Ah this seems genuine enough, and a classy ‘nod’ to the inspirations at hand. Whilst it wasn’t my personal GOTY (here’s looking at you Balatro..) I’m delighted Astro won. I hope it sends a message to the industry that there still exists a large appetite for well crafted single player games, and potentially leads to a genre renaissance for 3D platformers.
I loved Erdtree, but don’t think DLC should be in the conversation here. Also, Rebirth was decent enough but I don’t think it quite landed well enough to justify the win (a lot of genius in that game but equally a lot of bloat).
@Zaphod42 Ship of H is amazing right? I played this year on Steamdeck, even the 'moveable camera' feature (full motion using right stick) is absolutely a game changer.
EDIT - ShipOfH are also soon to do Starfox64 a similar treatment.!
2024 has been a hugely surprising year for me in terms of ‘expectations vs reality’…. And my final GOTY year list leans much more into the Indie space than previous years.
2020 was Hades, 2021 was Returnal, 2022 was Elden Ring and last year 2023 was Baldurs 3. I kind of expected to love all those games, and genuinely was delighted with them all.
2024 though…. I feel like the AAA space is becoming a bit of a hive of homogeneity - with more developers leaning towards ‘sure fire’ tropes and safe bets… assumedly to support yielding enough sales to justify the huge budgets. I’m really yearning to be fed something new, or something I’ve seen before but with a unique twist.
Therefore my top 3 list for 2024:
1) Balatro - as a poker player myself, and a lover of Spire, this game blew me away.
2) Nine Sols - plays like 2D Sekiro…. Which is great as Sekiro is my favorite From game
3) Lorelei & The Laser Eyes - like Resident Evil and Myst had a baby..! A must play for any P&C adventure gamers who want a challenge. Got this on a whim after seeing the Game Awards nomination and also reading the interview with the devs on this site
Honorable mentions - Tekken 8 (release version, before MTX elements for their claws in)…. Prince of Persia Lost Crown (criminally good, I wish Ubi would invest more resource in games like this instead of shutting down studios!)…. Hades2 (early access but still amazing)…. Erdtree (somewhat disappointing but still time well spent)
Nine Sols for a Sekiro-fix, and then concurrently playing the new P&C adventure game ‘Loco Motive’ (to help me come down from the Nine Sols adrenaline!)
Love this, and JM is an absolute talent. Whilst not the best movie ever, his work in Split and playing all the multiple personalities (and flipping between them) was amazing
Mana is one of my childhood faves, delighted that JM is giving it a platform!
@kendomustdie in my top 5 games of all time (Returnal!) Can’t wait to see what Housemarque develop next, especially as the Sony acquisition should provide extra cash injection
I can vouch this is an awesome time, but probably only for gamers who enjoy the masochism of 'hard games'. Definitely not as casual-friendly as Hades (which the review alludes to also) but equally rewarding in terms of progress.
As a huge Returnal fan, and generally an enjoyed of rogue-style games, this is/was fantastic for me
If Switch 2 can match SD power (or even slightly less) and be able to run the likes of Elden Ring, CP77, Baldurs 3 etc.... I'd bite Nintendo's hand off! I think if Nintendo just pushed for as much 'oomph' as possible, it could pave the way for some great porting opportunities.... and might make developers consider back-catalogue transfers (Dark Souls trilogy? Fallout series? RRDR 2? GTAV?...)
I'll likely still keep my deck though, as the sale prices for games are insane... and you see £££ drops that you would never find in Nintendo lol.
But yeah, plan is to keep the deck and get Switch2 day1... assuming it meets the criteria. Full back catalogue support with S1 should really be mandatory also, same as PS4/5 etc
@Dm9982 I have the same setup, Switch and Deck... albeit I pulled the trigger on the 256 LCD - just 1 month before OLED was announced! (woe is me...)
LCD Deck is still a powerhouse, albeit battery life is pretty shocking. But I agree, those 2 handhelds give me access to pretty much all I'd want to play.
If Switch2 is basically similar (or higher?) power to SD I'd be thrilled
Finishing off Broken Sword Reforged, and also planning to start Divinity 2…. I’ve been missing CRPGs since Baldurs 3, and I hear that DOS2 from Larian is pretty great!
I'd give it a solid 7, but nothing more. I think the splicing of elements from the later open-world games alongside 'traditional' 2D Zelda is smart - but the transition to playing as Zelda herself feels a little gimmicky and uninspired.
The performance in general (minor FPS dips aside) is admirable, and I appreciate that Nintendo are thrashing the 7year old hardware to its limits. Graphically beautiful, and whole presentation i incredibly charming.
For me though, the gameplay just feels a little... boring perhaps? I like the novelty of the echoes, but am also missing traditional sword/shield combat.
Its a good game for sure, but doesn't feel like a 'great game'. I can't see this ever being remembered like BOTW for example
I'd take a locked rock-solid 30FPS over a sketchy/blippy 60FPS any day...
