Game Reviews

22nd May, 2020 | 5:35hrs | rating: 3.5/5
Mario's first step into 3D, and they got so much right from the very beginning.

GAMEPLAY: Controlling Mario is incredibly fun to this day, only while walking slowly, he has this awkward turning thing that isn't great. The camera would be extremely frustrating to a new-comer, but I'm so used to it that it's not a big deal.
AUDIOVISUALLY: Simple but timeless. The music is alright but among the weakest in the series.
STORY/PRESENTATION: Collect stars to open doors in Peach's castle until you reach Bowser. Doesn't need to be more than that. Some levels are better than others though. I got frustrated by the ghost house and the water levels, as I didn't have the patience for slow-paced exploration.

Hadn't played this since the DS version in 2004, but it was a lot of fun! It's so focused, no waiting times, just straight to the point. Now I'm updated with my view on Mario64, and I can't wait to try the rumored remaster/remake, and all the other 3D Mario games....

7th May, 2020 | 20:00hrs | rating: 2.5/5
Solve murder mysteries with picross puzzles.

GAMEPLAY: The picross gameplay is as you'd expect, and what's in-between is mostly dialog trees and occasionally presenting evidence. Sort of satisfying, but mostly plain.
AUDIOVISUALLY: I don't like the paper cut-out style of the characters, but the music is VERY catchy!
STORY/PRESENTATION: I like the characters quite a bit, but the four chapters all feel like uneventful filler episodes. The very ending is where it picks up, but I felt kind of done at that point.

To me it's okay as a relaxing time-waster, but far from making a real impression on me. Not much replayability either, because it's way too easy to get an S rank. They should have given speed bonuses or something!...

19th Apr, 2020 | 150:00hrs | rating: 4/5
Express yourself like in no other game, this time not just with clothes and interior design, but an entire island!

GAMEPLAY: Move to a deserted island to fish, craft, collect, furnish and spend time with friends. A lot of text and slow pacing results in lacking gameplay feel, but it's still extremely polished and enjoyable, especially if you have a creative mind.
AUDIOVISUALLY: Simple but beautiful visuals, and some nice music, but also some really annoying tracks! I would have liked more variation in the end.
STORY/PRESENTATION: From my perspective, the progress isn't slow enough. You reach "the end" in just 10 days, and it's a good ride, but there aren't many new things unlocking after that. For the first time in a video game, I'm craving DLC, and a lot of it.
MULTIPLAYER: Except the long loading times, the online experience is amazing! The couch-co-op is way too limited though, but sharing an island is nice.

I will keep checking in for a bit every day, but 150 hours in, I'm out of island space to build more things, and it's time to start playing other games again....

18th Apr, 2020 | 9:24hrs | rating: 2.5/5
A very special "platformer" where you can't run, only jump between designated spots.

GAMEPLAY: The controls are snappy and feel fresh and fun, but there isn't much variation at all, so the game loses steam and excitement pretty quickly. The level design is initially more about spatial awareness than other metroidvanias, but gets more plain later on.
AUDIOVISUALLY: The pixelart is above average, with smooth zooming and rotation effects. The audio is even better, with punchy effects and cool if unmemorable music.
STORY/PRESENTATION: The story and lore was fascinating at first, especially the unusual environment/character design, but like the rest of the game, the first hour is much more interesting than the rest.

It started so promising, but the levels got blander and the gameplay didn't change things up enough. It's a very difficult game too, and not in a very satisfying way! All in all, great concept but needed more ideas....

2nd Apr, 2020 | 3:00hrs | rating: 1.5/5
Two brothers set out to find a cure to save their dying father.

GAMEPLAY: Move your character around and occasionally press a button to activate an animation to climb, talk or interact with various elements. The wonky physics and controls are nothing less than hilariously bad, and we often laughed at the random clipping and bugs. AUDIOVISUALLY: It looks like what I imagine Gamecube/PS2 games to look like in HD. It's very basic, and the music is basically nonexistent.
STORY/PRESENTATION: The story is the strength. Can't say it moved me at the end or anything, but there are some really cool and freaky scenarios on your adventure.
MULTIPLAYER: The whole game can be co-oped with a friend, and it certainly makes it a lot more fun, maybe partly because it caused even more bugs than when playing alone!

This feels like it wasn't made by people with video game experience, but if gameplay isn't very important to you, it's a short but fascinating journey through a few environments and events....

19th Mar, 2020 | 7:20hrs | rating: 2/5
You're a small ball who gets kicked out of your hotel, and now you have to find your way back!

GAMEPLAY: The main mechanic is aiming your various guns with the right analog stick, but mostly you explore the world, do some light platforming and read a lot of (humorous) dialog.
AUDIOVISUALLY: I find it pretty ugly, like it's made in classic Paint with modern effects on top. The music is very nice though, the best aspect of the game!
STORY/PRESENTATION: It starts interesting, but you get back to the hotel pretty quickly and after that it seems like they just made things up without any planning or structure. It's just too aimless for this kind of game.
MULTIPLAYER: After a few minutes, a second player can join in as a bird buddy, but since most of the game is slow and eventless, it doesn't really add anything.

I'm sure a lot of love was put into this, the plot is random and there's a lot of time-wasting filler. I'd definitely recommend Wandersong instead, which is a similar adventure platformer but superior in every single way....

17th Mar, 2020 | 19:12hrs | rating: 4/5
Basically it's as metroidvania as a game can get.

GAMEPLAY: Extremely satisfying game loop from start to finish, killing enemies, getting new weapons and abilities and exploring new corners of the map.
AUDIOVISUALLY: Played it on Switch, and this is a pretty ugly and blurry game! Some areas have serious slowdown, but at least I never encountered any bugs or crashes, so honestly I didn't mind. The music is catchy!
STORY/PRESENTATION: The plot is forgettable but not in the way. The loading-times are a little too long, and in general it just doesn't run well.

I gotta say I enjoyed this one more than Hollow Knight in many ways. Especially the insane amount of weapons, abilities and equipment kept things constantly interesting for me, even when backtracking....

Mar 12, 2020 | 7:40hrs | rating: 3/5
Mega Man is back to face eight new robot bosses and their stages.

