[Review] Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness & the Secret Hideout
Posted on 4 years ago by Dennis Gagliardotto(@LyonHart_) in Reviews, Switch, Switch eShop | 0 comments
System: Switch
Release date: October 29, 2019
Developer: Gust
Publisher: Koei Tecmo
With yearly releases, certain franchises can sometimes grow complaisant and acquiescent when there’s a formula that works and becomes a signature, almost symbolic, to an IP’s legacy and name. In the case of Atelier, you know what you’re getting into with its slice-of-life approach to story, turn-based gameplay, fantasy world, and magical recipes. It’s what made Atelier what it is today with likeable protagonists, wholesome stories, and the chance to feel young and free. Each entry usually has a bunch of small tweaks that make up a larger whole that cause the games to feel distinct from each other despite the core approach effectively being the same, but when Atelier Ryza was shown earlier this year, you could tell right away that this was a big leap not only from Lulua, but from Atelier’s general direction as a whole. It still looks like Atelier, and it still feels like Atelier, though time and effort has clearly been made here for a new chapter and life that brings with it a fresh coat of paint, a new battle system, more intuitive interfaces, and just an overhaul of gameplay features and quality-of-life tweaks. All of these elements make Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness & the Secret Hideout not only the best looking Atelier to date, but one of the most refined and refreshing entries in its history of over two decades.
[Review] Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020
Posted on 4 years ago by Edan(@@Virtualboi92) in Reviews, Switch | 0 comments
System: Switch
Release date: November 5, 2019
Developer: SEGA
Publisher: SEGA
It is often said that there are but two certainties in life, being death and taxes. I propose we add a third billing to that list: party games on Nintendo consoles. There isn’t a single saggy financial quarter that can’t be pumped up significantly by the presence of a mini-game collection featuring Mario and company, and this Christmas, SEGA (in partnership with Nintendo) have answered the call of duty by sending Mario, Sonic, and both of their respective entourages to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. The initial novelty and shock value of an official game featuring both Nintendo and SEGA’s mascots may be somewhat dulled since the franchise’s first outing on Wii in 2007, but you could say that this new entry is the series’ most fitting one: two monolithic Japanese companies paying homage to one equally gargantuan Japanese event.
[Nintendo Everything Podcast] – episode #52 – Body pillows are not a anime, Pokemon evolution leaks
Posted on 4 years ago by Oni Dino(@Oni_Dino) in Podcast | 0 comments
Hello, my Fatal Cuties! This week on NEP, we got hit with some Pokemon leaks while recording, but we keep our reactions spoiler-free. We chat some great games we’ve been playing with Atelier Ryza, Luigi’s Mansion and more, then we muse on 3DS games we’d like to see make the jump to Switch. Somehow, we end up arguing with each other over Ocarina of Time and Majora’s Mask. How. How even did that happen. Come have a chill game time with us.
If you’re enjoying NEP, please consider giving us a 5 star review on Apple Podcasts, aka new iTunes. It’s incredibly helpful in getting us exposed to new listeners through algorithms, so we would greatly appreciate your help. Thank you for listening!
This week, the podcast is sponsored by Koei Tecmo. Check out Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness & the Secret Hideout, out now on Nintendo Switch.
[Review] Sky Gamblers: Storm Raiders 2
Posted on 4 years ago by Edan(@@Virtualboi92) in Reviews, Switch eShop | 0 comments
System: Switch (eShop)
Release date: October 31, 2019
Developer: Atypical Games
Publisher: Atypical Games
Of all the genres most cruelly under-represented in modern gaming, I feel it’s the humble air-combat sim that tops the list. What was once a regular showing during the 90’s and 00’s has since withered away in significance, and outside of a handful of current and last-gen Ace Combat games, there has been little else to fill the void – especially on Nintendo’s hybrid console. As a result of this drought, I couldn’t deny my intrigue once I learned of Sky Gamblers: Storm Raiders 2’s presence in the Switch’s release calendar. The mere mention of high octane dogfights and World War II aircraft are a sure fire way to get me interested (I may still be 12, need to check). What I failed to anticipate was the mobile heritage of the franchise that makes itself blisteringly apparent once you fire the game up.
[Let’s Talk] What are you playing? – November 2019
Posted on 4 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in Let's Talk, Switch | 0 comments
A new month rolled right on in this week. Now that we’re in November, we want to know what you’ve been playing.
