Comments 807

Re: Feature: Nintendo Life eShop Selects (January 2026)

Kraven

I’ve only played MIO although I own Dispatch. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with it, but I stopped 3/4th of the way through due to its difficulty and how unbalanced the game felt despite the assist options. I found Silksong easier and more balanced, and I 100%’ed that game.

Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (31st January)

Kraven

I don’t have much of an update from last weekend. I’m still playing Final Fantasy 7 Remake for the Switch 2. I’m approximately 65% through the story and absolutely enthralled despite beating the game multiple times on PS4/5. In fact, I may replay the game on PlayStation and get the platinum trophy since SqE essentially updated the game with “God mode” availability.

I have to say, though, after completing Rebirth and having more perspective on the story direction, it makes the first game even better.m due to its contextual gravity. You pick up subtle story beats, and character interaction and dialogue makes more sense. I think it is an impressive feat to have a sequel — Rebirth — that makes its predecessor —Remake — even better.

I can’t wait to see how Rebirth performs on the Switch 2. It’s remarkable how well optimized the Remake is, and how smooth the gameplay feels even though the frame-rate dips in a few cinematics. I’m not sure how it’s going to be pulled off considering how much larger it will be.

All of that said, these games feel tailored made for handheld and portability. I can’t imagine playing it any other way. It draws out a sense nostalgia, being a kid, staying up late when school was canceled because of snow and ice, and being a foot away from the television, my eyes glued to the screen. It’s the same reason why I have an affinity with Final Fantasy Tactics Advance for the GBA. It feels personal; intimate, and that’s when a franchise is elevated to GOAT status.

Re: Rumour: A Nintendo Direct May Be Coming As Soon As Next Week

Kraven

@Haruki_NLI Exactly. It’s also a few weeks in January. People are freaking out as if nothing new is coming out for the console. Sure, the first party output may not be strong, but we just got FF7Remake, about to get Dragon Quest 7, Resident Evil Requiem, and Pragmata. To say the console is lacking is quite the ridiculous statement, particularly since we are also supposed to get a new Fire Emblem game this year.

Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (24th January)

Kraven

I picked up MIO: Memories In Orbit since it has been getting great reviews. I have to say, the reviews are in the mark — this game is awesome, but hard as hell.

I find the game to be quite excellent. There is a feeling of minimalism in a gorgeous, cell-shaded world. There are some moments with the soundtrack that brings me back to how I felt playing Death Stranding 1 & 2 because of how quiet it can be. That is an odd comparison, but very fitting.

The environments are all unique, although very similar to Hollow Knight and the Ori games. While it is familiar, it provides its own spin on how to traverse the world, and the dangers it presents. Speaking of, the platforming can be demanding, but the satisfaction you obtain by completing an obstacle is so rewarding. Just be prepared for a lot of trial and error.

The sense of progression is paced very well. There is always a stream of new abilities, with a plethora of combat modifiers and enhancements that can help during tough situations. Some of the unmissable abilities do seem useless, particularly the dodge mechanic. It essentially turns you invisible for a short period of time, but since most enemies are robotic in nature, there attacks are delayed and will hit you once you finish the dodge.

There are two issues I have with the game. Save points are very sparse, and the idea of backtracking can be really frustrating. You can easily die in two hits, and you’re going to because you’ll encounter new enemies with unique skill sets that you’re unlikely to know at the start. It’s basically trial by fire. You’ll eventually unlock shortcuts and abilities - a trope with the genre - but even then it can be a hassle.

The other quibble I have, albeit minor, are the boss fights and enemies. They are challenging, but not too demanding. However, they do tend to be repetitive in their aesthetic design. The fights themselves are varied, but when they tend to look the same they all feel disjointed. There are some enemies and bosses that have a big difficult spike — I’m looking at you Atmos — and it can be irritating where they spawn.

With that said, the accessibility options are fantastic. I’ve yet to use them, but they do assimilate problems where people struggle during difficult games such as Silksong. For example, there is an assist option that allows you to regain one health node when standing still. These won’t stack, so it’s a little reprieve from automatic death. Eroded Bosses will make boss fights weaker upon each failed attempt. If you combine that with some of the combat modifiers, it will help immensely.

Overall, I find MIO: Memories In Orbit to be a standout indie for the beginning of 2026.

I’m also playing Final Fantasy 7 Remake for the Switch 2. I’ve beaten this game three times for the PS4 & PS5, but I couldn’t resist the option for portability. I have been playing the game exclusively in handheld, and the game looks and runs silky smooth, with frame rate only dipping periodically in cutscenes. It feels like a dream to have a game like this I can take on the go.

Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (17th January)

Kraven

I’m playing Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles. I’m in the beginning stages in Chapter 3. It’s been a while since a video game has had me really plan and strategize—no pun intended—with party composition and classes.

The gameplay loop is very addicting, but not entirely overwhelming. It introduces new mechanics at a steady pace, and eases your understanding of transitioning into different classes. Once you grasp how the systems work, you’ll begin to appreciate the multi-layered depth the game offers.

As of now, my main character is classed as a Geomancer/Archer, paired with a Ninja Dragoon Knight that has martial arts abilities and a Black Mage Chemist Orator. We are annihilating enemies with ease. The seems to be a limitless amount of options to suit your preferred play-style.

The story is also compelling, and seems shockingly relevant (kidnapping a princess?). It’s one of these tales that isn’t gloom and doom for the sake of shock value—it has a purpose behind its brutality. With its excellent voice acting immersing you into its conflicts, to the motivations of its characters, you feel part of its strife.

The setting may be fictional, but there are many current commonalities. Life was difficult back in that time period, but hasn’t changed hundreds of years later. Friends can become enemies; motivations for your actions can be environmental; money, materialism, and social status is often more important than a person’s heart; and politics can cloud a person’s rationale.

All of this perturbation translates itself to the video game itself. It’s a reflection of life: strategizing and planning. It will often be difficult. Similar to the various maps—which are beautiful, cardboard cutout sceneries—there will be bumps in the road. You can and sometimes will permanently lose members close to you, but you will also grow stronger by sticking together.

Maybe I’m reading too much into things, and creating analogies where there aren’t none. In the last four months, my personal life has had some turbulence-from breaking my back, my mother-in-law passing, and my own mother getting diagnosed with stage 3 lung cancer. In the midst of all this, I’ve had to change “classes” by being who I truly am at home to masking it all whilst at my job. My wife and I have grown stronger from all of this, creating an even sturdier unbreakable bond. And compatible to my marriage, Final Fantasy Tactics is going to be an all-timer for me.

Re: Review: Dynasty Warriors: Origins (Switch 2) - A Super-Solid Port Of A Fantastic Reboot

Kraven

I’m going to do my best not to buy this. I know how my mind works—I think I want to play a Musou game, buy it, and only put a few hours into it. This happens every time. But damn, does this game sound fantastic. I grew up playing Dynasty Warriors 2 and 4 co-op with my best friend, and I’ll always have a special place in my heart for this franchise, but I’m not into them as much as I was when I was younger.

Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (10th January)

Kraven

I finished all of the prominent side quests and companion missions that I want to in Divinity Original Sin 2, so now I’m focusing on beating the game. I’m hoping to have it wrapped up in a couple of days—and I’m sure I’ll somehow get distracted by another side quest(s) despite saying I am fulfilled.

I did start Donkey Kong Bananza finally. I can acknowledge how great the game is, and its overall delightfulness, but it’s not for me. I find it to be too dense in its content. Don’t get me wrong, it’s an incredible achievement to have a game be tailored toward absolute destruction, yet at its core still be a platforming experience. That’s hard to do, and it’s done immaculately, with an ample amount of secrets, and provides an organic sense of player freedom and expression, it’s ultimately detrimental to my enjoyment.

Sometimes, there is simply too much content. I shouldn’t feel overwhelmed by a 3D platformer. Granted, a lot of my feelings could be remedied if I focused primarily on getting to point A to point B, but that’s not how I play video games. As a result, I feel completely disconnected. That’s okay, though; not every game is meant for everyone regardless of how critically acclaimed it may be.

My goal is to earnestly start Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles. It has sat on my cross media bar for months, tempting me regularly, only to be too intimidated to start since I’ve been playing meaty RPGs as of late. Interestingly enough, I’ve never played this game; my time was spent with the Gameboy Advance version, and I have fond memories of it. I’m looking forward to seeing why this game is hailed as one of the best in its genre, if not the greatest.

Re: Nintendo Download: 8th January (North America)

Kraven

Nothing for me this week, thankfully. I have too many games to play as it is. I should be finishing up Divinity 2 in a couple of days, and I’ll probably start Donkey Kong Bananza before FF7R and Dragon Quest 7 comes out.

Re: Wolfenstein 3 Is Reportedly "In The Works" At MachineGames

Kraven

Hopefully this is their focus. I loved my time with Indiana Jones and glad that a game from that IP was made and praised by others, but the whole time I was playing it I was thinking of Wolfenstein. It’s one of my favorite franchises, and the gunplay is always top notch.

Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (3rd January)

Kraven

I finally reached Act 3 in Divinity Original Sin 2. I’m still utterly blown away by the depth this game has to offer, not only from a gameplay perspective, but also its quests and companions.

But in terms of combat, I’ve usually always play as a barbarian or rogue assassin/archer, yet I’ve grown to be enamored with the sorcerer class. It’s been a blast — quite literally — and it’s incredibly OP if you can use the right talents, and have equipment that provides elemental buffs. This may just be my “go-to” class for future games, or even existing ones such as Baldur’s Gate 3.

And then there are the quests, main and side that continue for multiple chapters. I love how open-ended they can be, and really matter depending on your choices. I’m seeing ramifications for my actions in Act 1 as I venture into the final act. Oh, I’m also befriending members of the Black Ring and then betraying them in the utmost satisfying ways.

I’m really curious to see how much Larian continues to evolve with their new Divinity game. I personally believe Baldur’s Gate 3 is one of, if not the best game ever made on different levels, so to expand on their expertise is going to be very interesting.

I think now, I feel comfortable dipping my toes into another game to play in between sessions in Divinity; Cronos The New Dawn has been tempting me for months.

Re: Opinion: Not Enough People Are Talking About This Early GOTY Contender

Kraven

I need to give this game another chance. I played for about 10 hours and found the majority of the characters insufferable. I’m sure there is character development along the way, but I just couldn’t find myself attached to any one specific person. If it wasn’t for that, I enjoyed the game in terms of story and combat.