Comments 356

Re: Mini Review: Spanky's Quest - Surprisingly Charming Monkey Business

shining_nexus

@NeonPizza I recently restored my old NES and started playing my old games on a CRT TV that I got from my neighbor’s trash bin. I think it’s the best way to experience these games. I’m now game hunting for games with my dad and brothers to build a collection and when we’re “finished”, I plan to repair my old SNES or Genesis and start collecting and playing those games all over again.

Re: Review: Knockout City - Dodge This Superb Squad-Based Arcade Action At Your Peril

shining_nexus

Was just a tad interested in the game and gave it a shot to play with my brother who was loving it. It was really fun. I like the colorful art design and retro futuristic theme. Gameplay is simple to learn, but hard to master with some deep mechanics and strategic elements, like positioning and team work. Music is awesome as well.

I went ahead and purchased. The core gameplay loop is so fun to me that I can see myself putting tons of hours in this game, which will probably be worth the asking price. I wouldn’t worry about a losing player base after the free trial considering it’s cross platform and there’s nothing else similar to this type of game yet.

Re: Talking Point: One Year On, What's Still Missing From Animal Crossing: New Horizons?

shining_nexus

@Altina I can’t speak for everyone here, but I can tell you that I don’t find you bothersome at all. I think a few people here just don’t understand how to interpret your words or react to you because you’re really different from the norm and probably not someone they encounter or socialize with on a daily basis. There seems to be a lot of misunderstanding on both sides too. I think anti_matter is genuinely a good guy with good intentions, but is just plain ignorant (sorry bro) about your condition and your way of expressing yourself.

My interactions with you so far has been pleasant and interesting. I actually like reading the extra context of your posts because it brings out your character and a better understanding of why you might feel a certain way. You’re very transparent and honest, some characteristics that are hard to come by these days. Even your issues with Sony/Japan shows me how compassionate you can be when it comes to protecting something that you love and brings you joy.

Anyways, I know people can make no sense to you sometimes and humans can be scary (rightfully so), but by making this post, I hope you can one day accept that there are people out there that can genuinely like you.

Re: Talking Point: One Year On, What's Still Missing From Animal Crossing: New Horizons?

shining_nexus

@Altina “ how am I supposed to not be scared of humans... “
You must be terrified of mirrors... Kidding! <headpat>

New Horizons is my first real AC experience with hundreds of hours in play time since the original on GameCube. I’ve dabbled in the other entries, but probably not enough to remember all the features missing in NH. I’m very happy with NH, but would love to experience all these new activities and features that long time veterans are talking about. Flying a kite would be cool too.

Re: Feature: Best Game Boy Advance (GBA) Games

shining_nexus

@RudeAnimat0r I don’t think there will ever be a proper Shining Force 4, which is silly considering the popularity that the Fire Emblem series have garnered. I think at one point the series creator from Camelot has expressed interest in creating another Shining Force game, but it only got as far as that.

I think the only way a new Shining Force game gets made is it Nintendo were to publish the project. Sega doesn’t seem too interested at reviving the series and it wouldn’t be a proper Shining Force game without the original developer, Camelot.

Back on topic, surprised to see Metroid Zero Mission at number one considering the vast amount of great games on the GBA. Not complaining though, since it is my favorite 2D Metroid (suck it Super!.. kidding of course).

Re: Soapbox: I Somehow Bought Over $800 Of Animal Crossing Crap In One Year

shining_nexus

@Altina Playing digital for TCG games is the way to go for me too. I absolutely adored and enjoyed playing Hearthstone, but the money needed for new cards were getting too expensive. I stopped playing because of that. Old cards would get obsolete when new expansions came out, essentially losing value on those digital cards.

That’s why I love Pokémon TCG on the Gameboy and SNK Card Fighters Clash (I highly recommend this game!) on the NeoGeo Pocket Color. All the cards are earned in game and there’s a full fledge adventure to go with it.

And yeah, booster packs are kinda like real life loot boxes, but at least they have value (physically anyway) that can be sold or traded with others.

