Nintendo Life

Nintendo Life

Dom Reseigh-Lincoln·Sep 21, 2018

Critic70/100

Agreement—

STAY is a very unusual experience. Its unique approach to tracking time and using it as an influential factor on a character's well-being makes it the kind of game you really need to try, but it's one that comes with enough caveats that might make it less appealing to certain Switch owners. However, with some well-written dialogue, a mysterious house that keeps getting stranger and all manner of narrative paths, items, rooms and endings to unlock, there's plenty here to warrant repeated plays. Just don't nod off while you're playing, or wander out of the house. Poor old Quinn...

Nintendo Life

Dom Reseigh-Lincoln·Sep 20, 2018

Critic80/100

Agreement—

While the lack of touchscreen support is an odd omission considering both games previously appeared on 3DS and Wii U, that doesn't stop Scribblenauts Mega Pack from bringing two of the most empowering games of the past decade. Both have been optimised for Switch so you can be sure you're getting a family-friendly experience that'll have you plumbing the depths of your imagination for the most creative and out-of-the-box solutions.

Nintendo Life

Gavin Lane·Sep 19, 2018

Critic70/100

Agreement—

While its short-burst gameplay is perfectly suited to phones, Reigns: Kings & Queens arguably works just as well lying on the sofa with a single Joy-Con. It's addictive with plenty of depth to its deceptively simple systems, although like the mobile edition, it really is best enjoyed when played in small chunks. After several hours, repetition inevitably dulls its initial appeal, but if you haven't played it elsewhere, this is a great package that's well worth swiping right on.

Nintendo Life

Dom Reseigh-Lincoln·Sep 19, 2018

Critic50/100

Agreement—

Cities: Skylines - Nintendo Switch Edition has so much potential and offers a fine alternative to SimCity's broken reboot, but this game needed to be revamped and re-approached for Switch in a way that doesn't turn it into a performance quagmire. Sadly, this is a game better played elsewhere.

Nintendo Life

Dom Reseigh-Lincoln·Sep 19, 2018

Critic80/100

Agreement—

Relaxing as it is taxing, The Gardens Between offers a poignant coalescence of charming visuals, a relaxing soundtrack and a bittersweet story.

Nintendo Life

Damien McFerran·Sep 18, 2018

Critic90/100

Agreement—

If you're not a fan of the genre then you may well be wondering what all the fuss is about, but for everyone else, this is a must-have download.

Nintendo Life

Dom Reseigh-Lincoln·Sep 18, 2018

Critic90/100

Agreement—

Nintendo Switch is no stranger to DLC and add-on content, but few expansions are as vast in their size and content as Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Torna - The Golden Country. Whether you're a season pass holder looking to revisit a series you love from a new perspective, or you're fresh to the franchise and want a standalone adventure, this hefty slice of JRPG action will grab you right from the moment you start switching between Blade and Driver. With some welcome adjustments to combat and combos, this is a fine addition to an already brilliant game on Switch.

Nintendo Life

Mitch Vogel·Sep 18, 2018

Critic60/100

Agreement—

Final Fantasy XV Pocket Edition HD is the sort of game that you play and then wonder why exactly it needs to exist.

Nintendo Life

Dom Reseigh-Lincoln·Sep 16, 2018

Critic70/100

Agreement—

Surgeon Simulator CPR finally brings Bossa Studios' slapstick medical 'sim' to Nintendo Switch, and while its use of Joy-Con motion controls is a little rough around the edges, they do make for some brilliant local co-op shenanigans. With plenty of patients to harm (sorry, we meant 'heal'), all manner of scenarios to contend with and plenty of hidden secrets to be found both in theatres and in the interactive menu, you're at least getting one of the better versions of this veteran title.

Nintendo Life

Gavin Lane·Sep 15, 2018

Critic60/100

Agreement—

Wasteland 2: Director's Cut on Switch is a missed opportunity. While the underlying systems and crunchy combat are enjoyable – and it just about works as a portable experience – a steady list of irritations make an unqualified recommendation impossible. There's a solid foundation of gritty turn-based combat with some great writing, but a stubborn camera, disappointing performance and a lack of quality-of-life enhancements means the PC ‘master race' take this round.

Nintendo Life

Dom Reseigh-Lincoln·Sep 14, 2018

Critic50/100

Agreement—

Haunted Dungeons: Hyakki Castle certainly has some interesting elements - most notably its team-splitting mechanic and use of classical Japanese folklore - but thanks to the rigidity of its first-person dungeon crawling design it soon loses steam and you're left exploring a vast castle full of dangerous yokai and unimaginative level design. It takes plenty of inspiration from those that came before it, but does little to innovate on its own merit.

Nintendo Life

Jon Mundy·Sep 14, 2018

Critic80/100

Agreement—

Broforce is a hilariously explosive 2D action-platformer with a memorable catch-'em-all cast of action movie caricatures. The action may be a little one-note, but when that note is as big and bold as it is here, you'll be all-too-willing to disengage your brain and engage your trigger finger. After playing through the seemingly unending series of critically-acclaimed, high-brow 2D action titles on Switch, this is the perfect way to unwind.

Nintendo Life

Mitch Vogel·Sep 14, 2018

Critic90/100

Agreement—

Undertale is a brilliant and smartly designed game that understands well what makes a good RPG work; so much so that it can upend expectations and deliver something that's almost a satire of the genre. It's been a long time since we've played a game that manages to surprise so often and in so many unique ways, and even if it doesn't look like much, Undertale has way more going for it under the surface. Excellently written characters, a genre-bending battle system and a solid soundtrack make this one an easy recommendation, especially to RPG lovers. Do yourself a favour and give this one a download.

Nintendo Life

Gavin Lane·Sep 13, 2018

Critic80/100

Agreement—

The Spectrum Retreat is a valiant stab at a Portal-esque puzzler which largely pulls off what it sets out to achieve. It lacks the dynamite script and surgical timing of Valve's masterpiece, but the test chambers (sorry, ‘authentication challenges') withstand the comparison. If Gone Home's pace is a touch too navel-gazing for your liking, we'd heartily recommend a trip to The Penrose Hotel.

Nintendo Life

Dom Reseigh-Lincoln·Sep 13, 2018

Critic40/100

Agreement—

As innocent and silly as it all pertains to be, it's just a tame excuse to get a bit of cheap sleaze onto a Western games console.