GAMEPLAY: It's classic Mega Man and it's still fun to play, but the new "double gear" system doesn't really add much for me. Equipping the right weapons is way more crucial to make things easier, because this is a challenging game!
AUDIOVISUALLY: Most levels look generic, but a couple of backgrounds stand out at least. The music does not work for me at all compared to the 8-bit tracks of the franchise.
STORY/PRESENTATION: They really need to try new things rather than "remaking" the first games' structure every time. In this day and age, it's too light on content, and it's way too predictable.

It's retro in a way that isn't common anymore: You lose LIVES and you're meant to replay the levels/game to improve and feel good about it. Some insta-kill traps/pits are annoying, but retrying bosses to find their weaknesses and patterns is still fun....

Mar 10, 2020 | 2:30hrs | rating: 1.5/5
You're a goose, and you have to annoy the humans to cross off a checklist of goals.

GAMEPLAY: It's mostly trial-and-error to achieve things like "make the man spit out his tea" or "dress the statue", and it gets tiresome quickly. I just wish there was a more logical way of progressing that didn't require a random to-do list.
AUDIOVISUALLY: Some of the most authentic clean cartoon graphics I've seen, it's kind of perfect. The music is just some adaptive piano stuff that isn't memorable at all. The game is too quiet!
STORY/PRESENTATION: There is an end goal, but it's not explained or hinted at until you've reached it. I suppose it encourages fun and freedom, but for me it made the game too aimless.
MULTIPLAYER: None. There should have been! How hard can it be to add a second goose.

The first trailer was very eye-catching and interesting, and then the game went viral and I assumed for a good reason. And although there's a lot of charm, silliness and fun animations, it's very short, mostly tedious and just not fun to play....

Mar 9, 2020 | 6:30hrs | rating: 2.5/5
A total Zelda clone where you're a female knight out to save the kingdom.

GAMEPLAY: It controls fine, but it's very much an easier, shorter and more repetitive Zelda. The dungeons are very linear and simple, and basically only 4-5 puzzle types keep appearing, most of them having you push blocks.
AUDIOVISUALLY: I like the atmosphere, but dislike the inconsistent sprite resolutions; it really makes it less professional-looking. The music also switches between Gameboy-sounding to much more modern sounds. It's occasionally catchy, but inconsistent.
STORY/PRESENTATION: It's charming how the story is told to kids by their grandfather, but other than that, it's very simple and predictable.

At first it felt too derivative, but after a few hours I found myself still having fun. Then suddenly it was over. The formula works though, as long as you're not looking for anything creative or original....

Mar 3, 2020 | 3:30hrs | rating: 2.5/5
Play the classic board game on the big screen!

GAMEPLAY: You answer a lot of questions, preferably faster and better than your friends.
AUDIOVISUALLY: The visuals are kind of lame, but you don't need more than this. I wish the questions had been fully voice-acted, as it's now only stuff like "here's the next question!" and "here are the current results!" that's spoken, and the actually questions are shown in tiny text.
STORY/PRESENTATION: It looks like there's so much to do, but there's really only one mode to play with your friends, and it gets repetitive quickly.
MULTIPLAYER: There's an online mode (that I haven't even tried) and the main draw: local multiplayer for up to 4 players. It's fun, but 2-3 rounds is usually enough, because each round has the same structure and there's no way to change things up.

It's a great concept, so it sucks that it isn't more fleshed out. If you could have chosen to only play the more action-y categories, it would have been a lot more fun. As it is now, you feel like you've experienced everything after just a couple of hours....

Feb 28, 2020 | 9:15hrs | rating: 4.5/5
Save the world with song in this magical adventure platformer!

GAMEPLAY: Super clever concept where you at any time can use the right analog stick to sing notes, in order to interact with objects and solve puzzles.
AUDIOVISUALLY: The animations are charming, but technically it's certainly not a looker. The audio design is spectacular though!
STORY/PRESENTATION: It's a very story-driven game full of humor but also emotions and wonderful messages. It's refreshing to not worry about collectibles and repetitive battles, and just enjoy the varied locales and story development.

It's not challenging, the controls and visuals aren't perfect, but it's still a super charming musical adventure and I haven't smiled this much from a game in a long time. It's Paper Mario but more fun and creative, and no interruptions by repetitive battles....

Feb 15, 2020 | 15:48hrs | rating: 2/5
This Banjo-Kazooie wannabe duo goes on a 3D adventure full of mini-games and empty spaces.

GAMEPLAY: The controls are okay (except in some mini-games), but the level design really is the villain here; the areas are just way too big and empty, and there are no satisfying "endings" to them.
AUDIOVISUALLY: Game looks good enough, but some "you're not really meant to walk around here" areas are extremely plain. The music is also uninteresting, like less memorable Banjo-Kazooie imitations.
STORY/PRESENTATION: The jokes are relatively fun, but you unlock all 5 worlds after 50 pagies, and then cannot face the final boss until you've collected 100. This is not a good structure...
MULTIPLAYER: There's a bunch of mini-games, but it's definitely not something you'd play more than once each.

Occasionally I had fun, but it's very unpolished, with random holes you die in, serious frame skipping issues, and huge empty worlds. There is potential, but this first attempt is simply mediocre....

Feb 4, 2020 | 35:00hrs | rating: 3/5
A random free Picross game for Android.

GAMEPLAY: There's a million games using the same Picross concept, but it's still satisfying. This one has better-than-usual customization and touchscreen functionality that minimizes mistakes.
AUDIOVISUALLY: The hand-drawn visuals are a little amateurish, but it looks neat and professional other than that.
STORY/PRESENTATION: Each difficulty chapter is based on a survival scenario, like being on a deserted island and making coconuts or a fire and eventually a helicopter. It's a good way to theme your puzzles, but really not something that impacted my play-through. I just look at the numbers!

It's certainly nothing special, but its content lasted me a good 35 hours, so it's been a good choice when I've been too lazy to bring my Switch. The worst aspect is that the huge grids towards the end are too small on my screen.....

Feb 1, 2020 | 9:32hrs | rating: 4.5/5
Find your way through this very retro metrovania map.