I respect Nintendo in some ways for pushing this hardware to its absolute limits, and the fact that TOTK plays as well as it does is testament to the hard development work at play.
However, I'd honestly wish they'd maybe scale back some of the graphical fidelity/effects to allow alleviate the stutters in Echoes. I've yet to play, but I know people who kicked it off today and have said similar to DF.
A great poster-child for everything a good remaster should involve - graphical upscaling, improved UI, QoL/accessibility features etc. Also an easy/story mode for those who don't want too much of a challenge. A beautiful game! (Playing on Deck due to Switch release delay)
Aiming to have Broken Sword done by Thursday/Friday so I can get stuck into Echoes
Having a SteamDeck break this week, with lots to play on Switch
Currently alternating between the newly released ‘Nano Apostle’ - an awesome isometric boss-rush game, with a hectic difficulty curve and an excellent challenge. Very reminiscent of Eldest Souls, with similar skill tree elements + infinite re-spec scope. Nano Apostle is a must-buy for any fans of Cuphead and/or Souls difficulty games.
On the side I’m playing Machinarium, a great P&C title from 2010s…. Logical but very hard!
Next 2 weeks are looking good, with Broken Sword Reforged next week and then Echoes the following
Nah come on - let these 2 games/franchises exist in their own space, and lets appreciate them both for what they bring to the table.
I respect Sony for taking this direction with their IP, especially at a time when every new release seems to be a Soulslike, Metroidvania and/or online shooter (these are all genres I enjoy btw).
Great to see some market diversity, and perhaps a renaissance for the 3D platformer landscape??
I have not played Astro personally, but the consensus seems overwhelmingly positive...
Finally in the mood to begin Divinity: Original Sin 2…. Which has been in the Switch backlog for some time. I played BG3 last year, and adored it, so I’m really keen to get stuck into Larian’s predecessor game. Just yesterday I picked up D:OS2 on SteamDeck also, so I can double-dip on Switch and Deck thanks to cross-save functionality (I prefer to travel with Switch, as it’s a lot lighter with better battery- but at home I’d choose Deck due to optimisation and better graphical fidelity)
On the side, I’m playing MH World…. Mainly due to all the hype for Wilds! I put 800hrs into Rise, and am so far loving World. Very different, and IMO not quite as fun as Rise… but I’m still in Low Rank, so many of the new/DLC mechanics haven’t opened up yet. Hitting a GS True Charge Slash remains as satisfying as ever, albeit I still whiff 90% of them!!
I'm honestly really intrigued by this, and absolutely salute TGK for 'trying something new'.
Another Metroidvania/Souls/2D-Scroller from the dev would have been a hit I'm sure.... but the market for that genre is completely over-saturated IMO, and they may have struggled to find a unique identity.
I'm delighted to hear what they're trying with this new game, and love it when devs aim to show us something we've not experienced before.
Wishing them every success! I own both B1 and B2, love those games, so TGK definitely has my backing.
This might get me shot... but I bounced of MP Remaster completely. I'd missed the Prime games completely on GC, and relished the opportunity to jump into the Remaster once it was announced. I just couldn't get into it, and I'm usually a big fan of Metroidvania games (love Hollow Knight, Blasphemous 1/2, new PoP, The Last Faith, Ori games, Salt & Sanctuary). There just seemed to be an excessive amount of backtracking, and little ... excitement I guess? Objectively I can appreciate Prime is a great game, alongside the Remaster setting a benchmark for what makes a 'great remaster, but I just couldnt click with it.
Strange as I adore Dread. I'd personally prefer to see Dread 2 instead of Prime4... just my opinion!
Ok… so I still think XB have taken the crown this summer with their showcase, but Nintendo was an extremely close second.
I think both XB and N have towered above Sony and Sunmer Games Fest, by quite a considerable margin
Amazing that Nintendo have managed to avoid leaks on the new Zelda, and great to see Prime 4 have confirmation it ‘still exists’. NSO app additions are great also
On Steamdeck - currently just wrapped my NG playthrough on Elden Ring, ready for DLC incoming Got a dual Bloodhound Fang quality build all set, capping at level 160, and got 100% achievements. This was my second playthrough (first was PS5 on launch) and I pretty much steamrolled it in 55hrs.... 'eyes on the prize'. Can't wait for Erdtree
Having a cleanse now and playing "Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis" (classic Lucasarts adventure game), then moving on to Hades 2!
Finally completed my (2nd) NG journey in Elden Ring, preparing for the DLC landing next month. I'd initially played at launch on PS5, attaining the platinum trophy, and then hadn't revisited the game since....
Picked ER up again on Steamdeck, and as this is now my primary means of gaming, I started a new run. 55hrs later, managed to get 100% achievements and a character at lv144. Going to pick up a few enhancements to support my build, potentially a quick re-spec also, and then lay the game to rest until next month.
This weekend I plan to tackle Animal Well as a 'palette-cleanser' game, and really looking forward to seeing what all the hype is about? I saw on Metacritic that AW is the 2nd highest reviewed game this year... even just above the mighty Balatro at #3 (!)
If I can push through Animal Well quickly, it will then finally be time for Hades 2 on early access - which I'm remarkably excited about
My experience very much mirrored that of Ollie's...
I can objectively appreciatr that TOTK is a tremendous game, and an incredible technical showcase for Switch.
But I just couldn't get into it, not like I did/could with BOTW. I tried my hardest, poured in ~40ish hours (1 dungeon completed, another started) and then bounced off to play other games.
I really hope Nintendo look to tweak the formula with the next entry and show us something 'new' for the franchise.
I would be keen for a tighter and more isolated experience.... maybe even something that incorporates some CRPG elements? (dialogue choices etc)
It hit me like a brick that 'Shadow of the Erd Tree' will now be released in <2months... so time to get back into Elden Ring, in preparation for being DLC-ready.
I originally played on PS5 at launch, getting the platinum trophy, but am now starting up a new playthrough on SteamDeck. Runs pretty well on handheld, 30FPS fairly stable with a couple minor dips - very playable though.
Just got through Stormveil castle, and considering my next move..
@sketchturner Thanks for the response, I was worried I might have come under fire!
I can appreciate that HK is definitely an 'objectively' solid game, but perhaps a case of it just not being 'for me' (I feel similarly about Metroid Prime, which is also universally adored I suppose)
I'll certainly jump on SS, and hope I click moreso with this sequel
@SolBlazer I'm actually inclined to agree with you here...
I'm certainly not being contrary for the sake of it, but I personally found HK to be somewhat overlong and even obtuse at times. I appreciate objectively 'what it was going for'.... but as a MV experience I much preferred Blasphemous, Metroid Dread, the new Prince of Persia - and even preferred The Last Faith.
The boss fights were definitely a stand-out feature though, and masterfully executed in terms of difficulty curve (very challenging, but not impossible).
I found myself constantly getting lost though, with a lot of unnecessary backtracking.... which I appreciate are tropes of the MV genre, but in HK it just felt quite excessive.
Maybe it says more about me as a player, but I much preferred the shorter/tighter experiences such as Blasphemous 1+2
Nonetheless, I'll definitely be picking up the sequel - as I think the first entry showed a lot of promise for what the future could hold
TOTK is stellar of course.... but BOTW was such a nicely compact experience, and just felt so 'fresh'.
Nothing beat diving off the Great Plateau for the first time, utterly amazing.
TOTK suffers from the same issues as Spiderman 2, GoW Ragnarok, Horizon FB.... more of 'the same' but bigger/better - ultimately though the special feeling of the predecessor games.
Nonetheless TOTK still great, but I would have personally preferred a new/different map as well as slightly 'less' game to avoid burnout
IMO, somewhere between Rise & World is the 'ultimate' MH experience. I love the 'pick up and play' arcade-ish style of Rise, but I think it could benefit from some of the actual 'hunting' nuances from World.
I enjoy the Quiros crafting in Sunbreak also, can be frustrating at times.... but great for those of us who love to min/max loadouts.
Whilst I agree that this rating is utterly ridiculous, I suspect (and also hope!) that this instance gains the game a degree of 'notoriety' and keeps it in the headlines... thus provoking additional sales + general interest.
Also, I wonder what the core audience demographic is for this game? At risk of sounding patronising, I wonder how many <18yr old would actually be interesting in playing this? My kids only have interest in Fortnite, Fifa, Rocket League etc...
Ultimately, the rating is absurdly justified - BUT I am hopeful that this area of contention keeps the game newsworthy, and propels sales figures. Genuinely a fantastic game, a must buy for any Spire fans or poker players
I'll vouch for Balatro, best Deck game since Spire IMO... Balatro is so utterly addictive, I can't put it down. I'm a poker player also, so this game is ticking every box for me - but it is definitely very accessible for those who haven't player poker before, and/or have limited experience.
I really hope the rating issue gets ironed out ASAP so the game can get back to the eShop... hopefully the publicity of being pulled (temporarily) will gain it some notoriety and boost sales upon its return!
Best (new release) game I've played 2024 so far, deserves to be part of the conversation alongside Prince of Persia, Helldivers, Rebirth etc
@luciobar1980 It is 100% true, as the joker cards will activate their buffs in a sequence: left - - > right. Jokers trigger from left to right so you should have your multipliers on the right. (by multiplying last, you ensure to yield the highest return.... so have your chips and +Mults first in sequence, with xMults at end)
It is a tremendous game, if you enjoyed Spire (and/or have any interest in Poker whatsoever) then this game is definitely for you.
Even if you're just looking for something 'new' - this is a great time-sink game to work as a cleanser between (or even alongside) meatier bigger titles.
A quick tip for any newcomers, which I only discovered after 20hrs (!) = pay attention to the ORDER in which you position your Joker cards.... (make sure you rearrange so that your largest X-Multipliers are on the right side!)
