Fair addition. Bit safe though. Also what a crossover. Never appeared in prior ones but still. Similiar audience no but either way.
We won't see any Valkyria Chronciels characters any time soon. Then again to many it would be like seeing many Fire Emblem characters in Smash comparison for sure there. XD
I'm unsure about this one. I played part of the original and wow in singleplayer it sucks.
The tutorial was unplayable due to how they want you to move around at a particular part. There is a reason some games make sense as co-op and others aren't slow enough or have a pause feature or offer more singleplayer benefits. Games made with both in mind are and add benefits or are scaled for it of 1 player 2 controlled or a 'good enough' NPC to work with, but Biped 1 just had major issues. 2 may be great to see but if they don't fix some issues then what's the point.
I like puzzle games and don't mind 2 character ones for co-op or singleplayer. A few of it's ideas were pretty fair in the 1st game, to even Shrek GBA to any others I've played but even still.
1st game's pathetically bad tutorial at a point near the end of the tutorial put me off the game, even if the first few levels aren't too bad.
In terms of workflow or other factors sure. Even western/eastern animation differs. Among other factors. That I can understand differences. That is a dramatic difference for Retro no doubt.
Let alone their cancelled projects some original. Others offering ideas for IPs in directions Nintendo didn't want to see the case. Which can be awkward I can understand that.
Or what Namco US to others have struggled with to make games for regions or fit the eastern standards.
Seeing Nintendo Software Technology even with Mini Mario's versus Wave Race/1080 and such. Goodbye Project Hammer even.
In terms of copying trends versus make random ideas and not look at others. You bet I prefer the latter.
I look at old games even nowadays because of how unique thry are today and left behind ideas but still find my own ideas off of those or look at cores of.games as if oh this is foam in foamstars make moses from this and irs still distinct from Splatoon or current Foamstars. This is that.
But random ideas further of what prototyping for sure to add mechanics, level design, tone, artstyle and more perosnality.
You bet I respect the Nintendo design strategy as the western competitive scene is so boring. Its why I cared less is how generic it all is with so much less thought put into it.
Competitive sure but so boring and not compelling products.
I don't want more of thr same for 10 years I want a game I can respect or want to play not look over. Pull apart. Have subtle moments and cover up generic gameplay with graphics and themes. Boring.
Sure PS1 to PS3/360 you had platformer to racing to shooter ttends among others but so many still had gameplay ideas I respect and am buying up.
Some studios ideas get delayed like Retro to only DK/Metroid and their others put aside a lot.
Not all ideas happen of course but eben still.
Microsoft wants the next trend and I just don't care.
Playstation has their athletes and odd trwnd follow stuff it shows in their updates/DLCs for sure.
Alongside the odd their own direction. It varies.
Nintendo has random ideas and the odd trwnd ideas.
I mean Pacman 99/Tetris 99/F Zero 99/Mario 35 and more are way less costly.then other live services by anyone else.
Sony wants mwrch, blockbusters and other media cross over and Microsoft wants anything they can get.
They tried the Sony PS1 to 3 method. Didn't work.
They try and other solutions and still trying.
Nintendo has always found a new angle each time.e.
The odd repeating safe in there like Mario Bros DS to U but even still.
Each IP has value.
Mario universe with each character sub series to sport, kart, RPG and more sub series.
Not all are great but many are solid enough.
Microsoft and Sony have made accessible games and yet they seem to fit 3rd parties design or their own.
Or less gameplay and more other things.
While Sony enats to push hardware as a hardware company y that will software transition maybe more over time despite being Cloud gaming first woth OnLive 2010 they bought up for PS Now.
Remote play among other things.
The gimmicks Sony offers are fair but 1st party barely use them or those studios that did are gone now.
While Nintendo tries and nowadays the gimmicks are hit and miss feeling more for marketing then use.
The engineers try and devs go uh what do we do.woth this. Something of we can think of anything.
But they at least try.
Sony's srudios. Few have ideas the rest don't even bother.
Or have to make gamss that fit an identity while Nintendo just has gamss that fit any era, gameplay first.
They don't all.get it right but most do
The weaker hardware and business models vary but I still would rather Nintendo than the current Xbox or Playstation these days.
PS3/360 and older any day for those.
They ignored gyration (Nintendo used instead) to go with another to have Sixaxis.
Nintendo. Makes every controller different. The games have fair ideas but don't continue an IP till they can.
Even if F Zero ideas they say they can't but we k ow its IP struggle not lacking ideas.
Fair but like Switch 1 I waited till 2021 and a pre-owned source to get a Switch 1 so the only contributions to Nintendo have been physical or mostly Indie eshop game purchases.
The Switch 1 was ok, Switch 2 hasn't impressed me yet.
It's building up it's library for sure, but mouse mode has not impressed me. IR didn't impress me.
Just building up a library is not enough, for Switch 1 sure, for the Joycon splitting and account system sure, better then a Vita (not everything but some things).
Vita IP ports have been good too. Niche Nintendo IPs have been great.
But a HD handheld, it's fair but not a deal breaker for me.
A 1080p with 4K dock, doesn't appeal to me. It's fine but not a selling point.
The games are. Pikmin 4 disappointed. I will have to see how others go. I don't know about Prime 4.
Bayonetta 3 was fine. Another Code remake was eh and lost a lot of the original 2 games ideas or unique Wii menu tap out (even Doki Doki Lit Club worked around that).
Other then the AA Japanese 3rd parties or odd Indies I've just used Switch if I see a fair price on things. Otherwise PS4 instead.
Switch 2 hasn't sold me on it yet. Business practices or otherwise. PS5/Series haven't impressed me either. Game play has been boring, eh VR or Portal are disappointments, PS+ for cards I don't have PS+ so don't care.
Quick resume is cool but applies to digital only and I don't do digital on Xbox, cool features but not a selling point, so no reason for me to upgrade.
Switch 2, PS5 or Xbox Series upgrades or back compat enhancements don't interest me either. I don't care what resolution, frame rate or otherwise.
But Tate mode or vertical screen mode? Dual screen? Can we use 2 Switches for this?
Can we use our phone for this? I mean Playlink PS4 titles did this 10 years ago.
Everybody 1-2 Switch also did this with smartphones for some minigames.
Give us DS/3DS/Wii U with a suitable approach come on Nintendo.
If you offered it already with Switch 2 this would have been solved already but you haven't so we have to guess the weird way this is going to work if it is 'real' then just a rumour.
Also phones do DS/3DS emu pretty well or even Samsung phones whether the Flip, Fold or even non-those offer the 2 apps approach. IF they can offer similar to other phones by all means. I mean they did 2DS 1 screen as 2 images top and bottom. So they clearly can do Tate/vertical mode.
Are they going to do the Wii U style 2 screens side by side? If so that's fine but sometimes the inputs were better on the Gamepad.
Even then Brain Age/Training works fair on the touch screen and isn't as great for TV use other then the training/demo session (like DS did for the demo mode) with few minigames to showcase the game to someone else.
I mean if we as an audience really wanted to go there you'd have all the past Sega IPs/characters left behind, or those in past Sonic racing games too then as DLC, cough cough.
They could do anything but they won't. So many licenses to try and work around, so many Sega characters they don't bother with.
I'd love to see even their racing games have themed tracks as well as a thing.
Give us a Daytona, Sega Rally, Sega GT and more, but that won't happen. I don't expect the cars, but the track layouts or a new track but with those games artstyles I'd love to see that just to see those IPs used or covered in some way.
Sega give us a poll/survey and let us put whatever we want, filter them out and such. I loved the Square/Crystal Dynamics surveys, and would contribute as such here too.
@Suketoudara Not to my knowledge. ebooks you got on DS (100 Classic Books, I have a 3rd party one that's for Artemis Fowl even).
Blogs well they have the Nintendo website/news icon stuff.
Who knows really what they are going for. I don't know of anything that would relate to those though. But something could be related, not to what I mentioned but other things instead.
Sony offers both PS+ Premium/Deluxe and separate purchases, to me that's the best option.
Nintendo does NSO and only NSO for those.
Microsoft does Xbox back compat and whatever filters into Gamepass of OG Xbox/360 games, or EA Access 360 games.
They may use Virtual Console for anything with this, as it's a legacy branding so who knows what it's used for really instead of what we would want it to be used for instead.
This could be when mentioning them prior on the service of past brands, I mean if they felt the need to New Play Control and say past Wii/GameCube titles.
I don't know, this could mean anything to use that term/branding for things nowadays, not just the games individually on the Switch eshop like Arcade Archives or other types.
Or download instead of streaming or whatever. Or however the NSO apps work for sessions.
Fair but still waiting on the Xenoblade ones, Another Code or other 1st/2nd party related titles to get theirs.
@premko1
I'd take a hub over an open world, unless they have small diorama puzzles in the hubs/open world. I hate open worlds as most times the quests or environments or movesets of characters suck. It's why I hate most open worlds is how bland the world is to play in and the characterse are to control.
ReCore I didn't mind the hub approach and odd structures in areas or dungeons (combat or platforming).
Whether we get a region of levels, or puzzles then portals to them or whatever I think it could work, depends though. If as big as like N64/PS1 regions sure, anything bigger it's just not worth it for puzzles as they get too big, too elaborate.
Splatoon 3 cosmetics trailer showed the desert and gave me open world vibes and I wasn't sure then, but we never got it, the new Splatoon game has me unsure.
But unless it's open world with a mix of small things to do I'm not interested.
Even then Toad's moveset is limiting so unless they use the power ups enough I don't think so.
It's why BOTW/TOTK work. Is the items at the start or not (after Link Between Worlds, not played but I know it comes from there). While I found the look boring, the act of getting it was fun, just like the shrines, at least that's what I got out of the game. (I didn't play TOTK though).
Playing PSP puzzle games that are 2D/3D obstacle courses (Crush had Super Paper Mario 2D/3D mechanic, also came before it, Cube, Voodoo Dice, Mercury Meltdown, Practice Intelligence Quotient 1 and 2, Exit and more) as I call them many of their levels vary and are fun so it's why I was drawn to Splatoon for it's mechanics and platforming, or Captain Toad for similar reasons with it's dioramas and his walking and power ups direction, as well as I find the Mario universe games (even if not that big a Mario fan but enjoy some of the games) do different characters with different movesets in fun ways and makes them worth while playing not just if your a fan of the character, that other companies don't seem to get the memo on.
It's why I cared more for Sunset Overdrive or Infamous Second Son or Gravity Rush with more moveset related quests, or 'some' not many Spiderman 2018 ones (lab puzzles, rings were ok, taskmaster missions were ok, Sunset Overdrive's tower defence was better then generic outposts with waves Insomniac).
Even if the book level select did work pretty well depending on gems collected for later levels. As far as I remember in the Wii U version (unless they changed things for Switch/3DS version not just the Odyssey levels, control scheme for Switch or fixes).
@datamonkey Unfortunate for physical stores, but was better then US Club Nintendo but not as much as Japan. As far as I've seen/heard, I never used it.
It varies what they want to offer per region I guess. Where to put a physical store I guess.
Then again aren't they doing the emulation so I guess they have 'some' importance depending then just being a regional thing.
Part 2: Xbox Ally is fine but it's limited of back compat/play anywhere besides general PC or PC Gamepass side of things, while Impulse Triggers (no one talks about and are great) or quick resume are nice to have as benefits or the OS/mode for the device it's still just a branded device with Xbox features that while make a difference isn't that great. It's a fair margin of the way there though.
PS Portal even (while older so doesn't apply here) it's lack of dual screen, resolution targeting and more makes it just so basic and boring. Other then Wifi 5 (low but for a range of networks per region or per person I think is fine than those without wifi 6 or 7). But the Portal is so basic and bland the Dualsense in half is only a tiny benefit compared to a PC, a Vita or PS4 or phone, and a Vita had resolution targeting even if it was 360p/540p as much as the device could handle.
Even Switch 1 it's hit and miss of IR use cases, let alone fair wider touch screen or gyro or surround sound support in certain titles but touch/gyro varies. At least for the many Indies or odd big titles I own, so for the Indies to use them a fair amount is really great. I have folders just for touch, surround and gyro but need to update them, still a fair amount to them.
Sigh, to me it's not the case, if you wanted a more capable Switch sure, but the mouse mode isn't showing enough of it's self yet. The Switch 2 library is building so I will never judge by that. But the Switch 2 is so minor in additions, the UI is the same besides the Switch 1 getting past features as well. The Switch 2 specs are fine over the original, but I don't compare it to PC handhelds. Sure it may use comparable PC mobile/laptop parts and not iPhone/Android parts, I don't know for sure so that's why the translation layer? Or the differences in things.
