Messages

2276

TalkBack / Re: A Frightening Virtual Console Realization

« on: March 28, 2012, 04:01:24 PM »

Yeah, I suppose there have been some pretty good virtual console games coming out in Europe recently. We're also getting Mega Man 5 tomorrow and Monster World IV has just received a PEGI rating. Having said that, I'd really like to play Mutant Mudds and VVVVVV.

2277

TalkBack / Re: Fave Five... Ambassador Games

« on: March 27, 2012, 01:42:55 PM »

Mine would be closer to,
 
1. Metroid Fusion
2. Warioland 4
3. Minish Cap
4. Sacred Stones
5. Mario vs. DK
 
As you can probably tell from my list I was underwhelmed by the NES games selected for the ambassador program. Not because they were bad games, but because I'd played them all to death. Although I owned a GBA, I ended up using it very little and therefore owned very few games for it. So whereas I hardly touched the NES games, I had a great time with the GBA titles.

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Podcast Discussion / Re: Episode 285: We're Finished!

« on: March 26, 2012, 12:44:24 PM »

Great episode guys. I was glad to see Guillaume return, he makes a great addition to the podcast. I've checked out a couple of episodes of NWP now and have enjoyed them.

I was really hoping that James would go into more detail about his experience with The Last Story. There's some really cool and funny stuff in that game, but I guess it would be unfair to spoil it for people in NA who have not yet played the game.

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TalkBack / Re: Kid Icarus: Uprising Review

« on: March 21, 2012, 06:20:56 PM »

As a huge Sin & Punishment fan I would have to agree. Sin & Punishment 2 was an excellent game, and the controls allowed that game to do crazy stuff that just would not have been possible in the original. Maybe that's what I'm getting at though. Imagine how cool Uprising would have been had it been released on Wii.
 
A few minutes ago I just finished playing through the 5th stage, the aerial section of which was funny, interesting and had loads of cool nods to another great Nintendo series, but in my experience (and that's all it is) the instant Pit touches ground he slides all over the place with the camera swiveling around him wildly.

Even in the game itself the motion of moving the camera is described like that of 'spinning a globe', which is a completely accurate description. Try spinning a globe and then as it's spinning dropping your finger on a specific country. You may get better at with practice but you won't be able to do it consistently or with any confidence that you'll hit your target. OK, so maybe the camera isn't that bad, but neither is it good enough to deal with this sort of third person action.
 
Anyway, that's my diatribe over. I'll shut up now and let everyone enjoy it, lol.

Yeah, good point. I guess Monster Hunter would explain that, but I'd still like to think that Nintendo has intelligence enough to not only identify a potential issue such as this, but also to realise that they've just constructed something which could conceivably address it.

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TalkBack / Re: Kid Icarus: Uprising Review

« on: March 21, 2012, 05:13:46 PM »

I don't know which displays the more arrogance. The fact that Nintendo thought it was ok to release a handheld with one analogue stick then subsequently try and sell people a peripheral which adds a second, or the fact that despite Kid Icarus: Uprising being in dire need of a different control scheme nobody bothered to tell the developer of the game that such a peripheral was being created.

On that topic. How come Capcom had sufficient knowledge and time to implement a dual circle pad control scheme for Resident Evil (which was released weeks ago) but Sora did not? I mean, Kid Icarus is a Nintendo property. That doesn't even make sense.

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TalkBack / Re: Kid Icarus: Uprising Review

« on: March 21, 2012, 03:09:52 PM »

Having just spent four hours with the game I'm afraid I have to disagree with this review. Using the stylus on such a small screen to both aim and spin the camera completely undermines the ground sections of the game. I'd have gladly taken fewer weapons and lower production values if in return Sora had either spent more time designing a control scheme that worked with the game they built, or rebuilt the game to accomodate the system it was one. As it stands, what could have been a great game, is instead a flashy but frustrating one.

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TalkBack / Re: NWR Game Club #1: A Boy and His Blob

« on: March 16, 2012, 06:10:18 PM »

A Boy and his Blob is a deserving winner (one of Wayforward's best in my opinion), but I still feel that Shattered Memories deserves more recognition than it's been given. Anyone who owns a Wii owes it to themselves to grab a copy.

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Podcast Discussion / Re: Episode 283: I Am Impact!

« on: March 12, 2012, 03:03:00 AM »

Unfortunately, I think greg is right when he says that regardless of whether or not the Wii U is capable of handling two tablet controllers, there aren't going to be many if any games that actually require multiple controllers. Which I think is a real shame. I had some really neat ideas of what these tablets could be used for, but it's seems increasingly likely that the possibilities for more than one player will be limited to asymetrical multiplayer.
The example I always use is Smash Bros. I've always been pretty terrible at the game, but imagine how cool it would be if defeated players could continue to battle it out for 3rd and 4th on their tablets while the match for 1st and 2nd is still being fought on the television. This is exactly the sort of inclusive feature which Nintendo is wont to do.

