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  1. Welcome to the 7th Annual Ninfora Game Awards, written, directed, produced, and catered by yours truly. It's pretty incredible how consistent the Switch has been through its lifetime. We're close to wrapping up its seventh year on the market and it had arguably its best year since its first, which isn't particularly surprising considering both years had a powerful combo of new Zelda and Mario games. Outside of those heavy hitters though was a year packed with fantastic games, so I hope you enjoyed the Switch's 2023 as much as I did. The "Should've Been on the List Last Year" Award: Tunic First off, an omission from last year: Tunic. I am but one gaming-obsessed man and can't always play every new release in a timely manner, so Tunic missed getting any recognition in the last Ninfora Game Awards. I still want to recognize it though, because this loving throwback to classic gaming takes the retro vibe to a delightfully inventive level, not through graphics or gameplay mechanics but in the broader way you solve the game's puzzles. The less said the better, so go ahead and give it a go if you enjoy classic adventure/Zelda experiences. Best Second Life: Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective It's always a bit disappointing when a game you love seems to get passed over or ignored by the larger audience, so imagine my delight when Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective got a second chance in the spotlight with this Switch version. With style and charm, Ghost Trick puts a clever spin on the classic detective story formula, weaving together clever puzzles and memorable characters into a one-of-a-kind experience. Hopefully not too one-of-a-kind though, because I'd love to have a sequel or spiritual successor. Best Lovecraftian Horror: DREDGE How do you get me to care about a fishing game? Fill it with horrific monsters pulled from the deep, apparently. Although on the surface DREDGE is essentially a fishing simulator—complete with gradual upgrades that allow you to catch bigger, more varied fish—the game's setting and presentation make it far more than a sim game and instead offer an experience that will easily have you hooked. Best Gameplay Mashup: Dave the Diver That's right, two fishing games on this list. I'm as surprised as you are, but when developers make a fishing game as charming as Dave the Diver, I can't help but give it some recognition. And again this is far more than an excuse to sit back and fish. Dave the Diver combines scuba diving with serving sushi in a frantic restaurant a la Overcooked, then manages to sprinkle even more gameplay mechanics and humor on top of it. With so much depth to this game, it's an easy recommendation for fishing or fish aficionados. Best Surprise: Super Mario RPG Nintendo loves keeping its in-development games close to the vest, so it's always a surprise what will be announced in any Nintendo Direct video, but this remake was particularly shocking. Although Super Mario RPG has been re-released on Virtual Consoles and the SNES Classic, getting a full visual upgrade and gameplay adjustment to Mario's first RPG adventure was exciting news. And while the new features are a welcome shakeup, the core adventure is the main draw as it remains a hilariously quirky, odd, and fun game. Best Encore Performance: Theatrhythm Final Bar Line Theatrhythm Final Bar Line is up there on the list of most surprising delights for 2023. I definitely did not expect the 3DS Theatrhythm games to get a sequel on the Switch, nor did I expect the button-only controls to work as well as they do, both from a rhythm gameplay perspective and a challenge perspective. In the end, the input method doesn't even matter though, because when you're jamming to classic Final Fantasy tunes you can't help but be swept up in the epic music. Best Origin Story: Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon The little peek of Bayonetta Origins hidden within Bayonetta 3 left plenty of players confused, and although Cereza and the Lost Demon is a far cry from the usual Bayonetta experience, it's a beautifully engrossing adventure in its own right. Not many games bring storybook presentation to life with such a richly colorful, surreal setting that's ripe for exploration. Although I'd still like to see action-adventure Bayonettas, Origins proves there's plenty of room for gorgeous spin-offs as well that are packed with the witch's signature style, just in a different format. Best New Retro Experience: Sea of Stars I'm breaking my own rules just a little here to highlight Sea of Stars even though I didn't actually play it on the Switch this year. Still, the retro-inspired game has a lot going for it, including an engaging and unusual combat system and delightful 2D graphics. Shockingly, the writing may be the weakest link in this RPG, but the way that Sea of Stars takes inspiration from classic games while still adding new ideas makes it a highlight of the year nonetheless. The "Put a Ring on It" Award: Fire Emblem Engage Fire Emblem Engage seemed to come out of nowhere and passed by almost as quickly since it was released so early in the year. It also had the unenviable task of standing in the shadow of Three Houses, a particularly large and complex Fire Emblem game. Despite all that, Fire Emblem Engage delivers a richly engaging strategy experience, one that is open to even more team-building possibilities thanks to the ring system, so it's well worth committing yourself to hours and hours of tactical action. Best Hope for a Franchise Revival: Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp Sure, I know it's still pretty unlikely, but this is the best position the Advance Wars franchise has been in for years. Re-Boot Camp may have been a relatively no-frills remake collection, but even having an Advance Wars release in 2023 has me pining for a larger return of the series. Hopefully Re-Boot Camp's straightforward but rich strategy gameplay, easygoing cast of characters, and endless potential for strategic content has lit a fire under other players as well. Best Alien Dog: Pikmin 4 You may have played a Pikmin game before, but have you played one with an alien dog as a companion? Pikmin 4 finely tunes the Pikmin formula into possibly its most polished state yet. That doesn't necessarily mean it's the most difficult or complex Pikmin game, but the satisfaction of setting your Pikmin on their little tasks and seeing everything fall into place is always an incredibly rewarding experience. Doing it all atop a big fuzzy dog is an extra bonus. Best Comedy: Shadows Over Loathing Shadows Over Loathing does everything its predecessor, West of Loathing, did but in an even bigger and sillier package. In any other situation a game packed with visual gags, puns, and goofy jokes would get tiresome quickly, but Shadows Over Loathing makes it work in a hilarious way. Some RPGs you play for the deep gameplay mechanics, while others you play to see all the goofy ways your character can walk across the screen. Best Musical: Figment 2: Creed Valley A musical game—not a rhythm game like Theatrhythm—could easily be designed around a quick laugh, so for Figment 2: Creed Valley to once again play the musical card on an emotional story is a big swing that plays out well. Although the combat and puzzle design leave a little something to be desired, the catchy, clever tunes propel this game beautifully. Best Drama: This Way Madness Lies It doesn't get much more dramatic than quoting Shakespeare and fighting monsters to save the world, right? This Way Madness Lies is an insane mashup of genres and influence that comes together shockingly well for a quick, engaging RPG adventure. The combat and exploration is solid if bareboned at times, but the game's unique premise is more than enough to keep you hooked until the final bow. Most Wonderful Game: Super Mario Bros. Wonder If there's one thing you can count on from Mario titles, it's that they'll be joyful adventures. Colorful, bubbly, and bursting with the fun of playing video games. Super Mario Bros. Wonder manages to turn this franchise philosophy up to eleven with a game filled with 2D platformer creativity to the point that, even though it's a fairly average length for a Mario game, I felt like it ended far too soon and all of its creative ideas could've kept going for world after world. Whether you're playing solo or with friends, you always know you're in for a fun, creative, wonderful time with every level of Wonder, and isn't that a mark of quality all games should aspire to? Best Remaster: Metroid Prime Remastered As you can see from the rest of this list, this was not an easy category to win. Sure, Metroid Prime Remastered doesn't add or change too much from the original GameCube game, but when the original is already one of the best games released in the 2000s, why mess with perfection? In the grand scheme of things, a visual upgrade isn't the most vital change for a video game, but being able to re-experience Metroid Prime with graphics that feel at home on the Switch makes for an incredible time and only serves to highlight how incredibly polished and well-realized the original game is. Now if we could just get some Metroid Prime 4 news already… Best Journey: Octopath Traveler II Everything about the first Octopath Traveler resonated with me perfectly, from the HD-2D art style to the turn-based combat system to the unique anthology structure of the narrative. At the time, I didn't have major complaints about the experience, but Octopath Traveler II is one of those games that comes along and polishes the concept of its predecessor to an even more brilliant shine. The combat remains as engaging and thoughtful as ever, the new characters are just as charming, the visuals are still beautiful, and the little ways that each character's journey is tied to the others creates an even more rewarding narrative. In a different year this would have been a shoo-in for my Game of the Year, and the fact that it's not just speaks to the quality of games released in 2023. Game of the Year: The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Apparently the best way to follow up a massive, breathtaking game like Breath of the Wild is to do it again, but bigger. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom strikes a perfect balance between the familiar and unfamiliar by letting you play in the massive landscape of Hyrule once again, but this time with new toys that truly let you run wild. It's a smart approach that embraces the freedom that made BotW so magical and challenges you to think up your own clever, creative, and ridiculous solutions to all manner of situations. TotK is not just a bigger game than its predecessor, it's a deeper and richer game, one that will completely consume you with its promise of adventure and exploration around every corner. The best part is, the game 100% delivers on that promise, and follows up an all-time Zelda title with yet another one.
  2. Both Super Mario Bros. Wonder and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom have been nominated for Game of the Year and this year's Game Awards... 🔗https://thegameawards.com/nominees/game-of-the-year Such a great list of nominees this year for GotY (I'm kind of surprised that Starfield didn't make it). As much as I'd love to see a 2D Mario platformer win, I think I'm going to have to go with TotK. How awesome would it be if both BotW and TotK won GotY at the Game Awards?
