@GetontheStiix I still don't get why Pokemon gets a free pass that other games don't. It's always looked bad so...it shouldn't ever be expected to improve? Again, why?
Also, it's not a purely technical thing. The review describes the visuals as lifeless. Retro styled games like Celeste or Shovel Knight aren't soaring technical achievments, but they were highly praised for their visuals because they were charming and full of soul.
I personally am about as far away from a 'graphics whore' as you could get, but I look at modern Pokemon games and they just look so cheap and charmless. It's not raytracing or whatever that would fix that either, it's care and attention - something Gamefreak don't seem to see fit to deliver.
@GetontheStiix Don't understand the reasoning here at all. Because it was obvious pre-release the visuals were poor, it shouldn't be marked down for having poor visuals? Why not?
If a game looks like it's going to be dreadful from its trailers, should it be given a 10 when it turns out it is dreadful because that's what was expected?
Hey @dartmonkey or anyone else from the site - have you seen the top of this list since the Library of Ruina review? Don't know if there's anything you can do about it but it's very weird to go through all these games and then see that there at #1.
I was very confused and it was only when I clicked on the game and read the comments that I understood what's gone on.
@Fiskern I believe what you're missing is how scoring systems have been used by video game reviews for the last several decades.
We all know 5 is halfway on the scale, but we also (should) all know that 5 is a very low score for a game.
(Also worth noting that the eShop is infamously flooded with low-effort mobile ports, asset flips etc. These don't get reviewed, but if they did, they'd likely fill the 1-4 part of the scale, meaning a game like this is in fact an average game - but why play something average when you can play something actively good?)
@FishyS Imagine they ported SMB1...but it came with an unreleased prototype of the game too, and they recodrded an entire brand new soundtrack, added training features for speedrunners as well as downloadable online replays, produced new original artwork AND they threw in three new variations on the game with their own unique mechanics that mixed up how you approach the game.
Would that deserve a 10/10? Cause that's a fairer comparison.
@gcunit The thing is, this site only tends to review the absolute, true classic shmups (not a dig, by the way, it's amazing a mainstream site reviews any at all). No exaggeration, there are often close to 100 shmups released on Switch in a calendar year, the majority rereleases of old classics. I'm sure if they reviewed every single Arcade Archives release and every low-budget Megadrive port, you'd see a lot more sub-7 scores. But when they're sticking to stuff like DOJ, Batsugun, Ray Force etc, high scores are justified as these are some of the most legendary games in the last, like, 30+ years of the genre.
@Warioware This will depend on your region etc, but have a look for it physically. Iirc, there was both a limited and regular retail release. I'm pretty sure I've seen it for 20-something on Amazon (that's in the UK).
@StarryCiel I'd say the super easy mode (plus the new arranges) makes this just as accessible as Mushihimesama (which is ported by LiveWire, by the way, not M2 - edit: ah, you already noticed). On the other hand, the big problem with this release is it's Japan-only, and likely to remain that way.
@Warioware, my personal recommendation for an easy to get into bullethell would be Deathsmiles. It's got a nice, gentle difficulty, it's easily available and it comes in a package with the second game too.
@Tom-Massey Yeah, that and the ultimate version out there line. It's only a very slight confusion, and I basically understood what you meant, but it did make me second guess myself and go check the Steam description - and it seems the guy I was replying to got the same impression.
Honestly, I think the confusion comes at least as much from how this was released whereby it was supposed to be a simultaneous (or at least near to simultaneous) launch on Steam and Switch. But because of the massive delay to the Switch release, people might not realise they're the same thing. At the same time though, I don't really think a Switch review on a Nintendo site has any obligation to mention other releases. For example, the line that this version (as in Cosmo Machia / Degica's version) is the ultimate version is perfectly accurate.
Hopefully they'll bring the original over as well since it's already on Steam, and maybe include the arrange DLC to bring it up to a similar level to this release. (And hell, why not just give us III while they're at it too!)
@Kilroy I don't think those modes are even exclusive to Switch. But I was also a bit confused - the review's slightly confusingly written on that point. As far as I'm aware though, this and the Steam version are basically identical.
A new release of the game was announced for Switch and Steam way back, but it released first on Steam and then the Switch port got delayed by like over a year. But I'm fairly sure they're the same thing and the new modes are also in the $20 (and probably often on sale) Steam version.
Still, personally, I prefer playing on Switch so I got it here. If you ignore the fact it's available cheaper elsewhere and just ask is this good enough to justify the money? In my opinion, the answer's yes. It's a great game with some really major new additions.
However, if you're someone who plays a lot on Steam, then for sure, it's best to just get it there.
