Messages

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Podcast Discussion / Re: Episode 814: North Korea Is Directly Responsible for the Worst Email I’ve Ever Read

« on: March 19, 2023, 09:11:59 PM »

The direct talk this week was very interesting. I think calling it a communal event is absolutely correct. People treat directs as if they are products for their enjoyment in and of itself. With every direct I heard people saying things like "I enjoyed everything in the direct, but they announced things in the wrong order", or "why was this only on the Japanese direct". A critique that has nothing to do with the games themselves, but of the communal experience. In the case of the Japanese direct exclusives, in part the critique is for the benefit of an imaginary other person that is going about their day having not been given the chance to react to Atelier Marie Remake: The Alchemist of Salburg.

The Nintendo Direct is a hit of dopamine, when they occur during the work day I find it hard to focus well after the direct has finished airing. It's a high and the fervour around their announcement is a form of withdrawal, as James said.

I also agree with Guillaume's point that the pre-direct discussion is getting old. I feel like that's why Nintendo made the lead times a lot shorter, so people don't work themselves up into a frenzy.

I feel like a lot of people who say they want a new F-Zero have never played it, but they say that because they know it will make for a good communal event.

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Podcast Discussion / Re: RetroActive 52: The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker

« on: March 15, 2023, 09:21:03 PM »

This was my second time playing Wind Waker HD, so I opted to play on Hero Mode. My original Wind Waker take was that the game was a well crafted game made by professionals, not my cup of tea, but a decent adventure with good puzzles and annoying combat.

With the benefit of hero mode I was forced to learn that the combat can be less annoying if you use the boomerang, but it's still not a strength of the game.

I don't think the Forbidden Fortress is a good opening dungeon, the layout and map is too confusing and even on my 2nd trip I had no idea where I was going. It's a cliche at this point to say that the stealth is bad, but I'd say the reason it's bad is that there's no creativity. Metal Gear Solid is a sandbox, you probe for weak points in the enemies defences, wait for the right moment and go for it. In Wind Waker stealth is sitting in a barrel and waiting for slow enemies to allow you to pass down a hallway.

The next few dungeons are fun and come at a good pace. They feel more linear and puzzle oriented compared to the more exploration oriented dungeons of the N64 games. I'd say I prefer exploration, but Wind Waker's dungeons are still enjoyable.

The game peaks in my opinion with the Medli dungeon. You're introduced to  brand new mechanics and having the two characters allows for some interesting puzzles.

The Makar dungeon is okay, but it's tricky to tell where you're supposed to be going because it's so big. Controlling Makar is more fiddly than Medli and you will often have to take multiple trips, once with Makar and then with Link. Since it's not as easy to just pick them up and carry them to the next room.

It's at this point the pacing is slowed to a crawl. The idea of a treasure hunt is good, but it's implementation brings out the worst in Zelda. Obtuse critical path puzzles. Long kill room sequences with the same damn enemies over and over. Trial and error mazes. Watching the chest opening animation yet again to be rewarded with rupees to fill your already full wallet, or if you're lucky an almost equally pointless joy pendant.

I don't like when a game makes me reach for GameFAQs. Other than searching every square on the map and talking to every NPC, I don't see how you could complete the Triforce Hunt without a guide.

After that there's a dull boss rush, though the final area is saved by some pretty cool new bosses.

I don't mind the sailing sections. I think it's okay for a game to have boring parts where you take in the world. I had fun just using the jump button to try and launch off the top of cresting waves. I don't want to be that miiverse guy, but the water physics are really fantastic in this game.

Final thoughts? I think I enjoyed it more the 2nd time around. In this playthrough I was able to ignore a lot of the NPCs, side quests and heart piece islands that bog down the main quest. I was able to have a better time by focusing on the core experience.

I'll end on a few musings and possible questions for the retroactive.

Why does Tetra's skin colour change when she becomes Zelda?

Is it right to put fairies in bottles when they look so sad?

How is it possible for Link to fail to articulate the capital letter at the start of the pirate password?

Is there any hint that you need to talk to the teacher to get into the Cabana?

Why does the dungeon warp take you to the 1st checkpoint, rather than the one next to the boss room?

Does the game ever teach you that you can climb up ropes using the ZR button?

If the game gets ported to Switch will the miiverse features get a chance to live again?

What is the "dorf" part of Ganondorf supposed to represent?

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Podcast Discussion / Re: Episode 812: I Wouldn't Even Accept Your Apology

« on: March 05, 2023, 12:26:11 AM »

Incredible stinger this week

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Podcast Discussion / Re: RetroActive 51: Kirby and the Rainbow Curse

« on: December 05, 2022, 09:20:09 PM »

I've now completed the Wii U game with all of the treasure chests collected.

Personally I would say I prefer the DS game. I said that game was fun but flawed, the Wii U game is perhaps less flawed especially in terms of it's controls, but also less fun.

Control wise Kirby is less likely to ricochet around like a pinball, the dash physics are more consistent and the ability to erase Rainbows is a game changer. Kirby feels slower, and this time around you are encouraged to draw multiple lines at once, which gets used for things like waterfalls. The only complaint I would have with the controls is the charge dash, the game would sometimes register it as a regular dash or not at all, killing me a handful of times.