  3. Welcome to the 6th annual Ninfora Game Awards, meticulously curated and hand-selected by a one-man panel of judges. 2022 was so jam-packed with games I wanted to play that I could barely keep up with them all (it doesn't help that there are some pretty long games on this list). Granted, this year was a bit weighted toward genres and franchises that I personally love, so maybe not everyone was quite as busy as I was, but hopefully everyone found something to love on the Switch in 2022. Best Pokémon Game: Pokémon Legends: Arceus As a spin-off rather than a mainline game, Legends: Arceus has a lot more freedom to be experimental with the franchise's battle and capture systems, resulting in a fantastic breath of fresh air for the series. Scarlet/Violet still does the usual Pokémon experience well, but this game feels like an actual evolution of the gameplay that is both more streamlined and more engaging. Here's hoping the developers don't ignore the lessons learned in Legends: Arceus as the series continues to find its footing in open-world, 3D adventures. Best Pikmin Game: Tinykin Tiny game, big adventure describes not only Nintendo's beloved Pikmin franchise but indie title Tinykin, a charming little game focused on exploration over combat. Even within that relaxed atmosphere though there is a ton to do and see in Tinykin, and picking your way through every nook and cranny makes for a delightful, relaxing time. Best Nobody: Nobody Saves the World How many games let you play as a Ranger, an Egg, and a Horse? Nobody Saves the World perfectly balances an extremely silly premise with satisfying dungeon-crawling, resulting in a game that is equal parts goofy and engaging. The top-down adventure game formula needed some sprucing up anyway, so what better way to do it than by flipping the usual item collection process on its head and allowing the player to come up with unique—and hilarious—character class combos? The Witch is Back Award: Bayonetta 3 From the first game's original release on other systems to getting added to the Smash Bros. roster, Bayonetta has had possibly one of the most bizarre video game careers that has definitely kept her fanbase on their toes. There's one issue that any video game fan can relate to though: the long uncertainty of when a new game will come out. It took eight years to get from Bayonetta 2 to 3, but this new adventure has all of the seamless combat and devilish style that fans love, including new uses for her demonic summons that further spice up the gameplay. And with the recent announcement of a spin-off prequel, it seems the Witch is here to stay, and hopefully another mainline adventure won't be far behind. Best Blast from the Past: TMNT: Shredder's Revenge Beat 'em up games have gotten their share of throwback revivals in the last few years, but Shredder's Revenge might blow them all out of the water. This game isn't just dripping in nostalgia (though it is clearly a meticulously crafted love letter to the classic TMNT games of the past), it also holds up beautifully as a side-scrolling, shell-kicking game that is tailor-made for gathering a few friends on the couch, ordering a pizza, and immersing yourself in the radical 90s action. Best Mouthful: Kirby and the Forgotten Land It took him a while to catch up to other key Nintendo franchises, but Kirby has finally made the leap to 3D exploration in a mainline game, and the result is as charming and fun as you'd expect. Adding another dimension to Kirby's gameplay was ultimately a pretty smooth transition and retained the balance of easy to learn mechanics with challenging optional objectives that makes Kirby the kind of game that any level of player can get sucked into. Best Cozy Game: Freshly Frosted When you think of cozy games your first thought might be some kind of cute farming game—and there sure are a lot of those these days—but there's something incredibly relaxing and satisfying about Freshly Frosted's donut conveyor belt puzzles. The puzzle design itself is spot on—levels are challenging but rarely leave you feeling frustrated—and solving the puzzle is topped only by the joy of watching the conveyor belt neatly deliver each donut to its respective goal to the rhythm of the happy background tunes. The satisfaction of a job well done has never been so sweet. Bwaaah-st Game: Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope Kingdom Battle was a complete shock in 2017, most of all for how much fun it really was to mash up Mario and the Rabbids, so I couldn't be happier to see the unlikely combo becoming a franchise of its own. Although Sparks of Hope makes some minor changes that ultimately make the difficulty level easier than its predecessor, the strategy gameplay is still extremely satisfying, the unique battle objectives and boss fights are a blast, and the wealth of options with both characters and equippable Sparks means that strategy fans can satisfy themselves with a whole variety of inventive tactics. Best Comedy: Return to Monkey Island Point and click adventure games are already made for comedy thanks to their abundance of writing, but even so Return to Monkey Island seems to pack humor into every single minute of the voyage. It makes sense, since the game is so text-heavy you need to incentivize the player for clicking on everything in the environment and testing all possibilities, but it's still impressive just how much goofy charm the developers are able to squeeze into an all-too-brief adventure. The clever puzzle design and fun plot weaving together references to the franchise's history is a pretty nice perk to the game too. Best Crossover Game: Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes Who needs strategy when you can single-handedly level entire armies? Of course, Three Hopes has its share of strategy elements, whether you're playing solo or with a friend, but the joy of Musou games and their crossovers has always been the satisfaction of laying to waste hundreds of enemies with a single attack. It's arguably a bit brainless, but it's undeniably fun, and like previous crossovers, Three Hopes balances that action dopamine rush with a delightful return to Fódlan and all of the characters players grew to love in Three Houses. In the end it's a fantastic triple threat: charming characters, light strategy elements, and army-crushing special attacks. The Hunt is Back On Award: Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak Although I didn't really need a reason to get back into Monster Hunter Rise, Sunbreak was the perfect opportunity to set off on another series of intense and intensely satisfying monster hunts. But while the higher difficulty level and added combat features were welcome additions, the best new aspect might have been the new quest types that allow NPCs to join you on your adventure to utterly devastate the giant monster ecosystem. No matter how you're playing—solo, with NPCs, or online—Sunbreak is a fantastic addition to Rise and makes it one of the most complete and engaging Monster Hunter experiences to date. Most Delightful Lively Challenge: Cuphead: The Delicious Last Course The base Cuphead game is a one-of-a-kind experience, so following it up with a filling DLC was a tall order, but naturally the developers at Studio MDHR make it look easy. Delicious Last Course isn't just a fun continuation of the Cuphead formula, it really ups the ante with a particularly challenging series of bosses that is perfect for players that have mastered the base game. And just like the Cuphead experience as a whole, the only downside is that it has to end at some point. The Tip the Scales Award: Triangle Strategy What better genre than strategy games to throw tough storyline decisions at the player? Triangle Strategy nicely balances its richly engaging tactical gameplay with a compelling narrative full of branching paths. In both cases, you've got plenty of options laid out before you: which characters to use, how to approach objectives, which characters to trust or align yourself with. There's no one right angle from which to approach the game, which is what makes it such a satisfying experience ripe for multiple playthroughs. Best Dizzying Speedrun: Neon White The intensity of perfectly flying through a level and hitting every mark for an ideal speedrun is matched only by the relief and satisfaction of finally completing the run with a new record. Neon White brings that blend of engagement and joy to every level without ever making the experience feel stale or frustrating. It helps that the game is forgiving enough that you don't have to be a pro speedrunner to earn high scores, but the true smartest aspect of Neon White is balancing its fast-paced gameplay with a mysterious and intriguing story. Speeding through levels is good, but when you attach that gameplay to a narrative you care about, the game becomes great. Best Narrative Style: 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim I can't say for sure if 13 Sentinels is my favorite story of 2022, but it definitely earns huge points for telling a story in such a unique and engaging way. Fracturing the narrative across multiple protagonists in seemingly unconnected personal stories while also giving the player real-time strategy battles in giant mechs is a 100% original concept that makes every minute with the game intriguing and enticing, culminating in a pretty wild sci-fi ride. The Surf's Up Award: Wavetale No matter the genre or style of game, finding the right gameplay flow is crucial for keeping the experience engaging from the first moment to the last, and Wavetale nails this right out of the gate. The fluid satisfaction of running across the water and leaping into the air is delightful, and the colorful cel-shaded scenery makes for a gorgeous backdrop. Although the combat might not have the same level of polish, the fun of zipping around the world of Wavetale, seamlessly transitioning from running on land to running on water to flying through the air makes for a thrilling experience. Best Surprise: Live A Live Live A Live was such a surprising remake that I hadn't even heard of the game before it was announced in early 2022, but I couldn't be happier that this forgotten treasure has made its way overseas after only being released in Japan in the 90s. Perhaps it's understandable that the game's experimental, anthology structure didn't grab players in the 90s, but Live A Live is such a singularly unique experience that RPG lovers owe it to themselves to give it a try and discover one of the true hidden gems of Japan's already incredible 90s RPG scene. Best Multiplayer Game: Splatoon 3 It's perhaps a testament to how solid the core Splatoon gameplay is that Splatoon 3 has added relatively minor changes to the franchise. There are some fun new features to be sure, but the essential experience is pretty well preserved and just as exciting and frantic as ever (though I do lament the focus on narrow stages with fewer flanking routes now). The best new feature might just be the fact that the co-op mode Salmon Run is now always available and rotates stages every 40 hours, allowing players to jump into an equally hectic but uniquely challenging mode. I know that plenty of my hours in Splatoon 3 have been spent collecting eggs in Salmon Run, and I'm sure I'll continue to spend plenty of time in Splatfests and Big Runs in the next year. Game of the Year: Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Each time it seems like the new Xenoblade game has some big shoes to fill thanks to its predecessors, and yet each time the developers deliver an outstanding RPG experience. Of course Xenoblade Chronicles 3 has the majestic, beautifully rendered environments that we've come to expect, and the combat system is perfectly balanced around engaging action-RPG mechanics as well as a wealth of strategic choices when assembling your party, and a cast of characters that easily grows on you over the course of the world-endangering quest, but it's still astounding how well the game manages to make every moment of this 100+ hour journey so engrossing. By combining the best of both worlds from its two predecessors, Xenoblade Chronicles 3 offers a fun, fresh and fantastic RPG adventure.
