mcdreamer

I was excited until I saw the subheading. Funnily enough I was listening to a podcast just the other day in which somebody described this as the best Sonic game - and one which Sega needed to try and rerelease. I couldn't agree more. As much as I loved Sonic 2 on the Game Gear, the original Sonic and Sonic Chaos on the Master System, 3 was always my favourite too.

This looks like a lot of fun! I'm not sure whether I'll pick it up as I already have more than enough ways to start and not finish games of my own. If you're young and want to start making your own games there's an amazing array of tools these days. My personal vote is for Game Maker Studio 2. It's quite simple in some ways but that's definitely not a negative. Having everything in the one environment is great too, even if the custom UI toolkit used is a bit janky. Very different to when I was starting out writing asm to push pixels directly to video RAM. That was still a lot of fun though

I'm continuing to sit on the fence over New Pokemon Snap, so I'll be playing Kirby Triple Deluxe instead. Also playing Nier Replicant on the PS5.

Really on the fence about this. Looking for a chilled out game lately, and I love Pokemon, but I wonder if this game will feel too limited for me. I like the idea but I do think it's a shame you can't freely roam around the areas. I think that would have sold it for me. Perhaps I'd be better off getting Animal Crossing to scratch that itch instead!

I'm definitely interested in these but if I pick them up it'll be a long way down the line. I still have most of Ryza to play and will be looking to play Ryza 2 after that (I'll pick it up on sale at some point).

Never played any of them but Quest has been set on my wishlist for a long time. Looks like a great game, I'm just not 100% sold on the art and animation style.

Mostly Monster Hunter Rise for me, despite the fact I'm in a bit of a gaming lull at the moment. I've hit the end of the village quests (though haven't finished them all) and now working through the hub quests. Currently on the 3 star quests. I've also played a bit of MH4U on the 3DS to see how the older games compare. Whilst 4U seems fun, I really appreciate all the quality of life improvements in Rise.

I’ve rolled the credits on the village quests now, almost all of which I did with the dual blades. This is my first Monater Hunter (at least first that’s stuck) and I really appreciate the speed on the dual blades. I tried the two swords but they’re too slow for me. I’d love to try out some of these wackier weapons once I feel more comfortable with the game. I watched an “every weapon in one minute” video last night and the variety is astounding.

I'm only playing solo too on the whole, but I did play a one star hub quest the other day. I was joined by one other hunter. Was quite good fun so will no doubt do more. I'm yet to capture a single monster

More Monster Hunter Rise for me. I'm surprised by how much it's taken me in given I really didn't get on that well with World. As I've said elsewhere, I think it's the fact you can ride around the map so quickly and that the monster locations are shown that take it over the edge for me. I was so close to beating Magnamalow last night, but he knocked me out on my final attempt during his blue icon phase. Will manage it later today I reckon.

@cdmac It's certainly true that garbage collection can be inconvenient, but it's also possible to make good enough use of it that some cases can be more efficient than reference counted or manual memory management techniques. As you say, there's also the option of using a subset of the language too. Personally I think Monogame is quite a nice library for smaller games (I was a fan of XNA). If you're working on a large project then you're going to want more control which will of course require a language like C++. I also agree that once you get to the point of making optimisations to avoid the worst parts of your technology stack then you should move to something more appropriate (as in the Unity case).

On OOP, it's been interesting to see how generally people are moving away from the extremes of it now. Especially when it comes to things like deep inheritance hierarchies etc. They almost always end up bad and difficult to understand. There's still a lot to like about C++ even if you completely ignore OOP with the revisions to the language over the last 10 years. I've used it for nearly 30 years now, including on some very large pieces of software, so I've got a pretty good feel for what's good and what's not so good.

For my own games (all of which are pretty small of course) I've run the full gamut of technologies from my own engines written in C++ and OpenGL, Unity, SpriteKit all the way to Game Maker Studio 2. These days I'm happy with GMS2. It's certainly not perfect, but for small projects it's absolutely fine. Having everything in a single environment is pretty nice when it comes to having a quick workflow.

@cdmac I used to think that but these days I think C# is a perfectly good choice. As long as software works well, is efficient from a performance and memory usage point of view and stable then it didn’t matter to users what it’s written in. As much as I love C++, other languages offer some nice features which are sometimes worth the trade off. Electron “apps” are the real problem we need to address in the software development industry.

I've had mine for about a year and a half now. So glad I got one when I did. Such a brilliant system. Getting to the end of Samus Returns now, and then on to Fire Emblem Echoes!

