This was the only game from the Direct that appealed to me. It looks absolutely stunning. I have no doubt it’s going to be incredible. With all of that said, it was oddly placed in the showcase—a complete random update that didn’t really need to be there considering a release date wasn’t announced. I can only assume it will be shown during the Switch 2 showcase and given a launch date then. Couple that with the new Nintendo Today app, and I think they will garnish more attention daily.
I’m glad to see they are back — they were a big part of my childhood, the same with Nintendo Power and Electronic Gaming Monthly. With that said, are they returning to printing magazines again, or is it just a digital outlet now? I haven’t found any real clarification on that.
This game looks cool. I’ve never played the Dangonrompa games, and I’ve never been a fan of visual novels, but I do like the stylistic art and combat seems solid. I’ll probably check it out!
Glad to see Xenoblade Chronicles X at least make the list. Let’s hope it sells more than 800,000 copies like it did on the WiiU. This is a game that deserves more love and attention.
Also, I’m not mad about AC: Shadows. I will probably pick that up soon. It looks really good.
They are easily my favorite company within the Nintendo brand. They make incredible games, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they had something cooking for Switch 2.
Several days ago I finished Suikoden 1. It was my first time playing the game, and it was excellent from start to finish. It was expertly paced, with story beats that never overstay their welcome. There were well written characters that had story arcs that made me genuinely emotional. Moreover, from a gameplay standpoint, it was cinematic in a way that drew you into its world.
By the time I finished it — 22 hours in total, with 90/108 characters obtained — my main party was between level 59 and 60, and I beat the final boss with relative ease. There were two boss fights, whilst I did beat first try, gave me a run for my money - primarily due to how they were introduced at the most in-opportune time. Aside from that, the game was quite generous in its leveling system, especially with low leveled party members. It kept the game evenly balanced.
I’m now playing Xenoblade Chronicles X Definitive Edition. This is one of my favorite franchises, yet this title is the black sheep of the family for me. I finally get the opportunity to play it.
Currently, I’m in chapter 3 and the game is excellent. It reminds me a lot of Monster Hunter paired lightly with Mass Effect. I think it’s a great combination. My only issue is the quest designs. Some side activities will present themselves as a low leveled requirement to complete. However, some of them can lead to you to places where it’s unavoidable to fight enemies that are 29 levels above you. It’s an unbalancing issue, but it’s minor in the grand scheme of things.
Additionally, I dusted off my Nintendo 3DS XL and purchased Fire Emblem Fates: Birthright. I’m looking forward to seeing how it’s comparable to its predecessor, Awakening.
Talk about some obscure titles that remind me of when I would randomly pick out these games as a kid at my local video store. But man, I really want Chrono Trigger. I’m not sure why it hasn’t been out over yet. Also, the GI Joe game on the NES, as well as Rygar? Cmon, those are classics.
I’m not sure if I want this, but I’ll more than likely play it if it becomes a reality. Persona 4 Golden is my all time favorite JRPG, so I wouldn’t mind replaying it at some point.
Nice tips! The first one - taking your time - is my main focus. This is the only Xenoblade game I haven’t played, so I’m going to savor it as much as possible. I’ve played about an hour so far, and it is fantastic. And man, what a freakin’ banger of a soundtrack. I’ve told my wife this morning that I’m hyped as hell due to the music and she just laughs and rolls her eyes 👀
I can’t wait for this. It releases a few days before my birthday so it’ll be a good present for myself. I’m happy to see these games coming back in a modern time, preserving them for a modern audience.
My goodness. This is the rare time where I’ve preordered a game. I’m glad it is a success since it’s the only Xenoblade game I haven’t played. I’m also pleased to hear that there is more narrative segments because I’ve read a lot that it isn’t as heavy handed as prior releases. It may still not be, but the more the merrier. Ugh, the wait for Thursday is going to be long, but thankfully I have that day off work. And seeing as the game runs great on handheld mode, it’ll definitely be something I take to work with me and play on my lunch breaks. I can’t wait!
I decided to download the Nintendo Music app just to see what it was all about. Shockingly, it’s pretty good. There are a lot of great tracks from great games, and I’m glad to see there are more additions being added regularly. I hope Xenoblade Chronicles will make an appearance soon.
Just a heads up, I think the heading is misspelled. If I’m not mistaken, it’s meant to say “quiet” and not “quite”. I apologize if I’m coming across as rude, but I just wanted to point it out.
I’ve never heard of this game, but I am quite intrigued. The screenshots look cool, the story sounds interesting, and the trailer is the perfect amount of mysterious. I’ll be keeping my eye on this one.
My theory is that it will be a Switch 2 launch title. I know it doesn’t need it because the Switch 2 will sell gangbusters at launch even if they don’t have games for it (hyperbole), but having MP4 will only sell more units. I think it’s a no brainer.
This is a very solid ranking. I go back and forth with Xenoblade Chronicles Definitive Edition and XC3 being the best in the franchise, but that’s just a testament to how amazing this series is altogether.
This weekend I can officially say I’m playing something different other than Kingdom Come Deliverance 2. I finally beat the game and managed to obtain the platinum trophy. This is easily one of my all time favorite RPGs. It’s hard to see what game(s) come out this year that can reach this level of quality, from its writing, characters, immersion, and world building. Maybe Death Stranding 2 can stand toe to toe with KCD2, but we shall see.
What I’m playing in earnest now is Suikoden 1. This is an exceptional JRPG. I love how the mechanics of the game take centerfold, creating a world that reacts to your choices in meaningful ways. When you get to name a castle you have seized and getting to name it, in this case FARTNUGT, it feels like it is yours. Subsequently, the more characters you recruit - optional or otherwise - your castle begins to expand with different rooms and layers, so it feels like a living and breathing world tailored to your decisions.
Then there are full scaled wars that take place, and this is where the characters you have recruited along the way come into factor. If you take the time to put these characters in your party and level them up, the stronger your army will be. And you feel the weight of your decisions in battle because some characters can die depending on the options to choose from - attack, defend, or using bows and magic.
The entire game feels like a personal journey, which many games cannot evoke those types of feelings out of me. What’s even more shocking is that Suikoden 2 is considered to be better in every facet, and one of the best games of all time. I can’t wait to experience that next.
I haven’t played Xenoblade Chronicles X, but I’ll be remedying that soon. I have played all the other titles, and I’d have to choose Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition. It’s such a magical game to experience for the first time. I would have chosen 3, but I have a few nitpicks, albeit minor, that barely keep it from topping the first entry in the series.
The sales for MHW is insanely fantastic, but shoutout to Suikoden 1 & 2 for snagging the second spot. It’s a great bundle of games that I’m glad people are supporting.
@Tetsuro I agree with most of what you said. My only rebuttal would be that Nintendo and PlayStation haven’t necessarily been in competition with each other, at least from my perspective. Sure, in the early years when they were essentially the only console manufacturers, but I’ve always considered them their own separate entity and audiences. The fanbases are completely different, in a good way. PlayStation has only truly been competitive against Xbox. And PlayStation dominated them each generation aside from the first year or two of PS3’s lifecycle. PS had an incredibly slow start, while Microsoft got the jump early by releasing their console a year before if I’m not mistaken. With that said, I personally think the 360-era was the GOAT of gaming.
I went for The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. That said, I was debating between that and Fire Emblem: Three Houses. There are so many options, and you can’t go wrong with at all.
Another weekend here and I’m still playing Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 on the PS5. 250 hours later, I’m wrapping up the game. I’ve obtained every trophy and should get the platinum within the next couple of days — a feat I’ll be very proud of. I know it’s early in the year but this will be in contention for my GOTY, and possibly even decade.
I’m also playing Suikoden 1 & 2 on the Nintendo Switch — a perfect place to play these old-school JRPGs. This is a flagpole series I wasn’t fortunate enough to play when I had my original PlayStation growing up as a kid, despite hearing about it from various social circles. In fact, I remember going to Blockbuster (yeah, I am that old!) and it never being available to rent or buy. I’m glad I get to experience it now. So far, it’s been great.
If I’m not mistaken, didn’t Monolith Soft mention that they are working on a new IP? I could be wrong. Regardless, they are incredibly talented and this new addition can only make things better (hopefully). I’m really looking forward to whatever their next game is, even if it’s a new Xenoblade.
On a side note - and this is a personal preference - I really hope if the next game has weapons and an explorable world, please show the weapon(s) on the back of your characters when traversing. Honestly, not having it in XC3 really ruined the immersion for me. I understand from a story perspective, but man did I miss having that option.
I’m stoked for this release. I only played the first and not the second, so it’s going to be a fun adventure. I was debating on whether or not to pick this up on the Switch or PS5. I decided for the Switch since I realized I’ll be doing a bit of traveling in the next couple of weeks, and there will also be a lot of down time at my job.
I have racked up 200 hours in this game - an amount of time I’ve never spent on a single game in a continual manner without getting burned out. In terms of story, I’m roughly fifty percent through the main campaign. My goal is to have every side quest and trophy mopped up that doesn’t relate to main missions before I push onward to the end of the game.
In the last ten hours, my Henry has crawled in manure to search for a man, has built pyramids out of human remains, been so drunk that someone stole his shoes in the middle of the town square, helped a young man from being bullied by villagers, and went down to the depths of hell (almost literally) to stop demons from coming out of the pitts and killing livestock. It resulted in me in losing my entire clothing and weapons, and killing a man who lost his mind to darkness and his mission.
If that doesn’t sound appealing to you, just know that I’m considered to be the Dark Lord who has the nickname Sourdough. I’m quite literally the epitome of a Jack of all Trades. I’m not to be trifled with.
I’m also patiently waiting for Suikoden 1 and 2 Remastered.
This looks amazing. This is the only Xenoblade game I haven’t played yet, so I am very excited to check it out. The world looks gorgeous, and the mechs look like a real unique twist to the Xenoblade formula.
I’m still working my way through Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 and going for the plat. I went from convincing passerby’s I’m the Dark Lord to being nicknamed Sourdough. That isn’t a joke and I love it.
What is more shocking is how I’ve put 85 hours in the game and just now reached the second region. It feels like an entirely fresh play-through due to the variety of locales, side quests, and story beats.
I also decided to boot up my Nintendo Switch. Admittedly, it has been a while. I’ve been on a nostalgic kick and want to get lost in an (J)RPG of a lighter scale, so I purchased Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana and The Legend of Heroes: Trails from Zero. I’m looking forward to starting at least one of those games in earnest in the next couple of days.
I’m 50+ hours deep, haven’t even touched a single main quest, and yet I’ve become Henry the Lion-Heart, traveling the country side, speaking the language of dog, convincing villagers on the road that I’m the Dark Lord, getting drunk while saving drunks that have climbed up trees, sleeping in beds that aren’t mine, and stealing wreath’s from an opposing village up in qualms with another. I’m dirty, I’m clean, but I’m reliable and charismatic either way.
This weekend I’ll mainly be focusing on Kingdom Come Deliverance 2. I never played the first entry, but Warhorse posted a ten minute summary on their YouTube channel and it really helped me get a grasp on the story.
So far, I’m a couple of hours in, but I’m very impressed. The writing is absolutely top-notch, with incredible voice acting and animations that bring the characters to life. The cutscenes themselves are high quality. I don’t think I’ve ever said this about a video game before, but it has a movie-ish quality to it, from its cinematography and direction.
It might be the most immersive game I’ve ever played, with incredible RPG mechanics and dialogue choices that genuinely make me pause and think about my responses. I really can’t wait to dive deeper into this medieval adventure.
On a side note, earlier this week I finished Unicorn Overlord and got the platinum trophy. What a fantastic game, and easily my favorite Vanillaware title to date. I can’t wait to see what kind of game they follow up with.
I’ve also been on an independent horror kick. I saw through Steam that a game called Fears to Fathom: Ironbark Lookout got positive reviews. The trailer seemed interesting so I picked it up. In my opinion, it was quite mediocre. Tonally, the game was great, and it featured great atmosphere, but everything else was subpar. And the way the narrative unfolds seems to be directly ripped out of a “Let’s Not Meet” Reddit story. Nonetheless, I got the platinum and immediately uninstalled it.
I’ll also be chipping away at the Mafia Definitive Edition platinum. I’m playing on classic difficulty and currently on chapter 12/20. It’s been fantastic, but I strongly dislike the collectible system in the game. Technically, the game is considered “open world”, but you are never incentivized to explore your surroundings because the main story is structured very linearly. A lot of collectibles are story related and hard to miss, but some are inexplicably in obscure places that don’t make sense in its design, while subsequently having a “free roam” mode to have more hidden collectibles. I think it’s poorly designed and not implemented in a way that is logically sound.
This weekend I’m still playing Unicorn Overlord, and still completely enamored with it. I think I’m roughly 75% of the way to completion. My goal is to wrap up the platinum trophy within the next couple of days. The game does have you grind a bit, but thankfully you can “skip” battles — not experiencing the animations and battle scenes — and still get experience points. It helps save a ton of time because some of the battles can be time consuming, lasting anywhere between 30 minutes to an hour.
Meanwhile, I’ve set a New Year gaming resolution for myself (and trying to consistent with it) - browse the PSN, or any other digital store front where I play my games, and try out new games regardless of word of mouth or not. Doing so, I came across a game called Bloodwash. It’s a retro, PS1-era first person horror game. It’s essentially a video game form of a slasher film. I found it to be a pretty solid two hour experience and a nice palate cleanser. Moreover, I even got the platinum trophy, which I hadn’t expected.
This weekend I’ll be obsessively playing Unicorn Overlord. I bought it when it first came out and didn’t enjoy it because I wasn’t used to not actively controlling my party members in combat situations. However, the more I played the more I understood how the game operates.
It’s the sub stories within the main narrative that really gripped me, such as The Tormented Helm. It was excellent, and provided a very foreboding scene, along with great moment-to-moment character interactions and fun battle encounter. While the main story is good, it isn’t great. Essentially, it’s serviceable.
Furthermore, tinkering with your party compositions, equipment, and wandering the world - everything has a purpose. Side quests are meaningful, from a monetary perspective, along with characters being added to your party, and backstories. You get to learn more history between characters and it all feels organic. Additionally, the game is continually rewarding. There is a sense of progression even from the monotonous tasks, and creates a gameplay loop that makes you want to complete everything you stumble across.
The art style is some of the very best I’ve ever seen. Each backdrop is brimming with unique locales, from vibrant and lush forests, to shining palaces, and decrepit ruins. If there is fog or a sandstorm it is visible within the battlefield. The animations between combat, conversation and traversal are gorgeous, and with the game being almost entirely voice acted, it feels as if the stakes are higher and more emotion is seeped through to the characters.
All of that said, the game is quite overwhelming. The more you acquire party members, the more it can feel daunting when changing out equipment, leveling up certain characters that aren’t getting enough attention, unlocking more grid-base tiles and spaces on them. But that’s also the fun of it — figuring things out. And damn if it’s not satisfying when you discover a good composition of party members.
