Elite_Institute

"The strong foundations of the game should have made Illusion Island a wonderful return to the series. The art style, writing, and perfect controls should have set the stage for Mickey’s greatest adventure yet. Instead, we get a rather dull and generic Metroidvania that lacks any real identity or excitement to keep you invested. Perhaps playing with children will give you the illusion of enjoyment, but your kids deserve to play better games than this."

Project Zero: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse frankly, well, eclipses the previous Maiden of Black Water, with its stronger storyline, less focus on backtracking, and an overall tougher experience. It has its faults, but this is certainly one horror game well worth checking out! ****/2023/03/30/project-zero-mask-of-the-lunar-eclipse/

"Mango Protocol took a pretty big gamble switching genres for the next entry in the series, but they almost pulled it off. It looks amazing and is full of variety, but the gameplay doesn’t feel quite as refined as it could be and there’s way too much unnecessary dialogue. Fans of the series should enjoy their time with Nika as she destroys everything she hates, but others may want to play it in shorter chunks to maximise enjoyment." ****/2023/02/17/colossus-down/

"Nadir: A Grimdark Deckbuilder has a really intuitive and enjoyable gimmick, but its lack of polish holds it back a bit. It’s still in development, as the game often likes to remind you, and I’m sure it’s going to be fantastic when they’re done with it, but whether or not that is a risk you want to take at full price is going to be down to you. It may be worth keeping an eye on it instead." ****/2023/02/15/nadir-a-grimdark-deck-builder/

"Trek to Yomi is one of the most beautiful games I have played in a long time. It’s visual style is cinematic and really shows off how well the developers understand the work of Kurosawa. That’s what makes it all the more unfortunate that there just isn’t that much to the gameplay, which leads to it feeling a little long in the tooth by the end." ****/2023/02/09/trek-to-yomi/

"Overall, Trophy is one of the better Mega Man clones that I’ve played. It has an unrelenting difficulty that will put off all but the hardened of season veterans, but it’s a really tightly designed game for fans of old-school platforming." ****/2023/02/06/trophy/

"Revisiting Mega Man 11 was a little bit of a surprise. I’d completely forgotten just how difficult it was – but in a good way. This game really is the modern iteration of Mega Man that we’ve been waiting for since Mega Man 8. Small issues aside, this is a must buy for fans of tough platformers. Good work, Capcom!" ****/2023/02/05/mega-man-11/

"Fashion Police Squad is an absolute must play for fans of classic shooters. Not only does the unique gimmick feel incredibly refreshing, but it feels just so damn good to play. The platforming may be a little bit too janky, and the arena fights are a pain, but for the budget price you can’t go far wrong! Drip and tear …. until it is done!" ****/2023/02/04/fashion-police-squad/

"I came away from Foreclosed feeling a little let down by it. It starts out promisingly, but swaps out the narrative cyberpunk tale that includes hacking and stealth to a game that’s just constant tedious combat encounters. It’s still a gorgeous looking game despite its faults, and offers an intriguing tale, so if it’s of interest to you then perhaps opt for the Story difficulty – or wait for a damn good patch to come along." ****/2023/02/03/foreclosed/

"The Wonder Boy Anniversary Collection brings together all of the classic games under one roof and feels refreshing when compared to the lacklustre previous collection. A hefty price tag will no doubt put many off, but don’t let that stop you from at least wishlisting it. These are all amazing games in their own right and are well worth playing!" ****/2023/01/30/wonder-boy-anniversary-collection/

"Frog Ball Rerolled is a good effort from a young amateur developer. He clearly has a lot of love for the Monkey Ball franchise, and it shows. There’s some good ideas in the game, but the dodgy physics and uneven difficulty stop this from being a solid recommendation. That being said, it does scratch that ball rolling itch and if you can pick it up on a deep sale then I’m sure there’s something here for the Monkey Ball aficionado to enjoy." ****/2023/01/29/frog-ball-rerolled/

"Cellular Harvest isn’t a terrible game. The world and creatures are well designed and it does have a certain charm, but the slow movement, clunky menus and controls, and lack of save functionality stop it from being worth purchasing. If they can tighten things up a little and add manual saving, it may be worth experiencing on a deep sale, but otherwise I’d just get one of the other photography games on Switch instead." ****/2023/01/25/cellular-harvest/