A shadow-dropped StarFox game that is actually solid, a spiritual successor to the N64 game (albeit less 'on-rails' and more open space exploration)
The Ubisoft crossover (Starlink, Battle for Atlus?) showed how solid the IP can still be... imagine if it had some of that BOTW-dust sprinkled on it.
I think this could be a potentially solid & shrewd move for XBOX in terms of their future plans. Instead of being 'console focussed', perhaps instead look to develop the ecosystem of GamePass.... and working to bring this to competitor platforms.
I'm not sure how this would look in practice, but there is a lot of scope for innovative thinking on Microsoft's part.
@sketchturner I was holding out for the Switch reviews before choosing a platform to play on, and this write-up (along with others) confirmed my suspicions that the port would struggle. A real shame here, as generally the Switch is an ideal platform for this genre… and look how well the recent PoP runs!
Currently playing on Deck, and surprised to see that Grime still isn’t that slick technically. What settings are you using if you don’t mind me asking? (In-game and also Steam OS?)
I’m currently targeting 45FPS, but there are still stutters and drops occasionally…. Tried 30, but this actually feels quite sluggish and buggy - despite being locked. Any advise would be great, probably favour performance over graphical fidelity for games like this.
Blows my mind that the Deck can(decently enough) run Elden Ring, Cyberpunk, Resi4…. But seriously struggles with Grime. Equally, Switch’s version of Witcher is fairly serviceable - hardware considering.
Grime is a great game for MV/Souls lovers, would have been great to have better optimisation
For anyone on Switch interested, Blasphemous 2 runs incredibly well and would be a solid alternative (same with Hollow Knight, Dread, Prince of Persia)
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Re: Random: PlayStation's Astro Bot Director Pays Tribute To Mario And Nintendo In GOTY Speech
Ah this seems genuine enough, and a classy ‘nod’ to the inspirations at hand. Whilst it wasn’t my personal GOTY (here’s looking at you Balatro..) I’m delighted Astro won. I hope it sends a message to the industry that there still exists a large appetite for well crafted single player games, and potentially leads to a genre renaissance for 3D platformers.
I loved Erdtree, but don’t think DLC should be in the conversation here. Also, Rebirth was decent enough but I don’t think it quite landed well enough to justify the win (a lot of genius in that game but equally a lot of bloat).
Re: Zelda: Majora's Mask Decompilation Project Now At 100%
@Zaphod42 Ship of H is amazing right? I played this year on Steamdeck, even the 'moveable camera' feature (full motion using right stick) is absolutely a game changer.
EDIT - ShipOfH are also soon to do Starfox64 a similar treatment.!
Re: Rate Your Favourite Switch Games Of The Year 2024
2024 has been a hugely surprising year for me in terms of ‘expectations vs reality’…. And my final GOTY year list leans much more into the Indie space than previous years.
2020 was Hades, 2021 was Returnal, 2022 was Elden Ring and last year 2023 was Baldurs 3. I kind of expected to love all those games, and genuinely was delighted with them all.
2024 though…. I feel like the AAA space is becoming a bit of a hive of homogeneity - with more developers leaning towards ‘sure fire’ tropes and safe bets… assumedly to support yielding enough sales to justify the huge budgets. I’m really yearning to be fed something new, or something I’ve seen before but with a unique twist.
Therefore my top 3 list for 2024:
1) Balatro - as a poker player myself, and a lover of Spire, this game blew me away.
2) Nine Sols - plays like 2D Sekiro…. Which is great as Sekiro is my favorite From game
3) Lorelei & The Laser Eyes - like Resident Evil and Myst had a baby..! A must play for any P&C adventure gamers who want a challenge. Got this on a whim after seeing the Game Awards nomination and also reading the interview with the devs on this site
Honorable mentions - Tekken 8 (release version, before MTX elements for their claws in)…. Prince of Persia Lost Crown (criminally good, I wish Ubi would invest more resource in games like this instead of shutting down studios!)…. Hades2 (early access but still amazing)…. Erdtree (somewhat disappointing but still time well spent)
Re: Feature: Nintendo Life eShop Selects & Readers' Choice (November 2024)
I'm toggling between Nine Sols & Loco Motive.... absolutely spoilt by 2 of my favorite genres here!
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (30th November)
Switch Heavy weekend…
Nine Sols for a Sekiro-fix, and then concurrently playing the new P&C adventure game ‘Loco Motive’ (to help me come down from the Nine Sols adrenaline!)
Re: Review: Nine Sols (Switch) - An Intense Metroidvania That's Still A Treat On Switch
This is a great game for anyone who loves Hollow Knight and/or Sekiro, and is looking for a challenge.
Re: Prince Of Persia: The Lost Crown Dev Team Disbanded By Ubisoft
Gutted, as this game is genuinely pretty great.
