Sonar Beat
Developer – Life Zero
Publisher – Hidden Trap
A game that is very much encapsulated by the title, Sonar Beat is a simple, high-score based rhythm title that features two-button gameplay and requires a blend of taps, holds and combinations to defeat enemies as shown on a constantly rotating sonar screen. At only a couple of quid, the music is hypnotic, ambient and rather wonderful – I was hoping for a ‘sound test’ section in the menu so I could listen through them all - and the tutorial lays out the game for the player in a matter of moments. Very simple, and there is even a high score online leader board for those who fancy taking on the challenge over the twelve unlockable stages. Get your twitch on!
Space Avenger: Empire of Nexx
Developer - ILIKESCIFI / Clement Willay Games
Published by Click Team
Our first hidden gem! A single-screen – in the infinite expanse of space, admittedly – Asteroids on steroids, Space Avenger: Empire of Nexx crams in multiple ships, upgrades, a real challenge, 60 fps smoothness, beautiful visuals, and a truly glorious soundtrack (that starts off in an almost mellow, healing vibe before ramping up alongside the difficulty of the oncoming enemy waves). This was a really neat little surprise, and tying in a fun space invasion narrative with such solid, addictive gameplay ends up making this a real winner, absolutely one for the vintage arcade-heads out there!
Fancy Solitaire
Publisher – Pipedream Studio
Rich with customisation options in terms of cards backs and even card font, Fancy Solitaire is a tasteful take on an old classic. Having never played solitaire, I brought in my attractive assistant (@kingdomofcarts), who took centre stage and played through several rounds, giving feedback. Running at a rock solid 60 fps and accompanied by a musical track that ranges from wistful and lilting to tense and lightly epic, through a blend of ambient work, piano, and choral vocals - Fancy Solitaire is one of those games that quietly surprises you at just how well it nails a simple premise. That looping music is fun, but could have really done with a lot more variety – after all, you are playing the same game over and over, if only the audio had the breadth that the more visual-based options did, the longevity would have been positively affected.
Press ‘A’ to Party
Publisher - BoomBit
Comprised of six micro games a-la Warioware, whilst the game can be played in single player mode, it is very much infinitely better with multiple players, the more the merrier. Entirely controlled by a single button, it’s all about how quickly you can rush ahead of the opposition with your points in games that can last seconds. At the end of each round, these points are converted to coins and allow you to unlock different avatars. It’s simple, silly fun, but mixing up the games would really have given this a lot more longevity. That said, for a couple of quid, there’s definitely a sense that, after a few beers – things could get rowdy with this one.
B.ark
Publisher – TicToc Games
Kicking off with one of the best intros that I can remember for a space shooter, B.ark casts you in the role of one of four household pets cum space mercenaries (told you it was a good intro!). Speedrunner-esque stylized visuals, suitably energetic orchestral music, and gameplay that called to mind the ever-glorious Bio Hazard Battle on the might Sega Mega Drive meant that this was very much a favourite of this crop of titles as I played through them. The only thing that holds it back are the seemingly random jerks and stutters that affect the in-game action, a real shame – especially as it mostly runs at a tasty 60fps. The fact that this allows for four player local co-op means that, if you are a fan of the side-scrolling shooter genre, this should absolutely be on your radar, frantic and chellenging.
Family Vacation 2: Road Trip
Publisher – Big Fish Games
Seemingly a straight port of a PC hidden object game, Family Vacation 2: Road Trip feels unfortunately cumbersome and lazy here on the Switch, with juddering controls, bizarre design choices (the right analogue stick moves the cursor), overly compressed audio files, skipped narrative in the short in-game scenes, low quality video compression and gameplay that would be more suited to a larger touchscreen tablet, this is only one for you if you’ve exhausted the hidden object genre, one of the weakest so far.
Dungeon Color
Developer - Gagonfe
Wow, another gorgeous surprise! Dungeon Color is all about an unnamed dungeon runner that has to make their way through single screen puzzles. At the end of each stage there is a multicoloured flame, and to get to said flame, you need to approach embers of specific colours that open doors of the same colour scattered throughout the rooms. It’s all about making your way through to the end of each stage as swiftly as possible, without getting blocked off. I haven’t played a game quite like this before, and the simple controls, quietly serene ambient music, smooth animation and pixel visuals really did win me over, absolutely a recommendation for the puzzlers out there!
