[Review] Star Ocean: The Second Story R
Posted on 1 year ago by Dawn in Reviews, Switch | 0 comments
System: Switch
Release date: November 2, 2023
Developer: Square Enix / Gemdrops
Publisher: Square Enix
Star Ocean has been around for a very long time, but for various reasons it has never gained the same sort of recognition or critical acclaim as Square Enix’s other long-running franchises such as Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest. A series that blends science-fiction and fantasy in a mix that might best be described as hit-or-miss across its six installments, it seems to be something that those who have heard of it either embrace wholeheartedly or tactically avoid. But the common consensus amongst fans is that Second Story is the best the series has been to date. After bringing Star Ocean: First Departure R, a port of the PSP remake of the first game, to Switch, Square Enix have now released Star Ocean: The Second Story R, a full remaster of the original game in a new engine with a host of quality-of-life improvements to make it a more modern experience. It is with great pleasure that I say that this is a resounding success, and captures the charm of the original while improving upon it in almost every way possible.
[Review] Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1
Posted on 1 year ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in Reviews, Switch | 0 comments
System: Switch
Release date: October 24, 2023
Developer: Konami
Publisher: Konami
Even though I’m a certified Old-Head that writes about games, it’s difficult for me to properly encapsulate the cultural importance that Metal Gear games once exuded both pre and post release. The hype surrounding anything series creator Hideo Kojima touched was intense and all-consuming. Rest assured that if there was ever a month in which a new Metal Gear game was being released, just about nothing else mattered. The franchise has always been rightly held up as an example of unbridled creativity and auteur sensibility within the games industry – following the release of Metal Gear Solid V in 2015 however, Kojima left Konami under less than ideal circumstances. Rumors swirled regarding creative disputes and budgetary constraints – and following a poorly received Kojima-less spinoff in 2018, Metal Gear was put to bed.
All secret exits in Super Mario Bros. Wonder
Posted on 1 year ago by Ethan in Guides, Switch | 0 comments
As with all side-scrolling Mario games, Super Mario Bros. Wonder is home to a few particularly tricky secret exits and we have a guide listing every one of them. Most of the time, they lead to an alternate path on the world map containing more levels or even a hidden Captain Toad location. We’ve compiled a full list of all the secret exits, how to find them, and what lies beyond. Let’s-a-go!
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[Let’s Talk] Your favorite Halloween games
Posted on 1 year ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in Let's Talk | 0 comments
Halloween is just around the corner, and some of you might be celebrating already. Perhaps you’re spending the weekend by breaking out a particular game for the celebration.
What are some of your favorite games to play around Halloween? Do you go for something a bit more cozy like Luigi’s Mansion? Or maybe you opt for something more along the lines of Resident Evil? Let us know in the comments below.
[Review] Super Mario Bros. Wonder
Posted on 1 year ago by Nicholas Serpa in Reviews, Switch | 0 comments
System: Switch
Release date: October 20, 2023
Developer: Nintendo
Publisher: Nintendo
As I reflect on my time spent with Super Mario Bros. Wonder, there truly wasn’t a single moment when I wasn’t having an absolute blast. Any time it seemed impossible that there could possibly be any other surprises left in a game that already had been bombarding me with creative ideas left and right, to my delight, I was always proven wrong. At its core, Super Mario Bros. Wonder is the same joyful platforming adventure that Nintendo has crafted for decades. The key difference this time is that the developers have designed a fundamental sense of novelty into every stage, every new mechanic, every visual flourish. The result is a side-scroller that always feels fresh, fun and exciting in ways that few genre peers have accomplished.
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[Review] Sonic Superstars
Posted on 1 year ago by Dawn in Reviews, Switch | 0 comments
System: Switch
Release date: October 17, 2023
Developer: Arzest / SEGA
Publisher: SEGA
Few video game mascots are as instantly recognizable as Sonic the Hedgehog, and even fewer have had such a turbulent career. It often feels as though SEGA doesn’t quite know what it wants to do with the character, and as a result it’s difficult to know what to expect from each new title. Sonic Superstars is now the latest outing for the blue blur, and although it hearkens back to the beloved 2D Genesis games that kickstarted the franchise, there are several modern elements thrown in to shake up the gameplay, both for better and for worse.
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All Captain Toad locations in Super Mario Bros. Wonder
Posted on 1 year ago by Ethan in Guides, Switch | 0 comments
Captain Toad plays a particularly helpful role in Super Mario Bros. Wonder, and as such, we’ll fill you in on all of his locations. He’s hidden in five different spots around the world map, and when you find him, he gives you lots of Flower Coins. If you need a bunch of Flower Coins to purchase some badges or standees, it’s a good idea to seek out Captain Toad to receive some for free.
As mentioned, there are only five different Captain Toad locations. It’s important to note that you can only receive Flower Coins from Captain Toad the first time you speak to him at each of these locations. If you go back to see him, he won’t have anything else to give you.
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Full list of all 24 Badges in Super Mario Bros. Wonder
Posted on 1 year ago by Ethan in Guides, Switch | 0 comments
Following the release of Super Mario Bros. Wonder, we’ve put together a new guide naming all Badges and their locations in the game.
You can use Badges one at a time, and it adds a new ability to your arsenal for as long as it’s equipped. You can swap them out before and after levels, so you’re able to tailor the abilities you want to fit the needs of the level you’re playing. Finding the Badges is actually the easy part: every single Badge except for one is purchased from a Poplin Shop or given to you throughout the story. We’ve managed to round up every single Badge, and you can find a list of each one’s functions below. We won’t discuss any final boss spoilers (nor any details about the final level), but we will discuss the final Badge’s function – if you’d rather keep that a surprise, bookmark this page and come back later!
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[Review] Crymachina
Posted on 1 year ago by Dawn in Reviews, Switch | 0 comments
System: Switch
Release date: October 24, 2023
Developer: FuRyu
Publisher: NIS America
Although not the biggest company out there, developer FuRyu has arguably made a little more of a name for themselves over recent years, bringing titles such as Monark and The Caligula Effect to the Switch with mixed reception. Crymachina is the latest game from the developer, an action RPG that acts as a sort of spiritual successor to their previous attempt at the genre, Crystar. Unfortunately, although Crymachina has a strong, well-developed narrative, its combat fails to make a lasting impression, making it another middling attempt that may be best avoided.
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[Interview] Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope dev on bringing back Rayman and the future
Posted on 1 year ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in Interviews, Switch | 0 comments
We’ve been sharing excerpts from our recent Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope interview with creative director Davide Soliani, but we wanted to publish our full discussion which contains some extras.
Soliani shared a lot of insight about bringing back Rayman for the game’s final DLC, Rayman in the Phantom Show. He also spoke to us about interest in continuing the franchise in the future, though it’s too early to say anything at present.
Here’s our full discussion:
