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On December 29 2023 13:11 Turbovolver wrote:Show nested quote +On October 30 2023 09:30 Turbovolver wrote:
I really admire the creativity that went into Wonder, but I hate the new school of level design they've fallen into for all their 2D Mario games, ever since the Wii. It feels like all the difficulty has been shifted from "playing through the game" to "collecting all the secret items", and that's not a change for the better IMO. Giving people characters that can't die is a much better option for presenting a lower-difficulty option without compromising the design of the levels themselves.
That said, I haven't tried the game for myself so I can't speak to how it actually feels to play. I've only checked out some content to see what the level design looked like.
I think a lot of obvious love has gone into this one and it's being rightly praised for it, but personally I wish there was some of the rough, naturalistic design from your SMB3's and SMW's that's been lost to this smoothed out, "introduce gimmick that is unique to this level only, iterate through a few takes on the gimmick that gradually increase in difficulty (usually only up to a moderate level at best), flag" school of thought. Even though I acknowledge that this is almost surely a more deliberate approach to design, that most would probably call a good thing. I've played through the first three worlds of Super Mario Wonder now, and also went back and did another 100% playthrough of Super Mario World and started one of Yoshi's Island. I've been enjoying Super Mario Wonder, it controls nicely and looks great. I've experienced way more of the Wonder gimmicks in the various levels and they've pretty consistently added something fresh to the various levels. It's way too easy, though. Having played through Super Mario World and it in quick succession I can feel confident in saying that now. In some ways it was even worse than I'd originally thought, for example in how slow a kicked shell travels, or the boss fights (including the "machine" fights) that so far at least have posed very little challenge. The "Break Time!" segments have also mostly just annoyed me - they're not designed badly and would probably work great as bonus rooms to break up levels, but given they mostly seem to function as mini-levels with zero challenge I don't like them being on the world map. Also this is almost certainly a personal taste thing but I really dislike the flowers that summon collectibles/platforms/whatever when you run into them. It really removes an element of reading the challenge laid out before you, because in many cases it's not laid out before you until it's happening. You cannot learn the "rules" of the game when everytime you touch a sleeping flower it is likely to do an entirely different thing to anything you've seen before. Whereas I'd argue taking a fixed set of building blocks and continuously combining them in different ways into new challenges is (or at least was) the fundamental joy of Mario Brothers - this is also where a lot of the joy of good Mario Maker levels comes from. Also just to be clear, I'm not calling the game easy as some kind of humblebrag. I've completed I think two 5-star levels and both cost me at least 10 lives in the course of doing so, so it's not like I'm some god platform gamer. I just think the balance of difficulty is a bit off when those levels will do that to me but then the 4-star levels I've done so far can typically be sight-read with 0-1 lives lost. Meanwhile re-playing Super Mario World the game was actually harder than I remembered as a kid (or my adult brain is just less equipped for it, haha). I feel like if Super Mario World levels were assigned star difficulty ratings as per Super Mario Wonder there'd be a bunch of 4.5's and the average across the game would probably be higher than 3 and a half.
I agree with your assessment of SMBW's difficulty - not hard overall, except for the 5-star levels. Personally, I don't mind; I enjoyed even the easy/medium levels (except for some of the Break Time levels). Fantastic gameplay and fun overall, imo.
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Bisutopia19246 Posts
Started "Ring Fit Adventure" as a person in decent shape and I'm loving it so far. I'm hoping to get through the whole campaign which is supposed to be around 150hrs including all side quests and challenges.
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On January 01 2024 23:44 BisuDagger wrote:
Started "Ring Fit Adventure" as a person in decent shape and I'm loving it so far. I'm hoping to get through the whole campaign which is supposed to be around 150hrs including all side quests and challenges.
I've heard generally good things about it, but I haven't played it. What parts of the game do you find enjoyable / what motivates you to keep playing? Is it just because you intrinsically want to get in better shape, or are there certain adventure/RPG/leveling-up aspects of the game that make you want to keep playing?
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That's one hell of a gamble tbh.
Especially if nothing has changed on the software side of things, meaning a lot better. For example the store page etc. Then there is the joystick problem which isn't exclusive to Nintendo.
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Why is it a gamble? It seems that the #1 thing that people want out of a next-gen Nintendo console is to simply have better specs, and it seems like that's going to be the focus of the new model. As long as the hardware improvement is substantially better than, say, another OLED-level increase, I think the next console will perform just fine, especially if it has backwards compatibility.
I do think that Nintendo has to do a good job of marketing the improvements/differences between their next console and the current Switch/OLED models, so that people don't just think "It doesn't sound like there will be a big difference in performance, so I might as well just keep my current Switch models."
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Bisutopia19246 Posts
On January 02 2024 01:44 DarkPlasmaBall wrote:Show nested quote +On January 01 2024 23:44 BisuDagger wrote:
Started "Ring Fit Adventure" as a person in decent shape and I'm loving it so far. I'm hoping to get through the whole campaign which is supposed to be around 150hrs including all side quests and challenges. I've heard generally good things about it, but I haven't played it. What parts of the game do you find enjoyable / what motivates you to keep playing? Is it just because you intrinsically want to get in better shape, or are there certain adventure/RPG/leveling-up aspects of the game that make you want to keep playing?
Motivation:
I currently have been doing 10k steps a day every day since last June. Most of my steps earned came from walking in place or around my house just to eek out whatever movement I could in my busy day. This is a really nice way to improve my in-house work out routine as it is now much more challenging.
Continued Play:
It's honestly the perfect thing for a 10-15 minute break. I can just walk out of my office pop on the switch and do a level real fast since each level is pretty fast paced. So I end up knocking out a couple levels/challenges a day.
The mini-games are really fun and challenging ways to just focus on fun while getting super exhausted. Mechanics like kayaking, zip-lining, paraglide-skateboard are all really cool ways to traverse the levels too.
The RPG element doesn't really pick up to much until about level 30 where you really have to think about skills you think won't exhaust you too quickly, but are still strong enough to take on the enemy types in battle. Different workout styles match different colors. A blue enemy will take more damage from blue work outs. Blue focuses on leg workouts and at level 30 you can have at least 3 active blue skills to choose from.
For Kids:
My kid (6 yr old/ 1st grader) is so obsessed with the game, when I'm not playing he is constantly playing. He used to do "Brain Breaks" on youtube, but now he just wants to do Ring Challenges. I put Pokemon on this morning, which he has been obsessed with lately, and he was like "oh man, I thought I'd do ring adventure" lol.
More anyone who is like me that doesn't want to get ripped, but wants to make sure the move a healthy amount each day in the middle of their busy life, this is an easy way to do it without having to leave the house.
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Bisutopia19246 Posts
On January 04 2024 02:19 {CC}StealthBlue wrote:That's one hell of a gamble tbh. https://twitter.com/VGC_News/status/1742573880462430597Especially if nothing has changed on the software side of things, meaning a lot better. For example the store page etc. Then there is the joystick problem which isn't exclusive to Nintendo.
I would immediately buy a switch that let's me put in two switch cartridges so I can switch games without having to close the other. Really just play a game (cartridge or not) while the other active game sleeps. That's the ultimate dream. I'm tired of changing games out so my kid can play different games then me lol.
