Reviews
Apr 24, 2017
[dropcap]S[/dropcap]o we’re nearing the release date for Puyo Puyo Tetris on the Nintendo Switch in the NA and PAL regions. The full game hasn’t been released in these regions yet, but it has been out on most systems in Japan since 2014. With it becoming available to so many new players, this may be a good time to review what we can expect from the game when it becomes available to American and European players in the coming week.
While a demo of the game has been on the eShop since the recent Nintendo Direct, it only covers a small variety of gameplay modes, including solo and multiplayer versions of both the Versus and Swap modes. Of these two, Versus mode lets players each choose between Tetris and Puyo gameplay to battle it out with up to four players or against a CPU. Meanwhile, Swap chooses one of the two at random to start with and forces players to swap games after a short amount of time.
It doesn’t seem like much, but this alone can keep people occupied for hours. Many players wondered why they should buy the full game, however, there’s a lot more that you won’t get to see otherwise. You may see some modes sprinkled around the main menu, but aside from the in-game picture there isn’t much to tell us how these modes play. Thankfully it’s out in Japan, which gives us plenty of resources to see how it all works.
First, the mode I was most curious about, Fusion mode, is exactly what it sounds like. This mode combines Tetris and Puyo Pop onto one grid and gives you random blocks of both types. You can only clear the Tetris pieces by filling in a line with blocks, while Puyo blocks can only be cleared by other Puyos. As the game continues, the strategies and timing become more refined and rely heavily on skill to keep from backing yourself into a corner. This game play mode allows for some crazy combos utilizing both styles simultaneously. Garbage blocks can be cleared the same way as they are in Puyo, but perhaps more interestingly, Tetris blocks will crush them when they fall. Any Puyo blocks they pop will reappear on top, but garbage blocks don’t. This should make for some interesting strategies and create some unexpected comebacks.
Fusion Mode in action
There’s also a Party mode where if you lose, the grid resets to empty instead of knocking you out of play. You lose a lot of points for each restart however, which really hurts your chances of having the highest score and winning the match. Like Versus mode, you can pick either Tetris or Puyo playstyle. While you’re playing, item blocks will drop onto the board, and when you clear a line that they’re in or a group of Puyos adjacent to them it activates the item, which can do anything from giving you a bunch of single-block tetris pieces, to making it difficult for your opponent to see their board.
There is a single-player Challenge mode which includes the classic Sprint, Marathon, and Puzzle-type play, but things get interesting in Big Bang Mode. This mode allows you to pick a style between Fever (Puyo) and Lucky Attack (Tetris). The game will then set up a puzzle board for your game. In Lucky Attack you must clear a line with every block until there are no more lines to clear, while in Fever, you have to build the board up so that when you start clearing Puyos, the chain doesn’t stop until you’ve emptied the entire board. It looks challenging, but with practice, players can hold their own against an opponent. At the end of each timed match, whichever player performed the best will inflict damage on their opponent and drain the health meter at the bottom of their boards. The last man standing wins.
This last mode for the full game is somewhat hidden. When playing alone, you can choose to challenge not one CPU but all of them in a continuous gauntlet-style game that continues until the player finally lose a game. It’s like a survival mode, challenging you do see how many CPUs you can beat.
That’s all the modes I can find as of right now. The game launches on the Nintendo Switch and Playstation 4 in North America on April 25th, and in the PAL region on April 28th. It looks like it’s a fun puzzle game that can entertain for hours, whether you’re playing with a group of friends or playing by yourself, and should definitely be considered for people who are fans of either game. Below, you can find the trailer for the game on the Nintendo Switch. Enjoy!
- Apr 21, 2017
Snipperclips: Cut it out Together is still a best seller on the Nintendo eShop, even after it’s been available for more than a month. This comes at no surprise, as the game returns to the foundation of what video games intended to be. Snipperclips is a video game that brings joy and laughter to the player, while it makes people get together, play together and well – cut together.
Let’s start cutting!
A video game meant to be played by everyone
Snipperclips is a couch co-op video game in which you and up to 3 other friends have to cut each other into various shapes to achieve the goal of each level. In many ways Snipperclips is the perfect game to showcase what the Nintendo Switch is all about. Nintendos mission since it’s first console is to bring people together, and that is one of the reasons why the Switch comes with 2 controllers right out of the box. The games easy accessibility makes it a hit for all ages and genders. Without the need of a TV you simply start the game, split up the controller, hand one to your friend, and the fun times begin.
Snipperclips is one of the few games in which you can’t lose, making mistakes is encouraged, and doing so ends up being just as amusing. It is the kind of comedy that makes the game great to play in front of an audience, whether this is in front of your friends or family. We found ourselves bursting out in laughter several times when we saw Snip and Snap, the two characters on the screen, pull a face, or make a weird sound. The cute facial expressions on the characters when you accidentally cut your friend in half, are heartwarming. It is noticeable throughout the entire experience, that the developers have paid a lot of attention to detail in every bit of the game.