  4. Welcome to the 5th annual Ninfora Game Awards, curated as always from my favorite games of the year! 2021 saw some big RPG releases (which is great news to me) but overall it ended up being a pretty strong year for the Switch no matter what genre you prefer, and far too often I found myself with more games to play than free time to actually play them. That's a problem I'll gladly accept though, so check out some of my favorites below and let me know what title was the highlight of 2021 for you! Best Classic RPG: Bravely Default II Among all of the new-fangled approaches to RPG combat systems and level progression, there's something to be said for classic turn-based battles and character class structures. Bravely Default II feels a lot like its predecessors, but all of the BD games have been delightful RPG adventures and this latest entry in the franchise is another must-play for classic RPG fans. Best Psychedelic Game: Tetris Effect: Connected Just in case anyone needed a new excuse to spend way too much time lining up blocks, Tetris Effect: Connected offers an impressive variety of game mode options all wrapped up in trippy visuals and audio that will make the hours melt away as you play. Plus, playing a co-op mode in Tetris turned into a pleasant surprise of frantic, friendly gameplay. Just those small additions are enough to perfectly spice up the familiar Tetris formula. Most Felonious Vegetable: Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion An adorable little turnip shirking his civic duty is apparently a formula just silly enough to work, especially when it's combined with charming pixel art graphics and a lively little food-based world. More importantly, beneath that vegetable skin is a solid Zelda-style adventure game, one that is admittedly over far too quickly but will keep players hooked while it lasts. Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion may seem like a goofy meme game, and it still is in some ways, but it's also a fun little adventure worth exploring (just don't pick up any tax tips from this game). The "Biggest Bowser" Award: Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury First giant dynamaxed Pokémon and now this? Mario's most frequent antagonist is getting in on the super-sized monster action, and the result is a truly fearsome battle. The Bowser's Fury addition of Super Mario 3D World also adds a pretty fantastic little side adventure filled with tasks to complete, which is sure to satisfy fans of the Super Mario Odyssey formula and makes Mario's future in sandbox/open-world games look bright. Most Surreal Game: Genesis Noir Genesis Noir is easily one of the most singularly stylish games to hit the Switch this year. A wholly original blend of mystery adventure, jazz, and cosmic philosophy, this is a truly unique and engrossing video game experience. Thankfully the early launch glitches have been mostly curtailed now, because this is a one-of-a-kind game that deserves a smooth playthrough. Best Artwork: Cris Tales Sometimes it's fun to see a game's concept art and compare how much the artwork had to be translated from initial concept to actual in-game assets. With Cris Tales, it feels like they put that initial, super-detailed artwork directly into the game. Every character and background scene is absolutely gorgeous, and thanks to the game's time-travel mechanics you're also treated to multiple versions of everything. The result is stunning and creates a truly beautiful setting for a clever JRPG adventure. Best Link to the Past: The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD In retrospect, it's fascinating to see how some elements of Breath of the Wild clearly grew out of Skyward Sword's design, neatly linking the familiar Zelda adventure formula with the open-world freedom of the most recent game. That's not to say Skyward Sword is just some sort of stopgap between classic and new Zelda games, though. Replaying it on the Switch is a great reminder of the game's inventive dungeons and satisfying motion control mechanics. Perhaps most importantly, the handful of quality of life improvements alleviate a lot of little annoyances and help make the game soar. Best Pikmin Game: The Wild at Heart Yet again indie developers come through as we all patiently wait for Nintendo's many franchises to get sequels. But I don't want to reduce The Wild at Heart to some sort of Pikmin clone. This is also a real-time adventure/puzzle game with adorable little minions to control, but the charming art style and simple but engaging puzzles are what make it a fun, memorable journey. Best Life Lesson: Say No! More Who says video games can't impart life lessons? Say No! More is an extremely silly game centered entirely around the idea of saying "no" to the ridiculous demands of coworkers. There's also an important message about self-care and standing up for yourself though, wrapped up in one of the strangest and yet most charming indie releases of the year. Most Surprising Sequel: NEO: The World Ends With You There are actually plenty of contenders for this award this year, but an extremely stylish, niche action-JRPG custom-made for the DS is definitely not the franchise I expected to see revived on the Switch. Despite the change in hardware and combat system, NEO: The World Ends With You is a more than worthy sequel dripping with Shibuya style and boasting a new equally rewarding battle structure. In many ways NEO is made for fans of the original, but that shouldn't discourage new players from diving into the Reapers' Game. Most Random Game: Lost in Random Card-based games can be a little dicey at times, but Lost in Random makes it work by neatly balancing the chance elements with several aspects that you do have control over. Ultimately though it isn't the combat system that makes Lost in Random so memorable. Even's journey through a quirky, dark fairytale world littered with humor and stunning visuals is something only developer Zoink could pull off so well, and I'd certainly love to play another round in this world. Best Rampage: Monster Hunter Rise I haven't been playing Monster Hunter since the series began, but I've been playing long enough to be excited by how much the franchise has grown to capture worldwide attention. Part of that broader appeal is definitely down to how much the most recent games have eased up on the more tedious aspects of hunting, and even if I'm a little tempted to rant about how back in my day you'd have to find the monster on your own and memorize its habits, the easier elements have done wonders for making the hunt more streamlined without losing the thrill of battle. There's no better time to get into monster hunting than with Rise, and hopefully this still isn't the peak of the franchise. Best Soundtrack: Everhood Everhood is a downright odd game, and even if I'm still not entirely sure what actually happened throughout the story there's no denying that the soundtrack is amazing. And that unusual storytelling is perhaps part of what makes the rhythm-based gameplay so engaging. You never really know what to expect in Everhood, but you can bet it'll have some great music backing it up. Best Retro Ninja Game: Cyber Shadow Yes, that includes the requisite incredibly difficult final boss. Cyber Shadow is a stylish love letter to classic side-scrolling action games, but it's also smart enough to know when to play with new mechanics and spice things up for veteran players. The steady, satisfying progression from simple sword attacks to death defying dashes from one enemy to another makes Cyber Shadow a blast from start to finish (even if that final boss will take you so, so many tries to defeat). The "Punk's Not Dead" Award: No More Heroes III Like any other entertainment industry, there's a trend toward producing "safe" content that is designed to appeal to as broad of an audience as possible to rake in the money. God bless Suda 51, then, for always sticking to his punk aesthetic, shaking up the video game world with every insane thought that seems to run through his head. No More Heroes III is by far the strangest of the NMH games (and that's saying something), so players are in for a wild, one-of-a-kind ride with this one. Best Comedy: Later Alligator If you're looking for a game with alligator puns boy do I have good news for you. Later Alligator is a hilariously charming point-and-click adventure that seems to pack in as many jokes-per-minute as it possibly can. The best part though is that the humor all stands up well. Jokes in video games can oftentimes be pretty broad or bland but Later Alligator does a fantastic job of hitting the comedy mark, whether it's in dialogue, visual gags, or the never-ending supply of reptile puns. Best Photobomb: New Pokémon Snap Of all the Pokémon spin-offs to come out over the years, the original Pokémon Snap certainly captured a lot of fans' attention. It's a wonderfully unique premise after all—instead of training and battling these pocket monsters, you get to just live in their world and make your favorite little buddies feel more real for a little while. New Pokémon Snap is just as delightful and relaxing, even when you do just barely miss your opportunity for the perfect shot and have to replay the whole level again. Best Writing: Disco Elysium: The Final Cut So often it's the little things that really make a game stand out, small moments that surprise and delight the player, and Disco Elysium is made up of about a million of those little moments. This game takes RPG branching dialogue to a whole new level and does it with smart, funny, and engaging writing that perfectly draws you into a richly detailed, slightly dreary world. Game of the Year: Metroid Dread Can a game that has been teased for nearly two decades actually live up to years of expectations? Yes, apparently it can! Metroid Dread was a practically mythical piece of video game development history, but finally getting to play it in 2021 I can say it's just about everything a Metroid fan could expect or want from a new side-scrolling game. Both exploration and combat are smoothly balanced with Samus's sleek, fluid abilities that make just moving around the labyrinthine environments a real joy, while conquering the fiendishly difficult bosses stands as one of the most satisfying accomplishments of the year for Switch gamers. There's no shortage of Metroidvania games out there these days, but when the formula is executed as sharply as Metroid Dread, you have to give credit to the bounty hunter who defined an entire genre of gaming.