But Ubisoft clearly plan to become the 'Assassins Creed machine' and plough all focus into the safe bet IP
Re: Random: Movie Star James McAvoy Says His Favourite Game Is Secret Of Mana
Love this, and JM is an absolute talent. Whilst not the best movie ever, his work in Split and playing all the multiple personalities (and flipping between them) was amazing
Mana is one of my childhood faves, delighted that JM is giving it a platform!
Re: Review: Kill Knight (Switch) - Relentless Bullet Hell Is Rippingly Difficult But Bloody Satisfying
@kendomustdie in my top 5 games of all time (Returnal!)
Can’t wait to see what Housemarque develop next, especially as the Sony acquisition should provide extra cash injection
Re: Review: Kill Knight (Switch) - Relentless Bullet Hell Is Rippingly Difficult But Bloody Satisfying
I can vouch this is an awesome time, but probably only for gamers who enjoy the masochism of 'hard games'. Definitely not as casual-friendly as Hades (which the review alludes to also) but equally rewarding in terms of progress.
As a huge Returnal fan, and generally an enjoyed of rogue-style games, this is/was fantastic for me
Re: Monastery Stealth Game 'The Stone Of Madness' Plots A January Release
@Dm9982 100% agree...
If Switch 2 can match SD power (or even slightly less) and be able to run the likes of Elden Ring, CP77, Baldurs 3 etc.... I'd bite Nintendo's hand off!
I think if Nintendo just pushed for as much 'oomph' as possible, it could pave the way for some great porting opportunities.... and might make developers consider back-catalogue transfers (Dark Souls trilogy? Fallout series? RRDR 2? GTAV?...)
I'll likely still keep my deck though, as the sale prices for games are insane... and you see £££ drops that you would never find in Nintendo lol.
But yeah, plan is to keep the deck and get Switch2 day1... assuming it meets the criteria. Full back catalogue support with S1 should really be mandatory also, same as PS4/5 etc
Re: Monastery Stealth Game 'The Stone Of Madness' Plots A January Release
@Dm9982 I have the same setup, Switch and Deck... albeit I pulled the trigger on the 256 LCD - just 1 month before OLED was announced! (woe is me...)
LCD Deck is still a powerhouse, albeit battery life is pretty shocking. But I agree, those 2 handhelds give me access to pretty much all I'd want to play.
If Switch2 is basically similar (or higher?) power to SD I'd be thrilled
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (5th October)
Finishing off Broken Sword Reforged, and also planning to start Divinity 2…. I’ve been missing CRPGs since Baldurs 3, and I hear that DOS2 from Larian is pretty great!
Re: Poll: What Review Score Would You Give The Legend Of Zelda: Echoes Of Wisdom?
I'd give it a solid 7, but nothing more. I think the splicing of elements from the later open-world games alongside 'traditional' 2D Zelda is smart - but the transition to playing as Zelda herself feels a little gimmicky and uninspired.
The performance in general (minor FPS dips aside) is admirable, and I appreciate that Nintendo are thrashing the 7year old hardware to its limits. Graphically beautiful, and whole presentation i incredibly charming.
For me though, the gameplay just feels a little... boring perhaps? I like the novelty of the echoes, but am also missing traditional sword/shield combat.
Its a good game for sure, but doesn't feel like a 'great game'. I can't see this ever being remembered like BOTW for example
Re: Zelda: Echoes Of Wisdom's Frame Rate Is "Even Worse" Than Link's Awakening
I'd take a locked rock-solid 30FPS over a sketchy/blippy 60FPS any day...
I respect Nintendo in some ways for pushing this hardware to its absolute limits, and the fact that TOTK plays as well as it does is testament to the hard development work at play.
However, I'd honestly wish they'd maybe scale back some of the graphical fidelity/effects to allow alleviate the stutters in Echoes. I've yet to play, but I know people who kicked it off today and have said similar to DF.
Re: UK Charts: Another Quiet Week Underscores The Need For Something New
These charts are physical only right?
GTAV and MK8.... people must be buying multiple copies by now??
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (21st September)
Broken Sword "Reforged" (aka the new remaster)...
A great poster-child for everything a good remaster should involve - graphical upscaling, improved UI, QoL/accessibility features etc. Also an easy/story mode for those who don't want too much of a challenge. A beautiful game! (Playing on Deck due to Switch release delay)
Aiming to have Broken Sword done by Thursday/Friday so I can get stuck into Echoes
Re: UK Charts: Warhammer Dominates While Only One Nintendo Title Makes The Top 10
Wonder what has caused Armored Core to creep back in?
No shade here, I loved that game... just surprised to see it in the top 10 nearly a year(?) or so post-release
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (14th September)
Having a SteamDeck break this week, with lots to play on Switch
Currently alternating between the newly released ‘Nano Apostle’ - an awesome isometric boss-rush game, with a hectic difficulty curve and an excellent challenge. Very reminiscent of Eldest Souls, with similar skill tree elements + infinite re-spec scope. Nano Apostle is a must-buy for any fans of Cuphead and/or Souls difficulty games.
