The evening Inbox wants help recommending the best games on Switch, as one reader discovers the joys of Mario + Rabbids.
To join in with the discussions yourself email [email protected]
PLEASE NOTE: Were currently preparing special content to run over the Christmas and new year break, and as usual wed like this to include a number of Readers Features. So if youve been meaning to write one but never got round to it, now would be the perfect time. The topic doesnt have to coincide with the time of year, just anything video game-related that youre interested in and which you think others might be too.
Winners and losers
I dont think anyone can argue against that Metro Exodus release date change being particularly stupid, but it does beg the obvious question: which of the spring 2019 games are going to flop? Ill start with the ones that are guaranteed hits, which I should say includes Resident Evil 2, Far Cry: New Dawn, The Division 2, and Mortal Kombat 11.
A tier down Id say that Kingdom Hearts III and Crackdown 3 are probably going to be okay but I think Metro Exodus is looking very questionable now, even if I do think it looks good. Devil May Cry 5 is questionable too as I dont think any of the other ones have ever been that popular but there does seem to be a lot of buzz around this one.
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice seems the opposite though, even though its by the creator of Dark Souls so Id say that one is probably headed for problems. Anthem is harder to cool, but judged by the non-existent marketing campaign so far I think its going to come and go without anyone knowing about it.
Days Gone is probably doomed too, considering the bad word of mouth before its even out, but Im hoping that Rage 2 does well. Its a bit later than the others, in May, and Bethesda need a win. Plus it actually looks neat. So yeah, Sekiro, Anthem, and Days Gone are my big picks of what not to put your money on, but I guess well have to wait and see, eh?
Davros
Must haves
I recently picked up a Nintendo Switch as an early Christmas present and I was hoping for some game recommendations from yourselves?
I prefer single-player games and already own Zelda: Breath Of The Wild, Bayonetta 2 and Octopath Traveler. Any advice would be appreciated.
Lord Sinn
GC: Well, the obvious one is Super Mario Odyssey, but wed also recommend Splatoon 2, Mario Kart 8, and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate despite being primarily multiplayer games – although Splatoon does have some excellent single-player DLC and Ultimates story campaign is great. Theres also a host of classic indie games, including Celeste, Undertale, Shovel Knight, Hollow Knight, Dead Cells, Into The Breach, SteamWorld Heist, Mark Of The Ninja Remastered, and Owlboy. Plus, the game mentioned below…
The next step
I was looking through a list of the best Switch games and noticed Mario & Rabbids Kingdom Battle was on there quite high up. To be honest I had totally forgotten about it but I went and picked it up for something to play prior to Christmas whilst watching Christmas TV. I have never played an XCOM style game before and wasnt sure if it would be for me but 10 hours in it definitely is, I love it and must say it is the best game I have played in 2018, not released in 2018.
I love the turn-based combat and how you have to think about your strategy before making moves, it kind of reminds me of chess in some ways as you have to think a few moves ahead. Im delighted with it and I will definitely have to check out the XCOM games in the future, although as I understand it the XCOM games are a bit more complicated.
Angry_Kurt (Twitter)
GC: Theyre more involved but not in any way you should have trouble with if youve already played and enjoyed Kingdom Battle.
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Around the clock
48 hours on Super Smash Bros. Ultimate doesnt seem so excessive when you say it as 172,800 seconds GC, ha. But dont forget on the Switch you can take it to work, to the bog… to the bog at work!
Dont get me wrong it is an excellent game, Im probably just exhausted with it after all those seconds… and I just really wanna beat a sandbag senseless.
big boy bent
GC: The sandbag must be in there somewhere, presumably as an item. Weve seen it mentioned during a loading tip, but not in the actual game.
Monster hit
Thrilled that Monster Boy And The Cursed Kingdom got a good review. The Wonder Boy III remake was perfect (although I enjoyed the updated soundtrack more than the graphics, which I mostly kept retro), so this is indeed a dream come true for fans.
Quick question: how long does it generally take to complete?
Very interesting Eurogamer podcast about it and its predecessor(s) available this week too.
Owen Pile
GC: Its about 12 hours long, although theres a lot of optional content.
Slow burnin love
Its taken about 20 hours but Ive finally fallen in love with Red Dead Redemption II. Its taken about that long to master the controls. Some of the missions are exhilarating once the frustration of the controls has subsided and Ive never felt so immersed in a game world.
I probably would have given up on the game if everything wasnt so beautiful but glad I stuck with it.
Anon
Successful raid
I wrote in a couple of weeks back about my Black Friday purchases, which included Shadow Of The Tomb Raider. I havent quite finished it yet but am nearing the end I think. I will admit that it is more of the same from the last game but I honestly dont mind that. It might not bring much new but I think it has a much improved focus on the exploration and puzzle-solving, with combat relegated to a secondary role.
This goes a little way to alleviating the uncomfortable feeling of Lara being an axe-wielding murderer. The plot is OK and nothing special but overall I think the game excels thanks to how fun it is to play. Seeking out and completing the challenge tombs and finding artefacts and crypt secrets feels fun and integrates seamlessly into the main game without losing any immersion in the story.
I hope the next game in the series evolves things further but as a conclusion to the trilogy it has provided me with exactly what I wanted and is one of my games of the year.
Pigfish2 (PSN ID/NN ID)
Defenders of the Earth
Will you be reviewing the new Earth Defense Force game? I know it looks like the same old but other reviews have so far been surprisingly positive… dare I hope a worthy successor to Global Defence Force has finally been made?
Personally, Im more interested in the Iron Rain spin off due next year, looks like theyre at least trying something a little different with the creepier tone and more versatility in terms of movement with the characters.
Liam
GC: We will try to, yes. Theres been a lot of interesting smaller games released this week that well try and catch up on later.
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Remastered enjoyment
Ive been enjoying Dark Souls Remastered lately. Its as glorious and spellbinding as it ever was, a classic for sure. The remaster adds extra polish that nicely elevates it above its original last gen release but I still cant help but wish it had the full remake treatment à la Shadow Of The Colossus.
Ive filtered between Bloodborne and Dark Souls as my favourite SoulsBorne game. Its firmly Bloodborne now but the more interesting variety of locations in Dark Souls was the main course of my previous indecision. Be it the ethereal otherwordlyness of Ash Lake or the splendour of Anor Londo, it would of been amazing to see these areas brought bang up to date.
It might be because Im familiar with the game and its locales now but the remaster has helped me pick out detail that didnt register first time. Like when looking down from Firelink Shrine where the skeletons are you can see Blight Town and the Great Hollow. They are crude texture though and it would of been great if they were packed with far more detail to further elicit a desire to explore. But even in its remastered form its no slouch in that regard.
Did Bluepoint ever announce the title theyre currently remastering? Still have everything crossed for Demons Souls. As From Software has put the series to bed for now it would a nice way to sate its many fans. How well did the Dark Souls remaster sell?
Simundo Jones
GC: Thats a good point, Bluepoint hasnt announced their new project yet. Its impossible to say how the Dark Souls remaster did without any figures.
Inbox also-rans
Monster Boy And The Wizard Of Booze. It just sounds right, doesnt it? Would you recommend getting The Monster Trap first or is there no connection between the two?
Mattpat
GC: Theyre both inspired by the same game, although one is a remake and the other is a sequel. Storytelling is not a series strongpoint though so wed just go with Wizard Of Booze, sorry… The Cursed Kingdom.
I dont know if reader Andrew J has mentioned this, but Subnautica is free on PC if you have the Epic Games launcher. Super Meat Boy is the next free game, they are giving two away every two weeks I think. Just a quick thanks to Andrew for all the free game tips, cheers bud.
bigdaddy watt
This weeks Hot Topic
The subject for this weekends Inbox was suggested by reader Alberto, who asks whether you consider yourself loyal to anything in gaming?
Is there a particular console or console maker whose products you always buy? Is there a publisher or developer whose games youre automatically interested in just because of their involvement? Or is there a video game series or character that you almost always get regardless of what others have said about it?
Do you defend whatever it is online or do you try to keep quiet in front of others? How do you feel your loyalty is rewarded by the companies in question and have you ever given up on something you were previously loyal to?
E-mail your comments to: [email protected]
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The small print
New Inbox updates appear twice daily, every weekday morning and afternoon. Readers letters are used on merit and may be edited for length.
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