Comments 535

Re: Hyrule Warriors Is Slashing Its Way to 3DS

jeffri

Awesome! Regarding performance, I'm not so sure, but they have Samurai Warriors Chronicles 3 for 3DS after all, so they probably used the same engine here. But darn, this is too early! They should have the SWC3 release first before announcing this (I know this is a leak, but regardless, E3 is still earlier than SWC3 release in the west), now many people might opt to skip SWC3 for Hyrule Warriors. I know I'll get HW for sure, so now I'm a bit in a dilemma if I want to get SWC3 or not. :/

Re: Splatoon is Still Number One in Japan as Wii U Sales Increase Again

jeffri

Good for Nintendo! I hope the momentum keep going. I have said it before, but I think it worth a repeat. If there's any game that will sell Wii U, it's this game. With MK8 and Smash, both were more focused on local multiplayer, so arguably, some people that enjoy them won't buy their own Wii U if they have a friend that own one. With Splatoon, as it's lacking in the local multiplayer, those people need to go out to buy one if they wanted to join the multiplayer fun. So ironically, despite the complain of lacking in local multiplayer, it is somewhat a blessing for Wii U.

Re: Humble Nindie Bundle Adds Three New Games

jeffri

Can we even share the code? I believe the TOS state it's for personal use. I paid more than average, and only use Steamworld Dig, Moon Chronicle, Olli Olli and Woah Dave. I don't have a Wii U and already have Gunman Clive. I will gladly share the rest of my codes to anyone, but I don't want to breach the TOS (for pure respect to Humble Bundle and the developers). Please enlighten me.

Re: Splatoon Grabs Second Place in UK Chart Début

jeffri

Yesss, Splatoon!

The Media Create chart this week will be interesting too. I hope Nintendo will reveal some number too and it will get 1M worldwide quick enough (hopefully they have good news at E3).

I really hope this will be a console-seller though. The lack of local (or focus on online) multiplayer might prompt some that's on the edge (or playing in their friends Wii U) to get one. A price cut and Splatoon bundle could sell wonder! I hope...

Re: Rumour: Nintendo NX Could Use Google's Android Operating System

jeffri

Honestly, I hope not! I don't think Nintendo could keep up with yearly releases of Android update, and which, if major changes occur, could break a game. Even in the controlled realms of iOS, I have seen too many games that doesn't support iOS 8 in their review section (not that I have confirmed it btw, I don't buy game on my iPad). Same could be true for Android.

Also not to mention, the crazy fanbase of Android. See yourself for every single manufacturer that uses Android, every comment on their social media is full of: "When Lollipop update comes? When Android M comes?". If NX uses Android, they will inevitably fell to this as well, there'll be too many people ask to update their Android version. Means, Nintendo would spend a lot of resource updating their Android, testing against their games, etc and could eat away time better spent on game development. There's a reason why a huge manufacturer like Samsung with who-knows how many programmers they had and they still couldn't update their flagship in a timely manner.

There's also numerous exploit in Android, which I guess if Nintendo ever do that, their hardware will be rooted in a week or less, opening piracy to themselves.

Of course, it'll a different situation if they fork over Android and develop their own version and cut ties of Android from that very moment. I would be supportive of that. However, I still think their best bet is to develop their own software. They were capable of that, so I see no reason why not to. To get over indie developer, they only need to support popular framework like Unity, Unreal Engine, etc. Don't need to open themselves to the crazy world of Android, it's a loss-loss situation in the long run.

End rant.

Re: Code Name S.T.E.A.M. Fails to Chart in Week of Poor Sales in Japan

jeffri

Really a shame about Code Name STEAM sales. I bet it will sell better if it was sold as Fire Emblem spin-off or at least use anime style, to appeal to Japanese audience. That said, I haven't do my part of getting this game yet, I loved the demo, so I'll definitely get it but I was held back by a huge backlog for now. Seeing this news though, I guess I'll get it sooner than later.

Re: Nintendo Has Shipped 10.5 Million amiibo Worldwide

jeffri

They really need to make a more premium Amiibo, maybe they could joint with other figure-maker to make one. Something like Nendoroid Amiibo, or Figma Amiibo... that's cash printing in there Nintendo.

