Comments 318

Re: Final Fantasy XIV Online For Switch 2 Able To Reach "30fps In A Stable State"

CJD87

This game is turn based though right? 30fps definitely isn't a huge drama, especially if it is essentially a locked 30.

This port is a good thing for Switch 2, as strong third-party adoption will pave the way for future ports and/or adjacent releases of new games (similar to the RE9 launch on all consoles, including S2).

This game, and the sheer scale of its MMO-nature, is relatively new ground for Switch/Switch2 - and I'm really hoping it lands well.

Whether or not the game is 'for you', accomplished ports of high-status 3rd-party games are definitely a positive thing here

Re: Poll: So, Will You Be Playing Final Fantasy XIV Online On Switch 2?

CJD87

I'll definitely sign up for the 1 month early access, and see how I find it.

The (perceived) monthly sub doesn't bother me too much, my concern is moreso with the level of daily commitment needed to 'get the most out of' the game.

This year has been so stacked already with exciting releases, and many more to come, I'm just not sure I want to spend my already-limited daily game time on just 1 title.

If I was 15 years younger, no job/kids, then I'd probably be all over this!

Re: Round Up: The Reviews Are In For The Super Mario Galaxy Movie

CJD87

@NotASockPuppet Definitely not my intention to 'insult the intelligence' of children everywhere, just simply stating that I think we shouldn't be expecting Inception-level of narrative intricacies from a Super Mario movie.

I genuinely want the movie to do well, and get some of those IPs back in the cultural zeitgeist (eg Starfox)

No children were intended to be offended by my earlier post..

Re: Round Up: The Reviews Are In For The Super Mario Galaxy Movie

CJD87

@AstroTheGamosian I'm actually not a huge fan of CK either, just aware though that it is generally well revered - hence using it in my comparison!

I guess I'm just trying to say that people shouldn't expect 'fine cinema' from a Super Mario animated movie, and really I don't think this movie needs to be more than what it actually is.

I'm the target demographic for drinking in whatever nostalgia Nintendo want to feed me... and my kids would enjoy it as another passable animated flick.

Hope it does well, if not for any other reason than to revive my beloved Starfox IP..(!)

Re: Round Up: The Reviews Are In For The Super Mario Galaxy Movie

CJD87

Look, its a Mario movie at the end of the day.... I don't think anyone is expecting Citizen Kane from their time in the cinema here!

Ultimately if it dazzles kids with shiny colours and flash animation, whilst taking the parents down Nostalgia avenue.... I mean, 'mission accomplished'?

I don't really think anyone is truly going to the cinema to see this and expecting Shakespear, just take it for what it is - probably quite a fun 90 mins for kids and parents. (Which is fine)

Re: PSA: Switch 2 Update Adds Handheld Mode Boost, Here's How To Use It

CJD87

@Liam_Doolan thanks for this update, as I generally ignore most of the details regarding System Updates (assumed this would be yet another 'stability update'...!)

I'd love to see NL do an article in the coming week regarding some kind of ranked list for which Switch1 games yield the best/most benefit from this update. A top 10, or top 20 list etc.

Would be great! thanks

Re: Round Up: The Previews Are In For Elden Ring's Updated Switch 2 Build

CJD87

Did 2 full playthroughs of ER - first on PS5, and then 2nd playthrough (+DLC) on Steamdeck.

On the deck in base game I was getting a pretty reliable 30fps with very few/minor stutters (reminded me of how TOTK ran on Switch1, v playable). The DLC on deck had a few more FPS issues, and I had to turn the settings way down to lowest... and even then I got quite some dips.

In the case of the Switch2 build... I don't understand why From don't just cap it to a reliable locked 30? (instead of shooting higher and getting fluctuations between 30-40)

Re: Review: Pokémon Pokopia (Switch 2) - One Of The Most Enticing Pokémon Games Ever

CJD87

@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

CJD87

@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

CJD87

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

CJD87

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"

CJD87

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

CJD87

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

CJD87

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?

CJD87

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: PSA: Dispatch's 'Visual Censorship' Settings Can't Be Removed On Switch

CJD87

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: Opinion: I'll Never Truly RIP Until 'The Séance Of Blake Manor' Comes To Switch

CJD87

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?

CJD87

@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?

CJD87

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: Poll: What Review Score Would You Give Metroid Prime 4: Beyond?

CJD87

@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?

CJD87

@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

CJD87

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

CJD87

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

CJD87

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

CJD87

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?

CJD87

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