The Switch 2 is 'fine' but hardly exciting or interesting. Even Switch 1 it's got fine ideas but even then I wasn't in love with it. Even besides the Tegra not in 3DS and was in Switch, sure a HD handheld after 3DS/Vita is great, but to me it's not that exciting compared to controller gimmicks/peripherals or game design choices that aren't modern era skill trees, dumb downed movesets and eh level design compared to the 2000s and older. Because besides puzzle games or some other genres, shooters, platformers, racing and even some IPs in other genres suck.
Pikmin 4 was too shop/changing it's core and it annoyed me. Some changes made sense or new modes, but otherwise eh. It varies per games what a dev chooses to do though. How far they change it, dramatic in a good way, dramatic in a bad way, the core being too awkward, it varies.
I was the Vita or Wii U not because they were failures but because even besides their potential that was or was not achieved of dual screens or other technical features I think they are great, notice how I don't mention games, to me I mean if games did more DS top/bottom screen flipping or we had 2 apps/games not 1 game/app 2 screen use, much more power needed (even Xbox One had the TV TV TV WIndows 8 app use or the picture in picture, even phones can do nowadays and move the picture around, even PS5 with Sackboy showed it off somewhat but it's a feature like cards no one probably used anyway) but besides what games 'could' do it wasn't the library of those consoles to me that was bad or NOT ACHIEVED at all, I don't care what 3rd parties didn't make it onto them, I don't care for those IPs, we got plenty of Indies that used it fairly well, not to the extent I'd like but good enough, even if DS used those ideas more just not wireless like Wii U, at least it got Reversi on Wii U at eshop end.
But the what was or 'can' be, is still there. Switch 1 or 2 isn't going that direction and won't have that potential so that's why I don't see them the same way. Vita TV/handheld or Evercade or any others sure, I don't see them getting syncing or screen matching. But Switch 2 is designed to be just an upgrade, not the 2 screen, no syncing, just same idea but mouse mode/more power, how boring. I can cast my phone to a screen with an app. Can cable my PSP, laptop, or even use a projector if I want, PDAs, Pocket PCs of the 2000s, using VGA or HDMI.
Casting via wireless is way more exciting then a dock/cable.
See that's what NO ONE wants to compare is the mobile/laptop differences a PC handheld or a Switch would have. They just go 'POWER' and I'm like but they aren't the same hardware, or parts companies or spec.
But like anyone cares. As POWER is easier to complain about.
Fair list. I'd have to disagree with RCT3 (even if older period added it to the list), while the content is good the controls are atrocious.
I think RCT Classic did a better job with controls, RCT3 I'm going to have to learn a lot more as to me it's more awkward To me it's one of the best mobile or PC controls conversions to a console even as someone who played the OG PC versions and not the mobile port. Or haven't owned the OG Xbox version of the 1st game in years.
But comparing even Theme Hospital PS1 to PC or Game of Life PS1 to PC I'd say for a modern effort RCT Classic is really good on console. The touch inputs are limited I assume compared to mobile or I just have to learn it more which is very likely a me skill issue. XD
The racing manager games I'm not too familiar with but seem cool.
Other tycoon games seem fair even if I haven't played Two Point Hospital yet but Campus I wasn't that into while Let's School I got more into why I messed up or progressed compared to Two Point Campus I'd have to restart.
Not many to any in this list I'd count as such. But whatever works for people I guess of gore, beheading/dismemberment, or dark themes or so.
Also the subtitle is not funny. 'No not those ones' but that's what I would filter it as, not any of these games at all, best added aside.
Thing is, it wouldn't be a 'best list then would it'? It would be a bunch of games most have never heard of, played or even a place like this wouldn't even review (approved by eshops wise I mean, not further out then that, I get that and I wouldn't those that far either). XD
Says a lot about 'lists' doesn't. If were counting hardcore audience games and particular angles of themes sure but to me I'd count none of these for a list like this, not for 'best' but just adult filtering angle.
I mean where is Postal? The Larry games? Or any others? Again not saying 'best'.
Most of this stuff is like really low on dark to me. Themes, blood, gore, fan service and more.
Even looking at the listings of PSN eshop games under that sort of filter many were visual novels or particular themes and to me none fit the 'hardcore' but dark themes listed here.
Not idea what Nintendo's filtering would be, not that I think it has one, maybe it does. Not checked Xbox's filter for it, if they even have one.
There are plenty of visual novels or even others of other types of games with themes, blood, fan service and more I'd think of then any of these games regardless of their themes yes fitting in a way, but they aren't the first I think of personally.
Most of these are tame, good games yes, or best, sure even if only some I care for most I don't, but take 'best' away and none of these would be listed. But you wouldn't have a 'best list' would you either? You'd have a list with games 99% have never heard of.
Fair list. Some not heard of may check out, even if only a handful I haven't even for being still new (as in getting the hang of their differences, but bought a lot of them more then I'd thought so not, NEW new) to tactics games even if dived in a few years ago.
Also no Warhammer? Sigmar and Mechanicus are good. Switch or any platform they are on. I haven't played them but and Mechanicus takes time but even still. Great tactics games.
Pikmin is so particular, that and I just see a bunch of Tactics games in this list also XD more then 'Civ or any other strategy games on here' either. Also Civ in article description but not in list? Logic on that one. XD Also I hated Pikmin 4 so to me I would never add it to the list. Too much core changes that were padded and annoyed me I had to check how 1 New Play Control or 3 played of core. Night mode was underdeveloped but fair, other additions were hit and miss but mostly misses. Also the amount of caves from 2 reused, like wow.
Steam World Heist 2 disappointed so 1 Ultimate Edition makes sense. Found it way better, regardless of enjoying it on the Wii U Gamepad map and all.
XCOM2 just put me off. Not played the first game at all so no clue how it is but 2 just wasn't for me it's too annoying to work with. While others that use the format play way better.
Tactics Ogre/Front Mission 1st just annoyed me, I respect them being re-released but that's about it. Reborn's changes are just eh even as a newcomer, 1st Remake needed a modern mode not just 'we recreated it and included all the nonsense too' that I could only take for a few missions and 2-3 regions before just not bothering. I'm willing to play a SNES game but even then many SNES era RPGs I do not want to deal with their nonsense.
There is a reason I go more for PS1/2 era of other genres or just go a bit into some of old format, but rarely. More the refined ones of those old gens (not just the re-releases).
Got into Triangle Strategy, Absolute Tactics, Fire Emblem 3 Houses and Demon's Rise (kept putting it off, it's cheap but don't know why, just did, seems ok so far learning it today) recently. Triangle Strategy is fair so far, Absolute Tactics as well, they are fine.
Disgaea 7 is ok but 1, 4 or 5 are way better. I didn't hate 6, it was different but I far from hated it it was just ok.
Also no La Pucelle? I get were focusing on new games but even still, for older ones it's great for pre-Disgaea.
Valkyria Chronicles 1 or 4 could be here really.
Mario Rabbids are both great, I prefer the 2nd game more It's ideas and movement was just better to me. It's more refined.
I haven't got into Hundred Line yet. I saw the 20% discount and went eh. I haven't even played but got physical Master Detective even. I need to focus on them.
Mutant Year Zero is fair but it and Miasma have annoying difficulty and stealth issues I got fed up with. They start fine, get ridiculous of AI, enemy levels and strategies, barely places to grind and I'm like what is the point here? To set the tone sure, playable, not even close with that design structure too far to make the player feel it's fair and tense of a situation to disempower them, they do it so badly.
Fair, I'd looked this game up randomly months/years ago, didn't know much about it. I'll take a look but not that into metroidvanias, or got a few to look into as it is. Or plenty of other games.
Plenty of other old games I care more for but it's still nice to have.
Heck even forgot I saw Enclave on eshop, then checked some Xbox Reddit post, the went to the eshop and went oh yeah I did see this prior under Ziggurat's games on the eshop.
Better hope the Joycons motion works, or any other actions.
I mean price, well they are 40 each aren't they? People getting physical that didn't get the .
They are ports too though so I mean.... unless it's that flexible to play then I don't know. They don't come with much else just the two games? They didn't have much other stuff in menus of unlockables did they I forget? If they did then it's fine, they don't need additional.
Or whatever was holding Galaxy 2 back other then 'we just wanted to leave it at 3 games not 4' as also reasoning not just controls. Many make trilogies not always tetralogies (Scholarly intent nonsense for the definition or whatever)/Quadrilogy, they can't give us that much of a deal why would they.
It still won't use the IR either will it? Has to be a cursor/gyro or buttons? So awkward tracking and no 'hold the Joycons the opposite way to mimic a Wiimote at all, ever?
2.Make a smaller scale one like Tetris 99 or F Zero 99, put a spin on it, make it cheap, do updates. It's really not that hard. As if Championship edition wasn't enough of a sign.
It looks it but my thought would be go further then just the other Pacman games for maze details. Go further with maze designs, AI, fruit, traps, minigames, etc.
3.Add more modes, add more things to each season that are dramatic enough.
That or target with a different IP instead of Pacman. They just need to try more.
That or have lower expectations then others and understand what is in your game, what your IP is and more. It's really not that hard.
Limited dev kits is understandable, they could wait.
To me it's hilarious as watching launch title videos of prior consoles, competition was different, time taking not to just use the internet for updates and games dramatically changed in 1 year after time with the consoles, but nowadays, it takes a bit to get used to the console, what devs want to push on the consoles and they want that timing to matter more then the game launching well enough.
30FPS isn't bad but it is odd, it is a 2017 game with more hardware to consider so to me it's kind of odd they have or haven't taken the time to optimise it more.
Besides the 2017 version cut the PS3, 360, Wii U (no idea if 3DS/Vita planned) so it was just PS4, Xbox One, Switch and PC to focus on, now it's I assume modern gen only? Or more platforms?
Small team or not they need to just not rush it for release and make the most of it even if 30FPS is still fine as long as it's a good 30FPS and not a rough 30DPS due to balancing out other things, or not enough balancing.
We will see, how they go about presence in Directs, acting on things of what the games will be like for the US market of consistency, changes for localization or otherwise, US marketing and more.
Her being part of the company not just someone that makes their way in, is a good sign, so she knows a lot that's happened over the years or currently in that branch/with the company, but you never know though if because they know the company they know a lot to get through with things issues or not in the company as well. Solvable or not, or to be solved or not.
I don't think we will see that much of the Wii era (forget the women's name, the one we saw at some E3s in the past with some games of the DS or Wii era on stage) or any other 'looking forward to this and that' in Directs. Or whatever else. It depends how they present themselves for sure though.
Not everyone has to be a gamer or an strong personality on stage, as long as they present things well for the business, but it is interesting to see how some who do play the odd games but can manage the business side to. Not just a gamer/good business person and sometimes some fair or tough calls.
I'm not saying families or some people around them can ruin things though for some devs, I have seen this be the case not just the publishers changing the tone of some games or the culture either. So leadership roles no idea.
She can be qualified, have kids/understand the family and other audiences Nintendo is trying to appeal to or other business decisions and more, but it very well depends on what she goes about doing action wise, mentality wise and not just what she says/how she says it.
Good luck to her though in this role. It is tough being in a leadership role like that let alone a branch one for a region.
It is tough though as like with Sega or any other companies, whether consoles or games and whatever the other region dev teams, localisation teams or marketers, many of the HQ may do some things, the other branches have to comply unless there are the odd things they can intervene or inform on before they present it to the public, but in some cases they can't do things.
Another Code Recollection was hit and miss for me.
It controls and looks like modern in a boring way, so we just have to have 3rd person because casuals are lazy and won't take anything that isn't 1st person/3rd person camera it can't be any other camera angle because reasons.
Story works, puzzles cut down from the originals and the ones it has aren't great, or not as well communicated.
The motion one in the beginning is not well done motion, it's atrociously designed. Whether handheld, 1 joycons or resetting it's so bad. I like motion controls but it's badly done. So it having motion is not my issue at all.
Let alone another one that was more normal but isn't well explained, it felt point and click like but in a very I didn't know what thing I was missing interacting with or hitting the keys right on the piano.
That or the end scene ones building up getting out of the room also was a pain. I did beat the first game and am paused at the start of the second one but the 1st one had awkward moments of gameplay.
Awkward texturing with even rocks near the boat at the beginning of the game, having not well hidden textures.
No game select, just '1st one always the start,' which is dumb. What did they think people would complain saying 'I didn't get my money's worth yet I'm too stupid to play both' yet the devs were too stupid to add a game select menu and just combined them instead.