GAMEPLAY: The movement is nothing special, but what sets it apart are all the cool tech/bug-like power-ups, and the traversal mechanics later on feel awesome! Also worth noting is that you never feel completely stuck, so it's a well-designed map in that sense.
AUDIOVISUALLY: I'm not a fan of the grid-based pixel-mud, and the music isn't a favorite either, but the audio as a whole does add to the atmosphere.
STORY/PRESENTATION: The story is interesting and keeps you invested to keep exploring. I definitely care more than in Super Metroid! Than in most metroidvanias really.

I've heard about this game for so long, but assumed I wouldn't like it because it's just too similar to Metroid. Turns out I enjoyed it quite a bit more than what it imitates. I even did two speed-runs right after I first finished it, and I want to play it again....

Jan 16, 2020 | 4:26hrs | rating: 2/5
It's a Kirby platformer, but divided into many bite-sized games/stories. One has you racing against Dedede, one has you collecting treasure on a huge map, one has the enemies live-commenting as you raid through Metaknight's ship, and so on.

GAMEPLAY: Each of the "mini-games" are controlled the same way, and I suppose it works, but it's always very easy, and I'm not motivated to try out the different abilities when I can just fly over the enemies anyway.
AUDIOVISUALLY: It's clear that it came out late in the SNES' life-span, as there are lots of detailed backgrounds and lots of effects. The music is quite catchy too.
STORY/PRESENTATION: I'm not a fan of the structure. Each "game" is too short to build up anything meaningful, so it feels more like a bunch of demos. The Metaknight story is pretty cool though.
MULTIPLAYER: A second player can at any point join in as an extra player, which is good for kids, but doesn't add anything in the way of interactivity or depth. The versus mini-games are fun for 5 minutes.

I just can't agree with the praise for this one. As with all Kirby games I guess, but this one is extra short and underwhelming....

Jan 3, 2020 | 5:20hrs | rating: 2.5/5
Co-op game where you play as ambulance drivers with a stretcher to pick up injured people.

GAMEPLAY: With the press of a button, you grab on to the nearest object/human in order to get them to your ambulance. The controls are finicky though, often being way too hard to grab what you actually intend to grab.
AUDIOVISUALLY: A lot of situations simply look hilarious, and there are so many goofy details like your feet sticking out of the ambulance window. Music is also catchy, and you can clap and sing for no reason at all. It's goofy fun.
STORY/PRESENTATION: The plot is forgettable and very short, but the fully explorable island (with a lot of destructible and interactive objects) is a big bonus, and adds coherence and a convincing sense of place.
MULTIPLAYER: If you're fun people, this game will be fun! It's quite free-roaming and a lot of the fun comes from goofing around.

Along with the unpolished controls, the lack of rewards for doing missions well is the biggest problem. There isn't even any ranking system, so it all feels a little pointless!...

Dec 30, 2019 | 6:19hrs | rating: 3/5
Play as the King Knight through a whole bunch of shorter side-scrolling levels and participate in the card game Joustus.

GAMEPLAY: The mechanics are fresh and clever, as you dash into enemies or walls to create a spin attack you can use on other enemies and objects. The card game is also initially fun, but it lost my interest pretty fast.
AUDIOVISUALLY: Honestly I hate these brownish pixel visuals. Most of it looks like mud. The music on the other hand is spectacular, some of the best in the medium!
STORY/PRESENTATION: There's a lot of humoristic dialog, but it's not something that interests me.
MULTIPLAYER: You can't play the adventure in co-op, but there is a separate "Showdown" released, which is a Smash Bros light. Might as well play Smash.

The original Shovel Knight didn't actually do much for me. It felt too safe, too retro, not surprising enough. I might prefer King of Cards in some ways, as the levels are shorter and it feels more focused, and especially the later levels are quite creative....

Dec 29, 2019 | 3:37hrs | rating: 3/5
I started this one up randomly in the SNES Switch app, and had no idea it's a Kirby themed golf game, and also, that it's fun!

GAMEPLAY: You choose between regular shot or chip, aim and go for the correct strength, like any golf game. At first I had fun playing through the courses with bad scores, but upon returning to them, I realized it also works like a puzzle game, using all your abilities to get a hole in one. Depth!
AUDIOVISUALLY: Standard isometric pixel graphics that do their job. Music is quite nice but nothing special.
STORY/PRESENTATION: You travel through eight colorful worlds for who knows why.
MULTIPLAYER: There's a VS mode, but it didn't quite work for us, since you kind of collaborate too in order to kill the enemies. I want to do it by myself! While competing.

I like golf games, and this is a very original take on the genre. As an adventure, it feels way short though, and although 64 courses is a lot as a golf game, it doesn't give me the itch to replay to improve the scores....

Dec 28, 2019 | 5:35hrs | rating: 2.5/5
Explore a bunch of squarey tourist islands and solve puzzles.

GAMEPLAY: Although there's a large variation of side-quests/mini-games, they're all extremely simple and short, and the "dungeons" are only a couple of rooms when they could have been 10 without getting boring.
AUDIOVISUALLY: The pixelated 3D visuals are quite special, but I'm not a huge fan except for the nice lighting. The audio is atmospheric, mostly sound of waves, but it's effective.
STORY/PRESENTATION: It's a charming presentation and the main mystery is nice but light. Like a Zelda game if you strip away all enemies and 90% of its content.

I did found the game fun enough in a sort of relaxing way. Like, you do some arcade games, you make 35 lift ups, canoe a little. But its core needed to be at least twice as meaty to make a bigger impression on me....

Dec 16, 2019 | 6:29hrs | rating: 2/5
This time you collect dragon eggs that a crocodile witch has stolen.

GAMEPLAY: Same as before, but all too often you play horribly controlled mini-games or as Spyro's shitty friends. I skip way more missions than before.
AUDIOVISUALLY: Same, but there are more visual bugs than before, like clipping and one-frame cuts between scenes. I get the sense that they didn't polish this final game as much as the rest of the trilogy remake.
STORY/PRESENTATION: No more random comedic cut-scenes, and instead they're focusing on advancing a story, with some light character development. Definitely the best plot of the trilogy.

I wouldn't recommend this one unless you really thirst for more Spyro....

Dec 13, 2019 | 7:08hrs | rating: 2.5/5
Collect new trinkets to save the world and get back home.

