Messages

26

General Gaming / Re: Backlaugust 2023! (Forums Aren't Dead Yet?) Edition

« on: August 14, 2023, 03:20:15 PM »

A Short Hike
This was recently added to Game Pass, and I remembered some people speaking highly of it as a nice breezy, relaxing time. And I've gotta say...

...It's one of those games that delivers exactly what it promises on the tin, nothing more, nothing less. I was worried when I first opened it up and was greeted by images that are a mess of undefined chunky pixels, but fortunately I quickly found the option to smooth out the graphics and then it looks fine. This is generally my ideal type of open gameplay: a small, condensed area with a focus on exploration and clear goals. I also appreciate any game that's able to deliver an engaging experience without containing violence or dangers.

I felt compelled to complete all the tasks (including the cheevos) since moving around the island is quick, easy, and fun, becoming moreso the more golden feathers collected, and the race minigame challenged me to improve my gliding skillz to get around even faster. There are a few niggling issues here and there; a largely static camera which doesn't always show what I want to see; switching tools should be assigned to buttons instead of having to open the menu; and some presentation choices I don't care for, but they're minor enough to not hinder the experience. All in all, I enjoyed the hike.

27

TalkBack / Re: Quake II Now Available On eShop

« on: August 14, 2023, 03:16:45 PM »

I've been hoping for this since the first game released, glad to see it happen! The game is still great, fast 'n furious action with an interesting level structure, and similar frantic multiplayer. It also has a left-handed character option, a true rarity! This game also handles the N64 game's levels better than the first one did: it's now listed as one of the expansions rather than a separate add-on, so it's available with the full suite of options and no forced ugly low-res CRT filter.

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General Gaming / Re: Backlaugust 2023! (Forums Aren't Dead Yet?) Edition

« on: August 09, 2023, 03:48:13 PM »

Castlevania Bloodlines

Looks like this is the only game left on the Anniversary Collection that I hadn't yet played, and apparently this is the same one that's included in the Genesis NSO dealie, so I s'pose there will just be one Castlevania game this year for me. To round out the collection, I still played it there, even though the NSO version has better emulation features. I don't know if I ever really heard about this game, so I didn't have expectations for it. And I've gotta say...

...It's a'ight. There's always a bit of a disconnect when I play a game like this: the controls and physics are still the same as the NES titles, but now with Genesis graphics and sound. Thanks to advances in hardware, games during this era tended to improve on things like smoother controls and more dynamic physics, so it's always jarring for me to play a game that looks 16-bit but plays like something much older. Although, at least this guy learned how to whip upwards, even if only while jumping; still surprised me to see that! There's a fun variety of visual tricks across the stages, including reflective water, and a real mindfunk of splitting up the screen in a late stage. Relatively speaking, the tone of this one feels a little goofier than is typical, including a boss that is some sort of grouping of metal gears that dances across the room.

Moving past that however, the stage design here generally feels easier and more fair than the NES titles. There are usually less enemies in each screen, and it relies less on infinite enemy spawns, though there are still a few such sections. There are also a fair amount of bosses and sub-bosses, relatively speaking, and their patterns are typically slower and more predictable than the erratic ones in previous games. This one felt shorter than the previous ones, though I dunno if it actually has less stages, or just feels shorter due to the much easier difficulty. I'm actually kind of surprised at how breezy this game is, since it was released during the height of the rental era where many games were made more difficult to combat rentals.

It's increasingly clear to me that Classicvania just isn't for me. I don't know if there's necessarily anything wrong with them, and I can see why they're popular as they often had great presentation for the era. They look good, they sound good, but I just don't care for the stiff and rigid gameplay, even when the game is overall easier like this. I played a couple stages to try out the second character, but seeing that they seem to have the exact same levels, I think I'll call it here.

And thus, the Castlevania Anniversary Collection is also complete! Now I know that won't count as its own completion for this, ha ha, but I can still mark it as such in my own backlog.

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TalkBack / Re: Online Service For Original Splatoon And Mario Kart 8 To Be Restored Soon

« on: August 04, 2023, 03:42:15 PM »

I'm honestly surprised they bothered to bring these two games back online, especially since with the eShop closure, they're no longer being sold. I guess it's a sign of goodwill towards, uh... the... three people still playing Wii U...?

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TalkBack / Re: Nintendo Downloads - August 3, 2023

« on: August 04, 2023, 03:37:24 PM »

While it's the forum main that I have bookmarked, I do usually click on the links to articles, since I'm unsure if viewing these threads still counts for the site's view counter on an article.