Card Fighters Clash Retrospective -
https://youtu.be/J9GKf8OFKCU

Re: Soapbox: I Somehow Bought Over $800 Of Animal Crossing Crap In One Year

shining_nexus

@BloodNinja it sucks you had to sale your old games, but you gotta do what you got do. I have a collection of old rare games from my childhood that are worth a lot. It’s in storage at the moment and I would like to return to them someday. It’s also nice that they have cash value for those just in case moments. One of the reasons why I still try to buy physical.

Speaking of collecting old stuff, I recently brought out my collection of Pokémon cards from the base set and early expansions. I’m literally sitting on a gold mine of cards worth thousands. Just need to get them appraised.

It pays to be a nerd.

Re: Octopath Traveler Is No Longer A Nintendo Switch Console Exclusive

shining_nexus

@Altina I agree, I’m all up for multi platform games, but there’s something special about exclusive games that are tailored and designed towards a specific audience and the hardware.

I believe Octopath Traveler was designed for people who grew up with turn-based 16-bit sprite JRPGs and if it was designed for other platforms in mind, the game could have been radically different mechanically (more action based) and artistically (more realistic and gritty and possibly more boobish) in order to appeal to a wider demographic.

Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (March 6th)

shining_nexus

@Altina Sorry! I’ll try not to miss any future Pokémon games from here on out! I think my brother may have Omega Ruby so I will have to ask him to borrow it when I get the chance. And I will be getting Pokémon Diamond. I also think the graphics are cute and am ok with the direction of the game, especially since I’ve never played the original. I’ll complete the Pokédex for that game too!

Re: NIS Classics Volume 1 Brings Retro JRPGs Phantom Brave and Soul Nomad To Switch This Summer

shining_nexus

@Altina I don’t mean living there, if that’s what you’re implying. I understand the culture is very different there and not for everyone. I personally would love to visit the country that makes all these wonderful products that I’ve enjoyed throughout my life (anime and video games). I want to explore areas in Japan that were inspired in Pokémon, Persona, World End With You, etc. I want to go game shopping and discover obscure Japanese games, play at the arcades where it is a dying interest in the west, sleep at the manga hotel and catch up on some One Piece, eat some legit sushi and try out those weird vending machines that dispense underwear... the list goes on. But that’s just me and the only way I would live there is if I was married to a local.

Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (March 6th)

shining_nexus

@Altina Wow, you are very hardcore when it comes to completing games. With that much dedication to Pokémon, you’re probably going to play the series for life! That’s pretty cool. I returned to Pokémon with Sun/Moon (skipped GBA and DS gens). Got Sword and for the very first time, completed the Pokédex! Still trying to complete Isle of Armor and Crown Tundra Pokédex however. Slowly, but surely!

Good luck with completing BoTW and Hyrule Warriors... that is quite a task. I’m thinking of trying to complete Bravely Default 2, but with Monster Hunter Rise releasing soon, that may be wishful thinking. Anyways, don’t forget to have fun!

Re: NIS Classics Volume 1 Brings Retro JRPGs Phantom Brave and Soul Nomad To Switch This Summer

shining_nexus

@Altina For what it’s worth, I find your eccentric personality interesting. I’ve always found it enjoyable to learn about other people’s experiences with video games and the impacts it had on their lives, so thank you for sharing.

Would you consider visiting Japan at some point? I know it may be very challenging for you, but I feel like you would have a great experience. And the people there are usually more polite and not American so that’s a plus! Hahaha.

I’ve been fortunate enough to grow up with multiple consoles and a PC, but my heart will always belong to the Game Boy (Nintendo handhelds in general) and has been the one constant that brought me happiness throughout my life. Those are some great GB games you mentioned and I still revisit those games on my 3DS from time to time!

BTW, I commend you for sticking with WoW for that long. My experience with WoW was short, but most of my interactions with the community were toxic.

Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (February 27th)

shining_nexus

@Altina I knew The Legend of Heroes had a complicated and rich history (I didn’t know it went that far back), but your explanation certainly helped me understand it a whole lot better. Seriously, thank you for that and all the little cool bits about the games. My interest in the series has definitely gone up. This really makes me want to boot up ToCS 3 again!

I definitely would want to start with ToCS 1 and possibly play the other sub series in between. I do have the capabilities to play the other games, but I do want to experience them on the Switch. However, I wouldn’t rule it out and if a port doesn’t look possible, then I may just have to play it on other platforms.

