Shiren returns to the West in an all-new roguelike dungeon crawler for the Nintendo Switch, Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island. After receiving a vision of a mysterious girl held captive by a terrible monster, Shiren and his ferret companion race fight their way to Serpentcoil Island to find her. Do you have what it takes to rescue her?
The game features procedurally generated, promising hours of gameplay and replayability. The art is so cute! I never played any of the Shiren games, so the mechanics seem unique and interesting. I am definitely adding this to the list of games I need to try.
I was sent Disgaea 7: Vows of the Virtueless to review a little after my previous post. I’ve been excited about this title since the first announcement and was planning on buying it regardless. I am very fortunate to get the chance to review it for my site, but I won’t let this sway my opinions on the game. This will be my honest review of the game. If you’ve been enjoying my reviews, make sure you like, comment, subscribe, and share this with your friends.
This is a cute game with stunning visuals, a fantastic soundtrack, and fun gameplay. Do not let how cute this game looks fool you. This game is difficult if you don’t take it seriously. I found the stages appropriately challenging and the mechanics engaging. I played the game on Easy, which was appropriate for my skill level. Although I never found the stages impossible or frustrating, it was easy to wipe if I wasn’t playing strategically. If you’ve never played a strategy game, it has terrific tutorials to get you started.
The story is a little on the silly side, with a general cheesiness I found charming. It has a cast of tremendous actors that make the cut scenes such a delight to sit through. I can see this being a niche game due to its tone, but the gameplay is fun enough that it won’t matter. The story is self-contained enough to exist on its own. While you won’t need to play any of the other games in the series to enjoy Disgaea 7, you are going to.
Aside from the combat, what I love most about this game is how much you can do at the base. Between stages, you get access to all these shops where you recruit new heroes, learn new skills, buy items, vote for buffs, and do other administrative stuff to prepare for the next stage. As goofy as this game looks, I spent a lot of time planning things through, and I loved every minute of it.
Disgaea 7: Vows of the Virtueless releases in North America on October 3rd on PlayStation, Steam, and Switch for $59.99. If it’s not yet on your wishlist, it should be.
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is the last game from September’s Nintendo Direct that I am excited about. There are other games from the Direct that I won’t be covering because they didn’t draw enough of my attention. Make sure you check out the official Nintendo of America YouTube channel to catch anything I missed.
The Lost Crown is an action-adventure platformer that brings back a classic IP to the current generation of gaming. The lore is rich, the art is great, and the gameplay looks like a lot of fun. There are some mechanics in the trailer I know I’ll be frustrated with, but that’s only because I suck at platforming. Ever since Nocturnal, I’ve been hungry for another side-scroller. I’m definitely making time to try this game when it comes out.
The RIG 600 PRO Series headsets have been released just in time for some early holiday shopping or for those of you looking for an upgrade. These headsets come with a USB-C wireless adapter that promises a low-latency 2.4 GHz connection for an amazing 3D sound stage. And with an up to 18-hour battery life, it is the perfect accessory for those long gaming sessions. But you won’t be limited to the adapter. The headsets also support your favorite Bluetooth devices like your PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, and Mobile devices for up to 24 hours of battery life. The headsets also come with an attached chat-optimized mic for your multiplayer games, and it folds discretely into the earcup with a cool flip-to-mute feature when you don’t need it.
The RIG PRO Series headsets come in two flavors: the 600 PRO HS and the 600 PRO HX with exclusive Urban and Artic camos available only at Walmart. Both come with a USB-C charging cable and support Dolby Atmos®. The difference between the headsets is that the HS was designed for the PlayStation, while the HX was officially licensed by Xbox. Both headsets MSRP at $99.99 and might be a solid option if you are looking for a new headset.
This month’s Nintendo Direct had a lot of cool announcements, but I didn’t want to make an overwhelmingly long post. Instead, I’ll be breaking it up as best I can into smaller more manageable pieces so that the games get the attention they deserve. This post will focus on the genre I am always excited for, the RPGs. There are bunch of cool RPGs coming to the Switch, so make sure you start saving up now. If you’ve been enjoying these updates, make sure you like, comment, subscribe, and share this with your friends.
