Lost Words: Beyond The Page (Switch eShop)
FishyS returns with a good word for Lost Words: Beyond The Page, which was written by the excellent Rhianna Pratchett, no less.
Lost Words: Beyond the Page is by far the best Visual Novel slash Platformer hybrid I have ever played. The game is deeply touching, with the character literally platforming on words in her own diary in-between more traditional platforming sections where she is essentially in a fantasy world metaphor using certain words as abilities. Lite puzzles, lite collectathon, heavy feels, and very satisfying experience.
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Intrepid Izzy (Switch eShop)
Kisrah is a fan of Senile Team's Intrepid Izzy.
This indie game blends 2D platforming, Metroidvania, and beat ‘em ups, and does it well. Though short, there is a lot to explore, with different outfits giving you special abilities for fighting, and getting around. It’s colourful, humorous, has a great soundtrack, and fun boss fights. Easily one of my favourite indie titles.
Shadows Over Loathing (Switch eShop)
The follow up to West of Loathing, PikaPhantom's been enjoying Shadows Over Loathing.
It's brimming with wit and charm, much like West of Loathing, but has a significantly stronger soundtrack with some killer songs, a really distinct setting as a result of picking a less common era depicted in media (1920s Prohibition) and throwing in Lovecraftian horror, and a lot of really distinct setpieces. Combat is still solid as well. It's West, but bigger and better.
Super Hiking League DX (Switch eShop)
mcbremakes recommends Super Hiking League.
It's a game that is technically very well-made in all aspects (graphics, sound, gameplay, design).
It can be played solo, but it's a competitive game between two players.
It features a very innovative mechanic, which is the use of a rope to climb mountains.
The winner is the one who reaches the top of each mountain first. It's arcade fun at its finest!!
Flowing Lights (Switch eShop)
Al O puts a spot on GFaUmNe's Flowing Lights.
This one’s certainly a hidden gem. It’s a puzzler, shooter, and physics-based game with beautiful, unique graphics. It’s tricky to explain since so much revolves around gravity but there’s nothing else like it on the eshop.
Trying to simply shoot your way through every level won’t work; you need to analyze the terrain (your shots may have difficulty going over a large hill, for example, since gravity will pull it down before it reaches the top). A lot of other brilliant factors, too, but I won’t spoil it for you. This game has never left my Switch, which is saying a lot.
Lunar Axe (Switch eShop)
Jasper didn't elucidate his two picks beyond calling them both "underrated favorites", so we'll slip some eShop blurb in for you. First up, the very recently released Lunar Axe...
Lunar Axe is a point-and-click adventure game with locations and story inspired by real places with incredible hand-drawing art. Investigate, collect, match clues and objects through various puzzles and HOG scenes. Find historical items that will help you understand the mystery that surrounds the city. Explore different locations based on real environments that offer a perfect combination of legend and history, learning more about the real facts that inspired the game with a gallery of references.
Interrogation: You will be deceived (Switch eShop)
...and then Critique Gaming's Interrogation: You will be deceived.
Interrogation: You will be deceived is a narratively immersive convo-puzzle game that challenges common preconceptions about highly relevant contemporary subjects like terrorism, police brutality and the power imbalances between citizens, the state and large corporations. The game follows in the footsteps of games like "This War of Mine", "Papers Please", "This is the Police" and "Orwell" in that it tries to raise important moral, ideological and practical questions in the minds of the players.
Silent Hope (Switch eShop)
FishyS couldn't keep shtum about Silent Hope.
Silent Hope is in some ways a typical dungeon-runner roguelite. You go to semi-random levels, kill monsters, die, and repeat, slowly getting stronger and making progress. However, the story is charming with a princess narrator, the characters are adorable, and in the home base you can cook, craft, and pet the cow! The game is pretty, forgiving for the genre, and has 7 characters with different abilities you can swap between in interesting ways. The gameplay is relatively simple but satisfying. If you want a nice easier rogue game, this is a great pick.
Punch a Bunch (Switch eShop)
DiamondCore reckons Punch-a-Bunch is a hit.
It’s the first game of the same indie developer who made “A Difficult Game About Climbing” and this first game is a pretty fun one, it has some challenging bosses, the boxing mechanics are pretty alright, the art style is charming, and it honestly makes for a solid experience!
Process of Elimination (Switch)
Lizuka likes NISA's Process of Elimination, which has a demo on the eShop.
It's a visual novel taking cues from Danganronpa with a wonderful cast and engaging story that works quite well as its own thing, though the gameplay segments seem a bit love it or hate it so it would be nice to see that spotlighted in more detail for people unfamiliar with the game.
Comments 36
I really enjoyed Smile for Me. I want to check out No Umbrellas Please, looks up my ally.
Thanks @FishyS for adding to my already inflated wishlist...