Snipperclips features a whopping 66 physic-based puzzles, 45 of those can be played in single player as well as in co-op mode with your friends. The remaining 21 puzzles are designed to be played with at least 2 and a maximum of 4 players. While you can enjoy the game by yourself, we highly encourage you to share the experience with others if possible. The game truly shines when played with at least one other person.
As you progress through the levels, you will find that things are getting more sophisticated. The shapes you need to morph yourself into are becoming more challenging, adding another layer of depth to the game. But not to worry, the difficulty increases gradually and at no point you will feel overwhelmed.
Cut it out Together!
The Multiplayer experience is a reminder of why video games became popular in the first place.
The core of Snipperclips is found within the cooperative gameplay. There are many games that feature multiplayer, in which you play alongside another, but you still feel like you are on your own. This is not the case in Snipperclips, when you decide to team up with a friend – Snipperclips becomes the kind of video game you can not complete without communicating and working together. This might sound terrifying if you consider yourself an anti social hermit, but in reality this is the kind of emotional fun you only experience when playing party group games like charade.
As for playing the game in solo mode, it is absolutely possible and still a lot of fun. You will be able to swap between the two characters, taking on the role of two players by yourself. And for those few hermits we mentioned earlier, there is defiantly a lot of enjoyment to be found when playing Snipperclips alone.
While the games multiplayer is executed perfectly, we can’t help but think that an Online extension of the co-op mode would be another great addition. With the upcoming online service and voice chat app for smartphones from Nintendo, it could be a lot of fun to pair up with strangers over the internet, and somehow find the harmony to collaboratively solve the puzzles together.
Final Thought
Playing with scissors has never been this fun!
When we completed all the stages, we were left with the feeling of wanting more. We can see ourselves returning and replaying the puzzles, but like most other puzzle games, the first run is the sweetest. There is hope that Nintendo releases a DLC pack for Snipperclips adding more levels to the game. Until then we will pull out our Switch, and puzzle away with friends and family whenever the occasion allows. With the two joy-con controllers and the built in screen, Snipperclips is the perfect game to play whenever and wherever. The adorable look and feel of the game, the easy accessibility, and the variety of the different stages make this game a must play for every Switch owner. Playing with Scissors has never been this fun!
Big thanks go to Nintendo for providing the review copy of Snipperclips: Cut it out Together on Nintendo Switch. The game is available on the Nintendo Switch eShop for $19.99.
- Apr 15, 2017
[dropcap]J[/dropcap]ackbox Party Pack 3 joins the multiplayer party game genre on Nintendo Switch. Along with Snipperclips: Cut it out Together – this bundle is an absolute hit for everyone in need of a party game experience. Jackbox Party Pack 3 comes with plenty of entertainment that will please any crowed of any age.
When the Switch was first announced, Nintendo introduced the idea of bringing the console to a party. While this concept was received with humor by many, it is Jackbox Party Pack 3 that turns this idea into something real. The portability of the console makes the party game a great pick. It turns the Switch in what the Wii has accomplished many years ago, it makes people play together.
No Extra Joy-Con or Switch Needed
Let your friends join by smartphone or computer.
The Jackbox Party Pack 3 comes with a total of five different games, each of them includes a huge variety of content making it very pleasant and fun to replay the different games over and over again without encountering the same content. Before you think that you may need to purchase some more expensive joy-con controllers, there is good news, you will only need one console to run the game, and a smartphone or computer for every additional player in couch coop mode.
This is great to get more players involved in local multiplayer without the need of additional consoles, games, or controllers. Once you start a new game you will be given an access code, this code can be used by your friends that you wish to play with. Simply enter the code on the jackbox.tv website and let the fun begin. The game is controlled by your phone and not by the joy-con controller, making it even easier for anyone to get into. After all this game is designed to be played by anyone. Answers, doodles, and everything else will be sent using your smartphone or PC/Mac. There is no learning curve, and everyone will be able to get started right away.
Five Different Unique and Fun Games
Five different games with an endless amount of content.
One of the 5 different games is T-Shirt K.O. you and everybody else in the group have to draw tiny pictures, or write a slogan, once completed these get swapped around to other players. The player who puts together the most appealing variation wins the battle. All of this happens directly on your phone with the Switch functioning as the hub.
Guesspionage is one of our favorite games out of the entire pack. A question that may be asked in this Trivia Mode is ” How many people have actually won something out of aArcade Claw Machine ? ” the first player has to set a percentage of what he or she believes to be an accurate answer, while the other two players will either bet on a higher or lower percentage. Whoever is closest will win the round.
