Retro Sega Games and a Mini Mega Drive

Sonic the Hedgehog Title Screen

This week Sega announced that a bunch of old Master System and Sega Genesis games are being re-released for the Nintendo Switch. The only confirmed games are Sonic the Hedgehog, Phantasy Star, and Thunder Force 4, but they’ve said there will be more than 15 titles being released under Sega Ages (that’s what they are calling the re-release of these games). Now, I’ve played Sonic the Hedgehog, but when I read the announcement about the retro Sega games being released on Switch I was glad to have those games join the Nintendo Switch’s ever growing library. Especially Phantasy Star.

Phantasy Star Title Screen

Sega also announced that they are going to release a mini version of the Mega Drive to celebrate it’s upcoming 30th anniversary. AtGames, who has made previous retro consoles for Sega and Atari has said they are involved, but that they are leaving all the announcements about features to Sega; which I assume includes game announcements. I was surprised that after being happy to have more retro games on the Switch that I wasn’t thrilled about the idea of a mini Mega Drive. I don’t know if it’s because I just don’t have as much nostalgia for the Sega consoles or if it’s because pervious retro Sega consoles haven’t been so great, but I do know a big part of it is because I just want those games on the Nintendo Switch.

Mega Drive Mini

I know, Sega used to be a big player in hardware, I still have my Game Gear, but I’ve really enjoyed their software more since they stopped making hardware and focused on making games. And that is why I want them to release those retro games on Switch, but I don’t really care about the Mega Drive mini, at least not right now. Maybe they’ll announce some really cool features, or the North America release will include some games that never got released over here, but unless that happens, I’ll gladly buy the retro games being released on Switch and pass on a mini Mega Drive.

What are your thoughts on Sega Ages and a mini Mega Drive?

Animal Crossing Pocket Camp is Animal Crossing

Animal Crossing Pocket Camp is here, and I can’t stop playing it. There isn’t a great way to check how much time one has spent on an Android app, but I’ve easily put in 6 hours over the last few days (maybe it is a good thing there is no timer for how long you’ve played).

If after playing Super Mario Run and Miitomo you were worried that Nintendo would not figure out how to make Animal Crossing work on a mobile device, you’ll be happy to know that from the moment you launch Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp you’ll feel right at home if you are familiar with the Animal Crossing series. For everyone else, the game does a good job of getting you in the game and quickly explaining that you’ll be spending your time collecting furniture and helping the visiting animals. The tutorial is short, explains everything you need to know about the game, and has the right amount of direction without feeling overbearing or slow.

But I’m not here to tell you about the game. Instead, I’m here to tell you that I can’t stop playing the game. It is exactly what I wanted when Nintendo announced a free-to-play Animal Crossing was coming. The game has the right balance of letting you do everything without spending any real money, but always reminds you that you could speed up the time it takes to craft by using some leaf tickets (which are reward for leveling up or you can purchase). The fruit from the trees can only be harvested every 3 hours, but if you need more, you can always check if any of your friends have some fruit for sale.

2017 has turned out to be a great year for Nintendo with the release of the Switch, Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Super Mario Odyssey, a steady stream of 3rd party support from AAA and indie developers, and now the release of Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp. Here’s to hoping that they can keep this pace going next year.

WarGroove – Review

WarGroove

If you have been looking for a turn-based strategy game that looks to fill the void left by Advance Wars, look no more. WarGroove improves on the turn-based strategy of Advance Wars in a way that makes it feel familiar and yet like a completely new game.

The campaign set to default is difficult, making each 3-star victory that much more satisfying. Of course, if you find it too challenging you can turn down the difficulty.

If the campaign isn’t enough (did I mention there are units that are dogs?), there is a whole multiplayer mode as well as a map editor. The map editor is more than just a basic layout some mountains and villages, but also lets you make multi-level mini campaigns complete with cut scenes. I haven’t used the editor so I can’t comment on how well the tools are, but the fast they exist with such depth available should help the game last much longer.

WarGroove is another hit from ChuckleFish, and easily worth the $20.

WarGroove

Game title: WarGroove

Game description: Take to the battlefield with WarGroove, a strategy game for up to 4 players! Choose your Commander and wage turn-based war on battling factions. Design and share maps, cut-scenes and campaigns with easy-to-use editors and in-depth customization tools!