Unicorn Overlord is just incredible. It has its hooks in me. I’m thinking about this game while I’m at work, thinking of new party stratagems, managing my units with certain equipment, how I want their combat to play out with certain conditions. I’m head over heels for this game, and I don’t know why I had any doubt to begin with considering Vanillaware’s pedigree.
On a side note: I also got the platinum in Stalker: Shadow of Chernobyl and Stellar Blade in the last couple of weeks.
For the last week and a half I’ve been in a gaming slump and I wasn’t aware of it initially. It has been strange. Once I obtained the platinum trophy for Silent Hill 2 Remake, I subsequently dove head first into Metaphor ReFantazio. And then it hit me.
I was enjoying it, particularly its UI, combat, characters, story, setting, and political strifes. However, it wasn’t fully grasping my attention. I was feeling overwhelmed. I found this peculiar because P4G is my favorite RPG of all time, and P5R is exceptional. I’m accustomed to the calendar structure, knowing content will be missed by choosing to do one activity over another. It was bothering me immensely even though time management is a core game design.
This feeling carried over with the Archetype mechanics. I was I immensely engulfed by options and it was ruining my experience. It was difficult for me to switch up my vocation because I had certain archetypes maxed out, with great skills, but switching classes and starting from scratch felt counterintuitive because I’d have to change armor, weapons, and be underpowered. I appreciate the flexibility, but not when it’s almost essential.
My brain just couldn’t handle any of it. In fact, it’s odd because of my affection with Atlus games (not just Persona), and while I was liking the majority of aspects of the game, I just wasn’t having fun. Ultimately, I set the game aside and will come back to it another time.
I then scrolled through my cross-media bar on my PS5 and saw Kunitsi-Gami: Path of the Goddess. I’m a huge Capcom fan and love their odd side projects. The glowing reviews for this game definitely piqued my interest. I played for five hours and was enjoying it; but it wasn’t holding my attention as well.
This trend repeated itself two more times; once with Shadow of the Damned: Hella Remastered; and secondly Ys X: Nordics (my favorite RPG series). At this point, I decided to take a break from gaming altogether and decompress. Maybe the depressing nature of Silent Hill 2 Remake took more of a toll on me than anticipated.
And suddenly, something changed. Monday rolled around and the reviews for Dragon Age: The Veilguard went live. The positive reception the game has been receiving from critics (and definitely not random strangers on the internet who hadn’t played the game but want to hate on anyone who likes it; seriously, the vile things said all over YouTube channels—Eurogamer, IGN, and other mainstream outlets—is absolutely out of control and incredibly disheartening) brought back that sense of excitement for games.
I started Dragon Age: The Veilguard on release day and have put 15-hours in it. I’m having an absolute blast. I’m an Elven rogue, part of the Antivan Crows association, with a slight affection for Neve. I’m slowly swooning her, but unlike my organization I work for, I won’t be stabbing her in the back.
I finished my first playthrough in Silent Hill 2 Remake several days ago. I managed to get the “In Water” ending my first go-around. It was quite fantastic, and easily one of my favorite games of the year, if not my favorite. After I completed it, I subsequently reloaded my save and got the two additional mainline endings, which added a lot of context to a powerful story. I’m looking forward to getting the three remaining endings only obtainable by NG+, and hopefully get the platinum trophy while I’m at it.
I also just started Metaphor: Refantazio two days ago. I’m only seven hours in, reaching the completing the Nord Mines and even tested my mettle against the dragon—an optional boss fight—and won. I’m now met Hulkenberg and am trekking under the cathedral. With that said, being as I’m early on, I’m unable to give a proper review. However; I’m extremely impressed by nearly every aspect of this game.
The one thing that immediately stood out to me was its pacing—it doesn’t waste time throwing you into its world, characters, story and combat. I appreciate this approach more than Persona 5, a game I adore, but can never replay due to its long tutorial.
I also love how much artistic expression there is. In clever ways, too. The game has a ton of loading screens but you’re practically oblivious to it because each transitioning screen has cutscene elements that flow naturally with what you’re doing—combat encounters, walking into a new area, and even the pause menu. This might be the most stylish game I’ve ever played.
I’m looking forward to seeing the game evolve over time. This game is shaping up to be a special JRPG, and I believe Atlus is becoming the king of RPGs in the west. Bring on Persona 6, or whatever else they are cooking up; I’ll be here for the journey.
This weekend I’m playing the iconic Silent Hill 2 (Remake). This is my first foray into this franchise, despite owning the original on PS2 back when I was a kid. And I have a lot to say.
The beginning two hours were incredibly dull to me. However, once I got to explore the apartment complex—and having just completed Brookhaven Hospital—it quickly became a tour-de-force in the survival horror genre once I tasted what this game had to offer.
The game has a unique setting, where the town of Silent Hill is a character just as much as you are. One thing that stuck out to me was how there is quest log or an objective marker. This allows a sense of freedom in a relatively linear experience, yet vast at the same time, so there’s a sense of feeling confined and trapped, but always rewarding.
All of this is enhanced by its brilliant art direction and visuals. The fog surrounding the town makes each step feel purposeful. When you enter buildings, each location feels different but believable. Brookhaven Hospital—more or less a psychiatric ward—is a perfect example of this. There is a sense of dread and abandonment, and you can feel the anguish of those who resided there. It felt old-timey and unsanitary, providing an extra level of immersion. A lot of games I feel suffer from making you feel as if you’re truly in this fictional world, but this remake manages to capture that essence.
Furthermore, I really appreciate the approach of no jump scares. The horror comes from the tension of discovering the truth about what’s occurring in the town, the characters that inhabit it, and why. But it’s also the idea that something could happen. It plays with you psychologically. It masterfully teeters the line of reality and paranoia, particularly since enemies are humanoid in nature.
As for the story, it immediately compels you because the main protagonist, James Sunderland, is self aware of his situation and how absurd it is. However, he is still grieving the loss of his wife and those types of processes can make people do inexplicable things they otherwise wouldn’t. Regardless of the dire situation he is in, his calm demeanor draws you in. He has determination, and is willing to see his journey through to the end no matter the cost, all the while not going off in the deep end mentally. It’s a really interesting balance. He is casually dressed which also lends to his personality.
The moment to moment gameplay is also fantastic. Combat has a real crunch to it—but it never feels janky or unintuitive. You can feel the weight behind bludgeoning enemies with melee weapons, and you can even hear the exhaustion in James’ voice when he finishes enemies while they are squirming on the ground. You’re also never overwhelmed with enemies, so each encounter feels unique. It’s simple, but effective.
So far, I’m only halfway through the game but I’m very impressed, top to bottom. I’m deeply invested in the characters and unfolding story. In a space where there are a ton of survival horror games, this one stands out amongst the rest. I can see why the game received high praise in 2001, and I will now sing its praises for the first time in 2024. It might go down in my top 10 of all time.
This weekend I am planning to finish The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom. I’ve gotta say - this might be one of my favorite entries in this storied franchise. It’s not without its faults, but the things it does well is exceptional.
As of right now, I have a total of 16/20 hearts, acquired 115/127 echoes, 18/20 stamps, unlocked all five accessory slots, a handful of costumes, and completed five main dungeons, the last of which was the Lanayru Temple. I won’t lie - it was rather challenging. I’m now off to the Faron Wetlands and hoping I can get a 100% completion rate in the next couple of days.
I love how there is a blend of traditional top down design with influences from its modern counterparts, BoTW and ToTK respectively. It’s astounding how there is a new found sense of verticality and puzzle solving in a 2D—sort of 3D—space. Moreover, proper dungeons are back, but there are a plethora of ways to solve them, thus creating a sense of fulfillment when completing puzzles in inventive and creative ways. And yet, despite all of these tools, you can’t break the game (at least I don’t think you can) so it keeps things constructed linearly, with a priority on its narrative.