I'm not saying it's absolutely awful. People giving it 1s on Metacritic etc are also being unfair. It's got a fun game at its core and it looks polished visually so it doesn't deserve to be absolutely slated. But the shortcomings are so clear and obvious that giving it a 9 in a 'professional' review is crazy.
@MrA-Game Totally agree. That review was an absolute joke. I have the game and the mechanics are actually really good and the animations etc high quality. However, there is just nothing to do and the roster is miniscule. I get reviews etc hinge on opinion and personal taste, but those two problems are not subjective. The game IS barebones with next to nothing for single-players to do. To give it a 9/10 is madness.
"the city of Ximending feels heavily inspired by Yakuza’s Kamurocho"
Each is based on a real world location. I've been to both and, yeah, they're vaguely similar. But no, the real world city of Taipei, which is pretty faithfully reproduced in Dusk Diver, is not inspired by the video game Yakuza. Japan just happens to have had a strong influence on Taiwan.
This is like Famitsu claiming a game set in, say, Toronto was 'inspired by GTA'.
@PARK1755 To be fair, he does kind of explain it when he says: "when it comes to Mario Kart, we have pretty high standards, you know." In other words, he's going to be harsher on these tracks in Mario Kart than he would if they were in another game because he expects more.
Now, obviously, that's a pretty stupid reason and a nonsensical way to review something, but at least it does kind of explain what's happened.
Played these on Steam and they're decent. Nothing to get wildly excited about in comparison to Mushihimesama etc, but good gets for Switch all the same. I'll definitely be picking up that Japanese physical edition.
Really, really surprised not to see Super Arcade Football on this list.
Sure, it's basically a Sensi clone, but since Sensi is one of the greatest football games ever made, even being an approximation of the original is enough to merit a place on this list, and Super Arcade Football gets pretty close to the feel of the classic series.It's also got a lot of options and different ways to play.
I can only assume no one at Nintendo Life Towers has played it as I'm sure it would be on here if anybody knew about it.
Also, fully agree with the choice of Behold the Kickmen. Really funny, but also a pretty fun and solid game to play as well.
Had this problem with Hollow Knight. Like Kate with Dead Cells, I loved the game, but I wish I could have played it without the DLC first - not least because I didn't know which were the DLC areas. So, for example, I spent a long, long time in some sort of really hard boss-rush arena thinking that was the way to progress the main quest, which it wasn't.
I understand people saying more content is more content, but at that point I didn't want extra content, I wanted to make progress in the main game and there was nothing to indicate that wasn't what I was doing.
Very similar thing happened to me with one of the Tomb Raider games, where I stumbled through a crack in a cliff thinking I'd find some treasure only to find myself engaged in some bizarre side adventure that had nothing to do with the main game and that just completely threw me.
Both examples are great if you already beat and enjoyed those games, but if you're playing for the first time it can be confusing and actually detract from the core experience.
Where feasible, games should definitely have an option to turn the DLC updates off if you wish until you're ready for them.
Appreciate the response, Tom. And no need to apologise at all - I don't think the comment goes so far as to come across as derogatory. In fact, I think it's almost precisely because your review is so good - in both the sense of being ball-gargingly (lol) positive about the game and of being well-written with an understanding of and ability to explain the game's place in the genre and specific reasons why it's so unique - that that final comment stuck out.
And, while I do get the idea that most shmups today are not pushing the boat out, I don't think the majority ever were (think of the ratio of tired military shooters in the late-80's / early-90's to actual classics) - but nor were or are the majority of games in any other genre. As someone said earlier, most racing games are just racing games, most platformers are just platformers. True originals are few and far between, not just in the various genres of video games, but in movies, music, books etc too.
Also, it's not so much the single comment in this article on its own that frustrates me as much as it is the near ubiquity of something similar in so many shmup reviews - especially when taken in tandem with its absence from reviews of almost every other genre.
Overall though, I have to say, I'm far more pleased to see this game getting reviewed on a big site like Nintendo Life (who, by the way, I think do an incredible job in keeping on top of shmup news and reviews etc) by someone who clearly knows what they're talking about than I am in any way bothered by a very short comment at the end.
99% great review, but those last few words just seem so unnecessary. Nobody ever writes that sort of stuff about other genres, but no review from a big site ever seems complete without some sort of similar comment when it comes to shmups.
I just don't get it.
I mean, sure, we all know it's not a genre that is or likely ever will be as popular as it was back in its arcade heyday (and Eschatos isn't going to do anything to change that either), but dangerously played out? There are inventive new shmups being released constantly these days - maybe moreso than ever before. Of course, they don't get much mainstream traction, but they still keep coming and I don't understand why so many are unable to resist including some little dig at the genre, especially when it's done under false pretences.
(Sorry, I know that's a bit of a long ramble over just a couple of words in an otherwise glowing review, but this isn't the first time I've seen something similar and it kind of grinds my gears.)