Combined together with no way to go back to collect the prior collectibles you missed in the first game so you go back to a prior save and redo the story scenes again which is annoying.
I'm maybe interested in the next game but this remake had issues that were easy enough to fix yet didn't. I haven't checked for updates though.
@w1p3out Completely agree. You'd expect better from them.
Then again same said for any other lower budget publisher remakes Sega/Square/others don't really care enough.
How FF Tactics gets the focus (sure team sizes or devs to give them too) but the outsourcing hasn't made them that much better at all for the Panzer Dragoon/Front Mission or other remakes/remasters.
Let alone the amount they want when making them because audience expectations not just their profit expectations (they have to be big enough sellers because reasons) then making a more reasonable scale remake then outsourcing due to teams to push them to and besides their decisions/budget.
Part 2:
That or how 'close to real life' they look. People are delusional, human psychology isn't that hard to understand, same with behind the scenes media tropes/cliches/structure or how audiences respond to things, but for many it might as well be some secret, because they don't pay attention to any of it, experience and move on.
No matter how simple or with depth or 'accessible' for the worst then accessible for the better.
That or level design/puzzles for all levels not just a skip button or a 'we need to make it have none of that at all anymore'.
They are a business yes but it's HOW they do business. I don't think they need to 100% commit to customers, I'm not saying that at all. I get some angles they have to go with for things, I'm not 'think about me at all' I do look at the other sides for sure.
Even some Indies are more fan games then actual games, so I refuse to buy them.
I agree it did grow too big, I do respect it more when it was for kids/nerds. Games nowadays are skill tree or accessible dumbed down garbage, movesets are bland and stats tweak things or many moves have no value and are put behind the skill tree (Spiderman 2018 used the ground pound for 1 side mission, isn't that useful in combat and I forgot it after using it).
Progression just got worse in many games, gameplay got worse.
Cozy games have a place but lets not kid outselves and forget puzzle games or adventure games or farming games didn't existed before 8th gen.
I'm not going into story telling/other cultural things I don't care to. I focus on gameplay.
The more padding or more 'accessible' is just dull and not great. Isn't even a nostalgia/comfort thing of old games it's quality just dropped more and more over time.
Indies sure they don't always need physical and some can get to their own publisher stage (more veteran ones) or limited copy companies.
Even then seeing devs go from Indie like experiences to AAA like House Marque, it's like is this all your going to do now, make bullet hell roguelikes with story as if movie like aspects are all games can be at the end, as if that is the end goal and have to meet it. It just makes me laugh at some studios.
But like many devs, clearly they get too big, management ends up the way it is of Microsoft level bad for Forza Motorsport and people don't even know how to make the game from someone's prior code or art assets or animations.
Hello games went from ex EA staff working on Burnout to Joe Danger/No Man's Sky (yet many people weren't used to Minecraft or other even Gran Turismo like free updates in the games they focused on but did DLC or online passes or other things over time).
Ex Bioware devs that made Nightingale, somewhat worked out the model but not that well.
Or we get veterans making successors to their IPs they enjoyed making already just different budget/publisher.
@ro-kurorai It's the industry's own fault for wanting it to get bigger or not controlling it or audiences hardcore or casual buying into it.
Even if my 'poster' idea in retail stores is dumb, so are their cards, if most physical may be hardcore, some may be casuals, you see online ads, but if the rest are buying via eshops, why bother? That's what confuses me for one. XD Who are they trying to convince? What percentage of physical casuals versus hardcore physical? Besides newcomers that see via retail. Not just that they do their research/think about it for a moment like saw 1 mother go oh it's a code, put it back on the shelf, that's not everyone.
Even if we consider leaders, those that follow, those above them as well, those that spawn out, those that do anything about it, those that compete a certain way, those that mix with 3rd parties ideas, and more, across any consoles over the years (even with thinking Microsoft more with this one).
That or brand stretching each of them do as well. Expanding to others is one thing, having audiences pushed away doesn't bother them if they can appeal to others and probably badly right (just like mobile gaming of the 2010s but instead of the modern era of TV/movies/theme parks and they experience it/move on or 'expand' to gaming or not at all).
We can weigh up the costs, the production, design of such card sizes and speeds they COULD offer but don't, the SD Card Express only, the read speeds and how devs could work around it or just not compete with it (that's a thought XD), the other business aspects for sure but we all know these answers no matter how much we compare/diagnose. Or have gone over them for sure. Unless we missed some other angles.
I respect long comments whether filled with good points, getting their points or bad ones as it allows for a lot to cover not just a text message/tweet.
Let alone even MTX or even cutting things to be more drip feed or loyalty/manipulative/desperation focused.
I mean even racing game fans are so delusional no wonder they eat up the same cars or other things, while the rest of us enjoy older ones with smarter game design.
Let alone any how soap operas work wonders for their drama and things people take way too seriously of moral things or back and forth dynamics people eat up. Among other stuff you can compare and contrast too for gaming story, design, money, etc.
@LastLife Having tested it on PS5 it is interesting how it goes about things but no idea how Switch 1 would run it. Not tried it on PS4 or tested much thoroughly though.
Also to me the base game colour changes of grass per biome or general stuff is good enough, shaders are overrated of lighting of the sun/moon or the fog and more. I've never been a fan. It works but I find it just looks dumb and unnecessary but that's just me.
Even the clouds don't change they are still the blocky clouds compared to Java edition fan shaders.
So it only changes so much really of lighting and fog.
Even PS5 with a few addons it crashes, or seems like memory leaks or particular with some addons over others.
More a saving issue.
So to me no matter the render distance/simulation distance or more on Switch to limit mob counts or block updates and how the player goes about things or the game acts on it, I'm not sure how well vibrant visuals would go for the water, fog atmospheric stuff and more. It can also be a bit awkward at times to use with settings too.
At least with how Mojang treats the game with Bedrock, older Java versions with Shaders was clearly possible, my PC is average/outdated and even then Shaders were ok with the older versions I was testing it with for a mod review or general testing of some Java performance mods. I don't even use performance mods on Java anyway besides review.
Copper tools were needed but like Shulkers, took 3 updates or more because reasons.
The Zombie horse returns after being dumped in the 1.6 Horse update, Skeleton Horses are a rare spawn for commands only to I can't remember if always in the game or cut entirely. I mean they literally are recycling the Zombie horse which is fine but it also comes off as look we made this when they didn't it's the same texture. XD
Why do we have 5 zombies or skeletons, because Mojang can't think of anything else to be undead and creative angle with them.
Spears better be more then Crossbows were as to me they were just slower bows and didn't tweak the bow back to it's machine gun status so to me the crossbow is pointless.
Throwing a spear sure but otherwise the damage/relevance seems kind of pointless, what a cheaper trident then?
Mojang doesn't really tweak some things for a lot of purpose. They make small updates that have less worth (even if were all over the play prior but are less exciting in how they gave purpose to them and not just compared to mods either).
The Golems are nice but at the same time I mean, mob vote a while ago was supposed to have them. Mojang goes 'oh community engagement' but to me it's just 'lets dangle a carrot then put effort into things'.
I get sometimes they try to do things different from modders but sometimes they work really badly or have a fair use case outcome but most updates have been 'we wanted something quick for more attention' but lack substance and are random ideas shot at the wall. It's one of the most well known/played games, what more attention can you want. You make money from modders/texture artists and more on the Bedrock version but the EULA on Java isn't the case and Java creators have to host 3rd party sites for that stuff. (I'm glad they are free on Java as it would restrict people more even if there is importing of Bedrock content but they don't work on console only Windows/Mobile and not as much validation program to deal with).
Their rules never make sense.
But coming from the 'can't harm the player' = Phantoms added to punish players who don't sleep, also Thunder has existed for years. Their rules make no sense at all and never have.
Fair review, some parts I wouldn't say 'age' but it is just what they decided to keep consistent or not is hit and miss.
But it varies per person really.
Retro frustrations I think is hit and miss. They want to keep the old feel and not take too much away with a modern feel.
I mean I thought Front Mission Remake could have had a modern combat 'pick what limps to attack/defend' option but nope. So I can see reason in some things to be modern.
Not just like with racing games more arcade feel or sim feel, how the difficulty, enemies, platforming, etc. can be for lives or health or hits or gaps or so.
But i think the same with games with puzzles but they have '1 puzzle' and a hint or spoiler, rather then '4 puzzles' and offering easy to hard level range because that's too much level design and testing to offer.
That or like the old days just skillful players areas, as everything has to be accessible to players so we get boring difficulty values nowadays so the games are more boring.
Filler I mean, could be I don't know for sure. Sometimes they can be but I mean they are "OPTIONAL". If a player wants to play it all sure but that's why skilled or yes particular design was back then. Sometimes it was bad, sometimes it was achieved, it varied how they developed it back then and how players overcame it or it was yes badly designed not just to the dev's preferences and others couldn't beat it and not tweaked.
From what I remember of a review of the old one yeah the bosses aren't great. They could tweak them.
Part 2:
Just because I can look at footage and know yep that isn't appealing of gameplay, other times I can't tell a hard puzzle I may get stuck on or how tough enemies are, or bad AI, sometimes I can. Even some racing game it took me some videos to go oh that's how bad the rubber banding is when people showed replays not just the dot on the map. I could tell how bad even the very easy (lowest difficulty) AI was in Ride 4, how would I know compared to a more skilled player? Exactly.
But I couldn't the lack of audio settings in Project Cars 3, or the leveling system/event requiremnts compared to a Gran Turismo. Sure I am using games not on Switch/Nintendo platforms and racing games but it's one of the genres besides platformers/shooters I've been particular about while hack n slashes versus soulslikes or any puzzle games or tactics I'm not too bad with at times of my choices/footage to go on learning those genres. Playing/researching by learning.
No different understanding shovelware and how many can't even tell by how limited areas look, the awkward artstyles/assets and more. Yet it could be set on 1 map, 'fancy description' and people can't tell the difference yet for some of us it's really easy to tell.
Not everyone is looking at a game going I can do this, I can't that. I may but I assume most people don't and just look at what is appealing about a product by what they look for in games, give it a go and see if it clicks with them or not.
Sometimes you have to play it to understand it, many players recording/uploading their footage won't always check the menus (literally annoys me with racing games knowing what modes are in them not just oh I see the bike/car in race footage, same as I may want to know if a hack n slash or puzzle game has a campaign and side modes/challenges or just it's a campaign or set amount of levels, what settings the game has to tweak, not just audio settings, can you configure the controls to whatever buttons or do you get presets, among other things you yourself may want to check), other times you can't tell that difficulty of combat/attack damage versus the player;'s skill in the footage, that puzzle you get stuck on you may easily know or you may not till you play it and more.
@ro-kurorai I think it's not just the case of wanting physical or selling it's the refunding or the 'license' side of things, not just comfort, it's business and practices people agree with or disagree with. Also knowing what devs can do they just don't or can't either. Hence the PS/Xbox versus Switch installs or not or the Xenoblade X Wii U eshop optional downloads, even PSP/360 had optional installs.
That and expecting better from companies. Not just oh they did this, move on.
Maybe they prioritised 1st/2nd party but what about Indies, limited copy companies, not just 3rd parties. They don't need all that 64GB space/cost.
Also how much worth people put into something. They may get it for wanting to replay it (say to generally play it, to archive it, to avoid online ones, to play offline, to sell it, or a number of things). Not everyone wants to 'buy it, experience it, move on' they see more worth in it. Its' why people go 'oh I want this on DVD, I can't get it on streaming, the license isn't going to be there so might as well' or altered content or otherwise. They don't experience it to move on with like a conversation or something they didn't care that much about, a 'seen it' and give up, they care enough about it to have a copy there not a digital license.
Also hiding but not removing from an account is also a factor.
Those that only can get it digital sure they may make the choice but for those that care that bit more not just 'comfort and it always used to be physical I can't break out of it' it's not them being stubborn for the sake of it, sometimes, not always.
Some of us don't get merch, we just get the source materials/adaptations and that's it.
With bigger games & well known IPs, sure we usually can tell enough and want the game key to sell if we hate it. Not all entries will appeal to us with things they offer. So why go through digital refund policy limits when you can just sell it physical not go through a phone call, a 'you downloaded it unless it's broken we can't refund' it kind of response. It's not worth it. Not just an 'ownership' mentality. It's other factors as well. Or is for some people at least I guess.
While Sony changed their refund strategy, no idea how different it really is or Nintendo/Microsoft's current polices.
So it's also a case of not having licenses removed and company' stances when player know they can work around this they just choose not to due to leadership or saving a bit of money here and there or dev mentality about things.
