I played the demo on my Steam Deck yesterday, and it was really good so far! Only issue I ran into was an unfortunate moment where I was in a cutscene, and a random enemy started attacking me while I was locked into the cutscene, causing almost all my health to disappear and nearly killed me by the end of the scene. Very odd bug that will hopefully be fixed by the final release.
@tofuman86 It is key framed animation. Think Guilty Gear Strive or the cutscenes from Hi-Fi Rush, only in 2D. Or just compare it to most classic 2D games. Super Mario World only has so many frames of animation for Mario, but the game runs at 60fps. Same thing here. It's a better approach than the Flash-like "tweening" that a lot of other 2D games use these days.
I've always thought it should return. And yeah, it was absolutely a flawed experience. But it was also still the most fun I've ever had with a story/single player mode in a fighting game. And it was even more fun with multiplayer co-op!
I wouldn't change anything. It was perfect as is. I loved the loop of always improvising by using whatever I could find in the environment as a weapon. It forced that kind of play style, and it was awesome.
Very good game. I played it on my Steam Deck last year, and it is indeed one of the best shmups of 2022. Though my personal favorite new shmup of 2022 was Andro Dunos 2.
If it has rumble, gyro, and can wake up the Switch with its home button, I'll give it a go. Without those features, then it's a pass. I saw someone above post an image that seemed to confirm gyro and rumble, but I can't find any of that info from an official source on their website or the product page, so I don't buy it. Those are major features, and if you don't mention them in the product description, then I don't believe that they're part of the product. And if they are, it's extremely baffling that they wouldn't mention them, so that in itself is a concern.
Also, there needs to be a definitive version of this game. After all these years, there still isn't a definitive way to play Skies of Arcadia. You either play the Dreamcast version for the vastly superior audio, or you play the GCN version for the extra content and slightly upgraded character models but you're stuck with awful compressed audio.
I've caught some footage of the game on Youtube, and it seems to run at only 30fps now? The previous game was 60fps on Switch. What the heck happened? That's a huge performance drop for a sequel with the same visual style like this.
I have the PS5 version, and I'm shocked by how poorly it runs on that console. Looks like it's just under 1080p, it has extremely long loading times (by far the longest I've ever seen on PS5), and the frame rate drops. It's hard to imagine the Switch version runs smoothly.
The loading times absolutely killed Touhou Spell Bubble for me. So bad that it just made me never want to play it. Hopefully this game doesn't suffer from that problem.
@steely_pete It doesn't matter who did the port. Nintendo was involved because it includes their IP. That's why it was censored. If it was strictly an SMT Atlus game, Nintendo wouldn't have touched it with censoring. They would have done the same with Mario + Rabbids if that game included material they would censor. Doesn't matter that Ubisoft developed and published the game.
@steely_pete Doubt it regarding Tokyo Mirage Sessions. That game was censored because Nintendo was directly involved with the game. Nintendo doesn't censor third party games (and really hasn't since the early 90s), but when it comes to their own games, they often do.
Gamefreak really needs to hire some new developers. The old guard at the company clearly don't know what they're doing from a technical standpoint. A billion dollar franchise like Pokemon deserves better.
Sadly this falls right in line with what I expected from Sonic. I honestly don't know if it's even possible for a great 3D Sonic game to be developed. And no, none of the previous 3D Sonic games have been great. Neither of the Adventure games, not Generations, none of them. Average is the best they've ever gotten with 3D Sonic.
I would buy this if they didn't mess up the sprites so badly. Until they offer an update that allows you to use the original sprite artwork, this has to be a pass from me.
@Miu Because a good game is a good game regardless of the source material. You don't have to be a fan of the source material to enjoy a good game and review it on those merits. It legit blows my mind that some people just don't understand that.
@Vortexeo I played the first two Sky games, and I agree that you should skip the first one. It's aggressively average. The second game is much better.
One of the biggest issues I had with Sky 1 is that you spend massive portions of the game without a full party (maybe 70% of the game if I remember correctly), and the enemy encounters are not tuned based on the size of your party, so battles end up being a slog.
Regarding the story being slow, that part didn't actually bother me as much, simply because it was fun to spend time with these characters.
I still have my copy of issue 1. It's not in great shape though, because I read through that thing like 500 times when I was a kid. Still have every issue of Nintendo Power actually since I was subscribed from day one to the end.
Already have it on my Xbox Series X, so hopefully they do something more with this version to justify me buying another version. Otherwise I'll just stick to the version I already have.
Blue Storm is easily the best in the series. As a huge fan of Wave Race 64, Blue Storm only improved on it in every way. I'm genuinely shocked how many people are voting 64 over Blue Storm.
Seeing that it has multiple endings actually makes me not want to give this game a try. I just don't have the time to play through RPG length games multiple times anymore, so that's a deterrent for me personally.
If he is going down the stairs, he is falling down them because of his position. Also, if he was going down, the window is sideways. So he is obviously going up the stairs.
The visuals are absolutely stellar in this game. Fantastic pixel art and animation that out does most of the classics.
That said, I also think the one credit thing is a really bad design choice. And the game has some super cheap stage hazards, which only makes the single credit issue even worse. I was in stage 4 on my last life and with full health, and then suddenly a huge crate drops on top of me out of nowhere...instant death...game over...start at stage 1 again. Ugh...
Comments 682
Re: Review: Metroid Prime Remastered - A Long-Awaited And Stunning Return Of A Legend
I can't believe I've had two amazing sci-fi remakes in a row to play. This and Dead Space have been incredible!
Re: Hands On: Afterimage Is The Most Beautiful-Looking Metroidvania We've Ever Played
I played the demo on my Steam Deck yesterday, and it was really good so far! Only issue I ran into was an unfortunate moment where I was in a cutscene, and a random enemy started attacking me while I was locked into the cutscene, causing almost all my health to disappear and nearly killed me by the end of the scene. Very odd bug that will hopefully be fixed by the final release.
Re: Hands On: Afterimage Is The Most Beautiful-Looking Metroidvania We've Ever Played
@tofuman86 It is key framed animation. Think Guilty Gear Strive or the cutscenes from Hi-Fi Rush, only in 2D. Or just compare it to most classic 2D games. Super Mario World only has so many frames of animation for Mario, but the game runs at 60fps. Same thing here. It's a better approach than the Flash-like "tweening" that a lot of other 2D games use these days.
Re: Talking Point: 15 Years On, Should Super Smash Bros. Brawl's Subspace Emissary Return?
I've always thought it should return. And yeah, it was absolutely a flawed experience. But it was also still the most fun I've ever had with a story/single player mode in a fighting game. And it was even more fun with multiplayer co-op!
Re: QubicGames Celebrates 19th Birthday With Huge Discount On Over 50 Switch Games (US)
@bonjong23 The Bit Trip games are all great.
Re: Review: Drainus - A Spectacular, Showboating Tour De Force For Sci-Fi Shmup Fans
Agreed that it's a bit too easy for a shmup. I played through it on my Steam Deck last year, and it's very good though. Highly recommend it!
Re: Poll: Do You Want Weapon Degradation To Return In Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom?
I wouldn't change anything. It was perfect as is. I loved the loop of always improvising by using whatever I could find in the environment as a weapon. It forced that kind of play style, and it was awesome.
Re: One Of 2022's Best Shmups Blasts Onto Switch Next Month
Very good game. I played it on my Steam Deck last year, and it is indeed one of the best shmups of 2022. Though my personal favorite new shmup of 2022 was Andro Dunos 2.
Re: Feature: Fire Emblem Narratives, Ranked – Which Fire Emblem Has The Best Story?
Ike's games are definitely best in the narrative department.
Re: NYXI Reveals A GameCube-Inspired Switch Controller With No Drifting
If it has rumble, gyro, and can wake up the Switch with its home button, I'll give it a go. Without those features, then it's a pass. I saw someone above post an image that seemed to confirm gyro and rumble, but I can't find any of that info from an official source on their website or the product page, so I don't buy it. Those are major features, and if you don't mention them in the product description, then I don't believe that they're part of the product. And if they are, it's extremely baffling that they wouldn't mention them, so that in itself is a concern.
Re: Soapbox: Sega's Greatest RPG Is 20 Years Old And Long Overdue A Remaster
Also, there needs to be a definitive version of this game. After all these years, there still isn't a definitive way to play Skies of Arcadia. You either play the Dreamcast version for the vastly superior audio, or you play the GCN version for the extra content and slightly upgraded character models but you're stuck with awful compressed audio.
Re: Soapbox: Sega's Greatest RPG Is 20 Years Old And Long Overdue A Remaster
Not just Sega's best RPG, it's Sega's best game period. Unless you count F-Zero GX, but they don't own that, they just developed it.
Re: Ash Ketchum And Pikachu's Time In The Pokémon Anime Is Coming To An End
About damn time!
Re: Review: River City Girls 2 - The Girls Are Back With A Strong, Albeit Safe, Sequel
I've caught some footage of the game on Youtube, and it seems to run at only 30fps now? The previous game was 60fps on Switch. What the heck happened? That's a huge performance drop for a sequel with the same visual style like this.
Re: Review: Samurai Maiden - A Saucy Hack-And-Slash That Makes For An Entertaining Romp
I have the PS5 version, and I'm shocked by how poorly it runs on that console. Looks like it's just under 1080p, it has extremely long loading times (by far the longest I've ever seen on PS5), and the frame rate drops. It's hard to imagine the Switch version runs smoothly.
Re: Review: Warp Drive - An F-Zero-Inspired Racer With Promise And Performance Woes
If you're trying to mimic F-Zero, and aim for 30fps, you have already failed.
Re: Feature: "We Received Many Requests To Bring Back The Puzzle Bobble Series"
@Sinton They probably never bothered since it's included in Bubble Bobble 4 Friends.
Re: Feature: "We Received Many Requests To Bring Back The Puzzle Bobble Series"
The loading times absolutely killed Touhou Spell Bubble for me. So bad that it just made me never want to play it. Hopefully this game doesn't suffer from that problem.
Re: Mugen Souls Gets Uncensored 2023 Nintendo Switch Release
@steely_pete It doesn't matter who did the port. Nintendo was involved because it includes their IP. That's why it was censored. If it was strictly an SMT Atlus game, Nintendo wouldn't have touched it with censoring. They would have done the same with Mario + Rabbids if that game included material they would censor. Doesn't matter that Ubisoft developed and published the game.
Re: Mugen Souls Gets Uncensored 2023 Nintendo Switch Release
@steely_pete Doubt it regarding Tokyo Mirage Sessions. That game was censored because Nintendo was directly involved with the game. Nintendo doesn't censor third party games (and really hasn't since the early 90s), but when it comes to their own games, they often do.
Re: Review: Pokémon Scarlet And Violet - An Open-World Poké Playground Full Of Promise (And Tech Issues)
Gamefreak really needs to hire some new developers. The old guard at the company clearly don't know what they're doing from a technical standpoint. A billion dollar franchise like Pokemon deserves better.
Re: Talking Point: Do You Name Your Pokémon?
Been playing the series since 1998, and have literally never named one of my pokemon. Never will either.
Re: Review: Sonic Frontiers - A Bold But Ultimately Failed Attempt At Something New
Sadly this falls right in line with what I expected from Sonic. I honestly don't know if it's even possible for a great 3D Sonic game to be developed. And no, none of the previous 3D Sonic games have been great. Neither of the Adventure games, not Generations, none of them. Average is the best they've ever gotten with 3D Sonic.
Re: Review: Signalis - Brilliantly Tense And Surreal Sci-Fi Survival Horror
Would be nice to know how it runs on Switch. I definitely need to get this game though.
Re: Review: Bayonetta 3 - A Stunning Return For An Icon, And The Best Game In The Series
I am so hyped for this game. I've a huge fan since the original released on the Xbox 360.
Re: Tactics Ogre: Reborn Switch Impressions Are Out, And It's Looking Really Good
I would buy this if they didn't mess up the sprites so badly. Until they offer an update that allows you to use the original sprite artwork, this has to be a pass from me.
Re: Bayonetta's OG Voice Actor Asks Fans To "Boycott" Third Game After PlatinumGames Wage Fallout
This is heartbreaking.
Re: Bellibolt The Electric Frog Is The Newest Addition To Pokémon Scarlet And Violet
Ha ha, it's similar to a Dark Souls/Elden Ring Basilisk.
Re: Review: Sword Art Online: Alicization Lycoris - One For Forgiving SAO Fans Only
@Miu Because a good game is a good game regardless of the source material. You don't have to be a fan of the source material to enjoy a good game and review it on those merits. It legit blows my mind that some people just don't understand that.
Re: Review: The Legend Of Heroes: Trails From Zero - A Stellar RPG And A Stand-Out In Falcom's Storied Saga
@Vortexeo I played the first two Sky games, and I agree that you should skip the first one. It's aggressively average. The second game is much better.
One of the biggest issues I had with Sky 1 is that you spend massive portions of the game without a full party (maybe 70% of the game if I remember correctly), and the enemy encounters are not tuned based on the size of your party, so battles end up being a slog.
Regarding the story being slow, that part didn't actually bother me as much, simply because it was fun to spend time with these characters.
Re: Feature: Rayman Is Back In 'Mario + Rabbids Sparks Of Hope' - So Is He Actually Cool Now?
Always has been cool.
Re: Random: This Fan Found A Sealed Copy Of Nintendo Power #1 - Should He Open It?
I still have my copy of issue 1. It's not in great shape though, because I read through that thing like 500 times when I was a kid. Still have every issue of Nintendo Power actually since I was subscribed from day one to the end.
Re: Alterium Shift Is A Super NES-Inspired RPG With Three Different Story Paths
Has a bit of the SquareEnix HD-2D look. Only without some of the lighting/texture effects. I'll keep an eye out for this one.
Re: Treasure's "Highly Requested" Title Has Been Leaked
Already have it on my Xbox Series X, so hopefully they do something more with this version to justify me buying another version. Otherwise I'll just stick to the version I already have.
Re: Poll: So, Wave Race 64 Or Blue Storm - Which Is Best?
Blue Storm is easily the best in the series. As a huge fan of Wave Race 64, Blue Storm only improved on it in every way. I'm genuinely shocked how many people are voting 64 over Blue Storm.
Re: SEGA Genesis Mini 2 Games List - Every Mega Drive And SEGA CD Game, All 61 Titles
What a massive letdown for the western version. None of the heavy hitters for Sega CD that people want.
Re: Talking Point: How Were You Introduced To Metroid?
The original NES game. It was the first video game that I ever bought with my own money. Been a huge fan ever since!
Re: Review: Mega Man Battle & Fighters - A Surprise Neo Geo Package Of Blue Bomber Beat 'Em Ups
@somnambulance You can remove the boarder thankfully.
Re: Review: Xenoblade Chronicles 3 - An Epic, Emotionally-Charged Masterpiece
My most anticipated game of the year! Can't wait for Friday.
Re: Review: Omori - An Emotional, EarthBound-Inspired RPG That's Not Afraid To Shock
Seeing that it has multiple endings actually makes me not want to give this game a try. I just don't have the time to play through RPG length games multiple times anymore, so that's a deterrent for me personally.
Re: Mini Review: Redout 2 - A Fast-Paced Blend Of F-Zero And Simulation Racing
I really didn't like the first game. So this is a pass for me. It feels like we will never get a worthy F-Zero replacement.
Re: Random: Up Or Down The Stairs? Super Mario Illusion Confuses The Internet
If he is going down the stairs, he is falling down them because of his position. Also, if he was going down, the window is sideways. So he is obviously going up the stairs.
Re: Video: What Was Your First Video Game Ever?
No idea. I've been playing games since before I can remember. It must have been an Atari 2600 game like Combat, Fishing Derby, or Pac-Man.
Re: Review: Pokémon Puzzle League - A Thrilling Puzzler And A Heavy Nostalgia Hit
A masterpiece of a puzzle game series. It's right up there with Tetris as the best puzzle game series of all time.
Re: Sonic Frontiers Will Apparently Take The Series' Narrative To New Heights
Taking the Sonic series narrative to a new height is a pretty low bar to cross...
Re: Developers Don't Take Kindly To EA's Single-Player Gag On Twitter
Stupid is as stupid does.
Re: Treasure Is Apparently Working On A "Highly Requested" Title
Mischief Makers and Bangai-O are my favorite Treasure games. Particularly the Dreamcast version of Bangai-O.
Re: Review: Final Vendetta - A Violent Love Letter To '90s Arcade Brawlers
The visuals are absolutely stellar in this game. Fantastic pixel art and animation that out does most of the classics.
That said, I also think the one credit thing is a really bad design choice. And the game has some super cheap stage hazards, which only makes the single credit issue even worse. I was in stage 4 on my last life and with full health, and then suddenly a huge crate drops on top of me out of nowhere...instant death...game over...start at stage 1 again. Ugh...
Re: Sega Confirms Sonic Frontiers Won't Be Delayed, Says Fans "Don't Understand" It
Yikes. Huge red flags there.
Re: Review: Souldiers - A Potent Metroidvania And Soulslike Blend, But Not Without Issues
A real shame the Switch version is a mess. PS5 version it is then. Retro style games like this should run perfect on the Switch.