You could say that about every mechanic any game ever has employed that makes things anything more than walking towards a goal with no obstacles in between.
The colour change mechanic in Ikaruga is not there "simply to make the game more difficult to play". That is a categorically false statement. You can see several other reasons why it's been added in my previous comment, and I'd say it's somewhat disrespectful to the developers to dismiss something that's been so painstakingly thought through as if it's just been chucked in to make things difficult.
Like I said, I 100% understand why someone wouldn't like the mechanic and I have zero problem with someone saying "I don't like it" or even "it ruins the game for me". But it is not there purely for the sake of making the game more difficult and, frankly, I think that's an absurd thing to say.
@JayJ I can totally understand someone not liking the colour change mechanic in Ikaruga, but I don't think it's remotely fair to say it's just there to make the game more difficult.
The whole game is built around that mechanic and, whether you personally like it or not, it's incredibly well implemented, adds huge amounts of depth and replayablity for those who do like it, and makes for a deep and fascinating scoring system.
That is why it was added.
I'd even dispute the idea it makes the game more difficult at all, actually. Imagine the patterns in Ikaruga without the ability to change colour. Large sections of the game would be literally impossible.
@DashKappei My understanding is using hyper increases your rank making the game more difficult. So while 'build then use hyper, rinse and repeat' is the perfect tactic for scoring, for survival it's actually best to avoid using your hyper unless you're in a tight spot and need it to avoid losing a life.
@Omario I have them all and they all perform great! There's apparently a minor scoring glitch in one of the later stages in this one, but I don't think it's of concern to anyone not chasing world records.
This is a pretty fair review overall, but personally I do have to say I almost enjoy the 'mystery' of games like this. Crawling through old forums and FAQs etc to find out what the hell's actually going on is half...well, maybe not half, but like a tenth of the fun. (Maybe just me.)
Good stuff. I saw the trailer for this a while back and it immediately intrigued me. Hopefully it'll get a physical edition (everything seems to these days).
@PJOReilly Not at all. One thing to add, by the way, is it's not just the d-pad, holding ZR remaps strafe L/R from Y and X respectively to Y and A on the face buttons.
It is, for sure, awkward to switch between them, but to be fair, you're barely ever not holding down fire in Sin & Punishment anyway.
I could understand if you'd said: "BS! It's mapped to blahblahblah". But calling something factually false 'BS' is not, as far as I'm aware, offensive or insulting.
The article really does need changed though, because currently it contains information that is categorically not true.
@Scapetti Oh yeah, good point. So you can do everything!
I will admit, it's a bit awkward if you're switching between the schemes, but definitely the claim that you can't strafe right and shoot is demostrably untrue.
@PJOReilly I don't understand the Sin & Punishment complaint, which is one of the games you do say you have played. Holding down shoot remaps the c-buttons to the Switch's face buttons, so you absolutely can strafe right and shoot at the same time - in fact, it might even make the strafing easier because it more closely replicates the original's controls. What you can't do is shoot and change cursor at the same time, which is a far more minor issue.
Thanks for pointing out Celtic are still in it. Always a joy to pick Rangers and enjoy a nice easy game of humping the hoops. But then, I guess you could pick Livingston, Hearts or, well, anyone really, and have an easy time against Scotland's sixth best team...
@iuli The other reviews I've seen for this game were video reviews - meaning they both prove those reviewers DID play the games and allow us to see actual footage.
Every review and comment I've seen has mentioned performance issues, but - other than this review - they've all said they're a bit of a shame but not game breakingly bad. Except this review.
Bear in mind that 5/10, while officially being 'average', is a score that tells the public this game is an absolute stinker to be avoided at all costs. From what I've seen, read and heard from every single other source apart from here is that that is not remotely the case.
This is a very poor game and extra content won't help it. Others have mentioned twitchy controls, but it's more than that. The tracks are often confusing, your car reacts wildly differently to the terrain (sometimes a small rock will slam your car to an immediate halt, other times touching a near vertical cliff face will send you flying through the air - and bouncing off the invisible walls all over the place), there are modes that don't make sense, whether you win or lose races is only minorly affected by how you drive, the different cars basically drive the same...
And worst of all, it's glitchy as hell. Worst issue being that if you don't have NSO, the game will try to connect to it 4(!) times after every single race - each time requiring a manual cancel from the player.
I got this and, while I really like it, this review misses an absolutely glaring problem that suggests this was reviewed before being finished.
Namely the slowdown. It crops up now and then in the early levels, but gets really bad in the later levels and goes through the roof when you meet the final boss. This is not deliberate slowdown either. This is screen freezing, input delaying slowdown that can easily cost you hits.
