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Podcast Discussion / Re: Episode 681: Eyeglasses in the Shed

« on: August 28, 2020, 01:22:15 PM »

I dropped podcasts for a while back in March when I started quarantining, due to no commute. But I've been catching back up on RFN and I started playing Crystalis while listening to the episode over a few days. I finally finished it. Wow! No wonder people have a fondness for it. It's such an amazing RPG for the NES. Really neat stuff going on, so many items and abilities. The menu/item selection is a bit clunky but eventually I got the hang of it.

Definitely a good candidate for a sequel. I think a pure remake would not be enough here.

Speaking of this retroactive, I still need to get back to Henry Hatsworth!

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Podcast Discussion / Re: RetroActive 44: The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks

« on: May 09, 2019, 08:27:08 PM »

I played and beat Spirit Tracks 2 years ago. So instead of running through the game again, I am collecting items and powerups in the post-game.

Bottom line -- this is a DS-ass Zelda game whether you like it or not.

The touch controls work well, actions are smooth and predictable. Microphone control is a little clunky but all of the songs have continuous sequences (you know, like if you were playing an actual instrument). I think only the last duet song requires any sort of skill to play. Items are easy to use with the L-button. Drawing notes on the map is fun and unique. Giving the obligatory woo woo! -- pulling on the train horn with the touch screen as you leave the station is a blast. The pointing mini-games while traveling haven't got old yet. It's all perfectly "DS" and "Zelda" at the same time.

Spirit Tracks does everything the DS can do and it does it well, and better than Phantom Hourglass. Some people wish for optional button controls, but that would have diluted the full DS-experience for everyone. We have the most unique Zelda the DS could offer. Let's be thankful for that.

Anyway, back to transporting people and Cucco's for me.

"Come on! Let's hurry, Link!"
"Aye aye!
"AAAAALL ABOOOOOARD!"

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Podcast Discussion / Re: RetroActive 44: The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks

« on: April 16, 2019, 09:28:16 AM »

Im a big fan of Spirit Tracks and looking forward to replaying it.

By the way, it looks like episode 174 and 175 from December 2009 have the contemporaneous discussions.

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Podcast Discussion / Re: Episode 616: Waluigi's Russian Troll Farm

« on: April 04, 2019, 10:34:03 AM »

Spirit Tracks is not the best Zelda, or even my favorite, but it is the one that I'm the most fond of. You get to have a lot of interaction with Zelda, which really hadn't been done before. And while the Spirit Engine/Train is obviously on rails instead of free-roam as in Phantom Hourglass, I think driving the train is relaxing and I love the music. Speaking of that, the spirit instruments were a little difficult to control, especially the duet, but I had fun and haven't seen that in any other game. Plus, Spirit Tracks had many small improvements over Phantom Hourglass. And Engineer Link is my favorite Link outfit. You wear it in the intro but you can earn it again later on. Anyway, Spirit Tracks is my vote.

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Podcast Discussion / Re: RetroActive 43: Super Punch-Out!! Episode 600 Live Show

« on: November 16, 2018, 07:02:43 PM »

 I've got Arcade Punch Out on Switch, and the The NES and SNES versions on the Classic Editions (these are also on 3DS). And I even have 7 rounds of Punch Out Remix on NES Remix (3DS).

I warmed up with the NES Remix challenges. I really feel like the Remixes are the best way to be introduced to so many NES games. I had a taste of the skill and strategy of Punch Out with none of the frustration and Endurance required to play the real game.


UPDATE: I'm happy I played the tutorialozed Remix challenges first because the SNES manual is full of helpful advice (on page 11):

• Try to minimize the damage you receive
• Do not be careless
• You should be paying attention
• Fight with purpose

I made it through the Minor circuit without much trouble. But the Major Circuit is pretty challenging. I'm playing with save-states between matches so that I don't have to restart.

I enjoy simple games like Punch Out. The 3DS had some great games with simple gameplay too. But these types of games seem to be getting lost now with Switch.

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Podcast Discussion / Re: RetroActive 42: Henry Hatsworth in the Puzzling Adventure

« on: May 22, 2018, 03:05:05 PM »

Well, I got through the first area of the game and so far having fun with it.  I think the game does keep up the tension despite enabling you to "pause" the top screen. I'm often in the heat of battle in a mob-rush screen, working on my melee combo while moving out of range of enemies approaching from behind. But then I notice my blocks on the lower screen starting to rise up. I want to take care of the blocks but I'm also in the middle of a melee combo.  It's easy enough to switch to the puzzle, but when you switch back to the platforming screen you can get mixed up if you left in a bad spot. This creates a fun rush of tension for me.

I love the mixture of puzzle games with another genre.  The only other game I've seen that does this is Puzzle and Dragons (Puzzle + RPG leveling, stats, and party building).  Anyone know of any other mixed-genre puzzle games like these ones?

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Podcast Discussion / Re: RetroActive 42: Henry Hatsworth in the Puzzling Adventure

« on: May 14, 2018, 06:52:55 PM »

I've been listening to older pre-3DS episodes of RFN (~225) and there was a lot of praise for this game.  I had been eyeing it for the past few weeks on ebay and this announcement just tipped me over the edge.  Looking forward to this retroactive.