[Review] Penny-Punching Princess
Posted on 6 years ago by Dennis Gagliardotto(@LyonHart_) in Reviews, Switch | 0 comments
System: Switch
Release date: April 3, 2018
Developer: Nippon Ichi
Publisher: NIS America
Penny-Punching Princess checks all the right boxes in things I love: it’s got arcade-inspired gameplay in which you’ll brawl your way through dungeons (or castles) in a level, a section by section format that is reminiscent of classics like Double Dragon or Streets of Rage, a simple light and heavy attack button that you can mix and match for combos, and a very straight-forward approach in how to complete each level. Racking up points and cash so you can bribe, upgrade, and loot your way to victory is also an intriguing element, and the adorable pixel art style looks nice. However, all of the enjoyment is quickly interrupted thanks to non-intuitive controls, uninspired levels, repetitive gameplay, and a story that’s so banal and aimless you’ll find yourself either falling asleep to the dialogue or skipping the text entirely.
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[Review] Attack on Titan 2
Posted on 6 years ago by Dennis Gagliardotto(@LyonHart_) in Reviews, Switch | 0 comments
System: Switch
Release date: March 20, 2018
Developer: Omega Force
Publisher: Koei Tecmo
If you watch anime or have even the slightest knowledge of it, chances are you’ve heard of Attack on Titan. In the last few years alone, the franchise has grown to be a globally known property that’s quickly making its way up the ranks to the likes of Tokyo Ghoul, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, and One Punch Man in terms of surge of popularity, and it shows no signs of slowing down. For its new game, Attack on Titan 2 sees developer Omega Force return for a sequel to the 2016 original, and while that title undoubtedly had issues with its repetitiveness and uninspired progression, this new title feels very much like an overhaul where they’ve learned from mistakes, what worked and didn’t work, and with an attempt to make this a lot more personal and captivating by experiencing the events through the eyes of your created character, rather than simply playing what you’ve watched and read. There are still improvements to be made before we get that perfect Attack on Titan experience, but this is undoubtedly a step in the right direction.
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[Interview] Owlboy dev on the game’s 10-year creation, Switch, and what’s next for D-Pad Studio
Posted on 6 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in Interviews, Switch eShop | 0 comments
After ten years in development, Owlboy finally launched in 2016. D-Pad Studio then decided to bring the game to consoles, including Switch – with the eShop release taking place just last month.
To celebrate Owlboy’s launch on Switch, we caught up with creator and artist Simon Stafsnes Andersen in hopes of learning more about the project. Andersen spoke about the long process of making the title and how it changed during development, bringing it to Switch, Owlboy’s future, and what lies ahead for D-Pad Studio. Our full interview can be read below.
More: D-Pad Studio, highlight, Owlboy, Simon Stafsnes Andersen, top
[Let’s Talk] March 2018 Nintendo Direct reactions
Posted on 6 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, Let's Talk, Switch | 0 comments
Another Nintendo Direct is in the books. Many announcements were made for Switch, but even 3DS saw a bit of love with some surprise reveals.
Super Smash Bros. obviously stole the show. But other than that, we heard about more free content and a brand new expansion for Splatoon 2, plus Switch versions of Captain Toad, Okami HD, Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy, Undertale, South Park: The Fractured But Whole, and Little Nightmares: Complete Edition. Over on 3DS, Nintendo pulled back the curtain on a Luigi’s Mansion and Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story remakes as well as WarioWare Gold. That’s not everything either, as we even saw news such as a new Dark Souls amiibo.
Now that the dust has settled on the Nintendo Direct, how’s everyone feeling about it? Did the presentation live up to your expectations? Were you disappointed? What were your favorite announcements? Let us know in the comments below.
[Let’s Talk] What are you playing? – March 2018
Posted on 6 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in Let's Talk | 0 comments
A new month is here! We just entered March this week, so that means we want to know what you’ve been playing.
Have you started up something entirely new for the month? Do games such as Bayonetta 1 + 2 and Dragon Quest Builders still have your attention? Whatever the case, let us know in the comments below!