"Terror of Hemasaurus is an absolute joy to play for those that want some [lightly guided] wanton destruction. It may not be overly long, but the pure bliss of it all will keep you coming back for more – whether it be alone or with up to three other mankind-destroying monsters!" ****/2023/01/22/terror-of-hemasaurus/

"Mortal Shell is a great attempt at an indie version of Dark Souls, with its tight controls and beautiful aesthetic wrapped up in a smaller scale world. Its unrelenting difficulty will still prove gruelling to those who aren’t a fan of the Souls series due to death setting you very far back, although the difficulty here certainly isn’t quite as brutal." ****/2023/01/20/mortal-shell-complete-edition/

"Twinstick roguelikes aren’t usually my cup of tea, and Lone Ruin certainly doesn’t offer that much to make itself stand out from the games that inspired it. However, the beautiful visuals and tight controls are what kept me hooked. If you’re looking for a reasonably priced roguelike that offers quick paced fun, you could do far worse than Lone Ruin." ****/2023/01/16/lone-ruin/

"I would highly recommend this game to any fan of card-based deck builder games, and those who appreciate a good plot twist. The final climactic scene still bleeds in my mind like the ink on a freshly made card" ****/2023/01/07/inscryption/

"Lil Gator Game may be as little as its name suggests, but it’s also a touching tale about two siblings that just don’t play with each other anymore. Its open nature is great for exploration, even if it’s a little too bit too unguided at times, but it makes for a very sweet cozy game to sit down with for a lil while." ****/2023/01/01/lil-gator-game/

"Whilst lacking certain elements that prevent it from becoming a top tier point and click adventure, Watch Over Christmas is still a pretty solid game for fans of the genre that helps spread a bit of festive cheer during the holiday season." ****/2022/12/24/watch-over-christmas/

"Elevator Action Returns is an arcade classic and this port really does the game justice. With numerous accessibility features and wonderful visuals that still hold up well, it’s a great game for both fans of the original release and newcomers alike. It may not be the longest title due to its arcade origins, but the sheer replayability and inclusion of the first game makes it perfect to play whenever you fancy a bit of elevator-based action." ****/2022/12/13/elevator-action-returns-s-tribute/

"SIACTRO have crafted yet another cute little 3D platformer that, whilst lacking in challenge, offers a bite-sized piece of nostalgia for fans of N64 era collectathons. Super Kiwi 64 shows off how well the developer can craft stages, and I really hope that they can build upon this in the future by creating a larger scale project. As it is though, this is still 40 minutes of enjoyable gameplay for a very cheap price." ****/2022/12/05/super-kiwi-64/

"Madorica Real Estate 2 takes the great premise of the original and takes it to the next level. This time you’re not just encouraged to print the floor plans, it’s actually a necessity as you draw, cut, and fold your way to the right solution. It feels so good to be back in the world of real estate once more, and it’s highly recommended for puzzle fans who want a more hands-on experience." ****/2022/12/03/madorica-real-estate-2/

"Ultra Mega Xtra Party Challenge takes a good shot at being the new indie WarioWare, but a handful of issues stop it from being quite as fun as it could have been. From occasionally obtuse instructions to a non-functional online, this may be a tough sell for many people. That being said, if you a friend to play silly party games with, then this may be worth grabbing!" ****/2022/12/01/ultra-mega-xtra-party-challenge/

"KnifeBoy Rebooted certainly isn’t perfect, and the game’s jank and lack of direction is certainly enough to taint the overall experience … but it’s also a whole lot of fun that keeps you wanting to continue and find out what madness awaits further in. If you can get over that initial hurdle and get used to how the game is, you’ll find a very enjoyable experience here!" ****/2022/11/29/knifeboy-rebooted/

"At the end of the day, it’s the amusing performances and catchy songs that are going to sell you Once Upon a Jester. Not the repetitive gameplay, not the unlockable stickers, but simply the sheer charm of the main protagonists and the cute shows that they do. If the trailer sold you on the concept, you may very well have a good time with the game – if not, then the gameplay probably won’t do much to win you over." ****/2022/11/25/once-upon-a-jester/

"Sonic Frontiers is a mostly successful experiment that aims to create a Good Future for Sonic. It certainly has more than its fair share of issues, but it gets the foundation right. Whilst its issues may rub up non-fans the wrong way, it’s still enjoyable enough to please both enthusiasts and newcomers alike." ****/2022/11/21/sonic-frontiers/