Overall
4.5
User Review
0 (0 votes)

Dragon Ball Super: Broly

Dragon Ball Super: Broly

I don’t watch a lot of Dragon Ball. What I do know about Dragon Ball has been pieced together from internet jokes and YouTube videos of people explaining Dragon Ball. So I won’t be trying to explain how Dragon Ball Super: Broly fits in to the larger Dragon Ball story. Or if ruins or saves any characters (I wouldn’t know if it did).

However, what I will tell you is that this movie was a lot of fun. It sets up enough of the story to enjoy; even for someone who only knows the characters by name but little else about the characters. It also managed to not feel like it was trying to tell an origin story. Maybe it would if you keep up with all the characters. The story moved along at a good pace and didn’t feel like there was any filler added to make the movie longer.

The fighting looks like one would expect from Dragon Ball. I’m not a huge fan of the high speed, energy ball slinging fighting style that the series is known for, but it is a lot of fun to watch in doses. Also, glowing Saiyans can turn colors now. Who knew?

The animation also looked to me to stick to what the series is known for. There were some moments during explosions where debris would fly across the screen and appear different than the surrounding items, almost as if the movie wanted you to watch it in 3D. This did not take away from the movie any, but it did stand out from time to time.

There is nothing bad I can say about the movie. It was fun and the story got right to the fight between Goku, Vegeta, and Broly. It wasn’t enough to get me to keep up with the series, but I would recommend the movie if you enjoy anime.

Dragon Ball Super: Broly

Movie title: Dragon Ball Super: Broly

Movie description: A planet destroyed, a powerful race reduced to nothing. After the devastation of Planet Vegeta, three Saiyans were scattered among the stars, destined for different fates. While two found a home on Earth, the third was raised with a burning desire for vengeance and developed an unbelievable power. And the time for revenge has come. Destinies collide in a battle that will shake the universe to its very core! Goku is back to training hard so he can face the most powerful foes the universes have to offer, and Vegeta is keeping up right beside him. But when they suddenly find themselves against an unknown Saiyan, they discover a terrible, destructive force.

Overall
4

Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown – Review

Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown

Take to the skies once again in Ace Combat 7 and partake in some of the best looking dogfights I’ve seen in a game yet. Sure, the story isn’t great, but once you are in the cockpit and flying that doesn’t really matter. After flying around in one of the 29 aircraft available, you easily forget that the story could use some work and are simply flying around, blowing up targets, and looking cool while doing it.

Story

As you’ve no doubt picked up on, the story that takes place during Ace Combat 7 isn’t the best. Not to say that it is terrible, only that the cut scenes tend to drag on as they explain the war, and how the country you fight for is using criminals to supplement its own Air Force. My only real complaint with the story, aside from feeling like it takes too long between missions, is that it sets you up as if you are going to be the girl in the opening cinematic, but it turns out you are a different pilot. By no means does this ruin the game. The character in the cut scene acts as more of a narrator to explain what is going on outside of the air.

Gameplay

Where the game really shines, however, is the flying. Once you are in the air and find yourself taking down targets the story fades into the background. The chatter between pilots is always there reminding you of the ongoing war, but it never takes away from the experience of flying the jet of your choice. Flying feels smooth and the planes react as expected (I should mention that I have only played the game using a Thrustmaster T.Flight HOTAS 4 flight stick).

While flying feels great, the game does remind you that you aren’t playing a hardcore flight sim, but an arcade flight sim. Think more Need for Speed, and less Forza Motorsport or Gran Turismo. It is in subtly ways, like being able to “bounce” off the terrain or having a timer for the missions, even when there are no time sensitive things happening. While you can turn on or off an option that adjust how forgiving the game is when you graze the ground, there is no way around the mission time.

As for the timer, I think a more interesting mechanic would have been to have limited fuel instead of a timer. It would achieve the same purpose of given you a set time to finish a mission, but it wouldn’t feel so arbitrary. It doesn’t take away from the game, but a fuel limit would have made it feel necessary.

Graphics

Visually, Namco Bandi and Project Aces made great use of Unreal Engine 4. While it did contribute to the game being delayed, due to having to rebuild every model, it is worth it as you fly through a cloud and the cockpit ices over and then turns to water droplets as you return to clear skies. The Airplane models all look beautiful as they soar past you; not to mention as you blow them out of the sky.

