We try to cover every Switch game we’re sent a code for here at Gamezebo. Sometimes we find ourselves with a bit of a backlog though – like right now for instance.
So here are some shorter reviews of games released or updated on the Switch over the last few months – that we might not have gotten round to covering otherwise.
Star Wars: Dark Forces Remaster
Nightdive Studios have done it yet again. This is another faultless remaster of a creaky old first person shooter. Unlike the recently revided Turok 3 though, Dark Forces was a truly great game when it was originally released back in 1995.
And it still is, provided you go into it with appropriate expectations. Often cited as Doom clone, it is undeniably basic when compared to titles in the genre nowadays.
However it possesses excellent core mechanics that still hold up today. The gunplay, movement, and level design are all superb. For the time it was impressive, and nowadays it remains eminently playable.
The use of the Star Wars license is well judged too. This feels like a title that would be fun even if it wasn’t Stormtroopers you were blasting away at.
Our only complaint would be the price tag, which is a tad high considering the age of the game – even if there admittedly is plenty of content to get your teeth into.
For any fans of old school first person shooters this is still a must buy though.
Score: 4 out of 5
Cricket Through The Ages
Here’s a game that sadly thinks it’s slightly funnier than it actually is. I enjoyed my time with it while playing with a friend, but by the end the laughs had dried up more than I had expected.
It’s basically a knockabout game where you press one button to control flailing characters in a range of side-on 1 vs 1 battles.
These battles are nominally based around the ‘history’ of cricket, but it’s all basically a chance to have a laugh at various different characters jump around wildly. Usually up, around, and over each other.
It’s undeniably amusing at first, but soon gets a little repetitive despite the game’s best intentions.
A game like What The Golf? strikes a far better blend of ridiculousness and actually engaging gameplay, although younger gamers might still get something out of this.
Score: 3 out of 5
Penny’s Big Breakaway
I think it’s fair to say Penny’s Big Breakaway is a tad manic. This 3D platformer has been developed by a team who have had a big hand in Sonic titles in the past, and it shows. Is that a bad thing though? No. No it is not.
The game sees you play as Penny, who accidentally embarrasses the ruler of her world – and subsequently is on the run from the law. The law in this game is made up of slapstick penguins that relentlessly chase you by the way, which perhaps tells you the tone this title strikes throughout.
Every level is presented with the intention of you speed-running through it, with Penny in possession of a living yo yo that can help you swing, sling, double jump and much more.
Initially the amount of moves is a little overwhelming, and it definitely took me a while to adapt to the game’s often frantic pace.
However the level of care taken into every aspect of Penny’s Big Breakaway means it’s a must play for any platformer fan. There’s a great range of challenges, the presentation is purely old school cool, and the controls are ultimately well judged.
Score: 4 out of 5
Spear Master
Spear Master is as simple as games come nowadays, but I’ll be honest and say I loved my short time with it.
You play as a young spear throwing hero, who has to complete short one screen stages by throwing his weapon upwards at a range of enemies. Usually bouncing blobs. Once all the foes have been eradicated you move onto the next level.
There are a few puzzle levels and boss battles, but that’s largely it. And you know what? It works. There’s even an attempt at a plot, which is largely tongue in cheek but actually does have some emotional resonance by the end.
The presentation might be a little low-rent overall, but the controls are perfect and there are just enough new ideas continually thrown in to keep you playing. Add in support for up to four players and you have an indie game that is very hard to hate.
Score: 3.5 out of 5
