[Review] Samurai Warriors 5
Posted on 3 years ago by Dennis Gagliardotto(@LyonHart_) in Reviews, Switch | 0 comments
System: Switch
Release date: July 27, 2021
Developer: Omega Force
Publisher: Koei Tecmo
The Warriors-labeled series (also known as Musou) has gone in various directions both visually and mechanically. Being the sister title to the more famous Dynasty Warriors, it has been one such property that has also seen numbered entries, spinoffs, and crossovers. In the case of Samurai Warriors 5, this marks the first numbered game in seven years as well as a soft reboot of sorts with a new art direction and a wonderful streamlined system that makes it the most intuitive and accessible title in the series to date. And thanks to a slew of new features, it’s also one of the most enjoyable Musou experiences in quite some time on Switch.
More: highlight, Koei Tecmo, Omega Force, Samurai Warriors 5, top
[Review] Cris Tales
Posted on 3 years ago by Elias in Reviews, Switch | 0 comments
System: Switch
Release date: July 20, 2021
Developer: SYCK / Dreams Uncorporated
Publisher: Modus Games
Cris Tales may have wowed us with its first few showings – colorful and whimsical animations, an interesting time-travel mechanic that not only works throughout the adventure but also in battle, and a friendly top-hat garnished frog friend that rides on your shoulder to give you tips on your powers and progression hints? Certainly, this is an unorthodox recipe, but what does Cris Tales turn out to be when all is said and done?
More: Cris Tales, Dreams Uncorporated, highlight, Modus Games, SYCK, top
[Review] Akiba’s Trip: Hellbound & Debriefed
Posted on 3 years ago by Dennis Gagliardotto(@LyonHart_) in Reviews, Switch | 0 comments
System: Switch
Release date: July 20, 2021
Developer: Acquire
Publisher: Marvelous (XSEED)
Akiba’s Trip is one of those odd niche titles that has earned success thanks to its unique beat ’em up, strip ’em down gameplay. While it has sold over half a million copies since its debut many years ago, the game’s formula has rarely been replicated. After it received a manga and even an anime alongside it, it’s a wonder why it took so long to get a true sequel (not counting Akiba’s Beat). Akiba’s Trip: Hellbound & Debriefed isn’t the follow-up to what some would consider a cult classic, but it is a remaster of the original PSP title that was never localized outside of Japan, marking the debut of the game in the west ten years later. It’s both a blast from the past and simultaneously dated as its age undoubtedly shows and offers very little in terms of additions and changes.
[Let’s Talk] Zelda: Skyward Sword HD impressions
Posted on 3 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in Let's Talk, Switch | 0 comments
Nintendo doesn’t have a whole lot planned for Zelda’s 35th anniversary, but 2021 does include one notable release. Skyward Sword HD, which first released on Wii in 2011, has returned on Switch. Nintendo has made some additions and changes like button controls, an enhanced frame rate, optional help from Fi, and even camera controls.
It’s only been out for a bit, but we imagine that many of you picked up Zelda: Skyward Sword HD this weekend, especially since it’s a high-profile Switch release. If you’ve given it a go, what are your thoughts so far? Let us know in the comments below.
Sakamoto on why it’s taken so long for Metroid Dread, Samus’ character, SA-X’s influence, more
Posted on 3 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Switch | 0 comments
Following the reveal of Metroid Dread, producer Yoshio Sakamoto held a Q&A session with members of the media. Bits and pieces have surfaced from that event, but not the full transcript. Thanks to Famitsu, we now have the entire discussion in full.
Sakamoto addressed a variety of topics, including the very long wait for Metroid Dread, Samus’ character in the game, being influenced by Metroid Fusion’s SA-X, and more. Continue on below for our translation.
More: highlight, MercurySteam, Metroid Dread, top
[Review] Ys IX: Monstrum Nox
Posted on 3 years ago by Amit Dhindsa(@Agnezenn) in Reviews, Switch | 0 comments
System: Switch
Release date: July 6, 2021
Developer: Falcom
Publisher: NIS America
While the Ys series has had a small but fiercely dedicated following for many years, Ys VIII was something of a turning point. With a shift to a more open world structure and a greater focus on story, as well as porting efforts that saw the game come to numerous platforms including Switch, the game was a success both in terms of sales and increased mindshare for the series. Ys IX: Monstrum Nox is finally here to follow up on its predecessor’s breakout performance, and outside of some technical hiccups, it does so admirably.
More: Falcom, highlight, NIS America, top, Ys IX: Monstrum Nox
[Let’s Talk] Will you be buying the Switch OLED?
Posted on 3 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News | 0 comments
Nintendo decided to drop some pretty big news earlier this week. A new Switch OLED model will be launching on October 8, just in time for Metroid Dread.
This new unit isn’t the 4K-compatible device that had been rumored, but there are still some notable upgrades. As the name implies, you’ll be getting a nicer, 7-inch OLED screen. That’s on top of a wide adjustable stand for tabletop mode, a new dock with a wired LAN port, 64GB of internal storage, and enhanced audio for handheld and tabletop play. You can catch up on the full announcement here.
How are you feeling about the Switch OLED at the moment? Will you be picking one up come October? Let us know in the comments below.
[Interview] Doki Doki Literature Club creator Dan Salvato on new Plus version, journey to Switch, more
Posted on 3 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Switch | 0 comments
Four years after its original debut, Doki Doki Literature Club is back in the news with a new “Plus” version. Aside from incorporating new content and features, it just appeared on consoles for the very first time – including Switch.
We were recently about to speak with Doki Doki Literature Club creator Dan Salvato about the game as well as the new Plus version. That includes a little bit of talk about bringing the game to Switch.
Our full discussion is below:
Sakurai on how a middle ground was found between Tekken and Smash Bros. Ultimate with Kazuya
Posted on 3 years ago by Jarop(@gamrah) in News, Switch | 0 comments
Kazuya Mishima joined the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate lineup last month as the game’s penultimate downloadable fighter. In the latest issue of Famitsu, director Masahiro Sakurai talked through the team’s thought process when developing the character in his weekly column. They wanted to go beyond simply making the Tekken fighter fit the Smash Bros. mold, and find a way to represent Tekken and its core concepts in the game as well.
Below is out our full translation of the column, which also touches on Sakurai’s thoughts on fighting games compared to Smash Bros., where combos fit in the series, and more.
[Review] Destroy All Humans!
Posted on 3 years ago by Campbell(@CampbellSGill) in Reviews, Switch | 0 comments
System: Switch
Release date: June 29, 2021
Developer: Black Forest Games
Publisher: THQ Nordic
There’s something so undeniably infectious about the sci-fi films of the 1950s. After all, who can resist the charm of poorly-customed aliens, tinfoil flying saucers, and melodramatic acting? Destroy All Humans! understands this allure well – and turns the formula on its head. First released in 2005, this reverse sci-fi story puts players in control of an invading alien on a rampage against the human race. Having enjoyed a cult following ever since it debuted on the PS2, it was remade for its 15th anniversary in 2020 with the promise to preserve the original experience while polishing it up with an HD coat of paint and a handful of tweaks to the user experience. Now that this reimagined release has made its way to Switch, the natural question arises: can it successfully abduct an audience on Nintendo’s hybrid wonder?
