Messages

1126

General Gaming / Re: What are you playing?

« on: July 20, 2017, 09:08:31 AM »

Although we beat the final boss a long time ago, we just passed the 50% mark on Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Wii U) last night. No way this is getting to 100%.

With one Divine Beast left to free, and plenty of small quests that we might (or might not) try to resolve, aiming for 60% seems reasonable. It really feels like a game that could be played for much longer if we wanted.


Additionally, Trauma Center 2 (DS) is hard as balls. I remember the Wii games being tough... but feel like this one is a step further. Maybe I'm just getting old.

1127

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

« on: July 09, 2017, 11:26:25 AM »

Finished off Advance Wars: Days of Ruin (DS) today.


I really liked the changes they made in this game compared to the first. Navies feel more fleshed out, although maybe not used as much as I'd like in the campaign. The less cartoonish story will likely turn off some people, but I enjoyed it well enough. CO powers are much less of a focus here than in other games from the series. Leveling up units who defeat enemies is a great addition; it reminded me of Military Madness and made me wish that support bonuses were also part of the game.


With all of that said, the campaign felt easier and a bit shorter than I expected. Not sure if that's faulty expectations going in, or if it really is a lighter game than the original. Still very happy with this game though - probably my favorite from the Advance Wars series at this point.

1128

General Gaming / Re: What are you playing?

« on: July 09, 2017, 11:20:57 AM »

Cheating a bit here since I haven't actually started yet, but later today planning to start Trauma Center 2: Under the Knight (DS). Big fan of the series on Wii, but haven't played on DS before. Imagine the gameplay transfers over well - and wasn't it originally a DS series anyway? Looking forward to playing.

1129

General Gaming / Re: What are you playing?

« on: July 04, 2017, 10:12:44 AM »

I tried playing some Crash games recently, and concluded they must be one of those things you got into "at the time".  Now they feel like bad precursors to simple 3D runner games, which are pretty much garbage in my opinion. (Of course, those games are popular enough now that maybe my opinion just isn't worth much.)

1130

TalkBack / Re: Super NES Classic Edition Announced, Includes Unreleased Star Fox 2

« on: June 29, 2017, 07:29:15 AM »

From what I have been reading on how Nintendo is going to release this system is that they are doing preorders so hopefully the initial demand will be met.

Aww. That's sweet. You're so trusting and naive.

https://www.polygon.com/2017/6/27/15875448/mini-snes-classic-pre-order-amazon-walmart-best-buy

Yep totally trusting and naïve. :rollseyes:

To be clear, I'm not doubting preorders in the least. I'm doubting that NoA will come anywhere close to meeting demand. There were preorders for NES Classic too - but not even enough product produced to meet all preorders as some people who put down preorders got turned away at the store afterwards. (Maybe this isn't Nintendo's fault - but it still stinks of incompetence.)


Surely things will be better this time... but if you think Nintendo is going to sufficiently meet demand at launch then you haven't been paying attention to their MO over the past decade.

1131

TalkBack / Re: Super NES Classic Edition Announced, Includes Unreleased Star Fox 2

« on: June 28, 2017, 02:35:00 PM »

From what I have been reading on how Nintendo is going to release this system is that they are doing preorders so hopefully the initial demand will be met.

Aww. That's sweet. You're so trusting and naive.

1132

Nintendo Gaming / Re: SNES Classic thread

« on: June 28, 2017, 02:33:43 PM »

To be fair, licensing issues can be overcome.


For example: TMNT (NES) was released on Virtual Console for a while, although at a premium price. DuckTales has been remade and is also coming out on Capcom's Disney Afternoon game in the near future.


There are ways around IP issues, usually involving envelopes stuffed with cash. The question is always if the time/cost/effort is justified. Griffey Jr MLB obviously wasn't deemed worthwhile.

1133

TalkBack / Re: Super NES Classic Edition Announced, Includes Unreleased Star Fox 2

« on: June 28, 2017, 07:27:12 AM »

I just can't care. Until they stop with this limited crap and I am able to walk into a store and buy one for retail price, I just don't care. I have more valuable things to do with my time than wait in line for a plastic item that the company making it does not actually want to sell to me. As a long time fan, I am done. I'll just get working on my raspberry pi.

I don't like this solution at all. Strongly prefer not just downloading games and emulating. But when you actively try to buy a current product and can't (without resorting to grossly inflated second-hand scalpers) I feel less bad.

1134

TalkBack / Re: Super NES Classic Edition Announced: Includes Unreleased Star Fox 2

« on: June 26, 2017, 01:19:05 PM »

It doesn't even have as many games as the NES classic. It's like Nintendo wants me to just give them the middle finger and get a Retrofreak.
...

The quality of games is very high though - much higher than NES Classic, I'd argue.
While not exactly the games I would choose, it's a fantastic selection overall.


And comparison to RetroFreak isn't really valid unless you discount the cost of having to find/buy all those old carts.

1135

General Gaming / Re: What are you playing?

« on: June 26, 2017, 01:16:00 PM »

Business trip meant some time on my PSP Go while travelling - although I spent far more time reading books than playing games.  When I did play, it was Metal Slug X (PS One Classic).


Fun game, tons of character. I never know quite what to think about playing challenging arcade experiences on the go like this though... With unlimited continues, the risk of death is lost and so the whole nature of the game is changed. You can challenge yourself to reduce the continues used, or restart after a certain number of deaths, but it still doesn't feel as intense.


That said, still totally recommend pretty much anything in the Metal Slug series. Very nicely made games!

1136

TalkBack / Re: Super NES Classic Edition Announced: Includes Unreleased Star Fox 2

« on: June 26, 2017, 01:07:36 PM »

Unlike NES Classic that looked "neat", I actually really want this one.
*sigh*
Of course wanting it and actually having an opportunity to buy isn't the same when it comes to Nintendo.
Knowing I probably won't be able to buy one is depressing.

1137

Nintendo Gaming / Re: Is there any chance of Beyond Good & Evil 2 coming to Switch?

« on: June 24, 2017, 05:29:59 AM »

Is the level of detail he's talking about from the demo really possible on Switch? I'll wait to see how many of the promises become reality before getting excited or disappointed, but I can't deny that the game looks interesting.

1138

TalkBack / Re: A Brief History of Metroid: Samus Returns Developer MercurySteam

« on: June 15, 2017, 09:58:22 AM »

... working on original titles like Four Sword Anniversary ...

Did I miss something here?
I thought this was very much a remake of the GBA title, although probably expanded a little bit. Was it actually an original title that just used the old game as template for gameplay?

1139

General Gaming / Re: E3 2017!!

« on: June 14, 2017, 08:39:44 PM »

Dat Spider-man doe.

You mean QTE Spider-Man? Looks real pretty but littered with timed button-presses to win? That one?

The game looked gorgeous.
But it looked like something I'd rather watch than play... the constant quick-time events do make sure that something cool is constantly happening on screen.


QTE seems like it could be a good and immersive idea, but has so rarely been fun. That hasn't changed since the days of Dragon's Lair.

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TalkBack / Re: Metroid: Samus Returns Gets Special Edition Release For Europe

« on: June 14, 2017, 08:21:07 PM »

Holler if you are surprised that NoE is doing things better than NoA!
*crickets*
Nobody?  Nobody in the crowd thinks so?
*tumbleweed*

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TalkBack / Re: A Brief History of Metroid: Samus Returns Developer MercurySteam

« on: June 14, 2017, 08:19:50 PM »

As mentioned in another thread, I've been roundly disappointed by every MercurySteam game I've played - probably because they just tend to make the type of games that generally don't appeal to me more than because those games are "bad".


But looking at their track record, and then thinking about the last couple of Metroid games released, I can't help but feel nervous about this title. Metroid is a series I should like, and some games in the series are fantastic... but others have been notable misses, enough that benefit of the doubt is no longer automatic.


Fingers crossed this Metroid title retains the exploration and adventuring style that made me fall in love with the series, instead of becoming a combo-heavy action title.

1142

TalkBack / Re: Metroid: Samus Returns Announced For 3DS

« on: June 13, 2017, 08:52:59 PM »

Let's look back for a minute:

• Metroid Fusion has a pretty shitty story, even though gameplay was mostly solid.
• Metroid Other M showed that things could be much worse so I shouldn't complain about Fusion.
• Metroid Federation Force I haven't even tried, and don't intend to because no reviews or trailers have suggested it will offer anything that I want in a Metroid game.
• The Prime series has been good, but I generally dislike first-person shooters even when I can recognize that they are well made and doing some cool stuff.

Frankly, for a series that I proclaim to love there hasn't been much good news for a long time. Anyone who gets defensive about this game before we see some details should back off, because I'm not part of a "toxic culture" but I do have very valid reasons for doubt and concern.

