amphibious_ReViews

As one of Nintendo 's first new IPs in a while, Splatoon was kind of a big deal, but as one of the only quality online multiplayer shooters on the WiiU , Splatoon was definitely a big deal. Touting a unique approach to multiplayer shooters where covering the ground in your team's color is more important than getting the most "kills," this game may not sound that appealing to the average Call of Duty addict. However, the combination of impressive controls, a unique (probably post-apocalyptic) world, and truly well-designed competitive modes makes this an absolute blast to play. Not to mention its phenomenal single-player campaign to top it all off. Making use of the gamepad's gyro controls to facilitate keyboard-and-mouse level precision, and screen to make the necessary glances at the map a breeze, Splatoon felt like one of the most intuitively designed shooters of its era. When playing online, your goal is simple - using your ink-based-weapon loadout of choice

As a free title, I was impressed at how much The Cave was able to feel like another Cube Escape game while still effectively following up the amazing premium title that preceded it. When I played Rusty Lake: Roots , I found it to be the best game in the series so far, and The Cave doesn't beat it out. However, for a title that will inherently have less content, it still managed to wow me! The Cave managed to connect the story from Roots to the world developed in the rest of the series, cementing the premium game as a must-play. This game made my investment feel even more valuable, as the plot really moved forward here, and I would have been confused beyond belief if I hadn't given in and spent the couple dollars. But even as a standalone, this is a fantastic title. I wouldn't recommend playing it without having played the games that came before, but its puzzles are some of the most cleverly designed in the whole franchise. They were all intuitive and fun, with a couple

  Because it has "3D" in the title, people often group Super Mario 3D Land with the likes of Super Mario 64 and Super Mario Galaxy . However, the third dimension is really their only unifying factor, save for the plumber himself. I have found that this game falls more in line with the traditional 2d Mario adventures. The game is broken into levels, each with a time limit, three collectibles, and a flagpole at the end. The titular protagonist shrinks when he is hurt, and powers up with an array of plants and fungi. What makes Super Mario 3D Land stand out amongst its peers is its ability to take that traditional formula and freshen it up with aspects of Mario 's less linear adventures in a way that was never done before. The bite-sized levels that make up the bulk of Super Mario 3D Land feel right at home on the 3DS . Every level you play offers a new mechanic or an unexpected approach to something you thought you knew, which kept me hooked all the way through. This ba

  Google Chrome has hosted a simple pixel dinosaur game for years. Whenever you lose your internet connection, Chrome gives you a delightful little distraction while you wait to be productive again. Whirlybird appears to be Google 's follow-up to their dinosaur, providing a fun and simple time-waster with every install of Google Play Games . The monochromatic pixel graphics carry over here, with the exception of the propeller-beanie power-ups. This minor highlight adds an appreciated flare to the game without sacrificing the "feel" established in the Chrome original. As an obvious clone of the mobile gaming legend, Doodle Jump , Whirlybird behaves largely the same. You control a cute little Android as they try to jump higher and higher, with the game ending if it ever reaches the bottom of the screen (or gets spiked). As your Android bounces, you steer by tilting your phone in the direction that it should travel. Landing on a platform during its descent will usually c

  As an earlier arcade title, I sort of expected Missile Command to be more simplistic than its "newer" peers. I was pleasantly surprised to find that it actually seemed to be quite complex. Instead of infinite ammo, resource management is a necessity. Instead of controlling one little character, you take command of three silos and protect cities throughout the whole bottom of the screen. Instead of comfortably picking off enemies one by one, you have to race to take out incoming missiles in groups before they spread too wide and overwhelm you. Perhaps the most impressive though was the fact that your failures stick with you as the game progresses; if you let an enemy rocket take out a city you were trying to protect, it won't magically return the next round. It's just gone. Missile Command has a simple objective. You are tasked with shooting down scores of enemy missiles before they destroy all of your cities. You have one aiming reticule, but three missile silos.

The best video game sequels introduce new and exciting gameplay elements while still maintaining the feel of the original. Justice for All doesn't add much in the way of new features, but it does maintain the engaging investigation-and-defense gameplay that made the first game so fun. As players are already familiar with the game's main characters, Justice for All was really able to shine by skipping time-consuming introductions and diving straight into the development of characters' personalities, convictions, and relationships. The first Ace Attorney game made it clear that its unique characters are the heart of the franchise, and its sequel proves that many times over. If you've played Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney , then you'll feel right at home in Justice for All . If you haven't, you should absolutely play that first. Playing the Ace Attorney series in order is necessary to properly enjoy it, as this title picks up where the previous title left off. In

  Jump Rope Challenge was born out of the pandemic as a little escape for both Nintendo 's developers and their fans. It's a very simple, free title that encourages you to stay active while stuck at home, which is absolutely appreciated while quarantining. However, I think what makes it really special is the fact that it was made as a sort of hobby project by developers that couldn't go into work. COVID-19 forced a lot of major Nintendo projects to be placed on the back burner, but that didn't stop them from making us something fun anyways. Jump Rope Challenge is a motion-controlled jump rope simulation game reminiscent of the WiiWare era. Using your Joy-Cons like the handles of a jump rope, your only job is to jump while moving the "rope." On the screen, a cartoon rabbit (in the costume of your choosing) mirrors your jumps. Once you hit your daily goal, the background image and jumping sounds change as a sort of reward. I found that I was always pretty e