SaGa Emerald Beyond
I am probably the most excited for SaGa Emerald Beyond. I haven’t played any of the SaGa games, but I am okay with this being my first. The mechanics are interesting, and I like that the choices players make matter. Saga Emerald Beyond is coming to Switch, PlayStation, Steam, and Ios and Android devices sometime next year.
Unicorn Overlord
Unicorn Overlordlooks awesome! I love the art style, and the mechanics look like a lot of fun. I am always in the market for a new tactical RPG, and this looks up my alley. The game comes out March 8.
Baten Kaitos I & II HD Remaster ($49.99)
We seem to be getting a lot of remasters from Nintendo lately, and I am not complaining. If you’ve never played the original Baten Kaitos game, now might be your chance. they have enhanced graphics and some quality of life changes to make them easier to play. Baten Kaitos I & II HD Remaster is out now!
Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes
Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes is such a beautiful looking game. I love that you can choose from so many heroes, and the mechanics look like a lot of fun. The game comes out April 23rd.
Wartales ($39.99)
Here’s a cool looking action RPG that you can play co-op with your friends or random strangers online. I’m warming up the genre, so I might pick it up eventually. I just hope it runs well. You can pick up Wartalesnow!
Nintendo just announced a new line of consoles and bundles just in time for the holiday season. If you are looking for gifts or something for yourself, these bundles will be a great place to get you started. If you’ve been enjoying these updates, don’t forget to like, follow, and share this with your friends!
Animal Crossing: New Leaf Aloha Edition
I am going to start with my personal favorite, the Animal Crossing Aloha edition Switch Lite bundles. The design is simple, but I love the colors they are come in. This bundle will have too flavors: Isabelle’s and Timmy & Tommy. Both bundles will include a digital copy of Animal Crossing: New Leaf, which I still have to get around to playing, and the special edition console. I don’t like the colors will be retailer exclusives, but that’s the world we live in now. I just hope the scalpers don’t ruin it for the rest of us. MSRP is set at $199.99.
Nintendo Switch Lite Isabelle’s Aloha Edition
Isabelle’s Aloha edition is my favorite of the two because of the color. The Coral color switch will be a Target exclusive.
Nintendo Switch Lite Timmy & Tommy’s Aloha Edition
The turquoise console will be a Walmart exclusive.
Nintendo Switch – Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Bundle
Now the Mario Kart bundle may not come with an exclusive special edition console, but it does come as a regular Nintendo Switch system, a digital copy of Mario Kart 8: Deluxe, and a 3 month subscription to Nintnedo Switch Online. Mario Kart has cemented itself as the perfect starter game since its conception, making this a pretty solid gift if you are looking to get your kids started on their first Nintendo. The bundle retails at $299.99, and it isn’t retail exclusive. Preorders available at Best Buy
Nintendo Switch – OLED Model: Mario Red Edition
If you are looking for a special edition, full-sized console, you need to look at the upcoming Mario Red edition. It comes with an OLED version of the switch for a better handheld experience, and a cool red design you are going to want to display prominently. The Mario Red Edition comes out October 6th retailing at $349.99 MSRP. Preorders are available at major retailers
The last time I covered a Nintendo Direct, I listed every game presented. That was a bit overkill, so I have narrowed the list to the games I am most excited about. These are the games announced in the Nintendo Direct that I am considering getting for myself, and the list is in no particular order. Anything I leave out isn’t bad, it just isn’t my vibe.
STAR OCEAN THE SECOND STORY R
I lied in my introduction and will lead with the game I am most excited about, STAR OCEAN THE SECOND STORY R. I am always in the market for a solid RPG, and this one looks great. I love the art, the mechanics seem solid, and I’ve only heard good things about the story. This is a reboot of the original game with promises of a better player experience. There will be new art, mechanics, and quality-of-life changes that fans should be happy about. I love that Nintendo is digging into its classic library and brining back a lot of titles that I missed out on and bringing them into the modern era of gaming. I know I could play the original by other means, but I like the convenience of playing on my Switch. STAR OCEAN THE SECOND STORY R releases on November 2, 2023. Preorders aren’t open yet, but you can wishlist it.
Persona 5 Tactica
I have an odd relationship with strategy games. Historically I have not been a fan, but I have been sent a few good ones that have changed my opinions of the genre. I am genuinely excited for Persona 5 Tacticabecause it looks like a lot of fun. The art style is cute, the gameplay looks manageable, and I always end up buying Persona games. Persona 5 Tactica is set to release on November 17, 2023. It isn’t open for pre-orders yet, but you can wishlist it. I would wait to see if they come out with a collectors edition because they always load those up with cute must-haves.
DRAGON QUEST MONSTERS: The Dark Prince
I know this one will be a bit controversial because it is a Pokemon clone, but it can’t be worse than Scarlet and Violet. I remember playing Monster Warrior Monsters back in the day and loving every minute of it, so I am getting this DRAGON QUEST MONSTERS for the taste of nostalgia. Dragon Quest games are generally a good time, so I feel like it is one of the safer games on my list. I love the art, the story seems interesting, and who doesn’t want another monster-catching game? DRAGON QUEST MONSTERS: The Dark Prince comes out on December 1, 2023. Pre-orders aren’t open yet, but you can wishlist it till then.
Silent Hope
As I’ve mentioned before, I am always in the market for RPGs, and Silent Hope is a cute one I can get behind. The story seems interesting, and the art and combat style remind me of Dragalia Lost. I loved Dragalia Lost, and I am still sad Nintendo shut it down. I am here for anything that can capture the spirit of that game. Silent Hope comes out on October 3, 2023. Don’t forget to Wishlist it!
Gloomhaven
Gloomhaven is getting ported to the Switch, and I couldn’t be more excited. Gloomhaven is one of the board games I would love to play if I had friends to play with. Until then, I will have to settle for the video game adaptation, which is a pretty solid experience. The mechanics are fun, and the art is great. I can’t wait to be able to sit back on the couch and play this game. Gloomhaven on September 18, 2023, and you can pre-order your copy today! The Mercinaries Edition is $39.99, and the Gold Edition is $49.99
This holiday season is going to be rough on my wallet. There is a lot more to see, so make sure check out the full announcement if you have time. If you’ve been enjoying my content, don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe. Make sure you share my posts with your friends. Until next time, thanks for reading!
The other day I booted up No Man’s Sky on PC because I didn’t know I had the copy. To my surprise, not only did I have a copy, but I also had access to their new VR update. If you don’t remember, No Man’s Sky had a rough start at release. By all accounts, this game was terrible, and people were demanding refunds. Hello Games came out and made a statement assuring its players that it will continue to work on this game and make it better. Seven years later, this game is still going strong, and Hello Games has made good on many of its promises.
I got this game after its first update. I saw the bad news, but when the game went on sale, the sale price justified my curiosity. I loved this game and played way too much of it. For those who don’t know, No Man’s Sky is a space-themed survival game. You must use the resources of the planets you land on to build your bases, explore ancient cavillations, and travel the universe. If you like survival games, you probably already own this title. If you are considering buying this game, it doesn’t hurt to jump in now. The art is phenomenal, the gameplay is relaxing, and the developers behind this game are amazing. Do not be intimidated if you aren’t familiar with survival games. There are many resources and guides out there to guide you on your journey, and there are several modes and settings to help make your playthrough a catered experience.
I got this game on the Xbox when I first got my copy. Not only did this copy grant me access to the PC version, but I can also play it in VR. I love the fact that I can switch between consoles without having to start over and buy another copy of the game. I hate having to purchase multiple versions of the game when I dare desire the convenience of playing on the couch. I wish more games came with the option of not just cross-platform, but cross-saves as well. I know that there is that belief that PC gaming is the panicle of the experience, but sometimes I want to not be at my desk. It shouldn’t be too much to ask for, especially in online games, to be able to play on whatever is most convenient without having to spend so much money.
The VR experience has revitalized my love for this game. Not only does it give me a reason to use my Meta Quest 2, but it is a phenomenal experience. This isn’t a cheap gimmick to trick people into buying the game again. There was a lot of effort put into this port. This game is so pretty and immersive that I have spent more time looking at the strange alien life than trying to finish any questing. I am the type of person who is easily distracted. The game runs pretty well on the Quest 2, although there are some stuttering and bugs that could be ironed out. It is not enough to ruin the experience, but it is noticeable enough to be distracting.
Chilly MKA posted a pretty good game play video that you should check out if you need to see what this game looks like in VR:
One thing to note about this version is that the default movement settings are designed to mitigate VR sickness. You teleport to move it blinks to turn. Teleporting to move felt clunky, and it took away from the emersion. Turning feels too sudden and jarring. I changed the settings so that I could get a more immersive experience, but that will take some getting used to for most. While I didn’t get as sick with this title as others I have played, the sickness will eventually creep up on me, and I will need to take my break or risk losing my lunch. I do recommend you not wear the headset until the game is loaded to your instance because the loading animation will make you sick. My only complaint is that I wish I could use a flight stick for flying the spaceship, but I can live without using one.
You should buy this game if you don’t have it. It is sure to provide you with many hours of relaxing gameplay as you travel through the universe exploring strange and wonderful worlds. Check it out on the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, xbox, Steam, and GOG. For those of you who like physical copies, consider getting cheaper copies on Amazon with my affiliate links:
I was sent this game as a review code. While I am very grateful for the chance to review this title, I will not let the fact that I got this game for free skew my opinions. This will be my honest review of the game.
Pictures and video are taken from the game
SpongeBob The Cosmic: Shake is a 3D platformer available on all major consoles and PC. This review is for the PC version. Play as your favorite yellow sponge as he traverses the multiverse to save his friends and Bikini Bottom. Can you collect enough jelly to put everything back to normal?
I wasn’t surprised by how much I enjoyed playing this game. Traditionally, SpongeBob titles have been good enough, and by all accounts, this game follows said tradition. It may not change the gaming climate or be a lasting title, but it is a relaxing title that you should pick up if you are just trying to chill.
The story is pretty simple and negligible. SpongeBob breaks reality, and it is up to him to put it back together. You get to travel to different themed worlds where you must complete quests to return your friends to Bikini Bottom. It is very reminiscent of titles like Banjo Kazooie or Spiro, but I would argue that SpongeBob is a little easier.
The platforming is simple but satisfying. It will be easy for those veterans of the genre, but it provides enough of a challenge to help you pass the time. This game was made for a younger audience, but that doesn’t mean adults won’t enjoy it. This game is full of jokes, references, and easter eggs that will make even the most casual fans of the series smile. I loved the dose of nostalgia this game was for me, but also adored the gameplay built around it. As someone who traditionally hates platformers, this became an enjoyable time sink.
The game runs smoothly for the most part. I averaged 80 fps, but I did notice the occasional stuttering and frame drops. The drops weren’t bad enough to render the game unplayable, but it is noticeable when it happens. I hope the publishers will continue to support this game by releasing updates and patches.
If you have kids, this title is a must-buy. It is cute, inoffensive, and hard enough without being impossible. If you don’t have kids, it’s worth the $40 if you are looking for something relaxing to play. It has all the SpongeBob references you can take, costumes to collect, fun music, nice graphics, wonderfully themed worlds, and your favorite yellow sponge. What more can you want from a SpongeBob title?
Grab your copy for PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, and PC. And for those who prefer physical copies, why not get them using my affiliate links: Switch, PS4, Xbox
Now for a shameless plug, check out Canva. If you need a quick and easy photo or video editor that works in your browser, try Canva. It is free, easy to use, and you get access to a wide selection of templates for those who are like me and aren’t that creative. Check out my affiliate link today!
I couldn’t list my video for whatever reason so here is IGN’s gameplay if you need to see more.
If you have a Nintendo Switch Online subscription, the Nintendo Switch Game vouchers have just been announced. For the price of $99.98, you get two vouchers that you can exchange for any full-priced game or preorder. AAA games like Pokemon are typical $60 and rarely go on sale. If you don’t mind expanding your digital library, this is a great way to save some money.
A nifty little trick to enjoy more savings is to find discounted Nintendo eshop Gift cards. Costco sometimes has good deals on these so be on the lookout when you can. If you are interested in Mario games, I would wait till after March 10. March 10 is Mario day, and I am sure you can score some nice discounts then.
