Topic: Unpopular Gaming Opinions

I guess at the end of the day, it is an accessibility thing, right? You are using pretty different types of comprehension when it comes to processing a film versus processing a game, and a game has an additional physical/dexterity/motor skill requirement as well. I am sure there are those out there who are simply wired in a way that it is much easier for them to process a text in the form of a game, than they can process a text in a more passive form. Just like how someone may choose to watch the film, rather than read the book, because they require two different types of comprehension levels.

I'm gonna say it, Smurfs: Mission Vileaf may be one of the best games I've played this year. I love the Smurfs, Smurfs: The Lost Village is one of my favorite movies, so I bought the game on PC because I love the series.

After completing the main story today, this game exceeded my expectations. I found this game to be a really fun and polished platformer. I enjoyed it more than the usual cartoon based game.

Filing this under unpopular opinions because licensed games have a negative stigma from the gaming community. I do feel this is one of the better licensed games IMHO, one I think Smurf fans will like.

@Sunsy
Have you tried Smurf Vileaf on Switch or PS4 version ?
I want some fps checking from both version.
Also, is the gameplay easy enough for casual player by Easy difficulty setting ?

@Anti-Matter The console versions are delayed to mid-November unfortunately. I do not own a PS4, so I couldn't play that version. The PC version was released yesterday on GOG (the version I have) and Steam. It is a multi-platform game, so what I played should be the same game the consoles are getting.

I thought the game was pretty easy, and I was playing on medium difficulty. Kind of expected being a kids game.

Worth noting the game has different names for difficulty. "Elementary, my dear Smurf" is easy, "Simply Smurfy" is medium, and "A real thorn in your Smurf" is hard.

@Sunsy
Ah.. That's why I only found PC version gameplay videos from Youtube so far.
It got delayed to mid November 2021 ? 😣
Also, are the previous places revisitable after you finish the game ?

@Anti-Matter Yup, you can revisit areas and levels after you finish the game. You can even replay levels as different Smurfs after the story is complete. Levels can be accessed from the map in Smurf village, following signs to travel to them, or previously visited areas from the pause menu.

Yeah, the new date is November 16th. Microids tweeted about the delay.

@Anti-Matter @NeonPizza I like the consistency, but yeah I'd prefer PS4-style box spines.

@Sunsy I'm tempted by this game but £35 seems like a lot to ask for a licensed game in this day and age.

What platformers would you compare it to in terms of gameplay / overall quality?

I to would like to know this.

@Buizel @Snatcher The core gameplay element is the gizmo Handy Smurf creates, the Smurfizer, which in a way reminded me of Fludd from Super Mario Sunshine. One of things your smurf does is sprays plants that have been contaminated by the Vileaf. Spraying plants makes certain obstacles (like barriers) disappear. This spray also can be used to defeat enemies. There's also an upgrade that will allow you to glide from place to place for a short time, kind of like Fludd.

Potential spoiler, but posting because gameplay mechanic...
Around chapter four, Smurfette actually figures out how to suck up enemies with the Smurfizer, then fires them at other enemies, this also adds a puzzle mechanic by sucking up certain items and aiming them at targets to access new areas.

The Smurfizer can even spray certain plants to create new paths to reach new areas. You spray a contaminated flower for example, and when you keep spraying it grows a path made out of leaves to reach a new area.

The game for most of the part is like an open-ended world. There is usually one path to follow to go from point A to point B, but each level can be fully explored, and Smurfizer upgrades helps find new areas.

There's also mushrooms to bounce on to reach places, and some of the layout reminded me of Sonic. The times where Sonic would bounce from spring to spring. Another level was kinda like a side scroller, but you could move in all four direction. Also, similar to other platformers, Smurfs can stomp on some enemies and break crates. Usually pressing A to jump, then B to stomp (PC uses Xbox inputs on a gamepad, so controller buttons will vary for when the console versions launch).

There are some gameplay of the PC version on YouTube too if you're curious to see the game in action, some PC players have been posting gameplay. I hope my experience gives you an idea what gameplay is like at least. The presentation of the game was really polished, especially since there's no day one patch. The game was complete by release.

@Sunsy So its Mario sunshine like? Interesting.

@Snatcher Yeah, the core mechanic of using the Smurfizer. For a licensed game, I'm pleasantly surprised at the amount of polish in it. Smurf village feels like a living breathing world. The smurfs go about their day, chit chat, you'll see then sitting on benches, or resting on the grass. It all feels natural. Presentation of this game is great.

I even laughed when Hefty argued with Brainy during Brainy's levels, it felt faithful to the series. The amount of care they put into this would make any Smurfs fan happy IMO.

@NeonPizza
Nintendo Switch game box size and dimension should be as big as PS VITA since the Switch cartridge has similar size and dimension so the cover art for Nintendo Switch can have same rectangle ratio as PS4 cover, not as PSP cover style (long rectangle). Imagine the new Nintendo Switch game cover exactly like PS VITA but with swapped top banner color into red and Switch logo.

@Sunsy sounds pretty good tbh. I hope the Switch version turns out as polished - I will probably give it a week or so to breathe once released so that I can see what it looks like / how it reviews.

That said, November also has Pokemon and SMTV. Will I find time? x_x

Back to unpopular opinions:

Although lockdown got me into the habit of playing my Switch more in docked mode with the Pro Controller, the sheer beauty of the OLED Switch has had me playing more and more in handheld mode. In doing so, I realised something: I think I prefer the joy-con's d-pad "buttons" to an actual d-pad. Having discrete buttons just feels so much more precise --- this has been particularly noticeable for Tetris Effect. If I want more fluid control I tend to opt for the analog stick instead.

@Buizel on switch definitely as the pro controller dpad is kind of broken. For instance playing the Castlevania collection I had use the "dog" controller when playing on TV

@Balta666 which system do you think has a "good" d-pad? Personally I've really had trouble deciding. I really didn't like the d-pad on the Switch's SNES controller (even though many consider SNES as the gold standard for 2D gaming) so I switched that out in favour of the Pro Controller for a while. I also can't stand the "squishy" feeling of the Saturn pad, which many people also seem to favour.

@Buizel Xbox controllers have really good dpad. The dpad on the original SNES is good but not the best but not sure the quality on the switch ones is that great

The button-d-pad on the joycons is definitely great for games like tetris, where you want to move to move in discrete single units. Good for any game with lots of menus etc.

For any other 2d game I'll take a 2nd gen Saturn pad any day of the week.

Excitebike Arena on MK8DX SUCKS.

I hate Tetris, Dr. Mario and Pinball games ... please don't kill me