Yoshi Wooly World is a nice start, but I hope more of this unique Amiibo is coming.

Re: Atlus Confirms Attack on Titan: Humanity in Chains Release Date

jeffri

Will get it regardless of the review, I'm hoping more of anime adapted game would come here so I'll support Atlus for doing this! I'm usually waiting for discount for Atlus game though as they often go for a steep discount not too long after the game released, but this is one game I'll probably get day one just to support it.

Re: Editorial: Nintendo's Problems With Trends and Modern Media Continue to Damage Its Image

jeffri

Well, while I don't defend Nintendo stance (they should be more relaxed regarding all this), it's true that Nintendo have every right to not allow let's play video without their permission. Personally IMO, not having YouTube let's play video won't hurt the company much. Nintendo is a huge brand already, while they could profit from the free advertising, remember that Nintendo game isn't like an indie game that need all exposure it can get, except maybe for a new IP like Splatoon (they should have a similar Mario Kart TV here IMO). I'm sure Nintendo have all the statistic that show that YouTube doesn't help before they came up with the Creator Program.

Regarding the law of let's play, again, this is at most in grey area. Some can say it's fair use, but can anyone dare to challenge it and settle it for once? To me, I think it's a pretty similar situation with fan art. Is fan art legal? Nope, the fair use argument in fan art is only when it's presented as parody. Otherwise, profiting or not, it's not legal. Read/watch: http://chrisoatley.com/fan-art/

Now let's see at this perspective at comparing fan art and let's play. Fan art have the artist draw from scratch, have their own interpretation of the character, and yet it's still illegal (if not parody). Let's play video record the footage of the game, including showing the game assets, musics, etc, with a commentary/reaction on top of it. How could this legal or fair use?

Of course, most companies encourage/don't mind fan arts and let's play. Even Nintendo itself doesn't seem to mind fan art at all (except maybe when it's mis-presented), but it's extremely protective on let's play. And it's rather understandable when the video show all the game assets.

Then let's get back into Nintendo Creator Program and the law situation. Nintendo give permission with that program to let you use the footage of their game, which actually giving you a legal right while giving up some of your profit to Nintendo.

Ever think of a scenario when some company start suing YouTubers? Let's say one company with one hugely successful IP goes down, and they sold their IP to a shady company (think patent troll). Then this company then start suing YouTubers looking for damage compensation because of their let's play video. Isn't that a possible scenario? But at least, with Nintendo Creator Program, they already give you a legal standing.

Just my opinion anyway, not a law expert by any means. I'm an hobbyist artist myself, and love to draw fan art, but I'm aware that it's not ethical by any means to profit from fan art.

Re: Social Networks Go Into Meltdown Over Apparent The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess 3D Rumour

jeffri

Well, it's confirmed as fake... So yeah...

That said, we can't tell if Nintendo have a plan for that or not. For instance, Nintendo would surely want to make N3DS exclusives so they could keep demand on that system, to do that, they need a big title yet they can't spend too much resources (for a limited install-base, near end-of-lifespan 3DS family).

So, a remake that doesn't cost too much to create make sense for N3DS exclusives, not to mention it's easier to do that on N3DS because it has more power. Just like Xenoblade Chronicles 3D, perhaps, there's more Gamecube/Wii remake titles on the way. How about Super Mario Sunshine remade to N3DS? That'll be pretty awesome, as we haven't got a 3D Mario platformer on 3DS for a while.

Re: Fire Emblem: If Special Edition Bundle Sold Out In Japan, Sparks Second Shipment for Pre-Orders

jeffri

Based on the information we currently had, I actually stand by Nintendo/IS side. If they offer a game with twice as much content than usual, and hide the other routes in a paywall, it's fine. After all, it's a game that should worth twice the price as well, so I don't mind paying double. Of course, at this point we don't know how much content it's actually packing, so we can't make judgement yet.

In fact, I'm all for the $80 special edition.

However, I think Nintendo/IS can get away with just pricing the game higher and include both storylines. They could sell for $50, just like Atlus did on some of its main RPG, and they will receive less backslash.