I'm so tempted to buy the game at this price. I have World and 4 - didn't really get into the first and am still yet to get around to the second. Even so, I feel like this could be a series I really like once everything clicks into place...

I've been playing more on the Switch again of late following my lack of inspiration on the PS5 side. On world 8 of 3D World and been enjoying Pyra in Smash. I'm still a bit unsure of the faster running speed in 3D World. I keep running of ledges or overshooting when I jump, even late in the game. Won't be a problem for first time players on Switch and it doesn't detract from the game that much overall. It's still my favourite Mario game.

I was also happy with Pyra over Rex. In fact she was my most wanted new character prior to the original release of SSBU, but one I never expected to happen! Even better it turns out that the two characters suit my two play styles very well so she's become my preferred choice over Link and Cloud.

I know what I'll be playing this evening!

Been a slow week for gaming for me. Will dive back into 3D World and Persona 5 Strikers this weekend. Also picked up the second Smash character pass in anticipation of Pyra’s appearance so will do into that too.

Best moment of the direct for me. They could have stopped after this trailer and I’d still have been happy! Better pick up the fighters pass...

I'd be very excited if a Xenoblade X port was announced. At that's despite already owning it on Wii U and never really being able to get into it. Of course, a Xenoblade 3 tease would be way more exciting (and even less likely I suspect). Rex for Smash?

I'm currently playing through Samus Returns for the first time and having a blast. Just got the final upgrade to my gun. I also have Persona Q2 and Fire Emblem Echoes queued up. Such a great system.

@BongoBongo You get to choose which version you want to play when you boot up the digital version I believe. I've got the physical edition of Birthright. I won't speak to the differences just incase you consider them spoilers!

@BongoBongo That was pretty much my experience too! Got my New 2DS XL about 18 months ago and still loving it. I got all the FE games relatively early on, mostly because I wanted to make sure I had all the games I want before the prices start to go up. Which Fates game are you planning to get?

@BongoBongo This is the 3DS Fire Emblem game I'm yet to start. Played Three Houses, Birthright and Awakening in a row last year so needed a bit of a break! Echoes is on my shelf ready to go though. Perhaps once I beat Samus Returns...

I’m still working my way through Samus Returns. Taking it quite slowly but must be in the second half by now. It looks great and I love the 3DS, but I do find it a bit surprising there’s not been a Switch release of the game. Considering hooking up the Wii U to play some 3D World but may just wait until next week.

I've seen this quite a few times on Japanese gaming TV shows. Looks like a lot of fun.

Like others have mentioned, the final boss did feel like a huge difficulty spike. In the end I just set the game to the lowest difficulty to get it finished. I really enjoyed my time with the game, but as with all other Platinum titles, I'd had my fill by that point.

I really struggled with Xenoblade X despite 1 and 2 being amongst my favourite games of all time. Even so, if almost certainly give it another go on the Switch.

@jemil1992 This is what I'm starting to wonder, especially as some DSiWare games were recently removed (even if they did get restored). There are still quite a few games I'd like to add to my library before the shop closes down. If and when that moment comes I suspect we'll get a decent amount of warning.

Got mine earlier. Completely forgot about this! Not a huge fan of the design but happy to add to the dex.

3D Land and World are my favourite Mario games of all time. They mix the best of the 2D and 3D games perfectly.

I got Metroid Samus Returns and Ys Origin on the Nintendo side this Christmas so will boot up both of those today. I tried to start Ys last night but ended up falling asleep at the title screen following Christmas lunch

I also got FF7R for PS4 so will be spending some time with that too (on top of the rest of the backlog!).

Persona 3 is now finished. Great game, and I quite enjoyed the final boss even if he did take a long time to beat. Since then I've been continuing to plough through Demon's Souls. I think I'm probably entering the final few stages of the game now.

I bought SMT: Strange Journey Redux in the sale so will also be starting that on 3DS, as well as continuing on with Pokemon Black.

Looks pretty amazing!

Persona 3 mostly I suspect. I’m still tempted by Age of Calamity but not 100% sold. Was also thinking of picking up the new Yakuza game. Would be my first time with the series.

I cannot wait for this! Hopefully the Japanese voice track is available. I imagine it will be as it is for Dancing in Starlight.

@Lugazz From what I saw it looked like the story was interesting, even if exploration is really the focus of the game. I think I made it to around chapter 5. Perhaps if I push on until I get a skell I would enjoy the exploration more.

