Sometimes complaining about things is good. (Sometimes, we said. Most of the time it's just stressful and/or annoying.)
@KateGray Complaining is mostly stressful? Didn't you used to write for the Guardian and Kotaku? 🤣
I thought I knew what a dry sense of humour was until I met certain Australians and English folk. I also seem to remember a catty remark in a recent article by a certain staff writer about a key piece of furniture being too macho, or something. Personally, neither "macho" nor "girly" work for me, and I don't like to attack either human sex, but I'm just a furball. What do I know? As for puns... you're allowed to discuss "bums" and "pants" in yours, so it's not a fair competition, Kate.
Humans must be the only species that literally begin life as a ball and promptly forget how liberating it can be.
You know, I get it; you are what you are. From my perspective, arms and especially legs just get in the way more often than you realize. OTOH, it's quite amusing to watch humans slide down the snow-covered hills on their backsides or bellies when they could just try rolling.
Skating, I will grant, is pretty cool, if you use feet to get around.
And yet my initially facetious point remains... why the hell are they importing potatoes of all things?!
@Silly_G It's even more absurd than that. Those potatoes are coming (at least in large part) from the southern Okanagan Valley, one of the very few legitimately semi-arid ("desert") areas in Canada. And the shipment is delayed because of recent huge floods there!
Just thought that, as an Australian, you'd appreciate that 😁
This person single-handedly increases the éliteness of all gamers everywhere... nay, the éliteness of this whole planet. Let everyone learn from his example! May the fur on his face grow ever longer!
@HedgehogEngine We've been told by the usual suspects in this country that the "Great Resignation" is a US-only or US-centric phenomenon, but it's nice to see that the anecdotes I've heard about people leaving the office behind (with or without the agreement of management) extend to the tech industry. It's not usual to see people in Montréal and Toronto act in unison on anything, so this is particularly encouraging.
There will be consequences from all of this, good and ill, but at least some of them should fall on these AAA mismanagement types...
Shelter (and its sequel) both cover a similar concept too; a mother lynx has to help their babies grow up in the wild
@DarkTron Interesting. Assuming you've played it - would you recommend Shelter?
I've spent a great deal of time in lynx country, but I have literally never seen one (hardly uncommon, that). OTOH, here in Eastern Canada, one can see foxes even in the cities, on occasion. I get to hear coyotes fairly often, but they tend to lay low; whereas foxes seem almost casual in their willingness to visit your campsite without taking every precaution (I've heard them rustling in tall grass often enough!).
In my neck of woods, at least, foxes are not a common symbol for "endangered charismatic furry species"...
@HotGoomba @BTB20 Thanks for your comments. I try, I try, I try to be patient with people and differing perspectives, but comments like "no one cares" or "no one asked for this" - meaning "I don't like/want it, even though I can't be bothered to identify who is behind the proposal" - result in me using the Ignore function yet again. I just can't handle the bratty, braying ignorance of people like this.
I guess you guys are more patient and are willing to engage with people like that, so I must compliment you, at least.
@San_D Since I purchased the game in 2019, none of the patches for Switch have addressed the bugs I've found, and others (such as the persistent issues around entering or exiting caves) are still generating complaints on Klei's own forums.
The problem seems to be that Klei is busy adding content (like the Hamlet mode, or a crossover with Terraria), rather than ensuring stability on all platforms. For the record, I've encountered few problems with the PC version.
Have played the game on PC for 40+ hours but haven't bought it on Switch because of bugs.
@San_D I have played this game for even longer on PC, and even on Switch, but I was forced to stop due to a game-breaking bug: files more than one season long would crash not long after start-up.
I certainly hope that Klei Entertainment (with all their Tencent backing) has attended to all that, because this "free trial" is nothing but a cynical joke otherwise.
Is there an option to... perhaps one could say, negatively influence Beedle's chances at survival?
It has occurred to me that an unfortunate accident at the beginning of the timeline may negatively affect his chances at appearing in future games. ... Just saying...
@jello64 @__dave Old IronMan there is being quite sarcastic. His comment deliberately echoes the, uh, "format" adopted by a very prominent former US politician.
... and apparently, all of that went right over your heads.
you have no one here to provide a counter-argument. NL has a core of Nintendo fans living in countries with high economies... and they don’t even pretend to care about people barely making a living in far less rich countries.
@iuli First, I will agree without reservation that video games are targeted primarily at First World countries, with even Second World countries being an after-thought. Given that fact, and the wage suppression that has been occurring for decades even in rich countries, I find the arguments that higher-priced games are "cheap" quite absurd.
NL made up some ridiculous notions such as “speaking against the current is trolling” which works good on sensitive subjects but frankly nowhere else
I don't know what your experience with the moderators has been, but I'd like to share mine.
I have argued openly with several mods in various threads, including recently, and I have "gone against the current" too often to count. (Some people seem to comment only for that purpose!) There was a thread weeks ago where some people decided to attack the entire Metroid fan community, and I argued loudly over that one. NL still hasn't deleted those comments.