GAMEPLAY: This time you gradually get new abilities, such as swimming and climbing ladders. It makes for a bit more variation, but most side-missions are backtracky and tedious, and the mini-games are not fun.
AUDIOVISUALLY: Same as the previous game; it's amazing how close to CGI they look compared to the originals, and I feel like we're taking the progress for granted. Musically it sounds good, but it's oh, so unmemorable.
STORY/PRESENTATION: A whole lot more cut-scenes before and after each level, which may be entertaining for kids but a complete time waster for me.

You've got more moves, more varied missions, and an actual reason to collect the gems this time. But it's also more tedious and the additions aren't fun. Also, it's just too similar to the first game, which made me tired of it more quickly....

Dec 10, 2019 | 6:41hrs | rating: 3/5
Jump, glide and breathe fire on your enemies to save the other dragons.

GAMEPLAY:The levels are initially wide and flat and the enemies pointlessly easy, but there is a nice increase in difficulty, though the core gameplay is always exploration to collect all the trinkets.
AUDIOVISUALLY: Except for some weird dithering in handheld mode, it looks good! The environments are a little too samey though, as I can't recall any world themes except for the ice one. The music is surprisingly groovy, but not memorable at all.
STORY/PRESENTATION:The plot is extremely simple, and the ending is abrupt and crappy. Worst final boss ever!

The biggest design flaw is how so much of the environment seems reachable and IS reachable thanks to the gliding mechanic, but has you fall through the ground to your death. It is a meaty game though, and gets more challenging towards the end....

Dec 6, 2019 | 4:55hrs | rating: 4.5/5
Make your ball bigger and bigger by rolling over objects smaller than yourself!

GAMEPLAY: Although the controls are a little clumsy, the overall design is incredibly good. Certainly one of the most clever and satisfying game concepts ever!
AUDIOVISUALLY: Simple but effective visuals and memorable music. Most of the songs are still stuck in my head days after playing.
STORY/PRESENTATION: The presentation is very Japanese-quirky, in the best way possible. The "main plot" is a bit too detached from the actual gameplay, but it doesn't detract from the experience.
MULTIPLAYER: New in this remaster is a VS mode, but it's too simple to stay fun after a few rounds.

It's my first time with this series, and I'm amazed. It must have been a real feature to make this work on a PS2, with so many interactive objects on screen, and the sense of scale it manages. Too bad it ends so quickly, because I wanted more missions, more levels, more rolling, more everything!...

Dec 5, 2019 | 5:05hrs | rating: 1.5/5
Solve puzzles to guide a chicken through side scrolling levels.

GAMEPLAY: You only have two actions; whistling and stomping. It's quite clever how many different puzzles they've invented with such simple controls, but actually playing is painfully slow and often frustrating, as you use trial and error to guide or lure other creatures to just the right spots in order to advance.
AUDIOVISUALLY: Extremely plain, looks like a pop-up ad, and I don't remember a single tune.
STORY/PRESENTATION: I don't think there is a story, but there is an interconnected world map which is quite ambitious for this type of game.

I hated playing this from the very first moment, and its "metroidvania"-styled backtracking during the second half made it even worse. My worst game experience of the year....

Nov 29, 2019 | 8:40hrs | rating: 3/5
You're a generic cartoon fox running around in this very 90's styled 3D platformer adventure.

GAMEPLAY: There's nothing creative going on, but the controls are good enough to make it fun simply running around to do the tasks asked of you. There's no Nintendo level of polish though, as you occasionally bug out of position, encounter invisible walls and floors without collision detection, and face sterile loading screens a little too often.
AUDIOVISUALLY: The music is cozy and it's a pretty game, with pleasant colors and smooth character models and environments. I enjoy being immersed in its world.
STORY/PRESENTATION: The game opens with some mediocre 2D art telling an uninteresting story, but mostly you get to explore its worlds with little interruption.

I greatly enjoyed the game at first, but the sudden ending really soured my overall impression. Despite this, I recommend it if you're into classic 3D platformers and don't mind when things are on the easy side....

Nov 21, 2019 | 4:10hrs | rating: 3/5
You're an invincible assassin with a rewind feature, but something is wrong and you can no longer trust what's real and what isn't.

GAMEPLAY: I really like the mechanics, so it's a shame you mostly end up dodge-rolling Smash Bros style through the game, instead of encouraging more jumping and platforming by having more interesting level design.
AUDIOVISUALLY: The sprite artwork is terrific, I used the capture button all the time. The music isn't memorable, but suits the mood.
STORY/PRESENTATION:I would have preferred a more traditional structure, rather than this "what's even going on, why didn't I get to fight the boss until I beat him?" kind of experience.

The attitude and visuals are amazing, but the focus on plot rather than level design and gameplay development/variation makes it a missed opportunity for me....

Nov 20, 2019 | 18:30hrs | rating: 3.5/5
Once again you explore dark rooms and suck up everything that looks suckable.

GAMEPLAY: The gameplay loop is slow and methodical as you aim your vacuum at everything in order to unlock the next room, and occasionally suck up ghosts. I have no problem with the controls, but it does get repetitive, as you barely get rewarded for your findings.
AUDIOVISUALLY: Visually it's definitely among the best on Switch, and the animations are amazing. The audio is the most pleasant during the rare peaceful moments when you let go of the vacuum button. I think this is a negative, that the game is mostly just noise.
STORY/PRESENTATION: Great short cut-scenes that set the mood, and there's a lot of variation visually. It has maybe the best presentation of any Nintendo game, and would really work as a cartoon series.
MULTIPLAYER: Once you've unlocked Gooigi, you can play through the whole adventure in co-op, which is absolutely great, and makes the game so much more fun.

There's so much ambition and love poured into the game, so it's unfortunate that the gameplay loop always gets tiresome within an hour of playing....

Nov 9, 2019 | 4:20hrs | rating: 3/5
Golf Peaks isn't really a golf game at all; it's a puzzle game where you have a specific number of shots of different types (say, one 1-tile-length shot, one 4-tiles-length shot, and one 2-tiles-length chip), and you have to figure out in what order to use them, and in what directions.

