What are you playing on your Switch?

I'm thinking swapping between characters every so often will keep it's replay value up.

Here's hoping! I'll check back in in a fortnight.

The real mode is adventure mode, so once the general battles start wearing a little thin that's when it really gets interesting. I've never got far enough as it's never been on a convenient format so I'm looking forward to being done with the story and cracking on with that myself.

Balladeer wrote:

Here's hoping!  I'll check back in in a fortnight.

I don't get why you're so down on it, from the few hours I've played of it it seems like a good celebration of all things Legend of Zelda.

Crumpy Andy wrote:

The real mode is adventure mode, so once the general battles start wearing a little thin that's when it really gets interesting. I've never got far enough as it's never been on a convenient format so I'm looking forward to being done with the story and cracking on with that myself.

I dipped into that a little bit but I think I'll tackle the legends mode first so I'm more familiar with the maps when I return to it.

It's worth waiting anyway as you'll want the higher level/upgraded/better weapon characters, that's why I'm holding off.

The_Jaster wrote:

I don't get why you're so down on it, from the few hours I've played of it it seems like a good celebration of all things Legend of Zelda.

Jealousy probably. Couldn't get on with it. Found the combat too repetitive and the strategy too distracting simultaneously.

Am I right in saying they've now included the feature they had in Fire Emblem Warriors where you can direct your AI teammates to different points on the map?

I've found myself really tempted by Hyrule Warriors on Switch as after playing a Warriors game on both 3DS and Switch, it's clear that the main draw to these is cutting through swathes of dudes and the more dudes to cut down, the better!

JayMoyles wrote:

Am I right in saying they've now included the feature they had in Fire Emblem Warriors where you can direct your AI teammates to different points on the map?

I've found myself really tempted by Hyrule Warriors on Switch as after playing a Warriors game on both 3DS and Switch, it's clear that the main draw to these is cutting through swathes of dudes and the more dudes to cut down, the better!

Aye you can definitely command your AI teammates.

Sweet.

Still, I really ought to wait. If I buy another new game before playing a certain SEGA developed PS4 game about Japanese gang warfare, I might get disowned by the Crumpster.

JayMoyles wrote:

Sweet.

Still, I really ought to wait. If I buy another new game before playing a certain SEGA developed PS4 game about Japanese gang warfare, I might get disowned by the Crumpster.

It might be fun to see him explode from consistently asking you if you've played it yet though.

I don't think it matters how many games he buys, he's still not going to play any of them

I mean, it's either that I play new games or tell you "no" when you ask if I'm about to play old multiplayer games.

JayMoyles wrote:

Sweet.

Still, I really ought to wait. If I buy another new game before playing a certain SEGA developed PS4 game about Japanese gang warfare, I might get disowned by the Crumpster.

That's not God of War

I had some dark, quiet hours to myself each evening on the farm with no internet. As well as finishing the first draft of a novel, I played a bit of that The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.

It's alright, isn't it?
I bounced off it after playing the opening on my TV, back in the UK. Now, I'm a little more removed from The Witcher III and playing in handheld, so it didn't feel like such a step down. I'm also playing in third person and I've got a feel for blocking and parrying, so the combat doesn't feel like quite such a floaty mess. And sometimes, exploring a big pretty world and having everyone you meet tell you you're the dog's bollocks is alright.

That said, when I killed my first dragon and it was just an underwhelming button mash while it stood still and missed me, I got a real hankering to jump onto another game where you can play as cat, where hunting epic elder dragons actually feels like a big deal.

Hence, I've been playing a spot of Monster Hunter XX. Between Skyrim giving me the urge, The Carve talking about hunting a Kushala Daora and the knowledge that Generations Ultimate might come along and render my XX save null, I decided there's some unfinished business I need to wash my hands of before I move on from this game and my character with his Japanese name spelt slightly wrong and in the wrong alphabet.

I need one more part for my armour set, and it involves killing a G Rank Kushala Daora. And I'm going to solo it.

Over successive attempts, this goal has gone from impossible, to improbable, to inevitable. I'm at the point now where I'm failing from time out more than from running out of lives. I've tried upgrading my cats with top level gear (and poison weapons) and I'm gonna get back to it. I only need it to go well once . . .

I also jumped on Spla2n and polished off the last few collectible/ finished every level with the dualies. I'm done with the singleplayer now and ready for when Octo Expansion lands.

Cor, the Switch is good, isn't it?

Drunkalilly wrote:

I need one more part for my armour set, and it involves killing a G Rank Kushala Daora. And I'm going to solo it.

Over successive attempts, this goal has gone from impossible, to improbable, to inevitable. I'm at the point now where I'm failing from time out more than from running out of lives. I've tried upgrading my cats with top level gear (and poison weapons) and I'm gonna get back to it. I only need it to go well once . . .

What weapon are you using? (I can't recall what you were using in XX) If it's decent for status I'd go with a poison weapon too unless your cats are getting it off quite often, having extra flash bombs might help out too.

Drunkalilly wrote:

Cor, the Switch is good, isn't it?

It really really is some system and it probably has the best variety of games out of all three consoles for me, not to mention it just elevates certain genres since it's perfect for stuff like Shoot 'em ups & rogue-likes/any game where it's easy to play 20 minutes or so.

Drunkalilly wrote:

That said, when I killed my first dragon and it was just an underwhelming button mash while it stood still and missed me, I got a real hankering to jump onto another game where you can play as cat, where hunting epic elder dragons actually feels like a big deal.

I think this sums up why playing as sneaky arrow man in Skyrim feels like the best way to play - other forms of combat end up devolving into button mashing, damage sponging slogs. All hail sneaky arrow man.

Mario Tennis Aces demo - Yep this is a cracker of a game, the zone & special shots do feel like they have a good balance to them since if your timing is right you can block them (I'm bad at this currently) but I hope a matches rule set can be fully customised rather then just turning off the zone/special shots.

I especially wouldn't want to lose out on having trickshots since they make rallies even more fun, so a smash bros style of rule options to select would be nice.

[quote="The_Jaster"]

Drunkalilly wrote:

Drunkalilly wrote:

Cor, the Switch is good, isn't it?

It really really is some system and it probably has the best variety of games out of all three consoles for me, not to mention it just elevates certain genres since it's perfect for stuff like Shoot 'em ups & rogue-likes/any game where it's easy to play 20 minutes or so.

Always nice to read things like this even though myself, not really played (even though it is the system I've bought the most games on in 2018) much Switch this year due to using it as a home console mainly and the quality on others being so high.

I agree it does elevate some genres, why I played likes of Sonic Mania on it as a 2D Platformer just makes so much sense on a portable device but not something I want to do often though.

The_Jaster wrote:

What weapon are you using? (I can't recall what you were using in XX) If it's decent for status I'd go with a poison weapon too unless your cats are getting it off quite often, having extra flash bombs might help out too.

Hammer, so not great for poisoning
I'm getting a bit niftier with the flash bombs, though, so that might help.

JayMoyles wrote:

I think this sums up why playing as sneaky arrow man in Skyrim feels like the best way to play - other forms of combat end up devolving into button mashing, damage sponging slogs. All hail sneaky arrow man.

I've had some fun with sneaky arrow business but it doesn't make me feel like the Mighty Dovahkin and a Brave Companion, y'know? I like strutting around as a proper hard bastard. (Who is a lady and a cat)

Drunkalilly wrote:

Cor, the Switch is good, isn't it?

It is... the best video games machine? And it'll only get better this year!

I've actually also been playing a bit more Skyrim, but I do mean 'a bit'. As in, I went from the early-game sewers to the first village, killed a chicken, then was surprised when the townsfolk ganged up on me. Haven't they played any Zelda? Chickens can look after themselves!

Also playing in first-person is bobbins, third-person is where it's at. I really don't like first-person games, I have found. They feel too restrictive.

Balladeer wrote:

Drunkalilly wrote:

Cor, the Switch is good, isn't it?

It is... the best video games machine? And it'll only get better this year.

Not even close to the GameCube but might be different in 5 or so years time.

Anyway I turned my Switch on played Mario Tennis and Sushi demo, both seem good but I'm not sure about winning tennis matches with a KO like I did.

Balladeer wrote:

Also playing in first-person is bobbins, third-person is where it's at.  I really don't like first-person games, I have found.  They feel too restrictive.

I have been known to enjoy shooting the men in first person, it allows for faster-paced action as you're always looking at where you're shooting. Other than that, I'm all about seeing my character.

Reading those comments: the more I think about Skyrim, the more I think we need to remastered go of Oblivion. If you turn down the bloom lighting (but not THE lighting - it doesn't need to look as grim as Skyrim) and the stare-o-faces, it'll still be a banger. As the kids say.

I think I've given up doing the super-hard bits of Mario Odyssey, so I'm properly into SteamWorld Dig 2. Any game with a character called Stabby Helen is a good game.

Hyrule Warriors and Pokemon Quest are currently my mains, really enjoying both of them.

I'm determined to complete some adventure maps this time. Already got through Legends mode and I think I'm 19% into the first adventure map. Got a long way to go to get to Link's Awakening, which is what I am really hyped for.

FUCKING NOTHING.
VIDEOGAMES ARE SHIT AND I HATE THEM.
I'M JUST READING BOOKS AND PLAYING SPORT FROM NOW ON.

Between the latter sections of Hollow Knight and the Spl82n Octo Expansion, I'm learning a lot about:

• The most vulgar and offensive swearwords I know
  
• How best to whisper or say those swear words under my breath in a way which is similarly cathartic to screaming them at the top of my voice
  
• How much I can move furniture through sheer tensing and involuntary spasms alone
  
• How hard I can squeeze a joy con before it makes concerning sounds
  
• How sweaty palms can get
  
• This weird pain in my left hand, I think I've actually squeezed it so hard all the blood has drained out

Maybe I should take a breather? These games are not actually helping with all the stress I'm currently feeling as I wait for my job and housing to fall into place.