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Nintendo Gaming / Re: Zen Pinball (3DS eShop)

« on: March 12, 2012, 02:53:43 AM »

Thanks man.
I fear it might, because I'm still getting to grips with the subtleties of the tables. I'm going to stick with it though.

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Nintendo Gaming / Re: Zen Pinball (3DS eShop)

« on: March 11, 2012, 04:00:32 PM »

I recently downloaded this based on the discussion on the most recent podcast. I really enjoyed the TG-16 Crush games on virtual console and thought It'd give it a shot. I'm really glad I did.

I think I would be more motivated to play it, however, if I had some highscores to compete with on my friends list. Anybody recently get this game or still playing it who wants to exchange FC's?

My FC - 2320-6142-0678

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Nintendo Gaming / Re: Mistwalker's "The Last Story" European launch Feb. 24. Coming to NA from XSEED!

« on: March 11, 2012, 02:46:45 PM »

Having just finished the game, I have to say, both the story and the combat became more interesting towards the second half. The combat system in Last Story has quite abit of potential but the game doesn't really surface this complexity until much later in the game when the Command Mode feature is put to better use. I really wish that this was utilised sooner as by the time the credits rolled I found myself wanting to play more combat scenarios (I haven't played the online mode yet but hopefully it will satisfy in this regard).

I have to say though, there were three big annoyances for me.

Firstly, the frame rate is not acceptable. I'm not usually a snob about these sorts of things, but the frame rate in Last Story is truely terrible.

Secondly, I became increasingly frustrated with how cutscenes and gameplay were intertwined. The transition to cutscenes was always really jarring, with no attempt made to make it feel more integrated. Often, after having just seen a cutscene, I would regain control of my character for all of 5 seconds before another cutscene was triggered. I'm not a big fan of cutscenes to begin with, but giving control back to the player only to take it from them again a few seconds later seems needlessly frustrating.

Thirdly, although the story is relatively good overall, the reveal at the end (which was pretty obvious) was handled poorly, as it made no sense either for the story or the character.

Those are just some personal niggles though. Taken as a whole I enjoyed the game quite a bit.  It might not be quite as epic in scope as Xenoblade Chronicles, but there's something to be said for this tighter and leaner JRPG.

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TalkBack / Re: Nintendo World Report Game Club #1 - 2009 Releases Edition

« on: March 10, 2012, 10:18:54 AM »

It's somewhat of a shame that I've already played all those games. On the other hand, I have been looking for an excuse to go back and replay the fantastic Shattered Memories for a while now so it gets my vote. I've already beat it twice but I believe there are a few endings I still haven't seen yet.

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Podcast Discussion / Re: Episode 282: Better Late Than Never

« on: March 06, 2012, 10:14:01 AM »

I'm actually quite similar to Dr Metts in that I've had high standards when it has come to purchasing retail 3DS games. I picked up Street Fighter at launch and then did not purchase another 3DS game until Super Mario 3D Land. True, I did pick up quite a few DS games and some Virtual Console releases, but for me during this early period the 3DS games simply weren't there.

Even now, I'm having difficulty finding original 3DS games which I'm interested in. I don't enjoy the Resident Evil series so that's out, I've never liked Kojima's games and Metal Gear itsn't exactly the sort of game I want to play on a handheld, and to be perfectly honest Kid Icarus is becoming less appealing by the day.

I am, however, looking forward to Paper Mario and Fire Emblem.

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TalkBack / Re: Dillon's Rolling Western Review

« on: February 23, 2012, 11:36:07 AM »

Who are you calling busted buster?

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TalkBack / Re: VVVVVV Fixes Getting Sent to NOA and NOE this Week

« on: February 14, 2012, 01:41:27 AM »

The better question is when will it finally be sent to the European eShop so I can buy it?

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Podcast Discussion / Re: Episode 279: Fo' Slo'

« on: February 13, 2012, 03:33:36 PM »

Is it just me or does Johnny sometimes seem really exasperated by James? It can sometimes be a little tense to listen to.

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Podcast Discussion / Re: Episode 278: That's Lobsterist!

« on: February 05, 2012, 06:57:35 PM »

Awesome. It may be 12 at night and I may have to get up at 6 in the morning, but I need my RFN fix.

