[Let’s Talk] Hopes and expectations for the next Nintendo Direct
Posted on 6 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, Let's Talk, Switch | 165 Comments
A Nintendo Direct will almost certainly be held this month. You know it, we know it. For a recap as to why a Nintendo Direct is highly expected within the next couple of weeks, you can read up on this post. But even disregarding that, common sense tells you that we need to hear from Nintendo soon in order to get a better idea about plans for 2018 on Switch and 3DS.
For Switch’s future, we do actually know about a few things from Nintendo, but not everything is confirmed for this year, and there’s a lot that’s up in the air. Bayonetta 1 and 2 along with Dragon Quest Builders are due out in February. Other than that, we don’t really have solid dates. Nintendo has previously announced Kirby Star Allies, Yoshi, Metroid Prime 4, and new entries in the Pokemon and Fire Emblem series. Project Octopath Traveler will be published at some point as well.
[Review] Romancing SaGa 2
Posted on 6 years ago by Dennis Gagliardotto(@LyonHart_) in Reviews, Switch eShop | 6 Comments
System: Switch (eShop)
Release date: December 15, 2017
Developer: Square Enix
Publisher: Square Enix
Romancing SaGa and the SaGa series in general has had a long history in the RPG world, first launching in 1989 as The Final Fantasy Legend. While we’ve seen a few SaGa games localized since then, Romancing SaGa 2 in particular never saw a release until recently on mobile a few years ago, before making its way to consoles now just before the new year of 2018. Unfortunately, this is a poor port of the mobile version of the game localized years ago, and not a remaster of the original title on the Super Famicom. This becomes problematic in a lot of ways, and the Switch suffers heavily from it.
More: highlight, Romancing Saga 2, Square Enix, top
[Let’s Talk] Your 2017 Game of the Year
Posted on 6 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in Let's Talk | 19 Comments
Can you believe that 2017 is almost over? For me personally, it doesn’t feel like it’s been that long since the Nintendo Switch Presentation in January. But hey, that was almost a year ago!
This has been an incredible year for gaming, and Nintendo no doubt contributed to that. Switch made a huge splash, and a bunch of great games launched this year. From Nintendo on Switch alone we saw Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Super Mario Odyssey, Xenoblade Chronicles 2, Splatoon 2, and ARMS. There were other heavy hitters as well like Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle and Fire Emblem Warriors. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, Doom, and many others helped round out the year. And don’t get us started on indie hits like Golf Story and SteamWorld Dig 2.
We also can’t forget about the 3DS. Sure, you could make a case that the system is winding down, but some great games came out there as well. Dragon Quest VIII, Monster Hunter Stories, Pokemon Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon, were among the titles to have graced the dedicated portable this year.
With the year winding down we want to know what your Game of the Year is. Is it Zelda? Mario? Something else? Let us know in the comments below.
[Review] The Next Penelope
Posted on 6 years ago by Jakob Vujovic(@jakovujo) in Reviews, Switch eShop | 1 Comment
System: Switch (eShop)
Release date: December 21, 2017
Developer: Aurélien Regard / Seaven Studio
Publisher: Plug In Digital
Set in a far-future interpretation of one of the oldest pieces of western literature, The Next Penelope has an engaging aesthetic wrapper for its gameplay mixture of top-down shooter and Micro Machines style racing. As novel as space Poseidon might be, these narrative elements are also its flimsiest facet. The snippets of dialogue that are peppered throughout the game’s five main major challenges fumble with some inelegant wording, odd grammar, and a few comma splices. The premise isn’t given the space to develop into much beyond passing references to the Odyssey. Fortunately, this is all just window dressing – the game’s hectic arcade-style shooting fares much better in blending somewhat dissonant gameplay concepts. It comes together as an impressively well constructed genre hybrid.
[Let’s Talk] The Game Awards 2017 reactions
Posted on 6 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in Let's Talk, Switch | 26 Comments
Just like that, The Game Awards have come and gone. All of the winners have been chosen, and many announcements were made along the way. Nintendo played a very big part in it all.
To get things started, The Champions’ Ballad DLC was properly unveiled for Zelda: Breath of the Wild. If that wasn’t enough, it launched right after The Game Awards ended.
