RR529

This is pretty good news. Granted, it depends on how much Shinedust is required for a trade, but I have a boatload of the stuff saved up since it's currently a pretty useless currency, so hopefully shouldn't be much of an issue.

I think I only have 4 of the 4 Diamond cards left to obtain (Venusaur EX, Marowak EX, Blastoise EX, & Zapdos EX), so at least I'll be able to complete the set as I have lots of duplicates of the EX cards I do have I can use for trading.

Similar story for the 1 Star cards, though I think there's a bit more I don't have (maybe 5 or 6). Still have enough duplicates to trade.

Kind of a bummer you can't trade the 2 or 3 Star cards (or the Crowns), but they're all just alt arts of less rare cards so they don't give you an advantage in the actual game (same for 1 Stars though), so I can live with it. They're rare enough that I don't have enough duplicates to trade with anyways.

I know what I'll be doing this weekend!

I managed to get 4 copies of the Lapras EX card from the last event, so hopefully I'll be just as lucky this time.

Really enjoyed this on Steam a couple years ago.

Hope the Switch port holds up well for those who'll play it there.

Been enjoying it (entirely F2P), but need some sort of new event to keep me engaged (I was hoping they'd have something ready to go to replace the Lapras EX event that just ended, but apparently not).

I've completed all the Solo battles, got 45 wins in the Multiplayer event (there's no more rewards after that point), and as I've mentioned previously the Lapras event is over as well (completed it BTW).

After reaching level 15 or so, the 15 EXP you get from winning a multiplayer match is such a pittance that it's not really an incentive to keep playing on it's own (especially since you're not guaranteed to win & you get no EXP at all for a loss). They need to give you like 5 EXP or something for every match played (even the losses), just so you're always getting something out of it. It's no fun losing 2-4 matches in a row before getting that win with only the win's 15 EXP to show for it.

I still enjoy opening my twice daily packs, though it's gotten to the point where I'm not getting jack.

I haven't collected Pokemon cards since I was a kid in the 90's, but I never used them in the actual game they were supposed to be played with, so I decided to try this out and it's actually really fun.

Haven't spent a dime but already have three different viable decks built (a fire set centered around two Charizard EX & a Moltres EX, a water set centered around two Lapras EX & a Articuno EX, and an electric set centered around two Pikachu EX and a Zapdos EX). Also have EX variants of Eggsecuter, Mewtwo, & Gengar, but don't quite have the right cards to build decks around them (getting close with Eggsecuter though).

I've won about 40 matches in the event so far.

I played this on PS4 years ago and sorta agree that the first few bosses/special fights can be a bit annoying/long winded (I think you have a number of them before the game really opens up), but I don't remember them being that hard.

It only gets easier once things open up too. By endgame I always had enough healing/special bar filling items at my disposal that I could practically cheese all the bosses, even the final one.

Glad for Astro Bot! I definitely want to play it, but am currently playing Trails Through Daybreak on PS5, and since that's like a 100 hour JRPG it'll probably be a few months before I can get to Astro (it'll be my number one priority once I'm done with Trails though, no matter what else comes out).

Currently getting my platforming fix by playing Bakeru on Steam, and having a blast with it. It's a shame that it's going to be buried by bigger names, as this would definitely have a shot at being the year's best platformer if it weren't for Astro Bot (reminds me a lot of Kirby & the Forgotten Land in terms of style, scope, & gameplay).

@AstroTheGamosian, kind of disingenuous to compare mid life PS5 sales to to EOL sales of all the other PS consoles.

No way it's touching PS2, and PS4 is debatable, but it's certainly going to eclipse both PSP & PS3 pretty easily by EOL. IIRC, it's sales are actually comparable (if not ahead) of where PS4 was at the same point in it's life.

Went with Japan as I prefer the anime aesthetic (since it originated in Japan and this is probably the most "intended" look), but will admit the US design goes absolutely hard, so it's a close second.

EU isn't even in consideration since it's a result of regional censorship, and thus the theme isn't an intended choice (even though I love Mecha and think the characters look pretty dope).

Will definitely be my Fall/Winter game on PS5 once I'm done with Astro Bot. Glad to hear it's shaping up nicely.

I really loved Abyss & Vesperia, didn't think Zestiria or Berseria lived up to them (though Berseria was the much better of the two), and then the series got back on it's feet again with Arise, which I loved.

I started to play Symphonia a couple years ago, but only got a couple hours into it before coming down with Covid & never went back to it after two weeks of just not wanting to play anything. Maybe I should try it again.

