Tag: Switch

Game Dev Story: The Rise and Fall and Rise of Pwned and Operated Studios

Recently, I've been wanting to start up development on another game more true to my tastes, so I decided to seek out inspiration in the supremely charming and addictive business sim, Game Dev Story, that was recently ported over to the Switch. Along the 8 or so hours and 30 in game years that transpired, I not only created a lot of wonderful video game puns, but I also wrestled with my beliefs about capitalism and worker's rights all in a nice sprite filled setting. Now presenting, for the first time ever, the story of Pwned and Operated Studios.

My Year in Gaming: 2018

So, I umm played a lot of video games this year.... In 2017, I thought I had an unhealthy enough year at 36 games, but this year, thanks mostly to the insane amount of ports/remasters that came to the Switch and my inability to say no to $15 purchases at 11 P.M., I basically doubled that with a ridiculous 71. Quite a bit even changed with my gaming habits. Sure, I still spent an inordinate amount of time in my single player comfort zone, which dominated my top 10, but I also really explored the world of online gaming and being called a n00b by strange preteens for the first time. Most importantly, though, I even finally kicked a 3 year mobile game habit that was taking up far too much of my daily life.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate: The Good, the Bad, and the Nintendo

My history with the Smash franchise primarily consists of one fabulous month where I was living on my friend Kevin's coach while waiting to join up with all my stuff that was already in Charleston. Each night, along with our other roommate Dennis, we would gather around the TV and play endless amounts of the Wii U Super Smash Bros. and Mario Kart, while drinking seemingly neverending quantities of beer. Once my eyes and reflexes adapted to the non-stop barrage of chaos on the screen, I discovered one of the most memorable fighting game and shit-talking experiences around. Despite not winning all that often, I at least knew how to troll my friends with some quality Wario cheesing. Now that my life has taken on a decidedly less dorm-like feel to it, would the latest Smash land as powerfully?

Hollow Knight: The Metroidvania to Rule Them All

It's 11 p.m. on a Friday night and like the cool kid that I am, I find myself mired in my 15th or so attempt at Hollow Knight's final boss. What started with meeting my unceremonious doom quicker than I could blink, has evolved over the course of an hour or so of battles and pattern memorization/recognition into a test of will against the toughest boss I have encountered yet. In one final glorious run, everything clicks. I dodge the Radiance's varied attacks, find the perfect milliseconds to heal, and deliver rapid masterful blows before retreating to safety. By bringing together everything I had learned in the past 35 hours of gameplay, I scale the final platform and deliver the ultimate strike. At long last, I breathe a sigh of relief as the Radiance is vanquished freeing Hallownest and myself from its grasp.

Octopath Traveler: The Good, the Bad, and the JRPG

Finally, after a mere 59 hours and 32 chapters, my main journey in Octopath Traveler has come to an end. Looking back on my time immersed in this stylish 16-bit throwback adventure, I find there's both plenty to love and a lot to be frustrated about. As far as scratching that classic JRPG itch, Octopath certainly does that. It's enjoyable throughout and a solid 8.5/10 or so if you were to grade it. The main problem is that it could have easily been an all-time great game had it tried just a little bit harder.

Tips for Choosing Your Party in Octopath Traveler

This weekend I download the mesmerizingly beautiful new JRPG Octopath Traveler on my Switch and spent a good deal of my time enjoying the 16-bit throwback in handheld mode. I was determined not to stop until I recruited all of the characters, so I could figure out how best to tackle the rest of my adventure. While the game does suffer some from a need to grind and a fairly repetitive structure (at least for everyone's chapter one), the immersive battle system, perfect soundtrack, gorgeous visuals, and compelling characters makes it a joy to play and a worthwhile world for fans of old-school JRPGs to get lost in. Continue reading for my impressions on each character based on the order in which I enlisted them.

Fortnite Season 4 Recap

Thanks to Fornite finally making its way to the Nintendo Switch a month ago and my 3 weeks of unemployment during that span, I was able to get a great feel for the most popular game on the planet. So what if I now get the DTs if I go more than 24 hours without playing it!??! I thoroughly enjoyed my first season, and I look forward to taking part in a full 10 week season to inflict maximum pwnage. Continue reading below for a recap of my time so far, as well as, tips for anyone looking to join the growing Fortnite  community.

The Deepnest and the Brilliant and Punishing Difficulty of Hollow Knight

Recently, I have been enjoying the magnificent Metroidvania game Hollow Knight on my Switch. Friday night, I thought I would get in an hour or so of exploration and geo (the game world's currency) grinding before bed. Instead of enjoying slumber at a respectable hour, I ended up being sent on one of the craziest and most challenging adventures I have ever encountered in a video game.

Dance Parties and Tears in the Sky: Tales From the Fortnite Missile Launch

A few weeks ago I finally gave in and tried out Fortnite. Unfortunately for me, it turns out the game is as highly addictive as I had heard, and my initial plan to check in every now and then has led to about 30 hours of battle royales (and 5 very awesome victory royales) over the past 3 weeks.  One of my favorite places on the map has been the super-villain lair/missile silo located inside of a mountain to the northeast of Snobby Shores. There always seems to be great loot there and there aren't often many others landing there, so it's a solid starting point. Starting yesterday, all TVs in the game began a countdown to 1:30 pm EST when the missiles would launch, so I decided to go watch the fireworks happen. Here's what I saw.