@neogyo Agree with everything said. Absolutely I'd prefer the option of physical, but the world is changing and it looks like GKCs are here to stay where Switch2 is concerned.
Like you I'm actually seeking out the 'positives' - and I'd also say that there is a level of convenience to all-digital, especially as my I travel frequently and therefore have to worry about carrying less and/or losing cartridges.
Funnily enough it was owning a Steamdeck that helped me comes to terms with a digital library... it was just so convenient to have everything in one place and seamlessly flick between games.
So yeah, bit annoying that physical is dying out but I really don't think we need every article's comment section to be awash with heated debate about how evil GKCs are. Gaming is, IMO, a very privileged hobby - and I guess we should all be thankful we get to enjoy such this medium to the extent we do (bigger things going on in the world right now..!)
@ZonaiResearcher I'll never forget finally managing to score a PS5 in the pandemic, booting up the DeS remake... only to find there was a ~80GB(!) day1 patch, effectively rendering the disk kind of pointless.
I'm imagining a world where soon it would be announced that Sandfall are porting E33 to Switch2....and this would lead to so many just refusing to play it, due to "No Physical, no interest"
I honestly do sympathise with those who continue to put a high value on physical media, and understand that the slow erosion of this format is less than desirable for those who would rather have their game libraries as ‘things that can be touched’.
That being said, it’s always a bit of a downer that the majority or articles seem to be awash with outrage and vitriol regarding whether a game is/isn’t a GKC.
“GKC - so it’s a hard pass from me” is something I see written many times.
I was physical for Switch1, and it’s a bit sad to see this dying out for Switch2, but it seems crazy to completely write-off a title based on the format in which it is delivered in?
I’m not a huge Pokémon fan, but it’s nice to see the IP try something a bit different and actually stick the landing whilst doing so. Hope this game does well, and hope those on the fence (due to GKC format) will give it a chance
EDIT / I’m absolutely not advocating that these feelings of physical enthusiasts aren’t valid, nor am I saying that these individuals don’t deserve a voice, I’m merely pointing out that so may articles on this site seem to have comment sections that effectively just continue the debate of pro-physical vs pro-digital
I'm pretty sure this game was developed originally with the PS5 in mind? Porting it to Switch2 decently and getting 30fps fairly consistently (avoid graphical compromises where possible) is quite reasonable.
Better to understand your limitations and shoot for 30fps..... surely better to shoot for 30fps and get this 90% of the time, instead of shoot for 60fps and get it 40% of the time?!
I think RE Village is definitely a solid game, but I still favour RE7 overall, mainly for that excellent opening section - terrifying and very ‘Texas chainsaw’ (!)
Village is bonkers, but for me the horror is just a bit too camp - even by RE standards. But it’s still a really fun time
9 seems to be taking the horror elements of 7, with the action of 4remake… which should be a nice mix
@Dm9982 yeh I think Rise is pretty solid as a base game, but Sunbreak is where this thing really sings. It’s a brilliant expansion, and was amazing to play at launch… playing daily to bump up AR level before the next TU would drop lol
Also the quiros skill crafting was great, and a way to min/max some insane builds
I’d be delighted for this, as I’ve held off so long getting it on Steamdeck - hoping that Switch2 optimisation will out-class the deck, and would rather play smoothest version possible
I’m more excited though for the next portable team game though. RiseBreak was incredible fun and I loved the more arcade-ish nature of it… some of my GS builds were insane by endgame, Elemental surge slash sets lol so awesome
I'd love to see something new, and something that is Switch2 exclusive (or at least timed-exclusive).
I'm actually feeling a lot more positive about Duskbloods, especially in the wake of titles like Helldivers and Arc Raiders.
I can absolutely guarantee 1 thing we will see for certain though - a tremendous amount of unjustified outrage towards any game dev that dares to release their product as a GKC...!
That was unexpected and actually pretty cool. Requiem seems to be landing well with those who have been fortunate enough to play test, and hoping that ‘the best of both worlds’ approach will pay off! Delighted to see Leon back in all of his campy kungfu glory, and equally excited to have some horror sections ala Resi7
This is a bit of a weird case for sure.... but I can imagine that the rationale behind the censorship is likely due to this being a more 'high profile' game, that is likely to permeate a broader spectrum of gamers due to the solid reviews and overall positive critical consensus. Coupled with the Switch/2 likely having a slightly younger demographic (vs XB/PS?) then I suppose this is Nintendo being extra cautious of not wanting explicit content falling in to the hands of younger users.
On the surface Dispatch could look like it is geared towards a younger audience, considering the animation style and content, so every chance an 'uneducated' parent might purchase for a kid etc.
I played on Steamdeck, had a great time, and generally really enjoyed it. There is a bit of profanity and some nudity, nothing too extreme and certainly not on par with other risque superhero shows (Dispatch is nowhere near 'The Boys' in terms of gratuitous scenes, and Invincible is also far more graphic IMO)
As a father of young kids, and being ever conscious many parents might not be fully clued in on what they are purchasing, I kind of see where Nintendo might be coming from..... but perhaps a less finite option may have been better as opposed to censoring without any opportunity to reverse. (Maybe a stronger warning upon booting up for first time?)
Overall though, my understanding is that all scenes are still present - albeit some visual items covered by black bars? Not a huge deal in the grand scheme of things IMO. The story and narrative beats will still land, and I doubt anyone is really that desperate to see cartoon boobs?
Maybe I'm missing something here, but perhaps not such a big deal? All the content is still there to my understanding, but certain things blacked out
(nb. seen other comments citing Cyberpunk and nudity / genitalia character creation etc... I'd wager that the audience for CP2077 is perhaps a lot 'clearer' in terms of being aimed towards adults, whereby the presentation of Dispatch could suggest it is a game suitable for those of a younger age)
I played this over the holidays, and can absolutely advocate it as an amazing game! It was actually my 2025 GOTY, just edging above Expedition 33
Seance plays like a mix between Obra Dinn and Golden Idol - with a twist of Irish folklore and heritage, bolstered by great VA work
It genuinely makes you feel like a ‘real detective’ as you begin to sketch out movements of all the suspects, being able to deduce when guest rooms will be empty, following clues around the manor… it’s just brilliantly crafted.