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TalkBack / Re: Pokemon Presents To Air August 8

« on: August 04, 2023, 03:35:03 PM »

Do they announce new games at these things? C'mon, PokéPark 3...!

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General Gaming / Re: Backlaugust 2023! (Forums Aren't Dead Yet?) Edition

« on: August 04, 2023, 03:30:48 PM »

Last year was extraordinary circumstances for me for various reasons, so I don't think this year will be anywhere close to it! I may still focus on some classic games though, as they tend to be breezier completions. I think I still have one or two more Castlevania games to get to, and there are a few titles in the Genesis collection that I haven't yet tried. Switching gears, I was also considering giving Tunic a go for this due to its positive reception, though I'm unsure of the length of that one.

Recently I've started Dragon Quest XI, but I hear tell it's a looooooong game so I won't be attempting completion in August. I'll probably be putting it on hold from time to time to tackle this event.

33

TalkBack / Re: Princess Peach and Luigi Each Getting New Releases on Switch Next Year

« on: June 23, 2023, 11:11:35 AM »

Khushrenada, don't forget Rune Factory 4 as well!

(Not that this changes your point, I just wanted to add to your list)

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TalkBack / Re: Super Mario RPG Remastered for Nintendo Switch

« on: June 23, 2023, 11:07:41 AM »

Personally, I have no interest in remakes that are 1:1 or close to it. If they totally overhauled the game, including turning it into fully 3D worlds, I might have been interested. I guess Metroid Zero Mission has spoiled me on what remakes should be.

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TalkBack / Re: Other News From The June 21 Nintendo Direct

« on: June 23, 2023, 11:04:40 AM »

I actually like farm games but even I say there doesn't need to be so many on the Switch! With that said, it's unusual for them to have multiplayer, so for this reason we may end up checking out Fae Farm.

I never tried a Dragon Quest Monsters game before, but I might be interested. New Super Sonic Bros. looks like it could be fun, as does 3D Not-Sonic. We may check out MythForce for the co-op.

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TalkBack / Re: Super Mario Bros. Wonder Announced for Switch

« on: June 23, 2023, 10:53:56 AM »

While I would have preferred something wholly new, this looks like a good evolution within the New Super Mario Bros series. I love how it feels like they threw in any zany idea they could think up, embracing being a video game and focusing on the fun of it. I think my only real disappointment is that it doesn't have online multiplayer. 

Then this was announced and (in Mop it up's words) I gotta say it stands out in a positive way.

Wait, when did I say this?

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TalkBack / Re: WarioWare: Move It! Comes to Switch in November

« on: June 23, 2023, 10:50:34 AM »

I remember having a lot of fun with WarioWare Smooth Moves back on the Wii, and this looks like a spiritual successor to it. I'll probably check it out at some point, though I have a few other WarioWare games I haven't yet played.

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TalkBack / Re: Pokemon Stadium Coming To Switch Online Expansion Pack On April 12

« on: April 04, 2023, 03:53:49 PM »

I wonder how RNG works in these games and if using save states could work for scoring those lucky crits...

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TalkBack / Re: E3 2023 Officially Cancelled

« on: April 04, 2023, 03:51:48 PM »

Twenty years ago, this wold have been some sort of April Fools joke.

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Nintendo Gaming / Re: What's Next For The N64 Expansion Pack?

« on: April 04, 2023, 03:42:29 PM »

Nope, nothing for March either! This is why Switch sales are tanking.

At least there will be one this month...

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General Gaming / Re: What is the last game you beat? Thoughts/impressions?

« on: March 07, 2023, 03:11:22 PM »

Tera Raid Battles do not provide experience so they're not that useful.  They do give you items and you can catch Pokemon using them but since you can't level up your Pokemon with them,

The raids are mainly something to do in multiplayer, but they can still be used to catch quite a few Monz instead of doing trades, which is nice. They are used for weekly events to offer extra challenges and sometimes catch a new Mon not available elsewhere. Also, one of the rewards for completing them is XP candies, so the raids can be used to level up your Monz and is generally a faster method than fighting Monz out in the wild.

I barely used the sandwich system which seems like something they focused on that isn't that useful.

I hear it's mainly useful for shiny hunting but I never tried to figure out the effects meself. This is another thing that's fun to do in multiplayer, as having four players attempt to build up a big sandwich without any of the ingredients falling off is quite the challenge!

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Nintendo Gaming / Re: What's Next For The N64 Expansion Pack?

« on: March 07, 2023, 02:57:36 PM »

Aw phooey, there wasn't one in February either! I guess since they added the GBA section, they figured that was enough for the month. Seeing as they're adding a GBA game in early March, hopefully there will be an N64 release later this month.

