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52 Games Challenge 2025!!!
Cartagia:
--- Quote from: telly on November 03, 2025, 08:12:28 am ---For me, I knew it was going to be a big disadvantage for f. That's not to say that I don't think it's a good game. I do, but that was my biggest reservation regarding the new direction that this game took from previous entries. I think a similar story/idea could definitely be done in an American setting but obviously the game would have to have been completely different and I don't think that's the story the developers wanted to tell.
--- End quote ---
Do you think that they had an original idea for a horror game and just made it Silent Hill for IP recognition?
telly:
--- Quote from: Cartagia on November 03, 2025, 01:53:25 pm ---
--- Quote from: telly on November 03, 2025, 08:12:28 am ---For me, I knew it was going to be a big disadvantage for f. That's not to say that I don't think it's a good game. I do, but that was my biggest reservation regarding the new direction that this game took from previous entries. I think a similar story/idea could definitely be done in an American setting but obviously the game would have to have been completely different and I don't think that's the story the developers wanted to tell.
--- End quote ---
Do you think that they had an original idea for a horror game and just made it Silent Hill for IP recognition?
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Yes I do think that. I don't think it would have sold as well if it wasn't branded Silent Hill.
dhaabi:
--- Quote from: Cartagia on November 03, 2025, 01:53:25 pm ---
--- Quote from: telly on November 03, 2025, 08:12:28 am ---For me, I knew it was going to be a big disadvantage for f. That's not to say that I don't think it's a good game. I do, but that was my biggest reservation regarding the new direction that this game took from previous entries. I think a similar story/idea could definitely be done in an American setting but obviously the game would have to have been completely different and I don't think that's the story the developers wanted to tell.
--- End quote ---
Do you think that they had an original idea for a horror game and just made it Silent Hill for IP recognition?
--- End quote ---
Your question wasn't directed toward me, but I'd like to answer as well by saying no. For anyone who's played the previous original game in the series The Short Message, f's scenario is not surprising, as it largely exists to explain how and why f's events transpire instead of it being fitted into f's story itself.
Or, perhaps the answer is yes. I don't think it matters either way, though, really. Whether or not this is the direction Konami wishes to take the franchise in—that is to say, having the narrative be independent from the eponymous town itself—I'm not sure, but it certainly seems that way. Although, it is worth pointing out that f is regarded as a spin-off entry.
realpoketendonl:
13. Pokémon Legends: Z-A - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
A recently released game joining the list. And I really enjoyed this one!
As a kid I used to buy and play every mainline Pokémon game, from SoulSilver up to and including Sun, so safe to say I have a history with the series and a soft spot for it in my heart. Despite that, I did skip most Switch games. That includes Pokémon Legends: Arceus. I heard the gameplay was apparently really fun, but I could never get a feel for it from footage, and the historical setting just didn't appeal to me at all. Couple that with the performance issues, weak graphics and other stuff Pokémon was synonymous with at the time (remember Sword and Shield everyone?), and I decided to skip it. However, the setting of a modern city does really appeal to me, and this game looked a bit more polished. And with my last Pokémon game being 2022's Violet (which I enjoyed for what it was but it barely left an impact), I felt ready for another Pokémon adventure. And I'm glad that it ended up being Legends: Z-A!
I know the Pokémon series gets a lot of flak, especially nowadays, and I'm not gonna act like Legends: Z-A is a masterpiece. There's plenty to criticise, from the fairly monotonous city design to the at this point distracting lack of voice acting. But with this game, for me, that was all overshadowed by what it does right.
In case you don't know, the Pokémon Legends games ditch the turn-based approach of the classic games in favour of more real-time battles. You need to coordinate your Pokémon around, order it to perform moves, dodge attacks, switch out your Pokémon, keep track of move recharge timers, change your own positioning to dodge attacks yourself and change targets, all at the same time. I will admit that I have not really played a game with this type of combat before (I believe Monster Hunter and Xenoblade are supposed to be similar, but I'm not sure). But I found the battles really fun and engaging. Far more engaging than the turn-based Violet at least, and more engaging than I was expecting from the series at this point. It requires you to know your team and your strategies, and to react quickly. It's fun! As was catching Pokémon. Yes, the areas were kind of small and limiting, but the real-time catching and surprisingly tough wild Pokémon made the battles very enjoyable, and it was just a pleasure to find new creatures that I know and love.
In general this game's difficulty impressed me. It's still not hard at all, god no, especially not if you use healing items you buy with the money the game showers you in. But there were a few times where the game made me flinch or clench my fist. It's not exactly complex for this type of game either, it's still Pokémon, but it does require you to at least know your basics and account for that in your team build if you want to get through.
All tied together by a plot that, while nothing special, did once again manage to engage me. I actually felt a little emotion once I reached the credits. Also just helped by my love for the series. I remembered my playthrough of Pokémon Y back when I was a teenager, and how it felt to explore this city and see my Pokémon in 3D for the first time. I went through this game with Braixen, Pangoro, Doublade, Starmie, Lopunny and Meganium, and they did start to feel like partners. Meganium especially reminded me of my very first Pokémon game where I traveled with a Chikorita turned Meganium too, and this Meganium started to feel like that very first Pokémon I ever had over 15 years ago.
Yes that may be nostalgia-drenched and sappy, but who cares? This is Pokémon, what do you expect? As genuinely enjoyable as I found the battles, of course my pre-existing love for these creatures and my familiarity with the series' mechanics played a role in my enjoyment. But what's wrong with that?
I genuinely enjoyed Pokémon Legends: Z-A. I almost want to pick it up again to go through the postgame, but we'll see whether I'll actually commit to that. I'm definitely keeping an eye on the Legends subseries from now on though. I just beat it so I'm gonna have to let the game sink in for a bit, but this may even be my preferred form of Pokémon from now on. If you're not already a Pokémon fan and you're familiar with this type of game, I doubt this game is going to impress. It's no masterpiece, it's not gonna wow you, and objectively it doesn't hold a candle to other AAA-games in this genre you can get at the same price (even if those are also probably less accessible). But if you already like Pokémon, you like the setting and you're urging for a new Pokémon journey, I'd say this game is worth considering.
Cartagia:
I hit credits on Ball x Pit today. It was a really fun Vampire Survivors timed survival style game, that played like Breakout or Arkanoid. It's not quite as streamlined as VS, though, with some base building stuff that drags down the early game a little. It gets kinda grindy towards the end and kinda boring if youve been keeping up with upgrades, as you can be pretty overpowered if you are staying on top of the upgrade system. The VS comparisons really don't help my feelings about it, since it cost 3 times as much, but wore out its welcome way faster. Worth picking up on sale, at least.
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