Space Ducks: The Great Escape
Publisher – Flynn’s Arcade
A gloriously esoteric puzzle game featuring a duck in space trying to get to his rocket through each single screen stage, whilst this is effectively a rotation-based puzzle on loop - getting ever harder -the PopCap level trip-hop music, pixel visuals and splashes of humour really bring this one to life. It’s a simple mechanic, but done so well that clearing each stage becomes hypnotic, a real treat!
Backpack Twins
Publisher – Amata K.K
A fiendishly difficult 2D platformer game that features two backpack-sporting twins that have to make their way through myriad foul stages of treachery, the character-swapping mechanic will have you massaging your temples in no time, in tune with the difficulty spikes that are not shy. Calming music and pixel visuals lull you in to a false sense of security here, but make no mistake. Anyone who finishes this game will be bald from yanking out their bouffant in clumps!
nOS (new Operating System)
Publisher – RedDeer.Games
Well, this is a new one on me! A simple faux operating system, nOS offers a calculator, gallery (of simple pictures), a basic paint program, and sliding puzzles alongside the ability to create ‘to do’ lists and makes notes. A throwback to the operating system front ends of the ‘90s, this feels more like a gimmick than anything else.
Railway Islands
Publisher – QUByte Interactive
I’ve seen this one on our Switch list over the years, and as my three year old son is hips deep into trains, I’ve often thought about covering it, but never made the leap. As is turning out to be the theme for this article, this is another single screen puzzle game, although this time it’s all about switching and rotating hexagonal sections of train track to ensure a smooth journey from one of the screen to the other, simple, effective, relaxing. Good.
Dr Fetus’Mean Meat Machine
Vampire Survivors
Developer - Poncle
Quite frankly, I think all of us here at GF have played numerous rounds of Vampire Survivors over the years across many platforms, and even though I’m so familiar with the game, I had to have a few rounds here. What can I say? An incredibly addictive single-stick auto-battler that feeds on your yearning for unlocks, items and levelling up. Crack for some gamers, this is the game that probably had hundreds of gamedevs worldwide facepalming and gasping “why didn’t I think of that?!”. A seminal title that has a lot of pretenders to the throne, although none seem to have quite captured that initial magic...yet.
30XX
Developer – Battery Staple Games
Possibly one of the strongest on this list, 30XX is a highly-energised action platform game in the vein of the Mega Man series, packed with gorgeous pixel art, silky smooth visuals, saucy boss fights, awesome level design, a kinetic chiptune soundtrack, and numerous characters, features, upgrades – not to mention as well as being a serious challenge. Very awesome title, and one that a lot of people should pick up for that platform buzz! Not to mention there are custom levels, and a selectable perma-death mode for an uber challenge.
Project Blue
Publisher – Mega Cat Studios
A classic NES-style 8-bot platformer through and though, Project Blue completely nails the style and tone of those that have gone before in this vintage genre. Whilst the thrills come from rock solid platform / shooting action, the clever level design, fair enemy placement and tight controls tie in wonderfully with a kick-ass chiptune soundtrack – that is also available on vinyl! Whilst this isn’t breaking any moulds, it’s classic platforming done to a T, very cool stuff.
Ebenezer and the Invisible World
Publisher – Play On Worlds
I actually remember almost covering this around last Christmas, but ended up getting side-tracked at the time. The perfect moment to revisit this, with the festive session rapidly approaching – I was quite surprised by just how sooth this game was. Apparently there were issues with bugs at launch that appear to have since been patched out, as my experience with the game was extremely smooth. Set post Christmas Carol – Ebenezer has been redeemed and is continuing his new way of positivity as the game begins. We are then sent on quite the quest through a snowy Victorian London on a very Metroidvania style journey. The festive music, incredibly details hand-drawn artwork and smooth character animations make for a fun and challenging Christmas adventure that feels quite unique in it’s modern take on such an historic tale. In fact, this could be up there as one of the best Christmas games!
And with that quite strong ending, we’ve reached the end of this round-up of mini-reviews. I daresay there will be another, thanks for reading and be sure to check out some of the above, if they stand out for you, some gold in them thar hills.
Cheers!
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