switch library immediately. It’s perfect for beginners and experienced players alike and will leave you with hours of challenge and entertainment.

The Switch release plays just as smoothly as any modern game. No frame drops are present and it works beautifully in handheld mode. While there is no new content with this release, it still feels right at home on the Switch. If you’ve played Bastion in the past or if you’ve missed out on the previous releases, I wholeheartedly recommend Bastion for anyone looking for a fantastic action RPG.

When I first played Gone Home five years ago, I remember sitting and staring at my computer screen for a long while after completing the game. I didn’t want to move or speak. I just wanted to think about what I had experienced over the course of an evening. The Fullbright Company knows how to tell a story and they succeed at making the player feel that he or she is part of that story. If you want a narrative experience that demonstrates what the video game medium is truly capable of, play this game, but do so slowly. Gone Home is not a game to hurry through, but one to savor and remember.

But with Valkyria Chronicles 4, the series is back and everyone needs to enlist.

Overall Sigi is totally fine. The design is amusing and the execution is solid. My main issue with it is that there isn’t much to it. It’s not a title that has much replay value. The difficulty of the regular levels compared to the boss levels is also a bit disproportionate. I think that the life-hoarding mechanic is a cheap way to keep the player happy. I know not everyone will find the boss levels as difficult as I did, but it is something to consider. But if you were even vaguely interested in this game, I’d recommend it. It’s fun to play and not a huge commitment, so you can indulge in a little platforming for an hour.

Overall, while the game doesn’t quite live up to the game it was inspired by, it does have its own merits and reasons to play through it. If you’re a fan of challenging platformers, then I’d definitely recommend giving this on a shot and suggest keeping a few spare Joy-Con at hand to replace any you may break in frustration.

For what it's worth, SNK Heroines is a fun fighting game with (local) multiplayer options but, like so many fighting games, lacks a real single-player hook. I suspect your enjoyment of this game will depend on whether you have a stable roster of real-life friends because it seems like online play is currently borked. Maybe they can patch it? There are DLC characters coming down the pipe, so the roster will improve but there’s not a ton of reason to keep coming back for solo play.

If the plot was more compact, and delivered more compelling story beats, the slow battles would be more tolerable. If the battles presented unique challenges and were more expediently resolved then the story could afford to be less engaging. The fact of the matter is neither is compelling nor are they offensively poor. Despite logging dozens of hours, I don’t care about these characters nor do I feel like the battles have changed dramatically in a very long time. A fan of this genre would get some fun out of God Wars, and I would be lying if I said I didn’t, but the fun to tedium ratio is just far too low. Instead, take a look at better examples of the genre, such as the two Disgaea games already on Switch.

The Nintendo Switch plays perfectly fine either way, even though Handheld Mode is the way to go. Pointer controls are a fun inclusion though, even though they should've made it easier to find. It is neat that you can play up to four people on the television, but the Mini Metro I like is personal and with me anywhere I go. The developers have done a good job translating the magic to the Nintendo Switch, which was honestly my biggest worry going in.

Planet Alpha shines some much needed light on a very dark genre. It stands in stark presentational contrast with its contemporaries in the best way possible. Stealth segments do drag down the experience somewhat but are the exception not the rule in otherwise compelling gameplay. From a technical standpoint, the Switch may not be the best way to play, but the core experience shines through. Planet Alpha was the refreshing breath of air that I never realized the genre needed.

A masterful and beautiful experience with powerful visuals, transcendent audio, and challenging gameplay.

Unraveling the thread to reveal the truth behind Lifeless Planets narrative is definitely its strongest appeal. Unfortunately, doing so often feels more like a chore than a joy. The platforming here feels ancient The planet itself, while absolutely capturing the essence of it decaying, comes off as uninteresting to explore. Add in some monotonous puzzles, and what you’re left with is a rather forgettable experience.

Moonfall Ultimate has the framework for what could have been a better game if given more time to iron-out its strange difficulty scaling, slippery and unresponsive controls, and oddly enough, spell-checking. With a partner and expectations set properly, it could be a suitable rainy-day game, but I cannot recommend it to a solitary soldier.

Ninjin was a surprise title that I had a great time with. Both local and online coop modes will allow more people to join in on this adventure and win back their carrots from the Mole Shogun. If you are looking for a fun game with silly humor and quick gameplay, give Ninjin a shot.

While there are some interesting aspects of Polygod to explore, I more often wanted to just stop playing than go back in to explore more.

Given the likely polarizing nature of the game’s controls, Manual Samuel gets a highly conditional recommendation. If you’re willing to roll with the punches, there’s definitely a unique good time to be had here, just be very aware of its intent to make controlling just about anything more challenging than you’d ever imagine.

The basic gameplay itself doesn’t really change over the course of each run: guard buildings, kill Vek, and try not to die in the process. The randomized maps and objectives add variety, but you will need to appreciate the subtle changes that the islands undergo in each run. Undoubtedly, one of the best features of the game is unlocking new mechs and creating your own squads, and it is that element that will keep me coming back to the game. Hop into a breach and pick up this game yesterday, soldier. It’s Vek-hunting season.

The wide range of combat options and the openness that is maintained throughout makes it accessible to a wider range of audience. If you enjoy overpowering dozens of enemies with wanton acts of destruction, you’ll have a hell of a good time with Victor Vran.

