(20 - 16) 20) Pikmin 4 (https://varishangout.com/index.php?threads/pikmin-4-writeup.2890/)
However, in the end it was Pikmin 4 that actually ended up making it into my Top 20. Sure, after getting more into the Pikmin series, some of 4’s Casual-friendly changes seem a lot more egregious (forced auto-aiming, really nigga? All enemies you kill in the overworld permanently staying dead, are you for real right now?), but this was still THE Pikmin game that truly sold me on the series, which cannot be discounted.
Ultimately, this is a tremendously enjoyable, rich and varied Pikmin experience, boasting an unusual amount of content, and it’s a feast for the eyes to boot. And while this doesn’t strictly apply to Pikmin 4, I gotta point out that it’s just SO nice to have every single Pikmin game available on the Switch. There only a single other Nintendo series I can think of that enjoys similarly perfect Switch representation, but games from that series will only start showing up later on this list – much, MUCH later.
Based Morality Score: -2
19) Luigi’s Mansion 3 (https://varishangout.com/index.php?threads/christi-juniors-mini-writeups.2842/#post-32646)
While deciding on my favorite Pikmin game is somewhat tough, there’s no doubt in my mind about what the best Luigi’s Mansion game is. Luigi’s Mansion 3 preserves all of Luigi Mansion 2’s very real improvements on the first game (more and better puzzles, much greater environmental variety, the much lengthier adventure, the online multiplayer etc), while fixing most problems people had with that game (say goodbye to the restrictive mission structure, say hello to more unique boss ghosts and the return of one, single big mansion to explore). Additionally, it adds a number of inspired new ideas of its own, as well as arguably the best graphics available on the Switch.
My issues with Luigi’s Mansion 3 are generally minor nitpicks: the rewards for collecting a lot of treasure are underwhelming, there’s some Filler here and there to pad out the main campaign, and the final couple of boss battles aren’t as epic or memorable as I would have liked. Besides that, this is an extremely high-quality and polished game. Seriously, we need to Free Luigi, and hopefully we’ll get a lot more Luigi’s Mansion action in the future!
Based Morality Score: Neutral
18) Astral Chain
Yes, this is STILL a Switch exclusive, after all these years, and thereby becomes the only true 3rd party game on this list. Knowing Platinum’s track record with action games, I was really excited for Astral Chain from the moment it was first announced, and it definitely lived up to the hype. While I’m still in two minds about the investigation- and exploration aspects of the game, the combat system is absolutely superb, and boasting such depth that I found my second playthrough even more fun than my first simply because I by then had a much better grasp on the combat – and there’s an extensive combat-focused postgame available for those who don’t really require any kind of story content to maintain their interest in the game.
That said, Astral’s Chain’s actual story is fairly interesting, and its dystopian sci fi setting is really cool. The game also looks quite nice, and boasts a great soundtrack. I’m not sure whether I’d actually rank it above the likes of Bayonetta 1 and 2, but Astral Chain is nevertheless a splendid action game that I strongly recommend.
Based Morality Score: -1
17) Kirby and the Forgotten Land
While Kirby and the Forgotten Land might not represent the single best 3D transition that we’ve witness throughout gaming history, it probably IS the single most seamless and natural-feeling one. Seriously, playing this game it’s absolutely baffling that this is Kirby’s 3D debut, because everything already feels perfectly calibrated for an optimal 3D platforming experience, with all the right kind of tweaks and adjustments having been made to Kirby’s movement. Moreover, the game doesn’t simply rely on its leap into 3D to generate excitement, as its post-apocalyptic world is one of the most interesting Kirby settings yet, and perfectly congruent with the Kirby tradition of a bright and cheery exterior hiding some genuinely dark and unsettling lore.
Wisely, Forgotten Land eschews any semblance of open world level design (which would naturally lead to inevitably unfavorable comparisons with Mario Odyssey), instead opting for much simpler and linear (yet very well-designed) levels that feel like classic Kirby. The game plays great, looks stunning and boasts a typically terrific Kirby soundtrack, and while the startlingly low number of transformations is a major disappointment, the excellent upgrade system, as well as the new Mouthful Mode, does largely make up for it. Additionally, while Forgotten Land doesn’t include nearly as much content as Mario Odyssey, it still boasts respectable longevity compared to most other 3D platformers, especially if you go for hundred percent. Out of all the Kirby games I’ve played, only Planet Robobot even comes close to this gem – speaking of which, a 3D remake of Planet Robobot that plays like Forgotten Land would be fucking sick!
Based Morality Score: Neutral
16) Metroid Dread (https://varishangout.com/index.php?threads/christi-juniors-mini-writeups.2842/#post-32877)
We had to wait almost 20 years for the true sequel to Metroid Fusion, but in the end the 5th mainline Metroid (the Prime games are essentially just spinoffs) proved a rousing success, showing everyone that 2D Metroid has a bright future and is more than capable of standing out in an increasingly crowded field of Metroidvanias. It’s more than just the usual Nintendo polish and attention to detail that makes Dread so exceptional – the game might just boast the best controls of ANY 2D game that I have played, and some of the best ever 2D boss fights as well – the final boss especially being insanely awesome.
On that note, please ignore any idiot game journalist whining about Metroid Dream being “too hard” – the difficulty is absolutely perfect, tough but fair, and really, when you’re playing a game literally called DREAD, you *should* expect some challenge. David Jaffe, it’s not Metroid Dread that sucks – YOU suck!
Paying homage to past Metroid titles (especially Metroid 2 and Fusion) in so many thoughtful ways, while at the same time establishing a strong identity of its own, Dread is almost every step of the way an exemplary sequel. The one major blemish is the forgettable and underwhelming soundtrack – perhaps the most shocking musical underperformance in a game since Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance. It’s also not nearly as open as something like Super Metroid – but it makes up for this by giving Samus her probably coolest moveset to date, and hundred percenting the game requires you to pull of some difficult, yet supremely satisfying Speed Booster puzzles. Ultimately, Dread is right up there with the legendary Metroid 3 as one of the truly elite 2D Metroid games.
Based Morality Score: Neutral