Nintendo Enthusiast

Skyhill is a game that had me hooked to my Switch from the opening moments. There aren’t any surprises, the enemy varieties are few, and the gameplay is repetitive. But you know what? I had an absolute blast with Skyhill. Its roguelike elements leave plenty to come back to, the unpredictable nature keeps players on edge, and the gameplay is fun. Switch owners looking for a good game to play for short bursts or on the go should definitely pick up Skyhill.

These games are imbued with a brick-ton of character that makes experiencing these LEGO-ized romps a blast. The heart of The LEGO Movie film series did not translate to The LEGO Movie 2 Videogame, unfortunately. The empty world, mundane gameplay, and cardboard cutout characters make this one a bit more difficult to enjoy. In Bricksburg, everything is meh.

The realistically moldable shapes and environments are also pleasing to look at. My one gripe is that a single music track plays through each and every one of the levels. I never turned it off, as it is quite soothing and atmospheric, though it can be annoying after a while. On Switch, Claybook targets 30 FPS; dips are occasional, but it manages to hit this target most of the time.

Kirby’s Extra Epic Yarn certainly has a home on the 3DS. Unfortunately, the co-op mode in the Wii version is gone and the “fuzziness” of the visuals here makes it suffer a bit, but it’s still good wholesome fun. Even though we’re all about the Switch now in 2019, it’s nice to see one last quality title from Nintendo make its way to the handheld. This is as good of a sendoff as we could hope for.

My only real complaint is that I found my hand cramping up while playing for an extended period in handheld mode. This is an issue with the console itself, though, not the game. If you are a fan of the genre, this is very easy to recommend. However, I would go further and say that, if you have a passing interest in shooters or are just after something new to play on your Switch, then give this a go.

The music is a healthy dose of funky jams and hip hop beats as you might expect. There are also some nice audio touches like the occasional muzak when riding the elevator. After years of relative obscurity, ToeJam & Earl is back in a big way. Back in the Groove likely won’t push the franchise beyond its cult status, but it is a good game that fans both old and new should check out. Pick up and play this one with a friend for the best experience.

Still, despite those issues, Ape Out is simply an outstanding and utterly enjoyable experience. The moment I became that big, angry monkey, I was glued to the screen and never wanted the action to end. The music dropped my jaw, the visuals made my eyes go wide, and the addictive gameplay kept me entranced until I reached the final level. The ape is truly out, my friends.

I don’t know why the developers thought this was a good idea, but all I can think is that this was just a really sad attempt at making a quick buck off of unsuspecting buyers. So, allow this review to be a warning: Avoid Car Mechanic Simulator on Switch. Just download it for free on your phone if you want it that badly. But trust me, even then, your time can be spent on much better things.

If you do happen to be a fan of marble games, or even regular racers, you’re bound to find joy in Mindball Play. While it is on the difficult side, its unique gameplay style definitely helps it to stand out from the pack.

RemiLore lays a decent groundwork in terms of gameplay and design, but it never really goes beyond that. Combat is simple and promising, but the lack of depth makes it hard to stay engaged with it for very long. The visuals, likewise, lack any kind of unique punch or distinct art style to make them stand out as anything other than generic.