I wouldn't say it's enough to put me off the game at all, but, while it's a very, very decent imitation of a Psikyo shooter with some really neat visuals, it is not at that level and the slowdown is a major issue. The fact it's been missed makes this review basically worthless.
@DTFaux That's a fair point. The presentation could be made better or worse.
However, it wouldn't matter how much they jazzed this one up, the lack of any particularly interesting announcements was always going to sink it. Ultimately, every Direct or State of Play will stand or fall based on one thing only: what games are in it.
I don't get these 'it will evolve' comments. It's a video with trailers for upcoming games. If good games are shown, gamers will think it was good. If they're not, we won't. No evolution necessary.
Get this rubbish off your site sharpish, Nintendolife. You might generate a few clicks now, but if you keep filling your front page with this sort of bs, your readers will start looking elsewhere.
There are dozens of sites that just repost whatever old crap they come across. What makes this site a bit different is there is (used to be?) a good level of curation. I see more and more of these non stories though and it seriously puts me off the site.
Be careful - it's a lot easier to ruin a reputation than it is to earn one.
Excellent recommendations in the posts above. I'd add Black Bird as a wholly unique and at the same time wonderfully crafted shmup.
As for this news, super pleased! Haven't played V but I'll get it anyway. Plus, hopefully, hopefully this means we'll get some others as well as Caladrius Blaze. Even if you don't like this particular game that much, I think this can only be considered fantastic news if you're a shmup fan.
Comments 61
Re: Review: Pokémon Legends: Z-A - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition - Stellar Battles, But A Step Down From Arceus
@GetontheStiix I still don't get why Pokemon gets a free pass that other games don't. It's always looked bad so...it shouldn't ever be expected to improve? Again, why?
Also, it's not a purely technical thing. The review describes the visuals as lifeless. Retro styled games like Celeste or Shovel Knight aren't soaring technical achievments, but they were highly praised for their visuals because they were charming and full of soul.
I personally am about as far away from a 'graphics whore' as you could get, but I look at modern Pokemon games and they just look so cheap and charmless. It's not raytracing or whatever that would fix that either, it's care and attention - something Gamefreak don't seem to see fit to deliver.
Re: Review: Pokémon Legends: Z-A - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition - Stellar Battles, But A Step Down From Arceus
@GetontheStiix Don't understand the reasoning here at all. Because it was obvious pre-release the visuals were poor, it shouldn't be marked down for having poor visuals? Why not?
If a game looks like it's going to be dreadful from its trailers, should it be given a 10 when it turns out it is dreadful because that's what was expected?
Very weird comment.
Re: Nintendo Says AI-Generated Images "Were Not Used" In Mario Kart World
Removed
Re: 50 Best Nintendo Switch Games To Play Right Now (2024)
Hey @dartmonkey or anyone else from the site - have you seen the top of this list since the Library of Ruina review? Don't know if there's anything you can do about it but it's very weird to go through all these games and then see that there at #1.
I was very confused and it was only when I clicked on the game and read the comments that I understood what's gone on.
Re: Mini Review: Shinorubi (Switch) - A Curious Shooter That's A No-Go In Docked Mode
@Fiskern I believe what you're missing is how scoring systems have been used by video game reviews for the last several decades.
We all know 5 is halfway on the scale, but we also (should) all know that 5 is a very low score for a game.
(Also worth noting that the eShop is infamously flooded with low-effort mobile ports, asset flips etc. These don't get reviewed, but if they did, they'd likely fill the 1-4 part of the scale, meaning a game like this is in fact an average game - but why play something average when you can play something actively good?)
Re: Review: Dodonpachi DaiOuJou Blissful Death Re:Incarnation (Switch) - Poetic Bullet-Hell Perfection
@FishyS Imagine they ported SMB1...but it came with an unreleased prototype of the game too, and they recodrded an entire brand new soundtrack, added training features for speedrunners as well as downloadable online replays, produced new original artwork AND they threw in three new variations on the game with their own unique mechanics that mixed up how you approach the game.
Would that deserve a 10/10? Cause that's a fairer comparison.
Re: Review: Dodonpachi DaiOuJou Blissful Death Re:Incarnation (Switch) - Poetic Bullet-Hell Perfection
@gcunit The thing is, this site only tends to review the absolute, true classic shmups (not a dig, by the way, it's amazing a mainstream site reviews any at all). No exaggeration, there are often close to 100 shmups released on Switch in a calendar year, the majority rereleases of old classics. I'm sure if they reviewed every single Arcade Archives release and every low-budget Megadrive port, you'd see a lot more sub-7 scores. But when they're sticking to stuff like DOJ, Batsugun, Ray Force etc, high scores are justified as these are some of the most legendary games in the last, like, 30+ years of the genre.
Re: Review: Dodonpachi DaiOuJou Blissful Death Re:Incarnation (Switch) - Poetic Bullet-Hell Perfection
@Warioware This will depend on your region etc, but have a look for it physically. Iirc, there was both a limited and regular retail release. I'm pretty sure I've seen it for 20-something on Amazon (that's in the UK).
Re: Review: Dodonpachi DaiOuJou Blissful Death Re:Incarnation (Switch) - Poetic Bullet-Hell Perfection
@StarryCiel I'd say the super easy mode (plus the new arranges) makes this just as accessible as Mushihimesama (which is ported by LiveWire, by the way, not M2 - edit: ah, you already noticed). On the other hand, the big problem with this release is it's Japan-only, and likely to remain that way.
@Warioware, my personal recommendation for an easy to get into bullethell would be Deathsmiles. It's got a nice, gentle difficulty, it's easily available and it comes in a package with the second game too.
Re: Review: Castle Of Shikigami 2 - A Fine Version Of The Best Game In The Bullet-Hell Trilogy
@Tom-Massey Yeah, that and the ultimate version out there line. It's only a very slight confusion, and I basically understood what you meant, but it did make me second guess myself and go check the Steam description - and it seems the guy I was replying to got the same impression.
Honestly, I think the confusion comes at least as much from how this was released whereby it was supposed to be a simultaneous (or at least near to simultaneous) launch on Steam and Switch. But because of the massive delay to the Switch release, people might not realise they're the same thing. At the same time though, I don't really think a Switch review on a Nintendo site has any obligation to mention other releases. For example, the line that this version (as in Cosmo Machia / Degica's version) is the ultimate version is perfectly accurate.
Hopefully they'll bring the original over as well since it's already on Steam, and maybe include the arrange DLC to bring it up to a similar level to this release. (And hell, why not just give us III while they're at it too!)
Re: Review: Castle Of Shikigami 2 - A Fine Version Of The Best Game In The Bullet-Hell Trilogy
@Kilroy I don't think those modes are even exclusive to Switch. But I was also a bit confused - the review's slightly confusingly written on that point. As far as I'm aware though, this and the Steam version are basically identical.
A new release of the game was announced for Switch and Steam way back, but it released first on Steam and then the Switch port got delayed by like over a year. But I'm fairly sure they're the same thing and the new modes are also in the $20 (and probably often on sale) Steam version.
Still, personally, I prefer playing on Switch so I got it here. If you ignore the fact it's available cheaper elsewhere and just ask is this good enough to justify the money? In my opinion, the answer's yes. It's a great game with some really major new additions.
However, if you're someone who plays a lot on Steam, then for sure, it's best to just get it there.
Re: Review: Akai Katana Shin - One Of CAVE’s Very Best Horizontal Bullet Hells
@Daggot There are tons of them. Both re-releases of actual old games and homage type new releases.
Re: Random: Hideki Kamiya Echoes Every Nintendo Fan's Wishes For The Switch Successor
@Ralizah I see you're not familiar with Nintendo and their decision making.
Re: Mario Strikers: Battle League Second Free Update Now Live, Here Are The Full Patch Notes
@Mambitos So give it a 7 then.
I'm not saying it's absolutely awful. People giving it 1s on Metacritic etc are also being unfair. It's got a fun game at its core and it looks polished visually so it doesn't deserve to be absolutely slated. But the shortcomings are so clear and obvious that giving it a 9 in a 'professional' review is crazy.
Re: Mario Strikers: Battle League Second Free Update Now Live, Here Are The Full Patch Notes
@MrA-Game Totally agree. That review was an absolute joke. I have the game and the mechanics are actually really good and the animations etc high quality. However, there is just nothing to do and the roster is miniscule. I get reviews etc hinge on opinion and personal taste, but those two problems are not subjective. The game IS barebones with next to nothing for single-players to do. To give it a 9/10 is madness.
Re: Review: Dusk Diver 2 - An Anime Hack 'N' Slash That Misses The Mark
"the city of Ximending feels heavily inspired by Yakuza’s Kamurocho"
Each is based on a real world location. I've been to both and, yeah, they're vaguely similar. But no, the real world city of Taipei, which is pretty faithfully reproduced in Dusk Diver, is not inspired by the video game Yakuza. Japan just happens to have had a strong influence on Taiwan.
This is like Famitsu claiming a game set in, say, Toronto was 'inspired by GTA'.
Re: Review: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass Wave 2 - Harmless Fun, But More "B-Side Filler"
@PARK1755 To be fair, he does kind of explain it when he says: "when it comes to Mario Kart, we have pretty high standards, you know." In other words, he's going to be harsher on these tracks in Mario Kart than he would if they were in another game because he expects more.