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On January 04 2024 21:39 BisuDagger wrote:Show nested quote +On January 02 2024 01:44 DarkPlasmaBall wrote:On January 01 2024 23:44 BisuDagger wrote:
Started "Ring Fit Adventure" as a person in decent shape and I'm loving it so far. I'm hoping to get through the whole campaign which is supposed to be around 150hrs including all side quests and challenges. I've heard generally good things about it, but I haven't played it. What parts of the game do you find enjoyable / what motivates you to keep playing? Is it just because you intrinsically want to get in better shape, or are there certain adventure/RPG/leveling-up aspects of the game that make you want to keep playing? Motivation: I currently have been doing 10k steps a day every day since last June. Most of my steps earned came from walking in place or around my house just to eek out whatever movement I could in my busy day. This is a really nice way to improve my in-house work out routine as it is now much more challenging. Continued Play: It's honestly the perfect thing for a 10-15 minute break. I can just walk out of my office pop on the switch and do a level real fast since each level is pretty fast paced. So I end up knocking out a couple levels/challenges a day. The mini-games are really fun and challenging ways to just focus on fun while getting super exhausted. Mechanics like kayaking, zip-lining, paraglide-skateboard are all really cool ways to traverse the levels too. The RPG element doesn't really pick up to much until about level 30 where you really have to think about skills you think won't exhaust you too quickly, but are still strong enough to take on the enemy types in battle. Different workout styles match different colors. A blue enemy will take more damage from blue work outs. Blue focuses on leg workouts and at level 30 you can have at least 3 active blue skills to choose from. For Kids: My kid (6 yr old/ 1st grader) is so obsessed with the game, when I'm not playing he is constantly playing. He used to do "Brain Breaks" on youtube, but now he just wants to do Ring Challenges. I put Pokemon on this morning, which he has been obsessed with lately, and he was like "oh man, I thought I'd do ring adventure" lol. More anyone who is like me that doesn't want to get ripped, but wants to make sure the move a healthy amount each day in the middle of their busy life, this is an easy way to do it without having to leave the house.
That sounds awesome  Thanks for the elaboration! It's really cool that your son is into the game too.
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On January 04 2024 21:41 BisuDagger wrote:I would immediately buy a switch that let's me put in two switch cartridges so I can switch games with have to close the other. Plus allows an active digital and cartridge game simultaneously. That's the ultimate dream. I'm tired of changing games out so my kid can play different games then me lol.
This is the main reason why I switched to digital for the Switch: convenience. I'm used to having cartridges/discs for my older consoles, but the ability to have a bunch of games immediately available on the Switch - without needing to pack or swap out anything extra - was just too good to pass up.
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Bisutopia19246 Posts
On January 04 2024 21:45 DarkPlasmaBall wrote:Show nested quote +On January 04 2024 21:41 BisuDagger wrote:On January 04 2024 02:19 {CC}StealthBlue wrote:That's one hell of a gamble tbh. https://twitter.com/VGC_News/status/1742573880462430597Especially if nothing has changed on the software side of things, meaning a lot better. For example the store page etc. Then there is the joystick problem which isn't exclusive to Nintendo. I would immediately buy a switch that let's me put in two switch cartridges so I can switch games with have to close the other. Plus allows an active digital and cartridge game simultaneously. That's the ultimate dream. I'm tired of changing games out so my kid can play different games then me lol. This is the main reason why I switched to digital for the Switch: convenience. I'm used to having cartridges/discs for my older consoles, but the ability to have a bunch of games immediately available on the Switch - without needing to pack or swap out anything extra - was just too good to pass up.
Still sucks having to close a digital game to play another. Need to be able to freeze games these days.
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On January 04 2024 22:06 BisuDagger wrote:Show nested quote +On January 04 2024 21:45 DarkPlasmaBall wrote:On January 04 2024 21:41 BisuDagger wrote:On January 04 2024 02:19 {CC}StealthBlue wrote:That's one hell of a gamble tbh. https://twitter.com/VGC_News/status/1742573880462430597Especially if nothing has changed on the software side of things, meaning a lot better. For example the store page etc. Then there is the joystick problem which isn't exclusive to Nintendo. I would immediately buy a switch that let's me put in two switch cartridges so I can switch games with have to close the other. Plus allows an active digital and cartridge game simultaneously. That's the ultimate dream. I'm tired of changing games out so my kid can play different games then me lol. This is the main reason why I switched to digital for the Switch: convenience. I'm used to having cartridges/discs for my older consoles, but the ability to have a bunch of games immediately available on the Switch - without needing to pack or swap out anything extra - was just too good to pass up. Still sucks having to close a digital game to play another. Need to be able to freeze games these days.