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Nintendo Gaming / Re: Which Game Boy line of systems games would you like to see appear on NSO?

« on: March 07, 2023, 02:54:27 PM »

I'm mainly hoping to see the games that I was planning to buy from the VCs on Wii U and 3DS if this didn't happen. Some games on that service probably have a higher chance of appearing than most other games.

For regular Game Boy, three I was considering were Balloon Kid, Kid Icarus: Of Myth and Monsters, and Kirby's Pinball Land. I never did pull the trigger on them, since I've a feeling they'd be the sort of curiosity I'd enjoy playing once, and then that would be enough for me. These kinds of games are perfect for the NSO service.

For GBC, because Nintendo's able to get ahold of the Tetris licence again, I hope they don't stop at just the original. There was also a GBC version called Tetris DX and it included more extras than just color. I was also curious about Blaster Master Enemy Below. It looks similar to the NES game, but the level layouts appear to have some differences that could be neat to see.

I'm more interested in the GBA prospects. One game I really hope we see is Zelda Four Swords, since now it could be played online. I always thought this game looked pretty neat, but I never had the means to try out any version of it. Since they're getting Kirby Tilt ' Tumble to work, I'm hoping we'll also see WarioWare Twisted! and Yoshi Topsy-Turvy, those two games also look inventive. I've heard good things about the Sonic Advance games, since Sega's already involved in NSO with the Genesis offerings then hopefully they'll play nice and allow some GBA stuff as well. Drill Dozer looks like a fun puzzle game. I'm curious about the changes in the remake Kirby's Nightmare in Dream Land, as well as the more subtle ones in Super Mario Advance 2: Super Mario World.

There are probably some more I'd want if I gave it some thought besides what was on the previous VC.

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Nintendo Gaming / Which Game Boy line of systems games would you like to see appear on NSO?

« on: March 02, 2023, 05:54:06 PM »

It can be anything you'd like, regardless of how realistic it is or isn't.

For a refresher, here is the current lineup and the list of announced titles:

Game Boy / Color
Alone in the Dark
Game & Watch Gallery 3
Gargoyle's Quest
Kirby's Dream Land
The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening DX
Metroid II: Return of Samus
Super Mario Land 2: Six Golden Coins
Tetris
Wario Land 3

Upcoming:
Kirby Tilt 'n Tumble
The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages
The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons
Pokémon Trading Card Game

Game Boy Advance
Kuru Kuru Kururin
The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap
Mario Kart Super Circuit
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga
Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3 (+ e-Reader levels)
WarioWare Inc.: Mega Microgame$

Upcoming:
Fire Emblem
F-Zero: Maximum Velocity
Golden Sun
Kirby and the Amazing Mirror
Metroid Fusion

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General-3 / Re: I want money

« on: February 18, 2023, 06:46:01 PM »

I also want some money.

(Venmo account link removed)

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TalkBack / Re: Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective To Revive This Summer

« on: February 09, 2023, 01:43:23 PM »

I was always curious about Ghost Trick but never managed to find it, so I might check it out this time.

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TalkBack / Re: Pair Of Baten Kaitos RPGs Being Remastered For Switch In Summer

« on: February 09, 2023, 01:39:44 PM »

Will these be available separately or only as a bundle? I have Origins for GameCube but never snagged the first game, so if I could, I'd just buy the one. Sounds like the GCN version may still have its merits if they're not using the original localization.

Whenever a series has a prequel, I'm never sure in which order the games should be played. Release order or chronological order?

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TalkBack / Re: Nintendo Switch Game Library Adds Game Boy Color, Expansion Pack Game Boy Advance Games

« on: February 09, 2023, 12:03:47 PM »

This is good timing! I was holding out until the last minute of the Wii U and 3DS eShops closing before going on a spending spree, just in case anything was announced, so this saved me a bundle I would have spent on GB/C/A games for those systems! I did however, already buy SMA4 for the e-Reader levels on Wii U, but at least I played it when I bought it so it wasn't a complete waste.

I s'pose there's still a question of which games might release onto this service and if there may still be a few games I want to download on Wii U or 3DS... hm...

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Nintendo Gaming / Re: What will Nintendo release in 2023?

« on: February 09, 2023, 11:57:49 AM »

Thanks, nickmitch!

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Nintendo Gaming / Re: What will Nintendo release in 2023?

« on: February 08, 2023, 06:36:51 PM »

D'oh! I had totally intended to predict a Splatoon 3 DLC expansion, but it slipped my mind when I sat down to type things out.