Carrie Lambertsen
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Carmen Sandiego's new video game actually released on mobile devices through Netflix Games earlier this year before its recent launch on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Switch. On all platforms, the game features vibrant graphics and some voice acting, although the situations where voice acting is and isn't used feels a bit haphazard. Additionally, though it has both a main campaign and "cold case" side quests dubbed the ACME Files, players must bounce back and forth, completing missions in each unrelated thread in order to level up enough to progress, which can take away from the story.
It does feel a bit overpriced, being the same cost as a brand-new game, especially as there are many people who are still actively playing games on their Nintendo 3DS systems. It would have been nice to see some new content added, but as a remaster it was not expected. Overall, Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is still a fantastic addition to the Nintendo Switch lineup and is a truly enjoyable experience.
Mario & Luigi: Brothership is the latest in the Mario & Luigi ARPG spin-off series, and is not to be confused with some of the more traditional platformer games that Mario is known for. Though its RPG mechanics are fairly light, the game is a very fun addition to the Mario & Luigi lineup, especially as it's the first entry to come out since 2018. Set in a world far from the Mushroom Kingdom, there are still many familiar faces in addition to the citizens of Concordia, and Mario and Luigi are once again destined to be the heroes of the land.
Despite being the fourth entry in the series, Dragon Age: The Veilguard is surprisingly approachable for new players, while still providing plenty to get excited about for those of us who have long held a fascination with the lore in this expansive universe. Developed by BioWare and published by EA, the single-player fantasy RPG offers everyone a chance to spend many hours as a hero in the world of Thedas. Dragon Age has always been known for having strong characters, whether a companion with a full story arc of their own, or simply a blacksmith in one of the towns. Happily, The Veilguard continues to provide this deeply immersive quality.
The Battle Pass for MultiVersus follows a pretty standard format for live-service games, with challenges for players to complete to earn in-game rewards. There are free tiers that are automatically available for everyone, but in order to get the most out of the Seasonal experience, there are premium tiers available for purchase. According to the Multiversus FAQ page, "items earned from a MultiVersus Battle Pass are not exclusive. There may be opportunities to earn some of these items in the game at a later date," which gives hope for those who need to watch their budget, even if there is a coveted item locked behind the Premium Battle Pass.
Playing House Flipper 2 often requires precise placements and movements, and using the controller can be a bit of a frustration at times. The PC version also includes controller support, so this is not a new way of playing, and there are settings to adjust the controller sensitivity, as well as different options for "snap to grid" or "precise placement." Unfortunately, these don't quite solve the problem of it being incredibly difficult to place things in the same way as one would with a mouse.
For the remake, Mario Vs. Donkey Kong includes many new quality-of-life features as well as new worlds, levels, and the addition of a multiplayer mode. Players who experienced the original game will enjoy seeing the new Merry Mini-Land and Slippery Summit worlds, and there is a new Casual Mode for those who want to play the game without worrying about the timer or dying as frequently. It is remarkably easy to switch between the Classic mode and Casual mode, so if playing one particular level becomes too difficult, changing to Casual has no penalty and awards the same star for full completion.
There is so much good to say about Foamstars, with its quirky characters and cheerfully energizing feel. While at launch the matches do not feel entirely balanced, that will even out with time, yet the microtransactions look as though they could only get worse. Currently, Foamstars is free on PS Plus for anyone to try it out, but after March 5th anyone who does not already have the game downloaded will have to purchase it for $29.99. That price, combined with the costs of Premium Seasonal Passes and in-game store purchases can quickly add up and is overwhelming. Cosmetic items don't have to be purchased, of course, but to be faced with that many instances of trying to get players to spend money simply feels much dirtier than a soap-filled game ever should.
Each of the three games included in this remastered trilogy may feature the same story as their originals, yet the quality brought to the Nintendo Switch collection is worth a look. Those who may have missed the games the first time around, or who have never played any Phoenix Wright title will enjoy the narratives where each mystery is beautifully written and intriguing in its subtlety. The evidence suggests that the Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy is well worth the many hours of gameplay included, and is only guilty of being a wonderfully remade collection of mysteries.
Once established on the farm, there is a lot of work to do with a massive plot of land that is overgrown with weeds, rocks, trees, and lots of trash. Throughout the game, players can decorate and craft their idyllic farmscape with animals and crops. There are also many other important activities, such as fishing, mining, and diving in the ocean, as well as interacting with a colorful cast of over 70 NPCs on the island. A museum is ready to be expanded through the character's help, as well as local heritage sites and community projects in the town.