  5. It's the end of the year and that means it's time for the 4th annual Ninfora Game Awards! As always we've had an extensive panel of one person (me) look back on his (my) favorite games of the year and highlight a little bit about what made those games special. Let me know what are your own top picks for 2020, what games you're looking forward to playing from this year, or just to tell me how wrong my choices are. Most Mario Game: Super Mario 3D All-Stars Three Mario games in one? Aside from the original Super Mario All-Stars, it doesn't get much more Mario than this. And like the original, 3D All-Stars is a charming collection of some of Mario's best and weirdest adventures in 3D platforming. From Mario's first 3D steps in 64 to his environmentally conscious vacation in Sunshine to the gravity warping space adventures in Galaxy, this collection proves that Mario's polished game design is fantastic no matter when you play it (some quirks of 3D platformer development notwithstanding). It may not be the wild remastering that some fans might have wanted, but what it does deliver is a delightful trip down memory lane and a perfect introduction to some classic Mario adventures for new players. Best Kid Co-op Game: Knights and Bikes Knights and Bikes captures the childhood joy of running around the neighborhood with your friends during summer vacation in a way that few other games can boast. There's a very delicate balancing act involved to make an adventure that is rather silly and child-like still have weight and depth, both from the players' perspective and the characters', and Knights and Bikes nails it. More importantly, this game is simply a joy to play with a friend—both characters' abilities complement each other nicely, and ending a big fight with a celebratory high five is something far more games should aspire to do. Best Not-Kid Co-op Game: Darksiders Genesis It took a winding path to get there, but we made it: four Darksiders games, each one starring a different horseman of the apocalypse. Though, technically, this game stars two horsemen, as it's a co-op, Diablo-esque action game that has you gunning down demons or slashing them apart—a bit different, tonally, from Knights and Bikes. Regardless, Darksiders Genesis is a visceral and satisfying action game that makes for a great co-op experience, like a bloody buddy action flick. Its technical issues are a bit of a problem on the Switch, but the game is worth powering through them, especially with a friend along for the ride. Best Genre Mash-Up: Murder by Numbers One part nonogram puzzle game and one part detective story visual novel, Murder by Numbers is the perfect genre mash-up that I didn't realize I wanted. Nonogram or picross puzzles are incredibly addictive already, but throw a story over the whole experience to tie everything together and it's nearly impossible to put this game down once you get started. It certainly helps that there's so much life and personality in the visual and audio design of Murder by Numbers, not to mention the story that smoothly flits between funny, charming, and heart-felt. If there was ever a game to introduce new players to nonogram puzzles, this is it. Best Surprise: Paper Mario: The Origami King Paper Mario: The Origami King was an exciting surprise for two reasons. First, it was announced and released within the span of just about two months, which is a pretty tight turnaround even by Nintendo's most secretive standards (though this is putting aside the rumors of its development earlier in the year). Second and perhaps more importantly, The Origami King is a fantastic game that has finally seemed to find Paper Mario's footing after abandoning the traditional RPG elements of the first two games in the series. It's unfortunate that it took this long, but the developers have found a way to make battles engaging and worthwhile even without the incentive of experience points. Add in the top-notch (and pun-filled) writing, charming companion Olivia, and beautiful paper environments to explore and you've got a winning Paper Mario formula. Best High Score Chaser: Super Crush KO There's definitely something to be said for the classic arcade game formula of racking up a high score and putting your reflexes to the test to in a perfect run through waves of enemies. Super Crush KO might not be particularly long, but it makes up for that with addictive replayability that prompts you to try one more time to nail that high score. And it certainly helps that the robot-punching combat system is so satisfyingly smooth and snappy, with a small variety of attacks that gives you plenty of options but doesn't overwhelm you. Throw a cute story centering around a particularly adorable cat and you've got a stylish score chaser that Switch owners need to check out. Most Stylish Game: Indivisible Indivisible combines action-RPG battles and platforming mechanics for an experience that is pretty unique, but the standout feature is still the beautiful 2D animation and colorful character designs. The developers put all of their experience with the artwork and animation of Skullgirls toward making Indivisible a stunning game, both for the fluid motions of each character's wildly different attacks and for the stylish characters and scenery that draw influence from southeast Asian cultures. The gameplay has its ups and downs, but it's hard to find fault with the look of this hybrid action-RPG platformer. Most Wonderful Remaster: The Wonderful 101: Remastered Few Wii U exclusives deserved a second chance at stardom as much as The Wonderful 101. This quirky action game from the masters of the genre, Platinum Games, combines a cartoonish, superhero story with cartoonish, action-heavy gameplay for a wonderfully unique experience that didn't get the attention it deserved on the Wii U. This remastering may not bring all of the updates and changes that it really ought to have, and the change in controllers makes for a somewhat awkward learning curve, but this is still a flashy action game from one of best developers in the genre and absolutely deserves some more love. Best Insect RPG: Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling It cannot be easy to develop your own game while drawing such clear inspiration from a popular, well-beloved series without worrying about whether or not the homage crosses a line, or if your game has the strength to stand on its own merits. But Bug Fables dances around that issue beautifully. The game is unmistakably inspired by the early Paper Mario games, from looks to RPG mechanics, but it's still a wonderfully engrossing adventure all its own, one that knows when to lean on familiar mechanics and when to inject its own flavor into the mix. To do all that while telling a story about intelligent insects is really the icing on the cake. Best Breath of the Wild Game: Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity No, sadly, 2020 didn't see the release of Breath of the Wild 2, but we did get a Zelda spin-off to fill that Hyrule-shaped hole in our hearts. And even though it's in a different genre, Age of Calamity is an incredible return to Breath of the Wild's Hyrule, one that combines familiar faces with incredibly satisfying action gameplay that lets you literally bowl over mobs of Bokoblins. Being able to see these fan-favorite characters one more time is already fantastic, but to play as them in massive battlefields that let you live out the experience of fighting a war against Ganon's forces of darkness? That's a Switch game that can't be missed. Most Surreal Game: Kentucky Route Zero: TV Edition Back in January of this year, Kentucky Route Zero finally got its fifth and final act, and this TV Edition combines all five with all of the game's side story interludes as well. I'd heard about this game for years but truth be told only got around to actually playing it a week ago, but for my money I'd say the wait was worth it. Kentucky Route Zero is gameplay-light (almost gameplay-nonexistent, really) but the story pulls you into a surreal world of bizarre highways and mysterious strangers in the most beautiful way. The narrative's quiet musings on life—told through a magical realism setting—is evocative and engaging and absolutely worth the journey. Best Looking Fruit in a Game: Pikmin 3 Deluxe Pikmin may represent one of the best aspects of Nintendo as a game developer: taking one unique gameplay hook—in this case commanding an army of 100 tiny minions—and infusing a quirky universe around the concept, one that is imaginative, charming, and looks at the world in a different way. The series also represents what is so frustrating about being a Nintendo fan: we just want more entries in these oddball franchises! Although Pikmin 3 Deluxe isn't the brand new Pikmin 4 that I've been hoping for, it's good to see that Nintendo hasn't forgotten about the miniature adventures of Pikmin entirely, and the new content in this version, though relatively minor, still helps make the experience that much richer. And in either the Wii U or Switch version, the fruit looks good enough to eat—assuming you could pluck it from the tiny hands of the Pikmin. Best Page-Turner Mystery: Jenny LeClue - Detectivu Personally I've been waiting years to get a chance to play Jenny LeClue, after seeing it at a game expo, and although the game was released on Steam last year I still held out for the Switch version. Thankfully that long wait was worth it, and waiting for the Switch version also meant I could enjoy the full voice acting update. Jenny LeClue is a fantastic point and click adventure that combines a quirky town and beautiful visuals with a dire murder mystery. Although the game's puzzles aren't too taxing, the experience as a whole is brilliantly engaging. Hopefully we won't be waiting years and years for the next installment of the story. Best Encore Performance: Tokyo Mirage Sessions ♯FE Encore Speaking of Wii U games seeing new life on the Switch: Tokyo Mirage Sessions was ripe for a rerelease, with the ever-growing popularity of both the Persona and Fire Emblem franchises making this crossover more relevant than ever. More importantly though, TMS is simply a solid RPG. The core mechanics are engaging whether you're in a basic fight or battling a boss, the visuals and audio are highly polished, and this Encore performance adds some welcome quality of life improvements. Overall there aren't too many significant changes, but the original game didn't need many, it just needed another opportunity to shine in the spotlight. Most Monstrous Game: Carrion Sometimes you just want to go on a rampage in a game, and Carrion perfectly captures the tone of a movie monster running amok. A large part of that comes down to the satisfying, slimy way the monster slithers across the screen, leaving a trail of viscera and destruction in its wake. Carrion is also a solid Metroidvania, even if it is a bit easy and straightforward compared to other examples of the genre. Still, the game's unusual sense of personality makes up for anything lacking in the gameplay department. Most Heartfelt Game: Spiritfarer Spiritfarer isn't the only game released this year that tugs on ol' the heartstrings, but it's the only one that handles heavy topics with such a warmhearted and sweet sensibility. Amidst an absolutely adorable art style, charming animation, a wonderfully serene soundtrack, and simple yet addictive management mechanics, Spiritfarer tells a beautifully emotional story about the afterlife and letting go of loved ones. More importantly, it does so without ever feeling trite or heavy-handed, and gives the player reasons to care for these characters even in the short time they have together. Best Old School Remake: Trials of Mana It's great to see that the big developers are taking a look at their past catalog and bringing forward some of their classic titles for a new generation, and in this case they've not only given the game a 3D remake, they localized it into English for the first time last year! Trials of Mana, aka Seiken Densetsu 3, is an ambitious follow up to Secret of Mana, one that doesn't try to completely replicate its predecessor, but instead builds upon its foundation for its own experience. The result is an RPG with plenty of replay value, which this remake only improves upon with even more customization features. The core gameplay certainly shows its age, but fans of action-RPGs and/or classic games should enjoy the mix of old and new that is Trials of Mana. Best "Nintendo Difficult" Game: Phoenotopia: Awakening Pixel art games are a dime a dozen these days, but few are as richly detailed as Phoenotopia: Awakening, which takes players on a sprawling adventure packed with side quests and secrets to uncover. And few are as fiendishly difficult, because Phoenotopia doesn't pull any punches when it comes to demanding combat that tests the limits of your action game skills. If you're up to the challenge though you'll be rewarded with a stunning action/adventure game, complete with charming visual/audio design and clever puzzle mechanics. Game Most Likely to Wrinkle Your Brain: Manifold Garden One of the best things about following the indie game scene is discovering unusual games like Manifold Garden, games born from a specific vision that take players on a wild ride. And in this game's case, it's not just the mind-bending puzzles, beautifully serene and oddly foreboding visuals, or sense of wonder and discovery. It's how well all these elements blend together and constantly surprise the player with new, inventive challenges. It's hard to fully convey the experience of playing Manifold Garden through text—it's really a "playing is believing" kind of game—so I encourage you to experience it for yourself. The Definitive Rerelease Award: Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition In a year absolutely packed with re-releases and remasters for the Switch, Xenoblade Chronicles still manages to stand out. On one hand, the original game was already an incredible RPG on the Wii, whose long and twisting narrative was matched by sprawling and breathtaking environments and a battle system that never allows you to get too comfortable. And the definitive edition manages to make the whole experience just that much better, with sharper graphics, valuable quality of life improvements, and an epilogue that gives you even more content to enjoy in this stunning world. Xenoblade has had an awkward series of releases, first as a limited edition game late in the Wii's lifespan then as a New 3DS exclusive, but now that the definitive edition is on the Switch there's no excuse not to check out this incredible RPG. Game of the Year: Hades I'll admit, I've grown pretty tired of roguelikes over the last few years. It's a great way to infuse replay value into a game, but it's not how I normally like to play. Typically I prefer games with a strong narrative and/or a strong sense of progression, not just replaying mostly the same experience over and over. Hades, however, manages to combine meaningful story and gameplay progression in a roguelike package, and the final result is truly outstanding. Developer Supergiant Games has already created incredible narratives and wonderfully unique gameplay systems, but it's still amazing what they've done with Hades to make this game infinitely replayable and still engaging every single time. Beyond the phenomenal artwork, the beautiful music, the top-notch voice acting, and the huge assortment of boons and abilities that make every playthrough feel unique, the greatest achievement of Hades might be how seamlessly they've integrated a compelling story with engaging characters into the roguelike formula of dying/retrying repeatedly. There is a staggering amount of dialogue in this game and it is a blast to discover it bit by bit through every run. It truly displays such a thoughtful and thorough understanding of the genre and game design in general, and it's a joy to watch unfold. I was skeptical when Hades was announced, but actually spending time with the game quickly transformed it into one of my most played games of 2020 and my favorite Switch experience of the year.
  6. It's that time of year again folks. Time for me to wrap up the year with a look back on my favorite Nintendo games with the 3rd annual Ninfora Game Awards. The Switch's third year may not have seen the addition of explosively popular titles like Breath of the Wild or Smash Ultimate, but that doesn't mean there wasn't a ton of great games to choose from in 2019. And what a year for getting RPG ports—not all of them are listed below but there have been some huge RPG titles added to the Switch library this year, enough to keep this RPG fan entirely too busy. Add on the big name Nintendo-developed games and a healthy amount of third-party support and you've got a pretty great year for Switch owners. Best Classic RPG: Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age You have to respect Dragon Quest for finding a formula and sticking with it. Sure there are important quality of life improvements over the years, but at its heart Dragon Quest XI S feels like a classic RPG, and that's probably why it's so easy to lose yourself in the game for a hundred hours. It also certainly helps that this game is really made for the fans that have stuck by the series for decades—the whole concept of revisiting past games for side quests is just a fantastic love letter to the entire franchise. Even though there have been several classic RPGs re-released on the Switch this year, there's no one better than Dragon Quest for that familiar charm. The "End of an Era" Award: Shovel Knight: King of Cards Over six years ago, an overwhelmingly successful Kickstarter campaign promised a meticulously crafted side-scrolling pixel art adventure with not one, not two, but three DLC expansions, all free for backers and early adopters. Just a few weeks ago that promise has finally been fulfilled with the release of King of Cards and Shovel Knight Showdown, the 4-player battle mode. I'm sure no one thought it would take this long to see the Kickstarter's stretch goals fulfilled—least of all the developers—but if anything can be said about the four Shovel Knight campaigns, it's that every single one of them has been worth the wait. King of Cards once again delightfully redefines the Shovel Knight world with far more than a simple sprite-swap, and Showdown's chaotic charm relies heavily on the community's love for these knightly characters. It's incredible to think that Yacht Club Games has been working on the original game and its expansions for over half a decade, but it's clear that their skills as game developers have only gotten better and better, and whatever they move on to next will be a game worth waiting for. Best Genre Mash-Up: Creature in the Well There are actually a few notable genre mash-ups on this list, but I have to give credit to Creature in the Well for being the most inventive one. A hack 'n' slash dungeon exploration with pinball mechanics is undeniably original, and best of all it's a blast to play as well. The game combines the simple satisfaction of a pinball game with the addictive drive of a dungeon crawler, keeping you well invested in exploring every corner of the game's world. It's great to see that developers are still able to come up with such surprising and fun gameplay mechanics as Creature in the Well. The Biggest Pikachu Award: Pokémon Sword & Shield Pokémon's leap to a home console system might not have been the game-changer that fans were hoping for, but it did have some big additions. Puns aside, Pokémon Sword & Shield does add some fun new features, most notably the Wild Area which is about as close to an open-world Pokémon experience as we've seen yet and makes the Pokémon catching process feel a little more natural and free. Of course, there are also areas where Sword & Shield feel like a step back for the franchise, but there's no denying the excitement of Dynamaxing a Pokémon in the middle of a packed stadium full of cheering fans. Best Advance Wars Game: Wargroove Even though I love the Fire Emblem series and its newfound success in recent years, I can't deny that I'm sorely disappointed that developer Intelligent Systems seems to have entirely abandoned the Advance Wars franchise. Over ten years without a new game is certainly not a good sign, at any rate. So I was particularly delighted to see the similar grid-based strategy gameplay and sprite graphics of Chucklefish's Wargroove, a game that unabashedly wears its AW influence on its sleeve. That's not to say that Wargroove is merely a derivative game, though. There are plenty of unique mechanics to enjoy here, and the strategy gameplay is as wonderfully satisfying and engaging as the best that AW has to offer. Maybe we don't need a new AW title as long as Wargroove is keeping the spirit of the franchise alive. Cutest Game: Yoshi's Crafted World From Woolly to Crafted, Yoshi games can't help but be absolutely adorable. It should be little surprise, considering the franchise started with the unique crayon aesthetic of Yoshi's Island, but Yoshi's Crafted World ups the ante with an entire craft store's worth of materials to build the scenery of this adventure. The visuals are totally charming, and even if the core gameplay hasn't changed much over the years, it's still an engaging—if easy—platformer. And it makes Yoshi's adventure particularly suited to young gamers, even for a company known for making family-friendly titles. Best Card Game: SteamWorld Quest: Hand of Gilgamech I couldn't have been more excited to see developer Image & Form was finally tackling a SteamWorld RPG, and the fact that combat was card-based only further piqued my imagination. After all, if there's one developer that knows how to make unusual gameplay concepts work, it's Image & Form. And I certainly wasn't disappointed. The card-based battles are wonderfully engaging and offer a wealth of strategies without being overwhelming, which makes every battle action-packed and addictive. Add in a rich RPG story—one with far more depth than any previous Image & Form title—and SteamWorld Quest becomes an absolutely unmissable Switch title for 2019. Most Stylish Game: Astral Chain If there's one thing you can say about Platinum Games titles, it's that they have style. Of course, they also have wonderfully rich combat systems that put all those stylish graphics and attacks to great use, and Astral Chain takes things one step further with its unique dual-character combat. Like so many Platinum games, the real joy of the experience is not just defeating enemies but doing it with panache, and chaining attacks between your human character and his or her Legion is wonderfully satisfying. Even if the story in Astral Chain feels a little underused, there's no denying the addictive depth of the combat system. Best Use of Music: Ape Out Note that this award isn't for best music (although the game does have a fantastic soundtrack) but specifically for use of music, because Ape Out features a brilliant "reactive music system" that essentially allows you to create your own improvised jazz number through your actions in the game. Every time you grab an enemy and throw them into a wall you're treated to a satisfying cymbal crash. As your panicked dash through the laboratory speeds up, so does the soundtrack's tempo. It's an awfully clever way of integrating the music into the gameplay, and combined with Ape Out's stylish graphics and addictive gameplay, makes the game a true standout for the year. Best Mario Luigi Game: Luigi's Mansion 3 It’s always a treat to see Luigi take center stage over his brother. Even after having an entire year dedicated to him a while ago, Luigi still manages to get stuck on balloon duty while Mario is on a globe trotting adventure. But with Luigi’s Mansion 3, the mean green machine is back in the player one seat, and this time he’s even brought along another Luigi to help him. This latest ghost-busting adventure finds a nice balance of new and old for a fun-filled adventure that is more silly than spooky—a perfect continuation of Luigi’s solo adventures. Catching ghosts and collecting cash remains as charming a game formula as ever, and this hopefully won’t be the last we see of the Poltergust. Most Delightful Crossover Game: Cadence of Hyrule I can't imagine there are many things more exciting, as a game developer, than getting the chance to work on one of Nintendo's biggest franchises. And not just work on it, but to put your own unique style and spin on it, and have the resulting combination work so beautifully. Cadence of Hyrule meshes the world and charm of Zelda with the addictive, rhythmic gameplay of Crypt of the NecroDancer in a way that feels totally natural and yet delightfully unique as well. The fact that the soundtracks of both franchises are brilliantly combined and remixed by composer Danny Baranowsky is just icing on the cake. It's a real treat to see a Zelda adventure through the lens of another gameplay style, and hopefully Cadence of Hyrule leads to other unique Nintendo crossovers in the future. Best Digital Toy Box: Super Mario Maker 2 How do you improve upon a creative toy box of user-generated content? Add cat suits. Super Mario Maker 2 does a fantastic job of building upon the course creation insanity of the first game with the addition of plenty of new features, including a Super Mario 3D World theme (and hopefully more themes in the future…?). It's also a real testament to how fun the essential building blocks of a Mario game are that literally anyone can come up with fun, inventive levels to play. Nintendo easily could have slapped a bit of new paint on Super Mario Maker and released it on the Switch to widespread success, so it's great to see how much effort went into making Super Mario Maker 2 feel like a worthy sequel with a wide selection of creative content. Most Satisfyingly Difficult Game: Cuphead Forget the dark and horrific scenery and monsters of games like Dark Souls—the best setting for an incredibly difficult game is clearly 1930s animation. The rest of the world may have been enjoying (and tearing their hair out about) Cuphead for a couple of years now, but Switch fans have only recently had a chance to die hundreds of times in an attempt to fight an overgrown flower. What Cuphead does so well though is keeping the experience fun and engaging even when it is so challenging. The gorgeous animation and audio is a big part of that, but regardless, Cuphead makes super-difficult boss fights incredibly fun—and, of course, incredibly satisfying once you finally beat them. Best Surprise: Collection of Mana Seiken Densetsu 3: one of the white whales of gaming localization, an SNES RPG that never made it outside of Japan, despite, seemingly, the strong success of its predecessor, Secret of Mana. Well, it may have taken over twenty years, but fans finally got the chance to experience the game (now called Trials of Mana) as part