Press "A" Reviews

- Reviewed on  Switch 2  - Streets of Rage 4 released on April 30th, 2020. Developed by Lizardcube, Guard Crush Games, and Dotemu, and published by Dotemu, Streets of Rage 4 serves as a long-awaited continuation of the classic beat ‘em up franchise. Even though this series has been around for decades, this was actually my first real deep dive into Streets of Rage as a whole, and I have to say, I completely understand why this franchise has the reputation it does. This review WILL have  Major Spoilers  so keep that in mind before continuing... One of the first things I immediately noticed was just how tight and responsive the controls feel. For a beat ‘em up title, that is absolutely crucial. Every punch, kick, grab, throw, and special move feels deliberate and interactive. There’s weight behind your attacks, but not so much that the gameplay feels sluggish. It strikes a really nice balance that makes every fight feel satisfying. And the combos? Extremely fun to exper...

- Reviewed on  Switch 2  - Bomber Crew released on October 19th, 2017. Developed by Runner Duck and published by Curve Games, Bomber Crew is a unique blend of strategy, simulation, and action that puts you in charge of your very own bomber aircraft during intense aerial missions. This review WILL have  Major Spoilers  so keep that in mind before continuing... From the very start, Bomber Crew impressed me with how it balances accessibility with deep strategic mechanics.  You control a bomber plane and manage its crew, each with specialized roles—pilots, gunners, engineers, and more—while navigating challenging missions with enemy aircraft, flak, and bombing targets. One of my favorite parts of Bomber Crew is the customization.  You can name your crew members, assign outfits, tweak their roles, and watch them grow with experience.  It gives a surprisingly personal touch to the missions, and I found myself genuinely attached to my first few recruits. Game...

- Reviewed on  Switch 2  - Tomb Raider released on October 25th, 1996. Developed by Core Design and published by Eidos Interactive, I’m reviewing this as part of the Tomb Raider I–III Remastered collection on Switch 2, which released on February 14th, 2024. This review WILL have  Major Spoilers  so keep that in mind before continuing... In Tomb Raider, you play as Lara Croft, a young archaeologist with a sharp mind and athletic skills, traveling to remote locations in search of ancient artifacts and hidden secrets. The story kicks off with Lara investigating a mysterious tomb filled with traps and puzzles. Along the way, she encounters dangerous mercenaries, wild animals, and clues that point to long-lost civilizations. The narrative is simple but effective, giving context to your adventures while letting the exploration and puzzles take center stage. Right from the start, the game impresses with its world design and atmosphere. Each location feels alive and full of ...

- Reviewed on  3DS  - Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem! released on November 14th, 2010. Developed and published by Nintendo, Mini-Land Mayhem! is one of those games that instantly takes me back to my childhood.  This was a title I spent a lot of time with growing up and revisiting it years later on the 3DS was both nostalgic and refreshing.  It’s a simple concept on the surface, but one that hides a surprising amount of depth and creativity. This review WILL have  Major Spoilers  so keep that in mind before continuing... At its core, Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem! revolves around classic Mario vs. DK antics—but with a toy-like twist.  Instead of directly controlling Mario, you’re guiding auto-moving Mini toys through puzzle-filled levels, making sure they safely reach their designated doors. One of the first things that stood out to me revisiting this game is the visual style.  The graphics are incredibly charming, with a to...

- Reviewed on  Switch 2  - Friday the 13th: Killer Puzzle released on January 20th, 2018. Developed and published by Blue Wizard Digital, I decided to give this game a try as a brand-new fan of the Friday the 13th horror series. I’m happy to say it ended up being a fun, if somewhat short-lived, experience—especially for fans of Jason and his infamous legacy. This review WILL have  Major Spoilers  so keep that in mind before continuing... The first thing that immediately grabbed me was the art design. It’s cute, colorful, and quirky—almost charmingly so for a horror game. It’s definitely my favorite aspect of this title, and it gives the puzzles a lot of personality. The music does match the horror aesthetic, but it’s nothing memorable. It sets the mood but doesn’t stick in your head after a session. Gameplay revolves entirely around puzzle mechanics. You play as Jason, methodically eliminating campers and citizens in each level without letting them escape, fight back...

- Reviewed on  Switch 2  - Pokémon Legends: Z-A released on October 16th, 2025. Developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo alongside The Pokémon Company, Pokémon Legends: Z-A is the second entry in the Legends sub-series. And in my opinion, it is far superior to the previous Legends title.  Despite the fairly negative reception I’ve seen online, I genuinely had a fantastic time with this game.  Honestly, online reviews aren’t something I take too seriously these days, and after spending a good amount of time with Legends: Z-A myself, I can confidently say it clicked with me almost immediately. This review WILL have  Major Spoilers  so keep that in mind before continuing... One of the biggest strengths of Pokémon Legends: Z-A is its setting. Unlike the wide-open wilderness of Legends: Arceus, this game places you inside a large, dense city environment—and surprisingly, it works extremely well.  The city feels lively, full of Pokémon, NPCs, collec...

- Reviewed on  Switch 2  - Slay the Spire released on November 14th, 2017. Developed by Mega Crit and published by Humble Bundle, this title has earned its reputation as one of the best roguelike deck builders in recent years. This review WILL have  Major Spoilers  so keep that in mind before continuing... You play as one of multiple characters, each with their own unique cards, mechanics, and playstyle.  The main goal? Climb the Spire, defeat powerful bosses, survive elite enemies, and strategically craft a deck that can overcome the chaos of each randomized floor.  Every choice counts, from selecting your path to deciding which cards to pick and which relics to equip. One thing that immediately stands out in Slay the Spire is its artwork.  The card designs, backgrounds, enemy designs, and character art are all incredibly well done.  Everything feels cohesive, stylish, and full of personality.  I found myself often stopping to admire the des...