[Interview] Baten Kaitos I & II HD Remaster producer on the return of the GameCube classics
Posted on 7 months ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in Interviews, Switch | 0 comments
We recently had the chance to speak with Koji Nakajima, the producer of Baten Kaitos I & II HD Remaster. These classic RPGs originally launched during the GameCube era, and are now making a comeback after roughly two decades.
Nakajima spoke with us about why Baten Kaitos is returning now, what it was like working on the remasters, support from Monolith Soft, and more. You can read our full interview below.
[Preview] Star Ocean: The Second Story R – PAX West 2023
Posted on 7 months ago by Nicholas Serpa in Previews, Switch | 0 comments
As someone new to the Star Ocean series, I had heard so many different opinions on the series over the years that I’d always been curious about jumping in, but not quite sure where to start. Well, apparently the second game in the franchise is regarded by many fans as one of the best, so I was really excited when Star Ocean: The Second Story R was revealed in a recent Nintendo Direct (alongside a jaw-dropping new art style). I was able to demo this remake at PAX West 2023, and left with an extremely positive first impression; exciting combat, old-school strategic depth and outstanding production values are all lining up to make this one of my most anticipated RPGs.
[Let’s Talk] What are you playing? – September 2023
Posted on 7 months ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in Let's Talk | 0 comments
A new month started up last week. Now that we’re in September, we want to know what you’ve been playing.
Are you digging into Sea of Stars? How about some of the other recent releases like Blasphemous II, Red Dead Redemption, Quake II, and Bomb Rush Cyberfunk? No matter the case, let us know in the comments below.
[Preview] Thank Goodness You’re Here – PAX West 2023
Posted on 7 months ago by Nicholas Serpa in Previews, Switch eShop | 0 comments
Sometimes, a game enters your life that is just so strange and charismatic that, even if you don’t quite fully understand it, you can’t help but smile and love it. That basically sums up how I felt after recently demoing Thank Goodness You’re Here, an upcoming comedy adventure game that feels like a Cartoon Network show come to life in all the best ways.
More: Coal Supper, highlight, Panic, Thank Goodness You're Here, top
Atari’s upcoming slate of games makes old favorites new again
Posted on 7 months ago by Nicholas Serpa in Features, Switch | 0 comments
Gaming preferences develop from many different origins – the games you played at your neighbor’s house growing up, the ones you received at Christmas and on birthdays – but being born in the late nineties, Atari games were never in my rotation. That’s probably because for what felt like years, the company’s output was relatively minimal compared to the early days of the storied company. Their franchises remain iconic, though; I’d wager just about everyone knows what Pong at least is, even if they’ve never played it. That inherent familiarity is powerful, and Atari’s upcoming slate of games capitalizes on it; they’re taking old favorites and finding ways to refresh them into something exciting for modern audiences.
More: Atari, Haunted House, highlight, qomp2, top
[Preview] No Longer Human – PAX West 2023
Posted on 7 months ago by Nicholas Serpa in Previews, Switch | 0 comments
No Longer Human – an upcoming fast-paced slash-em-up and the debut release of indie developer 0801 LLC – is one of the finest examples of pure sensory overload that I’ve ever had the privilege of playing. I moved and attacked at speeds that felt impossible, to a soundtrack that’s so agressive and distorted its almost indescribable, while watching geysers of pixellated blood erupt from my foes. The game has the aesthetic of vector-traced arcade cabinets of the olden days, if those games were made today and took place in a rave. It’s a one-of-a-kind experience that absolutely deserves to be on the radar of action game fans.
More: No Longer Human, PM Studios
9 action-packed Switch games to keep on your radar – PAX West 2023
Posted on 7 months ago by Nicholas Serpa in Features, Switch | 0 comments
There were a ton of interesting games big and small at PAX West 2023, but as someone who’s always on the hunt for more fast-paced thrills, I felt spoiled for choice after sampling a huge swatch of action-heavy games at the show. From roguelikes to first-person shooters, there’s a little bit of everything on the horizon; if you’re looking for your next high-energy experience, we’ve put together a list of 9 action-rich games you may want to keep an eye out for.
More: highlight, PAX West 2023, top
[Review] Fae Farm
Posted on 7 months ago by Dawn in Reviews, Switch | 0 comments
System: Switch
Release date: September 8, 2023
Developer: Phoenix Labs
Publisher: Phoenix Labs
The farming/life sim genre has exploded in recent years, and with an abundance of high quality titles now available on Switch, it is becoming increasingly difficult for new entrants to stand out from the crowd. Fae Farm, which comes from Phoenix Labs, is the latest to have gathered some attention prior to its launch thanks to its magic-focused premise, RPG elements, and quality-of-life features that make the pains of the genre more bearable and accessible. While Fae Farm takes several steps in the right direction towards this end, there are some design choices that make the overall experience less magical than it could have been.
More: Fae Farm, highlight, Phoenix Labs, top
[Review] Blasphemous II
Posted on 7 months ago by Dawn in Reviews, Switch | 0 comments
System: Switch
Release date: August 24, 2023
Developer: The Game Kitchen
Publisher: Team17
Blasphemous was a smash hit when it released in 2019, two years after a highly successful Kickstarter campaign. Two years after the first game wrapped up with The Wounds of Eventide DLC, developer The Game Kitchen is back with this direct sequel. At this point you probably know if the Soulslike Metroidvania genre is one you enjoy, and Blasphemous II won’t be changing your mind. However, it stands out from the crowd and is a marked improvement on the original game, and one I would definitely recommend that you pick up if you’re on the fence.
More: Blasphemous II, highlight, Team17, The Game Kitchen, top
[Preview] Our first hands-on with Super Mario Bros. Wonder
Posted on 7 months ago by Nicholas Serpa in Previews, Switch | 0 comments
In the eleven years since New Super Mario Bros. U first released, 2D platformers have changed a lot. Not only are there a lot more of them overall – thanks to some very creative projects by small teams – I’d argue the genre has broadly shifted towards increasing the complexity of the overall experience. Many sidescrollers today embrace popular added-depth systems; rougelike elements, skill trees, sprawling and interconnected maps, Soulslike combat, or perhaps all of the above. These can all be great things, and I’ve certainly made some amazing memories with some out-of-left-field projects over the past decade, but sometimes it’s nice to experience a platformer where the joy comes not necessarily from overcoming a complex challenge or system, but from something simpler. For me, in the case of Super Mario Bros. Wonder, that joy came from being surprised. And in my recent 30 minute demo session with the game, I found myself being surprised at almost every turn.