GAMEPLAY: It's a very relaxing game, as you can always undo your shots without getting penalized, and experiment until you figure out the solution. New elements keep getting introduced, such as ice tiles, pillars and conveyor belts, but it never gets overly complex or challenging.
AUDIOVISUALLY: It has a hand-drawn quality to it, but definitely nothing extraordinary. The music is alright but a little too repetitive.
STORY/PRESENTATION: Absolutely no story, just 121 levels in a menu split into worlds.
MULTIPLAYER: None, but because of its simplicity, it's quite fun to take turns or share ideas on how to solve a level.

It's sadly over pretty quickly and has no replay value, but it's still a pleasant little game that never gets frustrating....

Nov 1, 2019 | 1:40hrs | rating: 3.5/5
A clever visual puzzle game where you move around tiles to lead a boy to new places.

GAMEPLAY: It seemed so simple at first. You zoom in and out of each tile until you see a correlation with another, and move them side to side. But it gets much trickier while never feeling random or far-fetched, which makes it really satisfying when you see the solutions.
AUDIOVISUALLY: It's beautiful. Incredibly clever and artistic puzzles and animations, and the ambient music adds to the experience.
STORY/PRESENTATION: There's a subtle story going on through the visuals; a gloomy and philosophical one that's certainly open for discussion and interpretation. One of the better examples of story in gaming I'd say!

It seems like I'm praising every aspect of this game, but the simple fact that I get restless from these kinds of puzzle games stops me from fully enjoying it. It's still one of the best "interactive experiences" I've encountered though, and it's short enough to get through in one sitting. Recommended!...

Oct 31, 2019 | 9:32hrs | rating: 2/5
SteamWorld Dig 2 was a pretty nice metroidvania, but how does the team tackle a turn-based strategy game?

GAMEPLAY: You select and place the character like you usually would in an SRPG, but the twist is that you then aim your gun manually. It's sort of fun, but I would have liked it more if there were more ricocheting and level design for it, mini golf-style. As it is, it never felt clever or out of the ordinary to hit the enemy.
AUDIOVISUALLY: It looks clean but quite monotonous, and I'm not a huge fan of the "flash"-like visuals. The music is alright, and I kind of like the vocal cowboy tracks.
STORY/PRESENTATION: The story/world ended sooner than I had expected, but it wasn't a bad thing since I wanted it to be over anyway. The plot and dialog just didn't do anything for me.

Unfortunately this game didn't do much for me. The gameplay felt too light, and the levels being randomly generated certainly didn't improve on things....

Oct 25, 2019 | 7:48hrs | rating: 2.5/5
Here's the weird thing: I love metroidvanias, but could never get into Super Metroid. But this time I really set out to finish it!

GAMEPLAY: I dislike the controls. You feel clumsy and awkward, the jumps don't land where you want them to and many elements (the quick sand!!) are super annoying. Puzzles often feel overly obtuse, as you don't know if you need a new ability, or if you had one all along, causing a lot of backtracking.
AUDIOVISUALLY: The music is mixed oddly low, and there's nothing I actually enjoy. The visuals are okay but also quite boring and claustrophobic.
STORY/PRESENTATION: It's a weird game. During the first two thirds, I feel like I'm always on a long side-track and never return to the actual game. I just want it to be over. Later on it does get quite epic though.

There really are many cool ideas here and there, and it is satisfying to get new abilities and use them. But 90% of the time I'm just not enjoying this game. It's so strange how I can enjoy all metroidvanias except the one most consider the best....

Oct 18, 2019 | 2:33hrs | rating: 2/5
As a cat, you have to explore this tiny metroidvania map in a mecha suit.

GAMEPLAY: It's extremely simple, but does the job okay. Nothing is all that creative though, and some things (the wall-jumping and air-pressure sailing) could have been less wonky.
AUDIOVISUALLY: The cat animations are cute, but I'm ultimately not a fan of the monochromatic graphics (you'll unlock color filters though) even though they occasionally got me Gameboy-nostalgic. The music is extremely forgettable.
STORY/PRESENTATION: The standard "land on planet and stop the evil within" plot, but with a not-too-bad twist at the end.

I really bought this game because of the cat animations, but it's a very short and forgettable adventure that I only recommend if you've played every other metroidvania and want even more. At least it's inexpensive....

Oct 16, 2019 | 14:07hrs | rating: 4/5
I didn't play this Banjo-Kazooie imitation duo's first game (though I'm sure I'd like it), but this 2D platformer is right up my alley.

GAMEPLAY: It's like a less weighty Tropical Freeze, and I actually prefer it over Retro Studios' DK games. It might feel a tiny bit wonky at times, but it's mostly a joy to play.
AUDIOVISUALLY: The music is very cozy and atmospheric, and the visuals are nice enough. I got immersed in a way I haven't in a long time!
STORY/PRESENTATION: I really like the idea of a difficult final level that you can access at any time, and make it easier by finishing more and more of the rest of the game. Many characters are charming and funny, but the actual story is maybe too basic, and the ending is too abrupt.

I haven't played anything "Rare" in ages (they were my favorite developer back in the N64 days), so it might be nostalgia talking, but this was a special experience to me. I loved it despite a few flaws....

Oct 11, 2019 | 62:30hrs | rating: 3/5
I used to love the Fire Emblem series, especially the Radiance series and to a lesser extent Awakening. But it was really hard to get into this one because of all the slow side-stuff and no sense of progress.

GAMEPLAY: At its core, it's still a lot of fun to move around your characters and feel awesome when your tactics worked out. But the monestary parts get tiring really fast, and there's just too much customization for my tastes.
AUDIOVISUALLY: Ugly and inconsistent visuals, and although the music is good, it's been better in some of the older games.
STORY/PRESENTATION: It's nice that ALL lines in this dialog-heavy game have been voiced. But the story being grounded in the monestary ruins the adventurous feeling of the older games, and it's way more repetitive.

At first I was really into it, but the extra fluff got so boring that I lost interest. Luckily you can skip all of that and proceed directly to the next battle, which made it tolerable. I'm still excited about the series, but I hope they change things up for the next game....

Oct 6, 2019 | 11:00hrs | rating: 2.5/5
The no-jump puzzle dioramas from Super Mario 3D World were turned into a full game. But in my opinion, it's way too repetitive to fill up a whole game.

