Comments 806

Re: Talking Point: What Do We Actually Want From 'Mario Kart 9'?

Zaruboggan

I'd prefer if it stayed in the Mario universe, especially now that Wonder and Odyssey have broadened what that means with lots of fun designs.
I'm tired of the trend of putting more players into every multiplayer game, so no thanks to MK99.
Mostly I just want the surefire bomb soundtrack on CD lol
I'd be happy with creative shortcuts coming back. Nothing like discovering the tunnel off the side of the rails in the Yoshi map from Double Dash.
Conversely, I don't really care for the every lap is different stuff from Tour. Or anything from Tour, tbh.

Give me some whimsy, some good music, and tightly designed courses, and I'll be happy.

Re: Review: Tales Of Graces f Remastered (Switch) - The Characters Steal The Show In This JRPG Classic

Zaruboggan

To throw another opinion into the ring, every Tales from Xillia on to Arise is mediocre, while Symphonia, Abyss, and Vesperia are king.
To throw another (unasked for, if not umprompted) opinion into the ring, I think the DQ and Xenoblade series are pretty average as far as JRPGs go, too. Not including XCX, which is fantastic.

I'd say the highs of Tales stand toe-to-toe with the genre's bests. The lows, well, at least they're playable.
I'm looking forward to playing Grace f (which I think of as kind of standing guard between Good Tales and Bad Tales).

Re: 15 Best Sidequests In Switch Games

Zaruboggan

@WheresWaveRace Bias is the foundation of the entire endeavor, though.
Like, I totally agree that because people haven't played them all, the most popular game will rise to the top irrespective of the quality of the mission relative to the competition. 100%.
But I don't think the nature of these lists revolves around unobtainable objectivity.

Of course, you're already asking the real question: where's Wave Race? And why have we had to wait 22 years for another 1080?

Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (25th January)

Zaruboggan

We've been trying to play less Granblue Fantasy Relink since we've been playing too much, but we'll be playing it tomorrow anyway with some friends. Woe is me!

I'm making gradual progress through La Pucelle Tactics (ch6), and still enjoying revisiting this pre -Disgaea classic.
More Rise of Nations and Windblown are on the table, but unfortunately Conan Unconquered seems to be completely broken. After about an hour of crashes and troubleshooting, my cousin and I have decided that it's just no longer meant to be. Which is a shame, because there's not really a game like it (in co-op). Closest analogue is...Pikmin 3's missions?

Re: EA's Share Price Plummets After Reports Of Disappointing Financial Performance

Zaruboggan

EA is a ***** company that has made too many ***** games that follow too many money-grubbing trends; its failing is not the existence of minority representation in one video game. Let's not forget they were voted the worst company LONG before DAtV.

@reztobi AAA Game Devs as a whole notoriously underpay devs and writers relative to other industries because countless people want to work on games and will undervalue themselves to do so.
And, uh, maybe you haven't noticed, but there IS no money in game journalism. No money, and no job security. The number of sites where game journalists of any political leaning can write actual articles is dropping every month. Most game journalists are being bent over backwards to produce slop of the highest order, chasing fluctuating SEOs with drivel. Freelancers write about games for the love of it, because it's hardly a sustainable career.
Liberals exist. Some of them work in the game industry. Sometimes they're given the freedom to tell the stories they want to tell. That's the conspiracy.

Re: Nintendo's Share Price Reaches An All-Time High One Week After Switch 2 Reveal

Zaruboggan

@Smithylfc2008 I'm on the long-term investment train myself, but it is certifiably untrue that the only people who complain about the stock market are those that don't understand investments.

The stock market is why companies chase profits to the point of damaging their products, undercutting their employees, and selling out their users.
The stock market is why Google search has progressively gotten worse; AAA gaming is destined to crash; and social media has turned its users into the used.
Investments are also why we got Henry Morgan, but that's a story for another time.

Re: Feature: Switch 2's Mouse Support Is Exciting, But Which Current Games Might Also Benefit?