Another extremely fun game is Quiplash. The game begins by providing each player with a “ Fill in the Blank ” field. The idea behind this is to come up with a word or phrase that your opponents like. The options here are endless, and it is up to you if you want to be funny, dirty, mean, offensive or even come up with an absolute nonsense answer.
Final Thought
Jackbox Party Pack 3 is a game to be played over and over again.
Jackbox Party Pack 3 is one of the best collection of trivia and party games on any device to date. Each of the five different games are fun in a unique way. The commentary, questions and the entire feel of the game will absolutely make you laugh. This is one of those games that even people who claim not to enjoy video games – will end up loving anyway.
The game is currently available on the Nintendo eShop priced at only $24.99. This will get you the entire collection of 5 different party games. We feel you will get your moneys worth, with a collection of games that can last for months, or even years. Jackbox Party Pack 3 is the perfect game to have – on the Nintendo Switch, especially for the occasional meet up with friends.
If you want to play the game yourself, but don’t have the funds available right now – you are in luck! Jackbox Games was kind enough to provide a few Nintendo Switch Jackbox Party Pack 3 download codes. For a chance to win one of the codes, simply leave a comment below, and tell us why you want the Party Game on the Switch!
Many thanks to Jackbox Games for providing the Review copy of Jackbox Party Pack 3 on Nintendo Switch. Make sure to follow them on Twitter for updates on Jackbox Games!
- Mar 28, 2017
[dropcap]W[/dropcap]e are taking an in-depth look at what appears to be the most mind bending and most beautiful puzzle game released on Nintendo Switch so far. Snake Pass is set in a 3D world that only on the Nintendo Switch you can take on the go, and play whenever, and wherever you want.
Let’s Start Slithering
Slither, Curl, Climb – rinse and repeat!
Snake Pass is a beautifully designed level based puzzle game. You slither, curl, climb and sometimes you will fall – but the goal is to make your way through the stunningly beautiful crafted levels. You will pick up all sorts of collectables along the way to master each of the 15 levels. The first time you start up the game you will be greeted by a cheerful, quirky little humming bird. This bird will be there when help is needed, not only will it lead the way, but it can also provide a lift. Pressing Y on the joy-con controller will call the humming bird to lift your tail. This is especially helpful when you are about to slip, or loose grip. The bird never leaves sight, and makes the entire experience a little less lonely and more cheerful as you slither through the levels.
Oh boy, does it look pretty!
One of the most gorgeous, and best looking game on the Nintendo Switch to date.
One thing you will notice right at the start, is the gorgeous look of the game. The 3D world truly comes to life on the crisp and vibrant screen of the Nintendo Switch. If you climb high enough you can get a good look of the entire level, spotting the collectables and planning where to go next. Trees, grass, water and everything else is beautifully animated. You will find butterflies flying around, waterfalls dripping down, and trees swinging with the wind. It’s an absolute pleasure to explore each of the levels, and the harmony and lovely attention to detail invites the player to explore the levels even more.
Exploration
Go up high or down low. Caves and hidden spots are waiting to be explored.
Talking about exploration in Snake Pass. You may chose to run through the levels, as the main goal is to find the lost keystones to open the gate in order to advance to the next level. But if you wish – you can take the experience a lot farther than that. Every level has hidden caves, secret spots and more to explore. The exploration is usually being awarded by finding gold coins and more. Each level has 3 keystones, 5 gold coins, and 20 blue bubbles to collect. While the keystones are necessary to advance, the other 2 kinds are optional. Finding the gold coins becomes especially more challenging as you advance. Locating the coins may take you some time, but reaching them can be an even more challenging experience.
Refreshingly Challenging
The Game reinvents itself as you advance.
Most games become more difficult as you advance. This is also the case in Snake Pass, each level brings new challenges. You will have to climb higher to reach coins that become more and more difficult to get to. But beyond just making things harder, Snake Pass succeeds in finding new ways to challenge the player with each new worlds to explore. Not only is it becoming more difficult making the game more fun, but it also adds new mechanics to keep players entertained. For example underwater exploration, or pulling switches and levers all add to keeping the gameplay fresh and preventing it from becoming scale. It almost feels like as if the game reinvents itself with every new world you enter. This is especially necessary to prevent the game from becoming stale and repetitive. Snake pass never felt like you had to do the same task over and over again, but instead challenged us to discover new ways to master each and every level.
Even though Snake Pass is a rather short game, given that it only costs $19.99 on the Nintendo Switch eShop – it provides hours of entertainment. And while the main game can be finished in a matter of hours, we believe the replay-ability of the game is high. We found ourselves returning to the same level multiple times in order co collect everything. Exploring little caves and hidden areas make it a lot of fun to revisit a level and slither around to discover every square inch.