[Review] Subsurface Circular
Posted on 6 years ago by Philip(@P_Trah) in Reviews, Switch eShop | 0 comments
System: Switch (eShop)
Release date: March 1, 2018
Developer: Bithell Games
Publisher: Bithell Games
With the growing popularity of Switch, developers all across the industry are seeing just how big of an impact Nintendo’s newest console is having on the market. As a result, the system has received an influx of not only third-party developed games, but also a barrage of creative and imaginative indie titles. One such title, Subsurface Circular, is now making the jump to the Switch after its initial release in August 2017. Developed by Mike Bithell Games, the same developer responsible for Thomas Was Alone, Subsurface Circular takes an interesting approach to one of the earliest video games genres ever created: the text-based adventure.
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[Review] Payday 2
Posted on 6 years ago by Vincent Ward in Reviews, Switch | 0 comments
System: Switch
Release date: February 27, 2018
Developer: Overkill Software / Sumo Digital
Publisher: Starbreeze
Payday 2 originally released in 2013 on most major consoles of the time, all except for the Wii U. It only took a short five years for it to eventually come to a Nintendo system, and so we have Payday 2 on the Switch. Over the past few months, we’ve seen some excellent ports of games onto this system, so it seemed the recipe for perfection was falling into place for this team-based heist shooter. Unfortunately, something that should’ve been super sweet ended up just a little too sour.
More: 505 Games, highlight, Overkill Software, Payday 2, Starbreeze Studios, top
[Let’s Talk] Switch and ports
Posted on 6 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in Let's Talk, Switch | 0 comments
One topic brought up when people discuss Switch these days is the amount of ports (or re-releases) the system is receiving. Nintendo itself has brought over a number of games from the Wii U era – normally with a few extras – including Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Pokken Tournament DX, Bayonetta 1 and 2, and Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze (in May). We’ve also seen games from other platforms make their way to Switch, including The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, Doom, L.A. Noire, and more.
Some feel that there are too many older games coming to Switch. On the other hand, those in favor of the idea point out the benefit of portable play and how some of these titles were previously not on Nintendo platforms.
What side of the fence do you side on? Do you feel that there are too many ports finding their way to Switch? Or are you in favor of past releases joining the platform? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.
[Review] Dragon Quest Builders
Posted on 6 years ago by Dennis Gagliardotto(@LyonHart_) in Reviews, Switch | 0 comments
System: Switch
Release date: February 9, 2018
Developer: Square Enix
Publisher: Nintendo
Dragon Quest has always been one of those series that’s remained niche for some reason, despite having a long and seminal history within video games. Throughout its many installments, we’ve seen Dragon Quest branch out and explore genres outside of its familiar RPG style. Dragon Quest, unlike some other properties that have a myriad of spinoffs, has actually adapted into these other genres rather fluidly, and the addition of Dragon Quest Builders adds to the list of awesome titles that hold their own outside of the main series, bringing a Minecraft aesthetic to the universe. While it may look like Minecraft at a glance, at the end of the day this really is just another Dragon Quest RPG, only with an emphasis for building and crafting. It’s an amazing mechanic that works to its favor, and with a storyline and vibrant worlds to keep you busy from chapter to chapter, Dragon Quest Builders is a game that’s very difficult to put down whether you’re familiar with the series, genre or not.
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[Review] Fe
Posted on 6 years ago by Jakob Vujovic(@jakovujo) in Reviews, Switch eShop | 0 comments
System: Switch (eShop)
Release date: February 16, 2018
Developer: Zoink
Publisher: EA Originals
It’s is a little bit of a platformer, a little bit of a puzzle game, and a little bit of an art piece. At its heart Fe is a game about communication. It’s easy to locate among the lineage of games that are notable for pushing stories that only an interactive medium can tell: Another World, Ico, and Journey, as three pivotal entries in that genealogy. With its stylized low-poly aesthetic, soothing cello carried soundscape, and wimpy little fox character Fe feels like a game that is content being placed under the larger context of games that have been bolder and newer than it. For what it is, Fe is good. Scattered throughout its eight hour run time are a few really effective and awe-inspiring moments but even these glimpses of inspiration feel complacent in the shadows of earlier prospects.