Wow! Respect for those who have mentioned DEADBOLT and Topolon! Though, I have one complaint about DEADBOLT's description:
«this is a fun, semi-short little puzzle platform game.»
Sorry, but, what? DEADBOLT is an awesome, challenging 2D stealth action game. That description about «puzzle platform game» is kinda misleading.
Thank you for publishing my mini review!
I really enjoy these articles, though kind of shocked every blurb I submitted got accepted; they were some of my favorite un-reviewed games so I appreciate them getting a little attention.
As usual, there are a few games I'm going to wishlist after reading these:
Overall, a nice collection and interesting to read about all the games; there are so many hidden gems within the black hole that is the 13,000 eShop games that I don't think we will ever run out.
Edit: I'm definitely checking out Tents and Trees and possibly Super Crate Box as well. Too many games. 😅
@Nidorom My wishlist is currently around 300 so I'm happy to help fatten up other people's. 😆
@Zach This is nice to know that someone besides me know about the existence of that game and have played it, lol. What is your personal high record/score?
Happy to see some love for The Missing. Excellent game!
Love this sort of feature as it leverages the gaming experiences of a much wider group.
My personal entry would be Filmechanism - a puzzle game that deserves more love.
The central conceit of "recording" a picture state to go back to allows for almost infinite mind-bending puzzle setups.
Good hint system also.
Love Skatemasta Tcheco NES art style, and No Umbrellas Allowed is one type of game I like. But my mind was blown by Little Witch Nobeta, which is a Soulslike game??? I even did I quick search online and it seems it has its own fandom. I'm totally adding those games to my wish list.
Tux and Fanny is a great shout, totally unique, and totally weird. Highly recommended.
Glad to get some attention on Intrepid Izzy! Thanks for including my suggestion.
There is a lot here I haven’t even heard of, let alone played. Seeing a few titles that have me intrigued. Always nice to see some love for the games that so easily get overlooked.
Skul is this month's PSPlus game so I'll give it a go on there.
I miss out on so many of these little games since the eShop is full of dodgy games and I just can't be bothered skimming through the junk to find that one rare good game. I wish Nintendo would somehow filter those crap games so people can find the good ones.
Now there's an indie showcase! Maybe Kate can find a recommendation here.
That's Skul, Here Comes Niko and Picross -LogiartGrimoire- wishlisted. I'll probably be buying Skul soon since it's actually half-off right now, I'm surprised I'd never heard of it before as it seems totally up my alley. Process of Elimination looks really cool too, I've had it on my wishlist for ages, definitely need to pick it up eventually.
Also, definitely +1 for Silent Hope, that game is a lot of fun and I'm actually surprised to see it wasn't reviewed. Nice to see it second in the poll.
These features are great, I meant to make a few recommendations myself but ended up forgetting, but I'll be sure not to miss the next one.
Look Gary, there I am!
I hope more people check out CometStriker DX, it really is a great game
Skatemasta Tcheco and Little Witch Nobeta look really cool so I'll add those to my wishlist
Absolutely loathed Shadows Over Loathing, especially compared to its predecessor. The sequel felt clunkier with funky puzzles, tiresome humor, and a dependency on stat manipulation to progress through the game.
I did enjoy Tents and Trees. Not quite better than Picross but a great addition to the genre.
I’d love to hear more opinions about Deadbolt. I’ve had my eye on the game but have taken it on and off my wishlist based on the reviews I’ve found.
Silent hope is actually quite underrated. It can literally suck you in for a few hours at a time and the difficulty increase per floor is fairly well paced. The upgrade system is fairly decent. It won't blow your mind, but what's there is Definitely worth a play. 8 out 10 for me.
@Solomon_Rambling
Regarding Deadbolt. I truly enjoyed the portion I played, which was into the second or third set of levels. I found it extremely, even viscously challenging. Still stuck with it for a good while, as I though the levels were clever and varied. And it was genuinely satisfying when I cleared a tough level (which were most of them).
Speaking as a 50+ gamer — Deadbolt requires lightning-quick reactions. So maybe this is a “me” problem to some degree. And yet, I did make a measure of real progress through the game.
In fairness, a decent amount of the challenge is puzzling out which route and weapons you want to attempt. This does not eliminate the need for super quick action, but is probably more than half the battle in the end.
Great game, would recommend for those with ample nerves — and ample resilience
Veeeeeeeeery intrigued by the MISSING, I'll give it a go
@Solomon_Rambling
«DEADBOLT is an awesome, challenging 2D stealth action game.»
You're playing the game as Reaper. You're helping (kinda) undead to find a rest... By killing them, lol. You're taking missions from the Fireplace. Talk with "Candlemen". Kill various zombies drug dealers, vampires drug dealers, skeletons drug dealers, demon mercenaries, kerberos dogs... This game is not text heavy. And it has some interesting story and lore. Music in the game is awesome. DEADBOLT has one of the best video games OSTs ever created. Game's performance on Switch is quite perfect. Pixel graphics looks nice and detailed. And the game has physics. I've finished the game at the end of the last year.