Final thought
Play again, and again…
Snake Pass is a refreshing puzzle game. Sumo Digital has successful made use of a retro inspired gameplay, and put a modern and fun twist on it. The game looks absolutely stunning in handheld as well as in TV mode. The animations are pretty, and the level design is carefully crafted with a lot of attention to detail. The 15 Levels within 4 different world settings are amusing, but the game feels short lived. Especially when you don’t go out of your way to collect every coin, it feels the game can be completed within a matter of hours. We were left wanting a few more levels, perhaps Sumo Digital can release a DLC pack with more levels if the demand is there.
Snake Pass is currently available on Nintendo Switch, Steam, Playstation4 and Xbox One
Thanks to Sumo Digital for kindly providing the review copy of Snake Pass. Review based on the Nintendo Switch Version of the game.
- Mar 17, 2017
Human Resource Machine has finally been released on the Nintendo Switch. Even though it came out a little later than anticipated, the wait was well worth it. The game has been available on several other platforms for quite some time now, but the Switch version is more than just a simple port.
Human Resource Machine is a puzzle game at heart, with an underlying dark sense of humor that will put a smile on your face every level you start. Each level your boss will challenge you with a new job. It is up to you to program your tiny cute office worker to succeed and please the corporation. If you master the assignment you will be rewarded with a generous promotion of another year of work.
What makes it fun?
The puzzles are challenging, but not to an extend that you will have to stare at the screen for 40 minutes to solve a problem. They are just hitting the sweet spot making the game an absolute mind bending, but rewarding experience. Of course the puzzles become more difficult with each level, or year you advance. The entertaining and unique gameplay is always supported by a great sense humor in the game, the little bit of story telling, and introduction to the puzzles are adorable, and will absolutely make you laugh. It is always refreshing to pick up a game that actually puts a smile on your face. If you take everything away that makes programing boring and difficult, then you have the recipe for how the puzzle system in Human Resource Machine works. Putting action blocks in the right order to get your little guy to do what needs to be done is your ultimate goal. This gets more complicated, with more and more blocks being added as you advance.
Multiplayer? Kind of.
Even though from all three games Tomorrow Corporation has released for the Switch, Human Resource Machine is the only one that did not get a real multiplayer mode. The developers stated that it would be too wild having two players working together. However, the game is tons of fun when playing with a friend. The game really shines when you dock the Switch to the big screen and invite a couple of friends to brainstorm and to solve puzzles together. Docking the console, or playing in table top mode – will also make you use the new and unique controls as well.
Controls
When the game is docked you will obviously not be able to use the touch screen anymore. Here is where the developers have accomplished something amazing. The Nintendo Wii back in the days came with a motion bar to detect the cursor on the screen when using the Wii Remote to navigate through the menu. This often turned out to be painful and clunky with the pointer jumping all over the place. The Nintendo Switch does not need any additional hardware to accomplish the same controls, but it works even better. Once you dock the console, the game will ask you to put down the joy-con on a flat surface, and after you will need to point it directly at the screen. It takes about 3 seconds and the calibration is completed. You can now swing the controller to move around the pointer and navigate around the menu. It is surprisingly accurate and a lot of fun to use, we were positively surprised and thrilled to be using these controls, in either the dock mode or table top mode.
Final Thoughts
Human Resource Machine is one of our favorite 3rd party games on the Nintendo Switch so far. The look and feel of the game is adorable. Furthermore, the sound and storytelling is excellent. There is no way you will make it through this game without smiling, laughing and enjoying yourself as you encounter cute characters, and challenging puzzles. The game really comes to shine when you invite a friend to solve puzzles together. Tomorrow Corporation has done a wonderful job bringing an already excellent puzzle game to the Nintendo Switch and making it even better. Using the great motion features of the joy-cons is a fantastic addition. If you haven’t already, make sure to check out the game in the e-shop available now for $9.99.
- Feb 27, 2017
With Zelda: Breath of the Wild will hit the store shelves this week on March 3rd. Some early preview version of the game have gotten early reviews. The scores were overwhelmingly positive as seen in the chart bellow. Zelda: Breath of the Wild is the first truly open world Zelda game, taking the franchise to the next level. The Game will be released for Nintendo’s new console, the Switch as well as the older generation Wii U.
Segment Next calls the game a ” Masterpiece “.
Polygon “can’t stop playing ” and ” loves the Game “, with a final review on March 2nd
Trusted Reviews is ” consumed by Zelda ”
IGN says the game ” feels remarkable “.
We will be seeing more final reviews coming in later this week. Check back for more to come on Zelda: Breath of the Wild!