There are some areas where I think the game falters a bit, mainly regarding its extensive echo system. Similar to how you hold right on the D-Pad to select a handful of weapons in BoTW, you do the same with the echoes you obtain. And there are a lot of echoes. I mean A LOT (over a hundred). You can sort them by most used, but you have to use different ones in varying regions and sometimes infrequently, so they aren’t typically the first selection when you open up the menu. This ultimately breaks the immersion and slows down the gameplay to a screeching halt.
Another area I would like to see improved on is logging information about items obtained. I would prefer to have an overview of how many chests, hearts, and caves are in each particular region. That has always been my issue with TLoZ games. I hate missing things and yet it’s inevitable due to naturally playing the game and getting sidetracked by other activities. Granted, there is an option to see how many collectibles you have in totality, but it isn’t that resourceful.
Nonetheless, the complaints I have are minor compared to the overall experience. I’ve said this many times before, but Nintendo has a way of making you, the player, regardless of age—I’m 34-years-old—feel pure unadulterated joy, and feel like a kid discovering magic for the first time. I initially thought I wouldn’t enjoy Echoes of Wisdom, but has surpassed all of my expectations. I hope this is the beginning of a new foundation for future TLoZ games.
I agree wholeheartedly with this write-up. Perhaps nostalgia plays a role in my feelings, but there is something very satisfying with solving dungeons, backtracking, opening chests knowing there will be a key, and the jingle it makes, along with finally acquiring the Big Boss Key and fighting the boss and getting a new heart piece. It all feels so wholesome and there is no other game that provides that type of feeling you get, at least for me.
@Yoshi3 I did discover that! That was really helpful, thanks! I just wish there was a “5/10 chests collected in Gerudo region” type of thing. But nonetheless, thank you for highlighting that!
I already commented my opinion (I think the game is great), but I wish there was a log of some sorts. It’d be nice to know how many treasure chests and heart containers and/or secrets I have out of a certain total in each particular region. The same with echoes. Maybe there is a way and I haven’t discovered it yet, but that is my biggest gripe.
It has surpassed all of my expectations and then some. The sense of discovery, and the blend of old school Zelda with modern game mechanics from the last two entries make this a unique experience. There is a level of verticality that is superb, especially in this 2D, but somewhat 3D space. I absolutely love it, and my score is a 9/10.
Good to know about the rift dungeons and treasure chests! That was a concern of mine, so I’m glad you can return to them later. Out of curiosity - are there any heart containers in there? That will make me feel a bit more at ease if there aren’t.
I don’t have much to say other than I’m feeling accomplished for wrapping up Ys IX: Monstrum Nox and getting the platinum trophy. I can’t wait for Ys X to release next month.
I’ve now started The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom and it’s great. I’m not that far, but I have completed one main dungeon (yay, proper dungeons are back!), a handful of optional dungeons and side quests that are incredibly rewarding, and just reached the Zora region.
It’s what you expect from a Nintendo game—abysmal framerate rounded out by charm, creativity, fun gameplay, impeccable sound design, and a gorgeous Hyrule that beckons to be explored. The best thing about the game so far is how it blends old school LoZ design with its modern counterparts, allowing for a fantastic adventure ripe with creative puzzle solving, making you, the player feel intelligent when you solve a problem. Not many games can provide that sense of satisfaction, but this game does it in effortlessly.
@the_beaver I’m actually playing it on my PS5, but primarily the PS Portal and the performance is pretty solid. I haven’t had any dips or anything, but idk how that will translate to Nintendo Switch.
This weekend I’m playing Ys IX: Monstrum Nox. One month ago I played my first game in this series, Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana and fell in love with it, so much so I got the platinum trophy for it. This newfound appreciation for the franchise led me to explore other entries, starting with Ys: Memories of Celceta. I finished it yesterday and now I’m diving into New Game+ on Nightmare difficulty for another platinum run.
What immediately sets Ys IX apart is its self-awareness. The game cleverly plays with the familiar tropes found in JRPGs and earlier entries in the series, often adding a humorous touch to the darker tone of its narrative. In fact, it seems incredibly homogeneous to Dragon Quest XI regarding its opening hours—another RPG favorite of mine.
The setting itself is drastically different from its counterparts. You’re in this sprawling city known as Balduq, or rather Prison City. It functions as a living and breathing world, where people work, have their own homes, and is relatively modern. However, the world is rich with lore, with mysterious graffiti littered about that provides upgrades depending on your character, and from the very beginning, the game hooks you with collectibles you can't yet reach, igniting curiosity and anticipation for what's to come.
This culminates into one standout aspect in its refined gameplay, and that is traversal. Unlike prior games, this one focuses on verticality as a focus point of its level design, and it’s all the better for it. Whether it’s scaling walls or gliding across rooftops, these traversal abilities make the city of Balduq feel like a playground, filled with hidden treasures and unreachable areas that beg to be explored.
As for gameplay, most of the mechanics are familiar, maintaining its frenetic combat while introducing a plethora of character abilities that make combat more engaging. The game also bestows its traditional use of artifacts—now known as sacramentals—to enhance its already dynamic gameplay. This all leads to a new layer of freedom that keeps the gameplay fresh.
I’m only several hours in, but overall the game strikes a perfect balance between innovation and familiarity. It’s shaping up to be one of the best RPGs I’ve played in recent memory, and is quickly becoming my favorite in the series so far. My level up hype for the next installment is through the roof, and I’m glad I only have to wait a month for its release.
Comments 807
Re: Metroid Prime 4: Beyond Gets A New Trailer, But No Release Date
This was the only game from the Direct that appealed to me. It looks absolutely stunning. I have no doubt it’s going to be incredible. With all of that said, it was oddly placed in the showcase—a complete random update that didn’t really need to be there considering a release date wasn’t announced. I can only assume it will be shown during the Switch 2 showcase and given a launch date then. Couple that with the new Nintendo Today app, and I think they will garnish more attention daily.
Re: Game Informer Revived By Blockchain Firm Gunzilla Games
I’m glad to see they are back — they were a big part of my childhood, the same with Nintendo Power and Electronic Gaming Monthly. With that said, are they returning to printing magazines again, or is it just a digital outlet now? I haven’t found any real clarification on that.
Re: Feature: "If The Game Does Not Sell Well, We May Be Done" - It's Do Or Die For Too Kyo Games & 'The Hundred Line'
This game looks cool. I’ve never played the Dangonrompa games, and I’ve never been a fan of visual novels, but I do like the stylistic art and combat seems solid. I’ll probably check it out!
Re: ICYMI, Yes, A Blood-Soaked 'Terrifier' Game Is Coming To Switch
I hardly ever buy physical games anymore, but this is day one for me, regardless of review scores. I love the Terrifier movies.
Re: UK Charts: A Strong Xenoblade Debut Can't Escape Assassin's Creed's Shadow
Glad to see Xenoblade Chronicles X at least make the list. Let’s hope it sells more than 800,000 copies like it did on the WiiU. This is a game that deserves more love and attention.
Also, I’m not mad about AC: Shadows. I will probably pick that up soon. It looks really good.
Re: Nintendo's Monolith Soft Updates Its Switch Portfolio With Latest Release
They are easily my favorite company within the Nintendo brand. They make incredible games, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they had something cooking for Switch 2.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (22nd March)
Several days ago I finished Suikoden 1. It was my first time playing the game, and it was excellent from start to finish. It was expertly paced, with story beats that never overstay their welcome. There were well written characters that had story arcs that made me genuinely emotional. Moreover, from a gameplay standpoint, it was cinematic in a way that drew you into its world.
By the time I finished it — 22 hours in total, with 90/108 characters obtained — my main party was between level 59 and 60, and I beat the final boss with relative ease. There were two boss fights, whilst I did beat first try, gave me a run for my money - primarily due to how they were introduced at the most in-opportune time. Aside from that, the game was quite generous in its leveling system, especially with low leveled party members. It kept the game evenly balanced.
I’m now playing Xenoblade Chronicles X Definitive Edition. This is one of my favorite franchises, yet this title is the black sheep of the family for me. I finally get the opportunity to play it.
Currently, I’m in chapter 3 and the game is excellent. It reminds me a lot of Monster Hunter paired lightly with Mass Effect. I think it’s a great combination. My only issue is the quest designs. Some side activities will present themselves as a low leveled requirement to complete. However, some of them can lead to you to places where it’s unavoidable to fight enemies that are 29 levels above you. It’s an unbalancing issue, but it’s minor in the grand scheme of things.
Additionally, I dusted off my Nintendo 3DS XL and purchased Fire Emblem Fates: Birthright. I’m looking forward to seeing how it’s comparable to its predecessor, Awakening.
Re: Nintendo Expands Switch Online's SNES Library With Four More Titles
@DaveJaVu Sweet! I haven’t paid attention to the library for quite some time, clearly. Thanks for the heads up!
Re: Nintendo Expands Switch Online's SNES Library With Four More Titles
Talk about some obscure titles that remind me of when I would randomly pick out these games as a kid at my local video store. But man, I really want Chrono Trigger. I’m not sure why it hasn’t been out over yet. Also, the GI Joe game on the NES, as well as Rygar? Cmon, those are classics.
Re: 'Persona 4 Reload' Seems Imminent, But We Still Need The Third Entry
I’m not sure if I want this, but I’ll more than likely play it if it becomes a reality. Persona 4 Golden is my all time favorite JRPG, so I wouldn’t mind replaying it at some point.
Re: Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition Walkthrough
Nice tips! The first one - taking your time - is my main focus. This is the only Xenoblade game I haven’t played, so I’m going to savor it as much as possible. I’ve played about an hour so far, and it is fantastic. And man, what a freakin’ banger of a soundtrack. I’ve told my wife this morning that I’m hyped as hell due to the music and she just laughs and rolls her eyes 👀
Re: 'The Knightling' Packs Plenty Of 3D Zelda Vibes Into New Release Date Trailer
@rjejr Good call out! I still have Rygar on the NES. I think that game rules.
Re: Lunar Remastered Collection Talks New Voice Acting And Classic Mode
I can’t wait for this. It releases a few days before my birthday so it’ll be a good present for myself. I’m happy to see these games coming back in a modern time, preserving them for a modern audience.
Re: Round Up: The Reviews Are In For Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition
Just two more days! I even have the day off on its release day, so I’ll be spending a lot of time playing it.
Re: Review: Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition (Switch) - An Underrated Gem Transforms Into The Series' Best
My goodness. This is the rare time where I’ve preordered a game. I’m glad it is a success since it’s the only Xenoblade game I haven’t played. I’m also pleased to hear that there is more narrative segments because I’ve read a lot that it isn’t as heavy handed as prior releases. It may still not be, but the more the merrier. Ugh, the wait for Thursday is going to be long, but thankfully I have that day off work. And seeing as the game runs great on handheld mode, it’ll definitely be something I take to work with me and play on my lunch breaks. I can’t wait!
Re: Nintendo Music Drops Three More Albums, Here's Every Song Included
I decided to download the Nintendo Music app just to see what it was all about. Shockingly, it’s pretty good. There are a lot of great tracks from great games, and I’m glad to see there are more additions being added regularly. I hope Xenoblade Chronicles will make an appearance soon.
Re: UK Charts: WWE And Monster Hunter Hold Strong In Quite Week For Nintendo
Just a heads up, I think the heading is misspelled. If I’m not mistaken, it’s meant to say “quiet” and not “quite”. I apologize if I’m coming across as rude, but I just wanted to point it out.
Re: Chances Are You've Never Heard Of Nightdive Studio's Latest Switch Rerelease
I’ve never heard of this game, but I am quite intrigued. The screenshots look cool, the story sounds interesting, and the trailer is the perfect amount of mysterious. I’ll be keeping my eye on this one.
Re: Talking Point: Will Metroid Prime 4 Get A Switch 2 Release?
My theory is that it will be a Switch 2 launch title. I know it doesn’t need it because the Switch 2 will sell gangbusters at launch even if they don’t have games for it (hyperbole), but having MP4 will only sell more units. I think it’s a no brainer.
Re: Best Xenoblade Chronicles Games Of All Time
This is a very solid ranking. I go back and forth with Xenoblade Chronicles Definitive Edition and XC3 being the best in the franchise, but that’s just a testament to how amazing this series is altogether.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (15th March)
This weekend I can officially say I’m playing something different other than Kingdom Come Deliverance 2. I finally beat the game and managed to obtain the platinum trophy. This is easily one of my all time favorite RPGs. It’s hard to see what game(s) come out this year that can reach this level of quality, from its writing, characters, immersion, and world building. Maybe Death Stranding 2 can stand toe to toe with KCD2, but we shall see.
What I’m playing in earnest now is Suikoden 1. This is an exceptional JRPG. I love how the mechanics of the game take centerfold, creating a world that reacts to your choices in meaningful ways. When you get to name a castle you have seized and getting to name it, in this case FARTNUGT, it feels like it is yours. Subsequently, the more characters you recruit - optional or otherwise - your castle begins to expand with different rooms and layers, so it feels like a living and breathing world tailored to your decisions.
Then there are full scaled wars that take place, and this is where the characters you have recruited along the way come into factor. If you take the time to put these characters in your party and level them up, the stronger your army will be. And you feel the weight of your decisions in battle because some characters can die depending on the options to choose from - attack, defend, or using bows and magic.
The entire game feels like a personal journey, which many games cannot evoke those types of feelings out of me. What’s even more shocking is that Suikoden 2 is considered to be better in every facet, and one of the best games of all time. I can’t wait to experience that next.
Re: Poll: What's The Best Xenoblade Game? Rate Your Favourite For Our Upcoming Ranking
I haven’t played Xenoblade Chronicles X, but I’ll be remedying that soon. I have played all the other titles, and I’d have to choose Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition. It’s such a magical game to experience for the first time. I would have chosen 3, but I have a few nitpicks, albeit minor, that barely keep it from topping the first entry in the series.
Re: Japanese Charts: Suikoden's Admirable Debut Isn't Nearly Enough To Topple Monster Hunter
The sales for MHW is insanely fantastic, but shoutout to Suikoden 1 & 2 for snagging the second spot. It’s a great bundle of games that I’m glad people are supporting.
Re: Rumour: Xbox Expected To Join Switch 2 With A New Handheld This Year
@Tetsuro I agree with most of what you said. My only rebuttal would be that Nintendo and PlayStation haven’t necessarily been in competition with each other, at least from my perspective. Sure, in the early years when they were essentially the only console manufacturers, but I’ve always considered them their own separate entity and audiences. The fanbases are completely different, in a good way. PlayStation has only truly been competitive against Xbox. And PlayStation dominated them each generation aside from the first year or two of PS3’s lifecycle. PS had an incredibly slow start, while Microsoft got the jump early by releasing their console a year before if I’m not mistaken. With that said, I personally think the 360-era was the GOAT of gaming.
Re: Poll: What Switch Game Could You Not Live Without?
I went for The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. That said, I was debating between that and Fire Emblem: Three Houses. There are so many options, and you can’t go wrong with at all.
Re: Poll: Box Art Brawl - Duel: Ninja Gaiden III: The Ancient Ship Of Doom (NES)
This shouldn’t even be a question - NA clearly has the better box art of the two.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (8th March)
Another weekend here and I’m still playing Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 on the PS5. 250 hours later, I’m wrapping up the game. I’ve obtained every trophy and should get the platinum within the next couple of days — a feat I’ll be very proud of. I know it’s early in the year but this will be in contention for my GOTY, and possibly even decade.
I’m also playing Suikoden 1 & 2 on the Nintendo Switch — a perfect place to play these old-school JRPGs. This is a flagpole series I wasn’t fortunate enough to play when I had my original PlayStation growing up as a kid, despite hearing about it from various social circles. In fact, I remember going to Blockbuster (yeah, I am that old!) and it never being available to rent or buy. I’m glad I get to experience it now. So far, it’s been great.
Re: Monolith Soft Adds Final Fantasy Cutscene Artist To Its Ranks, So What's It Cooking For Switch 2?
If I’m not mistaken, didn’t Monolith Soft mention that they are working on a new IP? I could be wrong. Regardless, they are incredibly talented and this new addition can only make things better (hopefully). I’m really looking forward to whatever their next game is, even if it’s a new Xenoblade.
On a side note - and this is a personal preference - I really hope if the next game has weapons and an explorable world, please show the weapon(s) on the back of your characters when traversing. Honestly, not having it in XC3 really ruined the immersion for me. I understand from a story perspective, but man did I miss having that option.
Re: Review: Suikoden 1 & 2 HD Remaster (Switch) - Two Of The PS1's Best RPGs Beautifully Preserved, For The Most Part
I’m stoked for this release. I only played the first and not the second, so it’s going to be a fun adventure. I was debating on whether or not to pick this up on the Switch or PS5. I decided for the Switch since I realized I’ll be doing a bit of traveling in the next couple of weeks, and there will also be a lot of down time at my job.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (1st March)
Kingdom Come Deliverance 2
I have racked up 200 hours in this game - an amount of time I’ve never spent on a single game in a continual manner without getting burned out. In terms of story, I’m roughly fifty percent through the main campaign. My goal is to have every side quest and trophy mopped up that doesn’t relate to main missions before I push onward to the end of the game.
In the last ten hours, my Henry has crawled in manure to search for a man, has built pyramids out of human remains, been so drunk that someone stole his shoes in the middle of the town square, helped a young man from being bullied by villagers, and went down to the depths of hell (almost literally) to stop demons from coming out of the pitts and killing livestock. It resulted in me in losing my entire clothing and weapons, and killing a man who lost his mind to darkness and his mission.
If that doesn’t sound appealing to you, just know that I’m considered to be the Dark Lord who has the nickname Sourdough. I’m quite literally the epitome of a Jack of all Trades. I’m not to be trifled with.
I’m also patiently waiting for Suikoden 1 and 2 Remastered.
Re: New Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition Trailer Is Our Best Look Yet At The Upcoming Remaster
This looks amazing. This is the only Xenoblade game I haven’t played yet, so I am very excited to check it out. The world looks gorgeous, and the mechs look like a real unique twist to the Xenoblade formula.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (22nd February)
I’m still working my way through Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 and going for the plat. I went from convincing passerby’s I’m the Dark Lord to being nicknamed Sourdough. That isn’t a joke and I love it.
What is more shocking is how I’ve put 85 hours in the game and just now reached the second region. It feels like an entirely fresh play-through due to the variety of locales, side quests, and story beats.
I also decided to boot up my Nintendo Switch. Admittedly, it has been a while. I’ve been on a nostalgic kick and want to get lost in an (J)RPG of a lighter scale, so I purchased Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana and The Legend of Heroes: Trails from Zero. I’m looking forward to starting at least one of those games in earnest in the next couple of days.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (15th February)
Kingdom Come Deliverance 2
I’m 50+ hours deep, haven’t even touched a single main quest, and yet I’ve become Henry the Lion-Heart, traveling the country side, speaking the language of dog, convincing villagers on the road that I’m the Dark Lord, getting drunk while saving drunks that have climbed up trees, sleeping in beds that aren’t mine, and stealing wreath’s from an opposing village up in qualms with another. I’m dirty, I’m clean, but I’m reliable and charismatic either way.
I love this game.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (8th February)
This weekend I’ll mainly be focusing on Kingdom Come Deliverance 2. I never played the first entry, but Warhorse posted a ten minute summary on their YouTube channel and it really helped me get a grasp on the story.
So far, I’m a couple of hours in, but I’m very impressed. The writing is absolutely top-notch, with incredible voice acting and animations that bring the characters to life. The cutscenes themselves are high quality. I don’t think I’ve ever said this about a video game before, but it has a movie-ish quality to it, from its cinematography and direction.
It might be the most immersive game I’ve ever played, with incredible RPG mechanics and dialogue choices that genuinely make me pause and think about my responses. I really can’t wait to dive deeper into this medieval adventure.
On a side note, earlier this week I finished Unicorn Overlord and got the platinum trophy. What a fantastic game, and easily my favorite Vanillaware title to date. I can’t wait to see what kind of game they follow up with.
I’ve also been on an independent horror kick. I saw through Steam that a game called Fears to Fathom: Ironbark Lookout got positive reviews. The trailer seemed interesting so I picked it up. In my opinion, it was quite mediocre. Tonally, the game was great, and it featured great atmosphere, but everything else was subpar. And the way the narrative unfolds seems to be directly ripped out of a “Let’s Not Meet” Reddit story. Nonetheless, I got the platinum and immediately uninstalled it.
I’ll also be chipping away at the Mafia Definitive Edition platinum. I’m playing on classic difficulty and currently on chapter 12/20. It’s been fantastic, but I strongly dislike the collectible system in the game. Technically, the game is considered “open world”, but you are never incentivized to explore your surroundings because the main story is structured very linearly. A lot of collectibles are story related and hard to miss, but some are inexplicably in obscure places that don’t make sense in its design, while subsequently having a “free roam” mode to have more hidden collectibles. I think it’s poorly designed and not implemented in a way that is logically sound.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (1st February)
This weekend I’m still playing Unicorn Overlord, and still completely enamored with it. I think I’m roughly 75% of the way to completion. My goal is to wrap up the platinum trophy within the next couple of days. The game does have you grind a bit, but thankfully you can “skip” battles — not experiencing the animations and battle scenes — and still get experience points. It helps save a ton of time because some of the battles can be time consuming, lasting anywhere between 30 minutes to an hour.
Meanwhile, I’ve set a New Year gaming resolution for myself (and trying to consistent with it) - browse the PSN, or any other digital store front where I play my games, and try out new games regardless of word of mouth or not. Doing so, I came across a game called Bloodwash. It’s a retro, PS1-era first person horror game. It’s essentially a video game form of a slasher film. I found it to be a pretty solid two hour experience and a nice palate cleanser. Moreover, I even got the platinum trophy, which I hadn’t expected.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (25th January)
This weekend I’ll be obsessively playing Unicorn Overlord. I bought it when it first came out and didn’t enjoy it because I wasn’t used to not actively controlling my party members in combat situations. However, the more I played the more I understood how the game operates.
It’s the sub stories within the main narrative that really gripped me, such as The Tormented Helm. It was excellent, and provided a very foreboding scene, along with great moment-to-moment character interactions and fun battle encounter. While the main story is good, it isn’t great. Essentially, it’s serviceable.
Furthermore, tinkering with your party compositions, equipment, and wandering the world - everything has a purpose. Side quests are meaningful, from a monetary perspective, along with characters being added to your party, and backstories. You get to learn more history between characters and it all feels organic. Additionally, the game is continually rewarding. There is a sense of progression even from the monotonous tasks, and creates a gameplay loop that makes you want to complete everything you stumble across.
The art style is some of the very best I’ve ever seen. Each backdrop is brimming with unique locales, from vibrant and lush forests, to shining palaces, and decrepit ruins. If there is fog or a sandstorm it is visible within the battlefield. The animations between combat, conversation and traversal are gorgeous, and with the game being almost entirely voice acted, it feels as if the stakes are higher and more emotion is seeped through to the characters.
All of that said, the game is quite overwhelming. The more you acquire party members, the more it can feel daunting when changing out equipment, leveling up certain characters that aren’t getting enough attention, unlocking more grid-base tiles and spaces on them. But that’s also the fun of it — figuring things out. And damn if it’s not satisfying when you discover a good composition of party members.
Unicorn Overlord is just incredible. It has its hooks in me. I’m thinking about this game while I’m at work, thinking of new party stratagems, managing my units with certain equipment, how I want their combat to play out with certain conditions. I’m head over heels for this game, and I don’t know why I had any doubt to begin with considering Vanillaware’s pedigree.
On a side note: I also got the platinum in Stalker: Shadow of Chernobyl and Stellar Blade in the last couple of weeks.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (2nd November)
For the last week and a half I’ve been in a gaming slump and I wasn’t aware of it initially. It has been strange. Once I obtained the platinum trophy for Silent Hill 2 Remake, I subsequently dove head first into Metaphor ReFantazio. And then it hit me.
I was enjoying it, particularly its UI, combat, characters, story, setting, and political strifes. However, it wasn’t fully grasping my attention. I was feeling overwhelmed. I found this peculiar because P4G is my favorite RPG of all time, and P5R is exceptional. I’m accustomed to the calendar structure, knowing content will be missed by choosing to do one activity over another. It was bothering me immensely even though time management is a core game design.
This feeling carried over with the Archetype mechanics. I was I immensely engulfed by options and it was ruining my experience. It was difficult for me to switch up my vocation because I had certain archetypes maxed out, with great skills, but switching classes and starting from scratch felt counterintuitive because I’d have to change armor, weapons, and be underpowered. I appreciate the flexibility, but not when it’s almost essential.
My brain just couldn’t handle any of it. In fact, it’s odd because of my affection with Atlus games (not just Persona), and while I was liking the majority of aspects of the game, I just wasn’t having fun. Ultimately, I set the game aside and will come back to it another time.
I then scrolled through my cross-media bar on my PS5 and saw Kunitsi-Gami: Path of the Goddess. I’m a huge Capcom fan and love their odd side projects. The glowing reviews for this game definitely piqued my interest. I played for five hours and was enjoying it; but it wasn’t holding my attention as well.
This trend repeated itself two more times; once with Shadow of the Damned: Hella Remastered; and secondly Ys X: Nordics (my favorite RPG series). At this point, I decided to take a break from gaming altogether and decompress. Maybe the depressing nature of Silent Hill 2 Remake took more of a toll on me than anticipated.
And suddenly, something changed. Monday rolled around and the reviews for Dragon Age: The Veilguard went live. The positive reception the game has been receiving from critics (and definitely not random strangers on the internet who hadn’t played the game but want to hate on anyone who likes it; seriously, the vile things said all over YouTube channels—Eurogamer, IGN, and other mainstream outlets—is absolutely out of control and incredibly disheartening) brought back that sense of excitement for games.
I started Dragon Age: The Veilguard on release day and have put 15-hours in it. I’m having an absolute blast. I’m an Elven rogue, part of the Antivan Crows association, with a slight affection for Neve. I’m slowly swooning her, but unlike my organization I work for, I won’t be stabbing her in the back.
TL;DR - Gaming is fun again; thanks, Dragon Age.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (19th October)
I finished my first playthrough in Silent Hill 2 Remake several days ago. I managed to get the “In Water” ending my first go-around. It was quite fantastic, and easily one of my favorite games of the year, if not my favorite. After I completed it, I subsequently reloaded my save and got the two additional mainline endings, which added a lot of context to a powerful story. I’m looking forward to getting the three remaining endings only obtainable by NG+, and hopefully get the platinum trophy while I’m at it.
I also just started Metaphor: Refantazio two days ago. I’m only seven hours in, reaching the completing the Nord Mines and even tested my mettle against the dragon—an optional boss fight—and won. I’m now met Hulkenberg and am trekking under the cathedral. With that said, being as I’m early on, I’m unable to give a proper review. However; I’m extremely impressed by nearly every aspect of this game.
The one thing that immediately stood out to me was its pacing—it doesn’t waste time throwing you into its world, characters, story and combat. I appreciate this approach more than Persona 5, a game I adore, but can never replay due to its long tutorial.
I also love how much artistic expression there is. In clever ways, too. The game has a ton of loading screens but you’re practically oblivious to it because each transitioning screen has cutscene elements that flow naturally with what you’re doing—combat encounters, walking into a new area, and even the pause menu. This might be the most stylish game I’ve ever played.
I’m looking forward to seeing the game evolve over time. This game is shaping up to be a special JRPG, and I believe Atlus is becoming the king of RPGs in the west. Bring on Persona 6, or whatever else they are cooking up; I’ll be here for the journey.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (12th October)
This weekend I’m playing the iconic Silent Hill 2 (Remake). This is my first foray into this franchise, despite owning the original on PS2 back when I was a kid. And I have a lot to say.
The beginning two hours were incredibly dull to me. However, once I got to explore the apartment complex—and having just completed Brookhaven Hospital—it quickly became a tour-de-force in the survival horror genre once I tasted what this game had to offer.
The game has a unique setting, where the town of Silent Hill is a character just as much as you are. One thing that stuck out to me was how there is quest log or an objective marker. This allows a sense of freedom in a relatively linear experience, yet vast at the same time, so there’s a sense of feeling confined and trapped, but always rewarding.
All of this is enhanced by its brilliant art direction and visuals. The fog surrounding the town makes each step feel purposeful. When you enter buildings, each location feels different but believable. Brookhaven Hospital—more or less a psychiatric ward—is a perfect example of this. There is a sense of dread and abandonment, and you can feel the anguish of those who resided there. It felt old-timey and unsanitary, providing an extra level of immersion. A lot of games I feel suffer from making you feel as if you’re truly in this fictional world, but this remake manages to capture that essence.
Furthermore, I really appreciate the approach of no jump scares. The horror comes from the tension of discovering the truth about what’s occurring in the town, the characters that inhabit it, and why. But it’s also the idea that something could happen. It plays with you psychologically. It masterfully teeters the line of reality and paranoia, particularly since enemies are humanoid in nature.
As for the story, it immediately compels you because the main protagonist, James Sunderland, is self aware of his situation and how absurd it is. However, he is still grieving the loss of his wife and those types of processes can make people do inexplicable things they otherwise wouldn’t. Regardless of the dire situation he is in, his calm demeanor draws you in. He has determination, and is willing to see his journey through to the end no matter the cost, all the while not going off in the deep end mentally. It’s a really interesting balance. He is casually dressed which also lends to his personality.
The moment to moment gameplay is also fantastic. Combat has a real crunch to it—but it never feels janky or unintuitive. You can feel the weight behind bludgeoning enemies with melee weapons, and you can even hear the exhaustion in James’ voice when he finishes enemies while they are squirming on the ground. You’re also never overwhelmed with enemies, so each encounter feels unique. It’s simple, but effective.
So far, I’m only halfway through the game but I’m very impressed, top to bottom. I’m deeply invested in the characters and unfolding story. In a space where there are a ton of survival horror games, this one stands out amongst the rest. I can see why the game received high praise in 2001, and I will now sing its praises for the first time in 2024. It might go down in my top 10 of all time.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (5th October)
This weekend I am planning to finish The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom. I’ve gotta say - this might be one of my favorite entries in this storied franchise. It’s not without its faults, but the things it does well is exceptional.
As of right now, I have a total of 16/20 hearts, acquired 115/127 echoes, 18/20 stamps, unlocked all five accessory slots, a handful of costumes, and completed five main dungeons, the last of which was the Lanayru Temple. I won’t lie - it was rather challenging. I’m now off to the Faron Wetlands and hoping I can get a 100% completion rate in the next couple of days.
I love how there is a blend of traditional top down design with influences from its modern counterparts, BoTW and ToTK respectively. It’s astounding how there is a new found sense of verticality and puzzle solving in a 2D—sort of 3D—space. Moreover, proper dungeons are back, but there are a plethora of ways to solve them, thus creating a sense of fulfillment when completing puzzles in inventive and creative ways. And yet, despite all of these tools, you can’t break the game (at least I don’t think you can) so it keeps things constructed linearly, with a priority on its narrative.
There are some areas where I think the game falters a bit, mainly regarding its extensive echo system. Similar to how you hold right on the D-Pad to select a handful of weapons in BoTW, you do the same with the echoes you obtain. And there are a lot of echoes. I mean A LOT (over a hundred). You can sort them by most used, but you have to use different ones in varying regions and sometimes infrequently, so they aren’t typically the first selection when you open up the menu. This ultimately breaks the immersion and slows down the gameplay to a screeching halt.
Another area I would like to see improved on is logging information about items obtained. I would prefer to have an overview of how many chests, hearts, and caves are in each particular region. That has always been my issue with TLoZ games. I hate missing things and yet it’s inevitable due to naturally playing the game and getting sidetracked by other activities. Granted, there is an option to see how many collectibles you have in totality, but it isn’t that resourceful.
Nonetheless, the complaints I have are minor compared to the overall experience. I’ve said this many times before, but Nintendo has a way of making you, the player, regardless of age—I’m 34-years-old—feel pure unadulterated joy, and feel like a kid discovering magic for the first time. I initially thought I wouldn’t enjoy Echoes of Wisdom, but has surpassed all of my expectations. I hope this is the beginning of a new foundation for future TLoZ games.
Re: One Of The Best Horror Games In Recent Years Is Coming To Switch This Month
This is awesome news! I played it on PS5 and got the platinum trophy. I will probably double dip though! Great game.
Re: Opinion: I Didn't Realise How Much I'd Missed 'Traditional' Zelda Dungeons
I agree wholeheartedly with this write-up. Perhaps nostalgia plays a role in my feelings, but there is something very satisfying with solving dungeons, backtracking, opening chests knowing there will be a key, and the jingle it makes, along with finally acquiring the Big Boss Key and fighting the boss and getting a new heart piece. It all feels so wholesome and there is no other game that provides that type of feeling you get, at least for me.
Re: Castlevania Dev Steps Down From Bloodstained 2 After Cancer Diagnosis
I hope for a safe and speedy recovery. The most important thing is to take care of yourself; the games can wait.
Re: Poll: What Review Score Would You Give The Legend Of Zelda: Echoes Of Wisdom?
@Yoshi3 I did discover that! That was really helpful, thanks! I just wish there was a “5/10 chests collected in Gerudo region” type of thing. But nonetheless, thank you for highlighting that!
Re: Poll: What Review Score Would You Give The Legend Of Zelda: Echoes Of Wisdom?
I already commented my opinion (I think the game is great), but I wish there was a log of some sorts. It’d be nice to know how many treasure chests and heart containers and/or secrets I have out of a certain total in each particular region. The same with echoes. Maybe there is a way and I haven’t discovered it yet, but that is my biggest gripe.
Re: Poll: What Review Score Would You Give The Legend Of Zelda: Echoes Of Wisdom?
It has surpassed all of my expectations and then some. The sense of discovery, and the blend of old school Zelda with modern game mechanics from the last two entries make this a unique experience. There is a level of verticality that is superb, especially in this 2D, but somewhat 3D space. I absolutely love it, and my score is a 9/10.
Re: Zelda: Echoes Of Wisdom: 19 Tips To Get You Started
Good to know about the rift dungeons and treasure chests! That was a concern of mine, so I’m glad you can return to them later. Out of curiosity - are there any heart containers in there? That will make me feel a bit more at ease if there aren’t.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (28th September)
I don’t have much to say other than I’m feeling accomplished for wrapping up Ys IX: Monstrum Nox and getting the platinum trophy. I can’t wait for Ys X to release next month.
I’ve now started The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom and it’s great. I’m not that far, but I have completed one main dungeon (yay, proper dungeons are back!), a handful of optional dungeons and side quests that are incredibly rewarding, and just reached the Zora region.
It’s what you expect from a Nintendo game—abysmal framerate rounded out by charm, creativity, fun gameplay, impeccable sound design, and a gorgeous Hyrule that beckons to be explored. The best thing about the game so far is how it blends old school LoZ design with its modern counterparts, allowing for a fantastic adventure ripe with creative puzzle solving, making you, the player feel intelligent when you solve a problem. Not many games can provide that sense of satisfaction, but this game does it in effortlessly.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (14th September)
@the_beaver I’m actually playing it on my PS5, but primarily the PS Portal and the performance is pretty solid. I haven’t had any dips or anything, but idk how that will translate to Nintendo Switch.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (14th September)
This weekend I’m playing Ys IX: Monstrum Nox. One month ago I played my first game in this series, Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana and fell in love with it, so much so I got the platinum trophy for it. This newfound appreciation for the franchise led me to explore other entries, starting with Ys: Memories of Celceta. I finished it yesterday and now I’m diving into New Game+ on Nightmare difficulty for another platinum run.
What immediately sets Ys IX apart is its self-awareness. The game cleverly plays with the familiar tropes found in JRPGs and earlier entries in the series, often adding a humorous touch to the darker tone of its narrative. In fact, it seems incredibly homogeneous to Dragon Quest XI regarding its opening hours—another RPG favorite of mine.
The setting itself is drastically different from its counterparts. You’re in this sprawling city known as Balduq, or rather Prison City. It functions as a living and breathing world, where people work, have their own homes, and is relatively modern. However, the world is rich with lore, with mysterious graffiti littered about that provides upgrades depending on your character, and from the very beginning, the game hooks you with collectibles you can't yet reach, igniting curiosity and anticipation for what's to come.
This culminates into one standout aspect in its refined gameplay, and that is traversal. Unlike prior games, this one focuses on verticality as a focus point of its level design, and it’s all the better for it. Whether it’s scaling walls or gliding across rooftops, these traversal abilities make the city of Balduq feel like a playground, filled with hidden treasures and unreachable areas that beg to be explored.
As for gameplay, most of the mechanics are familiar, maintaining its frenetic combat while introducing a plethora of character abilities that make combat more engaging. The game also bestows its traditional use of artifacts—now known as sacramentals—to enhance its already dynamic gameplay. This all leads to a new layer of freedom that keeps the gameplay fresh.
I’m only several hours in, but overall the game strikes a perfect balance between innovation and familiarity. It’s shaping up to be one of the best RPGs I’ve played in recent memory, and is quickly becoming my favorite in the series so far. My level up hype for the next installment is through the roof, and I’m glad I only have to wait a month for its release.