of the Collection of Mana, a must-have Switch game for fans of classic action-RPGs. To finally get the chance to play Trials of Mana in a properly localized English version was easily a highlight of this year's E3. And who knows, maybe we'll soon finally see a localization for another popular third entry in a classic RPG franchise… Most Immersive Game: Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice Horror games only really work when you allow yourself to be immersed in the setting. You can't just be a passive participant, otherwise the scares and atmosphere won't have any impact. You have to put yourself into the mind of the main character, and never has that been more appropriate than with Senua, whose head is already filled with other presences. When you fully immerse yourself into the setting and story of Hellblade, the effect is a truly unique gaming experience thanks to the incredible care and detail that the developers put into building an adventure around someone suffering from psychosis. It's an unparalleled experience. Best Psychedelic Rhythm Game: Sayonara Wild Hearts It's so much easier to get drawn in by a rhythm game that uses songs you already know since the game can use the emotional investment you already have to keep you engaged with the gameplay. So it's particularly impressive that Sayonara Wild Hearts, with its original soundtrack, can create such a deeply mesmerizing experience that keeps the songs in your head for days. That's not even to mention the fact that the game is so short, and yet still manages to pack so much energy and soul into its delightfully surreal visuals and infectious music. It's easily one of the most unique games of the year, not just in terms of its style and aesthetic but in the way it connects to the player through an interactive emotional journey, and that easily makes it a must-play title for the Switch. Best Goose Game: Untitled Goose Game Maybe the more appropriate award for this one would be "Most Meme-able Game," since it seems like half of Untitled Goose Game's appeal is in its widespread internet popularity. But even without the incredible amount of memes and jokes surrounding the goose, this is a ridiculously charming and charmingly ridiculous take on stealth gameplay, one that has you mildly annoying and inconveniencing people instead of murdering rooms full of guards. It's also a perfect example of the fact that you don't need exhaustive gameplay mechanics if you've got personality. Honk. The "Punk's Not Dead" Award: Travis Strikes Again: No More Heroes Travis Strikes Again probably wasn't what people really expected in a new No More Heroes game, but there's no denying that it has Suda51's distinct sense of style. Off-kilter characters, 4th wall breaking meta humor, and one incredibly bizarre premise for a story ensure Travis Strikes Again has all the flavor of a No More Heroes title, even if the gameplay has traded third-person action for top-down hack'n'slash combat. Perhaps more importantly for some fans though, this game ensures that the No More Heroes series isn't dead yet, and we can look forward to another adventure through the garden of madness next year. Best Remake: The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening This version of Link's Awakening definitely gives Yoshi's Crafted World a run for its money on the Cutest Game award, but the best aspect is probably just that this is a fantastic remake of a classic game. The core experience is perfectly preserved, but there's enough new content to make the adventure still feel fresh. Plus there are some invaluable adjustments like making certain items always equipped that just makes the flow of the game smoother. The game's strikingly cute visual style may be the first thing to jump out at players when starting up Link's Awakening, but it's the classic Zelda gameplay and quietly heartfelt story that leave the real impact. Most Confounding Puzzle Game: Baba Is You You know that feeling when you've been stumped by a particularly tricky puzzle, and then eventually something clicks in your mind, the pieces fall into place, and you're left with an eminently satisfying sense of accomplishment? That's basically every level of Baba Is You, an almost maddeningly complex puzzle game that has you rewriting the rules of the game in order to reach the goal. Pushing words around allows you to make walls no obstacle at all, or turn deadly lava into a harmless splotch of color. Baba Is You is incredibly clever, so clever that you'll often be tearing your hair out trying to find a solution. But when you do, that's when Baba is best. Game of the Year 2019: Fire Emblem: Three Houses I know, I know, I'm a big Fire Emblem fan so it's not much of a surprise that this would be my pick for Game of the Year. But Three Houses isn't skating by simply on its name. This is a massive game, and one that proves to be wonderfully addictive from the first minute to the last. The huge emphasis on interacting with characters outside of battle is something of a logical progression for the series, even if it does seem a little strange at first to spend so much time not actually fighting. But the huge cast of likeable characters quickly alleviates that feeling, and you'll find yourself invested in these characters' backstories and interactions, from the comical to the dramatic. The core combat system features only minor changes, but there's no need to fix what isn't broken, and instead Three Houses simply refines the addictive combat mechanics that make Fire Emblem so engaging playthrough after playthrough (particularly appropriate here, with three different paths available). Strategy RPGs may not be for everyone, but when they're this good everyone should at least give Three Houses a try—you might end up addicted to a 100+ hour game like me.
  7. Welcome to the 2nd annual Ninfora Game Awards, AKA Eliwood highlights a bunch of games he liked this year and no one else gets a say. Nintendo followed up their launch year for the Switch with a strong if somewhat less ambitious second year—though to be fair it's hard to top a launch year that includes a new Zelda game and a new Mario game. Still, 2018 saw plenty of great releases, including re-releases of some of the best Wii U games, a massive number of outstanding indie titles, and a little known crossover fighting game released just a few weeks ago. Like most years there were simply too many great games to include them all on this list, but here are some of my favorite titles of 2018. Best Crossover Event of the Year: Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Sorry Avengers, but it's right there in the name of the game: this is the Ultimate package, a lovingly crafted ode to not just Nintendo but gaming in general. Smash is the perfect encapsulation of our beloved pastime, one that celebrates all of the incredible memories we've each built over the years as Nintendo fans—and then lets us beat the crap out of each other with them. Because for as much as Smash is an interactive museum of nostalgia, it's also one of the finest fighting games around, one that is so customizable to player preference that it works whether you're a pro competitive player or just picking up a controller for the first time. Not matter how you prefer to play, Smash Ultimate is an utterly addictive, mind-boggling display of fighting game design and Nintendo knowledge. Most Delightfully Original Game: Yoku's Island Express One part pinball game, one part Metroidvania, and starring a dung beetle working as a postmaster—apparently it's a formula just crazy enough to work, because Yoku's Island Express is undoubtedly a highlight of the indie scene this year. In addition to putting a fun and fresh spin on two game genres, Yoku features some of the most charming visuals and audio you can enjoy on the Switch. It's a game that just captivates you from the moment you start playing and keeps you enchanted throughout the whole experience. Best Comic Book Adaptation: Battle Chasers: Nightwar To be honest I didn't even know Nightwar was based on a relatively short-lived comic book series from the 90s when it first caught my attention, but Joe Madureira's distinctive artwork (also seen in the Darksiders games) is all over this, and was enough to pique my interest. Don't worry if you're not familiar with the comic either—the game stands perfectly well on its own and takes players on a uniquely engaging RPG adventure that blends elements of turn-based combat, dungeon crawling, and procedurally generated level design. The final product is certainly on the difficult side, but if you don't mind the challenge you'll find a deep and rewarding RPG that encourages you to craft your own strategies. Most Thought-Provoking Game: Iconoclasts When you first start Iconoclasts it seems like another cute, charming, retro-inspired Metroidvania, but it doesn't take long for the game to drop some heavy ideas on you. I suppose the title should've been the first giveaway that this wouldn't be your typical adventure story, but it's still a surprise when the game takes a turn for the more serious—a welcome surprise though, because Iconoclasts does a fantastic job of balancing compelling characters and their personal development with excellent 2D action/platforming design and incredible boss fights. It's an unforgettable journey, and the best compliment I can give Iconoclasts is: you've never played a game quite like this one. Most Funky Game: Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze I couldn't very well compile a list of games from this year and ignore the funkiest Kong around, now could I? Okay, so the Switch version of Tropical Freeze has some underwhelming additions—particularly the fact that Funky Kong is relegated to his own "easy mode" so you can't just swap to him on the fly—but even so, the core experience remains an absolutely fantastic display of 2D platforming. In the world of platformers it's so easy to tell when something just feels off, when the platforming mechanics don't quite click, but Tropical Freeze is pure platforming perfection, one that isn't afraid to push the player with intense but rewarding challenges. Best Narrative: The Gardens Between How do you make a great narrative in a game that doesn't feature any text or dialogue? Well, you'd have to ask The Gardens Between developer The Voxel Agents about that, 'cause they nailed it. A short, sweet, melancholy trip through the shared memories of two children is one of the most emotionally affecting games I played this year, and to take it one step further the developers also slipped in a brilliantly original puzzle mechanic that revolves around time manipulation. It may not be a long game but it'll absolutely stick with you. Second Best Ultimate Game: Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate MHGU was so close to