Zaruboggan

I heard an idea from someone about using it to replicate DS controls, and that's sweet.
I like the idea of 'mouse controls' allowing a suite of indie RTS games to make the jump.
Don't care for mouse controls for shooters. I'll stick to good ol' thumbsticks or gyro, thanks.

Whatever I use it for, I'm trying to figure out if I'd have to like, sit next to an end table? Use it on my knee? It'd be handy if I had my Switch at a desk, I suppose, but I have it set up at a TV.

Re: Poll: So, How Would You Feel About 24 Racers In Mario Kart 9?

Zaruboggan

Honestly, I'm for fewer players. Higher player counts seems to result in wider, less interesting tracks.

I'm hoping games in general start figuring out that higher player counts isn't great big innovation they think it is. Battlefield learned it's lesson, thankfully.

Larger player counts means less intimate competition. But then, I'll only be playing MK local anyway, so I guess do what you will online.

Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (18th January)

Zaruboggan

We figured out what was making my brother's brand new computer build reject Windblown, so we got a couple runs in last night. Exciting!
I started up Lapucelle Tactics this week on the switch NIS collection game, and it's as good if not better than I remember it from circa 20 years ago.
That's held true for Phantom Brave, too, which my brother started this week for a little side-by-side NISJ classics. He also tried out the demo for Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero, for which he has mixed feelings. The changes are especially pronounced since he's playing the first one right now.
We've got plans to play our favorite Rise of Nations with the cousins today, and maybe even a round of Conan Unconquered on the PC front.

On the reading front, I'm working through Erikson's Deadhouse Gates and, to decide whether or not to keep buying these Orient (manga) volumes, I've started in on that. Iirc it's by the Magi mangaka, so I've got decently high hopes.

It's a long weekend for some of us in NA, so only time will tell what else gets a chance in the sun.

Re: Nintendo Download: 16th January (North America)

Zaruboggan

My brother is picking up Tales of Graces f, though we might not find time to play it right away.
We played it back on PS3--he did most of it alone, since I was in college, but I got to join in on the last couple of dungeons haha.
It'll be nice experiencing it from the start this time!

Re: Random: Switch 2 Leakers Called Out By Industry Veteran Hideki Kamiya

Zaruboggan

Lol this guy is a nut, but I agree that leaks ruin the fun of it all.

I've tried my best to avoid clicking on leak articles, but the headlines alone laid it all bare. Despite my efforts, I still more or less had the entire picture in my head.

I'm begging, and I'm pleading, in the voice of Eric Stuart, please, please let us click a checkbox that hides all leak and rumor articles. Please implement it before every April direct game leaks, so that I can continue to read the news about Rune Factory, indie switch games, and XCX's new content and without having to know about Mario Kart 9, Donkey Konga 3, Starfox x Metroid, and 1080 Snowboarding Mayhem before they're announced.

And if you can't do that, at least try to make your headlines vague. BIG SPOILER NEWS: 20 NINTENDO GAMES LEAKED, CLICK HERE.

Sincerely, everyone who likes surprises

Re: Poll: So, What Did You Think Of The Switch 2 Reveal?

Zaruboggan

It's like a getting a game title cinematic. Sure, it's nice knowing it's coming and a general idea of when we'll learn more, but it won't feel real until I see the actual direct in April.

The Switch reveal had to show off what it was all about, since it was a new thing, which made for a better trailer.

So, uh, see ya all in April.

Re: Poll: Are There Any Good Lord Of The Rings Games On Nintendo Consoles?

Zaruboggan

I have very fond memories of playing the co-op movie tie-ins back in the day. I liked the RPG one, too.
Unfortunately, the best LOTR games never came to Nintendo consoles. The first Mordor's combat and Nemesis systems were a lot of fun to play around with.
But of course the best LOTR game, bar none, and it's not even close, was Lord of the Rings: Conquest. Criminal that the servers were shut down in a year. You haven't lotrd until you've ridden a troll in combat against Gandalf in the middle of Helms Deep, fire balls and arrows flying all around you, and right when it seems you're backed into a corner, a pop-up appears, asking if you're ready and willing to bring the Witch King to the field of battle.