I haven't actually considered that, since a lot of the games I play let me save everywhere and it takes 30 seconds to start up a new game. Honestly, I'm still feeling spoiled by the fact that I can turn off my Switch without needing to close down my current game, and that I can switch between docked and handheld modes without the game turning off lol.
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On January 04 2024 21:41 BisuDagger wrote:I would immediately buy a switch that let's me put in two switch cartridges so I can switch games without having to close the other. Really just play a game (cartridge or not) while the other active game sleeps. That's the ultimate dream. I'm tired of changing games out so my kid can play different games then me lol.
A totally iterative Switch 2 is fine by me. We've easily had 30% inflation over the Switch's lifespan and the current one is clearly showing its age when it comes to multi-platform games. I also get the feeling current first party games have pushed it as far as they could. It's still the only console that's not redundant with a PC so a hardware refresh is all that is needed.
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It's still the only console that's not redundant with a PC so a hardware refresh is all that is needed.
This was my opinion as well for the longest time. I own almost all Nintendo systems and a PC, never had an XBOX or a PS.
Until I got the PS5 during corona. And now if a game comes out on both PC and PS5, I'm actually buying it on the PS5, even though I get less time on the (shared) tv than on the PC.
Similarly when a game like Octopath Traveler II comes out on both PS5 and Switch, I get it on the PS5.
The main reason: the controller. The DualSense controller is so amazing. Switching back to using Joycons after playing on the PS5 is... very rough.
So my wish for the Switch 2: Better controllers. I'm not expecting a full DualSense experience here, but any kind of upgrade will do!
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Do you not get those features plugging in the PS5 controller on your PC? I saw somewhere that the haptic feedback and adaptive triggers are patented by Sony.
My Switch has started drifting last year but it's old so I can sorta give Nintendo a pass for it. The Pro Controller has some drift on the PC but I think it's actually a software issue that's maybe on Steam's or Windows' end. I've been experiencing it on the PC without experiencing it on the Switch. I increased the center stick deadzone as a workaround.
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I know im 2 years late to the party but finally bought legends arceus.
After the first few hours its been fun. Im surprised by how well im doing and enjoying it considering that its indeed a different game compared to the usual entries in the Pokémon series.
They make a good job getting you to embrace the whole writting the pokedex for the first time so you have to catch a bunch of everything in different manners.
So even if only after 2 years, thanks to everyone who recommended it
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On January 08 2024 18:49 KobraKay wrote:I know im 2 years late to the party but finally bought legends arceus. After the first few hours its been fun. Im surprised by how well im doing and enjoying it considering that its indeed a different game compared to the usual entries in the Pokémon series. They make a good job getting you to embrace the whole writting the pokedex for the first time so you have to catch a bunch of everything in different manners. So even if only after 2 years, thanks to everyone who recommended it
Arceus was a whole lot of fun! It's funny that you mention Pokemon; I'm about to start playing through all the Pokemon generations. I played Gen 1 (Blue) and Gen 2 (Silver) growing up, but then I didn't play any other Pokemon generations until Gen 8 (Shield) and Gen 9 (Scarlet). I missed Gens 3-7 completely, and there are a bunch of improved/updated versions of games that I never played through. Soon I'll be starting with LeafGreen (improved/updated version of Gen 1 Blue), then SoulSilver (improved/updated version of Gen 2 Silver), then I'll play through Gens 3-7 for the first time (opting for improved/updated versions, like Omega Ruby instead of Ruby, Shining Pearl instead of Pearl, etc.).
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The guy has a tier list of 500 games but has never played pokemon gens 3-7.
DPB you are special man lmao.
Enjoy, I personally think Gen 3 is the best of all. The jump from gen 2 to gen 3 is one of the biggest, the gen 3 pokedex is one of the best. Gym leaders aren't easymode yet. Battle tower. The only complaint is that there is too much water, which is fair. Still the best one for me. 4 and 5 are good too. 6 and 7 less so imo.
