E Shop and Downloadables Discussion

But then you have this

Pier Solar HD is a testament to sound game design. Moreover, it’s a delightful throwback title that manages to integrate new-age conventions with those that defined a bygone era of gaming so close to many folks’ hearts. With some of the strongest storytelling in its genre, now or in the past, a deep combat system and a top-notch presentation, Pier Solar HD is at the head of its class, easily sitting alongside some of the most cherished classics of its kind. It does have some flaws, though, namely its seeming disinterest in ever providing any real guidance to players, leaving them confused and wandering for longer than necessary. Even with this issue, though, the game could easily be sold at full price and still be worth every penny. Additionally, the Wii U version has a leg up on the other iterations simply because it complements the solid gameplay with some unique GamePad features. They don’t redefine the experience, but they add to it, and the off-TV play is especially wonderful. It may have taken WaterMelon a while to finally give us this gem, but it was worth the wait. If you’re looking for a memorable, old-school RPG, buy Pier Solar HD. There’s no other way to say it.

Source?

You can tell not me by how it's written.

Hardcore Gamer is the source and that's the 3rd review of the game, which is cool they done one just for Wii U.

Hmm. When in doubt (only then, mark you), check the numbers on Metacritic.

6.9 average, with a whole lot of scores concentrated in the 60s and 70s. That's that, then.

It's £5.00 free voucher time! Does anyone have anything they'd like to recommend to me? I haven't downloaded anything from the eShop since the summer, but fancy someting new...

I'd sort of recommend Natsume Championship Wrestling. It's a great game but I've found it more difficult than Battletoads. It's still worth a punt, though.

Balladeer wrote:

Hmm.  When in doubt (only then, mark you), check the numbers on Metacritic.

6.9 average, with a whole lot of scores concentrated in the 60s and 70s.  That's that, then.

Yeah that's true but if you read RPG fan on there it's line is In going so far retro, Pier Solar HD shows that it hasn't learned from modern advancements in game design.

And a few other's bring up the problem that the game design is archaic which is the dam point as it's a mega drive game, no one will review FFVII when it comes to PS4 and go the combat system is old fashioned etc. It wasn't going retro it is retro, it should be treated like a VC game.

Also the user score average across all platforms is 8.2 per person, with some comparing it to something like Lunar: Eternal Blue.

Solve My Maze wrote:

I'd sort of recommend Natsume  Championship Wrestling. It's a great game but I've found it more difficult than Battletoads. It's still worth a punt, though.

I downloaded that onto my Wii back when it was new on the first Virtual Console, and I absolutely hated it! It's the difficulty that really narked me off, but I felt that it didn't have the personality or variety than the other wrestling games of that era, like WWF Raw. Cheers for the suggestion all the same.

No, Mas.  It's not a Mega Drive game for me.  It's a Wii U game.  The skill put into making it, solidity of its gameplay mechanics, and opportunity cost in playing it as opposed to something else, need to be compared to games that can be played on the Wii U.  I won't be wondering whether I want to play it or Sonic 2, but rather, it or Bayonetta (or more genre-appropriate examples - not the point).  And I'll want to know the opinions of people thinking in the same way.

If it wanted to be compared against games of yesteryear, it needed to be released then.  It wasn't.  Nor does it benefit from nostalgia, like some VC releases do.


Honestly though, I'm going to stop this here.  You can have the last word if you like: the fact is that you are coming from a very different place on this to me, with a different perspective and different biases.  As such, your attempts to recommend it to me are going to be in vain.

*   *   *

I'd like to help with Cappa's question, but don't feel that I can.  I haven't bought anything from the uShop (as it should be called) in yonks, and the recent examples (Guacamelee! and Teslagrad) have been Metroidvania games.  I do want to pick up Tengami, though.

I owned the EU version but sold it on eBay for £250 to a guy in scotland whom was going to get it graded, shame it will never get played also the game cart might not of been in there.


I'm not trying to recommend it to anyone (but is your only choice apart from VC games for a JRPG), I'm just saying it's been given a hard time for being OLD in style which like I said is the point as it came out back in 2010 (I think) for the Mega Drive as a 20th anniversary piece from fans of that console & that era, which now watermelon have decided to port over to a few systems.

A lot of retro reviewers gave it high marks when it came out that think like me on the game, if I was cappa (he hates rpgs, but stay with me) I'd be thinking should I buy pier solar or earthbound (the better game) for instance with my fiver.

Also how do you no what it's like in till you've played it, the eShop should really get more demos for games.

uShop sounds like something from Ubisoft

I've just finished Shovel Knight and I was absolutely amazed by it. I don't think there was a single time I looked at it without saying meh, but due to needing to squeeze a few more points out for my last £5 voucher I took the plunge. The game was just brilliant, a weird 2D Dark Soulsish game. Everyone should get it!