Now, obviously, that's a pretty stupid reason and a nonsensical way to review something, but at least it does kind of explain what's happened.
Re: Exhilarating Shmup Duo 'Bullet Soul' And 'Bullet Soul: Infinite Burst' Land On Switch This Fall
Played these on Steam and they're decent. Nothing to get wildly excited about in comparison to Mushihimesama etc, but good gets for Switch all the same. I'll definitely be picking up that Japanese physical edition.
Re: Best Nintendo Switch Football Games
Really, really surprised not to see Super Arcade Football on this list.
Sure, it's basically a Sensi clone, but since Sensi is one of the greatest football games ever made, even being an approximation of the original is enough to merit a place on this list, and Super Arcade Football gets pretty close to the feel of the classic series.It's also got a lot of options and different ways to play.
I can only assume no one at Nintendo Life Towers has played it as I'm sure it would be on here if anybody knew about it.
Also, fully agree with the choice of Behold the Kickmen. Really funny, but also a pretty fun and solid game to play as well.
Re: Soapbox: Free Game Updates Are Fantastic For Everyone, Except New Players
Had this problem with Hollow Knight. Like Kate with Dead Cells, I loved the game, but I wish I could have played it without the DLC first - not least because I didn't know which were the DLC areas. So, for example, I spent a long, long time in some sort of really hard boss-rush arena thinking that was the way to progress the main quest, which it wasn't.
I understand people saying more content is more content, but at that point I didn't want extra content, I wanted to make progress in the main game and there was nothing to indicate that wasn't what I was doing.
Very similar thing happened to me with one of the Tomb Raider games, where I stumbled through a crack in a cliff thinking I'd find some treasure only to find myself engaged in some bizarre side adventure that had nothing to do with the main game and that just completely threw me.
Both examples are great if you already beat and enjoyed those games, but if you're playing for the first time it can be confusing and actually detract from the core experience.
Where feasible, games should definitely have an option to turn the DLC updates off if you wish until you're ready for them.
Re: Review: Eschatos - A Boldly Unique And Historical Shmup Package
@Tom-Massey
Appreciate the response, Tom. And no need to apologise at all - I don't think the comment goes so far as to come across as derogatory. In fact, I think it's almost precisely because your review is so good - in both the sense of being ball-gargingly (lol) positive about the game and of being well-written with an understanding of and ability to explain the game's place in the genre and specific reasons why it's so unique - that that final comment stuck out.
And, while I do get the idea that most shmups today are not pushing the boat out, I don't think the majority ever were (think of the ratio of tired military shooters in the late-80's / early-90's to actual classics) - but nor were or are the majority of games in any other genre. As someone said earlier, most racing games are just racing games, most platformers are just platformers. True originals are few and far between, not just in the various genres of video games, but in movies, music, books etc too.
Also, it's not so much the single comment in this article on its own that frustrates me as much as it is the near ubiquity of something similar in so many shmup reviews - especially when taken in tandem with its absence from reviews of almost every other genre.
Overall though, I have to say, I'm far more pleased to see this game getting reviewed on a big site like Nintendo Life (who, by the way, I think do an incredible job in keeping on top of shmup news and reviews etc) by someone who clearly knows what they're talking about than I am in any way bothered by a very short comment at the end.
Re: Review: Eschatos - A Boldly Unique And Historical Shmup Package
99% great review, but those last few words just seem so unnecessary. Nobody ever writes that sort of stuff about other genres, but no review from a big site ever seems complete without some sort of similar comment when it comes to shmups.
I just don't get it.
I mean, sure, we all know it's not a genre that is or likely ever will be as popular as it was back in its arcade heyday (and Eschatos isn't going to do anything to change that either), but dangerously played out? There are inventive new shmups being released constantly these days - maybe moreso than ever before. Of course, they don't get much mainstream traction, but they still keep coming and I don't understand why so many are unable to resist including some little dig at the genre, especially when it's done under false pretences.
(Sorry, I know that's a bit of a long ramble over just a couple of words in an otherwise glowing review, but this isn't the first time I've seen something similar and it kind of grinds my gears.)
Re: Koei Tecmo Will Unleash Its "Full Power" In 2022, With New Projects That Have Been In Development For Several Years
No offense, but the opening sentence of this article is one of the weakest I've ever seen anywhere.
Re: Mini Review: DoDonPachi Resurrection - Same Great Game, Same Old Problems
@JayJ Your take in terms of not liking it is 100% valid (as I've made a point of stating twice already).
Your take that the colour change mechanic was added "simply to make the game more difficult to play", however, is not valid. At all.
Re: Mini Review: DoDonPachi Resurrection - Same Great Game, Same Old Problems
@JayJ What a strange comment.
