We try to cover every Switch game we’re sent a code for here at Gamezebo. Sometimes we find ourselves with a bit of a backlog though – like right now for instance.
So here are some shorter reviews of games released or updated on the Switch over the last few months – that we might not have got round to covering otherwise.
Filmechanism
A beautifully presented and well thought out puzzler, Filmechanism has a fairly simple concept – on paper at least. Where it excels is fully exploiting that concept without ever feeling tired or overstretched.
You play as a tiny robot alien who can – thanks to canisters laying around – take snapshots of the small self-contained 2D stages, and then can go back to that snapshot.
The puzzles come about from how you use this ability, from moving blocks to negotiating falling platforms. There’s a constant stream of new ideas thrown your way, with each world also having four sets of levels sorted by difficulty level.
What’s very welcome is that you can see each unique setting by just completing the easier stages if you wish – it sums up how Filmechanism is just a game that wants to be accessible and enjoyable to all.
With its adorable 8-bit visual style this is real winner on every level, and offers more than enough challenge and variety for anyone looking for a puzzle game with a new and interesting twist.
Score: 4.5 out of 5
Detective Di: The Silk Rose Murders
Detective Di is a surprisingly endearing point and click title that offers up something a bit different in a crowded genre.
You play as Di Renjie, ancient China’s ‘most famous and gifted investigator.’ You’re tasked with solving – what else – a murder case. Murders actually, as someone has been killing a number of young women in the Chinese capital.
There’s plenty of chatting to NPCs, but also some environmental puzzles – but what makes this worth investigating is its unique setting.
This makes it stand out from the crowd – and although sometimes it’s a little too dry in terms of its dialogue and navigation isn’t as easy as it should be – it’s definitely worth looking into for anyone after a sensibly priced murder mystery.
Score: 3.5 out of 5
Omno
An adventure game where you explore, jump across platforms, solve rudimentary block puzzles, and discover strange new beasts, Omno attempts to position itself as a relaxing experience. And it is…sometimes.
Boasting a minimalist visual style, the start of Omno actually feels a little too loose. There are some moves you learn – such as a mid-air dash – that feel strangely out of place and a little clunky when traversing the alien landscapes.
However as you progress things do improve – and progress is very simple indeed, usually involving following a series of guiding lights. This is not a game that’s heavy on plot, and what there is is very dull indeed. Or hard to read, thanks to the tiny text used.
Sadly there’s ultimately not quite enough here to satisfy those looking for a Journey style experience. The visuals are serviceable but never stunning, and the navigation too often feels like a chore.
For fans of relaxed adventures Omno might be worth a look, but prepare to go in with a fair amount of patience if you do give it a go.
Score: 3 out of 5
Breakout: Recharged
Sadly we can’t help but feel Breakout is the worst of the Recharged titles so far – although it feels like little could be done with the game’s fundamental design to make this an appealing experience nowadays.
You control a paddle at the bottom of the screen and have to deflect a ball upwards to destroy a bank of blocks nestled above. That’s all there really is in terms of gameplay, and it’s simply too slow to work within the Recharged remit.
There’s too much waiting for the ball to get to the bottom of the screen, and the whole title simply lacks the fizz the better Recharged titles have offered thus far.
Yes there’s an array of power-ups and a serviceable two-player mode, but it all feels like it’s fighting a lost cause.
Die hard fans of Breakout might find some enjoyment here – as it’s solidly put together and never feels broken – but we fear very few people are going to become new fan of the series after playing this.
Score: 3 out of 5