Are you giving the just-released Luigi’s Mansion 3 a try? Playing any other recent titles like Ring Fit Adventure or The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt? No matter the case, let us know in the comments below.
[Interview] Sayonara Wild Hearts dev on the name, making a non-rhythm music game, more
Posted on 4 years ago by Oni Dino(@Oni_Dino) in Interviews, Switch | 0 comments
Simogo has developed a number of acclaimed titles, including the Wii U game Year Walk. Its latest project, Sayonara Wild Hearts, recently debuted on a Switch close to a year after it was announced at The Game Awards.
Not too long ago, we spoke with the team at Simogo to discuss Sayonara Wild Hearts in-depth. The studio discussed how the backstory behind the name, wanting to make a game about the flow of music instead of the beats, and more.
Here’s our full discussion:
[Review] Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz HD
Posted on 4 years ago by Campbell(@CampbellSGill) in Reviews, Switch | 0 comments
System: Switch
Release date: October 29, 2019
Developer: SEGA
Publisher: SEGA
The Super Monkey Ball franchise naturally yields many questions. For instance: why are these monkeys locked in see-through balls? Why do they roll around at hundreds of miles per hour? Why do they live in hellscapes made up of floating physics-based obstacle courses? And perhaps most importantly, why would SEGA decide to remaster Banana Blitz, one of the series’ less popular entries, instead of the much more beloved titles on GameCube? Yet SEGA has indeed brought Banana Blitz back onto modern platforms with this new HD re-release after its first appearance more than a decade ago on the Wii. So now that everyone’s favorite primate-rolling franchise has finally debuted on current-gen hardware, the most pertinent question remains to be answered: does this new edition address the issues that plagued Banana Blitz’ first release, or does it merely monkey around?
[Nintendo Everything Podcast] – episode #51 – Persona 5 Scramble: secretly just Kingdom Hearts
Posted on 4 years ago by Oni Dino(@Oni_Dino) in Podcast | 0 comments
Hello, my phantom thieves! This week on NEP, we’re introducing our Fallout 76 inspired subscription membership service: Nintendo Everything Podcast 1st. It just works! Then we comb over all the details of Persona 5 Scramble, which Galen has a “Revelation” about… Oni isn’t pleased, but quickly regains happiness as the gang discuss Swery and Suda51’s new collab project. And, of course, the weekly dose of Pokemon gets added to the mix, as well.
If you’re enjoying NEP, please consider giving us a 5 star review on Apple Podcasts, aka new iTunes. It’s incredibly helpful in getting us exposed to new listeners through algorithms, so we would greatly appreciate your help. Thank you for listening!
This week, the podcast is sponsored by Koei Tecmo. Check out Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness & the Secret Hideout, releasing on Nintendo Switch October 29th in North America, November 1st in Europe.
[Let’s Talk] Thoughts on amiibo, five years later
Posted on 4 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in Let's Talk | 0 comments
Do you remember the early days of amiibo? Nintendo first announced the merchandise line during its E3 2014 video presentation and had only confirmed plans for Super Smash Bros. at the time. The launch would take place in November, and things quickly took a crazy turn after the figures became scarce. amiibo were selling for ridiculous amounts on eBay and people camped out at stores for a chance to obtain the new collectibles.
Here we are nearly five years later, and the situation is much different. Nintendo is still continuing with amiibo, though perhaps not quite as much as it did even a couple of years ago. Smash Bros. is going strong, but Zelda: Link’s Awakening was the only other Nintendo game in 2019 to be accompanied by a new figure.
Since the fifth anniversary of amiibo is almost here, how is everyone feeling about it today? Are you trying to collect every Smash Bros. figure, or have you given up on that quest? Do you view amiibo favorably or unfavorably? Let us know in the comments below.
[Interview] Elder Scrolls: Blades devs on Switch’s new features, amiibo, lack of touch support, considering offline mode, more
Posted on 4 years ago by Oni Dino(@Oni_Dino) in Interviews, Switch eShop | 0 comments
At E3 this year, Bethesda announced a reworked port of their mobile title, The Elder Scrolls: Blades, for Nintendo Switch. The upcoming game will have many new features including button controls, PvP, seamless pick-up and play between devices, and much more.
We were able to catch up with Craig Lafferty and Matt Carofano (project lead and art director on Blades, respectively) earlier this year for an interview on the upcoming title. We we asked them questions about Switch’s new features, in-depth aspects they haven’t talked about yet, and many more questions that fans want to know.
Check out our transcript below:
