Messages

101

TalkBack / Re: Nintendo Trademarks New Game

« on: April 13, 2014, 09:02:06 AM »

Given that 'Strike Team Eliminating the Alien Menace' doesn't actually make any sense, I have no idea what this could be.

Hopefully it's just a protective trademark for a much better game title.

102

General Gaming / Pangram style (spoilers for Fez)

« on: April 12, 2014, 04:06:57 PM »

Fez was brought to PSN earlier this week, and although I do own it on Steam I had never put more than an hour or two into it, so I decided to pick up this version as I felt I was more inclined to stick with it on a console.

For the first few hours I was enjoying it on a very surface level, but I was also scrutinising each symbol and glyph I encountered and was very much aware that Fez had secrets to uncover.

Eventually, however, I ran out of places to explore and had still not worked out Fez's secret language. After spending several hours looking at symbols which made less sense to me the more I analysed them, I broke down and spoiled the secret for myself.

It turns out that the solution to Fez's alphabet is a non-descript engraving (in a game littered with tonnes of non-descript engravings) in what appears to be a not very important part of the world. In front of that engraving, however, a fox is seen jumping over a dog.

'The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog'

Which is what the engraving states. Apparently it's a well-known pangram. Unfortunately it's not one I had ever encountered.

To add insult to injury the engravings must also be read from top to bottom and right to left.

So, if I'm understanding correctly, the line of logic should have gone something like this.

At some point I would have encountered a specific pangram about a fox jumping over a dog. Upon seeing the fox and the dog in the background of this particular area I would then intuit that they were meaningful, as opposed to all the other animals in all the other areas in the game. The actions of the fox and dog would then bring to mind that one pangram that I know so well. I would then, somehow, also intuit that in the world of Fez words are written from top to bottom and from right to left. Oh, also, certain symbols can represent two different letters.

ahhhh...ok. That's cool.

Quick question though, What if I never encountered that one specific pangram? You know? 'Cause then the playful fox jumping over the lazy dog would just seem like a neat little piece of animation? Like the spinning turtle in the waterfall area, or the mouse that runs away from you in the city area. Without that one specific piece of information, without having knowledge of that one pangram, the fox and the dog really don't seem that important. In fact, the area itself is kind of forgettable, especially after you leave it. I mean, why would you ever return? The map even highlights the area in gold, indicating that there's nothing else to uncover. Why would you go back to that area or feel compelled to dig deeper when there are plenty of other areas on the map with '?' marks on them indicating that there's more to be done.

Why if that were the case, then...well then the whole premise of the game would seem like complete nonsense.

Good thing then that every person on the planet happens to know that one pangram. No need to have that line included in the game in some way. Neither is it necessary to highlight that area as being of huge importance. No siree!

...

Joking aside though. That code was crappy and it has kind of soured the game for me.

103

TalkBack / Re: New Mario in Development

« on: April 10, 2014, 06:27:03 PM »

It just goes to show how tainted the NSMB series is at this point that I see the words 'New' and 'Mario' together and think 'nope'.

104

General Gaming / Re: Your earliest gaming memories?

« on: April 10, 2014, 02:32:56 PM »

I've discussed this before, so I'll give ya the quick version.

Christmas...Age 5...NES...Super Mario Bros. 3...life changing.

105

TalkBack / Re: Greninja Makes His Smash Bros. Debut

« on: April 10, 2014, 02:28:08 PM »

Also, also, also, also, I have no intention of playing either of these games, but it's fun to consider the politics behind who's in and who's out.

106

TalkBack / Re: Greninja Makes His Smash Bros. Debut

« on: April 10, 2014, 02:25:57 PM »

Random Thoughts!

I kind of liked the idea of Pokémon trainer precisely because it condensed the number of roster spots being taken up by Pokémon. I mean, I finished Pokémon Y and I don't even know who Greninja is.

On that note, I do feel like certain series' have been over-represented while others have not received enough attention. I mean, do we really need Link and Toon link? Zelda and Sheik? Samus and Zero-suit Samus? It's great that those characters actually feel unique from each other, but I'd much prefer that they put that effort into filling out the roster with secondary and tertiary characters from each series, rather than creating different versions of the same character.

How about Goombas? They're pretty iconic (It writes itself. Up smash = Spike Helmet. Down Smash = Kuribo's Shoe. Air Dash = Winged Goomba).

Also, Mii's have got to in there right?

Also, also, Ridley isn't too big.

Also, also, also, where's Batman?