Longer than expected also, my playthrough was +20 hours in total and it flew by. This game is a huge step up from the Darkside entries, and I can’t wait to see what the devs do next
I played on Steamdeck and it ran flawlessly, as would be expected from an indie title like this where power demand isn’t high.
The best PnC/mystery game I’ve played since Lorelei and the Laser Eyes
@Dalamar I don't like to hate on things usually, but I agree that MP4 is a disaster of a game... and genuinely feel really sorry for the passionate fanbase waiting years for this latest installment.
Myles is annoying for sure, but I could have honestly lived with him had the rest of the game been up to standard.
The recent news/interviews on the troubled development cycle are really telling, and it shows in spades when assessing the final product. I can't help but think how it would have turned out had Retro been given the project from Day1, instead of having to work with the outline of what Bandai Namco had begun to produce.
I've been really fortunate to play a ton of great games this year (E33, Silksong, Blue Prince, Hades 2, The Seance of Blake Manor) and MP4 really doesn't hold up comparatively.
I'm happy that there does seem to be some people out there who enjoyed it, but for me personally I found it really lacking a 'soul' - and it came across as extremely outdated, and a little lazy.
Honestly, in the broader context of the game he was pretty much a non-issue. He made my toes curl plenty of times ("It's about to get reaaaaal nerdy in here") but my larger gripes with MP4 don't really concern the NPCs.
Given the choice, I'd not have included him in the game... but he certainly wasn't the worst thing in it
Not to sound negative, as I genuinely love this series, but I would be astounded if Capcom decided to even attempt to port Wilds to Switch2.... considering the thing had challenges running on a PS5 (!)
Would much prefer something build specifically for the S2 hardware, Rise2 would be an absolute gift.
PSA - For anyone looking to pick up on Steam/Deck... this game has been announced as part of the upcoming Steam Winter Sale, which kicks off later today (Thurs 18th Dec) approx 6pm GMT (~1PM EST)
Also big respect for Larian offering this FOC for existing owners of the Switch1 game, very classy and will no doubt curry a lot of favour from S2 players
@Ralizah Perhaps the Returnal comparison was maybe a step too far, but I still think a switch to 3rd person might have really changed things up - for the better. Or at the very least, show some kind of formula evolution…. Glad the game is landing for you though, but I can’t help think ‘what could have been’ without the troubled development cycle and if this has been a Sw2 exclusive.
To be positive though- the wealth of control options is maybe the best I’ve ever seen. I tested them all out of curiosity and they all work incredibly well! Arguably mouse-mode offers a level of precision unnecessary in a FPS game with lock-on, but it still feels really quite good
@GgGames Yeh snap, I don't want to sound like a hater either - but I am genuinely amazed to see so many 9s and 10s...
I'm delighted that it is landing well with so many people, but personally for me it is a 'solid 7/10' game - and sadly a disappointment vs expectation.
I appreciate it is the love-child of a troubled production cycle, multi developers etc.... but so much of this game misses the mark for me. Whilst it looks and plays gorgeously (4K 60fps in handheld is wonderful) I feel the whole project should have taken a different approach.
If it was down to me, I would have curbed BC with Switch1 completely - and really lean into the superior S2 technology in earnest. Maybe also a shift to 3rd-person, ramp up the combat encounters (similar to Returnal perhaps? 3rd person / bullet hell) and then also made it much more open ended. The linearity and hand-holding is perhaps Prime 4s biggest weakness.
Don't get me started on the bike and desert...!
But yeah, I don't buy into the completely toxicity of negativity in some corners of the internet. This game is far from a trash fire, and perhaps one of the most buttery smooth things I have ever played on a handheld in my life...a real benchmark setter. I just wish the actual 'game' was more engaging and less regressive. A lot has changed (in a good way) in the MV genre since Prime4 began development, would have been nice to see some of it implemented here
**EDIT - above is purely my subjective opinion, no more right/wrong than anyone else on this site. I am honestly pleased to see so many people enjoying it, and am sad I am not one of them! I hope this entry doesn't condemn Metroid to the same coffin as Starfox/FZero... bring on Dread 2 by Mercury Steam Team (fingers crossed)
I fear that this collection will get lost in amongst all the 'big hitter' titles out this year.... but genuinely I am having much more fun with the Simogo collection than I am with Prime 4 (!)
I must confess I have not played Sayonara WH, but "Lorelei & The Laser Eyes" was in my top 3 GOTY year last year... just incredible! Lorelei was like a cross between old-school Resident Evil mixed with Myst/Riven, just an incredible puzzle game.
After beating Lorelei I was really keen to get into Simogo's back catalogue, but understood their 'classics' (Device 6 etc) were not available. I had no idea that this collection was launching until I saw the review on this site ha!
A dream come true, and a terrific little collection.
I don't have a huge issue with this - although I would agree that the Marvelisation of this franchise is wholly unnecessary. I do think though that a grittier tonality would have fit the IP better, instead of dialogue full of 'witty snark' .
My main concern is that this title won't reach its full potential being BC, and that a Switch2 exclusive would have allowed us to really lean into 'the best version' of what MP4 could/should have been.
I'm sure it'll be a good game undoubtedly, but I reckon the metacritic will land around ~8/10ish. I don't think this will be revolutionary, but hopefully good enough for those that enjoy the genre.
For me personally, hard mode from the day 1 would have been really nice (as opposed to an unlock from beating the game once). But this is purely because I tend not to replay game.
Hope the game does well though, and yappy NPCs really aren't that big a deal! An annoyance, but hardly a game-breaking bug
I'm not 'anti-innovation' by any means.... but this kind of output is just desperately what I don't want from FromSoft.
I'm glad Nightreign has found its audience, and I wish it continued success, but it would have been really nice for Duskbloods to be a more traditional FromSoft experience - geared towards solo players, but opportunity to invade/summon (optional not mandatory, similar to DS and Elden Ring)
Whilst the use of AI within the gaming industry genuinely does bother/concern me personally, I would be inclined to agree with the sentiments of the interviewee here....
I highly doubt that the younger generation, Roblox players and/or mobile gamers, really care at all about AI usage! I have kids myself that fall into that category, and am certain they would not give a damn about AI usage (sad but true)
Yeh in fairness I think N have done a solid job here - and it has been a much better move to cast 'relative unknowns' in the roles.
It seems like the inverse casting tactic vs the Mario Movies - where N seem to be going for as much 'Star Power' as possible...
Good luck to the production, hope it does well. Recent adaptations such as Fallout and TLoU (season 1!) give me faith that this can be done pretty well
Great article NintendoLife - but a small request for future... is it possible to get all the games noted/listed in some kind of table format? To save clicking through several pages?
Would be ideal as would let me take a screenprint and save for viewing later!
3rd party adoption of Switch2 is absolutely a good thing…. Fallout4, AC Shadows and 40k Rogue Trader all announced in same week. Really positive and has me hopeful for BG3 and RDR2.
Kart racing games generally 'aren't for me' - but the MKW Switch2 bundle was too good a deal to pass on.
I enjoyed the little time I spent with MKW (maybe 20-25hrs tops) and challenged myself to get 3* rankings on all cups 150cc/mirror. The conventional grand prix mode was hard, but Knockout Tour was a level of difficulty spike that makes Silksong look fair! The adaptive AI is really jarring, in so far that it is almost actually beneficial to 'play worse' so that the AI doesn't overcompensate and wreck you.
The open-world element was what felt really undercooked as well, not to mention that only recently (last 2 weeks?) a 'checklist' function was patched in..... for the life of me I cannot understand why it wasn't a day 1 feature. But checklisting aside, so much of the open world element just felt like busy-work.... and not at all in the spirit of MK.
I would have personally preferred some kind of 'open hub' (similar to Monster Hunter) where you can zip around between races and perhaps upgrade your kart and characters stats + aesthetics. IMO this was a real missed opportunity to allow players to customise karts/characters as well as play with stats. Maybe even some minor crafting, based on items looted from particular tracks and/or open world challenges.... something to incentivise the exploration and reward completion of Pswitch challenges.
I basically put the game down once I'd got 3*** on all the cups, and played a bit of Knockout online. Admittedly though Knockout online absolutely pops IMO, pure chaos and insanity but a ton of fun.
Played a bit of Sonic at a friends on PS5. On face value, it seems a slightly better package (currently) than MKW and also far stronger value for money. I think if SEGA manage to pull off a decent Switch2 port then this thing will really sell.
Competition is good though, and I hope that SEGA infringing on the karting market might force Nintendo to re-look at MKW and look/work to expand the title via some solid DLC roadmapping.
Cracking game, and a really really solid port. The quality of this + SW Outlaws makes me hopeful for the next couple years where 3rd party efforts are concerned
I played the Early Access on Steamdeck last year, and even in its unfinished state the game really is a masterpiece.
I still think E33 will ultimately be my personal GOTY but it’s going to be a really hard call to guess how the award itself will land.
But yeah for anyone who enjoyed Hades 1, this is an easy recommend. Such immaculate writing and iconography as well, the characters you come across all look fantastic too. Chronos makes for just as interesting & nuanced a villain as Hades did in the first game
I've never played this game before, and am very interested. I've actually never really committed to a SRPG before....
I enjoy deck-builders, and the turn based elements of Slay-The-Spire + Balatro etc.... so I'd like to think I have the patience and strategy. Is FF Tactics penetrably enough for newcomers to the genre? Newbie friendly?
I really really want to believe that GF have a 'great Pokemon game' in them somewhere.... but they seem to keep missing the mark?
I'm not a huge fan of the franchise (just 'not for me' ) but I have incredibly fond memories playing Red/Blue on the original gameboy back as a kid.
I wonder if part of the problem is just how much of a mega franchise Pokemon is. The sales figures on the last 2 mainline games, especially considering the few years since release, are absolutely insane... even moreso when you consider how divisively S/V was met due to performance and graphical hiccups.
I guess GF are maybe conditioned to know that whatever they release, and in whatever state, the sales will always be there by virtue of it being Pokemon.
I must say I like what they are doing with the battle system in ZA, and it almost looks like they've cribbed from FF7 remake with a mixed turn-based/action hybrid system.
They seem to have a lot of good ideas... but execution of these, and performance/fidelity, seem a little haphazard?
I'm rooting for ZA, and hope it comes good in the end
@Deemo37 just wait until you go through Mount Fay to get the double jump ability... absolutely the worst part of the game, and borderline unenjoyable! Aside from that though, I think SS genuinely delivers... and I'm pleased that Team Cherry delivered the game 'they wanted to make' without compromises or pandering etc. A good job, and the boss designs/patterns are really excellent I feel
I’ve actually enjoyed this game more since hitting Act 2, and so far I think it’s a solid 9/10.
I still slightly prefer Nine Sols, but Silksong is still a tremendous game…. And the quality of workmanship is quite something, considering the tiny dev team.
It’s had me banging my head against a wall quite a few times, but I really respect the devs for creating the game they wanted to - and not compromising by pandering to a mass-market.
It won’t be for everyone, and is perhaps even more obtuse than HK, but I’d definitely suggest giving it a shot if you don’t mind challenging games.
(The boss run backs though…! I must have done the run-back to Last judge about 100 times)
Interesting debate here, but more curious for me is the bosses they chose to nerf….
I beat Moorwing a few days ago (pre-patch) and genuinely didn’t think there was a balance issue here. I’m certainly no elite gamer (I still cannot beat Savage Beastfly… coming back to him later once I’m more OP lol) but Moorwing has pretty well-telegraphed moves, it’s just the projectile dodging that caught me a few times
Generally so far this game is hard for sure, but hasn’t felt insurmountable at any point yet.
Generally speaking though I’m actually a little against difficulty options in games, as I would prefer to play as per the developer’s ‘vision’. It’s not really clear what is the intended experience when selecting a difficulty option, at least not for me.
Not wanting to sound like a gatekeeper, but HK was a hard challenging game / made for people who like that kind of thing (I’m one of those people regrettably)
I guess not every game can be for every player and this also works inversely… for instance I’d be far more drawn to Bananza if there was opportunity to ramp up the difficulty
Anyway, nice to see SS out in the wild and complete. So far for me it’s probably an 8/10….. I still prefer Nine Sols and the Blasphemous games though!
A demo is a great idea. Perhaps Ubi themselves are surprised with how successfully this game has landed... with even Digital Foundry giving it a rubber stamp of acceptable performance.
Ubi probably want to ride this wave, and convince those on the fence that this game is worth playing (via a demo no less, a great convincer when the quality is there to show off)
Admittedly I’ve downloaded the demo but not played yet…..
I understand this is kind of like Monster Hunter, in terms of gameplay loop/mechanics, albeit with mechs?
I really loved Armored Core 6, and am a huge MH fan too
How bad is the frame rate for those who have the game? I’m currently playing Wildhearts S, which absolutely has a few big drops occasionally…. But it actually hasn’t hindered my enjoyment at all (maybe my expectations are low, as MH Rise on OG Switch struggled a bit and the drops didn’t bother me then either!)
But concurrently I'm still chipping away at Wildhearts S, maybe the most addicted I've been to a game since MHRise/Break (!) Now at the chapter 5 stage, hunting the Volatiles and 'Deeply Volatiles'... not managed to beat any of the DVs yet, so constantly grinding materials to upgrade armor and enhance survivability. Wildhearts is definitely a rough gem, and if framerates/performance were slightly improved I genuinely think it could/should have been viewed as a legit competitor for MH. Tons of great ideas that are relatively well executed. Just needs more monsters, more maps and additional weapon skills/playstyles.
Back to Silksong though... a few hours in and definitely enjoying it, great pricepoint. Its fun for sure, but I think I still favor the parry-based combat of Nine Sols (which is a top-tier Metroidvania, up there with PoP Lost Crown)
Comments 304
Re: Resident Evil Requiem Has Already Sold Over 5 Million Copies
I’ve actually just taken the plunge and purchased today!
Another core milestone achieved - this is my very first GKC procured lol!!! (Buying the GKC got me a decent sale price on Hit.co.uk 🤣)
Arrives tomorrow and really looking forward to playing
Re: Capcom Spotlight Taking Place Later This Week, Here's A Teaser Trailer
@PepperMintRex that is what I am banking on...!
Wilds has just been 'fixed' on Steamdeck, still a little ropey, but I am holding off getting this as I'd rather have a bespoke Switch2 port
Re: Review: Pokémon Pokopia (Switch 2) - One Of The Most Enticing Pokémon Games Ever
@neogyo Agree with everything said. Absolutely I'd prefer the option of physical, but the world is changing and it looks like GKCs are here to stay where Switch2 is concerned.
Like you I'm actually seeking out the 'positives' - and I'd also say that there is a level of convenience to all-digital, especially as my I travel frequently and therefore have to worry about carrying less and/or losing cartridges.
Funnily enough it was owning a Steamdeck that helped me comes to terms with a digital library... it was just so convenient to have everything in one place and seamlessly flick between games.
So yeah, bit annoying that physical is dying out but I really don't think we need every article's comment section to be awash with heated debate about how evil GKCs are. Gaming is, IMO, a very privileged hobby - and I guess we should all be thankful we get to enjoy such this medium to the extent we do (bigger things going on in the world right now..!)
Re: Review: Pokémon Pokopia (Switch 2) - One Of The Most Enticing Pokémon Games Ever
@ZonaiResearcher I'll never forget finally managing to score a PS5 in the pandemic, booting up the DeS remake... only to find there was a ~80GB(!) day1 patch, effectively rendering the disk kind of pointless.
I'm imagining a world where soon it would be announced that Sandfall are porting E33 to Switch2....and this would lead to so many just refusing to play it, due to "No Physical, no interest"
Re: Nintendo Indie World Showcase Announced For Tomorrow, 3rd March 2026
@Mando44646 yeah I know the reality is f*cked because of Hasbro/WotC - but we live in hope lol.
Mouse mode announcement for DOS2 would genuinely make my day though in all seriousness
Re: Nintendo Indie World Showcase Announced For Tomorrow, 3rd March 2026
I mean, Larian are just about within the definition of what constitutes ‘Indie dev’..? Right..?? Ha…
Maybe Sandfall pull a whopper and announce E33
On a serious note though, I don’t think it’s out of the question for Team Cherry to drop a release date for Sea of Sorrow
But my expectations are incredibly tempered, bring on the onslaught of cosy farm simulators
Re: Review: Pokémon Pokopia (Switch 2) - One Of The Most Enticing Pokémon Games Ever
I honestly do sympathise with those who continue to put a high value on physical media, and understand that the slow erosion of this format is less than desirable for those who would rather have their game libraries as ‘things that can be touched’.
That being said, it’s always a bit of a downer that the majority or articles seem to be awash with outrage and vitriol regarding whether a game is/isn’t a GKC.
“GKC - so it’s a hard pass from me” is something I see written many times.
I was physical for Switch1, and it’s a bit sad to see this dying out for Switch2, but it seems crazy to completely write-off a title based on the format in which it is delivered in?
I’m not a huge Pokémon fan, but it’s nice to see the IP try something a bit different and actually stick the landing whilst doing so. Hope this game does well, and hope those on the fence (due to GKC format) will give it a chance
EDIT / I’m absolutely not advocating that these feelings of physical enthusiasts aren’t valid, nor am I saying that these individuals don’t deserve a voice, I’m merely pointing out that so may articles on this site seem to have comment sections that effectively just continue the debate of pro-physical vs pro-digital
Re: Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Team Consistently Aiming For 30fps On Switch 2 "Wherever Possible"
People are never happy...!
I'm pretty sure this game was developed originally with the PS5 in mind? Porting it to Switch2 decently and getting 30fps fairly consistently (avoid graphical compromises where possible) is quite reasonable.
Better to understand your limitations and shoot for 30fps..... surely better to shoot for 30fps and get this 90% of the time, instead of shoot for 60fps and get it 40% of the time?!
Re: Mini Review: Resident Evil Village Gold Edition (Switch 2) - A Solid First-Person Follow Up
I think RE Village is definitely a solid game, but I still favour RE7 overall, mainly for that excellent opening section - terrifying and very ‘Texas chainsaw’ (!)
Village is bonkers, but for me the horror is just a bit too camp - even by RE standards. But it’s still a really fun time
9 seems to be taking the horror elements of 7, with the action of 4remake… which should be a nice mix
Re: Rumour: A Monster Hunter Wilds Switch 2 Port Is Coming, A Fresh Datamine Suggests
@Dm9982 yeh I think Rise is pretty solid as a base game, but Sunbreak is where this thing really sings. It’s a brilliant expansion, and was amazing to play at launch… playing daily to bump up AR level before the next TU would drop lol
Also the quiros skill crafting was great, and a way to min/max some insane builds
Re: Rumour: A Monster Hunter Wilds Switch 2 Port Is Coming, A Fresh Datamine Suggests
I’d be delighted for this, as I’ve held off so long getting it on Steamdeck - hoping that Switch2 optimisation will out-class the deck, and would rather play smoothest version possible
I’m more excited though for the next portable team game though. RiseBreak was incredible fun and I loved the more arcade-ish nature of it… some of my GS builds were insane by endgame, Elemental surge slash sets lol so awesome
Re: Talking Point: Nintendo Direct February Partner Predictions - What Do You Want To See?
I'd love to see something new, and something that is Switch2 exclusive (or at least timed-exclusive).
I'm actually feeling a lot more positive about Duskbloods, especially in the wake of titles like Helldivers and Arc Raiders.
I can absolutely guarantee 1 thing we will see for certain though - a tremendous amount of unjustified outrage towards any game dev that dares to release their product as a GKC...!
Re: Resident Evil Requiem Live-Action Short Takes Us Right Back To The Beginning
That was unexpected and actually pretty cool. Requiem seems to be landing well with those who have been fortunate enough to play test, and hoping that ‘the best of both worlds’ approach will pay off! Delighted to see Leon back in all of his campy kungfu glory, and equally excited to have some horror sections ala Resi7
Re: PSA: Dispatch's 'Visual Censorship' Settings Can't Be Removed On Switch
This is a bit of a weird case for sure.... but I can imagine that the rationale behind the censorship is likely due to this being a more 'high profile' game, that is likely to permeate a broader spectrum of gamers due to the solid reviews and overall positive critical consensus. Coupled with the Switch/2 likely having a slightly younger demographic (vs XB/PS?) then I suppose this is Nintendo being extra cautious of not wanting explicit content falling in to the hands of younger users.
On the surface Dispatch could look like it is geared towards a younger audience, considering the animation style and content, so every chance an 'uneducated' parent might purchase for a kid etc.
I played on Steamdeck, had a great time, and generally really enjoyed it. There is a bit of profanity and some nudity, nothing too extreme and certainly not on par with other risque superhero shows (Dispatch is nowhere near 'The Boys' in terms of gratuitous scenes, and Invincible is also far more graphic IMO)
As a father of young kids, and being ever conscious many parents might not be fully clued in on what they are purchasing, I kind of see where Nintendo might be coming from..... but perhaps a less finite option may have been better as opposed to censoring without any opportunity to reverse. (Maybe a stronger warning upon booting up for first time?)
Overall though, my understanding is that all scenes are still present - albeit some visual items covered by black bars? Not a huge deal in the grand scheme of things IMO. The story and narrative beats will still land, and I doubt anyone is really that desperate to see cartoon boobs?
Maybe I'm missing something here, but perhaps not such a big deal? All the content is still there to my understanding, but certain things blacked out
(nb. seen other comments citing Cyberpunk and nudity / genitalia character creation etc... I'd wager that the audience for CP2077 is perhaps a lot 'clearer' in terms of being aimed towards adults, whereby the presentation of Dispatch could suggest it is a game suitable for those of a younger age)
Re: NYXI's Hyperion 3 Is, On Paper, The Perfect Joy-Con 2 Alternative
Holding out for HORI to do a S2 version of the brilliant 'Split Pad Compact' (slimmer version of the larger Split Pad Pro)
The Compact was great for me, perfect for MHRise in handheld. As long as you can live without rumble, the ergonomics were awesome
Re: Opinion: I'll Never Truly RIP Until 'The Séance Of Blake Manor' Comes To Switch
I played this over the holidays, and can absolutely advocate it as an amazing game!
It was actually my 2025 GOTY, just edging above Expedition 33
Seance plays like a mix between Obra Dinn and Golden Idol - with a twist of Irish folklore and heritage, bolstered by great VA work
It genuinely makes you feel like a ‘real detective’ as you begin to sketch out movements of all the suspects, being able to deduce when guest rooms will be empty, following clues around the manor… it’s just brilliantly crafted.
Longer than expected also, my playthrough was +20 hours in total and it flew by. This game is a huge step up from the Darkside entries, and I can’t wait to see what the devs do next
I played on Steamdeck and it ran flawlessly, as would be expected from an indie title like this where power demand isn’t high.
The best PnC/mystery game I’ve played since Lorelei and the Laser Eyes
Re: Poll: So, Now The Dust Has Settled, How Did You Find Myles MacKenzie?
@Dalamar I don't like to hate on things usually, but I agree that MP4 is a disaster of a game... and genuinely feel really sorry for the passionate fanbase waiting years for this latest installment.
Myles is annoying for sure, but I could have honestly lived with him had the rest of the game been up to standard.
The recent news/interviews on the troubled development cycle are really telling, and it shows in spades when assessing the final product. I can't help but think how it would have turned out had Retro been given the project from Day1, instead of having to work with the outline of what Bandai Namco had begun to produce.
I've been really fortunate to play a ton of great games this year (E33, Silksong, Blue Prince, Hades 2, The Seance of Blake Manor) and MP4 really doesn't hold up comparatively.
I'm happy that there does seem to be some people out there who enjoyed it, but for me personally I found it really lacking a 'soul' - and it came across as extremely outdated, and a little lazy.
Re: Poll: So, Now The Dust Has Settled, How Did You Find Myles MacKenzie?
@Banksie yup my thoughts exactly. Miles was a tiny footnote in a long list of real issues for me
Re: Poll: So, Now The Dust Has Settled, How Did You Find Myles MacKenzie?
Honestly, in the broader context of the game he was pretty much a non-issue. He made my toes curl plenty of times ("It's about to get reaaaaal nerdy in here") but my larger gripes with MP4 don't really concern the NPCs.
Given the choice, I'd not have included him in the game... but he certainly wasn't the worst thing in it
Re: Rumour: Monster Hunter Wilds' Latest Update Has Fans Talking About A Switch 2 Version
Not to sound negative, as I genuinely love this series, but I would be astounded if Capcom decided to even attempt to port Wilds to Switch2.... considering the thing had challenges running on a PS5 (!)
Would much prefer something build specifically for the S2 hardware, Rise2 would be an absolute gift.
Re: Cyberpunk 2077's Massive Switch 2 eShop Discount Was An "Error"
Classy move for sure and great for everyone who snagged a bargain
Re: Beloved Superhero Comedy Dispatch Is Flying Onto Switch 2 Next Year
Great news for Switch owners!
PSA - For anyone looking to pick up on Steam/Deck... this game has been announced as part of the upcoming Steam Winter Sale, which kicks off later today (Thurs 18th Dec) approx 6pm GMT (~1PM EST)
Re: Divinity: Original Sin 2 Gets Surprise Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, And It's Out Now
If mouse mode is added that would be incredible
Also big respect for Larian offering this FOC for existing owners of the Switch1 game, very classy and will no doubt curry a lot of favour from S2 players
Roll on Baldurs 3 port..
Re: Poll: What Review Score Would You Give Metroid Prime 4: Beyond?
@Ralizah Perhaps the Returnal comparison was maybe a step too far, but I still think a switch to 3rd person might have really changed things up - for the better. Or at the very least, show some kind of formula evolution….
Glad the game is landing for you though, but I can’t help think ‘what could have been’ without the troubled development cycle and if this has been a Sw2 exclusive.
To be positive though- the wealth of control options is maybe the best I’ve ever seen. I tested them all out of curiosity and they all work incredibly well! Arguably mouse-mode offers a level of precision unnecessary in a FPS game with lock-on, but it still feels really quite good
Re: Poll: What Review Score Would You Give Metroid Prime 4: Beyond?
@GgGames Yeh snap, I don't want to sound like a hater either - but I am genuinely amazed to see so many 9s and 10s...
I'm delighted that it is landing well with so many people, but personally for me it is a 'solid 7/10' game - and sadly a disappointment vs expectation.
I appreciate it is the love-child of a troubled production cycle, multi developers etc.... but so much of this game misses the mark for me. Whilst it looks and plays gorgeously (4K 60fps in handheld is wonderful) I feel the whole project should have taken a different approach.
If it was down to me, I would have curbed BC with Switch1 completely - and really lean into the superior S2 technology in earnest. Maybe also a shift to 3rd-person, ramp up the combat encounters (similar to Returnal perhaps? 3rd person / bullet hell) and then also made it much more open ended. The linearity and hand-holding is perhaps Prime 4s biggest weakness.
Don't get me started on the bike and desert...!
But yeah, I don't buy into the completely toxicity of negativity in some corners of the internet. This game is far from a trash fire, and perhaps one of the most buttery smooth things I have ever played on a handheld in my life...a real benchmark setter. I just wish the actual 'game' was more engaging and less regressive. A lot has changed (in a good way) in the MV genre since Prime4 began development, would have been nice to see some of it implemented here
**EDIT - above is purely my subjective opinion, no more right/wrong than anyone else on this site. I am honestly pleased to see so many people enjoying it, and am sad I am not one of them! I hope this entry doesn't condemn Metroid to the same coffin as Starfox/FZero... bring on Dread 2 by Mercury Steam Team (fingers crossed)
Re: Review: Simogo Legacy Collection - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition - Nothing Less Than Essential
I fear that this collection will get lost in amongst all the 'big hitter' titles out this year.... but genuinely I am having much more fun with the Simogo collection than I am with Prime 4 (!)
I must confess I have not played Sayonara WH, but "Lorelei & The Laser Eyes" was in my top 3 GOTY year last year... just incredible! Lorelei was like a cross between old-school Resident Evil mixed with Myst/Riven, just an incredible puzzle game.
After beating Lorelei I was really keen to get into Simogo's back catalogue, but understood their 'classics' (Device 6 etc) were not available. I had no idea that this collection was launching until I saw the review on this site ha!
A dream come true, and a terrific little collection.
Re: Metroid Prime 4: Beyond - Meet The Team
I don't have a huge issue with this - although I would agree that the Marvelisation of this franchise is wholly unnecessary. I do think though that a grittier tonality would have fit the IP better, instead of dialogue full of 'witty snark' .
My main concern is that this title won't reach its full potential being BC, and that a Switch2 exclusive would have allowed us to really lean into 'the best version' of what MP4 could/should have been.
I'm sure it'll be a good game undoubtedly, but I reckon the metacritic will land around ~8/10ish. I don't think this will be revolutionary, but hopefully good enough for those that enjoy the genre.
For me personally, hard mode from the day 1 would have been really nice (as opposed to an unlock from beating the game once). But this is purely because I tend not to replay game.