Would give this a shot if it's real.

I had tons of fun with this on PS4 a few years ago, so I hope it holds up well for those who can only play it on Switch. Fantastic game.

NL: Mentions that the game launched in Japan 2 years before any other region.

Also NL: Still gives EU top billing for reusing the JPN art (on a JPN developed game).

Anyhow, I don't think any variant is all that great, but I did indeed end up voting for the JAPAN/EUROPE art.

@Kilroy, actually, I mostly use plastic utensils, lol.

Yes, they can cut, poke, & (theoretically) be a weapon of some sort (the same can be said of a pen, rock, any other myriad of items), but I'd never in my wildest dreams imagine mere possession of a plastic knife would be grounds for arrest.

Kind of a moot point anyways, as the link @DarthXenos posted does indeed show it to be made of some sort of steel alloy (albeit unsharpened). A prison sentence still seems absolutely wild to me though. Should have just been a warning or small fine at most.

After zooming in on the photo included in the Eurogamer article, the blade does indeed look plastic, which makes this whole thing absolutely ridiculous.

Coming from the US, it seems absolutely insane that you can be arrested over a literal toy in the UK.

As a replica, shouldn't it have been made of plastic or something?

If it was made of metal (and actually had the function of a knife) I can definitely see why this would be an issue, and not very smart on his part.

No way EU is winning with them hanging onto pegs that are just unnaturally connecting to absolutely nothing (I get that's how it may be in game, but it makes for a sloppy looking art piece).

Going for the US art this week. Looks like they're mid swing.

I'm not huge with either, but I'm going with JPN this week because of the larger cast.

And once again NL labels an NA/EU release as EU/NA... (It was developed, and launched first, in NA, so that region should get top billing in a shared art).

Going with Japan since it seems they did a bit more with the concept.

Also, again, stop giving EU top billing when they use the same art as the region the game was developed in. In this case it should be listed as NA/EU.

It would make sense to give EU top billing if NA or JP were using the EU art of a European developed game (like Banjo, Worms, etc.), but you have a bad habit of giving EU top billing on all shared art, even if most examples originated in JP or NA.

Seems to be the unpopular opinion, but I'm going with the JPN box.

The actual art piece on the NA/EU box certainly is better, but otherwise it's way too cluttered (both with text & the incorporation of the mouse).

The JPN box may seem a bit more plain, but it's cleanly formatted & easy on the eyes.

Disappointing. I knew it wasn't looking good when it seemed to be so online focused, and it's sad to see my fears realized.

Good for Stellar Blade. Have it loaded up myself, but am waiting to finish FFVII Rebirth before I dive in.

On the Switch front it's good to see Princess Peach: Showtime holding onto a top ten spot about a month in, and I'm looking forward to TTYD in a few weeks.

Going to vote for NA/EU (giving NA top billing since the game didn't release in the EU until about 8 months later, so they very much just copied the NA design).

The JPN art is good too, but as others have said the text makes it too cluttered, & it doesn't have the nostalgia going for it for me.

I think they're both pretty good for what they are, but I went with the JPN/EU art (giving Japan first billing over EU since it's the region of origin, which is how it should be done when two regions share the same art. The article makes it sound like Japan is using EU art, when it's the other way around).

@UltimateOtaku91, every single one of those examples you gave outside of Monster Hunter (which never really had a strong story/adventure element to it anyway) was live service from the start, so it's to be expected.

Endless Ocean is a bit different in that the last couple had some sort of deliberately crafted single player adventure/exploration core to them, so sort of throwing that away (or at least to the side) in favor of a procedurally generated, limited time live-service approach is bound to ruffle the feathers of some pre-existing fans (few of them as there are, given the series niche status).

Granted, even as someone who hasn't played the originals, the large online/procedurally generated focus of this one is dampening my excitement for it, as I happen to prefer expertly hand crafted single player experiences. Though I still have my eye on it.

@rjejr, are you thinking of Blade Kitten (which was also published by Atari, ironically enough).

Definitely the Japanese one. Looks classy & sophisticated, not something you see everyday. Would look great as a poster in a game room.

The US art in second, with EU last (Super Star is an infinitely better subtitle than Fun Pack, and I happen to think the stars pop more against the black background).

Sounds like it could be relaxing, but it's a bit of a bummer that there doesn't seem to be much of a single player component to it (at least so far), just confirmation of more online modes.

Yeah, Powerwash Simulator is pretty great to unwind to, even if a few levels have somewhat irritating areas to reach.