Virtual Reality

One of the biggest selling points for me was the VR mode and while it ended up not being a full VR game, the VR mode did not disappoint. The feeling of sitting in the cockpit is replicated pretty well, or at least as it seems to be for someone who has never flown a jet before. As soon as I was off the ground and had some altitude I immediately threw the plane into a barrel roll, and while it did initially make me feel light-headed after the mission got underway and I was chasing down enemy airplanes, the feeling went away and I was able to focus on flying.

After playing most of the campaign, switching to the VR mode really made tracking a lot easier being able to turn my head to keep enemy aircraft in my line of sight. I’m not sure why the decision was made to not make the whole campaign available in VR, but it would have been a nice option to have.

I will say, while I was able to play two missions without feeling nauseous, I don’t think this will be the case for everyone. I do feel like a third flight would have flown me right in to the danger zone. Either way, I was surprised I was able to get through two missions, as I fully expected the first loop or barrel roll to mess me up right away.

Conclusion

Ace Combat 7 delivers what matters most: a solid flying experience. It is easy to jump right in and feel like you can take on the skies. It provides a beautifully rendered game world. And it provides an assortment of airplanes, special weapons, and parts to unlock. Not to mention the online battle royal (read: free-for-all) and team death match modes, Ace Combat 7 offers plenty to do for anyone looking to jump in the [virtual] cockpit.

Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown

Game title: Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown

Game description: Putting gamers in the cockpit of the most advanced war planes ever developed, ACE COMBAT 7 delivers the fiercest air combat experience ever created through photorealistic visuals, intense dog-fighting action, a multitude of authentic and futuristic aircraft to fly, an immersive storyline, and even virtual reality!

  • Story
  • Gameplay
  • Graphics
  • VR
Overall
4
User Review
0 (0 votes)

Merry Christmas! I’m Finally on Instagram

Merry Christmas! We’ve made it yet again to the day we celebrate friends, family, and the birth of Jesus. Whether you are spending today gathered around a tree with your family, driving to visit family and/or friends, or you are in a hotel room as I am we all have something to celebrate today.

And because I’m in such a giving mood this time of year, I’ve decided to go ahead and finally join Instagram. Now you might be thinking, “I already follow you on Instagram…” Well, if you followed the amount that was originally set up for The Weekly Flare, then yes, you do already follow me on Instagram. Since that show ended early this year, the Instagram account has been left in limbo and it was going to stay that way.

That is until last night, when I rescued it from drifting endlessly through cyber-space and revived it under my own name for posting all the pictures I don’t take but think I should. So perhaps, more I’ll take all those pictures and fill your life with all the joy and humor that can only be had by following me on Instagram.

So Merry Christmas and head on over to my Instagram and follow me: https://www.instagram.com/james_s_wolter/

Overheard Conversations

Have you ever been sitting somewhere, just minding your own business and you unintentionally over hear someone’s conversation? I don’t mean if you are out people watching or stop what you are doing with the intention of listening in on someone’s conversation. I mean truly just minding your own business but the conversation is so loud, and the participants are so animated that you, and everyone around you, can’t help but notice?

I remember one such moment while in college. To set the stage, my first year or so in college I really didn’t spend much time on campus, so the fact that I was sitting in the cafeteria when this all took place is amazing in its own right. And then that I wasn’t wearing headphones to block out all the noise is another miracle, but I digress. So, there I was sitting in the cafeteria. I honestly don’t recall what I was doing or why I had decided to eat on campus that day but I do know that the short conversation I heard that afternoon made it all worth it.

So, here is the short, but amazing conversation that took place between three people. As best I could tell the premise of this conversation was this guy and girl explaining to their friend how they met. I could be way off, but for the sake of the story, lets go with that. And so we pick up at the end of the conversation, where for some reason, unknown to me, I suddenly found myself captivated by what was unfolding before me.

Guy: “Its the red hair right?”

Girl: “First time he walked by he kept going so I did this…” *flips hair a couple times* “…Now we talk a lot.”

Guy: “I did like a triple take.

And then, just as quick as I found myself captured by this brief moment, I no longer could make out any of the conversation and moved on with my day.