Comments 159

Re: Feature: How Limited Run's New Engine Respects The Legacy Of Classic Games

Andyv01

I'm very much pro - LRG and think they're doing an excellent job of game preservation. Long may they continue.

I seem to be in the minority here but i've only ever had fantastic customer service from them. When my delivery went missing, they resent it without fuss (x2 games, even after selling out) with free delivery. I was shocked how little hassle that was.

The shipping price is expensive if buying individual items (tracked delivery from the US to Europe is never exactly going to be cheap)... so buy more copies and resell.

If the price is too high in general then wait for a sale and buy digital but dont lambast a company whose business model is up front from the beginning. "Limited Run" may be unintentially inflating the cost of physical, but they're also proving the chance to buy it in the first place.

Regardless, nice article. Keep up the good work NL.

Re: Best Visual Novels For Nintendo Switch

Andyv01

@Meteoroid for the most part I agree with what your saying, it does initially seem quite a novice list.

Raging loop, Clannad and Yu-No are indeed essential in my eyes but I get the impression this list is more catered for first timers "im quite interested in VN's, where should I start?" and so needs to give the viewer a broader perspective of whats out there as oppose to a comprehensive bible of the cream of the crop (which in my opinion mostly consists of the JVN's).

Also, VN's take an awful lot of time to complete and writing a review without finishing the main story simply wont work. I imagine their backlog of potential reviews is something fierce and often simply have to overlook gems on some weeks (Cupid Parasite?) whilst going ahead and reviewing weaker ones on quieter weeks.

Finally, they really should put a shout out to the vndb.com for when people want to take their research of the genre that bit further.

Re: Best Visual Novels For Nintendo Switch

Andyv01

@JustMonika Let us know how you get along with ISLAND.
Had my eyes on it for a while after rather enjoying the anime and wondering how the game compares.

Really enjoying this sudden boost of VN interest here. It would be nice to have a 2nd-tier toplist as the eshop is now awash with (not-quite-there-but-still-damned good) budget titles.

Re: Review: Stella Glow (3DS)

Andyv01

Wow. This is currently keeping me away from my switch and i'm loving every minute of it. Had been in my backlog untouched for years and now absorbing all my free time... 3DS continues to surprise me with these hidden gems.

Loving both the chunky character models and clean crisp dialogue sprites, the pacing of new skill acquisition, the well balanced difficulty (will give you a kicking if you get complacent!) the variety of music (between positive upbeat and haunting chanting) the characters and their relationships are suprisingly well written and the plot is enough to keep me invested. 20 hours in and I absolutely intend to finish this.

Going to have to check out Luminous Arc 2 as well at this rate!

Re: AI: The Somnium Files – nirvanA Initiative Official Box Art Reveal

Andyv01

Thoroughly enjoyed the first one... so much so that I then upgraded to the collectors edition!
Have this on pre-order as Col Ed also and have been giving this artwork a good Aiballing (ill let myself out)...

Good effort, not going to be as memorable as the original in years to come but I still like it. I thought it was abit too crowded at first but actually quite good composition... if theres going to be cameos fom the first games characters (pleasepleaseplease) then hopefully they simply didnt have room for everyone at the bottom and wanted to keep them a surprise.
Is it just me or does the red Aiba on Mizukis drainpipe have an enormous head? Aiba's arms are looking abit Stretch Armstrong but its several thousand times better then anything I could draw!
Super excited dosnt quite cover it...

Re: Review: Raging Loop - A Gorgeous Visual Novel Cursed With Pacing Problems

Andyv01

5 out of 10? This dosn't quite seem right. I'm certainly no authority on the genre but feel like i'm around 50/60% through and i'm already looking at a 7 or 8 here. At the very least as good as World End Syndrome which I believe scored an 8.

The review just feels half baked and comparing it to Danganronpa feels quite amateurish. The pacing and exposition has not interupted my enjoyment and i've throughly enjoyed the timeline jumping mechanic here.

As for the main character, I didnt get a transphobic vibe in the slightest. If anything he seemed to appreciate the diversity and openness of the Mochi character.

Honestly think that in the case of VN's the reviewers need to at least finish the game (Massive credit to Kate for ploughing though Fata Morgana like she has).
I know NL usually vets reviews and doubles up on review scores to make sure they're credible but really feel this one escaped the net.
If a title is too long or niche to justify putting two reviewers on it then at least put a seasoned VN reviewer on the case.

Re: Review: Root Film - A Surprisingly Grown-Up Visual Novel

Andyv01

@Miu Yeah, I was shocked at how the Mizuki, Ota and true endings got me emotionally! ^^; So many likeable characters. Uchikoshi is fast becoming my favourite writer.

Will give Root film a go but will need a heavy discount. Will check if they released a demo...

Re: Talking Point: Do We Still Need Review Scores?

Andyv01

On the idea that review scores should be demonised because they simply end up as fuel for the metacritic algorithm which seals a products financial fate...
Yes, yes they do and i've always appreciated this fact when making purchase decisions using MC. I understand that one wayward negative review can unfairly topple an entire score however I choose to believe that if someone has interest in a product then they will have a flexible acceptable score bracket in their mind and read a further selection of the available reviews if its hits that criteria.

"Oh, Bravely Second only scored 81%" how disappointing, IGNORE"
or
"Oh, 81%... but enough individual reviewers scored it highly, think i'll actually take the time to read a selection of the reviews"

Scores are needed for the number crunching behemoth... ALL HAIL METACRITIC!

Re: Talking Point: Do We Still Need Review Scores?

Andyv01

Yes, scores out of 10 and the brief review summary are essential for me. There are so many games out there and not nearly enough time to process every single review in full. That score really helps set a rough expectation, its then up to the reader how they want to set benchmarks for what they will bother reading about the game or not. Personally, 7 and above = full read for me.

Re: Remakes Of Langrisser I And II Are Switch-Bound

Andyv01

Just to be clear, the artist behind these remakes is Nagi Ryou who whilst certainly not as impressive as the original series artist Satoshi Urushihara, is at least far more competent than the 3DS Langrisser's Hiroshi Kaieda... who really turned in a dogs dinner that shift, super rushed.

The remakes look like in good hands.

Re: Check Out All These New Discounts on My Nintendo in North America

Andyv01

Japan are getting physical rewards now and then on their MyNin.
Didn't nintendo kill off physical rewards because they were too expensive to manufacture/send out/stock?
Considering how well the switch is now doing they probably will bring something back to EU/US just nothing as elaborate as before.
Also, when has this site ever claimed to be UK centric?

Re: Reminder: The Castlevania Netflix Series is Available Now

Andyv01

Wow... very polarised views so far...

Yes there is gore and swearing but I don't feel they overdid it. The Warren Ellis stamp is all over it and the script delivers for me. The animation is not bad considering this was a test-the-water project. You can bet the second season will up the ante on all fronts.

Re: Bloodstained: Ritual Of The Night Is Only 20 To 30 Percent Complete

Andyv01

Hope it takes even longer and they get it right... comcept were feeling rushed towards the end of Mighty number 9 and look how that turned out.
Yes it's been two years since the KS finished but i'd imagine all the heavy work of level/story/character planning as well as creation of art assets and engine work has been finished. So whilst technically its 20% fin it's probably now in the considerably faster stage of bringing it all together. I doubt it will take another two year. Does anyone know what it's being built on? New engine?