It has a ton of content too. I've been playing it off & on since the Holidays (inbetween other games) and I'm not even done with the "campaign" (haven't even touched the bonus levels or any of the DLC). Think I'm getting close, though.

@Darthmoogle, I'm assuming it's because the "Ultimate Evil" SSG Vegeta in the trailer has purple hair/aura, much like how his manga exclusive Ultra Ego form is often colorized.

TBH that's what I thought it was too when I first saw the thumbnail (of course, I don't think he has eyebrows in UE, like he does here, so that should have given it away).

Very controversial ranking coming up

Never Completed:
9. I
8. II
7. XII
6. IX
Completed:
5. IV
4. Crystal Chronicles: the Crystal Bearers
3. VII Remake
2. XVI
1. X

Currently playing VII Rebirth & enjoying it a lot.

The US art for me this week. EU is similar quality, but the banner at the bottom takes away some points (plus, the "bursting through the paper" on the US art gives it a few points).

The Japanese one is inspired and arguably more "arty" than the other two, but has perhaps a bit too much text.

May for TTYD?

Cool that it's so close, but it's unfortunately probably going to bury Endless Ocean.

As it so happens I just finished off Mario VS Donkey Kong and started Final Fantasy VII Rebirth over the weekend.

M VS DK was a solid game, not GotY material or anything, but a solid release that honestly got pretty tough at times (especially certain boss fights & the EX missions).

The Grasslands have opened up for me in FFVII Rebirth and it's been fun travelling between all the points of interest on Chocobo back.

I'm mostly physical on Switch, though I do have a number of digital titles that don't have a physical version (or only got limited run physical editions).

However, I'm pretty much all digital on PS (& PC obviously).

However However, I'm big into collecting physical media in terms of movies & TV shows (particularly anime, but I have a growing selection of live action films as well), with the vast majority being on Blu-Ray (with a smaller selection of UHD BDs, and exactly one DVD set that hasn't had a BD release).

Yeah, I enjoyed the original release, but I'm not going to buy the whole thing over again for some new story content.

Good for those who haven't played it yet, though.

I went with Japan this week.

Not too far in yet, but I've been having a lot of fun with Granblue Fantasy ReLink.

Japan for sure, if only because it uses the intended character/art designs.

It's a Japanese game, any western attempt to de-Japanese/anime a game's art direction immediately renders that region's art ineligible, no matter how good it otherwise is.

Granted I'm in the US so stock may be different as far as the UK is concerned, but I've had Another Code pre-ordered on Amazon since before release, and they don't even have an estimated release or shipping date on my order, like their system doesn't even know when the game's going to release (even though it was released last week).

I don't know when I'm going to be getting it.

Already played on PS4 years ago (the VR mode was awesome), but glad to see this finally showing up on Switch so more people can play it. Hope it's a good port.

Went with the US box art this time.

Japan probably would have won if they actually included Mario in a more prominent position though.

Yep, Japan easily this week.

Definitely going with the US art this week. Gives a good sense of the action & gives a good indication of the colorful world they inhabit.

Out of the other two, I'd give Japan the edge, with EU at the bottom. While they take similar approaches, the poses & shading on the JPN art really pop & add a level of dynamism lacking in the EU effort.

They're both not that great, but I went with EU as I prefer the zoomed out shot of the protag.

It's not even really EU box art though. It's JPN art, and instead of merely giving EU top billing incorrectly, NL decided to excise any mention of Japan all together. For shame.

@the_beaver, same reason Among Us was nominated for a bunch of stuff in 2020 even though it released in 2018.

According to their FAQ a game doesn't actually have to have released in a given year to be eligible. As long as it has received some sort of transformative content upgrade(s), i.e. any "live service" game, or newly found "cultural relevance" that it didn't have in it's release year, they consider a game to be a "current year" experience.

I can almost swear some fighting games, like Mortal Kombat 11, have been nominated in multiple years as well. (EDIT: yep, it was nominated for best fighting game in both 2019 & 2020, and won in the latter year).

They're both fine, but I went with the US art.

Going with Japan this week.

The US one is kinda boring in hindsight (though I know at the time it was to be honest with what the game would look like), EU is just copying JPN's homework & isn't really different enough to be separate IMO (though I guess this is better than having them be one entry & NL giving EU top billing even though the game & art originated in JPN as they usually do), and the Bonus selection simply isn't even fair (it's technically an entirely different release, and it's from a much later era when character designs had been more standardised).

Did my duty.

Great remake, hope we get the second one.