In other instances, I disagreed with some actions by the mods - to the point where I am comfortable calling them arbitrary - but I have found there is definitely room for argument. Be as respectful as you can, and stick to your guns!
Personally, I strongly doubt that Metroid Dread will have the same value as BOTW, and I think Dread should be priced lower than that phenomenal title. (Friendly and I have disagreed about that one before.) How much lower? That depends on the gameplay, length, story etc. Also, I'd like to ask you something of you. Please don't assume that no one here cares about poorer countries or is oblivious to them. Remember that many people living in richer countries come from poorer ones, and there are plenty of people born in N. America or Europe who don't forget the rest of the planet...
It's entirely another to not answer those same questions when they come from your company's own shareholders (and shareholders who have direct access to the president for posing questions at these meetings, are probably not minor shareholders either).
@Northwind Meaning that these "open" shareholder meetings are entirely for public consumption. Real questions would be asked elsewhere, one presumes.
@Teksetter Hello, esteemed fellow gamer! I really hope you don't mind me pinging you here... I just had to share a dazzling insight with you. I was wondering also if this game interested you, given your insights into Japan. (Or perhaps you've played it already?)
I was planning to save my pennies until a certain title releases on the 8th of October, but Kate's words and Zion's tones in the video weakened my resolve (damn them), so I'll be picking up this "attorney" game. Chagrined by all this, I began to wonder - how can I avoid such weakness in the future? Then it occurred to me...
Since Kate is not a video person, NL could use its vast budget to hire celebrities to read her copy! I would nominate Scott Thompson, in his role as Queen Elizabeth. The accent would be correct, and he would lend a much-needed air of gravitas to the "game review" genre. Wouldn't that be awesome?! Your ideas, of course, are also welcome.
(This is only because I'm assuming that Zion doesn't want the role.)
Kate never appears on video. Perhaps she is secretly a furball?
EDIT: Let me add that Kate's words (and Zion's delivery) convinced me to break with my plans for NO NEW GAMES before 8 October. That's a dangerous power you two have. ... Please stop.
they should if they want to maintain full control over their IP. If you allow one, you have to allow all of them.
@Octane I need to ask you, then: how is SEGA managing to allow Sonic fan games? I have yet to see anyone argue that they have lost the rights to Sonic.
It also has an "Story Mode" feature so it plays itself
@KateGray I fully believe in software giving us choice, but this option does not cultivate éliteness.... You're, uh, you're not going to "play" it that way, are you? I blatantly assume you're going to be reviewing this game 😁
I've never played one of these before, but I think I will hold off for a long while in order to support my budget for indie games. After all, the boundaries of visual novels and narrative games (with or without courtrooms) are being pushed by the indie types, right? Maybe you're compartmentalizing my thinking, Staff Writer!
I still think part of this game should be set in Loughborough.
@YoshiAngemon Yeah, I've noticed - but NYC does have quite an impressive system (the subway must have been awesome to behold when it was in better shape). Didn't I just read, though, that high-speed rail in Texas has taken a step forward? Maybe games and controllers like this will help things move along!
Apparently the mods didn't approve of our entirely wholesome and family-friendly discussion of Gillian Anderson a while back. So, if the green... lady (?) above is fair game, we'll have to pay our respects that way.
You know what's even more fun than raising a child-pet? Raising a child-pet that you repeatedly lob against a wall like a deflated football until it turns evil!
@KateGray Well, this isn't the recommended route into a real Shin Megami Tensei game... but if that was your path, I won't complain.
I think Mr. Vogel could use your counsel in attaining this level of enlightment.
I don't know why, but these comments are really making me laugh.
I'm really curious about Ender Lilies. Some great reviews, some mediocre ones. Sounds like it might run at 60fps on Switch, but I'm not sure yet.
@60frames-please I really enjoyed your comment here. In your honour, I'm composing this on my high-refresh monitor
All the lazy commentary trashing this game due to genre, price or similarity to other titles only firm my interest. Seriously, do you people think your flippant, dismissive comments are convincing anyone?
That doesn't mean I'll buy the game, but I will pay attention to it; there is something very stately about this game from what I've seen, something that even Hollow Knight and Metroid don't possess. We shall see!
Both string theory and the most empirical of results from modern astrophysics assure us that nothing can be extracted from the dead space in Android Wilson's eyes. And certainly not the Switch port of a new-old property.
I'm not even sure why we're discussing this, quite honestly.
@WhiteUmbrella That retailer you mentioned - I called them last week about this game. I was directly told that they will getting more stock in later, since it was expected to sell out quickly. I don't want to shill for them, so I'll leave it at that.
First, my thanks for the detailed reply. I've met a number of Australians here in Canada, and I have at least a passing familiarity with the culture, and certainly your sense of humour. You guys seem to have a very well-developed sense of irony toward authority, along with a more relaxed attitude toward life than we do, so I am pretty curious about what the heck is going on down there. (The hypocrisy around sex - bodies bad, violence good - is quite familiar, of course.)
I see that even the M rating still allows kids to "legally access this material", whereas I've seen kids attempting to purchase ESRB-M games at retail here being firmly turned down pretty often.
After considering your examples, I think my question is this: is the Classification Board falling into disrepute with parents, and in the culture broadly? In North America, I find that video games (and gamers) still have a definite stigma around them for many people, and I wonder if that perhaps explains some of the inconsistency. (Haha, sorry - that's two questions, I know...)
Meanwhile, scenes of sexual violence are permitted in films rated as low as M (mostly analogous to BBFC’s 12 and MPAA’s PG-13 ratings), whereas the same scenes would get a game banned.
So much for reflecting “community standards”.
@Silly_G If you don't mind a question about all this: why is Australia's censorship system so strict? From my perspective, maybe I should ask: why is it so much more imposing and restrictive than that of New Zealand, Canada or the UK?
I'm guessing the moral panic about video games infected Australia in the '90s as well as North America, but if so, it seems to persist there.
I also hope they will include more newcomer-friendly options for filthy casuals like me who will likely get stuck only a few maps in.
@Silly_G Why are you describing yourself in these terms, my multi-lobed monster friend? I'll hear no such talk. You should not doubt your own éliteness; you've clearly been around long enough to qualify. This site is not reserved for filthy casuals.
Sadly, digitally produced animation looks sterile more often than not, and this is especially noticeable in remakes like these
I was prepared to make this precise comment, but then I watched Zion's video. Now, I can not only agree unreservedly with you, I can also say that the originals had a style worth emulating much more closely. The battlefield solider sprites in the originals are incredibly charming! (I had never viewed Advance Wars gameplay before.) I would love to know what governed WayForward's art direction here.
Stardew Valley — the most generous game in the history of gaming.
@iuli And here I'd thought that the "Switch Pro" rumour game fit that description. Free-to-play, with an infinite number of moves and skins, and - apparently - no Game Over in sight.
I agree with your statement that an arbitrary ceiling for a price is weird.
@Friendly Ah, I'm feeling reassured that English is at least partially working for me, then. If I may elaborate on pricing:
The MSRP of BOTW at $80 (all figures Canadian) - before DLC - is an important reference point for me. I found BOTW to be "worthy" of that price because of its many surprising and joyful qualities (innovation, artstyle and quality of animation, mastery of the exploration ethic, clever iterations of older elements of Zelda, freedom to attack Beedle, etc. etc.). The game had its flaws, of course, and was incomplete, as far I can tell, but we are speaking of relative value here. So, $80; very well.
Is Yoshi's Crafted World worth the same as BOTW? Not by any metric I know.
The same goes for Mario Maker 2, Tropical Freeze, or Mario Tennis Aces. The $80 price point for these games were set as being the "maximum the market will bear", underlined by the brand pricing @RoguePirate alludes to. To my mind, if $80 is the maximum, then these games - and I see value in all of them, the DKC game especially - should not exceed $70.
In my estimation, $80 titles should be few and far between. Skyrim. Dragon Quest XI. Possibly FE3H (with DLC included - NB I've not played the game). Horizon Zero Dawn. GTA V.
Elsewhere on the scale, I was delighted with the Day One cost of Mega Man 11 ($40) and Shovel Knight Treasure Trove ($50), and I am displeased with the Day One prices of Catherine Full Body, Final Fantasy XII and Disgaea 6 (all about $65).
So, where does this leave Dread on my scale? Somewhat overpriced, unless we all have a shock awaiting us. I will pay for quality (it is not entirely correct to call it "brand power", although I do have a keen ardour for Samus), but pricing the game at the same point that BOTW occupies is not wise. That kind of pricing does not place Metroid, Yoshi and other worthy franchises in the best possible position to succeed.
@RoguePirate Your comments have taught me one thing, at least - I have to make my sarcasm much, much clearer when conveying nuance online. At any rate, I think my reply to Friendly will suffice here.
there are so many different kinds of shampoos out there.
@Friendly I don't feel comfortable discussing my fur care in this thread.
Why is there a price difference between shampoos?
I never did understand that, actually. I will say, though, that I find pricing is best thought of as a logarithmic scale (if you're reading this, @Dr_G_Lemaitre, I'm saying Hello!). That is, just like the Richter Scale, the numbers do not increase linearly - a 60 USD game is not worth twice that of a 30 USD game (to the player). By this token, I don't think Dread should be priced at the same point as BOTW (unless it is exceptionally long and varied), but I think an arbitrary limit of 25 or 30 USD is absurd.
So, when will you guys be renaming this genre "Shooty-maze games that mustn't cost 60 USD"? I mean, so many have assured me that complex 2D action-exploration games should cost $25 US at most...
@Yosher I am quite sure that Platinum does not hold the copy/rights to Bayonetta. The Bayo 3 trailer only displays a SEGA trademark, although I have read in various places that Nintendo has some ownership rights as well. (I think I find all of this just as unclear as you do.)
I am, however, quite certain that Nintendo's funding was pivotal to the franchise at a critical time. It is Nintendo money that is making all of this happen even now; Platinum is very evidently cash-poor. It was and is Nintendo that calls all the shots here.
If Nintendo had not disbursed the funding, Bayonetta 2 would not have appeared when it did (it may never have appeared!), and I cannot think that Bayonetta 3 would be as far along as it must be now. (I can imagine that a newly acquisitive and IP-hungry Microsoft might have purchased the rights or made a deal with Sega, but that is a fairly recent development.)
@Yosher I'm definitely not accusing you of harassing Kamiya.
I'm pointing out that Kamiya didn't announce this game, and that Platinum didn't announce this game. It was Nintendo's decision to announce it.
Given the context of late 2017 - when the Switch was doing well, but before its success was by any means a sure thing - I can understand the announcement of this game's development. Just as I can understand the announcement of MP4's development. Neither the fans (nor the market) knew what Nintendo and the broader industry had in store for Switch. They needed to entice people.
I agree with most of what you're saying, anyway. My point here is to remind people of the context and puncture this apparent belief that Kamiya (the xenophobe) calls the shots here. He did not and he does not, though his online persona might have some people believe otherwise. The whole narrative of this man's career is that other people make the decisions for him; that's why Platinum is seeking greater heft in the marketplace...
I think its on both him and Nintendo, i imagine that Platinum told Nintendo they are making Bayonetta 3 back in 2017, so Nintendo told them to announce it.
@RoguePirate
Nintendo told Platinum to announce the game?
Platinum told Nintendo they were making the game?
That's impressive. But yes, I am the one foisting "dribble" on the comment section. It can keep your drivel company...
Can you show me the video, tweet, article, press release in which Bayonetta 3 was first announced? Tell me: in that announcement, do you see, hear or read the words of Kamiya, or any Platinum representative?
I consider Hideki Kamiya to be a total jackass... but "fans" shouldn't sink to his level! I wonder how some people here could possibly ever function in jobs involving large public infrastructure projects, scientific investigations, or education!
Comments 1,603
Re: Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic Getting Patch To Fix That Giant Bloody Text Box
Sometimes complaining about things is good. (Sometimes, we said. Most of the time it's just stressful and/or annoying.)
@KateGray Complaining is mostly stressful? Didn't you used to write for the Guardian and Kotaku? 🤣
I thought I knew what a dry sense of humour was until I met certain Australians and English folk. I also seem to remember a catty remark in a recent article by a certain staff writer about a key piece of furniture being too macho, or something. Personally, neither "macho" nor "girly" work for me, and I don't like to attack either human sex, but I'm just a furball. What do I know? As for puns... you're allowed to discuss "bums" and "pants" in yours, so it's not a fair competition, Kate.
Re: Best Of 2021: Seriously, What The Heck Is Going On Inside Samus’ Morph Ball?
Humans must be the only species that literally begin life as a ball and promptly forget how liberating it can be.
You know, I get it; you are what you are. From my perspective, arms and especially legs just get in the way more often than you realize. OTOH, it's quite amusing to watch humans slide down the snow-covered hills on their backsides or bellies when they could just try rolling.
Skating, I will grant, is pretty cool, if you use feet to get around.
Re: Global Chip Shortages And Supply Issues To Continue Into 2023, Says Intel Boss
And yet my initially facetious point remains... why the hell are they importing potatoes of all things?!
@Silly_G It's even more absurd than that. Those potatoes are coming (at least in large part) from the southern Okanagan Valley, one of the very few legitimately semi-arid ("desert") areas in Canada. And the shipment is delayed because of recent huge floods there!
Just thought that, as an Australian, you'd appreciate that 😁
Re: Xexex, One Of Konami's Greatest Shmups, Is Coming To Switch This Week
We always just referred to it as Sex-Sex. As the developers intended, no doubt. Anyways, it's pretty good.
The game, I mean.
Re: This Gamer Is "No Death" Completing Some Of The Video Gaming's Hardest Titles With His Chin
This person single-handedly increases the éliteness of all gamers everywhere... nay, the éliteness of this whole planet. Let everyone learn from his example! May the fur on his face grow ever longer!
Re: Ubisoft Staff Are Leaving Their Jobs In Droves, Report Claims
@HedgehogEngine We've been told by the usual suspects in this country that the "Great Resignation" is a US-only or US-centric phenomenon, but it's nice to see that the anecdotes I've heard about people leaving the office behind (with or without the agreement of management) extend to the tech industry. It's not usual to see people in Montréal and Toronto act in unison on anything, so this is particularly encouraging.
There will be consequences from all of this, good and ill, but at least some of them should fall on these AAA mismanagement types...
Re: Endling - Extinction Is Forever Will Start Its Quest For Survival In Spring 2022
Shelter (and its sequel) both cover a similar concept too; a mother lynx has to help their babies grow up in the wild
@DarkTron Interesting. Assuming you've played it - would you recommend Shelter?
I've spent a great deal of time in lynx country, but I have literally never seen one (hardly uncommon, that). OTOH, here in Eastern Canada, one can see foxes even in the cities, on occasion. I get to hear coyotes fairly often, but they tend to lay low; whereas foxes seem almost casual in their willingness to visit your campsite without taking every precaution (I've heard them rustling in tall grass often enough!).
In my neck of woods, at least, foxes are not a common symbol for "endangered charismatic furry species"...
Re: Commodore 64 Games Are Being Teased For Nintendo Switch
@HotGoomba @BTB20 Thanks for your comments. I try, I try, I try to be patient with people and differing perspectives, but comments like "no one cares" or "no one asked for this" - meaning "I don't like/want it, even though I can't be bothered to identify who is behind the proposal" - result in me using the Ignore function yet again. I just can't handle the bratty, braying ignorance of people like this.
I guess you guys are more patient and are willing to engage with people like that, so I must compliment you, at least.
Re: Don't Starve Is The Next Free Trial For Nintendo Switch Online (US)
@San_D Since I purchased the game in 2019, none of the patches for Switch have addressed the bugs I've found, and others (such as the persistent issues around entering or exiting caves) are still generating complaints on Klei's own forums.
The problem seems to be that Klei is busy adding content (like the Hamlet mode, or a crossover with Terraria), rather than ensuring stability on all platforms. For the record, I've encountered few problems with the PC version.
Re: You Can Get Your Official 'Year In Review' Switch Stats Now
I messed around with my TV's settings a lot though and adjusted the gamma rays and contrast and stuff
@Not_Soos ... your TV is emitting gamma rays? In that case, I fear you have greater problems than contrast...
Re: Don't Starve Is The Next Free Trial For Nintendo Switch Online (US)
Have played the game on PC for 40+ hours but haven't bought it on Switch because of bugs.
@San_D I have played this game for even longer on PC, and even on Switch, but I was forced to stop due to a game-breaking bug: files more than one season long would crash not long after start-up.
I certainly hope that Klei Entertainment (with all their Tencent backing) has attended to all that, because this "free trial" is nothing but a cynical joke otherwise.
Re: Nintendo And Tencent Launch Super Mario Party And Switch Demonstrations In China
wah wah comments here about
@Anti-Matter I'll remember your comment if things ever become... hot in the Strait of Malacca, champ.
Re: Rumour: Please Let This Super Monkey Ball amiibo Be Real
@GrailUK Good morning.
Re: Here's How Nintendo Is Improving Zelda: Skyward Sword HD Over The Wii Original
Is there an option to... perhaps one could say, negatively influence Beedle's chances at survival?
It has occurred to me that an unfortunate accident at the beginning of the timeline may negatively affect his chances at appearing in future games. ... Just saying...
Re: Video: 13 Exciting New Games Coming to Nintendo Switch In July
@jello64 @__dave Old IronMan there is being quite sarcastic. His comment deliberately echoes the, uh, "format" adopted by a very prominent former US politician.
... and apparently, all of that went right over your heads.
Re: Video: Are 2D Games Worth $60? Jon, Alex And Zion Share Their Own Thoughts
Only the gaming industry is hellbent on making every single product a premium priced status icon.
@NEStalgia You know that this is exaggeration. Surely you don't need me to provide counter-examples here.
Re: Video: Are 2D Games Worth $60? Jon, Alex And Zion Share Their Own Thoughts
you have no one here to provide a counter-argument. NL has a core of Nintendo fans living in countries with high economies... and they don’t even pretend to care about people barely making a living in far less rich countries.
@iuli First, I will agree without reservation that video games are targeted primarily at First World countries, with even Second World countries being an after-thought. Given that fact, and the wage suppression that has been occurring for decades even in rich countries, I find the arguments that higher-priced games are "cheap" quite absurd.
NL made up some ridiculous notions such as “speaking against the current is trolling” which works good on sensitive subjects but frankly nowhere else
I don't know what your experience with the moderators has been, but I'd like to share mine.
I have argued openly with several mods in various threads, including recently, and I have "gone against the current" too often to count. (Some people seem to comment only for that purpose!) There was a thread weeks ago where some people decided to attack the entire Metroid fan community, and I argued loudly over that one. NL still hasn't deleted those comments.
In other instances, I disagreed with some actions by the mods - to the point where I am comfortable calling them arbitrary - but I have found there is definitely room for argument. Be as respectful as you can, and stick to your guns!
Personally, I strongly doubt that Metroid Dread will have the same value as BOTW, and I think Dread should be priced lower than that phenomenal title. (Friendly and I have disagreed about that one before.) How much lower? That depends on the gameplay, length, story etc. Also, I'd like to ask you something of you. Please don't assume that no one here cares about poorer countries or is oblivious to them. Remember that many people living in richer countries come from poorer ones, and there are plenty of people born in N. America or Europe who don't forget the rest of the planet...
Re: Nintendo President Quizzed By Shareholders On Switch 'Pro' And Classic Mini Consoles
To be fair, what else do they expect him to say? Has Nintendo ever made a major new hardware announcement at an investor meeting like this?
@SwitchVogel That begs the question, then: why publish an article on NL about these pro forma responses?
Re: Nintendo President Quizzed By Shareholders On Switch 'Pro' And Classic Mini Consoles
It's entirely another to not answer those same questions when they come from your company's own shareholders (and shareholders who have direct access to the president for posing questions at these meetings, are probably not minor shareholders either).
@Northwind Meaning that these "open" shareholder meetings are entirely for public consumption. Real questions would be asked elsewhere, one presumes.
Re: Hands On: It's Time To Judge The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles
@Teksetter Hello, esteemed fellow gamer! I really hope you don't mind me pinging you here... I just had to share a dazzling insight with you. I was wondering also if this game interested you, given your insights into Japan. (Or perhaps you've played it already?)
I was planning to save my pennies until a certain title releases on the 8th of October, but Kate's words and Zion's tones in the video weakened my resolve (damn them), so I'll be picking up this "attorney" game. Chagrined by all this, I began to wonder - how can I avoid such weakness in the future? Then it occurred to me...
Since Kate is not a video person, NL could use its vast budget to hire celebrities to read her copy! I would nominate Scott Thompson, in his role as Queen Elizabeth. The accent would be correct, and he would lend a much-needed air of gravitas to the "game review" genre. Wouldn't that be awesome?! Your ideas, of course, are also welcome.
(This is only because I'm assuming that Zion doesn't want the role.)
Re: Review: Doki Doki Literature Club Plus! - A Cute And Absolutely Horrifying Dating Sim
After reading the review and the comments, I'm going to play this just to find out what the Hell [REDACTED] is.
@VenomousAlbino I wonder if I can adopt [THAT] as my username. ... Well, maybe after the vaccination rate climbs.
Re: Hands On: It's Time To Judge The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles
Kate never appears on video. Perhaps she is secretly a furball?
EDIT: Let me add that Kate's words (and Zion's delivery) convinced me to break with my plans for NO NEW GAMES before 8 October. That's a dangerous power you two have. ... Please stop.
Re: EarthBound YouTube Videos Keep Getting Flagged For Copyright By Sony
they should if they want to maintain full control over their IP. If you allow one, you have to allow all of them.
@Octane I need to ask you, then: how is SEGA managing to allow Sonic fan games? I have yet to see anyone argue that they have lost the rights to Sonic.
Re: New Great Ace Attorney Story Trailer Is Nearly Six Minutes Of Spoilery Goodness
It also has an "Story Mode" feature so it plays itself
@KateGray I fully believe in software giving us choice, but this option does not cultivate éliteness.... You're, uh, you're not going to "play" it that way, are you? I blatantly assume you're going to be reviewing this game 😁
I've never played one of these before, but I think I will hold off for a long while in order to support my budget for indie games. After all, the boundaries of visual novels and narrative games (with or without courtrooms) are being pushed by the indie types, right? Maybe you're compartmentalizing my thinking, Staff Writer!
I still think part of this game should be set in Loughborough.
Re: All Aboard! The Nintendo Switch Is Getting A Train Controller In Japan
America isn't as transit-savvy as Japan.
@YoshiAngemon Yeah, I've noticed - but NYC does have quite an impressive system (the subway must have been awesome to behold when it was in better shape). Didn't I just read, though, that high-speed rail in Texas has taken a step forward? Maybe games and controllers like this will help things move along!
Re: Random: Internet Goes Wild Over One Incredibly Small Detail In Metroid Dread
Internet Goes Wild Over
One Incredibly Small Detail inMetroid DreadHEADLINE AMENDED
Re: Yep, The Wii U Gets A New Game In July
@Mr-Fuggles777 You are quite correct, sir.
Apparently the mods didn't approve of our entirely wholesome and family-friendly discussion of Gillian Anderson a while back. So, if the green... lady (?) above is fair game, we'll have to pay our respects that way.
Re: Yep, The Wii U Gets A New Game In July
Mr. Fuggles, I am wondering if this game would interest you, given the, uh... distinctive boss featured in the last nine seconds of the video above.
Purely on an aesthetic level, of course. @Mr-Fuggles777
Re: Soapbox: Sonic Adventure 2 Turns 20 — It’s Time For A Chao Garden Comeback
Forget the Chaos Emeralds; I just want Chaos
You know what's even more fun than raising a child-pet? Raising a child-pet that you repeatedly lob against a wall like a deflated football until it turns evil!
@KateGray Well, this isn't the recommended route into a real Shin Megami Tensei game... but if that was your path, I won't complain.
I think Mr. Vogel could use your counsel in attaining this level of enlightment.
Re: Dark Fantasy Metroidvania Ender Lilies Launches On Switch Today
I don't know why, but these comments are really making me laugh.
I'm really curious about Ender Lilies. Some great reviews, some mediocre ones. Sounds like it might run at 60fps on Switch, but I'm not sure yet.
@60frames-please I really enjoyed your comment here. In your honour, I'm composing this on my high-refresh monitor
All the lazy commentary trashing this game due to genre, price or similarity to other titles only firm my interest. Seriously, do you people think your flippant, dismissive comments are convincing anyone?
That doesn't mean I'll buy the game, but I will pay attention to it; there is something very stately about this game from what I've seen, something that even Hollow Knight and Metroid don't possess. We shall see!
Re: Nintendo To Give Forever Entertainment "Significant Financial Support" In New Publishing Deal
It seems I was wrong about the relative importance of this studio.
I'm not very familiar with their work. Can anyone who has played a number of their games give an opinion here?
Re: Rumour: EA Is Planning On Reviving An "Established IP"
Both string theory and the most empirical of results from modern astrophysics assure us that nothing can be extracted from the dead space in Android Wilson's eyes. And certainly not the Switch port of a new-old property.
I'm not even sure why we're discussing this, quite honestly.
Re: Shin Megami Tensei V Premium Edition Pre-Orders Go Live Alongside A New Trailer
@WhiteUmbrella That retailer you mentioned - I called them last week about this game. I was directly told that they will getting more stock in later, since it was expected to sell out quickly. I don't want to shill for them, so I'll leave it at that.
Re: Dark Fantasy Metroidvania Ender Lilies Launches On Switch Today
Removed
Re: Shin Megami Tensei V Premium Edition Pre-Orders Go Live Alongside A New Trailer
Well, it's already live on that Canadian site I mentioned
Can't believe so far it has only been Gamestop and some obscure Canadian retailer.
I was on VGP for the first time ever, and the special edition was available
@Ralizah @WhiteUmbrella You're welcome, my goodly British and USA friends...
Re: Hotline Miami Appears To Be Getting Another Physical Run On Switch
@Silly_G Hmmmmm.
First, my thanks for the detailed reply. I've met a number of Australians here in Canada, and I have at least a passing familiarity with the culture, and certainly your sense of humour. You guys seem to have a very well-developed sense of irony toward authority, along with a more relaxed attitude toward life than we do, so I am pretty curious about what the heck is going on down there. (The hypocrisy around sex - bodies bad, violence good - is quite familiar, of course.)
I see that even the M rating still allows kids to "legally access this material", whereas I've seen kids attempting to purchase ESRB-M games at retail here being firmly turned down pretty often.
After considering your examples, I think my question is this: is the Classification Board falling into disrepute with parents, and in the culture broadly? In North America, I find that video games (and gamers) still have a definite stigma around them for many people, and I wonder if that perhaps explains some of the inconsistency. (Haha, sorry - that's two questions, I know...)
Re: Hotline Miami Appears To Be Getting Another Physical Run On Switch
Meanwhile, scenes of sexual violence are permitted in films rated as low as M (mostly analogous to BBFC’s 12 and MPAA’s PG-13 ratings), whereas the same scenes would get a game banned.
So much for reflecting “community standards”.
@Silly_G If you don't mind a question about all this: why is Australia's censorship system so strict? From my perspective, maybe I should ask: why is it so much more imposing and restrictive than that of New Zealand, Canada or the UK?
I'm guessing the moral panic about video games infected Australia in the '90s as well as North America, but if so, it seems to persist there.
Re: Review: Overboard! - Get Away With Murder In This Thrilling 'Youdunnit'
Welp. No need to ask our Staff Writer about the British slang in use here.
Re: Poll: Box Art Brawl: Duel #87 - Metroid: Zero Mission
Want Japanese cover art - minus the white logos in the corners - as poster!
METOROIDO ! ! ! ! !
Re: Video: Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp Switch Vs. GBA Comparison
I also hope they will include more newcomer-friendly options for filthy casuals like me who will likely get stuck only a few maps in.
@Silly_G Why are you describing yourself in these terms, my multi-lobed monster friend? I'll hear no such talk. You should not doubt your own éliteness; you've clearly been around long enough to qualify. This site is not reserved for filthy casuals.
Sadly, digitally produced animation looks sterile more often than not, and this is especially noticeable in remakes like these
I was prepared to make this precise comment, but then I watched Zion's video. Now, I can not only agree unreservedly with you, I can also say that the originals had a style worth emulating much more closely. The battlefield solider sprites in the originals are incredibly charming! (I had never viewed Advance Wars gameplay before.) I would love to know what governed WayForward's art direction here.
Re: There's A New Update Available For Stardew Valley On Nintendo Switch
Stardew Valley — the most generous game in the history of gaming.
@iuli And here I'd thought that the "Switch Pro" rumour game fit that description. Free-to-play, with an infinite number of moves and skins, and - apparently - no Game Over in sight.
Stardew Valley? Bah. That merely took effort.
Re: Best Nintendo Switch Metroidvania Games
I agree with your statement that an arbitrary ceiling for a price is weird.
@Friendly Ah, I'm feeling reassured that English is at least partially working for me, then. If I may elaborate on pricing:
The MSRP of BOTW at $80 (all figures Canadian) - before DLC - is an important reference point for me. I found BOTW to be "worthy" of that price because of its many surprising and joyful qualities (innovation, artstyle and quality of animation, mastery of the exploration ethic, clever iterations of older elements of Zelda, freedom to attack Beedle, etc. etc.). The game had its flaws, of course, and was incomplete, as far I can tell, but we are speaking of relative value here. So, $80; very well.
Is Yoshi's Crafted World worth the same as BOTW? Not by any metric I know.
The same goes for Mario Maker 2, Tropical Freeze, or Mario Tennis Aces. The $80 price point for these games were set as being the "maximum the market will bear", underlined by the brand pricing @RoguePirate alludes to. To my mind, if $80 is the maximum, then these games - and I see value in all of them, the DKC game especially - should not exceed $70.
