The Mini-Games of 1-2-Switch
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Posted on April 28th, 2017 by
One of the launch titles for the Nintendo Switch was 1-2-Switch. It’s a party mini-game collection showing off the capabilities of the new console. At first I wasn’t sure if I would get it, but after playing it at PAX South, I decided I would get it after all. And since I like to write about mini-game collections, here is a blog about all the ones found in 1-2-Switch.
Legends of Andor (Boardgame)
Posted on April 26th, 2017 by
Legends of Andor is a cooperative fantasy adventure boardgame, where the players combine efforts to achieve an overarching goal while simultaneously protecting the kingdom from attack. Players range the countryside combatting evil and growing in power. Fully cooperative, the players race against the game clock governed by a deck of cards that slowly ramps up the difficulty of the game until the players ultimately win or lose.
Chaos Code: New Sign of Catastrophe (PS4)
Posted on April 26th, 2017 by
Chaos Code: New Sign of Catastrophe is a downloadable one-on-one 2-D fighter for the PS4, featuring anime styled characters. It kind of reminds me of a fighter you’d see from the mid-2000’s, as this one isn’t quite as flashy as newer Guilty Gear or BlazBlue or Street Fighter titles. The default screen size isn’t even widescreen! But just like some of SNK’s older fighters, just because this one doesn’t look as new, it still seems fairly playable, at least as far as I can tell
After the End (iOS, Google Play)
Posted on April 24th, 2017 by
After the End is an action puzzle game downloadable on iOS devices and Google Play (reviewed on iPad here). You play as a boy and his father from an alien tribe as they travel across the desert in what I think is two different time periods. I’m not really sure, though, because this is one of those games where they tell the story with no words, and they don’t do it as well as other games. But anyway, gameplay is very similar to Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker, another puzzle game on the Wii U. The minimalist desert graphics also make me think of the game Journey.
I am Setsuna (Switch, PS4, PC)
Posted on April 19th, 2017 by
During the 16-bit days when I was in high school, I was big into RPGs like Final Fantasy 6 and Chrono Trigger. But nowadays, not so much. Today’s RPGs are missing what I liked about the older ones, but luckily Square-Enix can still sometimes pump something out today that I enjoy. Such is the case with I am Setsuna. It may have modern visuals and sound, but it plays like an old school RPG. In the game you play as Endir, a masked assassin whose mission is to kill Setsuna, a sacrificial offering to keep down monster attacks for another year. But once you meet your target, you soon end up in a series of events that takes you on a quest with Setsuna and a host of comrades as you discover the history behind this practice and maybe even how to stop it for good. I am Setsuna was a downloadable launch game for the new Nintendo Switch (that version is what’s reviewed here), but you can also get it for PS4 and PC.
Barbie Sparkle Blast (iOS, Google Play)
Posted on April 17th, 2017 by
So now the world’s most popular doll toy line is getting in on the free-to-play match-three puzzle game bandwagon. But surprisingly, this one’s actually pretty decent. Barbie Sparkle Blast is available to download on iOS and Google Play, but reviewed on iPad here.
PSVR Bonus Level: Rise of the Tomb Raider – Blood Moon
Posted on April 15th, 2017 by
Rise of the Tomb Raider is a sequel to the Tomb Raider reboot released in 2013. In Fall 2016, it arrived on the PS4 complete with a new DLC, Blood Ties, where Lara explores her old mansion searching for clues about her father and mother. While the expansion is playable on every platform, the PS4 version also includes support for the PSVR. As with other PSVR bonus levels, these experiences aren’t going to be the main selling point of a game. However, they are a nice way for PSVR owners to experience a small part of their game in a virtual reality mode. The Blood Ties expansion can be played in 2D or 3D, with the 3D version providing a short, immersive experience in the world of Lara Croft.
PSVR Bonus Level: Rogue One X-Wing mission
Posted on April 13th, 2017 by
Star Wars Battlefront offers up a special Rogue One X-Wing mission using the PSVR system. It is one of several titles that offer up a special VR level in addition to their core 2D gameplay. As bonus levels, these PSVR experiences aren’t going to be the main selling point of a game. However, they are a nice way for PSVR owners to experience a small part of their game in a virtual reality mode. The Rogue One X-Wing VR mission is a great little showcase of what a VR game can do.
88 Heroes (PS4, Xbox One, PC)
Posted on April 10th, 2017 by
An evil supervillain has 88 missiles aimed at Earth ready to fire, and it’s up to 88 of the goofiest, most useless heroes to stop him! 88 Heroes is a silly 2-D platformer challenge available to download on PS4, Xbox One, and PC, but reviewed on PS4 here.
LEGO Dimensions Doctor Who Level Pack
Posted on April 7th, 2017 by
So the last in the batch of dollar store LEGO Dimension sets that an online friend in California sent me is the Doctor Who Level Pack. I didn’t have to pay my friend back, he just wanted me to review them. The Doctor Who set is the one I actually wanted the most. “Oh wow, Cary, you’re a Doctor Who fan?” you may be thinking. Nope, absolutely not. I know next to nothing about the franchise. But my brother Jeff’s girlfriend loves Doctor Who, so when this set came out, my original plan was to buy it so they could come over and have fun building and playing the level. But around that time, I lost my last job, so I went into “money saving mode” and didn’t buy it. So I’m glad I was able to get it after all so they could enjoy it. Anyway, two warnings before I start the review. Like I said earlier, I know next to nothing about Doctor Who, so if I seem uninformed in my review, that’s why. But not knowing about something has never stopped me from writing about it before. And the other warning is that there may be an accidental spoiler alert here and there, so please go easy on me, Doctor Who fans. LEGO Dimensions is available for nearly all the current game consoles, but reviewed on Wii U here.