107

Podcast Discussion / Re: Episode 377: When Fun Just Isn't Enough

« on: April 07, 2014, 08:39:05 PM »

I've never really been into handheld gaming, but I did receive a GBA from my parents as a birthday present. Unfortunately, my ownership of it coincided with one of my waves of antipathy towards gaming. The only GBA games I recall owning were Super Mario Advance, WWF: Road to Wrestlemania, Chu Chu Rocket, and one of the Tony Hawk's games.

Which I think we can all agree, proves I had impeccable taste.

That's partially why I'm so bummed out that GBA games seemingly aren't coming to 3DS. I was hoping the 3DS would offer what the Wii did: access to classic games that I missed the first time 'round. I lapped up the ambassador games (all of which were new to me) and was very much looking forward to more of the same. I'd love to play Metroid: Zero Mission, or Golden Sun, or any of the great games in that platform's catalogue. I'm just not willing to buy a Wii U in order to do it.

I didn't think it was possible, but Nintendo's approach to Virtual Console on 3DS makes even less sense than it did on Wii. Not offering classic handheld Nintendo games on the relatively new and popular Nintendo handheld just makes zero sense to me.

In fact, things should be going in the other direction. Give me Earthbound on my 3DS!!

I wish it weren't so blatant. But you're welcome.

You're editing skills are beyond reproach. It wasn't blatant at all, but when you listen to enough RFN you get a sense of when Mr Jones is winding up to lampoon a game...

which, from what I've seen of that game, it more than deserves.

108

Podcast Discussion / Re: Episode 377: When Fun Just Isn't Enough

« on: April 07, 2014, 12:18:05 PM »

I'm going to guess that an actual discussion of Altered Beast for the GBA took place, and that it was edited out.

If so, thanks be to Gui!

109

TalkBack / Re: Retro City Rampage: DX Receives Huge Update

« on: April 06, 2014, 02:48:32 PM »

Did the primary guy behind this game not suffer from exhaustion after releasing the game on the initial batch of platforms? Yet we keep getting more ports and now even updates? I also seem to recall reading that some of those ports weren't even profitable. That's dedication for you.

I still haven't picked up this game, primarily because the '80's spoof stuff doesn't really appeal to my sense of humour, but I might pick it up if there's ever an eshop sale.

110

TalkBack / Re: Super Smash Bros. Nintendo Direct Coming Tuesday

« on: April 06, 2014, 02:41:07 PM »

It does seem a bit odd that they would host this now if the game's release is still a ways off. It makes me wonder if the release is actually a lot sooner than I thought, or if there's so much content in the game that they have something major to show off without showing everything in the game. Though I guess the Wii U needs hype, so this could just be something more simplistic to fill a time where they have otherwise nothing to talk about.

Hope for the former. Expect the latter.

111

TalkBack / Re: Photo of Luigi's Final Smash Unveiled

« on: April 04, 2014, 05:02:33 PM »

It wasn't the best game in the world, but I was hoping that some inspiration might have been taken from Dream Team and it's 'Luiginary' attacks. It would have been awesome to see a hundred Luigis create a human pyramid or join together to create a giant hammer, but in HD!

112

TalkBack / Re: Super Smash Bros. Nintendo Direct Coming Tuesday

« on: April 04, 2014, 04:22:35 PM »

Everyone on these forums would more likely than not buy the game immediately, but that doesn't mean a stealth release is a good idea.  To ensure solid sales, especially early on, you gotta build that hype machine, get people talking about the game, make sure it tops the charts.

I don't think I'll ever buy another Smash game. I owned Melee and bought Brawl, but never really got much out of them. I appreciate the fan service but the actual game part has never appealed to me. I don't enjoy Kirby platformers, I don't enjoy Smash, and I don't enjoy Uprising. I guess I just don't appreciate Sakurai as a designer.

You are correct though. Nintendo need to build the hype around Smash, not so much to ensure solid sales for the game itself, but rather to push sales of Wii U. If Smash and Mario Kart can't get it done, then nothing will.

113

TalkBack / Re: Super Smash Bros. Nintendo Direct Coming Tuesday

« on: April 04, 2014, 01:42:12 PM »

Smash bros... 2015... Please understand.

114

TalkBack / Re: Masato Masuda Passes Away at 48

« on: April 04, 2014, 12:58:07 PM »

I'm very much aware of Masuda's influence, but I'm not sure I've played one of his games.

Was he involved in the N64 wrestling games at all?