Besides when many don't have demos, watching someone play it isn't clear enough what it plays like versus the story pacing, or the way missions/level design are. The things we can see/think about a game are clear, the way it feels of the controls or animations are not clear till we play a game. We can see the graphics/artstyle, whether it runs well or not, understand the dialogue/story, but we can only tell animations so much, we can tell more how it is when we actively play it as we are focusing on it more, not watching to try to understand it from a footage viewing stand point.
Animations and button presses may be slower then we think compared to footage. A number of factors.
The first one was just showing what the series is about, fair story typical of the Mario series.
But I mean Galaxy, Paper Mario, Mario and Luigi, etc. all possible for artstyle, set pieces or storylines to go with like Galaxy does of it's story or 'cinematic' feel it tried on the Wii.
The thing for me is more Illumination, I just don't like their humour, their songs, their anything it's just dull. I look at old Dreamworks movies and I go oh so while there is references it used them for old literature for Shrek or other things to parody (can't do that anymore), not just pop culture garbage Illumination has done the past few years and many have followed, some studios have good ideas but eh dialogue that makes me not want to watch them. You watch Despicable Me 1 and your like hmm this works well enough, you watch their later stuff and it's just so bad and makes me go 'oh so this is what family movies/western animation at this level is like these days'. Very different then western Youtubers doing stories based on their lives or any other stuff done like Hasbin Hotel (wasn't my thing but i respect it). I don't like a lot of western adult or even just community content humours really, the tropes/character personality also just aren't my thing to tolerate at all.
Even watching Superman 2025, I was like this is really good of an angle for a superhero movie, but it also has 'oh a selfie girl who is relevant to the plot showing the villain's plans in her own way' and other things and I just wanted to stop watching. While the angle of journalism and framing the character and all that was engaging of an angle besides the Batman Bruce Wayne reveals or Incredibles the superhero law and other types to compare.
The other superheroes (because of course they have to be there, it can be a solo movie it HAS to have others there, Krypto wasn't as great in the film as I would have hoped for either for his pet side kick) and pocket universes (a fair idea to cover in it) I could do without but they didn't bother me much.
(Shark Tale did showcase it for the worst of course yes) and the humour was fair to the situations or characters but nowadays I'm just not really that into western animated films unless it's Aardman or others with more interesting use of animation and not garbage dialogue but well used ones fit for their characters, culture and so on regardless of the themes covered in them, the world/character personalities are enough.
They have a lot of material now then they did with the live action one years ago even if with that one they could have done anything with Mario 1, 2, 3, teaches the typing (probably not yet) whatever the case.
Seeing as the first one went to download code in a box REAL quick I'm not surprised Game Key card for Switch 2 is the case. I'll take a look at the Switch 1 physical or just wait for a digital sale.
That aside I'm glad the game is 1080p on Switch one and interesting choice of 1440 x 576 as well hmm. Very interesting choices they have gone with here for resolutiuon/frame rate. The gameplay will be as good as the original I hope with some tweaks besides the personality differences.
I only played the 3rd one on PSP (console port compared to DS version's differences) never played the 1st or 2nd.
I mean if PS3/360 can do 1080p it's hilarious Switch 1 can't because of garbage many devs put in games it's hilarious. Use that CPU and RAM well not for garbage the game doesn't need regardless of it being a remake of a GameCube game.
Also for frame rate I don't mind the 30FPS but it is still weird. Cutscenes in the original were or still looked versus in engine then pre-rendered so are these?
Come on Now Productions you can do good even if I mostly know you for niche PSP puzzle games.
Don't even have the 1st one because of the quick download code in a box excuse Namco put for it so cart versions were gone quickly, glad got Klonoa 1 and 2 physical quickly but still.
Very interesting point, we do forget other regions have to go through other eshops/other things to get similar access. Due to how regions laws work or a number of factors.
A great write up on this.
At least VPNs or other accounts for other eshops/other services is accessible these days, compared to the past other then importing of course, and whatever limits there or emulating what you can also.
Was made clear to me with the 3DS in Taiwan I think it was, AKFamilyHome covered it and I was like yeah that makes sense how restricted or unlockable it was.
I mean China it was already clear with Switch or how prior things due to the video game console related state of things in the last, but you don't always know about other countries/markets with different consoles or what the norm is for them compared to the rest of the world with more access.
It's not always a case of oh we didn't get access to Virtual Boy or RPGs in European or whatever it was more we didn't get access to PS Premium and get Deluxe so no PS3 streaming kind of limited access to still some other things, but still enough of these other things type but on a different scale in other regions what they can offer to them rather then just 'this suits this region, this culture, etc.' and more other factors of why a product/service isn't accessible to those markets..
I hope not. GOW Ragnarok was inspired by Gears 5's side exploration areas, so if we get some aspects of things in Prime 4 of inspiration I mean, doesn't that defeat the point Nintendo made to Retro of 'ideas you came up with yourself by experimenting, not get inspired by others' as in to not just make pointless and safe competition but put your effort in, come up with random ideas yourselves, use your brain. Sigh.
I'll stay open minded though till I see. I haven't actually seen the trailer/have enough context but the prior footage was good of the game. I'm not dissuaded from purchasing the game because of the bike or anything, I don't have context enough for these other details yet. I'm fine with side modes/content it just varies what it is, how it's structured.
I hope Prime 4 is better, Bayonetta 3 was 'fine' but not great. Seeing as I got other games for my Switch 1 but Bayo 3/Prime 4 were my go to games for one, Pikmin 4 also disappointed with dumb core changes, glad I had plenty more i wanted a Switch 1 for as my 'wants' for the system seem to be terrible. But I will see, Prime 4 BETTER be good or else. Glad i always find many things to want a system for.
Rhythm Heaven Groove better nail it too or else.
The bike to me did not impress me. It's dumb, seems like a merch excuse then a relevant thing.
A desert reminds me of the Splatoon 3 customisation trailer in the desert made me think it would be open world or something else but it wasn't pointing that out as Splatoon 3 is just well a sequel then a more dramatic game like the new Splatoon is.
They can try things sure, but to me they tried Prime 3 being different and it was fine but also confused me at points which is weird because Metroidvanias confuse me more yet Prime 1 didn't as much (not played enough of 2).
But Other M/Prime 3 tried different things to fair degrees. So Prime 4 this way is something I guess. Or even compared to Jedi Fallen Order/others as 3D metroidvanias.
To me Pitfall Lost Expedition did a fair 3D metroidvania. I don't mind dramatic changes but they don't always work either. It varies on pacing, moveset/enemies/puzzles, what you do in the game's core among other things.
Thanks Nintendo Life for the amazing article. Respect your work on these.
The state of idiot commentors do your research it was 1995 3D, years after Famcom alka NES 3D that wasn't paper glasses but like PS3, 360 3D TV stereoscopic.
I wasn't even born yet so you bet I do my research because I have frwe time and a brain to use the internfor what it was made for on any subject.
So I would look up thr Xavix Port before Wii Spdots console vy Ex Nintendo employees or on every niche or failed console/handheld, computer tech, controller, gimmicks, peripherals and so on over the course of a few weeks ro months because its piss easy to use Wikipedia, a youtuber or articles, console PC cars slot in (PC RX, 3DO) all 20+ or worse many because I use my brain to use the internet. Unlike the rest of the world.
Irs why game design is so easy for me to understand and hardware gimmicks not I want performance, next IP of.this ans rhat and nostalgia in a bubble. I don't eat up boring game consoles or.gaming. I refuse to fund garbage.
So you bet a console like Switch 1, 2, Wii U doesn't have it. 3DS fan emulation does a fair job of VB. Nintendo never did till now for their own reasons of audience, hardware flexibility and so on small library I guess.
I mean your not paying $1000s or digging up prototypes of VB games are you hardcore audience? So be happy Jack Bros or others are there its expensive.
I don't like NSO either but the peripheral NEEDS TO BE THERE. It's 3D, Switch 2 doesn't have 3D screens, it doesn't have the screen flipping mirrors how the original worked.
How else do you expect it to work? Magic?
It wasn't just red/black pixels or wire frame it was 3D like glasses but not the cheap ones.
It was like having the TV in the headset. But both thr glases/TV inside.
Complain all you want but do research, 100s of youtubers have and point out the games and their good/bad/no 3D or 3D benefits.
They spent their own money doing this for an audience interested in the niche things over the years of.gaming. I respect them for it.
If you want a VB Wario land you got that with Mutant Mudds or Yoshis Crafted World already of back and forth jumping..
But don't treat it likr a theme park ride because your lazy and eat up fads.
I swear it's not hard being into failed consoles and doing a Google search that takes 2 seconds, collectors and historian youtubers DO ALL THIS WORK FOR YOU AND WITH HOW EXPENSIVE OR RARE THEY ARE, something 99% of the world is too.dumb to do it seems in 2 seconds, and are too busy with their lives (understandable) or watching cat videos or other crap, read a wiki or watch 20 minute videos on them.
Because people go oh 3D or oh its dumb and have the intelligence of a 5 year old when it's out of their comfort zone of a TV remote aka a regular controller.
How are hardcore somehow as childish as casuals.
This is why I respect good collectors (not resellers or hold onto things themselves types) and historians and ignore idiots with their heads buried in the sand.
Comments 728
Re: Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Is Getting Another Free Guest Character Next Week
Fair addition. Bit safe though. Also what a crossover. Never appeared in prior ones but still. Similiar audience no but either way.
We won't see any Valkyria Chronciels characters any time soon. Then again to many it would be like seeing many Fire Emblem characters in Smash comparison for sure there. XD
Re: Nintendo Expands Switch 2's GameCube Library Today With A Spooky Classic
Fair to add. Still waiting on Geist, let alone Eternal Darkness.
Or any other particular GameCube games.
Re: Biped 2 Waddles Onto Switch Next Month With Even More Nintendo-Style Co-Op Chaos
I'm unsure about this one. I played part of the original and wow in singleplayer it sucks.
The tutorial was unplayable due to how they want you to move around at a particular part. There is a reason some games make sense as co-op and others aren't slow enough or have a pause feature or offer more singleplayer benefits. Games made with both in mind are and add benefits or are scaled for it of 1 player 2 controlled or a 'good enough' NPC to work with, but Biped 1 just had major issues. 2 may be great to see but if they don't fix some issues then what's the point.
I like puzzle games and don't mind 2 character ones for co-op or singleplayer. A few of it's ideas were pretty fair in the 1st game, to even Shrek GBA to any others I've played but even still.
1st game's pathetically bad tutorial at a point near the end of the tutorial put me off the game, even if the first few levels aren't too bad.
Re: Back Page: I Was The Louvre Heist Thief, But I Was Just Trying To Steal Their 3DSes
Very enjoyable and convincing back page goof. April Fools came late but it's still good.
Re: "We Couldn't Find Common Ground" - Nintendo Producer Explains The Tensions That Forged Metroid Prime
In terms of workflow or other factors sure. Even western/eastern animation differs. Among other factors. That I can understand differences. That is a dramatic difference for Retro no doubt.
Let alone their cancelled projects some original. Others offering ideas for IPs in directions Nintendo didn't want to see the case. Which can be awkward I can understand that.
Or what Namco US to others have struggled with to make games for regions or fit the eastern standards.
Seeing Nintendo Software Technology even with Mini Mario's versus Wave Race/1080 and such. Goodbye Project Hammer even.
In terms of copying trends versus make random ideas and not look at others. You bet I prefer the latter.
I look at old games even nowadays because of how unique thry are today and left behind ideas but still find my own ideas off of those or look at cores of.games as if oh this is foam in foamstars make moses from this and irs still distinct from Splatoon or current Foamstars. This is that.
But random ideas further of what prototyping for sure to add mechanics, level design, tone, artstyle and more perosnality.
You bet I respect the Nintendo design strategy as the western competitive scene is so boring. Its why I cared less is how generic it all is with so much less thought put into it.
Competitive sure but so boring and not compelling products.
I don't want more of thr same for 10 years I want a game I can respect or want to play not look over. Pull apart. Have subtle moments and cover up generic gameplay with graphics and themes. Boring.
Sure PS1 to PS3/360 you had platformer to racing to shooter ttends among others but so many still had gameplay ideas I respect and am buying up.
Nowadays not even close they are so.boring.
Re: "Go Tell Nintendo" - Ex-Blizzard President Responds After Xbox Calls Exclusives "Antiquated"
Well Nintendo focuses on gameplay and audiences.
Some studios ideas get delayed like Retro to only DK/Metroid and their others put aside a lot.
Not all ideas happen of course but eben still.
Microsoft wants the next trend and I just don't care.