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[Let’s Talk] What are you playing? – December 2017
Posted on 6 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, Let's Talk | 45 Comments
A new month is here! We just entered December yesterday, so that means we want to know what you’ve been playing.
Have you started up something entirely new for the month? Maybe you’ve just started Xenoblade Chronicles 2? Whatever the case, let us know in the comments below!
Highlights from last week’s topic: Favorite kingdoms in Super Mario Odyssey
[Review] Rocket League
Posted on 6 years ago by Dennis Gagliardotto(@LyonHart_) in Reviews, Switch | 2 Comments
System: Switch
Release date: November 14, 2017
Developer: Psyonix / Panic Button
Publisher: Psyonix
Rocket League has seen tremendous growth in popularity and players over the past few years since its original release, and also now cements itself as one of the largest eSports franchises in the world. At the same time, it remains easy to pick up and play for the casual gamer to enjoy. Although we’ve seen a surge in online multiplayer titles for quite awhile now, Rocket League maintains a dedicated and respectful consumer base thanks to its low cost of entry, hours of fun, and, most importantly, no pay-to-win nonsense. The cars won’t run faster, but having something like the Batmobile will definitely make you look cooler than most out on the field (besides the incredible Metroid car, of course).
More: highlight, Panic Button, Psyonix, Rocket League, top
[Let’s Talk] Favorite kingdoms in Super Mario Odyssey
Posted on 6 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in Let's Talk, Switch | 22 Comments
It’s crazy to think about, but Super Mario Odyssey has already been around for a month. At this point, many of you have likely completed the game – or at least reached the ending. That probably means you’ve seen a good chunk of what the game has to offer when it comes to kingdoms.
Kingdoms are obviously a huge part of Super Mario Odyssey. Each area is very distinct and has its own challenges. Some are big, a couple are small, and others fall right in the middle.
Out of the kingdoms you’ve traveled to thus far, which ones are you favorite? And on the opposite end of the spectrum, are there any that you’re not a fan of in particular? Let us know how you feel below. If you’re reading other comments, be warned that there may be possible spoilers.
Highlights from last week’s topic: What would you want out of an animated Mario movie?
More: highlight, Super Mario Odyssey, top
[Let’s Talk] What would you want out of an animated Mario movie?
Posted on 7 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, Let's Talk | 31 Comments
The Wall Street Journal reported this week that a new animated Mario movie is on the way. Illumination Entertainment, the studio behind the Despicable Me and Minions films, has been apparently pegged to work on Nintendo’s project. It’s far from an announcement, but The Wall Street Journal tends to be accurate with these kinds of reports.
Just the thought of any new Mario movie may strike fear into the hearts of dedicated Nintendo fans. There was a Super Mario Bros. movie way back in 1996, though many would say that it was downright terrible. If Nintendo is making a new Mario movie, you still have reason to be cautious. However, there would be a couple of things going for it.
First, Shigeru Miyamoto should be on board. The Wall Street Journal said that Miyamoto was pushing for a producer role. The fact that it would be animated also helps big time. Live action doesn’t make much sense for Mario, but animation is much more appropriate.
So let’s just say that this movie is in fact happening. Is there anything in particular you’d like to see from it? What about things you’d like to see Illumination Entertainment and Nintendo avoid? Let us know in the comments below.
Highlights from last week’s topic: What are you playing? – November 2017
[Review] RIVE: Ultimate Edition
Posted on 7 years ago by Vincent Ward in Reviews, Switch eShop | 1 Comment
System: Switch
Release date: November 17, 2017
Developer: Two Tribes
Publisher: Two Tribes
In RIVE, you control a spider-mech that is piloted by a loud mouthed, raunchy captain as he tries to escape a space warehouse that constantly pours threat after threat his way. As far as story- that’s as much as you’re going to get, aside from awkward one-liners and poor pop culture references. The story never grows into much more than that, but that’s completely fine. A game like RIVE doesn’t need a huge encompassing tale to keep you invested, just the quick paced action of the 7ish hour campaign will keep you invested enough.