GAMEPLAY: Very simple, you move Toad around and occasionally turn levers. Some levels include a first person cart ride where you shoot turnips. It works, but it's not very interesting.
AUDIOVISUALLY: Absolutely one of the best-looking games on Switch, very charming. The music is also memorable.
STORY/PRESENTATION:There's no sense of place or adventure, just levels that quickly feel meaningless.
MULTIPLAYER: For this Switch version, you can play the entire game in co-op, but the levels aren't built for it. It's still the feature that made me come back and eventually finish the game, but often it's completely impossible for both to stay alive as the level is crashing down behind you.

It's a polished and well-designed game, but clearly aimed for children. It's never challenging, neither the puzzles or the mechanics, and except for the beautifully crafted environments, there's no variation and no surprises....

Sep 29, 2019 | 19:00hrs | rating: 3.5/5
Easily the most focused and puzzle-based Zelda game, now with 3D graphics. But having played the original not too many years ago, it was a somewhat unexciting experience.

GAMEPLAY: It's simple and easy but still satisfying. The world is so focused that it never gets boring.
AUDIOVISUALLY: Beautiful and charming, and I was never bothered by the frame drops. Music was also nice, although it missed some energy compared to the original soundtrack.
STORY/PRESENTATION: It has charming characters, but the plot is built on a cliché that I've never been a fan of.
MULTIPLAYER: None. I took turns playing with a friend though, and because the game is so focused compared to other Zelda games, it never gets boring to watch and give suggestions.

I've only played the original once, but I was very impressed back then, immediately calling it my favorite 2D Zelda game. This time though? I'm a little "meh" on it. Maybe because the series simply works best the first time around, when it's all new....

Sep 24, 2019 | 12:01hrs | rating: 4/5
I hate DLC (finish the game before you release it, and put new stuff in a sequel!!), but Celeste is an all-time favorite, so I'm pretending that this is a separate game.

GAMEPLAY: Tight as always, and the new additions are fun. But rather than simply putting your platforming skills to the test, there's now a ton of trial and error to figure out what to do, and I didn't like that as much.
AUDIOVISUALLY: It probably has more visual flare going on than the main game, but the constant purple gets tiresome after 10 hours. The music didn't grab me, but at least isn't annoying despite having the same loops go on for half an hour each.
STORY/PRESENTATION: You kind of forget why you're doing all these challenges, but there is a story.

The difficulty level continues where the main game ended, and it's tough to get into when it's been a year. It wasn't until I replayed the chapter that it fully clicked. This game is special!...

Sep 20, 2019 | 3:45hrs | rating: 5/5
Although Yoshi's Island certainly beats it in some areas (enemy creativity, length, challenge), I've realized just now that this one still beats it handily when it comes to pure fun!

GAMEPLAY: Snappier than Mario Maker, and I have to say it feels super good. Mario's got so many moves especially thanks to Yoshi and the cape.
AUDIOVISUALLY: It's really quite vanilla. Memorable and classic, but not impressive.
STORY/PRESENTATION: Story is the regular one, but the world building and map is unparalleled! I can't think of a single other game in existence that rewards exploration like this one.
MULTIPLAYER: You can take turns to play, which is okay I guess, but I've never gotten into it. The NSMB series beats it in this department.

Maybe it's nostalgia, but this is THE game for me. Perfect controls, tons of secrets and alternate paths, fun every time from the very first moment, and I don't want to put away the controller until I've finished every level....

Sep 19, 2019 | 7:51hrs | rating: 4/5
I super loved this one back in the days, and although my first impression this time wasn't great, it grew on me. Specifically the enemy design is amazing, as you never know what creature will show up next and what they will do. Even goombas have a surprising twist.

GAMEPLAY: Really tight and snappy, and there's a good amount of challenge too. Bosses are wonderfully creative.
AUDIOVISUALLY: The graphics don't look "hand-drawn" the same way it used to, but there are still a lot of effects and detailed animation that are nice to look at. The music gets totally stuck in your brain.
STORY/PRESENTATION: I would have preferred a proper world map, but it's a very coherent and unique presentation that still holds up.
MULTIPLAYER: You can play the minigames against a friend, but it's not something that stays fun for more than a couple of minutes.

At first I just ran through the levels, thinking there's no way I'll collect all the red coins and flowers, but as I got deeper into the game, I got more and more invested in clearing the levels 100%....

Sep 18, 2019 | 150:00hrs | rating: 3/5
Mario Maker again, this time with slopes!

GAMEPLAY: It's really great, and it's addicting to work on your level and get everything just the way you like it.
AUDIOVISUALLY: Each style looks as it should, although I would have liked more game styles, and the possibility to mix them! Music is a bit limited, would have liked to choose from a long list.
STORY/PRESENTATION: There's a "story mode" this time, but it's quite boring and simple. I finished building the castle, but struggled to get through all the Nintendo-built levels.
MULTIPLAYER: The big disappointment of the year. Multiplayer was supposed to be the big new addition to the game, but it's nearly worthless. Have to download the levels before playing local co-op, there's no local VS at all, and there's no online VS or co-op with friends. This honestly sucks!

Despite putting so many hours into it, I can't help but being extremely disappointed. Like, how can an indie game like Duck Game have more in-depth multiplayer and a more detailed level editor than a Nintendo flagship game?!...

Sep 10, 2019 | 11:00hrs | rating: 3.5/5
Multi-task to run the restaurant kitchen as efficiently as possible!

GAMEPLAY: A little wonky and imperfect controls, occasionally buggy, but really original and fun despite that! Collaborating with a friend has insane depth.
AUDIOVISUALLY: Nicer looking than I expected from a 3D indie game, and the music is catchy.
STORY/PRESENTATION: It's a silly story, but it works, and there's a nice overworld map to give the game a sense of journey and progression.
MULTIPLAYER: I only played this in co-op, and I think that's how it's meant to be played. A ton of fun, a must-play if you're the collaborative kind.

There was a lot of talk about this one, and I think it delivered. Can't wait to see the improvements of the second game!...

Sep 5, 2019 | 12:00hrs | rating: 2.5/5
Create rows of boxes to get through the puzzles.

