Switch Reviews

NEScape! – Switch Review
Switch Reviews

NEScape! – Switch Review

Some people are going to look at NEScape! and write it off without thinking—but I’m here to tell you otherwise. This under-the-radar indie is worth your time, and is perhaps one of the more obvious candidates for the hallowed title of ‘hidden gem.’ NEScape! is a fully-realised escape room—a modern phenomenon—intriguingly brought to life in a 1980s-style 8-bit aesthetic. And it works so well that it’s easy to imagine it as one of the actual classic games of the NES library. THE DEFINITIVE 8-BIT ESCAPE ROOM EXPERIENCE At the start of the game you’re placed in a dark room. You find the right pixel to turn on the light switch then have an hour to complete the puzzles and escape through the locked door. To do so you cycle between four screens—the four walls of the room—and interact with the d...
Lil Gator Game – Switch Review
Switch Reviews

Lil Gator Game – Switch Review

Every now and again a game is released that I completely underestimate at first glance. I’m not sure if it’s down to some residual peer pressure in my head. Sometimes, in my imagination, I have the critical eyes of certain friends looming over my shoulder when I start up a game. So if the game is a little too colourful and happy-looking then my own fickle decision-making weakens and prostrates itself to my friends’ illusionary judgement. I looked at the pictures and announcement video of Lil Gator Game and thought on some level that it wasn’t necessarily for me. I wanted something a little less whimsical. But I was wrong. It’s difficult to realise without playing it, but Lil Gator Game is a triumph. It’s one of those games with a universal appeal—like Donut County, or Katamari Damacy. And,...
Toy Soldiers HD – Switch Review
Switch Reviews

Toy Soldiers HD – Switch Review

Released on Nintendo Switch NYE '22, Toy Soldiers HD is an overhaul of the easily recognisable 2010 tower defense game by Signal Studios. Published by Accelerate Games, Toy Soldiers HD supports handheld, tabletop and TV mode. Toy Soldiers HD - Construct your Defences Carefully I was a big fan of Toy Soldiers: War Chest back in the Xbox 360 days however I haven't had the pleasure of playing an HD version of Toy Soldiers so far or on the Nintendo Switch. Let's get the band playing and move onto the battlefield! Gameplay There is something quite nostalgic when it comes to the Toy Soldiers franchise. Admittedly I have been so busy that there have been some old classics that I have simply forgotten to go back to.  As Toy Soldiers HD loads you are greeted by a haunting male voice accompa...
MEGALAN 11 – Switch Review
Switch Reviews

MEGALAN 11 – Switch Review

Megalan 11 is an exploration puzzle title which is available across various platforms. Developed by Arkhipov Pavel and published by MAYO Games this game was originally released in 2020. 11 Day And Counting! With its release back in 2020 it's possible that some people missed it, especially console-only games. After all, they most likely wouldn't be checking the Steam store. After much love, it is finally here and we managed to get our hands on the Nintendo Switch version. Gameplay On loading the game, we are getting signals from a planet. A very orange planet, where we are looking to land.  After many screams, the spaceship crash lands and this is where it all begins. The idea is that you have to escape the planet that you are stranded on by building and ensuring that your crew are surv...
Escape String – Nintendo Switch Review
Switch Reviews

Escape String – Nintendo Switch Review

From Italy-based developer BumbleBee and US/Thailand-based publisher 7 Raven Studios, today we’ll be taking a look at Escape String, which is available for the PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and the Nintendo Switch. We’ll be covering the Nintendo Switch version, which comes in at £6.29/$6.99 with a download size of 324 MB. Sometimes to go forward, you need to go back Set in an undefined time and place, Escape String is a single-player 2D puzzle game, with a twist. The premise is simple enough, you have to help our little mechanical chum traverse his way through 40 levels. Except you don’t control the robot, not really. Gameplay You start each level at the left-hand side of a room. As previously mentioned, you don’t have actual control of the robot. Instead, you have to input a ...
Pokemon Violet – Switch Review
Switch Reviews