wrapping up that Best Ultimate Game award, and yet Smash just had to release this year. Still, in the same way that Smash Ultimate is an insanely jam-packed collection of Nintendo nostalgia, MHGU is an insanely jam-packed collection of Monster Hunter content. The massive roster, variety of weapons/hunter styles, and of course the fun of jumping online to team up on a hunt makes for a wonderfully addictive game, the kind that eats up an entire Saturday afternoon before you can blink. It'll be interesting to see where the franchise goes in the future as well, considering the success of Monster Hunter World, but for now MHGU is one incredible treat for classic MH fans. The "Frustrating Yet Rewarding" Award: Runner 3 From his first humble days as the star of Bit.Trip Beat, Commander Video has lead a unique video game career—who could have predicted that those early pixel days would lead to the insanely surreal landscape of Runner 3? Regardless of the setting, the Commander finds himself in another addictive rhythmic race, this time adding some helpful new features like double jumping. The game is still tough as nails though so it's not a game for the easily flustered, but the insane visuals, catchy music, and addictive "one more try" mentality of the game will keep players coming back for more. Best Surprise: Valkyria Chronicles 4 No, not because I didn't think it'd be good, I'm surprised we got the game at all considering the last numbered entry in the franchise was a Japan-exclusive PSP game and just last year Valkyria Revolution was released to overwhelmingly poor reviews. But VC4 recaptures all of the charm that made the first game a hit: a fun cast of characters, engaging strategy gameplay, and stylish presentation. There's something hypnotic about playing a strategy game, something that pulls you into the experience completely, and VC4 perfectly captures that feeling as well. Best "Nintendo Difficult" Game: Hyper Light Drifter: Special Edition Hyper Light Drifter takes several cues from classic Nintendo game design—the Zelda influences are clear enough as you explore an open 2D environment initially armed only with a sword—and not least of which is the classic sense of difficulty that the game poses. Still, while some "Nintendo Difficult" games were unfairly challenging, Hyper Light Drifter finds the perfect balance of difficult-but-fair. No player death can be attributed to a cheap shot on the game's part, only a failing of the player to play carefully given the limited tools the game provides. And no matter how many deaths you rack up, there's always a driving incentive to try again. Most Beautiful Game: Gris There are a lot of beautifully made games on this list, but none of them can boast the same incredible combination of aesthetic and technical design that Gris has. Every screenshot of the game is captivating, combining surreal details with a gorgeous watercolor effect that truly makes the game feel like a living painting. The animation is mesmerizing, and to top everything off the soundtrack is beautifully moving. The gameplay itself is perfectly enjoyable as well, but the art and music of Gris stands out far more. Best Port or Remake: Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition This was actually a pretty competitive category with all of the Wii U games that have been ported to the Switch this year (and no, Smash Ultimate does not count as a port!). And while Hyrule Warriors may not necessarily be the best game overall out of the many ports released, I'm giving it a special mention for truly being the definitive version of the game: all of the DLC that has been released over the years and all of the features from the Wii U and 3DS versions combined into one game makes for a pretty fantastic experience at a great value. Even after playing for hours upon hours there's just a seemingly endless amount of content, and although it can feel a bit repetitive at times it's always fun to demolish groups of Bokoblins and Stalfos. Best Roguelike Game: Dead Cells Despite the growing resurgence of the Roguelike format, I'm often frustrated by the cycle of playing, dying, losing everything, and starting again from scratch, so it should be clear that I don't take an award like this lightly. Roguelikes distinguish themselves by focusing on the journey and not the destination, and that's something that Dead Cells does perfectly. There's a beautiful rhythm to the combat in this game, its speed, fluidity, and most importantly its variety which allows you to easily try new things playthrough after playthrough. You may not always reach the end boss, but it's always an exciting journey. Best Game Starring the Grim Reaper: Flipping Death Zoink Games returns to their roots with this spiritual sequel to Stick It to The Man, and it's just as bizarre, goofy, and absolutely charming. Flipping Death doesn't take itself seriously at all and the result is a hilarious game about the afterlife and the restless spirits that inhabit it. The writing is without a doubt the highlight of the experience—this is definitely the kind of game where you want to talk with everyone just to enjoy all of the dialogue—but in the midst of all of that oddball comedy the developers have crafted tons of unique and clever puzzles as well. With its exaggerated and cartoonish graphics and voice acting, Flipping Death is the definition of quirky, and it's also a must-play this year. The Award for Most Complicated Title: YS VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana Seriously, at a glance this title looks like someone just mashed their keyboard for a bit then submitted it as a video game. But crazy title aside, YS VIII is a fine addition to the Switch's slowly growing collection of RPGs, one that offers a fast, fun combat system, a richly engaging environment to explore, and a story that balances out its cliché elements with a satisfying mystery. It's a decent blend of classic and modern RPG elements—appropriate for a franchise that has lasted over thirty years now. Best Chicken-based Combat in a Game: Guacamelee! 2 For all of the addictive indie games released this year, there's only one that lets you seamlessly transition between a buff, masked luchador and a squawking, belt-wearing chicken. Guacamelee! 2 follows up the original game with an equally fantastic Metroidvania that combines addictive combo-friendly combat with tight, challenging platforming. If the game is perhaps too similar to the original, it can be forgiven simply because the gameplay formula is yet again so well polished, whether you're juggling enemy skeletons as a luchador or fluttering over hazardous pits as a chicken. Best Sci-Fi Adventure: The Fall Part 2: Unbound 2014's The Fall was one of the best examples of classic, thoughtful sci-fi, because while plenty of games have sci-fi settings, few actually explore sci-fi themes, the ones that question the nature of society, reality, and intelligence in an increasingly technological world. It's not an easy topic to translate into an entertaining game, but developer Over the Moon has once again managed it with the second installment of The Fall. Unbound expands on the heady topics of the original and adds a lot more unique and challenging puzzle gameplay as well, though fans will once again have to endure a cliffhanger ending. The wait was worth it for part 2 though, and hopefully it won't be as long for part 3. Best Nostalgia Trip: Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu & Eevee! It was almost exactly twenty years ago that I pestered my mom to buy me a copy of Pokémon Red after my brother received Pokémon Blue for Christmas, sparking a childhood love of Pokémon that has admittedly waned over the years. Returning to Kanto in Let's Go, Pikachu! was still a time machine though, one that meticulously recreates a landmark game of my childhood with beautiful, adorable new graphics. Not all of the changes made to cater to Pokémon GO players are necessarily improvements but it's still pretty heartwarming to see all of my old Poké friends in charming HD, even for this trainer who gave up trying to catch 'em all a long time ago. Most Culturally Unique Game: Mulaka "Educational" isn't usually a well-regarded quality in a video game, and even that label isn't quite right for Mulaka, but still, the game offers a fascinating window on a Native American culture that few people would have heard about otherwise. In the same way that so many other games draw upon Greek mythology, Japanese folktales, etc., Mulaka draws from the stories of the Tarahumara people of northern Mexico and builds a beautiful adventure game out of it. Some of the gameplay elements lack polish, but the overall journey is still compelling, and you're guaranteed to walk away with a new insight on a native Mexican people. The "Looks Aren't Everything" Award: West of Loathing If you only judged this game by its cover you probably wouldn't be impressed, but after a few minutes with West of Loathing you'd change your tune completely. This quirky, story-driven RPG absolutely delights in winking at the player, making fun of game mechanics tropes and generally just being as absurd as possible, and it's a genuinely hilarious ride while it lasts. That's something few games can truly boast: this is a comedy game through and through, and it works perfectly as one. Game of the Year 2018: Octopath Traveler Yes, I know this is my love of JRPGs shining through, but Octopath Traveler truly was an incredible experience on the Switch this year, one that beautifully plays off the nostalgia for SNES-era RPGs while also taking a chance on a unique system of eight characters with eight individual stories. Frankly, everything about this game is surprising, from its stylish HD-2D graphics to the fact that it's an exclusive third-party game for the Switch, but putting aside all of the quirky aspects of the game, Octopath Traveler is a fantastic RPG. It obeys the single most important rule of RPGs: make every battle interesting since otherwise exploration will just get tedious, and the game's shield-breaking and skill-boosting mechanics mean you always have to put a little thought into your attacks. The game also perfectly balances this with giving you the freedom to build whatever team you want to—with eight playable characters and twelve character classes there is a lot of room for variety and experimentation. Maybe some of the game's features get to be a little too quirky for some players, but it's refreshing to see a game take such an original direction with narrative, visuals, and combat mechanics, and most of all to see all of these aspects come together so well. Ultimately, just like the characters in its story, Octopath Traveler gathers disparate elements into a greater whole, one that takes players on a wonderfully unique and engaging RPG adventure.