GAMEPLAY: In many ways the game design is ingenious. Very clever concepts and it feels good just to play and improve your strategy to reach S rank on the levels.
AUDIOVISUALLY: The black/white style is (was?) unique, but it gets repetitive quickly, and the same goes for the music.
STORY/PRESENTATION: The whole approach is just too sterile for my tastes, it looks and feels like Brain Age, when these gameplay ideas could have been used for an awesome (metroidvania?) adventure instead.
MULTIPLAYER: There's an entire 2 player co-op story mode, and although way too easy, it's still fun.

I loved the original for 3DS, but this sequel didn't quite capture me. Felt like I had already played most of it, and although there's a LOT of content, it was just never exciting. Cute/relaxing at most....

May 24, 2019 | 35:00hrs | rating: 3.5/5
You're ducks and you kill each other in a very fast-paced fashion. Think Smash Bros but simpler and faster.

GAMEPLAY: It controls like a traditional 2D platformer with a ton of guns to pick up and discard. One hit and you're dead, and we move on to a new level within seconds. It feels snappy and good.
AUDIOVISUALLY: Very basic pixelart and the music gets tiresome quickly. Really nothing special.
STORY/PRESENTATION: There's some unimportant background story, but no one cares.
MULTIPLAYER: There is a short single player mode where you clear challenges (it mostly serves as a tutorial, but is addictive if you go for gold/platinum), but playing with friends is the whole point, and it's a ton of fun!

What I've spent way too much time on is the level editor. It's incredibly robust, and it's a great way to keep the game fresh for each new multiplayer session. The gameplay is simple, but we've kept coming back to it for weeks now, so it's well worth the price....

Apr 4, 2019 | 13:33hrs | rating: 1.5/5
My first impression was disappointing due to the simplistic gameplay, and although the later monster forms are slightly less boring to play, it never gets good.

GAMEPLAY: Cheap and simple controls, and just horrible physics and level design if that's something you care for. I had to replay many rooms to "get it right", but it's because they're wonky and clumsy, rather than being a fair challenge.
AUDIOVISUALLY: Game looks good and has a few tricks up its sleeves. Music is too Eurovision Song Contest for me, but there are some cool tracks in there.
STORY/PRESENTATION: People are turned into monsters, and you have to fix it. Generic.

One of those games that I'm astonished by how people can consider great. I mean, there are certainly things to like (decent graphics, animated cut-scenes, lots of content and many characters with different abilities), but how does any of that matter when the controls are so incredibly mediocre?
...

March 25, 2019 | 6:45hrs | rating: 3/5
A clever puzzle game where you can combine any command with any object to solve the room.

GAMEPLAY: You really just use the D-pad, so it's all about figuring out what to do. I do think it gets too hard too quickly, as there are many simpler and easier levels later in the game that "beginners" would enjoy, but won't reach.
AUDIOVISUALLY: Music is nothing special, but the visuals stand out in their wiggling simplicity.
STORY/PRESENTATION: There is no story, but the world map is pretty cozy.

At first it's wonderful, as you get room to experiment and come up with your own solutions. But when the rooms are huge and the solution is very specific, it's too tiring for me, and it's not a game I will 100%. Luckily the "ending level" comes pretty early so you still can feel good about yourself....

March 14, 2019 | 2:06hrs | rating: 3.5/5
Another game that's really hard to judge, since I've played it countless times as a child, and also the GBA port.

GAMEPLAY: Much better and more variation than SMB1 and more "logical" secrets.
AUDIOVISUALLY: It's simple but clean. One of the better looking NES games for me. Music is killer.
STORY/PRESENTATION: The plot is barely there, but the world itself tells a story thanks to being more coherent and continuous.

I hadn't played it in many years, but I enjoyed it a lot once again. It's a great adventure!...

Mar 5, 2019 | 12hrs | rating: 4/5
Very similar to NSMBU, but shorter and harder levels.

GAMEPLAY: It took a while to get used to Luigi's higher and floatier jump, but it opens up for even more acrobatic moves, so it's fine. The level design is much more focused, which is more fun in some ways (quicker levels, smaller area to search for star coins), but worse if you're co-op:ing, because there's often just no space for more than one player.
AUDIOVISUALLY: Exactly the same plain visuals as NSMBU.
STORY/PRESENTATION: Exactly the same as NSMBU.
MULTIPLAYER: Since the level design requires more perfection, it's harder or near impossible with two people, but you can bubble yourself and let just one person run through the tightest spots. It's still a lot of fun!

I'll just never get tired of playing through level after level. Hopefully Mario Maker 2 has co-op and is just as stimulating....

Mar 4, 2019 | 2:45hrs | rating: 1.5/5
A short comedy adventure story with a bit of walking and a bit of menu selecting.

GAMEPLAY: Walk down a corridor, read text and occasionally click on stuff. It's the simplest thing possible, and I get that gameplay isn't the point, but that makes this game not for me.
AUDIOVISUALLY: Visuals are ugly but cute enough. Music is actually good!
STORY/PRESENTATION: It's quirky and humoristic. I just can't care since the gameplay itself doesn't hook me.

I'm repeating myself, but although the plot and events are entertaining, I'm always bored to death when the "game" happens. And since it's always obvious what to select in the menu to win, I might as well watch a video of it....

Feb 26, 2019 | 3:15hrs | rating: 3.5/5
This is a super silly story-focused game where you do light platforming and kick things.

GAMEPLAY: I like that it's so sandboxy and interactive, but the controls are quite limited and clunky. It doesn't matters too much though, as the focus is silliness and not tight gameplay, and the game is over before it gets tough.
AUDIOVISUALLY: Simple but cute. The leg animation is a lot of fun! The music gets on your nerves, but in a good way.
STORY/PRESENTATION: Entertaining and snappy. I suppose you can call the plot deep considering the genre, but it's not like that matters for the experience.
MULTIPLAYER: There's a separate multiplayer mode where you mostly just fool around in 9 levels. It's easy, but entertaining if you have some imagination. We laughed a lot! Unfortunately very short.

I recommend this game! The slapstick humor is spot-on, and "kick to interact with things" is a fresh mechanic. With tighter controls and more use of the upgrades (with increasing complexity), a sequel could do great things!...

Feb 23, 2019 | 15:14hrs | rating: 3/5
Online Tetris matches against 99 opponents, rinse and repeat.