Easily still the best game on the Switch. The only other contender is the first game.

As for X, I've tried a couple of times but it just doesn't click. Gave up around 10 hours in. Perhaps I will try again one day, but the fact the story isn't given centre stage as it is in these two games puts me off.

Still on the fence about picking up Age of Calamity. Played some two player Mario Kart 8 last night which is always good fun. Other than that it’s Demon’s Souls and Persona 3 for me.

I’m very tempted to get Age Of Calamity with my remaining game voucher. The gameplay isn’t my favourite but I enjoyed FE Warriors even though I never finished it. The graphical style of BotW is so nice too.

The main thing stopping me is the fact the PS5 is here. Demon’s Souls is great fun, if that’s the right word. Just beat the first boss. Looks amazing and runs at a solid 60FPS. Astro’s is also brilliant. It almost feels like a Nintendo game!

I'll be continuing to rediscover how terrible I am at Mario on the Game & Watch. As I commented in the review, I was unsure whether to cancel my pre-order but I've been enjoying it a lot more than I expected now it's arrived. Perfect to pick up and play.

I'm trying to keep things relatively light otherwise as I'm at the point where I'd like to start something new, but with the PS5 arriving this week that time will already be filled with Demon's Souls. As a result I'll most likely just be continuing with Persona 3 and a bit of Mario Galaxy.

I’ve just been playing mine for the last hour or so. I went back and forth on whether to cancel my order but now it’s here I’m glad I didn’t. Is a great little device and reminds me of the Game & Watch devices I had when I was very young. I’ve never been great at Mario games (as a Sonic player in the 90s) but with the pick up and play nature of this I might actually improve. I’ll also be very interested to see what the modding community achieve with it.

I still hope one day to get into this series. I've played about 5 hours of both Vesperia and Berseria. For me it's the combat which failed to click in both games. I suspect as you get further in the systems open up more, but I don't know whether I really enjoy the fundamentals of the system. Outside of that I have liked a lot of what I've seen in terms of characters, setting, story etc. Combat is just such a large piece of an RPG that the other elements without that aren't quite enough for me.

I finished Fire Emblem Awakening yesterday. Really enjoyed it but glad I was able to make it to the end. The last few maps were a bit of a challenge as my team felt quite under levelled. Given I've played Three Houses, Birthright and Awakening essentially back to back, I've decided to wait a while before starting Shadows of Valentia. My next 3DS game will be Ocarina of Time (first time playing it).

On Switch I've started Mario Galaxy off properly now. On the second set of galaxies so far.

I'd love to also start Trails of Cold Steel on the PS4, but on that side of the fence I'm trying to avoid getting into too much at the moment with the imminent arrival of Demon's Souls.

As for many others, this was also my first fire emblem game. I couldn’t quite get into it to start with and put it aside after about 10 hours. Went back earlier this year and so glad I did. I’ve still only finished one route but have gone back and played lots of the older games. I’ve just reached the final level of Awakening.

@shgamer Yeah, the first one. I remember just how transformative it was at the time. Huge step over the first person games before it. The technology mixed with the setting and the music just resulted in perfection. I also remember trying to work out how the texture mapping was done so I could write my own 3D engine (back when I couldn’t look things up online!). Never quite reached what Doom could do but managed Wolf 3D style for 90 degree angles.

For me it’s Doom. I’ve had more run throughs of the game over the last 27 years than any other by far.

I got my first 3DS last summer. The Pikachu New 2DS XL to be precise. I think I've bought pretty much everything I want for it, at least for now. Since I got it I've been playing all the Pokemon and Fire Emblem games and I did my first playthrough of Xenoblade on it too earlier this year. Also played 3D Land and New Leaf. I still have Monster Hunter 4, the two Persona Q games, SMT IV, Link Between Worlds, Ocarina of Time and Radiant Historia to go. Needless to say I've got many happy hours with it still ahead of me.

I also own a DS Lite, which I got near release. I never really played it though and after getting my 3DS I realised I'd missed out on quite a bit. On that system I have more Pokemon games, some of the Final Fantasies and a few more to play though too.

A very quiet one for me gaming wise so far. Did a bit more Pokemon catching last night in The Crown Tundra. Also played a bit of Doom.

I’ve played the first 10 hours or so of 3 on my Switch. You can definitely jump in from 3 as far as I can tell but I did end up getting 1 and 2 for the PS4 in the recent sale. Really want to start 1 but Persona 3 is capturing most of my time at the moment. It’s great these games might come to the Switch over here though.