Playstation has their athletes and odd trwnd follow stuff it shows in their updates/DLCs for sure.
Alongside the odd their own direction. It varies.
Nintendo has random ideas and the odd trwnd ideas.
I mean Pacman 99/Tetris 99/F Zero 99/Mario 35 and more are way less costly.then other live services by anyone else.
Sony wants mwrch, blockbusters and other media cross over and Microsoft wants anything they can get.
They tried the Sony PS1 to 3 method. Didn't work.
They try and other solutions and still trying.
Nintendo has always found a new angle each time.e.
The odd repeating safe in there like Mario Bros DS to U but even still.
Each IP has value.
Mario universe with each character sub series to sport, kart, RPG and more sub series.
Not all are great but many are solid enough.
Microsoft and Sony have made accessible games and yet they seem to fit 3rd parties design or their own.
Or less gameplay and more other things.
While Sony enats to push hardware as a hardware company y that will software transition maybe more over time despite being Cloud gaming first woth OnLive 2010 they bought up for PS Now.
Remote play among other things.
The gimmicks Sony offers are fair but 1st party barely use them or those studios that did are gone now.
While Nintendo tries and nowadays the gimmicks are hit and miss feeling more for marketing then use.
The engineers try and devs go uh what do we do.woth this. Something of we can think of anything.
But they at least try.
Sony's srudios. Few have ideas the rest don't even bother.
Or have to make gamss that fit an identity while Nintendo just has gamss that fit any era, gameplay first.
They don't all.get it right but most do
The weaker hardware and business models vary but I still would rather Nintendo than the current Xbox or Playstation these days.
PS3/360 and older any day for those.
They ignored gyration (Nintendo used instead) to go with another to have Sixaxis.
Nintendo. Makes every controller different. The games have fair ideas but don't continue an IP till they can.
Even if F Zero ideas they say they can't but we k ow its IP struggle not lacking ideas.
Re: Nintendo Reportedly Increases Switch 2 Production To 25 Million Units For Year 1
Fair but like Switch 1 I waited till 2021 and a pre-owned source to get a Switch 1 so the only contributions to Nintendo have been physical or mostly Indie eshop game purchases.
The Switch 1 was ok, Switch 2 hasn't impressed me yet.
It's building up it's library for sure, but mouse mode has not impressed me. IR didn't impress me.
Just building up a library is not enough, for Switch 1 sure, for the Joycon splitting and account system sure, better then a Vita (not everything but some things).
Vita IP ports have been good too. Niche Nintendo IPs have been great.
But a HD handheld, it's fair but not a deal breaker for me.
A 1080p with 4K dock, doesn't appeal to me. It's fine but not a selling point.
The games are. Pikmin 4 disappointed. I will have to see how others go. I don't know about Prime 4.
Bayonetta 3 was fine. Another Code remake was eh and lost a lot of the original 2 games ideas or unique Wii menu tap out (even Doki Doki Lit Club worked around that).
Other then the AA Japanese 3rd parties or odd Indies I've just used Switch if I see a fair price on things. Otherwise PS4 instead.
Switch 2 hasn't sold me on it yet. Business practices or otherwise. PS5/Series haven't impressed me either. Game play has been boring, eh VR or Portal are disappointments, PS+ for cards I don't have PS+ so don't care.
Quick resume is cool but applies to digital only and I don't do digital on Xbox, cool features but not a selling point, so no reason for me to upgrade.
Switch 2, PS5 or Xbox Series upgrades or back compat enhancements don't interest me either. I don't care what resolution, frame rate or otherwise.
Some games maybe, but 99% of the time I don't.
Re: Ask Iwata Is Getting A Paperback Release In Summer 2026
Paperback run. I got the hard copy version months ago. A new print run I assume more so too.
I already got a copy last year or months ago this year.
I am a few chapters in and it's great but got distracted by many manga I'm reading.
Re: Rumour: Nintendo Patent Supposedly Points To Return Of DS Games
But Tate mode or vertical screen mode? Dual screen? Can we use 2 Switches for this?
Can we use our phone for this? I mean Playlink PS4 titles did this 10 years ago.
Everybody 1-2 Switch also did this with smartphones for some minigames.
Give us DS/3DS/Wii U with a suitable approach come on Nintendo.
If you offered it already with Switch 2 this would have been solved already but you haven't so we have to guess the weird way this is going to work if it is 'real' then just a rumour.
Also phones do DS/3DS emu pretty well or even Samsung phones whether the Flip, Fold or even non-those offer the 2 apps approach. IF they can offer similar to other phones by all means. I mean they did 2DS 1 screen as 2 images top and bottom. So they clearly can do Tate/vertical mode.
Are they going to do the Wii U style 2 screens side by side? If so that's fine but sometimes the inputs were better on the Gamepad.
Even then Brain Age/Training works fair on the touch screen and isn't as great for TV use other then the training/demo session (like DS did for the demo mode) with few minigames to showcase the game to someone else.
Re: Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Team Open To More DLC: "Tell Us What You Want"
I mean if we as an audience really wanted to go there you'd have all the past Sega IPs/characters left behind, or those in past Sonic racing games too then as DLC, cough cough.
They could do anything but they won't. So many licenses to try and work around, so many Sega characters they don't bother with.
I'd love to see even their racing games have themed tracks as well as a thing.
Give us a Daytona, Sega Rally, Sega GT and more, but that won't happen. I don't expect the cars, but the track layouts or a new track but with those games artstyles I'd love to see that just to see those IPs used or covered in some way.
Sega give us a poll/survey and let us put whatever we want, filter them out and such. I loved the Square/Crystal Dynamics surveys, and would contribute as such here too.
This drip fed approach is just dumb.
Re: Nintendo's Trademarking 'Virtual Console' Again, But Don't Get Your Hopes Up
@Suketoudara Not to my knowledge. ebooks you got on DS (100 Classic Books, I have a 3rd party one that's for Artemis Fowl even).
Blogs well they have the Nintendo website/news icon stuff.
Who knows really what they are going for. I don't know of anything that would relate to those though. But something could be related, not to what I mentioned but other things instead.
Re: Nintendo's Trademarking 'Virtual Console' Again, But Don't Get Your Hopes Up
Sony offers both PS+ Premium/Deluxe and separate purchases, to me that's the best option.
Nintendo does NSO and only NSO for those.
Microsoft does Xbox back compat and whatever filters into Gamepass of OG Xbox/360 games, or EA Access 360 games.
They may use Virtual Console for anything with this, as it's a legacy branding so who knows what it's used for really instead of what we would want it to be used for instead.
This could be when mentioning them prior on the service of past brands, I mean if they felt the need to New Play Control and say past Wii/GameCube titles.
I don't know, this could mean anything to use that term/branding for things nowadays, not just the games individually on the Switch eshop like Arcade Archives or other types.
Or download instead of streaming or whatever. Or however the NSO apps work for sessions.
Re: Wolfenstein II Gets A New Physical Edition For Switch Full Of Tat
Fair, the USB floppy disk while cool what's it for? Just a USB? Or like the OST Xenoblade did but limited space on it?
Or is it blank and like the Ace Combat Assault Horizon notebook you can just do whatever with it as it's empty but just a cool cosmetic thing?
Of course Switch 2 upgrade comes to mind but that aside fair other stuff to offer I guess even if a bit late on doing so.
Re: Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker Receives A Small Update (Version 1.4.1)
Fair but still waiting on the Xenoblade ones, Another Code or other 1st/2nd party related titles to get theirs.
@premko1
I'd take a hub over an open world, unless they have small diorama puzzles in the hubs/open world. I hate open worlds as most times the quests or environments or movesets of characters suck. It's why I hate most open worlds is how bland the world is to play in and the characterse are to control.
ReCore I didn't mind the hub approach and odd structures in areas or dungeons (combat or platforming).
Whether we get a region of levels, or puzzles then portals to them or whatever I think it could work, depends though. If as big as like N64/PS1 regions sure, anything bigger it's just not worth it for puzzles as they get too big, too elaborate.
Splatoon 3 cosmetics trailer showed the desert and gave me open world vibes and I wasn't sure then, but we never got it, the new Splatoon game has me unsure.
But unless it's open world with a mix of small things to do I'm not interested.
Even then Toad's moveset is limiting so unless they use the power ups enough I don't think so.
It's why BOTW/TOTK work. Is the items at the start or not (after Link Between Worlds, not played but I know it comes from there). While I found the look boring, the act of getting it was fun, just like the shrines, at least that's what I got out of the game. (I didn't play TOTK though).
Playing PSP puzzle games that are 2D/3D obstacle courses (Crush had Super Paper Mario 2D/3D mechanic, also came before it, Cube, Voodoo Dice, Mercury Meltdown, Practice Intelligence Quotient 1 and 2, Exit and more) as I call them many of their levels vary and are fun so it's why I was drawn to Splatoon for it's mechanics and platforming, or Captain Toad for similar reasons with it's dioramas and his walking and power ups direction, as well as I find the Mario universe games (even if not that big a Mario fan but enjoy some of the games) do different characters with different movesets in fun ways and makes them worth while playing not just if your a fan of the character, that other companies don't seem to get the memo on.
It's why I cared more for Sunset Overdrive or Infamous Second Son or Gravity Rush with more moveset related quests, or 'some' not many Spiderman 2018 ones (lab puzzles, rings were ok, taskmaster missions were ok, Sunset Overdrive's tower defence was better then generic outposts with waves Insomniac).
Even if the book level select did work pretty well depending on gems collected for later levels. As far as I remember in the Wii U version (unless they changed things for Switch/3DS version not just the Odyssey levels, control scheme for Switch or fixes).
Re: Nintendo Is Opening Its Fourth Store In Japan This Year
@datamonkey Unfortunate for physical stores, but was better then US Club Nintendo but not as much as Japan. As far as I've seen/heard, I never used it.
It varies what they want to offer per region I guess. Where to put a physical store I guess.
Then again aren't they doing the emulation so I guess they have 'some' importance depending then just being a regional thing.
Re: Switch 2 Named One Of The Best 'Entertainment & Gaming' Inventions Of 2025
Part 2:
Xbox Ally is fine but it's limited of back compat/play anywhere besides general PC or PC Gamepass side of things, while Impulse Triggers (no one talks about and are great) or quick resume are nice to have as benefits or the OS/mode for the device it's still just a branded device with Xbox features that while make a difference isn't that great. It's a fair margin of the way there though.
PS Portal even (while older so doesn't apply here) it's lack of dual screen, resolution targeting and more makes it just so basic and boring. Other then Wifi 5 (low but for a range of networks per region or per person I think is fine than those without wifi 6 or 7). But the Portal is so basic and bland the Dualsense in half is only a tiny benefit compared to a PC, a Vita or PS4 or phone, and a Vita had resolution targeting even if it was 360p/540p as much as the device could handle.
Even Switch 1 it's hit and miss of IR use cases, let alone fair wider touch screen or gyro or surround sound support in certain titles but touch/gyro varies. At least for the many Indies or odd big titles I own, so for the Indies to use them a fair amount is really great. I have folders just for touch, surround and gyro but need to update them, still a fair amount to them.
Re: Switch 2 Named One Of The Best 'Entertainment & Gaming' Inventions Of 2025
Sigh, to me it's not the case, if you wanted a more capable Switch sure, but the mouse mode isn't showing enough of it's self yet. The Switch 2 library is building so I will never judge by that. But the Switch 2 is so minor in additions, the UI is the same besides the Switch 1 getting past features as well. The Switch 2 specs are fine over the original, but I don't compare it to PC handhelds. Sure it may use comparable PC mobile/laptop parts and not iPhone/Android parts, I don't know for sure so that's why the translation layer? Or the differences in things.
The Switch 2 is 'fine' but hardly exciting or interesting. Even Switch 1 it's got fine ideas but even then I wasn't in love with it. Even besides the Tegra not in 3DS and was in Switch, sure a HD handheld after 3DS/Vita is great, but to me it's not that exciting compared to controller gimmicks/peripherals or game design choices that aren't modern era skill trees, dumb downed movesets and eh level design compared to the 2000s and older. Because besides puzzle games or some other genres, shooters, platformers, racing and even some IPs in other genres suck.
Pikmin 4 was too shop/changing it's core and it annoyed me. Some changes made sense or new modes, but otherwise eh. It varies per games what a dev chooses to do though. How far they change it, dramatic in a good way, dramatic in a bad way, the core being too awkward, it varies.