Re: Nintendo Highlights Increased US Hardware Sales for Wii U and 3DS in 2015

jeffri

3DS is doing pretty well and the N3DS clearly give it another life so it can sustain a good amount of sales until the end of it's lifespan. The Wii U needs to do better, I think it's about time they need to increase the sales by introducing a better bundle or price cut.

I had hope that Splatoon, despite a new IP, could be a system seller if marketed correctly. I mean, most Nintendo IP focused on local multiplayer, while Splatoon focused on the online multiplayer, so if each of your friends want to join in Splatoon fun, they need to buy their own Wii U (we can't say the same with Mario Kart 8 or Smash Bros). So if Splatoon take off, this could change the Wii U fortune.

Re: Akihiro Hino on Why Fantasy Life 2 is Not Coming to the 3DS

jeffri

Okay, that's a lame excuse.

I don't care though, I'll always love the first game, but this one looks like a quick cash grab that didn't add anything meaningful to the game except the village building. (Okay, I have to see first before judging, but from what I've seen so far...)

I still have yet to beat the last challenge on the first game, so I'll still enjoy it for the time being. I won't ever touch this sequel though.

Re: Fantasy Life 2 Is Skipping 3DS In Favour Of Smartphones

jeffri

Bummer! I would genuinely said, I loved Fantasy Life and would really happy to see this game evolve as a franchise. The fact that the sequel doesn't come to 3DS is sad, but what even more saddening is the direction Level 5 took for this series. The game looks like the same game as the first one and seems to only include the village building on top of that. Of course, we have to see more, but from the screenshot alone, it doesn't look convincing.

There, my hope for a full-fledged Fantasy Life sequel is killed. Sorry, Level 5, even though I have an iPad and Android phone, this is one game I won't support from you, ever. I will buy Yokai Watch when it comes here, and I really loved your games, but this is one bad decision from you.

That said, I guess I won't miss much from this sequel. It's just saddening me that we won't see this franchise evolve, even though I really... really loved it.

Re: New Fire Emblem on 3DS Takes Shape as Two Separate Releases in Japan

jeffri

Personally, my mind blown away when I thought it was a single game with two paths to choose from. But since it's a separate releases in Japan - and I think it'll be the same here - my mind is less blown. Although, they promises each paths to offer as much content as Awakening (if I'm not mistaken), so if what they claimed is true, then I won't mind them.

Just think of it like you can get 2 full FE games at the price of 1.5 if you utillize the DLC, which is pretty awesome if it's true (I sincerely hope so). The third path is less detailed right now, so I'm not sure.

But again, to offer a different full-featured story as DLC is much-much better deal than the DLC situation on Fire Emblem Awakening IMO, I can't justify the price of each DLC that Awakening offered. It's true that Awakening DLC is optional, while this one is essential, but a complete story DLC > optional chapters DLC any day.

Re: Review: Iron Combat: War in the Air (3DS eShop)

jeffri

Personally, I'm fond of this game. The learning curve is quite steep, but once you get the hang of it, it offers a quite satisfying experience just destroying enemies around. The mechanics of the game is the highlight, although the story and music is nothing special. The VA on other hand is terrific, but reading sub during playing could be distracting, so this is one area where I hope they will dub them.

If I have to give a score, I'll give it a 7/10. It's no Liberation Maiden, I honestly think Liberation Maiden is more creative in almost every sense. The enemy design of this game is quite boring in fact, the bosses is almost the same affairs each time (destroy this part, then those part, repeat), although I appreciate they give some of the bosses some quirky design. There's however some frustating moment, Mission 9 boss is annoying as hell and fighting our rival, Ratel - the same quick unit as the unit we are controlling - can be quite difficult at first. There's also a couple of drop in framerate when fighting too close to the large boss, although the game run smoothly most of the time.

That said, I think the game quite a steal for $6.99, you can go much wrong with other game at that price. There's 20 unique missions in total, although each story mode is 16 missions, the other 4 missions (path B) can be accessed when you replayed the story mode. If you like action shooter game and don't mind the learning curve, I can highly recommend it.

I have a more detailed write up in my blog (a shameless promotion) http://jeffri.me/2015/03/3ds-review-iron-combat-war-in-the-air/