GAMEPLAY: It's the standard modern tetris (you can keep spinning and moving even after pieces have landed), so there's no challenge until you're overwhelmed by garbage sent from the opponents, which usually only happens when you're top 10, or earlier on for random reasons
AUDIOVISUALLY: Generic really.
STORY/PRESENTATION: Extremely simple, you just press start and go. The stats page is also a bit too limited, only showing how many first places you've got, but not second or third places.
MULTIPLAYER: There's only online multiplayer against 99 strangers, and the interaction is limited. Could have been cool if a friend could join on your Switch.

All in all, it was fun to brush off my Tetris skills, but it didn't hold my attention all that long, since there's no sense of progression. After 20-30 wins, I felt very done....

Feb 5, 2019 | 25hrs | rating: 4.5/5
An absolute blast if you have someone to play with, which is really the whole point of the game.

GAMEPLAY: Each level has its own little gimmick, and it makes it fresh and varied. The main thing that separates Mario from other platformers is the abundance of well-designed secrets, so it's always satisfying to go out of your way just to see if anything is there.
AUDIOVISUALLY: Looks plain and the music is nothing special. Worst aspect of the game for sure.
STORY/PRESENTATION: The standard Mario plot. I like that the world map is back though, as it helps the game feel like a journey, and it's satisfying to see where the road takes you.
MULTIPLAYER: Compared to most other co-op platformers, this one has "friendly fire" on, so you have to communicate and collaborate, and it elevates the game so much and makes it one of my favorite co-op games!

SMB3 and SMW were more creative and impressive considering release dates, but for me, the co-op of NSMB just takes it to a new level. ...

Jan 24, 2019 | 10:59hrs | rating: 3/5
An 8/16-bit action game (it jumps back and forth between styles) that gives you a map for backtracking once you've reached the "end". Some have called this a metroidvania, but in my opinion, it only uses the very worst aspects of that genre.

GAMEPLAY: The hit-enemy-to-get-extra-jump move is a fun mechanic, but I often feel like I die unfairly due to half-wonky controls, for example when sticking to walls unwantedly, or the unclear glide mechanic.
AUDIOVISUALLY: Initially the graphics are too retro for my tastes, and the music is actually annoying (save for a couple of good tracks). It gets better three hours in when the 16-bit style kicks in, but it's never spectactular.
STORY/PRESENTATION: There's a lot of fourth wall humor that often made me chuckle (seems like no indie games take themselves seriously these days!) and although the plot is generic at first, they throw a genuinely clever twist at you later on.

It's not a bad game (it works in the "play while watching tv" sort of way), but exploring is super unrewarding since there are so many long corridors that give you nothing, or worse; they're dead ends because you're in the wrong "dimension"....

Jan 20, 2019 | 13:40hrs | rating: 4.5/5
Another metroidvania, and this one feels great from the very first moment. And when it's nearing the end 10 hours later, I just wanted it to keep going. Luckily it did, at least until I was more or less satisfied.

GAMEPLAY: Super tight controls and a lot of QoL functions that just make sense. Combined with wonderful animation and effective sound effects, it just feels great to play.
AUDIOVISUALLY: Very nice pixel art, with a lot of cute animation that makes the characters come alive. Some of the music reminds me of Metroid Prime, and it's great, but the non-Metroidy music is more forgettable.
STORY/PRESENTATION: I rarely care for story in games, but this one mixes gameplay and plot very nicely, with mostly short cut-scenes that develop the characters and slowly unveil its world and religious/political dilemmas.

Just wow. As I finished the game, I felt that it's one of the best of the generation....

Jan 17, 2019 | 0:15hrs | rating:3/5
Someone at Resetera brought up the hammer bros difficulty towards the end of the game, which made me want to go and check it out. Warp pipe to world 4, warp pipe to world 8, and there I was.
I still don't think they're THAT hard. It's easy to get past the first shower of hammers and wait right next to the enemy, and when he jumps, you run under them! Or, just run and jump right away.
I finished the game since I was almost there anyway, and got a quick addition to my 52 games in 2019!

Naturally it's hard to rate/judge a game that's been around me my whole life. The controls are clumsier than later Mario games, but functional when you know how they work. I still enjoy running through it every second year or so, because it's so immediate and fast-paced.
Let's see how replaying NSMBU fares in comparison....

Jan 15, 2019 | 6:24hrs | rating: 2.5/5
One of those metroidvanias that barely feel like one, because you're constantly shown exactly where to go on the map. As a result, it feels quite linear and mindless, and during the long final area (which felt like half the game), I just wanted it to end.

GAMEPLAY: You're very limited at first, but once you've unlocked most abilities, it reminds me of Smash Bros (you dodge, double-jump and do tilted attacks), and this is a good thing.
AUDIOVISUALLY: The artstyle is okay, and I especially like the shadow work. Pet-peeves like no feet-adjustment to tilted floors lower the overall impression a lot. The music sets the right tone but ends up being forgettable and quite repetitive at points.
STORY/PRESENTATION: The humoristic references worked well enough for me (there's a lot of them), but the plot was forgettable and bare-bones. Maybe the pacing was a reason why I lost interest?
MULTIPLAYER: Though you can co-op the entire game with up to 4 players (which is a great addition!), there's no character interaction and the gameplay-loop just didn't interest my friend for more than a few minutes.

All in all, it's a solid game....

Jan 14, 2019 | 36:19hrs | rating: 5/5
Whoa, this quickly became one of my all-time favorite puzzle games! It's a classic "line up the same color" puzzle game, but you're controlling Toad to do the work.

GAMEPLAY: There's so much depth to the controls that you learn new tricks 30 hours into the game. Going for the gold medals in the Time mode fits my gaming tastes perfectly, and even when I beat the records, I kept pushing myself to improve my times.
AUDIOVISUALLY: It looks super neat for being NES, and the music is memorable.
STORY/PRESENTATION: Wario taunts you now and then as you clear each puzzle, and that's all there is to the story. Nothing more is really needed though!
MULTIPLAYER: There's a more than functional VS mode, which is a lot of fun even if you're at different skill levels.

This is a game I never hear anyone talk about, but I highly recommend it to any puzzle/platforming fan!...