Thanks to the slick dynamics between the team members - kept together by a fairly interesting plot - and to the level design and enemy placements, each mission is a serious test of our concentration and problem-solving, and the use of the titular shadow tactics will prove very important at tackling some of the most difficult moments. Blades of the Shogun more than earned its place in the Nintendo Switch 2 catalogue.
Planet of Lana II: Nintendo Switch 2 Edition does not reinvent the original but it does a marvelous job at going further than its predecessor when it comes to its exquisite art style and smooth cooperation between the two companions. The way the puzzles and their resolution merge with the game's minimalistic (but by no means unimportant) plot helps cementing Planet of Lana II as one of the finest puzzle platformers of its generation, and its solid visual performance on the Switch 2 makes this version the best way to experience it.
Mario Tennis Fever keeps up the tradition of the series by bringing a fun and funny tennis game based on the Mario universe to Nintendo's latest console. Most of it will be very familiar and the game does not take a lot of risks or treads extraordinary new paths, but it does a very competent job at keeping the experience enjoyable, especially on multiplayer. Mario Tennis Fever is a very welcome addition to the Nintendo Switch 2 catalogue, where it's bound to keep players serving and smashing like its predecessors did in decades past.
Xenoblades Chronicles X: Definitive Edition lands on the Nintendo Switch 2 promising to deliver what its title says, and it does a very good job at upgrading the game's features when it comes to fluidity, responsiveness and resolution, while keeping all that made it an amazing game with its exploration experience and dynamic combat system. It could have delivered in all its promises if it was more consistent with regards to its graphical performance, namely on some of its textures and aliasing effects which could use some improvement, but this edition is nonetheless a better way to experience this adventure.
This his City Hunter remaster brings the 1990 classic to the world. If only more region-exclusive games could follow suit. Fans of the manga and anime series will find a simple but fitting 2D side-scrolling action game, with little more than moving around, shooting and jumping, very good soundtrack and some welcome - if short - bonus content. New quality of life options also make it feel more at home, but the gameplay could use more tweaks when it comes to level navigation. The retail price, however, is too high for what this City Hunter brings, and it would be more suitable to a full remake and/or a lot more bonus content.
Street Racer Collection does a jood job when it comes to emulating four kart racing games with combat elements, and the amount of customization options and cheats included help make the experience smoother. On the other hand, it is clear that some of the games here have aged considerably and are way past their prime, making them appealing only to the most nostalgic gamers who wish to relieve their experiences. The races are indeed fun, as long as they don't last too long, and there's no reason why the Game Boy version of Street Racer is included but the PlayStation/Sega Saturn version is not.
Dragon Quest VII Reimagined gives the game a whole new modern look while keeping faithful to the Dragon Quest spirit and identity. Thanks to its absolutely charming looks, outstanding quirkiness, and better pacing than previous versions, this remake strikes a good balance between nostalgic appeal and giving new fans a big welcome, which would work even better if its difficulty level was more demanding and its mechanics more complex.
Thanks to a smart use of the colours' mechanics and to a well implemented difficulty curve, the game delivers a good puzzle experience that fits nicely within the genre, and behaves very well on the Nintendo Switch 2. It does tend to get repetitive on a long term basis and feels like it does not leave its comfort zone, but it is another welcome addition to the puzzle games' catalogue.
Fighting Force Collection has the merit of bringing two games of the late 1990s in a way that’s as close to the original experience as possible. Unfortunately, there is little else going for it. If the first game can still provide some shallow but fun beat’em up action, the second game falls flat due to terrible camera and controls, featureless characters, and a failure at attempting to deliver a stealth action experience. Nostalgia has its value, but the Fighting Force games should rather have been remade instead of ported to this generation.
Rayman 30th Anniversary Edition shows that the slick gameplay and exquisite art style of Rayman are still as fun and enjoyable today as they were three decades ago. Nevertheless, this edition acts more as a modern port than as a definitive anniversary collection at some points, namely due to the lack of accessibility options for new players, and features an arranged version of the game's soundtrack with no option to listen to the original. All that aside, the bonus content is very welcome, and this game shows the original Rayman remains strong and one of the platforming classics of its time.
