It would be well worth your time to focus on this unique puzzler. Exploring a colourful simulation by manipulating the world around you through photographs, Viewfinder is a relaxed, compelling experience that stands out for its visual style and unique puzzle design. It's a journey worth taking, despite being hampered by the lower performance of the Switch 1.
If you are a fan of the other games in this cycle of platform adventures, you are going to love Titans of the Tide. It's another colourful, funny SpongeBob adventure from Purple Lamp and, just like the cartoon, repeat viewings don't tend to lessen the magic. The formula is starting to show its age now, but it's still the best virtual Bikini Bottom we've got.
Simon the Sorcerer: Origins is a solid return for a beloved series, and the developers at Smallthing Studios seem more than capable of carrying on these magical adventures.
Unfolding like a classic Disney tale, this is a beautifully animated adventure that weaves a deeply personal tale. Bye Sweet Carole is driven by its art style and a brilliant musical score, but occasionally stumbles due to stiff controls and frustrating mechanics.
Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter is a comprehensive audio-visual update of a classic series opener, with great characters, a world that you'll want to explore, and deep combat with a wealth of options. The updated style runs best on Switch 2, with only the odd stumble in docked performance.
Hirogami is a fine example of an underused aesthetic, and its beautifully styled origami world looks great on PS5. The platforming is a bit messy and there isn't much variety on offer, but for those who prefer a bit more style than substance, it's well worth a look.
Discounty is a solid addition to the Switch's healthy stable of cosy sims. These games feel right at home on a console you can take anywhere, with a bite-sized day cycle that works just as well for long sessions as it does for quick breaks. Growing your supermarket is a deep and satisfying experience, but getting involved in your customers lives can be a bit shallow. But, most importantly, Discounty manages the impossible task of making retail work fun and relaxing, and that's a feat in itself.
The Wandering Village is a worthy addition to the city-builder genre. It's a mostly undemanding hybrid that mixes sim management with a touch of pet care. A slight experience, with an uninspired and slow-moving story, but it still manages to charm in its own quiet way.
Split Fiction feels like a gift. Its sole aim is to entertain and bring players together by testing them at every turn. Hazelight gives us two distinct worlds, each filled with a huge array of activities for co-op partners to enjoy and argue over. It serves as a surprising visual showcase for the Switch 2 and enhances the Friend's Pass feature, allowing our original Switch buddies to join in the fun.
Wobbly Life isn't doing anything new with the physics-based party genre, but it offers tons of content and a great time for all ages. The arcade and sandbox modes will keep you coming back long after life on Wobbly Island gets boring.
Kunitsu-Gami was a real surprise. A solid blend of strategy and action that incorporates aspects of Shinto and Japanese folklore to create a visually stunning experience. It's a great showcase for Switch 2, even if mouse controls might not quite work for everyone.
Rusty Rabbit is a standard Metroidvania that doesn't stray far from the formula, but surprises with lots of customisation and light social sim elements. It's worth playing for its protagonist alone (in the Japanese dub at least), a cute rabbit with the stern vocals of Kazama Kiryu.
This will be a blast for Gal Gun fans and well worth a try for newcomers. There isn't much beyond the usual Metroidvania trappings, but the build-based combat leaves lots of room for experimentation. Lack of originality aside, a strong imitation can still be an enjoyable experience, and Gal Guardians is never less than a great time. The character-swapping and revive mechanics make solo mode just as engaging as co-op, while the weapon slot system encourages replayability with new builds for Masha and Kirika.
An uneven, but ambitious adventure. Caracal has taken ingredients from some key titles and genres, added a brilliant traversal mechanic and cooked up a chilled-out, sci-fi wasteland odyssey. The game's mysterious, drip-fed narrative will keep you intrigued, and every moment spent on the grav board is undeniably enjoyable. Although Cebete may feel overly familiar, its vibrant landscapes and hidden secrets still make it worth exploring.
