Topic: Nintendo Switch --OT--

@nessisonett I’m a fool for not snagging one a couple weeks ago when I saw several in stock at Wal-Mart. I just kept procrastinating because I haven’t had much time, and now my time is opening up a little and, well - it’s too late. The way the pandemic is going they’ll probably be at a premium at least until toilet paper is back on the shelves. So, probably 6 months.

Well with China supposedly starting to lift the restrictions in their country, manufacturing should start coming back online and that would likely include the Switch. Which should lead to more stock getting onto shelves.

@Th3solution Toilet paper is back on shelves. The difference is that bog roll is not mainly produced in China.

Alright so I have purchased Animal Crossing for myself after seeing 30 seconds of my girlfriend playing it. Total impulse purchase then, I bet I regret it.

Also Panzer Dragoon was released for 25 Euros. It is more expensive than I hoped.

I dunno, that’s yet another Direct with minimal news on actual new Nintendo first party games. I swear, the Wii U had more big exclusives than the Switch. It just looks as if the Ninty fans are being placated with portable versions of last-gen games.

@KratosMD Woah, woah, woah, what about playing them in order?!

Bravely Default 2 and XBC1, that's awesome. Really happy with that.

@nessisonett @KratosMD I remember the possible thought of having all of Ninty's team develop for one system, instead of two separate systems. But I don't think they're putting out more games for the Switch than they otherwise would've done for a system.

Doesn't help that stuff like Kirby is €60 either...

@KratosMD Nah, doesn't seem to be. Although who knows. Could have loose connections like XBC1 and 2.

@KratosMD Don't remind me. I genuinely got a bit annoyed when they showed more of the upcoming Pokemon DLC today, but I'm still waiting for them to patch the main game. The online is absolutely horrendous.

@Octane Despite being super hyped for Switch for years, I literally own 5 first party games, Mario, Mario Kart, Zelda, Fire Emblem and Smash. Of those, I finished Mario Odyssey and played loads of Smash but I’m not particularly fussed about the others. The controller definitely plays a part in my ambivalence, it hurts my hands so I try to use the Cube controller as much as possible. I just wish Zelda would get proper Cube controller support, it’s the only game I can’t really use it in. The indies and smaller games have been much more fun, with Katamari Damacy, Hollow Knight and TWEWY. It’s hard to say I regret buying my Switch but I definitely feel a bit let down.

It was an OK Direct. The Xenoblade remake looks pretty substantial with its totally reworked visuals, improved UI, and added story content. We're finally getting a portable version of Catherine. XCOM 2 and the Bioshock Trilogy are cool arrivals (although I have my doubts as to how XCOM 2 will perform, given it even struggles a bit on PS4). The new rhythm game content for Ring Fit Adventure looks fun. And I'm glad we're getting a demo for Bravely Default II.

In terms of first party/exclusive stuff, I'll definitely be getting the Xenoblade Chronicles remake as I never got it on Wii (and I loved both XC2 & Torna), I actually like the look of Clubhouse Games: 51 Classic Games (but I don't really have anyone to play it with), and while the environments in Bravely Default II look gorgeous, I just can't stand chibi character design (I put up with it on DS due to system limitations, but I was so glad when 3DS came around and we were able to get more JRPGs with full size characters like Tales of the Abyss & DQVIII).

In terms of third party stuff, most of it was western 3rd party ports, none of which I'm particularly interested in. I may give the Panzer Dragoon remake & that underwater "Metroidvania" from Capcom a look, though.

The Direct was alright, but had nothing that I really cared about. Bioshock and Catherine are games that I really need to get around to playing, but I can already play them elsewhere. Bravely Default II looks fine, but I've already got the 3DS game Bravely Second in my backlog, so should play that first.

It wasn't a bad Direct, but it didn't do anything for me.

@nessisonett About the same I think. I have Splatoon 2 and Mario, no regrets there. Pokemon is a mess, but competitive is at least good compared to last gen (until the DLC hits at least). And Yoshi was a too short IMO. I have Zelda and Mario Kart on Wii U, so I'm going to buy them again for €60.

BOTW 2, Metroid, Pikmin, I take anything at this point

Played 15 minutes of Bravely Default 2, immediate thoughts:

Controls seem a bit weird in the city (better on the world map) but I was already getting used to them.

Graphics are great, but also a little bit blurry.

Can’t skip the intro into a battle which might not seem like a big deal but it was a useful little touch on the last games.

The voice cast are all great in particular Adele.

I’m going to keep playing more of it over the coming days and I might even send my feedback to the developers since they did take a lot of comments onboard with Octopath Traveler.

@kyleforrester87 I remember you playing through the first one here and I was thinking about playing it too. I’ve heard that the second half isn’t great but would you still recommend the game given I’m a huge JRPG nut?

@nessisonett I’ve basically played the first one twice so it must be doing something right - the second half is a drag in many respects but if you’re in it to create some crazy OP builds that’s where you can do your grinding and then just smash your way through to the end.

I can generally recommend it on the basis that it’s just a good wholesome RPG with an endearing world, nice characters and generally lovely world, and it’s flexible job system.

Shortcomings are dungeon design and the second half but it streamlines things so well - battle speed toggles, auto combat if you want it, snappy menus, reduce/increase encounters on the fly, etc

There are demos for both BD and BS on the store so could always give one a whirl. They are independent of the main game, as is this BD2 demo.

@nessisonett The second half is... profoundly repetitive. For plot reasons, but still. I liked the game a lot, but structurally, it's extremely flawed. The first half was pretty good, though. And I doubt BD2's new writer will repeat the mistakes made in the first game.

@Ralizah Knowing the second half was coming I was able to do a bunch of grinding and then I blitzed through it in several hours, so it wasn't really close to half of the game, really. But playing it normally for the first time and being unsure of what's coming, yeah it would take longer.