What I want from a Metroid game: a well-crafted world to explore that is heavily interconnected and provides limited (preferably, optional) hand-holding and guidance for players; a narrative that doesn't suck and makes Samus seem like a compelling, independent, and capable hero; and gorgeous 2D graphics. Fingers crossed that this game hits on at least some of those points instead of being a miss across the board.

1143

TalkBack / Re: Xenoblade Chronicles 2 (Switch) Release Date and Info

« on: June 13, 2017, 06:34:35 PM »

I agree with ShyGuy. The pants look terrible.


The art style is a bit odd - kind of wish the protagonist looked older than 13, and there are some moments when art design felt inconsistent... but that's really just me trying to find reasons to complain so that I don't run out and buy a Switch right now from excitement.


Xenoblade X was kind of a disappointment. Not that it's bad, but it clearly wasn't the Xenoblade follow-up I wanted. This true sequel looks really good and has me more excited about an upcoming game than I've been in a long time.

1144

TalkBack / Re: Metroid: Samus Returns Announced For 3DS

« on: June 13, 2017, 06:27:03 PM »

Ugh... Mixed feelings on this.


I don't like anything Mercury Steam has done, and the trailer looks very much like one of their games. This leaves me quite concerned.


But a (mostly) 2D Metroid is exactly what I want to be playing, and the recent fan remake of Metroid 2 - which I don't have proper equipment to play - was absolutely tantalizing to see screenshots and video from. With Nintendo overseeing development, surely this will exceed my low expectations?


I'm not making any judgement on Sakamoto. He's been involved in some good Metroid games, and some bad ones. Hopefully this falls into the first category.

1145

TalkBack / Re: New Metroid, Fire Emblem Amiibo Unveiled at Treehouse Live

« on: June 13, 2017, 06:15:44 PM »

I like the Metroid ones.

1146

Nintendo Gaming / Re: Is there any chance of Beyond Good & Evil 2 coming to Switch?

« on: June 12, 2017, 07:39:57 PM »

Love the original, so was excited to check out this trailer.


Eh...


Didn't really feel very much like the original game. Way more "**** Yeah!" than I usually go for in my script which makes me wonder if this game is going to have much narrative impact or just try to be some kind of visual tour-de-force for the dudebros.


Also skeptical that it's coming to a Nintendo platform based on visuals and tone... but would love to be wrong there.


Maybe I'm being too harsh though. An E3 trailer without accompanying details doesn't mean that much. Still, my excitement is taking a clear back seat to skepticism at this point. The game might end up being awesome - but Ubisoft are going to have to earn it and that trailer didn't really sell me.

1147

General Gaming / Re: What are you playing?

« on: June 11, 2017, 01:58:55 PM »

...
One of the best changes is how aircraft carriers work.
...

Just started using sea units and got a rude awakening about how much more effective they are.
I like it.

1148

General Gaming / Re: What are you playing?

« on: June 10, 2017, 01:08:13 PM »

I've been playing Advance Wars: Days of Ruin (DS) lately and enjoying it a great deal. This is no surprise as I sunk far too many hours into the original GBA Advance Wars.


Dropping the swingy CO powers is ok with me, although maybe they make a return later in the game? I'm not very far in yet. The art style is a fine change, but I think the main interface is a bit of a drag compared to the previous game.

1149

TalkBack / Re: Details Announced For Nintendo Online Service

« on: June 02, 2017, 07:29:32 AM »

Given the news coming out about how Nintendo is handling online, and the lack of compelling games on the console, I'm very content to not own a Switch. E3 better be spectacular if Nintendo wants that to change.

1150

General Gaming / Re: What are you playing?

« on: June 01, 2017, 10:33:46 PM »

I still don't "get" Minecraft - which feels disappointing. I appreciate the way that survival mode offers some threads of Rogue-like gameplay (randomly generated world with some standard goals; highly interactive objects creating a lot of emergent play) but just don't find it very enjoyable. Not the right game for me, I suppose.

Have you tried it in multiplayer? For me, it's in that category with games like Animal Crossing in that the game itself is nothing special so it's boring in single player, but it can be a lot of fun in multiplayer as we create our own experiences together.

This is a good and valid point. I haven't, and that would probably make the game more appealing.
Actually, survival mode should still appeal to me also - it ticks off lots of boxes that normally appeal, so I don't know why I'm not more attracted to the game. Probably I'm just too lazy to get over the learning curve.