You could say that about every mechanic any game ever has employed that makes things anything more than walking towards a goal with no obstacles in between.
The colour change mechanic in Ikaruga is not there "simply to make the game more difficult to play". That is a categorically false statement. You can see several other reasons why it's been added in my previous comment, and I'd say it's somewhat disrespectful to the developers to dismiss something that's been so painstakingly thought through as if it's just been chucked in to make things difficult.
Like I said, I 100% understand why someone wouldn't like the mechanic and I have zero problem with someone saying "I don't like it" or even "it ruins the game for me". But it is not there purely for the sake of making the game more difficult and, frankly, I think that's an absurd thing to say.
Re: Mini Review: DoDonPachi Resurrection - Same Great Game, Same Old Problems
@JayJ I can totally understand someone not liking the colour change mechanic in Ikaruga, but I don't think it's remotely fair to say it's just there to make the game more difficult.
The whole game is built around that mechanic and, whether you personally like it or not, it's incredibly well implemented, adds huge amounts of depth and replayablity for those who do like it, and makes for a deep and fascinating scoring system.
That is why it was added.
I'd even dispute the idea it makes the game more difficult at all, actually. Imagine the patterns in Ikaruga without the ability to change colour. Large sections of the game would be literally impossible.
Re: Mini Review: DoDonPachi Resurrection - Same Great Game, Same Old Problems
@DashKappei My understanding is using hyper increases your rank making the game more difficult. So while 'build then use hyper, rinse and repeat' is the perfect tactic for scoring, for survival it's actually best to avoid using your hyper unless you're in a tight spot and need it to avoid losing a life.
That's my understanding, at least.
Re: Mini Review: DoDonPachi Resurrection - Same Great Game, Same Old Problems
@Omario I have them all and they all perform great! There's apparently a minor scoring glitch in one of the later stages in this one, but I don't think it's of concern to anyone not chasing world records.
This is a pretty fair review overall, but personally I do have to say I almost enjoy the 'mystery' of games like this. Crawling through old forums and FAQs etc to find out what the hell's actually going on is half...well, maybe not half, but like a tenth of the fun. (Maybe just me.)
Re: Review: The Legend of Tianding - Terrific Combat In An Intriguing Setting
Good stuff. I saw the trailer for this a while back and it immediately intrigued me. Hopefully it'll get a physical edition (everything seems to these days).
Re: Nintendo Switch Online's N64 Games Need Some Work
@PJOReilly Not at all. One thing to add, by the way, is it's not just the d-pad, holding ZR remaps strafe L/R from Y and X respectively to Y and A on the face buttons.
It is, for sure, awkward to switch between them, but to be fair, you're barely ever not holding down fire in Sin & Punishment anyway.
Re: Nintendo Switch Online's N64 Games Need Some Work
@Scapetti It's not a good look.
I could understand if you'd said: "BS! It's mapped to blahblahblah". But calling something factually false 'BS' is not, as far as I'm aware, offensive or insulting.
The article really does need changed though, because currently it contains information that is categorically not true.
Re: Nintendo Switch Online's N64 Games Need Some Work
@Scapetti Oh yeah, good point. So you can do everything!
I will admit, it's a bit awkward if you're switching between the schemes, but definitely the claim that you can't strafe right and shoot is demostrably untrue.
Re: Nintendo Switch Online's N64 Games Need Some Work
@PJOReilly I don't understand the Sin & Punishment complaint, which is one of the games you do say you have played. Holding down shoot remaps the c-buttons to the Switch's face buttons, so you absolutely can strafe right and shoot at the same time - in fact, it might even make the strafing easier because it more closely replicates the original's controls. What you can't do is shoot and change cursor at the same time, which is a far more minor issue.
Re: PSA: You Can Use Switch OLED's Kickstand To Play In TATE Mode, Just Be Very Careful
@RabidCanuck Tateru is the Japanese verb for 'to stand'. That's also why it's pronounced tah-teh (2 syllables) as opposed to "tait".
Re: UK Charts: Metroid Dread Just Had The Strongest Opening Week Of Any Metroid Game Ever
Alexa, reverse sort the top 9 games by length of title.
Re: Review: FIFA 22 - Another Match Abandoned
Thanks for pointing out Celtic are still in it. Always a joy to pick Rangers and enjoy a nice easy game of humping the hoops. But then, I guess you could pick Livingston, Hearts or, well, anyone really, and have an easy time against Scotland's sixth best team...
Re: Soapbox: Could Switch OLED Actually Make A Reality Of Nintendo's Cheesy Tabletop Dream?
Dude, if you don't have a FlipGrip for Ikaruga, turn your TV on its side for that real arcade sensation. It's amazing!
