Matt Sowinski
Game industry critic and reviewer
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Despite the visual issues, Tales of Arise – Beyond the Dawn Edition does feel great on the Switch 2. The trade-offs here are understandable, as having one of the best JRPGs of this generation on the go is fantastic. The base game feels as good as ever, with the expansion being a solid add-on.
Tides of Tomorrow ultimately has some cool ideas, but the gameplay doesn’t live up to them. The story and writing are interesting, but also disjointed because of their design. The story never really felt like mine, more so a reaction to another. This might be mitigated by not following anyone, but that seems to go against the core of what makes Tides of Tomorrow interesting in the first place. Hopefully, DigixArt sticks with the formula and makes something truly unique for their next go-around, built on the foundation introduced by Tides of Tomorrow. It’s an interesting adventure and a new experience, which makes Tides of Tomorrow a worthwhile experience.
Mixtape‘s narrative is beautiful and fleeting; each song is carefully picked, and even though it goes by fast, Mixtape is incredible. The run time didn’t end up being a problem for me, as it feels like an interactive movie with absolutely no bloat or wasted sound. A song can repeat, but the memories you make to it and the people you do it with will never be the same. Mixtape is a celebration of fleeting youth, of the people who help make you who you are, and it is worth every minute.
Opus: Prism Peak is a beautiful story that stays with you long after the credits roll. Between the gorgeous art style, amazing music, and a narrative that hits hard. It's a must play.
Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream is a chaotic breath of fresh air, even if it doesn’t offer a ton of things to do.
Saros is Housemarque at its best. It nails the roguelike formula, with each run feeling completely different than what came before thanks to changing areas and a variety of weapons. The story grips you and doesn’t let go, with Rahul Kohli’s fantastic performance at the heart of it.
There is a solid idea and foundation here that needs to be massaged more in future attempts. DAMON and BABY has some cool ideas, but ultimately, is not a fun trip to heaven.
Pokémon Pokopia is a massive love letter to the series, one that fittingly hits in the 30th year. It’s the gold standard of Pokémon spin-offs, letting you live in a Pokémon playground.
Marathon (2026) has me locked in, sitting in my brain until my next run. The barrier to entry is high, but it’s rewarding, with each death being a lesson learned.
Mario Tennis Fever is a blast, easily one of Mario’s best sports games in recent years.