Hope the game does well though, and yappy NPCs really aren't that big a deal! An annoyance, but hardly a game-breaking bug
Re: 'The Duskbloods' Could Be FromSoftware's Most Ambitious Game Yet, According To Leak
I'm not 'anti-innovation' by any means.... but this kind of output is just desperately what I don't want from FromSoft.
I'm glad Nightreign has found its audience, and I wish it continued success, but it would have been really nice for Duskbloods to be a more traditional FromSoft experience - geared towards solo players, but opportunity to invade/summon (optional not mandatory, similar to DS and Elden Ring)
Re: "Consumers Generally Do Not Care" About AI In Games, Says Former Square Enix Exec
Whilst the use of AI within the gaming industry genuinely does bother/concern me personally, I would be inclined to agree with the sentiments of the interviewee here....
I highly doubt that the younger generation, Roblox players and/or mobile gamers, really care at all about AI usage! I have kids myself that fall into that category, and am certain they would not give a damn about AI usage (sad but true)
Re: Poll: What Do You Make Of Link And Zelda's Live-Action Looks?
Yeh in fairness I think N have done a solid job here - and it has been a much better move to cast 'relative unknowns' in the roles.
It seems like the inverse casting tactic vs the Mario Movies - where N seem to be going for as much 'Star Power' as possible...
Good luck to the production, hope it does well. Recent adaptations such as Fallout and TLoU (season 1!) give me faith that this can be done pretty well
Re: Preview: Metroid Prime 4: Beyond Is Great, But I Want To Kill One Of Its Characters
Such a weird case for me - the more I see unveiled, the less excited I am
A peripheral NPC/companion that is fluent in ‘Marvel-snark’…(!) No thanks I can absolutely live without that
I really really want this game to be good, but having been spoilt by BG3 recently, I’m hoping for the characters to relatively well drawn
Re: Mini Review: Simon The Sorcerer Origins (Switch) - A Faithful Return To A Classic Adventure Series
got it on pre-order, looking to boot it up later this week.
Sounds like it could be challenging, but surely no worse than Lost Lace at the end of Act 3..
Re: 68 Switch 1 & 2 Games You Should Check Out In The 'Screaming Deals' eShop Sale (North America)
Great article NintendoLife - but a small request for future... is it possible to get all the games noted/listed in some kind of table format? To save clicking through several pages?
Would be ideal as would let me take a screenprint and save for viewing later!
Re: Reminder: Ubisoft's "Free" Star Wars Outlaws Demo For Switch 2 Is Now Available
Wow just played 15 mins and Ubi have done a great job here.
The second this game hits sale price, as most Ubi games do, I'll be purchasing for sure
Re: Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition Brings The Apocalypse To Switch 2 In 2026
3rd party adoption of Switch2 is absolutely a good thing…. Fallout4, AC Shadows and 40k Rogue Trader all announced in same week. Really positive and has me hopeful for BG3 and RDR2.
Re: Switch 2's First Warhammer 40,000 Game Isn't The One You Might Expect
Awesome news. So this is sort of like Baldurs Gate 3 meets Warhammer? I wonder if mouse-mode will be taken advantage of. Delighted to see this
Re: Opinion: Sonic Racing Crossworlds > Mario Kart World, And It's Not Even Close For Me
Kart racing games generally 'aren't for me' - but the MKW Switch2 bundle was too good a deal to pass on.
I enjoyed the little time I spent with MKW (maybe 20-25hrs tops) and challenged myself to get 3* rankings on all cups 150cc/mirror. The conventional grand prix mode was hard, but Knockout Tour was a level of difficulty spike that makes Silksong look fair! The adaptive AI is really jarring, in so far that it is almost actually beneficial to 'play worse' so that the AI doesn't overcompensate and wreck you.
The open-world element was what felt really undercooked as well, not to mention that only recently (last 2 weeks?) a 'checklist' function was patched in..... for the life of me I cannot understand why it wasn't a day 1 feature. But checklisting aside, so much of the open world element just felt like busy-work.... and not at all in the spirit of MK.
I would have personally preferred some kind of 'open hub' (similar to Monster Hunter) where you can zip around between races and perhaps upgrade your kart and characters stats + aesthetics. IMO this was a real missed opportunity to allow players to customise karts/characters as well as play with stats. Maybe even some minor crafting, based on items looted from particular tracks and/or open world challenges.... something to incentivise the exploration and reward completion of Pswitch challenges.
I basically put the game down once I'd got 3*** on all the cups, and played a bit of Knockout online. Admittedly though Knockout online absolutely pops IMO, pure chaos and insanity but a ton of fun.
Played a bit of Sonic at a friends on PS5. On face value, it seems a slightly better package (currently) than MKW and also far stronger value for money. I think if SEGA manage to pull off a decent Switch2 port then this thing will really sell.
Competition is good though, and I hope that SEGA infringing on the karting market might force Nintendo to re-look at MKW and look/work to expand the title via some solid DLC roadmapping.
Re: Cyberpunk 2077 Trailer Highlights The Switch 2's Remarkable Versatility
Cracking game, and a really really solid port. The quality of this + SW Outlaws makes me hopeful for the next couple years where 3rd party efforts are concerned
Re: Round Up: The Reviews For Hades II On Switch And Switch 2 Are In
I played the Early Access on Steamdeck last year, and even in its unfinished state the game really is a masterpiece.
I still think E33 will ultimately be my personal GOTY but it’s going to be a really hard call to guess how the award itself will land.
But yeah for anyone who enjoyed Hades 1, this is an easy recommend. Such immaculate writing and iconography as well, the characters you come across all look fantastic too. Chronos makes for just as interesting & nuanced a villain as Hades did in the first game
Re: Review: Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition - An Excellent Port Of A Timeless Classic
@BrewsterTea I think I'm sold! I played a lot of Hades 2 in Early Access, so I'm less fussed about that. (BTW, H2 is amazing)
FF Tactics gives me a week to finish off Silksong, which I am absolutely ready to say goodbye to
Re: Review: Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition - An Excellent Port Of A Timeless Classic
I've never played this game before, and am very interested. I've actually never really committed to a SRPG before....