I was the Vita or Wii U not because they were failures but because even besides their potential that was or was not achieved of dual screens or other technical features I think they are great, notice how I don't mention games, to me I mean if games did more DS top/bottom screen flipping or we had 2 apps/games not 1 game/app 2 screen use, much more power needed (even Xbox One had the TV TV TV WIndows 8 app use or the picture in picture, even phones can do nowadays and move the picture around, even PS5 with Sackboy showed it off somewhat but it's a feature like cards no one probably used anyway) but besides what games 'could' do it wasn't the library of those consoles to me that was bad or NOT ACHIEVED at all, I don't care what 3rd parties didn't make it onto them, I don't care for those IPs, we got plenty of Indies that used it fairly well, not to the extent I'd like but good enough, even if DS used those ideas more just not wireless like Wii U, at least it got Reversi on Wii U at eshop end.
But the what was or 'can' be, is still there. Switch 1 or 2 isn't going that direction and won't have that potential so that's why I don't see them the same way. Vita TV/handheld or Evercade or any others sure, I don't see them getting syncing or screen matching. But Switch 2 is designed to be just an upgrade, not the 2 screen, no syncing, just same idea but mouse mode/more power, how boring. I can cast my phone to a screen with an app. Can cable my PSP, laptop, or even use a projector if I want, PDAs, Pocket PCs of the 2000s, using VGA or HDMI.
Casting via wireless is way more exciting then a dock/cable.
See that's what NO ONE wants to compare is the mobile/laptop differences a PC handheld or a Switch would have. They just go 'POWER' and I'm like but they aren't the same hardware, or parts companies or spec.
But like anyone cares. As POWER is easier to complain about.
Re: Best Nintendo Switch Management And Tycoon Games
Fair list. I'd have to disagree with RCT3 (even if older period added it to the list), while the content is good the controls are atrocious.
I think RCT Classic did a better job with controls, RCT3 I'm going to have to learn a lot more as to me it's more awkward To me it's one of the best mobile or PC controls conversions to a console even as someone who played the OG PC versions and not the mobile port. Or haven't owned the OG Xbox version of the 1st game in years.
But comparing even Theme Hospital PS1 to PC or Game of Life PS1 to PC I'd say for a modern effort RCT Classic is really good on console. The touch inputs are limited I assume compared to mobile or I just have to learn it more which is very likely a me skill issue. XD
The racing manager games I'm not too familiar with but seem cool.
Other tycoon games seem fair even if I haven't played Two Point Hospital yet but Campus I wasn't that into while Let's School I got more into why I messed up or progressed compared to Two Point Campus I'd have to restart.
Re: Best Nintendo Switch Strategy Games
@dartmonkey Thank you very much I didn't see the management and tycoon section from the list, thanks for redirecting me to it.
Re: Review: BALL x PIT (Switch) - Ballsy, Beautifully Balanced, Mercilessly Addictive
It's no Odama or Cosmic Smash but it's fair for what it is.
I think I've seen a similar game on Switch eshop that's bowling like this but a bit more to it/arcadey.
But this one seems to have a bit more to it.
Re: Best 18+ Switch Games For Adults
Not many to any in this list I'd count as such. But whatever works for people I guess of gore, beheading/dismemberment, or dark themes or so.
Also the subtitle is not funny. 'No not those ones' but that's what I would filter it as, not any of these games at all, best added aside.
Thing is, it wouldn't be a 'best list then would it'? It would be a bunch of games most have never heard of, played or even a place like this wouldn't even review (approved by eshops wise I mean, not further out then that, I get that and I wouldn't those that far either). XD
Says a lot about 'lists' doesn't. If were counting hardcore audience games and particular angles of themes sure but to me I'd count none of these for a list like this, not for 'best' but just adult filtering angle.
I mean where is Postal? The Larry games? Or any others? Again not saying 'best'.
Most of this stuff is like really low on dark to me. Themes, blood, gore, fan service and more.
Even looking at the listings of PSN eshop games under that sort of filter many were visual novels or particular themes and to me none fit the 'hardcore' but dark themes listed here.
Not idea what Nintendo's filtering would be, not that I think it has one, maybe it does. Not checked Xbox's filter for it, if they even have one.
There are plenty of visual novels or even others of other types of games with themes, blood, fan service and more I'd think of then any of these games regardless of their themes yes fitting in a way, but they aren't the first I think of personally.
Most of these are tame, good games yes, or best, sure even if only some I care for most I don't, but take 'best' away and none of these would be listed. But you wouldn't have a 'best list' would you either? You'd have a list with games 99% have never heard of.
Re: Best Nintendo Switch Strategy Games
Is there a city builder/theme park builder? Tycoon or so list at all @NintendoLife ?
Do they fit under simulation? Or cozy? Life and Farm Sim? Or something else?
Re: Best Nintendo Switch Strategy Games
Fair list. Some not heard of may check out, even if only a handful I haven't even for being still new (as in getting the hang of their differences, but bought a lot of them more then I'd thought so not, NEW new) to tactics games even if dived in a few years ago.
Also no Warhammer? Sigmar and Mechanicus are good. Switch or any platform they are on. I haven't played them but and Mechanicus takes time but even still. Great tactics games.
Pikmin is so particular, that and I just see a bunch of Tactics games in this list also XD more then 'Civ or any other strategy games on here' either. Also Civ in article description but not in list? Logic on that one. XD Also I hated Pikmin 4 so to me I would never add it to the list. Too much core changes that were padded and annoyed me I had to check how 1 New Play Control or 3 played of core. Night mode was underdeveloped but fair, other additions were hit and miss but mostly misses. Also the amount of caves from 2 reused, like wow.
Steam World Heist 2 disappointed so 1 Ultimate Edition makes sense. Found it way better, regardless of enjoying it on the Wii U Gamepad map and all.
XCOM2 just put me off. Not played the first game at all so no clue how it is but 2 just wasn't for me it's too annoying to work with. While others that use the format play way better.
Tactics Ogre/Front Mission 1st just annoyed me, I respect them being re-released but that's about it. Reborn's changes are just eh even as a newcomer, 1st Remake needed a modern mode not just 'we recreated it and included all the nonsense too' that I could only take for a few missions and 2-3 regions before just not bothering. I'm willing to play a SNES game but even then many SNES era RPGs I do not want to deal with their nonsense.
There is a reason I go more for PS1/2 era of other genres or just go a bit into some of old format, but rarely. More the refined ones of those old gens (not just the re-releases).
Got into Triangle Strategy, Absolute Tactics, Fire Emblem 3 Houses and Demon's Rise (kept putting it off, it's cheap but don't know why, just did, seems ok so far learning it today) recently. Triangle Strategy is fair so far, Absolute Tactics as well, they are fine.
Disgaea 7 is ok but 1, 4 or 5 are way better. I didn't hate 6, it was different but I far from hated it it was just ok.
Also no La Pucelle? I get were focusing on new games but even still, for older ones it's great for pre-Disgaea.
Valkyria Chronicles 1 or 4 could be here really.
Mario Rabbids are both great, I prefer the 2nd game more It's ideas and movement was just better to me. It's more refined.
I haven't got into Hundred Line yet. I saw the 20% discount and went eh. I haven't even played but got physical Master Detective even. I need to focus on them.
Mutant Year Zero is fair but it and Miasma have annoying difficulty and stealth issues I got fed up with. They start fine, get ridiculous of AI, enemy levels and strategies, barely places to grind and I'm like what is the point here? To set the tone sure, playable, not even close with that design structure too far to make the player feel it's fair and tense of a situation to disempower them, they do it so badly.
Re: Nintendo Expands Switch Online's SNES Library With Three More Titles
Fair line up. They better not add all the Bubsy games though or it will make the other redundant. Rewinds in all, other tweaks, etc.
Re: 'Scurge: Hive' Spreads Its Isometric, Metroid-y Retro Virus To Switch This Week
Fair, I'd looked this game up randomly months/years ago, didn't know much about it. I'll take a look but not that into metroidvanias, or got a few to look into as it is. Or plenty of other games.
Plenty of other old games I care more for but it's still nice to have.
Heck even forgot I saw Enclave on eshop, then checked some Xbox Reddit post, the went to the eshop and went oh yeah I did see this prior under Ziggurat's games on the eshop.
Re: Everybody's Golf Hot Shots Has Been Updated For Switch, Here Are The Full Patch Notes
@romanista How much golf games going to list? Can't forget outlaw golf. XD
Whatever big golf games I guess. Too many bad ones out there too.
Re: Everybody's Golf Hot Shots Has Been Updated For Switch, Here Are The Full Patch Notes
Fair I'll have to look at the updates. Been busy with other games.
Re: Round Up: The Reviews Are In For Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 On Switch
Better hope the Joycons motion works, or any other actions.
I mean price, well they are 40 each aren't they? People getting physical that didn't get the .
They are ports too though so I mean.... unless it's that flexible to play then I don't know. They don't come with much else just the two games? They didn't have much other stuff in menus of unlockables did they I forget? If they did then it's fine, they don't need additional.
Or whatever was holding Galaxy 2 back other then 'we just wanted to leave it at 3 games not 4' as also reasoning not just controls. Many make trilogies not always tetralogies (Scholarly intent nonsense for the definition or whatever)/Quadrilogy, they can't give us that much of a deal why would they.
It still won't use the IR either will it? Has to be a cursor/gyro or buttons? So awkward tracking and no 'hold the Joycons the opposite way to mimic a Wiimote at all, ever?
Re: Game-Key Cards A "Sales Strategy Decision", Says Resident Evil Requiem Director
@ro-kurorai No problem
Re: Bandai Namco Is Shutting Down Another Pac-Man Battle Royale Game On Switch
It's always weird to see things like this.
1.Offline singleplayer
2.Make a smaller scale one like Tetris 99 or F Zero 99, put a spin on it, make it cheap, do updates. It's really not that hard. As if Championship edition wasn't enough of a sign.
It looks it but my thought would be go further then just the other Pacman games for maze details. Go further with maze designs, AI, fruit, traps, minigames, etc.
3.Add more modes, add more things to each season that are dramatic enough.
That or target with a different IP instead of Pacman. They just need to try more.
That or have lower expectations then others and understand what is in your game, what your IP is and more. It's really not that hard.
Re: Yooka-Replaylee Runs At 30fps On Switch 2, Team Investigating Performance Mode
Limited dev kits is understandable, they could wait.
To me it's hilarious as watching launch title videos of prior consoles, competition was different, time taking not to just use the internet for updates and games dramatically changed in 1 year after time with the consoles, but nowadays, it takes a bit to get used to the console, what devs want to push on the consoles and they want that timing to matter more then the game launching well enough.
30FPS isn't bad but it is odd, it is a 2017 game with more hardware to consider so to me it's kind of odd they have or haven't taken the time to optimise it more.
Besides the 2017 version cut the PS3, 360, Wii U (no idea if 3DS/Vita planned) so it was just PS4, Xbox One, Switch and PC to focus on, now it's I assume modern gen only? Or more platforms?
Small team or not they need to just not rush it for release and make the most of it even if 30FPS is still fine as long as it's a good 30FPS and not a rough 30DPS due to balancing out other things, or not enough balancing.
Re: Feature: Who Is Devon Pritchard? - Meet The Next NOA President Stepping Into Bowser's Boots
We will see, how they go about presence in Directs, acting on things of what the games will be like for the US market of consistency, changes for localization or otherwise, US marketing and more.
Her being part of the company not just someone that makes their way in, is a good sign, so she knows a lot that's happened over the years or currently in that branch/with the company, but you never know though if because they know the company they know a lot to get through with things issues or not in the company as well. Solvable or not, or to be solved or not.
I don't think we will see that much of the Wii era (forget the women's name, the one we saw at some E3s in the past with some games of the DS or Wii era on stage) or any other 'looking forward to this and that' in Directs. Or whatever else. It depends how they present themselves for sure though.
Not everyone has to be a gamer or an strong personality on stage, as long as they present things well for the business, but it is interesting to see how some who do play the odd games but can manage the business side to. Not just a gamer/good business person and sometimes some fair or tough calls.
I'm not saying families or some people around them can ruin things though for some devs, I have seen this be the case not just the publishers changing the tone of some games or the culture either. So leadership roles no idea.
She can be qualified, have kids/understand the family and other audiences Nintendo is trying to appeal to or other business decisions and more, but it very well depends on what she goes about doing action wise, mentality wise and not just what she says/how she says it.
Good luck to her though in this role. It is tough being in a leadership role like that let alone a branch one for a region.
It is tough though as like with Sega or any other companies, whether consoles or games and whatever the other region dev teams, localisation teams or marketers, many of the HQ may do some things, the other branches have to comply unless there are the odd things they can intervene or inform on before they present it to the public, but in some cases they can't do things.
