Dualmask

I was concerned at first because the demo felt really slow paced for me, even for a JRPG, but this review makes me want to give it a proper play. Sounds like it ticks a lot of boxes I've been missing in my recent gaming.

@mauhlin12 I would imagine the Trails of Cold Steel series isn't mentioned because the mech fighting isn't all that involved. It's just a different version of the game's regular fights with some slightly simpler mechanics. (Speaking as someone who loved the series.)

There's one you may have missed or just ignored: Damascus Gear: Operation Osaka. I think it was a Vita port, but it's still a mech game and it's on Switch. Not great, but not terrible either. It was never reviewed here, but there are worse mech games, and it hits all the notes. Customizable mech with various weapons and all...

Gonna be a Long Halloween.

One driving factor that leads me to shopping more on Steam and much less on Switch for my digital games is this very issue. Thanks to reviews and the refund process, while there is a lot of dreck on Steam, it's easy to spot, easy to avoid, and easy (enough) to get your money back if you do get burnt in some way. It's like Nintendo is making zero effort to make sure their shop has anything resembling quality control. Whatever happened to the good ol' Nintendo Seal of Quality?

Anyone who shouts out Shatterhand has my attention. Looks interesting.

My personal favorite DLC character was Terry Bogard by a landslide, but it was also nice to see Pyra/Mythra since they're so easy on the eyes.

I don't see why Smash Ultimate needed to 'end'. It could be the right kind of live service game that's worth buying for its own sake and keep adding more characters. I feel kind of the same about Mario Kart (although I personally don't play it anymore). Certain games just kind of master the mechanics and can just keep going with more characters/tracks/levels/etc.

Kind of unrelated but not: I recently read a post about Path of Exile 2 coming out (a free-to-play ARPG like Diablo) and the developers decided that the sequel would exist concurrently alongside the original game because there was no reason for the old game to stop existing. I know game devs have limited resources and all, but I bring this up to say Mario Kart and Smash could go on and be supported even if new games are added to the series. That would be the greatest, I think.

A surprising but welcome remake. Hope it builds heavily on the original game.

I never played this one. I did play Oracle of Seasons and remember enjoying it, although it's been a very long time (played it when it was current and all) and didn't hit me as too memorable compared to other games I had access to at the time. Nice that they're available now for me to give another look.

Something about this game rubbed me the wrong way from first glance. I've been with Double Dragon since the beginning and this is...not it. It's probably fun for what it is, but I'm not a fan of the look of the game.

That said, I may pick it up on sale.

Sounds like it could be fun. I never played it before, been looking for something different to scratch that whole Puzzle Quest/Gems of War itch.

@Levantine same. I've had this game for a while on Switch but can't seem to get into it. Watching The Witcher series on Netflix (which I know is, or at least was, based more on the books than the games) has motivated me to try again.

The gameplay looks solid but that low-effort animation on the main character is just intolerable to me. I just don't know... there are better choices out there.

I feel the NA version is cluttered with Albus there, but I also don't exactly love Shanoa's pose in the Japan/EU version. I grudgingly picked the latter, but honestly they both have room for improvement. Probably would have made Shanoa more prominent on the NA cover and Albus more in the background personally.

At any rate, one of the best Castlevania games ever. I was just playing through it recently. Shanoa is beautifully animated and the game is challenging but fair with lots of areas to explore. The broken up miniature zones made for a more compelling journey than one big castle map IMO.

Final Fantasy nowhere on this list? Or did I miss it? Wild.

I was never seriously into these games, but it is fascinating how long they've been around and just how many there are. I remember reading about them in issues of Nintendo Power as a kid.

Welp, since I played through all the Cold Steel games, this is pretty much a must get for me.

But...perhaps not on Switch.

I played through Asylum completely; never played Knight and only briefly played City. So I'm interested in this collection just for that alone. Even if the latter two games are downloads, it's not as if I was going to buy them on disc for PS4 anyway. Hope it all works out.