Re: Rumour: Switch Virtual Console Was Apparently Nintendo's "Original Plan"

Zaruboggan

I like the idea of both. Subscription because I'm already paying to play online, so trying out random retro games is a nice little perk.
But VC because then I can buy and own. If they ever price me out of the sub cost, I lose nothing because I'd own my favorites.

VC also means more third party drops, because they don't have to share a sub pool. They can sell em like they sell any other game. Might get more consoles like on Wii, too.

Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (11th January)

Zaruboggan

Played some Warhammer Darktide last night. The best thing I can say for it is that it has co-op! I don't know, it's decent fun. I kind of wish the incremental upgrades were more than a percent at a time.
More Granblue Fantasy Relink, just working through some lucilius/behemoth/proto Bahamut etc. I'm in desperate need of Silver Centrums. We've also started new files to play with friends, which feels like a completely different game from the one we've been grinding for the last 100 hours!
Working slowly through Arco. Act IV. Easy rec. Great game.
And finally Theatrythm: Final Bar Line.

Re: Nintendo Breaks Silence On 'Switch 2' Image And Video Leaks

Zaruboggan

Hope to hear from them soon, just so the articles start being more interesting than 'Here's Another Shot of the Switch 2's Backside! Allegedly!' or 'Switch 2 Case Manufacturer Reveals Indentation Required to Accommodate L4 and R4 Buttons!'

As long as all the games don't get leaked, the full reveal should still be fun, but damn, do ya'll peak into your Christmas presents early, too?

Re: Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition Trailer Sheds Light On Its Story

Zaruboggan

So excited! Played this game for 150 hours or so. I remember every moment was basically spent trying to build max-range gem stuff.
Totally pointless in terms of combat efficacy, but lots of fun for my sniper.
This time, I'll definitely take a little more time to figure out the systems (like the soul voice stuff) and build a party that actually works together haha.
Not that I won't use the sniper.

Re: Yes, We're Getting Closer To Pokémon Day

Zaruboggan

Please fix the battle system, please fix the battle system...

I enjoyed the catching and general Pokemonness of Arceus, but it was so hampered by its garbage-bin story, awkward trainer battles (and that's being generous), and sinfully ugly environments that I'm more than a little worried how the sequel will turn out.

Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (4th January)

Zaruboggan

Very little, since we'll be out of town. Some Granblue Fantasy Relink with friends this morning, and then we're off.
I'm hoping to get back to Arco (finished Act 3 on Tuesday) when I get back.
Next week, I expect some more Warhammer Darksomething with my brothers. I really don't gaf about Warhammer, but you wouldn't know it based on all the games we've gotten this year lol.
Come on, devs! What happened to all the co-op shooters?!
Anyway, we might also be playing Mario Party Jamboree for the first time while we're out partying this weekend. Should be fun!

Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (New Year Edition)

Zaruboggan

Christmas gifts have changed my plans by quite a bit. On Steam, I was gifted Arco, Crossover: Roll for Initiative, Tyranny, Minami Lane, and Firewatch. I'll be starting Act 3 of the fantastic Arco this morning.
I bought myself stitch. on Switch, so I'm hoping to start in on that, too. But I'll probably wait until I finish Arco.
Otherwise, still playing Granblue Fantasy Relink and Dragon Age: The Veilguard. Watching my brother play Indiana Jones, too.
Busy busy busy

Re: Best Nintendo Switch Games Of 2024

Zaruboggan

@BodkinDQ Haha yep, Tellius is king!
And hey, not every game is right for everyone, even in our favorite genres. If anything, that's when we're the most critical of our per peeves.
I guess what I'm saying is, I won't take it personally if you don't find a way to love Unicorn Overlord haha.