Category Archives: Articles

All the non-Cover Game articles and features in one place.

Waifu Wednesday

Waifu Wednesday: Da Ji

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While the majority of the Warriors Orochi cast is drawn from the Dynasty Warriors and Samurai Warriors series — at least in its first installment — there are a few new characters in the mix, too.

Besides Orochi himself, who we actually don’t see all that much until each faction’s respective final (and secret) missions, probably the most prominent and persistent of these new characters is Da Ji.

But who is this mysterious and devilish woman with a penchant for deception? Where did she come from? And what’s with the weird feet?

Continue reading Waifu Wednesday: Da Ji →

The Zelda Diaries

The Zelda Diaries: Part 2 – Toys of the Trade

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One key way in which Breath of the Wild differs from its predecessors in the Legend of Zelda series is in how it handles protagonist Link’s core abilities.

In past Zelda games, Link would typically (though not always) gradually acquire a selection of useful items over the course of his adventure, and in most cases these would correspond to the challenges in the dungeon or situation in which he found them.

In Breath of the Wild, meanwhile, you get given all of your abilities almost from the very beginning of your adventure, and then it’s up to you to spend the rest of the game figuring out all the different ways in which you can use them.

Continue reading The Zelda Diaries: Part 2 – Toys of the Trade →

One-Shots

Super Mario Maker 2: Nintendo Hands Over the Keys… Again

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Super Mario Maker was a noteworthy title in that it managed to be extremely popular and culturally relevant despite being on a console considered to be a high-profile “failure”.

Now Nintendo has well and truly picked itself up, dusted itself off and raised a hearty middle finger to its competition with the Switch, many people would have doubtless been happy with a simple port of the original Super Mario Maker, opening up the possibilities that package offered to a whole new audience.

But what Nintendo has actually given us is something much, much greater. Let’s dive in and see what Super Mario Maker 2 brings to the creators’ table.

Continue reading Super Mario Maker 2: Nintendo Hands Over the Keys… Again →

Announcements, Community

Around the Network

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Good morning everyone! Apologies this is a day later than it usually is, but I spent most of yesterday travelling so just wanted to relax and unwind a bit when I got home.

As I type this, I’m enjoying the last day of my holiday, so it’s back to work tomorrow. I’ll be making the most of the day, for sure; I’ve got articles and videos planned, so I’m pretty sure I’ll fill most of the day even before Breath of the Wild and Super Mario Maker 2 enter the picture!

Later in the week, we’ll be kicking off a new Cover Game feature, too, but in the meantime let’s check out what you might have missed from my holiday week!

Continue reading Around the Network →

Another Eden

Another Eden: First Look

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I thought I’d sworn off mobile games. But when one comes along that promises a single player-centric experience and boasts talent that previously worked on titles such as Chrono Trigger and Luminous Arc, I pay attention.

I’d actually already had my eye on Another Eden: The Cat Beyond Time and Space for a while, since it released in Japan a while back and seemed to be very positively received. Now, it’s finally available in the West, so I thought I’d dip in and see what it was all about.

Read on for my first impressions, based on a couple of hours of play on the recently released Android version.

Continue reading Another Eden: First Look →

Waifu Wednesday

Waifu Wednesday: Paya

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The Zelda series has always played host to some wonderful female characters, and one of Breath of the Wild’s big strengths is how much personality it brings to its different areas through its NPCs.

One of the most striking characters that you’ll probably encounter quite early on — assuming you follow the opening hours of the main narrative rather than just wandering off in a random direction — is Paya, granddaughter of the Sheikah elder Impa, and a young lady with a massive, massive crush on Link.

Let’s see what makes her tick!

Continue reading Waifu Wednesday: Paya →

Videos, Warriors Orochi, Warriors Wednesday

Warriors Wednesday: Shu Warriors vs Orochi – Warriors Orochi #44

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Well, the Shu warriors have finally reached the end of their journey: Koshi Castle, home of the dreaded Orochi.

This is what it all comes down to! Everything the team has been fighting for culminates in this final battle. And perhaps… just perhaps, if they’re lucky, they’ll finally be reunited with Liu Bei after a very long journey!

Although if you’re accustomed to how Liu Bei looks in more recent Warriors installments, be ready for a bit of a surprise!

Castlevania, Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse, Delving Into...

Delving Into Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse – #1

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I have, as they say, been looking forward to this.

Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse is not a game I have any experience with whatsoever, aside from one critical aspect: its music. Specifically, back when the PS1 was current, I had an original copy of Symphony of the Night (which, believe me, I severely regret getting rid of now!) that came with a soundtrack CD. On that CD was a single track from Castlevania III — or more accurately, its Famicom incarnation, Akumajō Densetsu. It left quite an impression on me.

Now, thanks to the release of the Castlevania Anniversary Collection, I finally get to experience Castlevania III as truly intended. And I’m very excited about it.

Continue reading Delving Into Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse – #1 →

The Zelda Diaries

The Zelda Diaries: Part 1 – A New Beginning

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I’ve had The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild sitting on my backlog for a long time now, and I’ve been trying to work out the best way to cover it, because I knew that I definitely wanted to cover it in one form or another.

Was a Cover Game feature right for it? Perhaps, but with one or two exceptions, I tend to prefer to reserve the Cover Game slot for games that don’t get much attention from the mainstream press. And Breath of the Wild has certainly had plenty of mainstream attention.

The other consideration was that Breath of the Wild is a massive game, so doing something a bit more… “long term” was perhaps in order. With that in mind, then, I welcome you to the first installment of The Zelda Diaries, chronicling my journey through this ruined Hyrule, and the thoughts that occurred to me along the way.

Continue reading The Zelda Diaries: Part 1 – A New Beginning →

Announcements, Community

Around the Network

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Happy weekend! And happy holidays to me!

Yes, for the next week I’m officially on holiday from the day job, and the wife and I are taking a nice trip to Center Parcs to rest, relax and possibly look at some owls. In the meantime, though, I have some videos queued up to post over on YouTube over the course of the next week, and I’m going to get at least some articles written while I’m away.

But we’re getting ahead of ourselves, aren’t we? Let’s see what you might have missed in the last week or so!

Continue reading Around the Network →