Flood of Light is a solid puzzler that brings a sense of calm and beauty to the genre. Its ambient piano music, accompanied by the constant rainfall surrounding the city, creates a relaxing atmosphere. While touchscreen use is possible, this game is best enjoyed as a handheld game as it’s easy to switch between controls and feel the light use of the Switch’s HD rumble. The mechanics are explained and demonstrated very clearly to get players started, but it’s important to think outside the box as the puzzles increase in difficulty. It’s easy to feel frustrated for a while on a certain area, but once you strike on the solution, the game feels wonderfully satisfying.

The VideoKid is a short visit, not an extended vacation, into a quirky nostalgia-packed arcade run. I enjoyed my brief stay, but for you it might depend on your fondness for The California Raisins or The Thundercats.

Candle is just fine. With some unresponsive controls and frustrating puzzles, it doesn’t stick the landing. That isn't great, but there is enough to like here if you are craving a new puzzle platformer. The presentation is, thankfully, utterly brilliant. Once it is all over though, you won't really feel a desire to return. The experience is an uneven one, but it balances just enough on the right side.

A great innovation on a classic formula. Any fan of platforming will be more than satisfied with the joy of speeding around the long levels and the derivative gameplay of the different characters.

When it comes right down to it, Cycle 28’s gameplay rarely exceeds its arcade-housed forefathers. It attempts to develop its gameplay into something more, and while honorable, this effort is mostly fruitless. The unlockable upgrade system does add some mild drive to push the player forward, but odds are it won’t be enough to keep you playing throughout the entire story. If you are looking for a retro, arcade shooter, there is a reasonably solid experience here, but don’t expect anything more.

All in all, I just didn’t really have fun playing Morphie’s Law, which is a real shame. The great amount of detail that went into the design and aesthetic is phenomenal, with beautiful visuals and a killer soundtrack to boot. Unfortunately the gameplay just doesn’t live up to the rest, and even the premise doesn’t ever really feel more than a novelty. A future update could potentially fix a lot of these issues, but as it stands I have a hard time recommending Morphie’s Law.

This is a fun, accessible fighter that casuals can jump into that also has depth that more seasoned fighting fans will appreciate. It’s definitely worth checking out.

This is just a immensely well-made game that has a rock-solid foundation with the hero’s movements and controls. On top of that, it layers on an onslaught of laudatory elements, whether it’s a winning, humorous tone, the excellent linear level design, or the marvels of the late-game exploration.

How you traditionally consume your Monster Hunter is going to determine whether Generations Ultimate is worth your time. The graphics and gameplay are closer to last generation consoles so if you’ve already graduated to Monster Hunter World, this will feel like a step backwards. If picking up World isn’t an option, or if you prefer to take your Monster Hunter with you on the go, then Generations Ultimate is your best bet for the premiere portable experience.

All in all, I feel that while Ultra Space Battle Brawl may seem strange and absurd at first, it is an enjoyable experience that you wouldn’t want to miss out on.

Bad North is, broadly speaking, a hard game to recommend even if I came out the other side enjoying it. The style and thoughtful minimalist reworking of the real-time strategy game is exemplary, but the unrelenting back half of the roguelike adventure can sour a good time. I can wholeheartedly recommend Bad North if you fall into either of these camps: someone who’s into a novel RTS twist on the good old-fashioned hard-as-hell roguelike or someone who can chill out to a brutal yet serene RTS that has some rough edges.

The exploration will satisfy the adventure crowd, the asset management of finding ingredients and developing better meals will please the RPG fans. It will melt time away as you push to complete just one more day, but values your time because there really aren’t very many wasted moments. It’s a complete package that is hand tailored to be consumed as intended by the developers, and they’ve delivered a refreshing experience.

It’s just too long and player engagement is so minimal. I don’t like games that pretend to be games but are really just movies. State of Mind would make a great mini-series or book, but it’s not a great video game.

Blackjack is a timeless classic, but when it comes to its virtual representation, it generally doesn’t offer enough to keep things interesting with nothing on the line. I thought Super Blackjack Battle II Turbo Edition - The Card Warriors had the potential to spice things up to add longevity, but sadly it failed to do so. With poor AI and no online play, the only truly redeeming factor are the visuals and superb soundtrack. However that just isn’t enough to keep your attention for more than a few hands.

Overall, while this game has a unique charm and an interesting world, the gameplay failed to make it a fond experience. For big fans of the genre, this might be worth picking up for a few hours’ entertainment, but it’s definitely not for everyone.

Kero Blaster is lighter fare, but the well-thought-out weapon balancing and fine-tuned platforming make it an amusing little journey. If you crave more gameplay and challenge, harder modes await, but even if you were to just play through the short initial story, Kero Blaster is still a game worth checking out.

Pato Box has a neat idea: take your boxer out of the ring and into the corporate world. It tells a story fittingly silly for a boxer with a duck’s head. However, the lack of checkpointing and overly long exploration segments are a one-two punch of frustration. Some floors of Deathflock HQ seem impenetrable and while the boss fights are the star of the show, even they aren’t without problems. The concept isn’t beyond saving, and it’s still possible to have a good time, but too often Pato Box just left me incredibly frustrated.