  8. Instead of the usual lists of my favorite games of the year I thought I'd change things up a bit with a whole awards list for the best titles of 2017, chosen exclusively by me. "But Eliwood," you say. "Isn't this essentially exactly the same as the previous lists, just with a different title and now you don't have to rank your favorite games?" To that I say: quiet you. With the launch of the Switch, 2017 has been an absolutely incredible year for Nintendo fans. Not only have we seen some fantastic entries in beloved franchises, we've gotten a consistent stream of excellent indie and eShop releases to fill out the year. If you played the Switch as much as I did this year you've been busy indeed with one fantastic game after another, and this list doesn't even contain every single top-quality game released in 2017, just some of the ones I played. As far as launch years go, this one is hard to beat, and I look forward to what Nintendo has in store for the Switch's future. Best Multiplayer Game: Splatoon 2 Nintendo is starting off the first year of the Switch with several of its biggest IPs, including their most recent smash hit, Splatoon. This unusual take on third-person shooters is just as addictive on the Switch, especially with the new co-op focused mode Salmon Run (which is still sadly limited to specific times, but is always fun to play). More stages, more weapons, more gear—for the most part Splatoon 2 is simply more of what fans loved of the first game, though for the most part that's enough. Online battles are just as frantic and fun, and the recently released Clam Blitz adds a fresh take on the more strategy-focused ranked battle modes. Splatoon 2 is only slowly addressing some of the annoying quirks of the first game—a recent update finally allows players to switch equipment without exiting the multiplayer lobby entirely—but if Splatfests are any indication the squid spirit is just as strong as it was on the Wii U. Best Co-op/"Oops I Accidentally Just Killed You" Game: Nine Parchments For a game that is meant to be cooperative, it sure is easy to kill your teammates in Nine Parchments. But that's half of the fun in this Gauntlet-style wizarding adventure for up to four players. The other half is the variety of spells that promises huge replay value, since your approach to each battle can vary wildly depending upon which spells you have available. Although the game supports online multiplayer it's really the couch co-op that captures the spirit of the game as you try to coordinate attacks with three other players in this hectic but entertaining adventure. Best Remake: Metroid: Samus Returns The Metroid series continues to have one of the most absolutely vexing release schedules out of any Nintendo IP. Granted, on a global scale, Metroid isn't as popular as Nintendo's other huge franchises, but for many fans the absolute silence between 2010's Metroid: Other M and 2016's Federation Force (both of which were met with mixed opinions from critics and fans) was a dire period indeed. So imagine everyone's surprise when, at E3 2017, Nintendo not only announces an upcoming Metroid Prime 4, but a remake of Metroid II, releasing in just a few months, and it turns out to be fantastic. Metroid: Samus Returns blows the original out of the water—granted it was a Game Boy title but still, Samus Returns captures the same sense of discovery and challenge with beautifully fluid action and thrilling boss fights. The wait for a new Metroid title was excruciating but the next generation of Metroid is off to a fantastic start with Samus Returns. Most Purely Joyful Game: Super Mario Odyssey For all of the years that they have produced Mario games, Nintendo has always managed to keep one important tenet in mind: games should be fun to play. Super Mario Odyssey lives up to this philosophy in every aspect of the game. The environments are a blast to explore, the creatures you can capture are charming and used in inventive ways, and unearthing one hidden moon after another makes for a wonderfully addictive adventure. The freedom you have in exploring and collecting moons not only gives the game a perfect sense of pacing, it speaks to the philosophy of the Switch itself. Play where you want, however you want, but you're guaranteed to be having fun with Odyssey. Bonus Award: Best Song - Jump Up, Super Star! I couldn't mention Odyssey without touching upon the delightfully catchy theme song. The vocal track is definitely a change of pace for Mario but like the game itself it oozes fun and positivity—I don't think it's possible to listen to it without at least bobbing your head along to the beat. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4xW9aCg2zY Best Excavation Game: SteamWorld Dig 2 Did you know SteamWorld Dig wasn't Image & Form's first game? They had two games released prior to the 2013 title, but neither gained as much traction as a game about digging for gems in an increasingly sprawling underground labyrinth. Thank goodness Dig became as popular as it did though, because Image & Form has been delivering gold ever since. SteamWorld Dig 2 is every bit as addictive and entertaining as its predecessor, and adds just enough new gameplay elements to keep the adventure feeling fresh and unique. It's always impressive to see what talented developers can make fun in a video game—in this case digging, collecting, and selling gems—but SteamWorld Dig 2's addictive charm speaks for itself. Best Hope for Future Remakes: Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia It's a pretty great time to be a Fire Emblem fan. This year alone saw a remake for a game that was never released in English, a spin-off action game, and even a mobile game that pays homage to the franchise's long history. And Shadows of Valentia is a pretty great remake, one that finds a very delicate balance between the old quirks of the original game and some new features that help make the experience a bit more modern and a bit more unique. Best of all, this may pave the way for more remakes. After all, there are still several Fire Emblem games that were never released outside of Japan, and now would be the perfect time to introduce them to the rest of the world. Best Surprise Delight: Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle Seriously, who could have predicted that those bizarre rumors of a Mario/Rabbids crossover would be true, or that the end result would be such a fun game? Kingdom Battle came completely out of left field: a turn-based strategy game starring Mario and Rabbids, with an incredibly deep movement and shooting system as well as some serious challenges. Honestly the best part of Kingdom Battle may be the fact that it isn't just a goofy crossover game. This is a genuinely difficult, engaging, and rewarding strategy game, one that fans of the genre will absolutely love—even if it does have the occasional fart joke. Best Use of Construction Paper: Snipperclips: Cut it Out, Together! Speaking of surprise delights, I doubt anyone could have predicted that this odd little co-op puzzle game would turn out to be one of the highlights of the Switch's launch library. Snipperclips is charming, challenging, and wonderfully inventive in how it gives you just enough tools to overcome the game's tasks, but only if you're able to think up clever solutions. For a long time the game's only downside was its short length, but recent DLC has given players another chance to snip through even more unique puzzles. Best City Building/Action-RPG Combo: Ever Oasis And here's another surprising little game in a year filled with big name Nintendo titles. Ever Oasis may not have the star power of Mario, Zelda, or Metroid, but it has plenty of charm, and an unusual combination of gameplay elements that end up working well together in a satisfying loop. Build up your oasis to attract residents, venture out to gather materials to stock residents' shops, earn currency for shop sales, use currency to build more shops—it's a simple cycle that perfectly scratches the itch for both city-builder fans and action-RPG fans. Those players will find themselves pouring hour after hour into Ever Oasis. Bonus Award: Cutest Characters Seriously, look at these guys. Adorable. Best Challenging-but-Addictive Game: Has-Been Heroes Another early eShop title for the Switch, Has-Been Heroes puts a unique spin on the Rogue-like formula with its three-lane real-time strategy combat system. When you step back to look at it all, there is a lot happening in Has-Been Heroes, and all of it makes it easy for you to die. Repeatedly. But the mark of a good game is one that compels you to keep playing and keep retrying, and that's something that Has-Been Heroes manages beautifully. Best Confusing RPG: Xenoblade Chronicles 2 There are two things you can say about every Xenoblade game: they have gorgeous, massive environments to explore, and they have an incredibly complex battle system with a dozen little aspects that you need to keep track of at all times. Thankfully while playing these details aren't too confusing, but boy are these games intimidating when you just look at them from the outside. Still, once you put some time into it (and each Xenoblade game can last over a hundred hours) Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is a deeply engrossing RPG adventure, one that hits plenty of JRPG clichés but is still a blast to simply lose yourself in. Best Time-Looping Game: The Sexy Brutale I'll be honest, I'm a sucker for a good murder-mystery. But what makes The Sexy Brutale stand out is the combination of several murders, all repeating within one looping day, and a central mystery tying all of them together. The stylish art design and catchy soundtrack certainly help draw the player in as well, but discovering more about the overarching mystery bit by bit is what makes The Sexy Brutale such a compelling adventure. Best Not-Quite-Monster-Hunter Game: Monster Hunter Stories Switch owners are still waiting patiently for some word on a localized Monster Hunter game for Nintendo's latest system but in the meantime 3DS owners get to enjoy a spin-off creature-collector RPG that turns the normally massive, frightening monsters into adorable companions. It may not have the same intensity as the main series but the charming Pokémon-style adventure has the kind of depth that RPG fans will enjoy, even as they curse at their monster companion for using the wrong attack in the midst of an intense battle. Most Therapeutic Game: Fire Emblem Warriors Tell me it's not satisfying to tear through hundreds of enemies at once. Musou games may be pretty formulaic when you compare them to each other, but each one gives you that absolutely satisfying feeling of raw power by taking on entire armies by yourself. And to be fair Fire Emblem Warriors does a fine job of balancing the action gameplay with a bit of the strategy that Fire Emblem is known for. Practically every level has a whole variety of objectives to cover and enemies charging toward you at once, so you have to keep on your toes to handle all of them. Mix in a few fan favorites from the Fire Emblem series and you've got a game that is beautifully action-packed with tons of replay value. Best Murder Clean-Up Simulator: Serial Cleaner A stylish 70s setting, a protagonist with a hip 'stache, and pools of blood to mop up with a vacuum cleaner. Serial Cleaner isn't your typical video game, mostly because you aren't the one murdering anyone, it's just your job to make sure all of the evidence is neatly cleaned up before the police can get to it. Putting aside the unique setting for a moment Serial Cleaner is an excellent stealth game, one where you have to rely upon precise timing since you don't have any fancy gadgets to help you get out of a sticky situation. It's challenging, but rewarding when you make a clean getaway. Best New IP: ARMS In a year where Nintendo delivered hit after hit from its core franchises, ARMS is a good reminder that they can do just as well with a brand new IP as well. And like Splatoon in 2015 this game doesn't skate by on just the Nintendo branding. ARMS is a genuinely inventive take on one-on-one fighting games, which really only makes the game's popularity all the more impressive. Here is a game where players have to completely learn the ins and outs of a unique fighting system, especially if players opt for the motion controls—arguably more challenging but clearly how the developers envisioned the game. No matter what control challenges the game presents though the depth of gameplay, colorful characters, and continuous free updates have grabbed fans worldwide. We'll see if ARMS ends up with the same lasting appeal as Splatoon but so far it's off to a strong start. Best Old-School Throwback Game: Thimbleweed Park Point-and-Click adventures get back to the basics of video games, when puzzles were esoteric and required combining every item with every other item just to see if anything might happen. Thankfully Thimbleweed Park isn't as tedious as that, but it will still challenge your puzzle-solving skills, especially as the game progresses and more and more locations, items, and characters are added to the mix. From the graphics to the humor to the puzzle design Thimbleweed Park is a love letter to the genre, one that pays homage to all the best (and quirkiest) aspects of 80s computer gaming. Best "Oh Yeah That Came Out This Year" Game: Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King Anyone else forget that the 3DS Dragon Quest VIII port came out this year? To be fair the Switch's launch in March kind of overshadowed any other gaming news for a while, and Dragon Quest VIII launched in mid-January of this year, back when people were still working through the influx of holiday titles. But even if it was easy to forget about Dragon Quest VIII is everything that fans love about RPGs and the Dragon Quest series, along with a few new features that make the long RPG grind a little faster. P.S. It was quite a year for remakes/ports on the 3DS, wasn't it? The "Move Over, Cooking Mama" Award: Battle Chef Brigade Here's another oddball game recipe for 2017: one part side-scrolling action, one part match-3 puzzle, a pinch of Iron Chef influence, and you've cooked up one of the most charming titles of the year. Battle Chef Brigade is kind of the type of game that you have to play to understand, but once you get a taste for it you'll be hooked instantly. The timed battles are wonderfully engaging and challenging, and even across the game's short length the developers have crafted a fascinating little world for the brigade to inhabit. The game was only released a few weeks ago but hopefully the developers are already working on a second serving. Game of the Year 2017: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Yeah, I know, not much of a surprise here. But anyone that has played the game will immediately understand why it has swept up so many game of the year awards. Breath of the Wild is an incredible achievement not just for the Zelda franchise but the open-world genre as well. Just like Super Mario Odyssey the freedom of exploration is an absolute joy—few video game experiences can compare to those hours when you leave the Great Plateau and see the entirety of the game's world laid out before you, just waiting for you to dive in. Like the original Legend of Zelda and Ocarina of Time, Breath of the Wild will stand as a landmark title in the franchise for being both a breath of fresh air for the series and yet also a natural progression of the original game's open gameplay.
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