"Despite taking less than an hour to beat both games, the Milk duology (I’m not saying it in full again) are powerful experiences that reflect the difficulty of everyday activities for some people. It’s not an easy game to play, mentally, but it’s one that will stay with you." ****/2022/11/19/milk-inside-a-bag-of-milk-inside-a-bag-of-milk-and-milk-outside-a-bag-of-milk-outside-a-bag-of-milk/

"Jurassic World Aftermath Collection was a pleasant surprise; offering a similar style of game to Alien Isolation, this game will have you cowering in fear as you manoeuvre around Raptors and T-Rexes. A few minor issues, such as pathetic kill scenes and a slow running speed, hold it back a little; but dinosaur fans out there should absolutely adore this game." ****/2022/11/13/jurassic-world-aftermath-collection/

"Skyrim Anniversary Edition holds a special place in my heart. Sure, it’s not the best Elder Scrolls game (no matter what Todd Howard would have you believe), and it certainly has some issues (such as one too many Draugr Tombs…), but there’s just so much excellent content here that you can overlook its flaws and have a great time. The game may be a meme at this point, but it has also stood the test of time for a reason. It’s one hell of an RPG." ****/2022/11/11/skyrim-anniversary-edition/

"Trifox absolutely nails its presentation, with cutesy mascot platforming visuals and an excellent soundtrack that really pulls on those nostalgic strings. It’s a shame then that neither the platforming nor the action are strong enough to hold everything together. It’s definitely a very promising first entry from the developers though, and certainly gives a good indication of what they may be capable of in the future!" ****/2022/11/06/trifox/

"Those going into the game expecting a DKC-style platforming experience are going to be extremely disappointed by the games simplicity and its brevity. Beeny is less **** and more of a budget priced teaser for the upcoming Super Kiwi 64. The game is fine for what it is and the audiovisual presentation is perfect, but it only leaves you with the desire to play Siactro’s next title rather than play more of this one." ****/2022/11/05/beeny/

"LEGO Bricktales is my favourite LEGO game since LEGO Racers – precisely because it feels like a LEGO game should: a creative building game with enough freedom to do what you need to do, no matter how crap it looks. Control **** aside, anyone with a creative mind and a love for LEGO will no doubt fall in love with this title. Hopefully ClockStone Studio are given the opportunity to make a sequel and build upon this great bricky foundation." ****/2022/11/04/lego-bricktales/

"Ten years on and Q.U.B.E. suffers from being one of the many Portal-likes on the market, yet failing to be better than most of them. It does offer some well thought out puzzles, and will certainly scratch that itch for those who haven’t played the game before, but returning fans will probably end up a little disappointed that the biggest change – the visuals – are so poor quality on the Switch." ****/2022/11/01/q-u-b-e-10th-anniversary/

"SIGNALIS is one of those games that does almost everything right. It’s hard to show off its beauty and how intriguing and compelling the narrative is through mere words and screenshots alone. Much like the eldritch tome featured within, the very essence of the game just seems to insidiously fill your soul and makes it impossible to put down." ****/2022/10/29/signalis/

"In its current state, Hell Pie is impossible to recommend. I can overlook the poor resolution, but the constant major framerate dips were enough to give me a headache. Add to that a game-breaking crash that made progression impossible, and you’re looking at a dreadful port of an otherwise great game. I will certainly be going back once the promised patch drops to see if things get sorted, but for the moment you are best holding off until the state of the game improves." ****/2022/10/27/hell-pie/

"It’s a shame that Warhammer 40,000: Shootas, Blood & Teef performs so badly on the Switch. The art style is charming, and the voice acting and worldbuilding is so good that I’m sure fans of the franchise will adore it. Perhaps things will be fixed in a future patch, but otherwise it may be worth getting your orkish delights elsewhere." ****/2022/10/23/warhammer-40000-shootas-blood-teef/

"With its low price point and awful dialogue, I really did not know what to expect going into God Damn The Garden. What I didn’t expect was an almost Zelda-inspired FPS that felt surprisingly fulfilling over its brief runtime. It may not have the deepest mechanics, but anyone looking for some dirt cheap fun should give this one a try!" ****/2022/10/19/god-damn-the-garden/

"In Sound Mind starts out really strong, with some great opening areas that are only let down by the game’s abysmal graphics and poor combat system. Unfortunately, as environments expand and enemy numbers grow, the game leans more on its flaws rather than what it does well and leaves a sour taste in your mouth. There’s an interesting mystery at the heart of the game though, and that alone may be worth giving the game a shot … but on a different platform." ****/2022/10/15/in-sound-mind/

