[Review] OPUS: Echo of Starsong – Full Bloom Edition
Posted on 2 years ago by Dennis Gagliardotto(@LyonHart_) in Reviews, Switch eShop | 0 comments
System: Switch
Release Date: May 11, 2022
Developer: SIGONO
Publisher: SIGONO
OPUS: The Day We Found Earth introduced me to the wonderfully talented SIGONO and the studio’s clear ambition to tell stories in a way that was equal parts refreshing, wholesome, and evocative. Roughly a year later and not long after its PC release, the developer brought us a follow-up of sorts (though not a direct sequel) with OPUS: Rocket of Whispers, which was more of an atmospheric point-and-click experience where you’d look through a telescope and locate different planets utilizing and coordinates and data you had at your disposal. The ambition for SIGONO was clearly to push their talents forward while still being able to tell this extremely palpable and moving story, and they excelled once again. Now comes along OPUS: Echoes of Starsong, which is once again vastly different from the other two entries in the series they’ve produced, but the gap in time and growth within the studio is put on display in such a way that the game is not only the best of an increasingly joyful series so far, but could easily be considered one of the most stunning, emotionally-driven, and unique visual novels of all time.
[Let’s Talk] What do you want to see from Pokemon Scarlet / Violet?
Posted on 2 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in Let's Talk, Switch | 0 comments
For Pokemon Day back in February, Pokemon Scarlet and Pokemon Violet were announced for Switch. Only a few details have been revealed thus far, including the starters: Sprigatito, Fuecoco, and Quaxly. The games are also said to have “an open world where various towns with no borders blend seamlessly into the wilderness.”
If Pokemon Scarlet and Pokemon Violet see the series’ traditional marketing cycle, there’s a good chance that we’ll be getting new information soon. And if that’s the case, it’s the perfect time to talk about what you’d like to see from the new titles. Are there any types of features you’re hoping will be in the games? Let us know in the comments below.
More: Game Freak, highlight, Pokemon Scarlet, Pokemon Violet, top
Why Nintendo should consider consistency over constant changes
Posted on 2 years ago by Dennis Gagliardotto(@LyonHart_) in Features, General Nintendo, Switch | 0 comments
Nintendo has a long history of sticking out in the video game business and in the tech space as a whole thanks to unique ideas that more often than not bring in new and innovative experiences. Whether it’s the design of odd controllers such as the N64, the motion and remote-like controls of Wii, or the hybrid nature of Switch, these ideas and philosophies have been a core part of what makes the company exciting generation after generation. More often than not, Nintendo’s games, while somewhat gimmicky, end up standing out and leaving behind a legacy in the medium’s history that we typically look back fondly at. Some if not most will dismiss Nintendo’s ideals whenever a new generation arrives with games that take advantage of showing off the new technology and hardware, but it more often than not works out. At the same time, even though the Big N has done well to come up with new ideas time and time again, the company tends to get ahead of itself by focusing on making everything a unique “experience”, even if it’s not something built around game design. This is arguably one of the most frustrating parts of Nintendo’s culture that brings this sort of yin and yang feeling of what works and what doesn’t.
[Review] Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising
Posted on 2 years ago by Elias in Reviews, Switch eShop | 0 comments
System: Switch
Release date: May 10, 2022
Developer: Natsume Atari
Publisher: 505 Games
CJ is on a coming-of-age quest handed down to her from her family’s storied history as treasure hunters. Seeking out fabled riches in the recently booming adventurer destination, New Neveah, she finds out that the town is in a bit of a pinch. Using her talent for fighting and exploring, CJ begins to chase not only treasure, but the sense of community in helping the town rebuild after a recent quake. Mending the town’s ties between the villagers and the newly-arrived adventurers, a story unfolds that introduces us to the Eiyuden Chronicle universe, which is set to feature a turn-based RPG, Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes from a legendary development team featuring Yoshitaka Murayama (Suikoden I, II) and Junko Kawano (Suikoden I, IV,) of Rabbit & Bear Studios. While this is not the main feature, they do have a lot of fans picking up this smaller companion game. So how does Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising reveal to us this new frontier of adventure?
Nintendo Everything Refresh Episode 009 – Predicting the (inevitable?) summer Nintendo Direct and more
Posted on 2 years ago by Nicholas Serpa in General Nintendo, Podcast, Switch | 0 comments
The season for summer gaming reveals is upon us, but what will Nintendo have to show in their summer Nintendo Direct? Join your hosts Nick, Nicholas and Luiz as they try and predict what Nintendo might announce and showcase at its inevitable upcoming presentation, as well as their pie-in-the-sky dream game reveals. Then, stick around for some news about Sonic Frontiers, Fall Guys on Switch and more!
Our show is available on most major streaming platforms, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music and Audible, or you can check out the video version below:
[Review] The Centennial Case: A Shijima Story
Posted on 2 years ago by Nicholas Serpa in Reviews, Switch | 0 comments
System: Switch
Release Date: May 12, 2022
Developer: h.a.n.d.
Publisher: Square Enix
Say what you will about Square Enix, but it’s impossible to deny that they’ve got a knack for publishing offbeat experiences that few other major publishers would touch. Their latest oddity, the lengthily named The Centennial Case: A Shijima Story, is an ambitious interactive detective story framed almost entirely through full-motion video (or FMV) – a style of presentation that really thrived in the 90’s but is only now experiencing a small resurgence in popularity. Despite its niche presentation, the game delivers an intimate and intelligent mystery that is well worth seeing through to the end, if players can endure its slow pacing and only moderately interesting characters.
[Let’s Talk] June 2022 Nintendo Direct hopes and dreams
Posted on 2 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in Let's Talk, Switch | 0 comments
E3 might be dead – at least this year – but June is still primed to be a big month for gaming news, announcements, and presentations. Summer Game Fest will be back in action and at least some companies are expected to host events.
The big question is whether we’ll see a new Nintendo Direct next month. Generally speaking, we get three of these events each year: in Q1, then in June, and finally September. The June presentation always ties in with E3. But even though there’s no E3 in 2022, there’s nothing stopping a Nintendo Direct from happening.
Assuming a Nintendo Direct is on track for June, what are you hopes and dreams? What sort of announcements would get you excited for the future of Switch? And which titles do you think would be realistically shown? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.
Nintendo Everything Refresh: Episode 008 – Our favorite Indie World announcements, surprising Nintendo sales numbers, Monster Hunter, and more
Posted on 2 years ago by Nicholas Serpa in General Nintendo, Podcast, Switch | 0 comments
Twenty games were featured in last week’s Indie World showcase, but which ones stood tall above the rest? Join your hosts Nick, Nicholas and Dennis as they discuss their favorite reveals from Nintendo’s latest showcase, in which fists and insults will fly vehemently, leaving none of them the same ever again. (Just kidding!) Then, stick around for their thoughts about the recent Monster Hunter presentation, some insight into the latest Nintendo sales data, and even more news and game impressions!
Our show is available on most major streaming platforms, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music and Audible, or you can check out the video version below:
[Let’s Talk] Your top pick from the May 2022 Indie World Showcase
Posted on 2 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in Let's Talk, Switch | 0 comments
After nearly half a year, Nintendo returned with a new Indie World Showcase this week. Close to twenty games saw some sort of screen time.
Some titles were announced previously, but were confirmed for Switch during the presentation like Ooblets and Totally Accurate Battle Simulator. There were also a handful of brand new announcements such as Another Crab’s Treasure and Gunbrella. On top of that, we saw the surprise releases of Mini Motorways, Soundfall, OPUS: Echo of Starsong – Full Bloom Edition, and Gibbon: Beyond the Trees. We have a complete recap here.
With that in mind, which games stood out to you during this week’s Indie World Showcase? What’s your personal highlight? Let us know in the comments below.
More: highlight, Indie World, top
[Interview] Time on Frog Island dev on the art style, gameplay, Switch, more
Posted on 2 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in Interviews, Switch | 0 comments
Nintendo Everything recently had the chance to speak with Max Wrighton, director and studio co-lead at Half Past Yellow, about the upcoming game Time on Frog Island. We touched on a variety of topics, including the art style, gameplay, Switch version, and more.
Our full discussion can be found below.