In my estimation, $80 titles should be few and far between. Skyrim. Dragon Quest XI. Possibly FE3H (with DLC included - NB I've not played the game). Horizon Zero Dawn. GTA V.
Elsewhere on the scale, I was delighted with the Day One cost of Mega Man 11 ($40) and Shovel Knight Treasure Trove ($50), and I am displeased with the Day One prices of Catherine Full Body, Final Fantasy XII and Disgaea 6 (all about $65).
So, where does this leave Dread on my scale? Somewhat overpriced, unless we all have a shock awaiting us. I will pay for quality (it is not entirely correct to call it "brand power", although I do have a keen ardour for Samus), but pricing the game at the same point that BOTW occupies is not wise. That kind of pricing does not place Metroid, Yoshi and other worthy franchises in the best possible position to succeed.
Re: Best Nintendo Switch Metroidvania Games
@Friendly I'm buying it Day One. I haven't purchased a new first-party game in years. You've misunderstood me, I'm afraid.
Re: Best Nintendo Switch Metroidvania Games
@RoguePirate Your comments have taught me one thing, at least - I have to make my sarcasm much, much clearer when conveying nuance online. At any rate, I think my reply to Friendly will suffice here.
Re: Best Nintendo Switch Metroidvania Games
there are so many different kinds of shampoos out there.
@Friendly I don't feel comfortable discussing my fur care in this thread.
Why is there a price difference between shampoos?
I never did understand that, actually. I will say, though, that I find pricing is best thought of as a logarithmic scale (if you're reading this, @Dr_G_Lemaitre, I'm saying Hello!). That is, just like the Richter Scale, the numbers do not increase linearly - a 60 USD game is not worth twice that of a 30 USD game (to the player). By this token, I don't think Dread should be priced at the same point as BOTW (unless it is exceptionally long and varied), but I think an arbitrary limit of 25 or 30 USD is absurd.
Re: Best Nintendo Switch Metroidvania Games
So, when will you guys be renaming this genre "Shooty-maze games that mustn't cost 60 USD"? I mean, so many have assured me that complex 2D action-exploration games should cost $25 US at most...
Re: Hideki Kamiya Shares Irritation At Speculation Over Bayonetta 3
@Yosher I am quite sure that Platinum does not hold the copy/rights to Bayonetta. The Bayo 3 trailer only displays a SEGA trademark, although I have read in various places that Nintendo has some ownership rights as well. (I think I find all of this just as unclear as you do.)
I am, however, quite certain that Nintendo's funding was pivotal to the franchise at a critical time. It is Nintendo money that is making all of this happen even now; Platinum is very evidently cash-poor. It was and is Nintendo that calls all the shots here.
If Nintendo had not disbursed the funding, Bayonetta 2 would not have appeared when it did (it may never have appeared!), and I cannot think that Bayonetta 3 would be as far along as it must be now. (I can imagine that a newly acquisitive and IP-hungry Microsoft might have purchased the rights or made a deal with Sega, but that is a fairly recent development.)
Re: Hideki Kamiya Shares Irritation At Speculation Over Bayonetta 3
@Yosher I'm definitely not accusing you of harassing Kamiya.
I'm pointing out that Kamiya didn't announce this game, and that Platinum didn't announce this game. It was Nintendo's decision to announce it.
Given the context of late 2017 - when the Switch was doing well, but before its success was by any means a sure thing - I can understand the announcement of this game's development. Just as I can understand the announcement of MP4's development. Neither the fans (nor the market) knew what Nintendo and the broader industry had in store for Switch. They needed to entice people.
I agree with most of what you're saying, anyway. My point here is to remind people of the context and puncture this apparent belief that Kamiya (the xenophobe) calls the shots here. He did not and he does not, though his online persona might have some people believe otherwise. The whole narrative of this man's career is that other people make the decisions for him; that's why Platinum is seeking greater heft in the marketplace...
Re: Hideki Kamiya Shares Irritation At Speculation Over Bayonetta 3
I think its on both him and Nintendo, i imagine that Platinum told Nintendo they are making Bayonetta 3 back in 2017, so Nintendo told them to announce it.
@RoguePirate
Nintendo told Platinum to announce the game?
Platinum told Nintendo they were making the game?
That's impressive. But yes, I am the one foisting "dribble" on the comment section. It can keep your drivel company...
Re: Hideki Kamiya Shares Irritation At Speculation Over Bayonetta 3
@Matl @FireRabbit @KeyBladeMaster-Dan @Yosher @Kurusu @Deadlyblack @Joeynator3000 @RoguePirate
Can you show me the video, tweet, article, press release in which Bayonetta 3 was first announced? Tell me: in that announcement, do you see, hear or read the words of Kamiya, or any Platinum representative?
I consider Hideki Kamiya to be a total jackass... but "fans" shouldn't sink to his level! I wonder how some people here could possibly ever function in jobs involving large public infrastructure projects, scientific investigations, or education!