Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection (Switch 2)
Capcom has certainly delivered with Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection. My experience on the Switch 2 left me impressed, making it my standout game of the event, especially since I adored Wings of Ruin. I’m eagerly anticipating this new installment of what I view as the premier creature-battling gameplay.
In a shift from its predecessor’s customizable protagonist, this new title features Leo, a royal figure and Captain of the Rangers, hinted at by his Palico calling him “Your Highness.” In the demo, Leo guides a novice named Thea (and me) through a detailed battle system, taking on Velociprey and a Paolumu, culminating in a challenging boss fight against a Chatacabra.
The game performed admirably on the Switch 2’s display, with minimal issues as I navigated elevated areas for broader views of a vibrant world reminiscent of exploring Sheikah Towers in Zelda: Breath of the Wild. I can’t wait to delve deeper when it becomes available in March 2026.
Mega Man Star Force Legacy Collection (Switch 1)
The concluding Capcom title is Mega Man Star Force: Legacy Collection, consolidating all three games along with their versions. Unfortunately, I only had the chance to try the first Mega Man Star Force from the Nintendo DS during TGS and couldn’t access the sequels.
I started my playthrough in the Dragon version, where Geo acquires a Vizualizer headset that opens up the Wave World and introduces him to Omega-Xis, an extraterrestrial helping him combat invading aliens. Much of my time was spent skimming through dialogues that unfolded Geo’s backstory, the BrotherBand system, and interactions with classmates. Even on a larger TV, the graphics of this DS port were impressively clear.
The 3D grid-style battles translated well to the big screen, but I anticipate playing it primarily in handheld mode upon its release in 2026.
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment (Switch 2)
Beyond Capcom, other publishers showcased titles for the Switch 2 at TGS, including Koei Tecmo’s Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment, a sequel to Age of Calamity. While I’m not an avid fan of musou games, I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Age of Calamity, making me excited about this next chapter.
From my experience with the docked version, the game ran smoothly which is a significant improvement over Age of Calamity’s performance on the Switch 1. Swapping between Zelda, Rauru, and Mineru to combat waves of Little Frox and Soldier Constructs, leading up to a boss fight against Frox, was impressive.
Mining Zonai Devices like Flame Emitters and executing team attacks between heroes felt engaging, particularly when Zelda and Rauru synchronized their light beams. However, Mineru’s capabilities truly stood out, as she summoned Zonai device wheels and created vehicles for massive damage. I can’t wait to refine her skills when the game launches on 6th November.
Once Upon a Katamari (Switch 1)
Having limited experience with Katamari Damacy, my time spent with Once Upon a Katamari at TGS made me question that. The game, featuring a giant ball of accumulated objects, easily caught my eye as the first booth I visited.
I thoroughly enjoyed rolling the ball around a village inspired by Kyoto, complete with pagodas and a castle, despite only achieving a rather unimpressive D Rank. I even struggled with the controls initially, prompting staff to switch me to easier settings. Despite my difficulties, I found pleasure in an upbeat track that reassured me of my star potential. Thankfully, I can try for a better score when the game drops on 24th October.
Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake (Switch 1 & 2)
While I couldn’t access Octopath Traveler 0 at TGS, I did get to try the PlayStation 5 version of Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake. Given the significant enhancements for the Switch 2, I expect this collection to perform as well as its more robust hardware counterparts when it releases on 30th October.
I started with Dragon Quest II, which opened in the town of Beran. Right away, I could see how much more character each party member contributed to this narrative sequel. From there, we embarked on a boat trip to a shrine where a mermaid granted us the ability to dive underwater, adding a fresh feature to Dragon Quest II. Each character showcased individual charm during this segment.
After assisting in the rescue of mermaids from a monster assault and collecting items as I navigated just like in Dragon Quest III, I switched to Dragon Quest I. Here, as the lone hero, I chased after Robin ‘Ood for swiping the Thief’s Key from a merchant. Regular adversaries were easy to defeat, but facing off against Robin and his crew was a tough challenge.