Re: Arc System Works Announces Its New Interactive Adventure For Switch
Another Code Recollection was hit and miss for me.
It controls and looks like modern in a boring way, so we just have to have 3rd person because casuals are lazy and won't take anything that isn't 1st person/3rd person camera it can't be any other camera angle because reasons.
Story works, puzzles cut down from the originals and the ones it has aren't great, or not as well communicated.
The motion one in the beginning is not well done motion, it's atrociously designed. Whether handheld, 1 joycons or resetting it's so bad. I like motion controls but it's badly done. So it having motion is not my issue at all.
Let alone another one that was more normal but isn't well explained, it felt point and click like but in a very I didn't know what thing I was missing interacting with or hitting the keys right on the piano.
That or the end scene ones building up getting out of the room also was a pain. I did beat the first game and am paused at the start of the second one but the 1st one had awkward moments of gameplay.
Awkward texturing with even rocks near the boat at the beginning of the game, having not well hidden textures.
No game select, just '1st one always the start,' which is dumb. What did they think people would complain saying 'I didn't get my money's worth yet I'm too stupid to play both' yet the devs were too stupid to add a game select menu and just combined them instead.
Combined together with no way to go back to collect the prior collectibles you missed in the first game so you go back to a prior save and redo the story scenes again which is annoying.
I'm maybe interested in the next game but this remake had issues that were easy enough to fix yet didn't. I haven't checked for updates though.
Re: Panzer Dragoon Zwei: Remake Finally Shows Off Gameplay, Seven Years After Reveal
@w1p3out Completely agree. You'd expect better from them.
Then again same said for any other lower budget publisher remakes Sega/Square/others don't really care enough.
How FF Tactics gets the focus (sure team sizes or devs to give them too) but the outsourcing hasn't made them that much better at all for the Panzer Dragoon/Front Mission or other remakes/remasters.
Let alone the amount they want when making them because audience expectations not just their profit expectations (they have to be big enough sellers because reasons) then making a more reasonable scale remake then outsourcing due to teams to push them to and besides their decisions/budget.
Re: Game-Key Cards A "Sales Strategy Decision", Says Resident Evil Requiem Director
Part 2:
That or how 'close to real life' they look. People are delusional, human psychology isn't that hard to understand, same with behind the scenes media tropes/cliches/structure or how audiences respond to things, but for many it might as well be some secret, because they don't pay attention to any of it, experience and move on.
No matter how simple or with depth or 'accessible' for the worst then accessible for the better.
That or level design/puzzles for all levels not just a skip button or a 'we need to make it have none of that at all anymore'.
They are a business yes but it's HOW they do business. I don't think they need to 100% commit to customers, I'm not saying that at all. I get some angles they have to go with for things, I'm not 'think about me at all' I do look at the other sides for sure.
Even some Indies are more fan games then actual games, so I refuse to buy them.
I agree it did grow too big, I do respect it more when it was for kids/nerds. Games nowadays are skill tree or accessible dumbed down garbage, movesets are bland and stats tweak things or many moves have no value and are put behind the skill tree (Spiderman 2018 used the ground pound for 1 side mission, isn't that useful in combat and I forgot it after using it).
Progression just got worse in many games, gameplay got worse.
Cozy games have a place but lets not kid outselves and forget puzzle games or adventure games or farming games didn't existed before 8th gen.
I'm not going into story telling/other cultural things I don't care to. I focus on gameplay.
The more padding or more 'accessible' is just dull and not great. Isn't even a nostalgia/comfort thing of old games it's quality just dropped more and more over time.
Indies sure they don't always need physical and some can get to their own publisher stage (more veteran ones) or limited copy companies.
Even then seeing devs go from Indie like experiences to AAA like House Marque, it's like is this all your going to do now, make bullet hell roguelikes with story as if movie like aspects are all games can be at the end, as if that is the end goal and have to meet it. It just makes me laugh at some studios.
But like many devs, clearly they get too big, management ends up the way it is of Microsoft level bad for Forza Motorsport and people don't even know how to make the game from someone's prior code or art assets or animations.
Hello games went from ex EA staff working on Burnout to Joe Danger/No Man's Sky (yet many people weren't used to Minecraft or other even Gran Turismo like free updates in the games they focused on but did DLC or online passes or other things over time).
Ex Bioware devs that made Nightingale, somewhat worked out the model but not that well.
Or we get veterans making successors to their IPs they enjoyed making already just different budget/publisher.
So that works....
Re: Game-Key Cards A "Sales Strategy Decision", Says Resident Evil Requiem Director
@ro-kurorai It's the industry's own fault for wanting it to get bigger or not controlling it or audiences hardcore or casual buying into it.
Even if my 'poster' idea in retail stores is dumb, so are their cards, if most physical may be hardcore, some may be casuals, you see online ads, but if the rest are buying via eshops, why bother? That's what confuses me for one. XD Who are they trying to convince? What percentage of physical casuals versus hardcore physical? Besides newcomers that see via retail. Not just that they do their research/think about it for a moment like saw 1 mother go oh it's a code, put it back on the shelf, that's not everyone.
Even if we consider leaders, those that follow, those above them as well, those that spawn out, those that do anything about it, those that compete a certain way, those that mix with 3rd parties ideas, and more, across any consoles over the years (even with thinking Microsoft more with this one).
That or brand stretching each of them do as well. Expanding to others is one thing, having audiences pushed away doesn't bother them if they can appeal to others and probably badly right (just like mobile gaming of the 2010s but instead of the modern era of TV/movies/theme parks and they experience it/move on or 'expand' to gaming or not at all).
We can weigh up the costs, the production, design of such card sizes and speeds they COULD offer but don't, the SD Card Express only, the read speeds and how devs could work around it or just not compete with it (that's a thought XD), the other business aspects for sure but we all know these answers no matter how much we compare/diagnose. Or have gone over them for sure. Unless we missed some other angles.
I respect long comments whether filled with good points, getting their points or bad ones as it allows for a lot to cover not just a text message/tweet.
Let alone even MTX or even cutting things to be more drip feed or loyalty/manipulative/desperation focused.
I mean even racing game fans are so delusional no wonder they eat up the same cars or other things, while the rest of us enjoy older ones with smarter game design.
Let alone any how soap operas work wonders for their drama and things people take way too seriously of moral things or back and forth dynamics people eat up. Among other stuff you can compare and contrast too for gaming story, design, money, etc.
Re: Round Up: Minecraft Live (September 2025) - New Drops, Mobs, Weapons, DLC And More
@LastLife Having tested it on PS5 it is interesting how it goes about things but no idea how Switch 1 would run it. Not tried it on PS4 or tested much thoroughly though.
Also to me the base game colour changes of grass per biome or general stuff is good enough, shaders are overrated of lighting of the sun/moon or the fog and more. I've never been a fan. It works but I find it just looks dumb and unnecessary but that's just me.
Even the clouds don't change they are still the blocky clouds compared to Java edition fan shaders.
So it only changes so much really of lighting and fog.
Even PS5 with a few addons it crashes, or seems like memory leaks or particular with some addons over others.
More a saving issue.
So to me no matter the render distance/simulation distance or more on Switch to limit mob counts or block updates and how the player goes about things or the game acts on it, I'm not sure how well vibrant visuals would go for the water, fog atmospheric stuff and more. It can also be a bit awkward at times to use with settings too.
At least with how Mojang treats the game with Bedrock, older Java versions with Shaders was clearly possible, my PC is average/outdated and even then Shaders were ok with the older versions I was testing it with for a mod review or general testing of some Java performance mods. I don't even use performance mods on Java anyway besides review.
Re: Round Up: Minecraft Live (September 2025) - New Drops, Mobs, Weapons, DLC And More
Copper tools were needed but like Shulkers, took 3 updates or more because reasons.
The Zombie horse returns after being dumped in the 1.6 Horse update, Skeleton Horses are a rare spawn for commands only to I can't remember if always in the game or cut entirely. I mean they literally are recycling the Zombie horse which is fine but it also comes off as look we made this when they didn't it's the same texture. XD
Why do we have 5 zombies or skeletons, because Mojang can't think of anything else to be undead and creative angle with them.
Spears better be more then Crossbows were as to me they were just slower bows and didn't tweak the bow back to it's machine gun status so to me the crossbow is pointless.
Throwing a spear sure but otherwise the damage/relevance seems kind of pointless, what a cheaper trident then?
Mojang doesn't really tweak some things for a lot of purpose. They make small updates that have less worth (even if were all over the play prior but are less exciting in how they gave purpose to them and not just compared to mods either).
The Golems are nice but at the same time I mean, mob vote a while ago was supposed to have them. Mojang goes 'oh community engagement' but to me it's just 'lets dangle a carrot then put effort into things'.
I get sometimes they try to do things different from modders but sometimes they work really badly or have a fair use case outcome but most updates have been 'we wanted something quick for more attention' but lack substance and are random ideas shot at the wall. It's one of the most well known/played games, what more attention can you want. You make money from modders/texture artists and more on the Bedrock version but the EULA on Java isn't the case and Java creators have to host 3rd party sites for that stuff. (I'm glad they are free on Java as it would restrict people more even if there is importing of Bedrock content but they don't work on console only Windows/Mobile and not as much validation program to deal with).
Their rules never make sense.
But coming from the 'can't harm the player' = Phantoms added to punish players who don't sleep, also Thunder has existed for years. Their rules make no sense at all and never have.
Re: Panzer Dragoon Zwei: Remake Finally Shows Off Gameplay, Seven Years After Reveal
Looks fair, but will we get the RPG one?
Re: Review: Pac-Man World 2 Re-Pac (Switch 2) - Short, Sweet, Prettified, And Not For Everyone
Fair review, some parts I wouldn't say 'age' but it is just what they decided to keep consistent or not is hit and miss.
But it varies per person really.
Retro frustrations I think is hit and miss. They want to keep the old feel and not take too much away with a modern feel.
I mean I thought Front Mission Remake could have had a modern combat 'pick what limps to attack/defend' option but nope. So I can see reason in some things to be modern.
Not just like with racing games more arcade feel or sim feel, how the difficulty, enemies, platforming, etc. can be for lives or health or hits or gaps or so.
But i think the same with games with puzzles but they have '1 puzzle' and a hint or spoiler, rather then '4 puzzles' and offering easy to hard level range because that's too much level design and testing to offer.
That or like the old days just skillful players areas, as everything has to be accessible to players so we get boring difficulty values nowadays so the games are more boring.
Filler I mean, could be I don't know for sure. Sometimes they can be but I mean they are "OPTIONAL". If a player wants to play it all sure but that's why skilled or yes particular design was back then. Sometimes it was bad, sometimes it was achieved, it varied how they developed it back then and how players overcame it or it was yes badly designed not just to the dev's preferences and others couldn't beat it and not tweaked.
From what I remember of a review of the old one yeah the bosses aren't great. They could tweak them.
Re: Review: Klonoa: Empire Of Dreams (GBA) - One Of The System's Best Still Plays Like A Dream
Fair review. Got the digital version on Wii U, it's good, awkward at times, but good.
Re: Game-Key Cards A "Sales Strategy Decision", Says Resident Evil Requiem Director
Part 2:
Just because I can look at footage and know yep that isn't appealing of gameplay, other times I can't tell a hard puzzle I may get stuck on or how tough enemies are, or bad AI, sometimes I can. Even some racing game it took me some videos to go oh that's how bad the rubber banding is when people showed replays not just the dot on the map. I could tell how bad even the very easy (lowest difficulty) AI was in Ride 4, how would I know compared to a more skilled player? Exactly.
But I couldn't the lack of audio settings in Project Cars 3, or the leveling system/event requiremnts compared to a Gran Turismo. Sure I am using games not on Switch/Nintendo platforms and racing games but it's one of the genres besides platformers/shooters I've been particular about while hack n slashes versus soulslikes or any puzzle games or tactics I'm not too bad with at times of my choices/footage to go on learning those genres. Playing/researching by learning.
No different understanding shovelware and how many can't even tell by how limited areas look, the awkward artstyles/assets and more. Yet it could be set on 1 map, 'fancy description' and people can't tell the difference yet for some of us it's really easy to tell.
Not everyone is looking at a game going I can do this, I can't that. I may but I assume most people don't and just look at what is appealing about a product by what they look for in games, give it a go and see if it clicks with them or not.
Sometimes you have to play it to understand it, many players recording/uploading their footage won't always check the menus (literally annoys me with racing games knowing what modes are in them not just oh I see the bike/car in race footage, same as I may want to know if a hack n slash or puzzle game has a campaign and side modes/challenges or just it's a campaign or set amount of levels, what settings the game has to tweak, not just audio settings, can you configure the controls to whatever buttons or do you get presets, among other things you yourself may want to check), other times you can't tell that difficulty of combat/attack damage versus the player;'s skill in the footage, that puzzle you get stuck on you may easily know or you may not till you play it and more.