I am busy with other games at the moment, so I am ok with waiting. As soon as ToCS 1 drops on Switch (I’m confident it will happen, it is already translated after all with ports confirmed for Japan), that game will definitely be at the top of my list of games to play.

Re: "Several" Square Enix Remakes Are In Development At Polish Studio Forever Entertainment

shining_nexus

@Avol Really hoping for this. The Mana and Saga series have been getting a lot of love recently (though that might be the fact that some of those series regulars are still working for SE) and it’s a matter of time before the Chrono games takes some spotlight. A remastered Cross would be nice. Heck, throw in an official localized Radical Dreamers in that collection as well.

Re: Cloud Gaming Not A "Top Priority", But Nintendo Is "Always Researching Technologies"

shining_nexus

Stadia is a dumpster fire because it was led by a company (Google) that does not understand the intricacies of video game culture and development.

With that said, I don’t mind cloud gaming as an option at all and would like to see more technology intensive games on the Switch. My experience with the cloud version of Control was good. I would love to play FF7 Remake or Resident Evil Village in handheld mode while I’m pooping.

Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (February 27th)

shining_nexus

@Altina Too bad you don’t have your PS4 anymore, but I understand why you sold it. I mainly play my PS4 for online multiplayer these days and all my single player stuff are on the Switch. I don’t plan on getting the PS5 anytime soon either because not a lot of PS games appeal to me at the moment. Also, I’ve always been more of a handheld gamer and I really love the hybrid function of the Switch. It fits into my gaming life perfectly.

But yeah, I am very curious about the Legend of Heroes series and ALL the games you mentioned in your post (here’s hoping they’re Switch bound!). I heard good things about Trails of Cold Steel on an RPG podcast and it made me go out and purchase ToCS 3. I put in about 30 hours and I stopped... because I enjoyed it so much that I wanted to experience the previous games so I can appreciate the story in later games. I absolutely loved the characters (Altina is awesome), battle system, and the story, even with my limited knowledge of previous games. I even enjoyed the mini card game and probably put too much time into it then I should.

It does look like Falcom is serious about supporting the Switch and I’ll definitely be supporting their games. More good JRPGs can never be a bad thing.

Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (February 27th)

shining_nexus

@Altina I feel exactly the same way about open world games and that’s why I wasn’t hyped at all about BotW at launch. It was a big change from the traditional Zelda formula, but I’m glad I gave it a chance. Games like Red Dead Redemption, GTA, Horizon, Assassins Creed, and others, did not really excite me. It’s mostly due to the gritty graphics (which I actually don’t mind, but I do prefer a more artistic or anime aesthetic, like FF7 remake or Resident Evil remakes), and the monotonous quests with a lifeless world. Fetch quests like going from point A to point B is way too abundant in these games. It’s just no fun to explore a world with hardly anything to discover, although RDR did a better job of this.

BotW was designed to encourage exploration and playful gameplay, instead of focusing on a narrative that will lead to a more movie like experience. Modern open worlds are just not for me, but I am at least interested in trying out the Witcher 3 or Immortal Fenyx.

BotW is quite possibly my fave game of all time (DQ11 did come close to dethroning it) and I’m glad you love it. Now if only Falcom would release Trails of Cold Steel 1 & 2 for Switch out of Japan...

Re: Hori Is Launching A New Monster Hunter Rise Split Pad Pro Controller For Switch

shining_nexus

I have a set and I would recommend it. It’s very bulky and heavier definitely, but if you prefer to have pro control during handheld mode then the trade off might be worth it. I personally tend to switch between these and the stock joy cons depending on the intensity of the gameplay.

With that being said, this MH design is a little messy. Maybe it’ll look better IRL. I would have preferred a more minimalist look.

Re: The First Review For Bravely Default II Is Now In

shining_nexus

Love me some classic turn based Final Fantasy. Will be picking up and starting this weekend. I have been playing through FF9 and only about a quarter into the story. Did some grinding (thank you speed up and max dmg option!) to bring my characters over leveled so now I can simply enjoy the story and boss fights. Will probably continue FF9 as comfort food every now and then.