How save states make Nintendo Switch Online games accessible
Posted on 1 month ago by Ethan in Features, Switch | 0 comments
Speaking as broadly as possible, it’s probably safe to say that video games are slightly easier now than they were 30 years ago. Of course, that’s not the case for every video game – plenty of modern ones ramp up the difficulty on purpose. But when it comes to some of Nintendo’s greats – specifically in the Zelda and Metroid franchises – the older entries are absolutely more punishing, in most cases. Many of these older entries are currently available on Nintendo Switch Online (or its Expansion Pack), which allow save states and in some cases, rewinding time to correct mistakes you make in the game.
Today, we’re talking about which Nintendo Switch Online games benefit most from save states and rewinding for classic Nintendo platforms. Do you like using save states and rewind for a more casual play experience, or do you prefer playing these classic games as they were intended?
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Splatoon 4 should have these features and improvements
Posted on 1 month ago by Ethan in Features, General Nintendo | 0 comments
A hypothetical Splatoon 4 would certainly be a Switch 2 title – and at the time of writing, the console still hasn’t been officially announced. Seeing as Splatoon 3’s content cycle has just wrapped up, it might be a little bit too early to start thinking about the game. Still, for many, it was a high point in the series, and after the conclusion of the excellent Grand Festival, it’s only natural to think about what could be next for one of Nintendo’s most popular franchises. Today, we’re looking at all sorts of new things we think would be cool to see in Splatoon 4.
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[Review] Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered
Posted on 1 month ago by Nicholas Serpa in Reviews, Switch | 0 comments
System: Switch
Release date: October 31, 2024
Developer: Grasshopper Manufacture / Engine Software
Publisher: NetEase
When a game is given the label of “cult classic,” in my experience, this is typically due to one of two possible scenarios occurring. The first is that the game itself was generally deemed above average in terms of quality, but for business or marketing reasons never found a huge audience; this is the optimistic perspective. The second, more cynical perspective is that the game itself ended up as a middling experience due to creative or technical decisions, but managed to find a small fanbase in spite of these issues. Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered boldly labels itself as “a cult classic born from the most creative minds in the industry” on its store pages, so it begs the question: exactly what type of cult classic is this 2011 third-person shooter, and how does it hold up 13 years after its initial release?
[Review] Yakuza Kiwami
Posted on 1 month ago by Edan(@@Virtualboi92) in Reviews, Switch | 0 comments
System: Switch
Release date: October 24, 2024
Developer: Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio
Publisher: SEGA
Ask any cohort of gamers what their favorite aspect of SEGA’s Yakuza series is, and you’ll doubt that each person you’ve involved in your study is talking about the same game. Some will highlight its accessible yet more-ish combat, or perhaps the unshakeable morals of the series’ most illustrious protagonist, Kazuma Kiryu. Quiz anyone who owns a Switch, however, and they will likely bemoan the free-roam brawler’s absence on Nintendo’s hybrid console. With the machine now coasting through its autumnal years with a continuously stacked release schedule, SEGA has opted to bring Switch owners into the family by porting Yakuza Kiwami – a remake of the series’ inaugural outing – to the console that just won’t die.
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[Review] Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven
Posted on 1 month ago by Elias in Reviews, Switch | 0 comments
System: Switch
Release date: October 24, 2024
Developer: Square Enix / Xeen
Publisher: Square Enix
Square Enix’s SaGa franchise has seen quite the return over the last few years. With almost as many entries as the mainline Final Fantasy games, the series has had a lot of time to define itself – resulting in a focus on non-linearity, exploration, and a unique take on character advancement and customization that in the modern age is still surprisingly addictive and proves that the SaGa renaissance is in full swing. Heading in to a game I first experienced on Switch when it was first ported to the west in 2017, I was incredibly excited to return to the world of Avalon in beautiful 3D with Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven.
[Review] Card-en-Ciel
Posted on 1 month ago by Dawn in Reviews, Switch eShop | 0 comments
System: Switch
Release date: October 24, 2024
Developer: Inti Creates
Publisher: Inti Creates
If there’s one thing I don’t think we get enough of these days, it’s video game crossovers and character cameos. There’s something delightful in watching characters from different series interact with one another in “what if” scenarios. Despite being a deckbuilder, which is a far cry from the 2D action games they are better known for, Card-en-Ciel feels like a love letter to Inti Creates’ catalog of releases up to this point, and it delivers a surprisingly deep combat system that somehow manages to stay fresh despite the repetition and roguelike trappings that occasionally throw off the pacing.
More: Card-en-Ciel, highlight, Inti Creates, top
[Let’s Talk] What are you playing for Halloween this year?
Posted on 1 month ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in Let's Talk | 0 comments
In just a couple of weeks, Halloween will be rolling by once again. Around this time, many people play specific games that bring the spooky vibes. Some go all out with horror like Resident Evil, but there are plenty of titles that aren’t quite as serious yet still bring the same aura.
With Halloween taking place soon and often associated with October overall, have you been playing anything specific? What’s your favorite Halloween game? Let us know in the comments below.
This is the most overlooked entry in the Zelda series
Posted on 1 month ago by Ethan in Features, General Nintendo | 0 comments
Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons may just be the most overlooked entry (or technically entries) in The Legend of Zelda series.
Echoes of Wisdom recently released, and it made history as Grezzo’s first fully-original core entry in the critically acclaimed series. It’s been created in the same style as the Link’s Awakening remake on Switch: chibi-style graphics with a vague dream-like quality. A completely new Zelda game is absolutely the best timeline, but today we’re here to talk about something different that could’ve happened instead: Link’s Awakening-style remakes of Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons.
[Review] Ys X: Nordics
Posted on 1 month ago by Dawn in Reviews, Switch | 0 comments
System: Switch
Release date: October 24, 2024
Developer: Falcom
Publisher: NIS America
Adol Christin has certainly led an interesting life. Across the series’ thirty-six year lifespan he’s crossed numerous continents, explored the ruins of civilizations past, and saved the world from dire threat on more than one occasion. But, fearless adventurer that he may be, Adol has never had much luck with ships. It seems that every time Adol sets foot on a ship it ends up sinking due to one circumstance or another, so putting him at the helm of one probably sounds like a bad idea. However, Ys X: Nordics does just that, and manages to mostly stay the course to deliver yet another solid entry in the series.
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[Review] Neva
Posted on 1 month ago by Dawn in Reviews, Switch eShop | 0 comments
System: Switch
Release date: October 15, 2024
Developer: Nomada Studio
Publisher: Devolver Digital
Nearly six years after its release, I still find myself occasionally thinking about my experience with Gris. The debut title of Nomada Studio, it was a visually stunning experience that explored deeply personal themes of loss and acceptance, and it left a lasting impact on me in a way few other games can claim. I was keen to try out Neva, the studio’s second title, which I found feels no less poignant for its exploration of our relationship with the world and one another, and is a more than worthy spiritual successor.