Pokemon Violet – Switch Review

Developed by Game Freak for the Nintendo Switch, we bring you the latest instalment in the Pokemon Series. Pokemon Scarlet and Pokemon Violet were released towards the end of last year and we have seen nothing but mixed reviews. So we thought it was about time we checked it out for ourselves. Let's Go On An Adventure In Paldea! To this day I still haven't played a Pokemon title that beats the original for the Gameboy Color. Pokemon Blue was the first title I picked up and I spent a lifetime on it. Despite completing my Pokedex and the game I played this title to death. I soon checked out Red and Yellow but obviously, they were pretty much the same title. I don't think comparing Scarlet and Violet against Blue would be fair, but I am looking forward to getting stuck in. Gameplay Jumping...
Kirby’s Dream Buffet – Switch Review
Switch Reviews

Kirby’s Dream Buffet – Switch Review

Brought to you by Nintendo, developed by HAL Laboratory, and available On the Nintendo Switch. Kirby’s Dream Buffet is recommended for Ages 3+. Gamers will remember and associate Kirby with previous games such as Kirby and The Forgotten Land. We're on a strawberry roll now... Kirby is taking on fall guys! Kirby’s Dream Buffet is a 2D platform game exclusively available for the Nintendo Switch and is rather controversially associated with Mediatonic’s Fall guys – a multiplayer game with a similar goal. Controversially where ‘Fall guys’ offers the ability to play with 60 online players, Kirby currently offers several different modes enabling the game to be played solo (with AI bots) against a friend locally on an additional switch or up to four others online. Gameplay The game has no fix...
Ultra Mega Xtra Party Challenge – Switch Review
Switch Reviews

Ultra Mega Xtra Party Challenge – Switch Review

Developers BreakFirst S.A.S. and publishers Just For Games/Merge Games have brought a new party game to the Nintendo Switch. That game is non-other than Ultra Mega Xtra Party Challenge. Party Up! Personally, I have never played a party game on the Nintendo Switch. However, Back in the day when the Playstation 1 was the elite console, you could always catch me on Bishi Bashi Special with friends. It is safe to say I am looking forward to jumping into this one, from what I have heard it is also slightly bonkers. Gameplay I am unsure where to start this game is absolutely insane. Ultra Mega Xtra Party Challenge is a party game which reminds you of the madness you encountered when playing Bishi Bashi. From chopping down trees in pixelated games to dodging pies on stage as a mime. With roug...
Jurassic World Aftermath Collection – Switch Review
Switch Reviews

Jurassic World Aftermath Collection – Switch Review

Leaping like a raptor onto its prey, Jurassic World Aftermath Collection is out now on PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch. Developed by Coatsink and published by both Coatsink and Thunderful, just how would this original Oculus Quest VR Jurassic World game play out on console? "What Fools We Were, Trying To Run Before We'd Learned To Walk." Set between Jurassic World and Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, you find yourself literally crash-landing onto Isla Nublar in the Aftermath Collection. With your original mission to grab some priceless information in tatters, you now find yourself trapped at the abandoned research facility that is patrolled by a whole host of roaming dinosaurs. Can I escape? Gameplay In a nutshell, Jurassic World Aftermath Collection is a single-player game that c...
Death Squared – Switch Review
Switch Reviews

Death Squared – Switch Review

Developed by SMG Studio, Death Squared is a fun multiplayer puzzle game that puts up to 4 players in control of cute robotic cubes to solve individual test rooms. Published in 2017, this game came to my attention when I was looking for a cooperative game to enjoy with my wife. After many hours of joyful and successful puzzle completions – and possibly some accidental and vengeful friendly fire – I am happy to be able to review my ongoing experience. While I am playing it on the Switch, Death Squared is also available on Steam, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, iOS and Android. Death Squared - Try Not to Die! Death Squared presents players with individual puzzle levels, reminiscent of Portal testing rooms, where players have to cooperate and coordinate their cube-shaped robots (often with chicken ...