I enjoy deck-builders, and the turn based elements of Slay-The-Spire + Balatro etc.... so I'd like to think I have the patience and strategy. Is FF Tactics penetrably enough for newcomers to the genre? Newbie friendly?
Re: Round Up: The Latest Previews Are In For Pokémon Legends: Z-A
I really really want to believe that GF have a 'great Pokemon game' in them somewhere.... but they seem to keep missing the mark?
I'm not a huge fan of the franchise (just 'not for me' ) but I have incredibly fond memories playing Red/Blue on the original gameboy back as a kid.
I wonder if part of the problem is just how much of a mega franchise Pokemon is. The sales figures on the last 2 mainline games, especially considering the few years since release, are absolutely insane... even moreso when you consider how divisively S/V was met due to performance and graphical hiccups.
I guess GF are maybe conditioned to know that whatever they release, and in whatever state, the sales will always be there by virtue of it being Pokemon.
I must say I like what they are doing with the battle system in ZA, and it almost looks like they've cribbed from FF7 remake with a mixed turn-based/action hybrid system.
They seem to have a lot of good ideas... but execution of these, and performance/fidelity, seem a little haphazard?
I'm rooting for ZA, and hope it comes good in the end
Re: Review: Hollow Knight: Silksong - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition - Woven To Brutal Perfection
@Deemo37 just wait until you go through Mount Fay to get the double jump ability... absolutely the worst part of the game, and borderline unenjoyable! Aside from that though, I think SS genuinely delivers... and I'm pleased that Team Cherry delivered the game 'they wanted to make' without compromises or pandering etc. A good job, and the boss designs/patterns are really excellent I feel
Re: Review: Hollow Knight: Silksong - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition - Woven To Brutal Perfection
I’ve actually enjoyed this game more since hitting Act 2, and so far I think it’s a solid 9/10.
I still slightly prefer Nine Sols, but Silksong is still a tremendous game…. And the quality of workmanship is quite something, considering the tiny dev team.
It’s had me banging my head against a wall quite a few times, but I really respect the devs for creating the game they wanted to - and not compromising by pandering to a mass-market.
It won’t be for everyone, and is perhaps even more obtuse than HK, but I’d definitely suggest giving it a shot if you don’t mind challenging games.
(The boss run backs though…! I must have done the run-back to Last judge about 100 times)
Re: Newcomers Can Break Final Fantasy VII Remake With New Difficulty Settings
Question - when FF7R was originally released, you needed to beat the game on 'Normal' mode to unlock the 'Hard' mode.
Will this mean that 'Hard' is available from the get-go? Or similar to before you will need to beat Normal?
Re: Hollow Knight: Silksong's Upcoming Patch Will Nerf The Difficulty In Certain Areas
Interesting debate here, but more curious for me is the bosses they chose to nerf….
I beat Moorwing a few days ago (pre-patch) and genuinely didn’t think there was a balance issue here. I’m certainly no elite gamer (I still cannot beat Savage Beastfly… coming back to him later once I’m more OP lol) but Moorwing has pretty well-telegraphed moves, it’s just the projectile dodging that caught me a few times
Generally so far this game is hard for sure, but hasn’t felt insurmountable at any point yet.
Generally speaking though I’m actually a little against difficulty options in games, as I would prefer to play as per the developer’s ‘vision’. It’s not really clear what is the intended experience when selecting a difficulty option, at least not for me.
Not wanting to sound like a gatekeeper, but HK was a hard challenging game / made for people who like that kind of thing (I’m one of those people regrettably)
I guess not every game can be for every player and this also works inversely… for instance I’d be far more drawn to Bananza if there was opportunity to ramp up the difficulty
Anyway, nice to see SS out in the wild and complete. So far for me it’s probably an 8/10….. I still prefer Nine Sols and the Blasphemous games though!
Re: Ubisoft Releasing Star Wars Outlaws Switch 2 Demo "Later This Year"
A demo is a great idea. Perhaps Ubi themselves are surprised with how successfully this game has landed... with even Digital Foundry giving it a rubber stamp of acceptable performance.
Ubi probably want to ride this wave, and convince those on the fence that this game is worth playing (via a demo no less, a great convincer when the quality is there to show off)
Re: Star Wars Outlaws 'Switch 2 Title Update 1' Now Available, Here Are The Full Patch Notes
Outlaws being a runaway success and performing adequately on Switch2 was definitely not on the 2025 bingo card for me... fair play to Ubi.
Re: Daemon x Machina: Titanic Scion Roadmap Outlined
Admittedly I’ve downloaded the demo but not played yet…..
I understand this is kind of like Monster Hunter, in terms of gameplay loop/mechanics, albeit with mechs?
I really loved Armored Core 6, and am a huge MH fan too
How bad is the frame rate for those who have the game? I’m currently playing Wildhearts S, which absolutely has a few big drops occasionally…. But it actually hasn’t hindered my enjoyment at all (maybe my expectations are low, as MH Rise on OG Switch struggled a bit and the drops didn’t bother me then either!)
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (6th September)
Obviously Silksong...
But concurrently I'm still chipping away at Wildhearts S, maybe the most addicted I've been to a game since MHRise/Break (!) Now at the chapter 5 stage, hunting the Volatiles and 'Deeply Volatiles'... not managed to beat any of the DVs yet, so constantly grinding materials to upgrade armor and enhance survivability.
Wildhearts is definitely a rough gem, and if framerates/performance were slightly improved I genuinely think it could/should have been viewed as a legit competitor for MH. Tons of great ideas that are relatively well executed. Just needs more monsters, more maps and additional weapon skills/playstyles.
Back to Silksong though... a few hours in and definitely enjoying it, great pricepoint. Its fun for sure, but I think I still favor the parry-based combat of Nine Sols (which is a top-tier Metroidvania, up there with PoP Lost Crown)