So this is what I’ve been doing, but I always end up spending hours configuring the emulators, the shaders, everything… and then not playing that much! That’s why I was talking about the “plug and play” nature of game consoles (even though it’s less true now that you have to create an account and stuff like that).

Simple solution: don’t do that. Are you trying to game with your family, or force them to watch you tinker? I’ve encountered ONE game where I had to adjust a setting in the emulator to make it playable. And occasionally adjust input mapping when it gets wonky or doesn’t handle the way I want, usually N64 emulation because of those pesky C buttons. Never had a problem with Steam games using an Xbox controller or third party controller (8BitDo Ultimate 2C with hall effect sticks and triggers, $30). They are plug and play.

As for PC games, I never have the proper hardware to play in good conditions.

Well, not yet you haven’t. But you’re prepared to drop $700 on a Switch 2? And $100 per game? You can get a laptop or pre-built PC for the same or less that’s capable of playing most games. Some newer games with intense graphics will have high demands for specs, you might have to turn down graphics quality for those, but there are thousands of games that can run on a bare minimum consumer-grade computer.

Again, the “plug and play” nature of game consoles is appealing. A game you buy for a given console is working fine out of the box.

Every one of my Steam games is working fine out of the box. You said you like to tinker, but you also don’t want to tinker. Wouldn’t you prefer to have the option? Besides that, PC gaming is virtually plug and play. Install Steam. Plug in a controller. Plug HDMI into the TV. Same number of steps to connect the Switch 2 to a TV.

I really think you should do more research on PC gaming before writing it off, and especially before giving Nintendo more money.

You vote with your wallet. Look at all the cons you listed and think if you really want to support that. Do you want to tell Nintendo that this is ok, and you’ll pay the high price for it?

Have you looked at a Steam deck, or any other alternative like a regular laptop? You can run way more games, including emulating Nintendo games.

So many frog games with Kero Quest 64 too!

Lol yes. Already on my Wishlist!

Frogs are what peak 3D platformer performance looks like.

Nice taste, similar to mine. I just picked up Sapo 3D. Played Pseudoregalia recently and loved it.

I suggest you take a look at Cavern of Dreams and Frogun.

Didn’t go too overboard since I have a lot of other unplayed games and money is tight. But I picked these up:

• Sapo 3D (3D Platformer)
• ATLYSS (Action RPG)
• Lunacid (Dungeon Crawler)
• Kaze and the Wild Masks (2D Platformer)
• Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy (3D Platformer)
• Anodyne (Action Adventure)

There was another game that came out the same year (2017) called A Hat in Time. I recommend checking that out if you’re even lukewarm on 3D platformers.

There were some good times in it for sure. If I was a kid and experienced it like SM64 and Banjo Kazooie I’m sure I’d rate it higher than 6/10 and have less complaints. Overall it just feels tedious in comparison to those classics despite having a really cool moveset. Like I mentioned, I’d rather they made a new game than remake this, I’ll still play new games they put out.

I appreciate that they wanted to make it better, but honestly I don’t think most of the enhancements are what was “wrong” with the game (a map is very welcome, though). And they added another currency?

I wanted to like the original more than I did, and I’m ok with it staying in my memory as a 6/10. Probably won’t buy the full version, but might try the demo just to see. Would have rather seen a new game from them instead.

Best-looking game at SGF

Same. I found a way to soft lock myself into (one of?) the final boss fights and then my PS2 laser failed. Loved the game though and been looking forward to playing again for like 20 years.

It’s coming out on Steam on September 30th according to the Square Enix page!

https://www.square-enix-games.com/en_US/news/final-fantasy-tactics-the-ivalice-chronicles

The post link only mentions PS5, but the Square Enix page says consoles and Steam. Steam page doesn’t seem to exist yet, though.

https://www.square-enix-games.com/en_US/news/final-fantasy-tactics-the-ivalice-chronicles

Finally

Remnant 2. I have no idea what’s going on, but I’m having a good time. The systems are pretty complex and unexplained so I just equip things that seem cool. So far so good! Thanks to other players joining my game I’ve been able to solve the puzzles, which honestly I would have had to lookup solutions for if I were only playing solo.

