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Review of Go Vacation on Nintendo Switch

by Tanya Krane Tanya Krane photo Jul 2018
Cover image of Go Vacation on Switch
Gamefings Score: 6.5
Platform: Switch Switch logo
Released: 27 Jul 2018
Genre: Party, Sports
Developer: Namco Bandai Games
Publisher: Bandai Namco Games

Introduction

Consider this: you're sitting on your couch, the despair of the world pressing upon your shoulders like that last slice of pizza at a party that no one dares to touch. But what if I told you there's a game where you can escape to a tropical island, play mini-golf without losing a ball to the lake, try your hand at water sports, or just ride a virtual dog? Enter 'Go Vacation,' the game that brought the joy of a summer vacation right to your living room, without the sunburn. Let's dive into this hilariously eclectic world and see if it's truly a vacation worth taking.

Gameplay

In 'Go Vacation,' players explore the fictional Kawawii Island comprised of four unique resorts: Marine, City, Mountain, and Snow. Each resort is a playground filled with over 50 different mini-games ranging from surfing to ice fishing. Yes, that's right, this game literally lets you fish in your pajamas! Each activity invites players to engage in either fierce competition or some lighthearted cooperation. You can throw a frisbee like a champ or practice your dog sledding skills. Your avatar, which you can customize to look fabulously fashionable or downright ludicrous, is your guide through all these shenanigans, and yes, you can also decorate your virtual villa with furniture you collect! What could be better than spending hours trying to unlock the perfect beach chair? A unique feature includes utilizing various controllers (hellooo, Wii Zapper!) to enhance the experience. Want to feel like a pro surfer? Just grab that motion controller and show the world (or your couch) how it's done. Unlock more challenging modes by dominating into mini-game submission, since no one can resist that temporary power trip. And let's not forget about treasure chests-those little virtual gold mines scattered throughout the resorts that contain outfits and decorations. Because, honestly, what's the point of a vacation if you can't look fabulous while complaining about how you shouldn't have eaten that fourth corndog?

Graphics

Graphically, 'Go Vacation' leans more towards the whimsical side than the jaw-dropping realism. Colourful, bright and somehow reminiscent of a friendly Saturday morning cartoon, the world is vibrant and inviting. Your avatar will definitely stand out amidst the pastel tones and sunny vistas-but let's be real: whether you want to be stylish or appear like a confused tourist wearing a Hawaiian shirt with socks and sandals is entirely up to you. The animations are charming, filled with overly expressive characters that should probably be studied by a licensed psychiatrist, but do the job of keeping the game light-hearted. Creature design? Well, let's just say the virtual pets might not win any awards for realism, but they're cute enough to make you forget that hard reality.

Conclusion

In the end, 'Go Vacation' is like that oddly memorable family road trip you took years ago-parts good, parts cringe, and a suitcase full of inside jokes. The mini-games can be a mixed bag, and while some are enjoyable, others might leave you questioning how many times you can pretend to be and kinda fail at snow tubing. Its multiplayer aspect could lead to some fierce couch battles (because who doesn't want to argue over mini-golf?) yet leaves a fair bit of room for improvement overall. So, if you're looking for a laid-back and quirky getaway-without the hassle of packing pajamas and the dread of losing your travel documents-'Go Vacation' could be the spark of joy in an otherwise dull weekend. Just don't expect it to be the same exhilarating experience you'd get from actually going to a resort. Overall, it's a charming and slightly chaotic romp that might not change your life but will certainly lighten up your day-starfish and all. Enjoy!

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