Comments 647

Re: Talking Point: Has Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy - The Definitive Edition On Switch Improved Since Launch?

Solomon_Rambling

Loved this update and would love to see more! I really wanted this game to be stellar so I could try out the series, but because I have no nostalgia for this series, I don’t think this collection would be fun for me, even with the improvements.

Cult of the Lamb is another game for which I would love a second look. I heard it’s better compared to its launch version.

Re: Best Nintendo 64 Platformers - Every N64 3D Platformer, Ranked By You

Solomon_Rambling

Getting to play Banjo-Kazooie on the Switch was a real treat, especially since I hadn’t played it since the N64 days. Its opening levels are stellar, and I enjoyed the overworld. That said, its latter stages seemed to drop off in quality (despite their creativity). Mario 64 is still the greatest N64 game to me, with its camera being its worst attribute.

May Donkey Kong 64 be burned from our memories.

Re: Random: Fan Collects Over 1 Thousand Copies Of The Original Dragon Quest

Solomon_Rambling

@Hajilee

Haven’t you heard the saying, “When someone collects a hundred copies of Dragon Warrior, an angel gets its wings”? In all seriousness, it isn’t a good thing. It isn’t a bad thing. It’s a thing someone decided to do for the heck of it. If it doesn’t hurt someone and it’s what you want to do, why should you have to justify yourself to anyone?

@Maxz

I agree it doesn’t make for anything inspiring, but it has made for an interesting article!

Re: Nintendo Wins Court Dispute Against Pirated Game Hosting Site

Solomon_Rambling

@Funneefox @ATaco

We’re so close to the truth. Not only is Nintendo controlling the secondary market, but you know how they switched to “green energy” recently? They’re not using solar power or anything to like that. Their factories and offices are now running solely on energy generated from people complaining online about Super Mario RPG not being on NSO or F-Zero being a dead franchise.

There is no depth to Nintendo’s insidious nature.

Re: Nintendo Wins Court Dispute Against Pirated Game Hosting Site

Solomon_Rambling

I’m getting tired of how much people simplify this issue. You all make it seem like I either have to support Nintendo’s policies completely or promote piracy as a moral and valid form of consuming media. It’s ridiculous.

Here you all are bickering about whether Nintendo should release old games. I choose to avoid this debate altogether and just burgle homes and steal games directly from other people, just as Nintendo and pirates had always intended it to be.

Re: Bandai Namco Wants Your Feedback On Tales Of Symphonia Remastered

Solomon_Rambling

Although I can appreciate Namco Bandai for seeking feedback, the survey seems somewhat ridiculous given how poorly the port was received. The company already has ample information regarding what should be fixed. Unless they plan to release the mother of all updates which makes the game run better and tweaks gameplay elements in response to player feedback, this survey is superfluous.

Re: Best WarioWare Games Of All Time

Solomon_Rambling

@Markiemania95

I haven’t touched the game in over a decade, so I apologize for forgetting about the single-player side of things. If I recall correctly, however, wasn’t the single-player content not fully ported? I definitely don’t recall being able to play Pyoro on the GCN version.

Re: Best WarioWare Games Of All Time

Solomon_Rambling

@Markiemania95

Eh, although I enjoyed the GCN entry, I see the WarioWare series as single-player first, multiplayer second, leading me to prefer the GBA version. I definitely love the modes on the GCN (Get It Together doesn’t feel as strong comparatively), but it felt too easy to beat newcomers who weren’t familiar with the micro games. As a result, it wasn’t the go-to party game I wish it was.

Re: Warside Blasts Onto Kickstarter With Advance Wars-Inspired Turn-Based Tactics

Solomon_Rambling

The Advance Wars games on the DS introduced me to tactical SRPGs. Although I loved Dual Strike, I haven’t really gotten into the genre (perhaps with the exception of Into the Breach). When I read the description for Warside, it just sounds like Advance Wars with unnecessary additions. Maybe the differences mean enough for fans of the genre, but it seems like Lavabird is fighting an uphill battle to justify how their game is not a clone.

To highlight the “retro pixel art style that we know fans of the genre love” particularly feels ironic. “We’re totally better than the Advance Wars which is coming out because we have the old Advance Wars art.”

Re: Review: Fatal Frame: Mask Of The Lunar Eclipse - A Long-Awaited Western Debut For Series Fans

Solomon_Rambling

@Banjo-

I didn’t look too thoroughly, but each Fatal Frame game has earned glowing reviews from some critics who would likely agree with your assessment of the series. I would personally love to try out the second game if it was ported well to the Switch. I also generally trust a critical consensus on a game because I’ve been burned by too many games scoring in the 60s-70s range. There are too many games which score better that I haven’t played yet. Admittedly, I’m faint-hearted as well, so I need ample reassurance the game is fantastic to justify scaring myself.

I get wanting a game to be successful so that more games are released (I was ecstatic when the recent Direct revealed We Love Katamari is coming to the Switch). I just wouldn’t blame critics or consumers for this Fatal Frame’s success or lack thereof. I definitely don’t think reviewers who call the games “clunky” are single-mindedly trying to rush the game, especially when other games take considerable more time to play before a critic can write a review.

I hope this game finds success so the Koei Tecmo can continue improving the series! I just don’t think Mask of the Lunar Eclipse is the game in the series which will bring droves of new fans.

Re: Review: Fatal Frame: Mask Of The Lunar Eclipse - A Long-Awaited Western Debut For Series Fans

Solomon_Rambling

@jrt87

I wouldn’t dismiss Reynolds’ review too much. He explicitly states that the game “should be a no-brainer” for fans of the series. He raises some great points for people who may not enjoy classic survival horror, so I feel his points are valid.

I’m also surprised by how many people are defending janky controls and camera systems. I get that they’re hallmarks of classic survival horror, just as absurd difficulty was a hallmark of arcade games. I’d argue these mechanics haven’t aged well because they throw arbitrary obstacles in your way rather than build upon the actual gameplay. Looking at modern survival horror, games like Alien: Isolation and Amnesia (even Subnautica to an extent) demonstrate how you can still feel terror even when you have smooth control of your character and environment.

Since the Wii, I’ve had my eye on Fatal Frame, but I’m not generally a fan of survival horror. None of this series’ games have quite reached the level of critical acclaim I need to try one out.

Re: Feature: Nintendo eShop Selects - February 2023

Solomon_Rambling

@smithyo

I’d say don’t knock them until you try them. Both my wife and I downloaded PowerWash Simulator, and we’ve enjoyed it. Its production values place it squarely in the 7/10 range, but the gameplay scratches an itch other games haven’t touched.

I agree the Switch has no shortage of shovelware, but I don’t think it’s making reviewers lower their standards.

Re: Countdown: Wii U eShop Spotlight - Mario Vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars

Solomon_Rambling

@Sisilly_G

I mistook this game for the Amiibo Challenge. Those were the days when I was hopeful Nintendo would actually do something with the toys. Even if they did end of porting Amiibo Challenge to the Switch, if they don’t ease up the unlock requirements to play, it’s essentially a $150 “free” game with all the amiibo you have to buy (not to mention they’re not in stock anymore).

Re: Quiz: Which Of These Games Is On Switch?

Solomon_Rambling

23/24

The eShop is probably one of my most played “games” on the Switch. I have more than enough games to play, but sometimes I just want to look at what I don’t have. Other times, I laugh at all of the shovelware titles and their horrible descriptions.

There’s an idea: next quiz should also test us on which games are on the Switch, but every single entry has to be utter garbage.

Re: Random: Masahiro Sakurai Shares Kirby Air Ride Stories In Latest Video

Solomon_Rambling

Kirby Air Ride was the first game for which I paid full price. I loved how the checklists provided a continual stream of unlockables while challenging you to play in different ways. As others have said, City Trial stood out as the best mode, but I have fond memories of each mode, even if nostalgia has an influence on my opinion.

I’d love to see a sequel helmed by Sakurai or even just a remaster.

@Dom_31

Totally get your opinion, and many critics at the time agreed with you. The Kirby fandom just happens to be an unforgiving beast.

Re: Back Page: 8 Completely Real 'Life Simulators' That We Want To See On Switch

Solomon_Rambling

Once again, Nintendo Life is here peddling lies. You may be able to deceive all of these other people but not me. These games are FAKE. You want to know how I know? You botched it with Clock Winding Simulator.

AAA Clock has been on the forefront of clock-based simulators. Even after numerous reskins and updates, they haven't been able to program a clock-winding mechanic, let alone a cleaning one. It's just too advanced for our current technology. So either Clock Winding Simulator can do the impossible, or it's a big fat fake.

Nice try, Norman. I don't know for sure, but I bet all of these games are made-up. And here I thought the Back Page was a reputable column.