Seems the FTC has the same problem as many ignorant gamers, thinking that the average buyer of gaming hardware and software really factors in tech specs as much as they do games and comfort/convenience of their favorite genres and what/how they like to play. In other words, most people just buy what they want and don't care much about what might be more or less powerful, despite what online discourse has to say. If that weren't true, the Switch would not sell as well as it does. We can talk all day about who Nintendo makes products for and all that, but at the end of the day, money is money, Switch is a game console, and Switch is selling more than the others for now. So objectively speaking, they're all in the same space.

Heck, I personally have started playing my Steam Deck as my main device while my Switch and PS4 fall by the wayside, so I have a personal preference, but I'm not going to sit here and pretend that Nintendo and Switch are some 'off-to-the-side' niche product in the game industry just because they have lower specs than the rest. That would be ridiculous.

The Wii era was a special time because of the games that expertly made use of the pointer controls, like RE4 and Metroid Prime Trilogy. I have fond memories of Okami and Trauma Team too. Heck, even Cooking Mama was kind of fun. But I do not miss the waggling and shaking and poor attempt at turning the Wiimote into a sword in Skyward Sword (one of many reasons I disliked that game).

It's not the same with Switch, least of all because a Joy-Con is so much smaller and less ergonomic in comparison, no sensor bar to reference it to, and most Switch games just don't bother with the functionality. Given the Switch's success, one can't fault Nintendo for leaving behind the unique ideas of the Wii, but I do kind of miss what it was.

I actually miss other parts of the Wii/Wii U more though. I thought the Balance Board was a brilliant piece of tech that deserved more love.

I think it'll be fun enough, but to call it some grand new evolution of 2D Mario is a tremendous stretch. Nothing wrong with it though. Every new generation should get to experience their own 2D Mario, and it'll be new to someone, which is fine. I doubt they're going to do too much to make the game 'physically' handle differently than past 2D Marios, so it'll be worth getting, at any rate. Plus, playable Daisy, that's nice.

Looks like it might be alright. I like the idea of the development being 'Switch-led', in this age where development cycles are getting longer and longer and pushing for more power and more realism when not every game needs that approach. Just because the game doesn't push the envelope technologically doesn't mean it's a bad game.

13 out of 17. Kind of shameful considering how long I've been playing Zelda games (since the very beginning).

I really wanted to like DxM. I like a good mecha game. But something about it was so...dull. And with a new Armored Core is just around the corner... a new DxM has an uphill climb ahead.

It seems Nintendo will never fully shed the whole 'kiddie' image no matter how many uncensored violent or otherwise 'mature content' games they freely host on their platform. I have friends to this day that see Nintendo as a platform for babies believing that one is not 'grown up' unless they only play hyper-realistic movie-like AAA games on PS/Xbox. Yet it's obvious Nintendo truly supports 'ages 8-80', which means everyone can find something they like.

I feel I would have been more interested in a 2D side scroller. Great character design aside, it looks simultaneously stiff and chaotic all at once.

Looks neat. I wonder if that's the only playable character. Nice concept and cool looking game though.

Not going to bother watching the video about yet another overpriced, overpowered handheld made by minds that don't understand the appeal of handheld gaming. The device needs to be affordable, comfortable to hold and have good battery life; power is a lesser consideration. Nintendo has always gotten this which is why their devices have long dominated despite folks complaining about their inferior tech.

The Steam Deck comes a bit closer to bridging the gap. It's not perfect but it's a fine compromise (and I'll take its symmetrical analog layout over the asymmetrical style any day). Combine that with Emu Deck and a ton of great games I got on the cheap through Humble Bundles (like Devil May Cry 5) and I feel like the Steam Deck is a great addition to any gamer's collection, as long as you don't care about physical games.

Looks okay. Might be fun. I would have liked an art direction with closer to realistic proportions like SOR4, but the gameplay looks solid.

Link to the Past. Yup, I'm old. I was even planning to comment "I first got it back when it was called the Magical Sword on NES". Which I guess I did go ahead and comment.

Is senility already setting in...?

@rockodoodle I'm as big a Nintendo supporter as it gets. I've owned all the hardware they ever put out, pretty much. But facts are facts...some games run fine, other games don't. Sometimes the hardware is the problem, sometimes it's the developers.

