@rvcolem1 how is ToI1? I have both EM and ToI2 in backlog, can’t decide on which to play…
I’ve just come out of finishing Nine Sols, which was an amazing ride… albeit the final boss took me about 2 weeks, roughly 30 mins worth of attempts per day lol
I love this series, but I genuinely prefer Rise massively vs World.
Granted, Rise was my first MH game (and entry to the franchise) and I adore the more arcade-ish nature of the game. World felt a bit sluggish after Rise.
I'd love the portable team to take their time and perhaps do a similar optimised game that is designed for handheld play...
Wilds plays like a slide-slow on Steamdeck, I couldn't believe how poor it was! So chance of it running well on Switch2 is slim
Since recently beating Nine Sols, and still suffering from the PTSD that came from several weeks vs Eigong (final boss) - I’m currently playing 2 puzzle games concurrently:
1) Loco-Motive: a Lucasarts-inspired P&C adventure game, gorgeously crafted with solid voice acting and strong gameplay. A little on the easy side, and doesn’t quite capture the same magic as recent genre peers (Return to MI, Thimbleweed Park, Lucy Dreaming etc) - but a nice chilled enjoyable time. 2) Rise of the Golden Idol: never played the predecessor, but this game is top tier. Sort of a detective-style mystery puzzler - in which you fill in the gaps of various crimes by deducing elements of crime scenes. A high recommend, best puzzler I’ve played since Lorelei & the Laser Eyes
Finally beat Nine Sols, after a couple of weeks getting smoked by the final boss! Practice makes perfect, finally got her done after what felt like 100s of attempts. Proud to say I didn’t drop the difficult and managed to beat her on Standard/normal mode! It was a hard lesson though in terms of just how important exploration is…. And my lack of this meant being severely underpowered upon reaching ‘the point of no return’ - which lead to an even rougher ride with the last boss. An amazing game though, like a 2D-Sekiro. If you love MV titles and Souls difficulty, Nine Sols is an easy recommend.
Now playing the excellent Loco-Motive, a point-click game that clearly wears its Lucasarts influences on its sleeves. About a third through and loving it - the VA work and art style is really great. Maybe a tad on the easy side, although a few puzzles have had me scratching my head for a bit. Maybe feels a bit easy due to Lorelei being the last game I played from this genre, which was remarkably tough!
After Loco-Motive I’m torn between starting the new Ender Lillies sequel or instead Rise of Golden Idol…‘can’t quite decide!
@Max_the_German Yes and I suppose this is one of those cases where the very definition of ‘what constitutes a side quest’ will shape the discourse! I suppose by virtue of being able to complete W3 without touching Bloody Baron, would make it eligible?! Either way, it beats rounding up cats in FF7 Remake
Could it be that Nintendo has struck an exclusivity deal with Team Cherry? (timed exclusivity perhaps?) And that SilkSong would be a potential exclusive launch title for Switch2?
BS1 Reforged was an excellent example of a terrific remaster. Re-vamped visuals, QoL features (hints/difficulty options) alongside a slicker control system for consoles etc. A gorgeous way to replay a classic, or alternatively a terrific entry point for newcomers... "the best way to play" this classic IMO.
This admittedly looks pretty great, but I’ve just come off the back of Nine Sols… and next week I believe we have Ender Magnolia landing, which I’d expect to be excellent
I’ve added BC to my DekuDeals list, will definitely grab when a considerable sale prices hits. As others have said though, the MV market is so oversaturated right now…. And I definitely don’t have the scope to play any and every new MV release, by virtue of how many drop each month!
Personally I would have stretched to 10, added Mario Odyssey and MHRise… the former being an amazingly innovative 3D platformer, and the latter being a great showpiece for ‘Switch (timed) exclusivity’
BUT - I don't think it will reach the dizzying heights of quality that Brian Cox brought to his recap of the Tekken series! (genuinely great, channeling his inner Logan Roy)
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
Comments 318
Re: Call Of Duty Appears To Be Teasing Tony Hawk's Return
@Tasuki or both…!?
Re: Ender Magnolia: Bloom In The Mist Receives Another Update
@rvcolem1 how is ToI1? I have both EM and ToI2 in backlog, can’t decide on which to play…
I’ve just come out of finishing Nine Sols, which was an amazing ride… albeit the final boss took me about 2 weeks, roughly 30 mins worth of attempts per day lol
Re: Nope, Monster Hunter Wilds Producer Still Won't Spill The Beans On A Switch 2 Port
I love this series, but I genuinely prefer Rise massively vs World.
Granted, Rise was my first MH game (and entry to the franchise) and I adore the more arcade-ish nature of the game. World felt a bit sluggish after Rise.
I'd love the portable team to take their time and perhaps do a similar optimised game that is designed for handheld play...
Wilds plays like a slide-slow on Steamdeck, I couldn't believe how poor it was! So chance of it running well on Switch2 is slim
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (8th February)
Since recently beating Nine Sols, and still suffering from the PTSD that came from several weeks vs Eigong (final boss) - I’m currently playing 2 puzzle games concurrently:
1) Loco-Motive: a Lucasarts-inspired P&C adventure game, gorgeously crafted with solid voice acting and strong gameplay. A little on the easy side, and doesn’t quite capture the same magic as recent genre peers (Return to MI, Thimbleweed Park, Lucy Dreaming etc) - but a nice chilled enjoyable time.
2) Rise of the Golden Idol: never played the predecessor, but this game is top tier. Sort of a detective-style mystery puzzler - in which you fill in the gaps of various crimes by deducing elements of crime scenes. A high recommend, best puzzler I’ve played since Lorelei & the Laser Eyes
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (1st February)
Finally beat Nine Sols, after a couple of weeks getting smoked by the final boss! Practice makes perfect, finally got her done after what felt like 100s of attempts. Proud to say I didn’t drop the difficult and managed to beat her on Standard/normal mode! It was a hard lesson though in terms of just how important exploration is…. And my lack of this meant being severely underpowered upon reaching ‘the point of no return’ - which lead to an even rougher ride with the last boss. An amazing game though, like a 2D-Sekiro. If you love MV titles and Souls difficulty, Nine Sols is an easy recommend.
Now playing the excellent Loco-Motive, a point-click game that clearly wears its Lucasarts influences on its sleeves. About a third through and loving it - the VA work and art style is really great. Maybe a tad on the easy side, although a few puzzles have had me scratching my head for a bit. Maybe feels a bit easy due to Lorelei being the last game I played from this genre, which was remarkably tough!
After Loco-Motive I’m torn between starting the new Ender Lillies sequel or instead Rise of Golden Idol…‘can’t quite decide!
Re: Review: NYXI Hyperion 2 - Are These Really "The Ultimate Replacement" For Your Switch Joy-Con?
@dartmonkey same, I had a look online and difficult to find reliable measurements for either...! thanks
Re: Review: NYXI Hyperion 2 - Are These Really "The Ultimate Replacement" For Your Switch Joy-Con?
To the reviewer... how does size/shape compare with the HORI Split Pad Compact? (NOT Split Pad Pro)
I currently use a great TomToc case which is made for the HORI Split Pad Compact, wondering if it would fit the Hyperion 2?
Re: Community: What Are Your Favourite Sidequests On Switch?
@Max_the_German Yes and I suppose this is one of those cases where the very definition of ‘what constitutes a side quest’ will shape the discourse! I suppose by virtue of being able to complete W3 without touching Bloody Baron, would make it eligible?! Either way, it beats rounding up cats in FF7 Remake
Re: Team Cherry Reconfirms Hollow Knight: Silksong Is Actually Real In Small Development Update
Could it be that Nintendo has struck an exclusivity deal with Team Cherry? (timed exclusivity perhaps?) And that SilkSong would be a potential exclusive launch title for Switch2?
Re: Community: What Are Your Favourite Sidequests On Switch?
W3 "The Bloody Baron" - cited in the article - is probably the highest benchmark for side quest standards.
Re: Broken Sword 'Reforged' Team Teases Another Remaster Might Be On The Cards
BS1 Reforged was an excellent example of a terrific remaster. Re-vamped visuals, QoL features (hints/difficulty options) alongside a slicker control system for consoles etc. A gorgeous way to replay a classic, or alternatively a terrific entry point for newcomers... "the best way to play" this classic IMO.
Re: Review: Blade Chimera (Switch) - A Ridiculously Fun, Combat-First Metroidvania
This admittedly looks pretty great, but I’ve just come off the back of Nine Sols… and next week I believe we have Ender Magnolia landing, which I’d expect to be excellent
I’ve added BC to my DekuDeals list, will definitely grab when a considerable sale prices hits. As others have said though, the MV market is so oversaturated right now…. And I definitely don’t have the scope to play any and every new MV release, by virtue of how many drop each month!
Re: Feature: 8 Games That Defined The Switch Generation
This is a nice article and a good list
Personally I would have stretched to 10, added Mario Odyssey and MHRise… the former being an amazingly innovative 3D platformer, and the latter being a great showpiece for ‘Switch (timed) exclusivity’
Re: Star Wars Actor Daisy Ridley Presents An Overview Of 'Monster Hunter'
I'll watch this for sure as a big fan of both...
BUT - I don't think it will reach the dizzying heights of quality that Brian Cox brought to his recap of the Tekken series! (genuinely great, channeling his inner Logan Roy)
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