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (June 19th)
Mushihimesama!
Glad to see Goncalo Lopez give it a mention. I expect Damien Feran is probably playing it too?
By the way, I think a fun video would be to get Alex and John to play Mushihimesama on Ultra and see their reactions.
Re: Review: Ninja Gaiden: Master Collection - Ryu Hayabusa Deserves Better Than This
@iuli The other reviews I've seen for this game were video reviews - meaning they both prove those reviewers DID play the games and allow us to see actual footage.
Every review and comment I've seen has mentioned performance issues, but - other than this review - they've all said they're a bit of a shame but not game breakingly bad. Except this review.
Bear in mind that 5/10, while officially being 'average', is a score that tells the public this game is an absolute stinker to be avoided at all costs. From what I've seen, read and heard from every single other source apart from here is that that is not remotely the case.
Re: Rumour: Is Something Going On Between Microsoft And Nintendo?
This made me laugh:
"we're not about to spin a whole news piece out of a video game company boss enjoying the video games of other companies"
Re: Super Tennis Blast Serves Up Arcade Fun On Switch This Month
Why couldn't Mario Tennis Aces have had a mode like this?
Re: GRIP: Combat Racing Receives Huge Post-Launch Content Drop
This is a very poor game and extra content won't help it. Others have mentioned twitchy controls, but it's more than that. The tracks are often confusing, your car reacts wildly differently to the terrain (sometimes a small rock will slam your car to an immediate halt, other times touching a near vertical cliff face will send you flying through the air - and bouncing off the invisible walls all over the place), there are modes that don't make sense, whether you win or lose races is only minorly affected by how you drive, the different cars basically drive the same...
And worst of all, it's glitchy as hell. Worst issue being that if you don't have NSO, the game will try to connect to it 4(!) times after every single race - each time requiring a manual cancel from the player.
Really poor game.
Re: Review: AngerForce: Reloaded - A Superb Shooter With Surprising Staying Power
I got this and, while I really like it, this review misses an absolutely glaring problem that suggests this was reviewed before being finished.
Namely the slowdown. It crops up now and then in the early levels, but gets really bad in the later levels and goes through the roof when you meet the final boss. This is not deliberate slowdown either. This is screen freezing, input delaying slowdown that can easily cost you hits.
I wouldn't say it's enough to put me off the game at all, but, while it's a very, very decent imitation of a Psikyo shooter with some really neat visuals, it is not at that level and the slowdown is a major issue. The fact it's been missed makes this review basically worthless.
Re: Random: Sony's PS4 State Of Play Presentation Made 'Nintendo Direct' Trend On Twitter
@DTFaux That's a fair point. The presentation could be made better or worse.
However, it wouldn't matter how much they jazzed this one up, the lack of any particularly interesting announcements was always going to sink it. Ultimately, every Direct or State of Play will stand or fall based on one thing only: what games are in it.
Re: Random: Sony's PS4 State Of Play Presentation Made 'Nintendo Direct' Trend On Twitter
I don't get these 'it will evolve' comments. It's a video with trailers for upcoming games. If good games are shown, gamers will think it was good. If they're not, we won't. No evolution necessary.
Re: Nintendo's Nindie Manager Hopes Cadence Of Hyrule Will Start An Indie Collab Trend
@Darknyht 2D Starfox shmup is a great idea.
I also think Ice Climbers would be a great one to give out.
Re: Box Office Analysts Expect Big Things From Detective Pikachu
Ironically, the involvement of Ryan Reynolds – something that annoyed a few fans – could end up enhancing the performance of the film.
Ironically? I don't think fans' problem with Reynolds was that he would damage the film's chances of financial success.
Re: Rumour: Link's Awakening Might Not Be The Only Zelda Game Released In 2019
Get this rubbish off your site sharpish, Nintendolife. You might generate a few clicks now, but if you keep filling your front page with this sort of bs, your readers will start looking elsewhere.
There are dozens of sites that just repost whatever old crap they come across. What makes this site a bit different is there is (used to be?) a good level of curation. I see more and more of these non stories though and it seriously puts me off the site.
Be careful - it's a lot easier to ruin a reputation than it is to earn one.
Re: This Is What Sonic The Hedgehog Probably Looks Like In His Upcoming Movie
Yeah! He's chill and likeable!
Re: Shoot 'Em Up Raiden V: Director's Cut Rated For Switch In Taiwan
Excellent recommendations in the posts above. I'd add Black Bird as a wholly unique and at the same time wonderfully crafted shmup.
As for this news, super pleased! Haven't played V but I'll get it anyway. Plus, hopefully, hopefully this means we'll get some others as well as Caladrius Blaze. Even if you don't like this particular game that much, I think this can only be considered fantastic news if you're a shmup fan.