mr_somewhere

It's a nine for me.

It has some flaws, some design choices that are questionable, but the level of polish, the artistry in the world design, the atmosphere that is provided when the game is allowed to breath takes me right back to playing Prime when it first launched on the Gamecube. It's entirely possible I'll like it less on my second run, but while it's weaker than the other entries what it does well is so good that it's deserving of the score. There was nothing, at least in my experience that was ever as egregious as the key hunt in Echoes.

At the very least, there is a lot of promise here so I hope we don't have to wait too long for the next entry.

I think this list is also a good reason why you shouldn't take it seriously.

Having a pretty great time so far! I need at least two runs before I start to compare it to the other prime games but the first two hours have been fantastic.

Just for fun, here's my ranking for the mainline games:

Super
Dread
Zero Mission
Fusion
Samus Returns
2
1
Other M

I love them all, though (except for Other M).

Absolutely beautiful article that gets to the heart of this game and why it remains one of my absolute favourites.

Going off how good DK looks after the last Direct I can confidently say they should take as long as they like with the next 3-D Mario. Quality over quantity. I'm also fairly convinced DK has likely been more or less finished for some time and most of the team have moved on to something else while they polish it for release, that seems to be Nintendo's current modus operandi.

It's a ten for me. The new mechanics make this sometimes feel like I'm playing a Sonic game perfecting my run in as stylish a way as possible. The open world is chill and I just enjoy spending time there messing around and pursuing goals and playing this in local with my partner has been the most pure fun I have had with a videogame in a very long time.

The insane stuff people are already pulling off (and which to a limited degree I can manage) in Question Block Ruins is crazy. I am really excited to see how this game continues to develop.

Don't forget there was also the Castlevania chapter for Dead by Daylight, which I loved.

I would very much hope we're done and dusted with the Lords of Shadows style games. I enjoyed the first, it had its issues but the art direction and general tone was great, the design elements got more and more lopsided as it went on though.

Even though I grew up with the side-scrollers I still feel that none of the Metroidvania games had the detail and breadth of Symphony, mostly because they were relegated to handheld devices. Don't get me wrong, plenty of those games are better or charming in their own way but an ambitious title in that style could be brilliant.

I sincerely hope not. AI anything is more or less an instant no purchase for me.

Way Forward have a pretty great track record and I am always up for more Metroidvania games, so long as they can distinguish themselves from the pack, so looking forward to the review.

Sounds great. Not entirely sure if it's my thing but going to keep an eye on it. Loved everything they've done from The Last Door down to Blasphemous 2.

I see we're at that part of the Zelda cycle. So we'll need to wait five years or so before it's cool to like TOTK again...

I wish him the best of luck. Anywhere will be lucky to have him. Actually, I waited a long time before buying the second game just because of the association with Ubisoft. But both Rabbids games were actually fairly different and both really special so I'll be keeping my eye out to see what he does next.

I think that's completely fair. Obviously, many, like myself, will be interested in this because of its heritage, but I think it's healthier (and you will enjoy yourself more down the road) if you take it as its own thing.

Besides, I appreciate some of their work more broadly just outside of Chibi Robo so always interested in what they are up to.

The character design needs a little bit more work, but I am absolutely keeping my eyes glued to this. The original Chibi Robo has a special place in my heart.

He's definitely right, but to a degree. There are some broken characters in Smash and then... well, there's Ganon. You can do well with any character but it's impossible to be the best with any character, if that makes sense. But that's the nature of any competitive game. Ultimate is very, very well balanced overall, though I think the pandemic hampered some the balancing towards the end.

@Takoda The perfect answer. It feels perfectly fleshed out and accomplishes everything it set out to do. A beautiful experience.

While not yet on any Nintendo platforms (hopefully this will change) I would also add Crow Country. One of the best designed Survival Horror experiences out there. There's not fat to trim, going to make replays a joy.

Very excited for this. This is a neat way to introduce Dracula. Just wondering who the survivor will be, it'll be a bit harder to justify that.

@Total_Weirdo I think you may have played it when there were server issues. It rarely takes me more than a couple of seconds to find a game.

The game is an absolute steal at that price. I'd also highly recommend Shinsekai, very odd quasi-Metroidvania style game that takes place beneath the sea during a peculiar apocalypse, not to everyone's taste but worth a look.

@Uncle_Franklin To be fair, Melee was made in 13 months, which is why there are so many clones. Its incredible that the game works at all, nevermind the competitive beast it ended up becoming!

Clearly a very talented illustrator and designer. Such a shame. RIP.

@Woderwick The tune is interesting, but you're right there's something slightly off about it. It reminds me a little of David Sylvian's later music but it's just missing that little something.

Game does look good all the same, will be keeping my eye on it and see.