Re: Talking Point: Has Nintendo Done Enough To Justify Splatoon 3's Existence?

Solomon_Rambling

I’m personally disappointed Tableturf Battle is not the table tennis version of Turf Wars that it should be. Tricolor Turf War is also concerning due to the amount of colors involved. One I can get behind; two is pushing it; but three is just insanity (and five is just right out).

In all honesty, I’m disappointed that the modes are still on rotation. I get that the rotations are part of Splatoon’s DNA, but I just wish I could play what I want, when I want to.

Re: Talking Point: What Does Your Favourite Pokémon Say About You?

Solomon_Rambling

My favorite Pokémon is MissingNo., which makes me a hipster but also means

m̶̡̧̻̯͇̩̦̑̈́͗̈͌͝ ̷̡̨̛̜̳̼͎̺̥̼̒̽̍͐̂̍̋̊͗̌͆̎͝e̶̡̘̟̞̘̰̮̣̊̔́̃͆̚̚͘͝ͅy̴̡̿̕ ̵̧̨̱̼͈̀̀̍̐͋̒͋̆͘͝b̴̢̞̞̥̯̩͈̫͙͔̈́̐̕r̸̡͕͙͙͍͔͈̠̝͓̮̎̾̍̌͋́̾̄͘͝@̵̧̧̨̹̯̼̖̌͊͛̀̀́̏͆̕̚ ̷̢̢͓̜̳̫̲̭̜̥̭̠̥̈́͂͊ͅ!̷̪̣̼̱͕͖̲͓̩̦̪̹̈́̒̎́ͅn̴̳̺̟̈́̉̈́̔̏́͂̀̎͠ ̶̦͎̎͆̃̅͆̉͝h̷͔͇̰̫̱̝̮͍͉̔ù̴̡̙͉̩̜̞̹͙̺̦̳͚̣̇̒̐̾͆͘ ̴̛̯̖̰͇̱̬͓͂́̌̋͛̒̇̉̆͗̌̕̚͜u̷̬̻̮͌̔̀̿̽̂̈́̅̓̏͆̂̌͠ų̷͍͎͎̠͚͉̲͇͈͕͉̮̐̇́̓͑̈́͜ ̶̡̨̨̱̫̗̟̩̮̭̪̼́͋̽͆̏ẽ̴̛̤̳̉̐͆͗̈́̓̀́̅̽͐̓ŗ̵̢̢̠͇̩̭͇͎̽ţ̷̜̫̟̞̜͍͕̙͛̅͋̏ͅ ̴̫̞̩̽͊̏͐̈́̈s̸̖̘̖̤͗͊͂̏̊̍̊ ̵̢̩͎̫͇͔̋̋̈́̈́̓͛͛̒̅̈̚̚͝͝

Re: Random: People Are Getting Pretty Worried About Splatoon 3

Solomon_Rambling

I personally won’t buy it unless there are a ton of changes and new elements. I don’t want Splatoon 2.5, I want Splatoon 4 Deluxe.

My list of requests include:

-New idols
-Jellyfish as playable characters
-50-hour long open-world single-player adventure
-Actual weapons sans ink, like a flail or a literal flamethrower
-The ability to eat other players
-Steam/Cyber/magic-punk aesthetic
-NFTs of my favorite outfits
-A crossover with the next Avengers movie
-An order of calamari with each physical purchase

Some may say I’m asking for too much, but I’d argue we’re insulting ourselves by not demanding more.

Re: Backlog Club: Hollow Knight Does Things That Other Games Wouldn't. That's Why It's So Good

Solomon_Rambling

The jump physics also didn't strike as that unique either. However, I do think Team Cherry implemented some fantastic aerial gymnastics with the Knight's nail and other abilities.

Hollow Knight is an incredible game which I absolutely abhorred. I finished it; I admire everything about it; and it just rubbed me the wrong way.

I'd love to see Superliminal on the backlog, but it seems Portal is winning out!

Re: Mini Metro Developer Responds To Knock-Off Release On Switch eShop

Solomon_Rambling

It’d be fascinating to do a survey of the jobs of Nintendo Life commenters. Based on the articles I’ve read, we have an ample number of lawyers, economists, politicians, and video game developers.

I’m glad Dinosaur Polo Club is aware of this and looking into next steps. I know we shouldn’t expect much else from copycat shovelware developers, but it particularly sucks when they plagiarize indie titles.