As for your point about FF7 mas, it SHOULD be reviewed by how well it holds up now. I'd want to hear how it feels playing it amongst FF15 and Tales of Xillia etc. I'm no longer playing it on PS1 and I want to know why I should spend money on that over modern titles. You're probably right and it likely won't be reviewed like that, but it should be.

andyman949 wrote:

I've just finished Shovel Knight and I was absolutely amazed by it. I don't think there was a single time I looked at it without saying meh, but due to needing to squeeze a few more points out for my last £5 voucher I took the plunge. The game was just brilliant, a weird 2D Dark Soulsish game. Everyone should get it!

Great to hear you took the plunge and really enjoyed it, I can tell you it just get's better with each play through and since you like going for trophies will you be trying to get all the feats? (Some right hard ones in there though)

I think I might start NG+ today.

I imagine that since I like trophies I'll probably cave and buy it on PS4, then earn all the feats there . The lack of any viewable proof attached to my profile would likely leave me as hollow as 5*ing a Mario save. I wanna brag dammit!

FF7 wouldn't review well at all by today's standards, graphics horrid, combat system old fashioned, story everyone knows there could be so much wrong with it that it should be getting like a 6 but it won't it get 9's because it's FF7.

I think FFVII would still review well, but it's primarily aged in its presentation: inconsistent FMV cutscenes take you out of the game far too often and its pacing is much slower than what came before it. VI has aged far better in those regards.

Andy's Shovel Knight impressions are very promising: I've still yet to pick it up!

The Cappuccino Kid wrote:

Solve My Maze wrote:

I'd sort of recommend Natsume  Championship Wrestling. It's a great game but I've found it more difficult than Battletoads. It's still worth a punt, though.

I downloaded that onto my Wii back when it was new on the first Virtual Console, and I absolutely hated it! It's the difficulty that really narked me off, but I felt that it didn't have the personality or variety than the other wrestling games of that era, like WWF Raw. Cheers for the suggestion all the same.

Aye it's a tough game! Did FirePro wrestling ever come out over here on the Wii? I remember playing a version of it on the GBA and it was pretty good actually.

andyman949 wrote:

I imagine that since I like trophies I'll probably cave and buy it on PS4, then earn all the feats there . The lack of any viewable proof attached to my profile would likely leave me as hollow as 5*ing a Mario save. I wanna brag dammit!

I wonder if all 45 feats will just be used as trophies on ps4, also no one really cares about your digital trophies.

Solve My Maze wrote:

The Cappuccino Kid wrote:

Solve My Maze wrote:

I'd sort of recommend Natsume  Championship Wrestling. It's a great game but I've found it more difficult than Battletoads. It's still worth a punt, though.

I downloaded that onto my Wii back when it was new on the first Virtual Console, and I absolutely hated it! It's the difficulty that really narked me off, but I felt that it didn't have the personality or variety than the other wrestling games of that era, like WWF Raw. Cheers for the suggestion all the same.

Aye it's a tough game! Did FirePro wrestling ever come out over here on the Wii? I remember playing a version of it on the GBA and it was pretty good actually.

Sadly I think it was Japan only & aye the GBA version is brilliant and I actually prefer it to FPW: Returns because it has better modes like audience match.

fronkhead wrote:

I think FFVII would still review well, but it's primarily aged in its presentation: inconsistent FMV cutscenes take you out of the game far too often and its pacing is much slower than what came before it. VI has aged far better in those regards.

The few reviews of the STEAM version of it got around 8 on average,

The_Jaster wrote:

andyman949 wrote:

I imagine that since I like trophies I'll probably cave and buy it on PS4, then earn all the feats there . The lack of any viewable proof attached to my profile would likely leave me as hollow as 5*ing a Mario save. I wanna brag dammit!

I wonder if all 45 feats will just be used as trophies on ps4, also no one really cares about your digital trophies.  

Don't worry pal, I care.

I'm with Jas. A big to Andyman and his trophy-loving ways!

The_Jaster wrote:

Sadly I think it was Japan only & aye the GBA version is brilliant and I actually prefer it to FPW: Returns because it has better modes like audience match.

I was worried that was the case! I'd love to find a copy of the GBA version although it seems like a lifetime ago that I last played it.

So I've started to eat into my eShop Desires Backlog (probably doesn't need the capital letters) by buying Ittle Dew, which is downloading at the moment. I'll let you know how I get on.

Solve My Maze wrote:

The_Jaster wrote:

Sadly I think it was Japan only & aye the GBA version is brilliant and I actually prefer it to FPW: Returns because it has better modes like audience match.

I was worried that was the case! I'd love to find a copy of the GBA version although it seems like a lifetime ago that I last played it.

Fully boxed versions in good condition seem to range from £6 to £14 on ebay.

ZeroJones wrote:

So I've started to eat into my eShop Desires Backlog (probably doesn't need the capital letters) by buying Ittle Dew, which is downloading at the moment. I'll let you know how I get on.

Let me know how you find it, ZJ. It's on my backlog too.

It appears I've been getting Ittle Dew mixed up with ilomilo so it wasn't really on my radar until that just clicked. Will definitely be interested in how you find it now I've seen the trailer.