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Podcast Discussion / Re: RetroActive #21: Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones

« on: February 03, 2012, 05:14:32 AM »

I just just want to give a shout of approval to the RFN guys for allowing this forum to run it's course for a couple of weeks.
Like others of you have said, there are other 3DS games I could be playing right now but I keep coming back to Fire Emblem instead. And I am really enjoying reading about everybody's progress and tips on here.


Thanks to you all for making this a memorable experience!

Hear, Hear!

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Podcast Discussion / Re: RetroActive #21: Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones

« on: February 02, 2012, 02:10:33 PM »

In theory, I quite like these methodical and deliberate strategy games. I always get to a certain point, however, where the pacing becomes an issue. In particular, I seem to get frustrated by the penalty incurred as a result of a simple mistake. In the most recent chapter for instance I spent a good 45 - 60 minutes working my way cautiously across the map and although it was challenging I was doing quite well and leveling up nicely. As I was mopping up the few remaining enemies on the battlefield and making my way towards the boss I must have fell into a bit of a rhythm and I admittedly lost concentration, accidentally maneuvering Eirika within striking distance of the boss...game over. It was totally my fault, but I find it hard to remain interested after something like that.  I had the exact same experience with Ogre Battle 64 whereby I enjoyed everything about the way the game played, but was ultimately frustrated by the pacing and the penalty for losing. As a result the only strategy RPG I've actually seen to the end is Shining Force II.

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Podcast Discussion / Re: RetroActive #21: Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones

« on: January 25, 2012, 02:13:52 AM »

I have always been intrigued by the Fire Emblem series, but for whatever reason I've always found it difficult to dig into. While playing The Scared Stones, however, I think I've identified why that is. While playing through the first 7 or so chapters of Sacred Stones I realised that it often confounds conventional video game wisdom. At least in te early stages of Sacred Stones I found that it was in my interests to use my weakest characters, resulting in me benching those who were either stronger or more suitable for the enemy being faced. With Fire Emblem the desire to win a battle with as few causalties as possible is tempered by the need to use weaker characters in order to make them stronger and (eventually) useful. It can be very rewarding when you find this balance but it can also be a little frustrating.

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TalkBack / Re: Get Yourself Brand New Stationery for Swapnote

« on: January 03, 2012, 06:35:50 PM »

Awesome. Add me please - 2320-6142-0678

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TalkBack / Re: Bit.Trip Flux Impressions

« on: January 09, 2011, 09:03:25 AM »

As a huge fan of this series, this sounds underwhelming. I was kind of hoping the final entry would include gameplay from all the previous entries, perhaps even transitioning between them midlevel, that would be really cool and intense.
 
I'm also worried by this statement, "it's closer to playing the melody of the track than the rhythm". Those Bit.Trip games which have been less rhythm based, such as Void and Fate, have been for me the least fun entries in the series.

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Reader Reviews / Re: Rate The Last Game You Played

« on: December 11, 2010, 09:45:51 AM »

Just completed Cave Story for the first time. Really great game.

I beat it on normal and got the so-called second best ending. I plan on playing through it again to try and get the best ending. I'd give it a 9/10.
 
I've got a quick question though, perhaps someone could help. I don't seemed to have unlocked any of the additional modes.

I understand the boss battle and time attacks modes still being locked (as i think you need to do the best ending for those), but shouldn't i have unlocked Curly Mode? Everything that I've read suggests that you just need to defeat curly in story mode to unlock this, which i have. Any information would be appreciated.

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TalkBack / Re: Bit.Trip Fate Review

« on: December 02, 2010, 07:02:27 AM »

@ Jonnyboy117 - Core is actually my second favourite, only second to Runner. In my opinion core has the best music and the rythm elements are by far the most cohesive. I also think that it's the most well designed in terms of difficulty, as all the patterns you require to beat the bosses are actually provided to you throughout the levels, you just need to put them together. The core concept (pun very much intended) is simple, but that's what the Bit.Trip series has been about.
 
Runner > Core > Beat > Fate > Void - Just in case you're wondering.

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TalkBack / Re: Bit.Trip Fate Review

« on: December 01, 2010, 06:51:03 PM »

Pretty much agree with everything stated.
 
Enemies are total sponges. There's a disconnect between the actions being performed and the music (which is odd for this series). The music is less memorable that in previous installments. It's by far the easiest of the 5 games so far. The power-ups, while interesting, are under-utilised, and generally it plays like a very slow and plodding 2-d shooter.
 
The only interesting aspect of the game for me was the fixed wavey rail that Com. Video uses to progress through the levels. Having to take into consideration verticality each time you want to move horizontally was a fantastic idea, but again it wasn't fully utilised.
 
While not the worst entry in the series (which for my money was Bit.Trip Void), it is certainly a dissappointment after the excellent Bit.Trip Runner.