Month: February 2021

Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury, an Old Favourite Plus a Genuinely Fresh Bonus Mode

Games | Bought February 14, 2021 | $70 CAD from Eb Games

Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury
Photo: Nintendo

Why I Bought It

A Switch port of the Wii U’s Super Mario 3D World, a 3-4 player co-op 3D platformer, bundled with an all-new mode called Bowser’s Fury — an open-hub, semi-sandbox take on 3D Mario where a giant corrupted Bowser periodically rampages across the map and you team up with Bowser Jr. to stop him. I never owned a Wii U, so this was my first time playing 3D World at all.

Living With It

3D World’s level design is some of the tightest, most creative platforming Nintendo has ever made, and it’s genuinely chaotic fun in 4-player co-op. Bowser’s Fury is a fresh, atmospheric little experiment that I wasn’t expecting to like as much as I did. Bowser’s Fury is fairly short as a standalone mode, and the 3D World multiplayer camera can get chaotic enough to cause a few cheap deaths.

The Good

  • Some of Nintendo’s tightest, most creative 3D platforming
  • Genuinely chaotic fun in 4-player co-op
  • Bowser’s Fury is a fresh, atmospheric bonus mode
  • Big visual/performance upgrade over the Wii U original

The Bad

  • Bowser’s Fury is fairly short as a standalone mode
  • Multiplayer camera gets chaotic and causes cheap deaths
  • Not much new for anyone who already owned it on Wii U

Final Call

Rating: 5/5

Grab One Here

Little Nightmares II, an Unsettling Puzzle-Platformer With Nothing But Great Art Direction

Games | Bought February 13, 2021 | $30 CAD from Amazon

Little Nightmares II
Photo: Tarsier Studios / Steam

Why I Bought It

A puzzle-platformer/survival-horror sequel where you play Mono, a boy trapped in a corrupted world twisted by a mysterious signal, teaming up with Six from the first game to solve environmental puzzles and evade grotesque, oversized adults. I loved the first game’s atmosphere and this was a day-one pickup for me.

Living With It

The art direction is incredible and genuinely unsettling without relying on jump scares, and the puzzle-platforming is tight and clever throughout. It’s short enough to finish over a weekend, which I actually consider a strength here. Checkpoint placement in a few sections led to some frustrating trial-and-error deaths, and the story is intentionally cryptic in a way that will bother anyone wanting clear answers.

The Good

  • Incredible, genuinely unsettling art direction
  • Tight, clever puzzle-platforming
  • Strong sound design
  • Doesn’t overstay its welcome

The Bad

  • Frustrating checkpoint placement in spots
  • Stealth sections can feel imprecise
  • Intentionally cryptic story won’t satisfy everyone

Final Call

Rating: 4/5

Grab One Here

LEGO’s Bonsai Tree, a Genuinely Calming Build That Doubles as Actual Decor

Lego | Bought January 20, 2021 | $70 CAD from The Lego Store

LEGO Bonsai Tree 10281
Photo: LEGO

Why I Bought It

    This is an 878-piece adult display model of a bonsai tree from LEGO’s Botanical Collection, with swappable leaf pieces so it can look like either green foliage or pink cherry blossoms. I wanted something to build that wasn’t tied to a movie or game license, and this seemed like the calmest possible entry point.

    Living With It

    It’s exactly as meditative as advertised, and it’s become a legitimate piece of shelf decor rather than something I built once and boxed up. The trunk and branch construction is sturdier than I expected. The leaf placement gets repetitive by the back half of the build, and the pot itself is a fairly plain design for what you’re paying.

    The Good

    • Genuinely relaxing, low-pressure build
    • Attractive enough to double as real home decor
    • Swappable green/blossom leaves add some variety
    • Sturdy trunk and branch construction

    The Bad

    • Leaf-piece placement gets repetitive
    • Plain pot design for the price
    • No minifigs or extra content

    Final Call

    Rating: 4/5

    Grab One Here