Elder Scrolls Online Reveals Modifications Due to ‘Team Capacity’ Challenges After Xbox Cutbacks

**Resident Evil 7: Biohazard and Resident Evil Village Now on Switch 2: A Thorough Review**

In 2017, Capcom revitalized the survival horror genre with the launch of *Resident Evil 7: Biohazard*. This was succeeded by its direct follow-up, *Resident Evil Village*, in 2021. Both titles have recently made their debut on the Nintendo Switch 2, sparking curiosity about their performance on this hybrid console, which is renowned for its graphical capabilities. Thankfully, both games are exceptionally ported, providing a great experience for both newcomers and longtime fans of the franchise.

**From Cloud to Native Porting**

Initially, *Resident Evil 7* and *Village* were only accessible on the Nintendo Switch through a cloud streaming service. This approach, while workable for some gamers with strong internet access, often resulted in inconsistent gameplay experiences. Thankfully, Capcom has made notable improvements by delivering native ports for both games on Switch 2, leading to a significantly enhanced gaming experience.

**Resident Evil 7: Biohazard – The Premier Port**

Beginning with *Resident Evil 7: Biohazard*, this title significantly deviates from the franchise’s conventional gameplay elements, embracing a first-person viewpoint and a darker storyline. The Switch 2 port excels in many aspects, providing an almost impeccable performance. The visuals are crisp, showcasing stunning lighting and texturing, all while sustaining a steady 60 frames per second (FPS) in both docked and handheld modes.

Gamers frequently find themselves engrossed in the immersive environment of *RE7*, with such robust performance that one might easily forget they are playing on a Nintendo console. In comparison, *Resident Evil 7* on Switch 2 holds up remarkably well against other AAA titles like *Star Wars Outlaws* and *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*, which, despite being solid ports, display certain compromises when juxtaposed with their PlayStation 5 versions.

**Resident Evil Village – A Close Contender?**

*Resident Evil Village*, which builds on the foundation established by its forerunner, offers a visually enhanced experience with better textures and improved lighting effects. However, this ambitious scope becomes a challenge for the Switch 2, resulting in occasional frame rate drops, especially during high-intensity action sequences. For example, players may detect stuttering during frantic encounters involving werewolves and combat within the titular village.

Although the game remains playable, its performance falls short compared to *RE7*, with issues particularly evident in third-person mode, which seems ill-suited for a title crafted around a first-person perspective. Despite these limitations, *Village* still provides a respectable gaming experience overall.

**Performance Options: An Overlooked Opportunity**

A notable factor is the lack of performance and quality mode settings for both ports. Fans of *Resident Evil 7* might find this acceptable due to its impressive execution; nonetheless, players may argue that a toggle option for *Village* could improve the overall experience. Options like a 40FPS mode for 120Hz displays could potentially ease some performance concerns.

**Conclusion**

The release of both *Resident Evil 7: Biohazard* and *Resident Evil Village* on Switch 2 represents a considerable advancement over their cloud editions and solidifies their status as must-have games for the platform. While *RE7* establishes a high standard with its remarkable performance, *Village* comes close despite facing some technical challenges. Both games are certainly worth exploring, redeeming the letdown of their initial cloud versions and setting the stage for future *Resident Evil* ports on the Switch 2. Fans can anticipate the upcoming *Resident Evil Requiem*, hoping that it will further advance the franchise on Nintendo’s latest system.

As you may have gathered by this point, I’m a sucker for a cool Cyberpunk 2077 mod. Hence, when I saw that the modder behind some of the RPG’s most unique custom vehicles had dug up some of CD Projekt’s abandoned models to bring to life a flying police interceptor that never made it into full game, you best believe I stuck that on my must cover list. It’s called an and they’ve also put together a short quest to unlock it.

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### The Enduring Charm of Hexcells: A Puzzle Game Trilogy to Cherish

From 2013 to 2014, Matthew Brown, an independent developer, stepped into the limelight to debut the *Hexcells* trilogy—three distinct puzzle games that enthralled players with their inventive mechanics, outstanding quality, and demanding gameplay. Each installment built upon its predecessor, crafting an unparalleled experience that has not been replicated in the years since their debut.

#### The Attraction of Logic Puzzles

As a dedicated fan of logic puzzles, the importance of *Hexcells* rests not solely on its captivating gameplay, but also on its capacity to present a gratifying mental challenge without the need for external knowledge or intricate mathematics. In contrast to Sudoku, which may sometimes be less appealing, games like *Picross*, *Slitherlink*, and *Kakuro* depend solely on clear, logical reasoning. *Hexcells*, with its distinctive combination of elements from popular titles like *Minesweeper* and *Picross*, emerged as a thrilling addition to the genre, providing an ongoing sense of accomplishment as players uncovered solutions.

#### Gameplay Features of Hexcells

At its essence, *Hexcells* comprises a grid of hexagonal tiles, primarily in orange, interspersed with guiding numbers. These figures indicate how many of the surrounding cells should be colored blue; for instance, a tile labeled with a ‘3’ signifies that three adjacent tiles need to be marked blue, while a ‘0’ shows that all neighboring cells must be cleared. The challenge lies in the requirement to synthesize information from multiple clues to ascertain the proper placements—an intellectual pursuit that guarantees a fulfilling experience.

As players navigate through the puzzles, new mechanics come into effect. Rules reminiscent of *Picross*, such as numbered hints along the edges of rows and intricate bracketed conditions, introduce layers of complexity that enhance the gameplay. The necessity to strategize becomes progressively vital as players confront these varied elements.

#### A Treat for the Senses

One of the most notable characteristics of *Hexcells* is its captivating audiovisual experience. The game operates solely on digital platforms, using the removal of hexagonal tiles to dynamically reveal new information. Each interaction is paired with a harmonious tone that melds perfectly with the ambient soundtrack, while its visually striking art is complemented by gratifying visual effects like polygonal shattering. This engrossing atmosphere augments the comfort of players as they delve into solving intricate puzzles.

#### The Trilogy’s Progression

The inaugural game, *Hexcells*, launched in September 2013, creating substantial excitement for its refined presentation and engaging gameplay, although some players deemed it a bit straightforward. Just three months later, *Hexcells Plus* was introduced, adding 29 new puzzles that heightened the challenge and complexity, swiftly becoming a favorite among enthusiasts.

The apex of the trilogy came on September 1, 2014, with the release of *Hexcells Infinite*. This installment pushed the limits of difficulty, presenting players with grids that were not only larger but also cleverly conceived. It creatively reintroduces concepts through demanding scenarios rather than explicit instructions, highlighting Brown’s remarkable game design talent and ability to craft compelling puzzles that feel like a delightful challenge.

#### An Ongoing Legacy

After the triumph of *Hexcells*, Matthew Brown created similar titles such as *SquareCells* and *CrossCells*. However, some of his more ambitious projects, like *Cypher* and *Alchemia*, ventured into difficulty levels that alienated even the most devoted fans. After a six-year break from puzzle design, Brown made a comeback in 2024 with *Epigraph*, a challenging game focused on decoding a new language.

While many games have offered enjoyment over the years, few have matched the sheer excellence of *Hexcells*. For those not yet acquainted with this puzzle trilogy, the entire collection can be acquired for just $9, representing an incredibly worthwhile investment for puzzle enthusiasts and newcomers alike. The lasting appeal of *Hexcells* stands as a testament to Matthew Brown’s creativity and the potential of digital logic puzzles.