Re: Game-Key Cards A "Sales Strategy Decision", Says Resident Evil Requiem Director
@ro-kurorai I think it's not just the case of wanting physical or selling it's the refunding or the 'license' side of things, not just comfort, it's business and practices people agree with or disagree with. Also knowing what devs can do they just don't or can't either. Hence the PS/Xbox versus Switch installs or not or the Xenoblade X Wii U eshop optional downloads, even PSP/360 had optional installs.
That and expecting better from companies. Not just oh they did this, move on.
Maybe they prioritised 1st/2nd party but what about Indies, limited copy companies, not just 3rd parties. They don't need all that 64GB space/cost.
Also how much worth people put into something. They may get it for wanting to replay it (say to generally play it, to archive it, to avoid online ones, to play offline, to sell it, or a number of things). Not everyone wants to 'buy it, experience it, move on' they see more worth in it. Its' why people go 'oh I want this on DVD, I can't get it on streaming, the license isn't going to be there so might as well' or altered content or otherwise. They don't experience it to move on with like a conversation or something they didn't care that much about, a 'seen it' and give up, they care enough about it to have a copy there not a digital license.
Also hiding but not removing from an account is also a factor.
Those that only can get it digital sure they may make the choice but for those that care that bit more not just 'comfort and it always used to be physical I can't break out of it' it's not them being stubborn for the sake of it, sometimes, not always.
Some of us don't get merch, we just get the source materials/adaptations and that's it.
With bigger games & well known IPs, sure we usually can tell enough and want the game key to sell if we hate it. Not all entries will appeal to us with things they offer. So why go through digital refund policy limits when you can just sell it physical not go through a phone call, a 'you downloaded it unless it's broken we can't refund' it kind of response. It's not worth it. Not just an 'ownership' mentality. It's other factors as well. Or is for some people at least I guess.
While Sony changed their refund strategy, no idea how different it really is or Nintendo/Microsoft's current polices.
So it's also a case of not having licenses removed and company' stances when player know they can work around this they just choose not to due to leadership or saving a bit of money here and there or dev mentality about things.
Besides when many don't have demos, watching someone play it isn't clear enough what it plays like versus the story pacing, or the way missions/level design are. The things we can see/think about a game are clear, the way it feels of the controls or animations are not clear till we play a game. We can see the graphics/artstyle, whether it runs well or not, understand the dialogue/story, but we can only tell animations so much, we can tell more how it is when we actively play it as we are focusing on it more, not watching to try to understand it from a footage viewing stand point.
Animations and button presses may be slower then we think compared to footage. A number of factors.
Re: Opinion: The Mario Movie Was Okay At Best, But I Can't Wait For The Sequel
The first one was just showing what the series is about, fair story typical of the Mario series.
But I mean Galaxy, Paper Mario, Mario and Luigi, etc. all possible for artstyle, set pieces or storylines to go with like Galaxy does of it's story or 'cinematic' feel it tried on the Wii.
The thing for me is more Illumination, I just don't like their humour, their songs, their anything it's just dull. I look at old Dreamworks movies and I go oh so while there is references it used them for old literature for Shrek or other things to parody (can't do that anymore), not just pop culture garbage Illumination has done the past few years and many have followed, some studios have good ideas but eh dialogue that makes me not want to watch them. You watch Despicable Me 1 and your like hmm this works well enough, you watch their later stuff and it's just so bad and makes me go 'oh so this is what family movies/western animation at this level is like these days'. Very different then western Youtubers doing stories based on their lives or any other stuff done like Hasbin Hotel (wasn't my thing but i respect it). I don't like a lot of western adult or even just community content humours really, the tropes/character personality also just aren't my thing to tolerate at all.
Even watching Superman 2025, I was like this is really good of an angle for a superhero movie, but it also has 'oh a selfie girl who is relevant to the plot showing the villain's plans in her own way' and other things and I just wanted to stop watching. While the angle of journalism and framing the character and all that was engaging of an angle besides the Batman Bruce Wayne reveals or Incredibles the superhero law and other types to compare.
The other superheroes (because of course they have to be there, it can be a solo movie it HAS to have others there, Krypto wasn't as great in the film as I would have hoped for either for his pet side kick) and pocket universes (a fair idea to cover in it) I could do without but they didn't bother me much.
(Shark Tale did showcase it for the worst of course yes) and the humour was fair to the situations or characters but nowadays I'm just not really that into western animated films unless it's Aardman or others with more interesting use of animation and not garbage dialogue but well used ones fit for their characters, culture and so on regardless of the themes covered in them, the world/character personalities are enough.
They have a lot of material now then they did with the live action one years ago even if with that one they could have done anything with Mario 1, 2, 3, teaches the typing (probably not yet) whatever the case.
Re: Virtual Boy Is Being Added To Nintendo Switch Online
@YANDMAN agreed, it was rough but impressive for the time. I'd go for one for sure too.
Re: Pac-Man World 2 Re-Pac Switch And Switch 2 Performance & Resolution Detailed
Seeing as the first one went to download code in a box REAL quick I'm not surprised Game Key card for Switch 2 is the case. I'll take a look at the Switch 1 physical or just wait for a digital sale.
That aside I'm glad the game is 1080p on Switch one and interesting choice of 1440 x 576 as well hmm. Very interesting choices they have gone with here for resolutiuon/frame rate. The gameplay will be as good as the original I hope with some tweaks besides the personality differences.
I only played the 3rd one on PSP (console port compared to DS version's differences) never played the 1st or 2nd.
I mean if PS3/360 can do 1080p it's hilarious Switch 1 can't because of garbage many devs put in games it's hilarious. Use that CPU and RAM well not for garbage the game doesn't need regardless of it being a remake of a GameCube game.
Also for frame rate I don't mind the 30FPS but it is still weird. Cutscenes in the original were or still looked versus in engine then pre-rendered so are these?
Come on Now Productions you can do good even if I mostly know you for niche PSP puzzle games.
Don't even have the 1st one because of the quick download code in a box excuse Namco put for it so cart versions were gone quickly, glad got Klonoa 1 and 2 physical quickly but still.
Re: Opinion: NSO Subscribers Outside Key Markets Get Less, And Nintendo Should Fix That
Very interesting point, we do forget other regions have to go through other eshops/other things to get similar access. Due to how regions laws work or a number of factors.
A great write up on this.
At least VPNs or other accounts for other eshops/other services is accessible these days, compared to the past other then importing of course, and whatever limits there or emulating what you can also.
Was made clear to me with the 3DS in Taiwan I think it was, AKFamilyHome covered it and I was like yeah that makes sense how restricted or unlockable it was.
I mean China it was already clear with Switch or how prior things due to the video game console related state of things in the last, but you don't always know about other countries/markets with different consoles or what the norm is for them compared to the rest of the world with more access.
It's not always a case of oh we didn't get access to Virtual Boy or RPGs in European or whatever it was more we didn't get access to PS Premium and get Deluxe so no PS3 streaming kind of limited access to still some other things, but still enough of these other things type but on a different scale in other regions what they can offer to them rather then just 'this suits this region, this culture, etc.' and more other factors of why a product/service isn't accessible to those markets..
Re: Opinion: Metroid Prime 4 Reminds Me Of Gears 5, And It's Making Me Nervous
I hope not. GOW Ragnarok was inspired by Gears 5's side exploration areas, so if we get some aspects of things in Prime 4 of inspiration I mean, doesn't that defeat the point Nintendo made to Retro of 'ideas you came up with yourself by experimenting, not get inspired by others' as in to not just make pointless and safe competition but put your effort in, come up with random ideas yourselves, use your brain. Sigh.
I'll stay open minded though till I see. I haven't actually seen the trailer/have enough context but the prior footage was good of the game. I'm not dissuaded from purchasing the game because of the bike or anything, I don't have context enough for these other details yet. I'm fine with side modes/content it just varies what it is, how it's structured.
I hope Prime 4 is better, Bayonetta 3 was 'fine' but not great. Seeing as I got other games for my Switch 1 but Bayo 3/Prime 4 were my go to games for one, Pikmin 4 also disappointed with dumb core changes, glad I had plenty more i wanted a Switch 1 for as my 'wants' for the system seem to be terrible. But I will see, Prime 4 BETTER be good or else. Glad i always find many things to want a system for.
Rhythm Heaven Groove better nail it too or else.
The bike to me did not impress me. It's dumb, seems like a merch excuse then a relevant thing.
A desert reminds me of the Splatoon 3 customisation trailer in the desert made me think it would be open world or something else but it wasn't pointing that out as Splatoon 3 is just well a sequel then a more dramatic game like the new Splatoon is.
They can try things sure, but to me they tried Prime 3 being different and it was fine but also confused me at points which is weird because Metroidvanias confuse me more yet Prime 1 didn't as much (not played enough of 2).
But Other M/Prime 3 tried different things to fair degrees. So Prime 4 this way is something I guess. Or even compared to Jedi Fallen Order/others as 3D metroidvanias.
To me Pitfall Lost Expedition did a fair 3D metroidvania. I don't mind dramatic changes but they don't always work either. It varies on pacing, moveset/enemies/puzzles, what you do in the game's core among other things.
Re: Nintendo Releasing Physical 'Talking Flower' From Mario Wonder Next Spring
Ah so now we have Flower Waifu watchers/talkers?
How much Talking Toy/AI is it?
Alarms sure but this hmm.
That aside for a general Plushie by all means. Though I think others are more appealing for Plushie status then a Mario flower regardless of artstyle.
There is plenty in Mario Wonder to pick from and I haven't even played the game.
They picked the safest option.
Re: ICYMI: If You Want To Play Virtual Boy Classics, You'll Need To Buy One Of Nintendo's Accessories
Thanks Nintendo Life for the amazing article. Respect your work on these.
The state of idiot commentors do your research it was 1995 3D, years after Famcom alka NES 3D that wasn't paper glasses but like PS3, 360 3D TV stereoscopic.
I wasn't even born yet so you bet I do my research because I have frwe time and a brain to use the internfor what it was made for on any subject.
So I would look up thr Xavix Port before Wii Spdots console vy Ex Nintendo employees or on every niche or failed console/handheld, computer tech, controller, gimmicks, peripherals and so on over the course of a few weeks ro months because its piss easy to use Wikipedia, a youtuber or articles, console PC cars slot in (PC RX, 3DO) all 20+ or worse many because I use my brain to use the internet. Unlike the rest of the world.
Irs why game design is so easy for me to understand and hardware gimmicks not I want performance, next IP of.this ans rhat and nostalgia in a bubble. I don't eat up boring game consoles or.gaming. I refuse to fund garbage.
So you bet a console like Switch 1, 2, Wii U doesn't have it. 3DS fan emulation does a fair job of VB. Nintendo never did till now for their own reasons of audience, hardware flexibility and so on small library I guess.
I mean your not paying $1000s or digging up prototypes of VB games are you hardcore audience? So be happy Jack Bros or others are there its expensive.
I don't like NSO either but the peripheral NEEDS TO BE THERE. It's 3D, Switch 2 doesn't have 3D screens, it doesn't have the screen flipping mirrors how the original worked.
How else do you expect it to work? Magic?
It wasn't just red/black pixels or wire frame it was 3D like glasses but not the cheap ones.
It was like having the TV in the headset. But both thr glases/TV inside.
Complain all you want but do research, 100s of youtubers have and point out the games and their good/bad/no 3D or 3D benefits.
They spent their own money doing this for an audience interested in the niche things over the years of.gaming. I respect them for it.
If you want a VB Wario land you got that with Mutant Mudds or Yoshis Crafted World already of back and forth jumping..
But don't treat it likr a theme park ride because your lazy and eat up fads.
I swear it's not hard being into failed consoles and doing a Google search that takes 2 seconds, collectors and historian youtubers DO ALL THIS WORK FOR YOU AND WITH HOW EXPENSIVE OR RARE THEY ARE, something 99% of the world is too.dumb to do it seems in 2 seconds, and are too busy with their lives (understandable) or watching cat videos or other crap, read a wiki or watch 20 minute videos on them.
Because people go oh 3D or oh its dumb and have the intelligence of a 5 year old when it's out of their comfort zone of a TV remote aka a regular controller.
How are hardcore somehow as childish as casuals.
This is why I respect good collectors (not resellers or hold onto things themselves types) and historians and ignore idiots with their heads buried in the sand.