"Project Zero: Maiden of Black Water definitely has its faults, particularly with its lack of characterisation and some questionable design choices; however, these are only a small dampener on what is otherwise a unique and atmospheric horror game. Hopefully the remaster of the prior game will prove to be just as enjoyable as the series’ fifth entry!" ****/2022/10/08/project-zero-maiden-of-black-water/

"With top notch voice acting, a superb soundtrack, beautiful visuals and (mostly) fair puzzles, Voodoo Detective is a game that point and click enthusiasts won’t want to miss out on. I only hope that we see more adventures from Mr Detective in the future, as there’s potential here for an amazing franchise." ****/2022/10/01/voodoodetective/

"For those looking for a very different racing experience, Wreckfest offers hectic fun that runs surprisingly well considering how nice it looks. The difficulty may be off-putting to some gamers, but being any easier would ruin this intense experience." ****/2022/09/30/wreckfest/

"I would never have thought I would appreciate this game. After playing hours and hours, I feel like it’s a really good and fun game. The replay value through the roof, the graphics are gorgeous and the game play loop is really addictive. Most people will have a great time traversing this game and getting to know the characters. Ultimately I would advise most gamers to pick this one up and give it a shot." ****/2022/09/23/beacon-pines/

"Those looking for a fun quiz game should enjoy Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader?, even if the lack of difficulty and questions ruin the overall quality. It’s absolutely not worth the asking price, but I’d certainly keep your eyes open for a sale so you can add it to your list of party game at some point in the future." ****/2022/09/25/are-you-smarter-than-a-5th-grader/

"Endling – Extinction is Forever is a powerful game with a strong environmental message from the perspective of a vulpine protagonist caring for her children. The haunting soundtrack compliments the frankly traumatising theme well, and leaves you feeling somewhat downhearted after each play session. It may prove too much for more empathetic gamers, but it’s still a game that’s worthy of your attention." ****/2022/09/21/endling-extinction-is-forever/

"Ultimately I would score this game very highly, and would advise fans of the genre to pick it up. People who are on the fence about getting the game, yet are into action adventure or RPGs will really like this game." ****/2022/09/19/anno-mutationem/

"There’s a solid foundation here for a fun dogfighting game, but the simplistic mechanics combined with the incredibly dumb (and cheap!) AI means that repetition sets in fast. Skycadia is still the one of the best offerings of the genre on the Switch, but it’s probably worth waiting for a deep sale before nose diving into this one." ****/2022/09/17/skycadia/

"As a sandbox game, Tracks – Toybox Edition is quite enthralling as it takes you back to your childhood, piecing together wooden tracks around your bedroom. The lack of content and polish, however, makes the game a pretty difficult recommendation unless you see it on a very deep sale." ****/2022/09/15/tracks-toybox-edition/

"Tinykin is a phenomenal experience that threw me off with just how much fun it actually was. It may not be challenging at all, but what it lacks in difficulty it makes up by just being a relaxingly pleasant time. There may not be much of an endgame finale, and a map to ease navigation would be nice, but those are relatively small gripes for what is otherwise an amazing game. This will certainly be a contender for one of The Elite Institute’s GOTY awards." ****/2022/09/13/tinykin/

"Those looking for a cheap and excellent murder mystery visual novel will find it here with Murder on the Marine Express. The great characters and intriguing storyline will keep you hooked from start to finish. So long as you’re happy to be purely reading for a few hours, this is a game you won’t want to miss out on." ****/2022/09/11/murder-on-the-marine-express/

"Bullets Per Minute is a unique and addictive experience that hooks you in the more you play. The visuals may put off many due to how murky they are, but the game runs as smooth as butter to help make you feel like a badass Valkyrie. If you can get this game on any other platform, that may be the better option, but if not then it’s a worthy fast paced shooter to add to your collection!" ****/2022/09/09/bpm-bullets-per-minute/

"The weird world of Game Type DX is a compelling one, and the straightforward mechanics make it an addictive score chaser. However, even though there are a few game modes on offer, you’ll probably see most of what it has to offer after a mere half hour. It’s a shame there isn’t a little more content here, but the cheap price makes it worth picking up for fans of the genre." ****/2022/09/07/game-type-dx/