On the side I’m playing Machinarium, a great P&C title from 2010s…. Logical but very hard!
Next 2 weeks are looking good, with Broken Sword Reforged next week and then Echoes the following
Re: Does Astro Bot's Super Mario 'Inspiration' Cross A Line? Fans Seem Divided
Nah come on - let these 2 games/franchises exist in their own space, and lets appreciate them both for what they bring to the table.
I respect Sony for taking this direction with their IP, especially at a time when every new release seems to be a Soulslike, Metroidvania and/or online shooter (these are all genres I enjoy btw).
Great to see some market diversity, and perhaps a renaissance for the 3D platformer landscape??
I have not played Astro personally, but the consensus seems overwhelmingly positive...
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (7th September)
Finally in the mood to begin Divinity: Original Sin 2…. Which has been in the Switch backlog for some time. I played BG3 last year, and adored it, so I’m really keen to get stuck into Larian’s predecessor game. Just yesterday I picked up D:OS2 on SteamDeck also, so I can double-dip on Switch and Deck thanks to cross-save functionality (I prefer to travel with Switch, as it’s a lot lighter with better battery- but at home I’d choose Deck due to optimisation and better graphical fidelity)
On the side, I’m playing MH World…. Mainly due to all the hype for Wilds! I put 800hrs into Rise, and am so far loving World. Very different, and IMO not quite as fun as Rise… but I’m still in Low Rank, so many of the new/DLC mechanics haven’t opened up yet. Hitting a GS True Charge Slash remains as satisfying as ever, albeit I still whiff 90% of them!!
Re: Feature: Blasphemous Devs Talk Switching From Metroidvania To RTS Stealth In 'The Stone Of Madness'
I'm honestly really intrigued by this, and absolutely salute TGK for 'trying something new'.
Another Metroidvania/Souls/2D-Scroller from the dev would have been a hit I'm sure.... but the market for that genre is completely over-saturated IMO, and they may have struggled to find a unique identity.
I'm delighted to hear what they're trying with this new game, and love it when devs aim to show us something we've not experienced before.
Wishing them every success! I own both B1 and B2, love those games, so TGK definitely has my backing.
Re: Soapbox: Metroid Prime 4: Beyond Won't Be The Franchise's 'BOTW Moment', And That's Okay
This might get me shot... but I bounced of MP Remaster completely. I'd missed the Prime games completely on GC, and relished the opportunity to jump into the Remaster once it was announced. I just couldn't get into it, and I'm usually a big fan of Metroidvania games (love Hollow Knight, Blasphemous 1/2, new PoP, The Last Faith, Ori games, Salt & Sanctuary).
There just seemed to be an excessive amount of backtracking, and little ... excitement I guess? Objectively I can appreciate Prime is a great game, alongside the Remaster setting a benchmark for what makes a 'great remaster, but I just couldnt click with it.
Strange as I adore Dread. I'd personally prefer to see Dread 2 instead of Prime4... just my opinion!
Re: Reaction: A Direct That Delivered, And Shows That Switch Still Has Plenty Of Pep
Ok… so I still think XB have taken the crown this summer with their showcase, but Nintendo was an extremely close second.
I think both XB and N have towered above Sony and Sunmer Games Fest, by quite a considerable margin
Amazing that Nintendo have managed to avoid leaks on the new Zelda, and great to see Prime 4 have confirmation it ‘still exists’. NSO app additions are great also
Re: Nintendo Direct June 2024: Time, Where To Watch, What To Expect
Surprise shadow drop of Dark Souls 2 and 3 ports? Could be a nice tie in for FromSoft, considering Erdtree drops later this week?!
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (25th May)
On Steamdeck - currently just wrapped my NG playthrough on Elden Ring, ready for DLC incoming Got a dual Bloodhound Fang quality build all set, capping at level 160, and got 100% achievements. This was my second playthrough (first was PS5 on launch) and I pretty much steamrolled it in 55hrs.... 'eyes on the prize'. Can't wait for Erdtree
Having a cleanse now and playing "Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis" (classic Lucasarts adventure game), then moving on to Hades 2!
Re: Site News: Suggest Questions For Our Upcoming Switch Summer Survey
"What feature of functionality would guarantee Switch2 to be a 'Day 1' purchase for you?"
Re: Netflix Reveals The First Official Look At Liam Hemsworth In 'The Witcher'
Feel sorry for Liam, am sure he'll be serviceable in the role... but he has the impossible task of filling Henry's shoes, who made that role his own.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (18th May)
Finally completed my (2nd) NG journey in Elden Ring, preparing for the DLC landing next month. I'd initially played at launch on PS5, attaining the platinum trophy, and then hadn't revisited the game since....
Picked ER up again on Steamdeck, and as this is now my primary means of gaming, I started a new run. 55hrs later, managed to get 100% achievements and a character at lv144. Going to pick up a few enhancements to support my build, potentially a quick re-spec also, and then lay the game to rest until next month.
