We attempt to cowl each Swap sport we’re despatched a code for right here at Gamezebo. Typically we discover ourselves with a little bit of a backlog although – like proper now as an illustration.
So listed here are some shorter opinions of video games launched or up to date on the Swap over the previous couple of months – that we’d not have gotten spherical to masking in any other case.
Panic Porcupine
Panic the Porcupine is an affordable and cheerful tackle the traditional 2D Sonic The Hedgehog titles – however that’s no dangerous factor.
Sure, it is a very cheeky copycat tackle Sega’s mascot. But precise effort has been put into the core gameplay that makes it surprisingly excess of a rushed cash-in.
Boasting vibrant and sharp visuals it boasts numerous chew sized ranges that often depend on (you guessed it) going quick.
Momentum is crucial to get by way of phases, and though demise is fixed the very fact you solely lose seconds of progress every time makes retrying much less painful.
It’s no masterpiece – enjoying on handheld is tough due to the tiny sprites, and there are a good few irritating phases to steadiness out the nice ones – however it’s a reliable 2D platformer that’s price investigating for followers of the style.
Rating: 3.5/5
Nuclear Blaze
Nuclear Blaze is visually gorgeous, with easy pixelart visuals coupled with blazing hearth results being far more practical than it has any proper to be. Thankfully it backs up these wonderful aesthetics with fulfilling gameplay too.
A firefighting title created (partly) by a developer who helped create the superlative Useless Cells, it’s a reasonably easy expertise at coronary heart.
You discover varied buildings which are ablaze whereas gaining new skills, uncovering secret areas, and saving cats. The degrees by no means get too mazey, however neither do they ever really feel too linear – the sense you’re progressing all the time pleasantly tangible.
There’s a naked bones plot that’s properly underplayed, though sadly it’s throughout in a short time with the runtime clocking in at round two hours.
Nuclear Blaze is certainly a case of high quality over amount although, and properly price testing.
Rating: 4/5
Velocity Noodle
Paradoxically this sport about quick meals supply has comparable qualities to its material – it’s immediately gratifying however fails to actually make a long run affect. But it’s nonetheless loads of enjoyable whereas it lasts.
You play as a supply girl (no title, we checked) who has to work their manner by way of a neon futurescape delivering meals. There’s little to the plot, which is simply an excuse for some quick paced platforming involving loads of wall leaping and a sword – which may be thrown and used to move to in any other case not possible to succeed in spots.
The enjoyment right here is the tight degree design which requires pixel good motion. It’s extremely satisfying if you pull off a difficult set of jumps and the controls are strong sufficient to make you are feeling like each impediment may be overcome.
Nonetheless the sport’s low worth doesn’t fairly justify its brief lifespan – simply round 2 hours – that means it is a platformer that’s in all probability solely price investing in when it goes on sale.
Rating: 3.5/5
Papertris
Having your sport’s title play on Tetris isn’t going to finish properly, and so it proves with Papertris – a largely unsatisfying puzzler which finally lacks any actually fascinating concepts.
The primary subject is that that is nothing like Tetris, revolving across the particular person colors within the falling blocks – relatively than the shapes of the blocks themselves. Which wouldn’t be a lot of an issue if that’s the case many variants – in addition to energy ups – weren’t being continuously launched.
It makes for a very complicated expertise, and one which additionally feels painful at instances – as classes can usually go on for a lot too lengthy. It is because it merely gained’t allow you to die, and we discovered ourselves creating combos by chance relatively than on objective. By no means a fantastic signal of watertight puzzle design.
The largest saving grace of Papertris is its finances worth, however even with that in thoughts there are such a lot of higher choices on the market for puzzle sport followers than this.
Rating: 2.5/5
Rob Riches
Rob Riches will not be a tremendous sport by any stretch of the creativeness, however it’s a tightly designed expertise that leans into its Sokoban inspirations and can maintain loads of attraction for hardcore puzzle followers.
The plot revolves round exploiting varied tombs and jungles, however it’s all simply set dressing for a variety of phases involving fixing turn-based conundrums. You must accumulate cash whereas avoiding varied traps and pitfalls.
There’s some trial and error concerned, however largely Rob Riches by no means feels unfair and the issue curve throughout the numerous phases is pleasantly easy – as are the visuals, that are crisp and clear. That is important contemplating understanding what’s going to go the place after each transfer is vital to finishing every degree.
In the end Rob Riches is certainly a step up from our outdated Recreation Boy cart of Boxxle, and a title that’s price exploring in the event you’re a fan of slower paced puzzlers.
Rating: 3.5/5
Hyper Gunsport
We took our time reviewing this, however we are able to safely say that Hyper Gunsport is certainly a hidden gem within the limitless realms of native multiplayer titles on the Swap.
A dystopian futuristic tackle traditional Windjammers, it sees you enjoying a barely extra aggressive model of two vs 2 volleyball. In two dimensions. And with weapons.
The ball is managed by taking pictures at it with weapons, and also you rating factors by hitting one of many three targets behind your opponents.
And that actually is all there may be to Hyper Gunsport – and it’s excellent. The controls are tight, the pixelart presentation is high notch, and there’s a variety of energy ups to maintain issues fascinating.
The one draw back is the excessive price ticket, particularly contemplating there’s no on-line modes and the only participant marketing campaign will get boring quick. Nonetheless, you probably have a set of mates to play with Hyper Gunsport is an nearly important buy.
Rating: 4/5