The game has some really interesting gimmick levels, notably the rocket levels and level 7-2. In the main campaign I would say there's greater variety here than in the DS game.

Where I feel it falls short is with the extra challenges and the treasure chests. The time trials in the DS game are the best part of the game, whereas the 15s challenge rooms in the Wii U game are too annoying for me to contemplate 100%-ing. The Wii U game is also lacking the paint efficiency trials which were a great change of pace. The treasure chests in the Wii U game I found to either be too easy, or too obscure without a good balance between those extremes.  While the DS game certainly has some frustrating medals, generally collecting medals was more about exploration.

I'm glad I played it, but I don't rate it very highly.

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Podcast Discussion / Re: Episode 799: Furry Hentai Tangram is Competing With Betty White's Pet Talk Show

« on: December 04, 2022, 05:48:51 PM »

Before playing the Black Eagles route in Three Houses I 100% had the same opinion as James about that faction. But they reveal enough new information in that route that it managed to change my mind, there's more nuance there than it appears.

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Podcast Discussion / Re: RetroActive 51: Kirby and the Rainbow Curse

« on: November 27, 2022, 08:50:20 AM »

I've completed the DS game and got all of its medals. I think it's fun, though flawed.

The challenges are quite difficult, demanding precise inputs, but the controls don't lend themselves to that. Short lines won't register, and Kirby loves to bounce off at unexpected angles. It's not always clear when Kirby is in his attack animation so you lose health for not spamming attack. Sometimes you want to stun an enemy but end up drawing a squiggle.

The challenges are there to pad the runtime and sometimes are more annoying than they are difficult. For medals there's no option to restart at checkpoints, instead having to willfully run into spikes to restart.

To mention some of the positives, it's a unique game and it's demand for precision and speed reminds me of playing Trauma Center. The types of challenges feel distinct and all have a completely different pace. From the time trails, to the paint efficiency ones, to the more exploratory main levels. I'd say the time trials were my favourite and you get a sense of satisfaction as you set new fastest times.

Lastly, the game has an option for Pictochat. in which people who use Pictochat are referred to as Pictochatters. You learn something new everyday.

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NWR Forums Discord / Re: Safe Words XX: #2 Is #1 - The Final Four

« on: August 29, 2022, 07:05:10 AM »

That was a really fun final round, good game everyone!

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NWR Forums Discord / Re: Safe Words XX: #2 Is #1 - The Final Four

« on: August 27, 2022, 06:38:44 PM »

From zero to hero.

One more obstacle and then I'll have the title, but it's one hell of an obstacle.

Khushrenda has aptly demonstrated above why they've had this game in the palm of their hand. Good luck to you.

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NWR Forums Discord / Re: Safe Words XX: #2 Is #1 - The Final Four

« on: August 26, 2022, 06:57:57 PM »

I have no idea who this is, so no better reason to pick them. Khushrenda, I've read you.

Andy Richter.

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NWR Mafia Games / Re: Mafia XC: Theme to be determined. Sign-up Thread.

« on: August 25, 2022, 05:58:01 AM »

In.

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General Gaming / Re: Backlaugust 2022: Round 3 so we can break our backlogs and be free.

« on: August 22, 2022, 07:05:23 PM »

Man I love Rayman Raving Rabbids 2. At the time I thought the shooting segments were so clever, but looking back they probably weren't anything that special. The rhythm game segments I'm sure are still fun I imagine. Rayman 2/3 and Rabbids 1/2 are synonymous with childhood for me. Rabbids TV Party was the first one where I felt disappointed, don't know if I left the Rabbids, or the Rabbids left me.

For the game I've actually played, The Great Ace Attorney 2: Resolve is now in the digital completed pile. From my first post I've come around a bit. The game has a lot of heart and I found myself feeling emotional when it was time to say goodbye to all the characters. It's a really good game and I'd say the duology is up there with being one of the best stories the series has to offer. That said I'll be giving the series a long cool down period before I jump into the next one, as I was feeling some fatigue with the format. The ones I've got left are Apollo Justice and 6 (and Edgeworth 2, would love an official English release of that).

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NWR Forums Discord / Re: Safe Words XX: #2 Is #1 - The Game Begins

« on: August 22, 2022, 04:47:02 PM »

I had a terrible feeling a few days ago that I had been eliminated on a timeout because I had forgotten to check in. Thankfully I hadn't been called upon, until now.

Lemme go with an old favourite, Luigi.

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NWR Forums Discord / Re: Safe Words XX: #2 Is #1 - The Game Begins

« on: August 13, 2022, 07:33:48 PM »

Time for my stunning debut.

Side kicks eh? A mysterious cosmic force is pulling me in the direction of Robin.

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General Gaming / Re: Backlaugust 2022: Round 3 so we can break our backlogs and be free.

« on: August 08, 2022, 02:30:44 PM »

My big aim for August is The Great Ace Attorney 2. The first game I enjoyed quite a lot but it's taken me some time to get through the sequel. It's rather similar and retreads a lot of the same ground, but I've heard it has a good finale so I'm looking forward to that. Currently on the 4th case.