This weekend I plan to tackle Animal Well as a 'palette-cleanser' game, and really looking forward to seeing what all the hype is about? I saw on Metacritic that AW is the 2nd highest reviewed game this year... even just above the mighty Balatro at #3 (!)
If I can push through Animal Well quickly, it will then finally be time for Hades 2 on early access - which I'm remarkably excited about
Re: Talking Point: One Year On, Has Everyone Beaten Ganondorf In Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom?
My experience very much mirrored that of Ollie's...
I can objectively appreciatr that TOTK is a tremendous game, and an incredible technical showcase for Switch.
But I just couldn't get into it, not like I did/could with BOTW. I tried my hardest, poured in ~40ish hours (1 dungeon completed, another started) and then bounced off to play other games.
I really hope Nintendo look to tweak the formula with the next entry and show us something 'new' for the franchise.
I would be keen for a tighter and more isolated experience.... maybe even something that incorporates some CRPG elements? (dialogue choices etc)
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (27th April)
It hit me like a brick that 'Shadow of the Erd Tree' will now be released in <2months... so time to get back into Elden Ring, in preparation for being DLC-ready.
I originally played on PS5 at launch, getting the platinum trophy, but am now starting up a new playthrough on SteamDeck. Runs pretty well on handheld, 30FPS fairly stable with a couple minor dips - very playable though.
Just got through Stormveil castle, and considering my next move..
Re: Talking Point: Nintendo Indie World Showcase Predictions - What Do You Expect To See?
Hades 2 news.....?? Anyone?
Re: Best Nintendo Switch Puzzle Games
Cocoon is still one of the best I've played this year, a great palette cleanser between larger games
Re: Feature: 13 Studios That Should Take A Nintendo Series For A Genre Spin
@steruphan I know right? (re Starfox)
That Ubisoft game (Starlink?) would serve as a great foundation...if Nintendo could enrich that formula, sprinkle some BOTW dust on it, could be great
Re: Feature: 13 Studios That Should Take A Nintendo Series For A Genre Spin
Going to weigh in on this...
What about Mega Crit (the devs behind 'Slay The Spire' taking on a reimagining of the Pokemon TCG?
Loads of potential to make this an addictive deck-builder with/without rogue elements.
Some of the original game's tropes could be fused with new mechanics, and new modes etc.... even potentially a MP option?
Could be great
Re: Surprise! A New Listing For Hollow Knight: Silksong Has Appeared Online
@sketchturner Thanks for the response, I was worried I might have come under fire!
I can appreciate that HK is definitely an 'objectively' solid game, but perhaps a case of it just not being 'for me' (I feel similarly about Metroid Prime, which is also universally adored I suppose)
I'll certainly jump on SS, and hope I click moreso with this sequel
Re: Surprise! A New Listing For Hollow Knight: Silksong Has Appeared Online
@SolBlazer I'm actually inclined to agree with you here...
I'm certainly not being contrary for the sake of it, but I personally found HK to be somewhat overlong and even obtuse at times. I appreciate objectively 'what it was going for'.... but as a MV experience I much preferred Blasphemous, Metroid Dread, the new Prince of Persia - and even preferred The Last Faith.
The boss fights were definitely a stand-out feature though, and masterfully executed in terms of difficulty curve (very challenging, but not impossible).
I found myself constantly getting lost though, with a lot of unnecessary backtracking.... which I appreciate are tropes of the MV genre, but in HK it just felt quite excessive.
Maybe it says more about me as a player, but I much preferred the shorter/tighter experiences such as Blasphemous 1+2
Nonetheless, I'll definitely be picking up the sequel - as I think the first entry showed a lot of promise for what the future could hold
Re: Poll: So, Do You Prefer Zelda: Breath Of The Wild Or Tears Of The Kingdom?
TOTK is stellar of course.... but BOTW was such a nicely compact experience, and just felt so 'fresh'.
Nothing beat diving off the Great Plateau for the first time, utterly amazing.
TOTK suffers from the same issues as Spiderman 2, GoW Ragnarok, Horizon FB.... more of 'the same' but bigger/better - ultimately though the special feeling of the predecessor games.
Nonetheless TOTK still great, but I would have personally preferred a new/different map as well as slightly 'less' game to avoid burnout
Re: UK Charts: Princess Peach: Showtime Can't Usurp EA From Its Throne
Are the 'platform split' %s based on total boxed sales since release? Or boxed sales from the given week?
Love all this data, very interestingly - and put together in an easily digestible format by the NL team.
Re: Best Monster Hunter Games, Ranked - Switch And Nintendo Systems
IMO, somewhere between Rise & World is the 'ultimate' MH experience. I love the 'pick up and play' arcade-ish style of Rise, but I think it could benefit from some of the actual 'hunting' nuances from World.