So, J.G. Ballard's "Drowned World" without the acid influences and weird psycho-sexual tension? Nah, count me out.*

*Being facetious of course, can't help but make a Ballard reference if it's there. Game looks decent.

This is so dumb. Just release it for Christ's sake!

SMT V was the FE Engage of its series, extremely fun to play, full of promise but a lacklustre narrative held it back. V had a lot of potential in some of its ideas, so I'm hoping this will be a chance to right those wrongs.

Ender Lilies was such a nice surprise so I'm really looking forward to this!

Guess that means Steve is never getting nerfed.

In all seriousness, sure, this game has flaws, but it's a monumental game. It's a blast whenever I boot it up, even now, so long as I am not playing online, mind. The amount of polish that is present in this title despite the scope is something else.

I've had my eyes on this one for a while, might as well wait and see how the Switch port is!

@Culethrax I don't want to come across as rude but it's influenced numerous indie games predominantly, sure, but a lot of those have gone on to have lasting cultural influence, I'd argue that you are underestimating the influence, but that's me.

Miyamoto is such a difficult person to put into words, I know he is increasingly controversial but there's a reason he's so respected. Having said that, I think his words probably pull a little bit too much weight and that younger creators should be given more freedom at Nintendo, which I think has happened. It's important to keep the spirit he brought alive but also not to simply adhere to it. After all, in this case, if Miyamoto really was lacking in enthusiasm Itoi was still successful in the end. The Mother series while not being a sales powerhouse has had an enormous influence on the world of videogames.

Very happy to hear. Only played this game this year. It's rough. What the game does well it does very well which unfortunately isn't everything but fortunately is the important stuff, for the most part. I am excited to hear they plan on doing more with the series, there's a huge amount of potential!

Man, these fellas just love hopping on every loser trend possible.

I absolutely adore Oatchi, so adorable. I was worried he would cheapen the game as he is rather op, but once you get into the post-game challenges his presence is essential and really heightens the game.

I am sure there will still be space for the older style games but at the same time let the team make the games they want to make. The worst thing any artist can do is pander to what they think the audience wants.

Well deserved. A delightful game in so many ways.

@twowingedangel what about Dragon Quest 11? That game looked a lot better and the port ran much smoother as well, at least compared to what I experienced in the demo. This should not be a particularly taxing game, even for the switch, I think we can very much blame the devs in this case.

I'm very interested in this but I think I will wait for the price to go down/see if it gets patched. Love Dragon Quest and always wanted to give this spin off a go.

@Coalescence is that so? Granted I only engage with the community I see when playing the game, but there it always seems so positive.

They should have ported Origins instead. This'll likely be a skip for me, despite how much I love the first two.

Definitely getting this but going to hold out on playing it until the second paid dlc comes out... I want my return voyage to be as eventful as possible.

@Dom_31 I love when people make the claim that it's the hardware's fault and not Gamefreak's chronic mismanagement (presumably) at the hands of the Pokemon company. Tears of the Kingdom didn't have perfect performance, but there's no reason Pokemon can't put the time and money into a game of similar quality.

@ActionPanther Same, waiting for the DLC before I return. Dredge was a surprise highlight in a year of great games.

It would be nice to have more options, or to have seen a certain character return, that would have been the perfect premise for it too, in my mind. Still, this is far from unexpected. Having recently finished I'm content, I'm more than happy to wait to see what's next... just please don't make us wait six years.

Something like this was sadly inevitable. Charles' work has really informed the characters and people's interpretations of them, I think. I only hope he continues to inform them, Charles is Mario, Luigi, Wario and Waluigi and whoever steps in to fill those roles will undoubtedly be aware of this.

Surprising amount of negativity on here. I thought it looked very good and the trailer makes it clear this has ambitions that go beyond merely being a clone.

A wonderful game that stands proudly shoulder to shoulder with some of the best in both the franchise and genre but still, I hope the team were treated well and, if it was the case that production was troubled, they iterate and improve next time.

I'm happy with the game as it is but I'm under no illusions about us getting a new Smash any time in the next few years so a new pass would certainly help soften the blow and finally give me that excuse to dive back into the game.

Oh and maybe Kazuya and Steve could finally get patched.

I haven't finished it just yet, taking my time, but honestly I did not expect it to be this good. It feels like an almost perfect distillation of everything Pikmin.

I'm torn. If we could buy them separate I would just go for Mythra. But also, as much as I dig Xenoblade and am (with some caveats) a Xeno 2 defender, I know how they look on the shelf...

Would be great if it was a double pack but still happy to hear this. Tomba was an absolute gem released during the relatively charmless generation when we saw the majority of games go through their awkward teen phase.

I think the ending was quite clear and built up well. I can see how it would suffuse a layer of melancholy over the game, make it difficult to return to, but I think it elevates the experience.