Either way, a game or two not running smoothly on the system is no reason to go all ultra fanboy or anti-Nintendo one way or the other. Folks should just take it case by case and not worry what others think of their gaming preferences.

@rockodoodle why would it be personal? No one (except maybe the devs who didn't optimize their game very well for Switch) would be offended if you play the game on hardware that can run it better.

Sounds like it's worth my time...good thing I have a Steam Deck.

I just wish the fonts looked the way they did in the SNES versions of FFIV (II), FFVI (III) and Chrono Trigger. Oh well, it's readable at least.

Afterimage has my attention. Sounds like my kind of game.

They done gone and buffed my second favorite weapon and made it so my favorite move (Rage Slash) is less risky? Man this game just gets better and better.

Can't wait to take on Amatsu too.

I'm not the biggest Amatsu fan but...I'll take it. I kind of fell off the game for other titles (haven't even fought Risen Teostra or Valstrax yet) but I might just pick it back up.

I love the series. FFVI is my favorite game of all time, and IV, V and I are close to the top of the list too1. Yet I have too many ways to play these already to pay so much for it now.

On a decent sale, tops $40 I'd say, I'll be very quick to get these for my Switch or Steam Deck (preferably the former since physical would be ideal). As it stands, it's going to have to wait.

A collection would be great, as well as a real BoF6. Actually, I hadn't played the series after beating BoFIII on PSOne. I considered emulating IV and Dragon Quarter but I'd buy them if they were somehow made available commercially.

I really enjoyed the first two, no doubt I'll enjoy the third. It would have had to turn out absolutely horrible for me not to want it, and even then I still would have given it a rent just to be sure.

I'm usually fine with a good enough game that doesn't do that much to set itself apart, but the key is the game has to be good enough in the right ways.

I bought Neon Abyss on sale a while back and it's a fun to play game that doesn't push the rogue-like envelope, but it's competent and enjoyable for a diversion. This one sounds like it got one or two things right but missed the mark on too many others.

I'm a firm believer that a demo is a great way to convince me to buy a game...or not. Reviews can steer you wrong, but playing a part of the game is the best way to learn it's for you or not. But it needs to provide enough time. I felt the demo for Sonic Frontiers' 15-minute demo didn't even give me enough time to come to grips with the gameplay, and I decided not to bother with it. I don't think they should be time limited, but content limited. Let me play the first level (and make the tutorial part of it if needed) stop it just before or after the first boss or what have you. I just want to know if I'm going to enjoy playing the game, I don't need cutscenes right away.

Nah, I'll pass. Seems the connection to the Trails series is tenuous at best and the game is a bit too old-school 3D for my liking.

@wild_lil_horse I'm not buying an Xbox just for that. Steam (Deck), PS4 or Switch are my options.

@Grim ah, now that you mention it, I recall reading something to that effect too. Sigh. Another "live service" game that will be dead on arrival because developers are so desperate to milk every penny from consumers in every way possible except the one that works: just making a good game.

They ought to port Skate 3 to test the market.

Man I wish they could just port Skate 3 to modern consoles, or make a Skate 4.

I wanted to like the original, thought I would since I was a big AW fan, but as others have said, the fun of the game fizzled out very quickly (also wasn't a fan of the character designs, and they seem just as unappealing here so far). Even though it looks and feels like a game I would enjoy, I'm going to trust my gut and give it a pass.

Can't get enough of this series. I'm going to be all over it when it comes out.

This is a great list but it also made me realize how old I am and how long I've been gaming, as I have played virtually every game on this list in their original form except for a couple of the Atari games like Breakout.

Also really puts into perspective just how amazing the Switch is, but also why video game preservation is so important for the future. We shouldn't have to buy these games and bundles again and again and again.

Sounds pretty okay, although I remember from watching a trailer that the voices sounded really annoying. As this is an Inti Creates game, I'm sure it'll be worth playing, but with the volume down I guess.

And it does sound like descriptors can completely leave the 'Metroid' part out of it. This sounds like a Castlevania-inspired experience all the way and that's great. The term has its place, but not every search action game is like Metroid.