I enjoy the Quiros crafting in Sunbreak also, can be frustrating at times.... but great for those of us who love to min/max loadouts.
Re: Balatro Back On Switch eShop In Europe With New Age Rating
Whilst I agree that this rating is utterly ridiculous, I suspect (and also hope!) that this instance gains the game a degree of 'notoriety' and keeps it in the headlines... thus provoking additional sales + general interest.
Also, I wonder what the core audience demographic is for this game? At risk of sounding patronising, I wonder how many <18yr old would actually be interesting in playing this? My kids only have interest in Fortnite, Fifa, Rocket League etc...
Ultimately, the rating is absurdly justified - BUT I am hopeful that this area of contention keeps the game newsworthy, and propels sales figures. Genuinely a fantastic game, a must buy for any Spire fans or poker players
Re: Reaction: Nintendo's Switch Emulator Fallout Is Shocking Only Because It Took This Long
I wonder if Nintendo purposefully chose their moment to strike, pursuing action ahead of an imminent Switch2 announcement?
Working to issue "a message" to any other aspirating emulators, who may work to emulate S2 games?1
Re: Best Nintendo Switch Card Games, Board Games, And Deckbuilders
@Ironcore 100%!
Wildfrost is a great game....
Re: Feature: Nintendo Life eShop Selects & Readers' Choice (February 2024)
I'll vouch for Balatro, best Deck game since Spire IMO... Balatro is so utterly addictive, I can't put it down. I'm a poker player also, so this game is ticking every box for me - but it is definitely very accessible for those who haven't player poker before, and/or have limited experience.
I really hope the rating issue gets ironed out ASAP so the game can get back to the eShop... hopefully the publicity of being pulled (temporarily) will gain it some notoriety and boost sales upon its return!
Best (new release) game I've played 2024 so far, deserves to be part of the conversation alongside Prince of Persia, Helldivers, Rebirth etc
Re: Review: Balatro (Switch) - Devilishly Compelling Cardplay, And A Clear GOTY Contender
@luciobar1980 It is 100% true, as the joker cards will activate their buffs in a sequence: left - - > right.
Jokers trigger from left to right so you should have your multipliers on the right. (by multiplying last, you ensure to yield the highest return.... so have your chips and +Mults first in sequence, with xMults at end)
Re: Review: Balatro (Switch) - Devilishly Compelling Cardplay, And A Clear GOTY Contender
It is a tremendous game, if you enjoyed Spire (and/or have any interest in Poker whatsoever) then this game is definitely for you.
Even if you're just looking for something 'new' - this is a great time-sink game to work as a cleanser between (or even alongside) meatier bigger titles.
A quick tip for any newcomers, which I only discovered after 20hrs (!) = pay attention to the ORDER in which you position your Joker cards.... (make sure you rearrange so that your largest X-Multipliers are on the right side!)
Re: Nintendo Direct: Partner Showcase February 2024 - Time, Where To Watch, What To Expect
Be nice to see some unexpected ports... Dark Souls 2 / 3?
Re: Talking Point: If 'Switch 2' Isn't Coming Until 2025, What's Nintendo Got Up Its Sleeve This Year?
A shadow-dropped StarFox game that is actually solid, a spiritual successor to the N64 game (albeit less 'on-rails' and more open space exploration)
The Ubisoft crossover (Starlink, Battle for Atlus?) showed how solid the IP can still be... imagine if it had some of that BOTW-dust sprinkled on it.
Re: Microsoft To Share "Vision For The Future Of Xbox" Next Week
I think this could be a potentially solid & shrewd move for XBOX in terms of their future plans. Instead of being 'console focussed', perhaps instead look to develop the ecosystem of GamePass.... and working to bring this to competitor platforms.
I'm not sure how this would look in practice, but there is a lot of scope for innovative thinking on Microsoft's part.
Re: Review: GRIME Definitive Edition (Switch) - A Poor Port Of A Superb Soulslike Metroidvania
@sketchturner
I was holding out for the Switch reviews before choosing a platform to play on, and this write-up (along with others) confirmed my suspicions that the port would struggle. A real shame here, as generally the Switch is an ideal platform for this genre… and look how well the recent PoP runs!
Currently playing on Deck, and surprised to see that Grime still isn’t that slick technically. What settings are you using if you don’t mind me asking? (In-game and also Steam OS?)
I’m currently targeting 45FPS, but there are still stutters and drops occasionally…. Tried 30, but this actually feels quite sluggish and buggy - despite being locked.
Any advise would be great, probably favour performance over graphical fidelity for games like this.
Blows my mind that the Deck can(decently enough) run Elden Ring, Cyberpunk, Resi4…. But seriously struggles with Grime. Equally, Switch’s version of Witcher is fairly serviceable - hardware considering.
Grime is a great game for MV/Souls lovers, would have been great to have better optimisation
For anyone on Switch interested, Blasphemous 2 runs incredibly well and would be a solid alternative (same with Hollow Knight, Dread, Prince of Persia)