Comments 238

Re: Ubisoft Share Price Tumbles After Dire Sales Report

aSmilingMan

@SwitchVogel as soon as I saw this article, I was going to comment the same thing. Their sales model is the worst I know of in the industry. They make fantastic AAA games but everyone just waits and expects a bargain price. Their pricing reputation is terrible.
I wish they replaced their marketing/pricing strategy and did what other major publishers did with pricing.

Personally, I wouldn’t mind if they did get acquired by a bigger house. It pains me to hear of Ubisoft titles being canceled. Loved Marrio + Rabbids, Immortals Fenyx Rising, some AC, and am excited for Skull and Bones.

Their developers deserve better than what their current corporate team deliver.

Re: The Nintendo Switch Is Getting A Brand New Peppa Pig Game In 2023

aSmilingMan

User warning: unless they really change up the whole game, DON’T BUY IT! I bought the first one to play with my son (as their first videogame) and I couldn’t believe how bad the port was. Every few seconds there’s a 10sec loading screen that makes it unplayable. They were bored out their mind and kept asking why Peppa was always “in the snow” – the loading screen is Peppa walking in a white background. Given the attention span of children, unless you’re buying it for X or PS5, this is an unfortunate skip.

Re: Sega Reveals Sonic Frontiers 'Ares Island' Theme Song

aSmilingMan

Feels like there's a lot riding for Sega on this release. While I really hope it's a success, I'm very skeptical of these "releases" that don't show gameplay.

I wish Sega would put energy on their best IP, IMO: Valkyria Chronicles, instead just doing more and more Sonic.

Re: Video: New Switch Hardware Won't Stop Bad Ports

aSmilingMan

Well, obviously bad ports are on the developer AND there's only so much magic that a developer can tap into to make things work on the Switch.

A great example of this is the Switcher 3. Fantastic port of a game I couldn't believe I could play in handheld. Yet, it's a pretty dull looking version of a game that looks stunning on all other platforms.

The Switch is 5 years old. We're overdue for better hardware. Same form factor, but with updated internals and magnetic thumbsticks on joycons.

Re: Build Your Own Fiendish Levels In Blue Fire's New Free DLC, Out Next Week

aSmilingMan

This game is in my top 10, if not even top 5 on the Switch. It's wild to see what a nifty and solid 3D platformer this small studio was able to make.

Seems like they were able to do what Nintendon't: a 3D Mario Maker (of sorts)! The tight controls for the character make it a delight to play with. Can't wait to experience all the void creations.

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

aSmilingMan

I really tried to like it. Poured a couple dozen hours and played most of the main game, but none of the tough boss sequences.
In the end, the game just turned out to be too depressing for me. I just felt super meh after every gaming session and like I needed to escape from what was supposed to be my escape.
I loved the tight platforming and combat, and the incredible enemy diversity. The ambience, colors, sound and general tone just made this impossible for me to like. I’d take a Guacamelee 3 over Silksong any day.

Re: Footage Of Cancelled 'Epic Mickey' Spin-Off Starring Donald Duck Discovered

aSmilingMan

I never quite enjoyed the darker tones of Disney's more recent video games escapades. I loved what was being done up to the 16 bit era. Then again, I'm one of those players who find it much more enjoyable to play Guacamelee than Hollow Knight.
I would love Disney to use their incredible IP and make a solid, beautiful, uplifting, bright colored 3D game - no toys, no microtransactions, no Square Enix.

Re: Video: Is Nintendo Switch Sports Really That Bad?

aSmilingMan

This is easily one of the review sites I most trust. Every time the team gives an 8+ to a ninty game, someone inevitably suggests that it’s because they always give extra high marks for nintendo games. Glad to have a big release like this getting it’s well earned 6. Maybe it’ll quiet the trolls for a few weeks.

Re: Mini Review: Imp Of The Sun - Flickers Of Flair In A Well-Designed Metroidvania

aSmilingMan

I actually quite like these visuals, and will take this over pixel art any day of the week. Personally, can't stand pixel art any more. It worked great for Celeste, but usually is a just a short cut for devs without the resources to make more sophisticated models.

My interest piqued with "Responsive controls make it a joy to move around". Responsive controls plus decent metroidvania dynamics is enough to make it into my library at the right price. Will pick it up when price comes down to $15.

Re: Best Kirby Games Of All Time

aSmilingMan

Pov: I only came to the page to see if Forgotten Land really was #1.

Last time I played Kirby was in SNES days, but this new title really caught my eye and I’m definitely picking it up.

Re: AM2R Creator Isn't A Fan Of Metroid Dread's E.M.M.I. Encounters

aSmilingMan

To all the people thinking that he is bashing the game, just listen to how he talks about the game. He's gushing over it! Check out what he said at 52:01.

He displays deep admiration for the game, and just happens to think like a designer and strategist who has a reasonable, though controversial, opinion about the EMMI encounters.

Re: Cruis'n Blast Gets A Permanent Price Cut On The Switch eShop, Now Only $19.99

aSmilingMan

Still too pricey for shovelware. I love arcade racers and poured days into Cruisin’ games in the 64 era. The courses are essentially reskins of each other and the rubber band effect is so out of whack that winning is just about knowing how to end well a race. I played this for a little over 5hrs because I REALLY wanted to like it. I found it absolutely intolerable. I have serious buyer’s remorse with this purchase.

Re: The Way Of Wrath Is An Upcoming Switch RPG With An Intriguing 10-Day Gameplay Setup

aSmilingMan

Gives me the feeling I had when I learned about Empire of Sin. If they get this right, this game would quickly become one of my favorites. However, there are LOTS of moving parts and plenty to get wrong. If any of the many systems don't work in the game, it could make the whole thing fall apart. I really hope they test this up the wazoo before releasing and do a beta release first too.