115

TalkBack / Re: Mario Kart 8's Use of the GamePad Is Disappointing

« on: April 03, 2014, 07:30:52 PM »

"Truthfully, the splendid visuals would likely have to be muddled to push out two comparable and smooth displays on the GamePad and the TV, but if that’s the kind of thing that can’t be worked out on a Nintendo game on the Wii U, then what is the point of even having the GamePad as a controller?"

This was my thinking also. Regardless of the reasons why more interesting uses of the gamepad weren't included, the fact of the matter is that they weren't. I'm sure many people enjoy off-TV play, but that is not enough to justify packing in such a costly and unwieldy controller?

It's a shame. When I think back on the excitement fans had about 'project cafe', and then consider the complete lack of effort amongst developers (Nintendo included) to do anything remotely interesting with the technology, it really bums me out.

...

Now that I think about, why the f*** isn't the gamepad being used to bring back a 'Double Dash' mode? Wherein the second player controls a turret-like trailer or sidecar and can move gamepad to aim and shoot projectiles! That would be awesome.

As Mop it up has said, even a rear-view mirror option would have been worthwhile.

116

Podcast Discussion / Re: RetroActive #30: Nintendo WiFi Connection Last Chance Edition

« on: April 03, 2014, 06:17:37 PM »

I had a bunch of fun with Goldeneye online. Unfortunately, after a few weeks the performance (freezes, lag, frame rate issues) eventually got on my nerves and caused me to put the game on the shelf. When it worked though it was as good as you could hope for from a goldeneye re-make.

Hell, even the campaign managed to offer up an interesting take on the original story.

117

Nintendo Gaming / Mercenary Kings (PS4)

« on: April 03, 2014, 02:51:48 PM »

I just picked up this game today via PS Plus, but I don't think I realised just how leveraged the game is on multiplayer. I'm only on the second mission and already the sprawling level design has made it clear that this game was designed with multiple participants in mind. It's simply too much ground to cover, and trying to do it solo just feels kind of...aimless.

I do really like the concept though. It's 2 parts Metal Slug, 1 part Contra, and 1 part Monster Hunter.

I'd like to dig into the game a little deeper but I honestly can't see myself playing through this as a single player experience. Has anyone else picked this up? I'd like to get a little mercenary crew together and see how far we get.

Again, my PSN name is MartySmyth.

118

General Gaming / Re: Worst impulse buy you've ever had?

« on: April 01, 2014, 01:46:32 PM »

Worst impulse buy was probably buying the Wii SSX just because I played the crap out of 3 on Gamecube.

That's a shame. I really liked SSX Blur. Like with the Pro Evo games on Wii, the motion controls felt natural and I would have really liked to see another iteration with some improvements.

119

General Gaming / Re: Worst impulse buy you've ever had?

« on: April 01, 2014, 09:56:39 AM »

Man! That game was bad!

120

TalkBack / Re: Top 10 3DS Games: Three Years and Running

« on: March 28, 2014, 07:36:53 AM »

Sorry. I couldn't help myself.

121

TalkBack / Re: Legend of Zelda DLC Coming for Sonic Lost World

« on: March 27, 2014, 07:11:36 PM »

Namco, Tecmo Koei, Sega.

Link sure does get around.

122

Podcast Discussion / Re: Episode 126: How About I Reggie La Don't?

« on: March 27, 2014, 03:06:21 PM »

'Reggie La Don't'

Nice reference.

123

Podcast Discussion / Re: Episode 375: Whatcha Been Shipping?

« on: March 26, 2014, 05:12:26 PM »

The weird, unpredictable, half-assed, half-genius nature of this company makes it perfect for our torturous examination every episode.

This should be the new description for RFN. Imagine coming across that line in iTunes. How could you turn it up?

124

Podcast Discussion / Re: Episode 375: Whatcha Been Shipping?

« on: March 26, 2014, 03:51:21 PM »

I think RFN strikes the perfect balance between positivity and criticism.

Yup.

Plus, any real Nintendo fan knows that the Big N is as talented as it is idiotic. As a games company it's just as likely to frustrate as it is to delight. As a result, I've long since given up on understanding why Nintendo does what it does. I just try to take in what I do appreciate and reject what I don't.

125

TalkBack / Re: Top 10 3DS Games: Three Years and Running

« on: March 26, 2014, 08:24:41 AM »

My list would look something like this,

1 - Super Mario 3D Land
2 - The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds
3 - Fire Emblem: Awakening
4 - Mario Kart 7
5 - Fallblox/Pullblox
6 - Luigi's Mansion 2
7 - Mutant Mudds
8 - Hydroventure: Spin Cycle
9 - Steamworld Dig
10 - Animal Crossing: New Leaf