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NWR Forums Discord / Re: Safe Words XX: #2 Is #1 - Sign Up Thread

« on: August 03, 2022, 09:19:02 PM »

Sign me up, after going out on round 1 before I need to redeem myself.

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Podcast Discussion / Re: Episode 777: Are We Really Doing the Banana Conspiracy?

« on: July 05, 2022, 09:02:42 PM »

I'm going to come out and say that 80-90's puppets are unsettling. Love Labyrinth, but I feel like if I watched it as a child I would have had nightmares.

If you think the Labyrinth is unsettling, watch Meet the Feebles. It was directed by Peter Jackson.

Can't decide which is more out there, this trailer, or the fact that Peter Jackson directed this.

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Podcast Discussion / Re: Episode 777: Are We Really Doing the Banana Conspiracy?

« on: July 03, 2022, 10:18:36 PM »

I'm going to come out and say that 80-90's puppets are unsettling. Love Labyrinth, but I feel like if I watched it as a child I would have had nightmares.

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Nintendo Gaming / Re: Official Sales Thread

« on: July 02, 2022, 08:24:03 AM »

Three Hopes doing pretty good considering it's predicted on you playing Three Houses.

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Podcast Discussion / Re: Episode 775: Luigi's Haunted Real Estate Speculation

« on: June 13, 2022, 06:46:35 AM »

Katrielle's Mystery Journey is so disappointing, but I had to see it for myself to believe it. A series that immediately fell from grace.

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Podcast Discussion / Re: Episode 774: Wii U EU Sounds Like a Police Siren

« on: June 05, 2022, 09:52:44 PM »

I really enjoy short story games. They're fun to play with other people, passing round the controller arguing about choices, if it's that kind of game.

The Dark Pictures Anthology is the pinnacle of multiplayer games in my opinion. But on Switch some of my favourites have been…

Tell Tale: The Walking Dead (all seasons)
Life is Strange: True Colors
Telling Lies
Suzerain
Unpacking

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NWR Forums Discord / Re: Safe.TV Words+ 19 (Round 1)

« on: May 13, 2022, 12:58:01 PM »

Let's get this over with. This is a huge risk because it's been in the collective consciousness as of late.

Going with Netflix. Been getting a bad rap recently and has an unsustainable business model, but it puts out enough stuff to keep me satisfied.

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NWR Mafia Games / Re: Mafia 89 Resident Evil: RECVMake wrap up thread

« on: May 05, 2022, 05:36:58 PM »

That was a great game everyone.

My investigations were:
1. Stratos
2. Mop it up
3. Attempted Stevey but got blocked
4. Luigi Dude

Logically by day 4 I knew there were 1 organization, 1 ashford and 1 townie between Order.rss, Lolmonade and stevey.

stevey I correctly assumed was the Organization mafia.

Order.rss had gained my trust in various ways. The most convincing was pretending to not know how Ashford recruitment works. Since I was pretty sure stevey was mafia, I assumed that Order had to be a townie and told them my identity on day 4. Hook line and sinker. Then I assumed it must have been Lolmonade that was the Ashford mafia of the trio.

Since Order had my trust, he knew exactly what I wanted to hear from Mop it up. That post on day 5 sealed the deal, and I took that to mean that by process of elimination Stratos was the Ashford mastermind.

The post I made on day 5 was an attempt to encourage stevey to go after Stratos during the night, so we could even up the playing field.

Order had so gained my trust, I asked them to pretend to be the detective, to act as a go-between with Luigi Dude, who I feared had been recruited during the night. As it was fairly obvious to me that Luigi Dude was the doctor, after protecting themselves.

One of the biggest mistakes I made was not thinking ahead about the Luigi Dude investigation. If I strongly suspected he was the doctor, I should have investigated lolmonade or Order. That would have ensured we wouldn't have directed our votes toward lolmonade who was a regular townie.

Really enjoyable game all round, thank you BeautifulShy!

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NWR Forums Discord / Re: Safe.TV Words+ 19 Sign-up Thread

« on: May 05, 2022, 05:05:19 PM »

Not too late to sign up is it?

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NWR Mafia Games / Re: Mafia 89: RECVMake Neighbor Day 5

« on: May 04, 2022, 04:15:48 PM »

The detective has asked me to publish this

Ashford 1 = Stratos
Ashford 2 = Lolmonade
Ashford 3 = Unknown

I agree with what's been said about Lolmonade's record already, so it's not terribly surprising to find out that they're mafia. Given they already have a vote, I'm going to vote lolmonade

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General Gaming / Re: 2nd Annual NWR Four on Four

« on: May 03, 2022, 08:53:13 PM »

I managed to get a superb on every level which feels like a great achievement. I didn't find remix 10 to be too bad, there is a lot of variety but they picked out relatively easy parts from each of the songs.

The songs that inflicted the most mental damage on me were Love Rap 1 & 2, which even on Japanese took me hours of trying over and over. Along with remix 2, which contains Monkey Watch but without the metronome I was following for regular Monkey Watch.

I really like the music in Love Rap 1, but I don't want to ever need to do a Fo' Sho' or a Honto again