@sfb Console versions of DEADBOLT has some (kinda?) exclusive weapons/items, like crossbow and Last Breath lantern. These things can be really helpful in various situations. And these weapons/items makes game easier. Crossbow is a top tier, alongside scythe.
For me, as a low-skilled gamer, DEADBOLT was quite hard. Especially some levels. But, I did it. I've finished the game.
I highly recommend Skul The hero Slayer.
It even has the prisoner from Dead Cells head in it and gives you his abilities!
FYI for anyone looking to discover new games in a genre that you like - switchscores is brilliant for that if you have never heard of it...
@Vyacheslav333 @sfb
Thank you both for your perspectives. From what I’ve seen, it reminds me of Katana Zero, and if they are sort of similar in gameplay, I should have fun with Deadbolt. Although I’m less interested in tough games these days, I wouldn’t mind trying this one out. Back on my wishlist it goes! Thank you again!
Does Skatemaster’s tune sound a bit like an 8 bit rendition of Sister Sister, or is it just me?
This is an interesting topic. As someone who’s trying to play as many switch exclusive games as possible, I believe my last two games are remaining are devil may cry 3’s switch port which adds a style switch and no more heroes games which I believe are the only versions with motion controls.
I've been singing praoses to The Missing for ages, it is good enough on its own as a Prince-of-Persia/Flashback style "climbey" puzzle platformer, which is a rare genre by itself, but the David Lynch style narrative told through creepy moosemen, years-old text messages and backmasked phonecalls just makes it shine.
I just hope they didn't actually tear JJ's voice actress to pieces to record all the suffering she emits whenever she loses and arm.or a leg or an everything (one of the puzzles requires you to use your head as a bowling ball, literally).
Also SKUL was amazing on its own but the devs keep adding new stuff, and it's pretty fun if a bit derivative. The varied pixel arts of your possible forms and their increadingly redonkulous attacks makes it stand out in my eyes.
Already have:
Added to wishlist:
One of my favourite features on the internet, lol.
The majority of these I have missed and had not even heard of! I consider myself 'not bad' at keeping up with the deluge of eshop releases week in week out.
I already have Lost Words which is a good game and worth a play for gamers who like thate type or genre of game.
From this article Flowing Lights, Tents and Trees, Picross LG, Comet Striker DX, Fitness Circuit most tickle my fancy.
Many well written micro- & mini- reviews here that make me want to have a look at footage and maybe even wishlist games immediately. Well done NL community
Thanks for the recommendations everyone and thanks Nintendo Life for making this feature!
@Vyacheslav333 130,220 on endless! I'm a Topolon Knight! Hbu?
@Zach WOW! 130220... My high score is 35590. I'm a TOPOLON STUDENT.
@_Figo_ Thank you you very much for your recommendation of Comet Striker DX! I played through the game for the first time today. Really well-designed game. Clever variety of challenges across the rooms and biomes.
A couple of subtle features tells me that the main developer/designer must be a long-time a Nintendo fan. One example, the doors right before the mini-bosses and level bosses are a nice “tribute” to Super Metroid.
@Vyacheslav333 Sincere congratulations on finishing Deadbolt. You might consider yourself a low-skilled gamer, but I think otherwise. Or perhaps I am a “very low skilled gamer!”
You’re right, the soundtrack is excellent. Quite evocative and perfectly suited for the Deadbolt setting. Might have been done by Chris Christodolou, who did the music for the Risk of Rain, also developed by Holoo as I think you mentioned.
I appreciate the “pro tips” as well. I actually walked away from Deadbolt right after completing a level that I found ultra challenging. I found that I had become rather tense and anxious playing the game. So , so I decided to call that milestone my “moral victory” and move on to something else.
I still think Deadbolt is brilliant — just a bit much for me to take I guess! Totally a “me” issue.
I'm going to join in the praise for the Missing. Swery65's games aren't for everyone but he's a mad genius who creates unique, unforgettable art. I'll freely admit my bias here, as Deadly Premonition remains one of my top ten of all time, but it's undeniable that no one is doing what he does.
Try to go in without knowing too much about the story or the characters. The reveals are so much more powerful if you don't know they're coming.
@sfb Really appreciate you mentioning this, I've got problems with my hands so I find quick reactions are difficult let alone faster than that. Sort of thing people neglect to mention
@sfb «Sincere congratulations on finishing Deadbolt. You might consider yourself a low-skilled gamer, but I think otherwise.»
Thanks. Well, I'm trying to play and complete games on the lowest difficulty as possible, in most cases. I'm rarely playing anything on Normal difficulty.
Also, if talking about tips... Scythe and revolver is one of the best sets that you can make in the game, imo.
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