I started playing 1, but haven’t finished it.

I don’t think it’s bad, more like it just hasn’t aged very well, especially the combat. Which is the same thing I disliked about 3 despite enjoying it overall - clunky combat in a post Dark Souls world just doesn’t cut it for me.

The game is alright, but I’m in no rush to go back and finish it. I hope that with 4 and the focus on Ciri they will work on improving the combat system some more.

I have faith that, with this and Duskbloods, they’re taking online play more seriously. But still I’m with you in waiting for reviews to confirm that’s the case before considering buying it. Network test existing doesn’t tell us anything about how the final product performs until the final product is released.

Mine arrived and I am pleased with how quality it feels.

D-pad is better than I expected. No more stick drift. Cost half as much as an Xbox controller. You can’t go wrong.

My Ultimate 2C is being delivered today and I’m very excited.

Check out Dome Keeper. Mine resources to buy upgrades and protect your dome from waves of aliens. There are lots of game modes and modifiers to get different experiences each run.

Great post/format. It feels like I’m a kid reading the gaming news magazines at the grocery store again.

I’ve been playing Ori and the Will of the Wisps. I like it and the changes they made since Blind Forest, but I’m also feeling frustrated by repeatedly getting lost, even with quest markers. It’s tiring to waste so much time traversing the map just to find out I have to go back… somewhere else. Never had this problem when playing Blind Forest.

Chrono Break

$135 for a game. Noted.

It absolutely brought me back to the late 90s shooters I grew up with. Lots of fun, but there were also a lot of parts I got stuck on, too. I will need some time before I play again / consider the BM version - maybe after HL2. Thanks for the additional info.

I just finished my first playthrough of Half-Life and wish I had known about this alternate version, it looks great. Thanks for the write up.

Back in the Pokemon TCG for Gameboy days, it was all about the joy of catching collecting 'em all, and building your custom decks to battle with. Things didn’t have to be monetizable to be fun back then.

Hey, that’s not fair. They added an intrusive feature that offers to “create an event” every fucking time I copy a date in Excel. I’m sure that’s useful to someone. /s

Unfortunately not. Is it only available on the 3DS?

It’s easily The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past.

It has everything I could ask for in a game: Sword fighting. Magic. Secrets. Dungeon crawling. An alternate dimension. Side quests. Different tools and items. There’s enough content that it feels fulfilling to complete it. Peak art. Peak music. NPCs don’t talk too much, and there are just enough of them to make the world feel alive. Bosses.

Ah ok. I didn’t notice if there was an issue when I was a kid playing it - too busy being enamoured with the battle system!

What’s wrong with it? I enjoyed playing it on PS2.

-Dark Cloud (1 and 2)

-Time Splitters 2

-Red Faction

-Grandia 2

-ICO and Shadow of the Colossus

-Shinobi

-Twisted Metal Black

-Ape Escape (2 and 3)

-Armored Core 2

-Dead or Alive 2

-Gran Turismo 3

-Final Fantasy X

-Grand Theft Auto III / Vice City / San Andreas

-Midnight Club Street Racing

-Soul Calibur 2

This makes me want to hear the “Quad City DJs - Space Jam” theme sung by Eddie Vedder

No, I think you’re all good. That part scared me too.

Remember to check the instruction manual for clues.

It’s starting to look like Facebook comments out here

No new games

It’s still unclear to me if you are always a trio.

Is “solo” you + 2 bots?

Can you play as 2 friends + 1 bot or 1 random player?

“I’m interested in one thing. Dark. You haven’t the gift.”

• Felkin the Outcast, Dark Souls 2

He’s such a weirdo just sitting in a dark corner, but sells some good spells.

Blade of Darkness looks up my alley

25

That sounds awesome. I’m imagining it in the style of Dark Souls, but a reskin would be fun.