I've played the originals though, can't really comment on what they did for the improved/updated versions.
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On January 09 2024 16:26 Laurens wrote:
The guy has a tier list of 500 games but has never played pokemon gens 3-7.
DPB you are special man lmao.
Enjoy, I personally think Gen 3 is the best of all. The jump from gen 2 to gen 3 is one of the biggest, the gen 3 pokedex is one of the best. Gym leaders aren't easymode yet. Battle tower. The only complaint is that there is too much water, which is fair. Still the best one for me. 4 and 5 are good too. 6 and 7 less so imo.
I've played the originals though, can't really comment on what they did for the improved/updated versions.
Haha well, during the Gens 3-7 years I was mostly obsessed with the StarCraft/Diablo games, so I was doing a lot more PC gaming at the time. I look forward to trying Gen 3 (and the other ones I haven't played), but I'm also interested in seeing how LeafGreen differs from Blue, and how SoulSilver differs from Silver.
I just started LeafGreen (about two hours in, just beat Brock, haven't entered Mt. Moon yet to get to Cerulean City), and there are already very significant changes. The quality-of-life improvements are a net positive for me - the better graphics are great; the list of items is now compartmentalized into smaller subsets, which makes finding items more convenient; I was randomly given Running Shoes to walk faster, which I assume replaces the Bicycle that I'd normally get later in the game; there are extra tutorials and help menus if you're brand new to the game.
There were some other changes to the game (specifically, to the Pokemon, moves, and combat) that I'm not a fan of, like how some of the TMs and items are different (e.g., Brock gives you a different TM than he did in Blue), they added in Dark and Steel types, and more moves, and holding items, and other weird abilities (I can't attack a Clefairy because my Pokemon loves her? What even is this), and they changed the functionality of some of the earlier moves, added in Pokemon outside of the original 150 (or 151), and rearranged which Pokemon are exclusive to each game (Blue didn't have Mankey, so I was very surprised when a wild Mankey appeared in my LeafGreen game, which is supposed to be Green/Blue 2.0). Opposing trainers have names and can walk around and change their line of sight too, which is novel to me. Still getting used to these fundamental battle/gameplay changes, as the purist in me takes some issue with these.
Edit:
"I'll use Bite on Magnemite."
>>> "...It's not very effective."
"What? Since when is Normal-type not very effective against Electric-type?"
>>> "Bite is now Dark-type, and Magnemite is now Steel-type, and Dark is weak against Steel."
"Dark? Steel? Uh, okay. Tackle is still Normal, right?"
>>> "Yup. Also... not very effective."
"Oh ffs."
I feel like I have to unlearn a lot of Gen1/Blue things when I play LeafGreen, which is a little frustrating. Overall, it seems to be a solid remake though, so far.
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I played Gen 1 on the gameboy, Gen 4 on the DS, then played 5-8 after Pokemon Go got me back into the series. Lost interest when they replaced battle tower with dens as the endgame. I only play single player.
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On December 30 2023 12:03 DarkPlasmaBall wrote:
I agree with your assessment of SMBW's difficulty - not hard overall, except for the 5-star levels. Personally, I don't mind; I enjoyed even the easy/medium levels (except for some of the Break Time levels). Fantastic gameplay and fun overall, imo.
I should say given my posts about the game have tended more negative, it's kept me playing without fail. It might be mostly way too easy and I'm sometimes still grumbling to myself about the "good old days" while I play it but I think I've nearly 100%'d the thing and I'm looking forward to the final challenge levels. Having played through a lot of it, I do think the level design is quite a bit better and more varied than the "New" series, even if it does still show some of the trends in design philosophy that I dislike and was complaining about before.
So I just wanted to come back and give it some credit for being a good game, because it is.
Also, I do really like that they put some proper secret exits in too, I hadn't realised that was a thing going in!
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EPT
