Wigglerman

I kinda hate that I've slept on how fun Meta Knight is to play in Ultimate. Simultaneously I hate how kinda awful he is too. When you play him you feel like he should be better but his OOS options stink, he struggles to out poke and even loses out on a lot of edge guard options due to his small hitboxes and I'm still upset that every single special of his will send him into freefall. Feels like such a crippling design choice for no reason, as if he'd be 'too good' if even one of his specials allowed him to act afterward.

Still, I'm putting in way more work into him than I probably should. Getting some really hilarious drag down bairs on anyone who get up attacks off ledge has given me life. And being pretty quick, despite tiny-as-sin hitboxes, feels good compared to my typically slower character choices.

I played 2 hours of Marth last night. Why was I enjoying that? Why is he the only 'swordie' I find enjoyment in playing (outside of MK)? I feel dirty.

I kinda hope Legends Arceus gets a few more updates before Scarlet/Violet. Would be a shame if the game got less support than Sword/Shield considering the reception + design shift. Would love a decent Request Pack with some good, end game challenges with worthwhile rewards for completing them. Wouldn't mind some new Mon being plopped into the game but I suspect they won't since Gen 9 is on the way...but who knows. I do like the supermegaduper outbreaks even if it did come at the cost of the prior shiny method being removed. Should, theoretically, still allow for more shinies overall due to the amount of outbreaks on the map at the expense of 'securing' the intended target.

Would love more battle focused requests or challenges in general. Does feel like battling took a bit of a backseat in this one which isn't THE WORST thing ever. But this IS Pokémon so...gimme some tough battles. Sadly wasn't finding too much challenge even on the Path of Solitude in most cases.

I suppose I'm cynical/over critical with games, movies and shows these days and I've found myself becoming less and less impressed as years have gone on. One IP I've been hyper critical of is Pokémon. So when Legends Arceus was announced I had my eyebrows so high up they were in literal outer space with skepticism. I was prepared for a heap of a mess of a game that would pay lip service to the concept of open world and 'hunting' Pokémon. That the game would lose any sense of novelty a few hours into the game and I'd find myself, yet again, lethargic and shelve the game before completing it as I have for the last several installments of the series.


Now, 40 hours into the game and nearing the end of post-post game I feel pretty darn happy to say I'm still having fun. The novelty has yet to wear off. Though the game is a grind to fill the Dex, probably more so than any other game despite having considerably less Pokémon, the grind hasn't felt tedious or even boring.

The story, as far as Pokémon stories go, isn't horrid. Not masterclass but very much a cut above the rest. I found myself liking the new characters quite a bit too, the differences in philosophies of each group and the gradual acceptance of Humans of Pokémon.

There's a FEW things I feel the game needs work on, some of it as minor as graphical stuff (The game doesn't look as good as it could or SHOULD considering what the Switch has proven to be capable of + the kind of money Game Freak has to make this particular installment rival its contemporaries and propel the series ahead by lightyears) though these graphical issues didn't detract from the experience. But when they did crop up they were very glaring for a good while until my brain started to just ignore them XD. There's a few mechanical things that should have been fixed too but nothing game breaking. More or less quality of life improvements (Mainly with the mounts).

I'd like to do a more thorough write up (With spoilers, of course) to chronical my thoughts on the various aspects of the game.

TL:DR - The bar was set low for me in the first place but in the end my expectations were exceeded greatly. This installment is one that I hope becomes a fairly regular occurrence. A strong, meaty single player experience that shakes up combat, catching and proposes a new outlook on the world of Pokémon, particularly WELL before the core games have taken place. If I had to give it an arbitrary score I'd give it at least a solid 8/10 for it's ideas and their implementation being quite strong, mechanically being fun despite JRPG/Monster Catching repetition and feeling rewarding whenever overcoming the games surprising difficulty (at times). Decent roster of monsters to catch (with more allegedly on the way).

I cannot contain my excitement for the Hawkeye series in November.

And by excitement I mean total apathy for future Marvel content. What a timeline I've found myself in.

Was pleasantly surprised by the Pokérect (Ew, why am I not editing that? Anyway...). Mamoswine for Unite is hype. The Swinub line is a dear favorite of mine so seeing my boy getting in is fantastic. Super excited to see what his kit will be when launched. Hoping his Unite move is Ancient Power and he gets all sorts of buffs. That plus the new X-Attack buff means he could make some BOMB plays mid to late game. Likely will be an all rounder but wouldn't be sad if he ended up being a full on attacker. Plus, Blissey is out and I can't wait to start giving her a shot. Thankfully the Lax nerfs didn't impact me too much. I didn't use Block, I almost ALWAYS use Yawn. While Heavy Slam being nerfed will be a bummer on securing those meaningful last hits, the pop up is still too useful to make Heavy Slam an unattractive option. I've got to see the changes to Flail (Actual numbers which testers will hopefully have soon) to see if my Juggerlax build might be a decent alternative style.

Diamond/Pearl remakes I was already in good standing with but the reveals just sealed my desire for a copy of Diamond. I actually love the style. Feels like a nice homage to the series while in the overworld. Totally fine with it. Like some of the changes to features like the underground bases actually impacting the 'wild area' in the underground to get specific mon. Just looks to be a good, classic trip down memory lane with some new twists along the way.

Legends, I must admit, has made me second guess my stance. I was NOT thrilled with what we saw before. Now? It feels like Monster Hunter Stories 2: Pokémon Edition with a lot of the things they're gunning for in this game. And that isn't a bad thing, as Stories 2 is probably my game of the year thus far (And likely will remain such). Fantastic game. Anyway, Legends looks to be a LOT more interesting than I could have hoped and my expectations are higher but still tempered. I like the whole 'researching' aspect has me most interested if catching, battling and otherwise interacting with wild Pokémon has some pay off throughout the game. A pioneer researcher angle is something I felt the series could use a LOT more of. And it being set waaaay in the past makes the perfect excuse to do it. I went from a 3/10 on the hope scale to a solid 6/10.

People complaining about the length of MH Rise's solo content seem to forget just how short all new MH game's solo content is. World wasn't exactly robust at the start and in hindsight a lot of the 'robust' nature was superficial due to the sheer size of the maps and often confusing layout of said maps making hunts take a lot longer than it should as a side effect.

Rise offers players a lot of mobility while also returning to more traditional map layouts making staying on target a lot easier, thus staying in the action thus hunts ending rather quick even with beginner gear.

I'm going to presume the majority of the complaints stem from folks who started with World, perhaps late into its life span. They've seen a MH game years into its life cycle and how robust the games tend to be content wise by the end. They aren't used to the 'cycle' of MH games, especially when jumping from platform to platform or using new engines. With content due out next month already, I'm confident the flow of new monsters, gear and probably even new locals will be pretty regular.

Patience, young hunters. Patience.

Monster Hunter Rise is making me feel things. Is this what it's like to feel alive?

It's a long shot but does anyone here still play Pokémon Go somewhat regularly? I'm seeking to add friends so I can keep resources up while I suffer through playing some more. Been out of the game since the first year and a half of it's launch and have been wanting to do a review/essay/analysis as a personal project.

If so, feel free to add me. My code is: 9259 7765 2174

Found my copies of Devil Dice and Bombastic the other day. Hands down my favorite puzzle game series ever. I hated that when I owned my PS4 you could choose one of the chibi devils from the game as your player icon...it only served to taunt me. Sony, please...make a new Devil Dice.

Welp, there it is. Just got my temporary lay off notice. :I

Picked up my old secondary from Smash 4 (G&W) the last couple days. I remember early on not liking how he felt in this game (Obvious issue was f-air change mostly). Though now that I've had more time with Ultimate since launch and understand the game a bit more, I gave the ol' 2D boy another shot. He's pretty damn fun and f-air, while janky, can set up for some really fun stuff. Definitely having more fun with him than week 1.

Whoof. This losing streak I've had the last 2 days is roooough stuff. Either I'm off my game or people in the Arena's have upped theirs dramatically. Got to shake off this funk!

Finally picked up DQXI Definitive for the Switcheroo. Looks like Smash is on a small break for me while I sink my teeth into this bad boy.

Played 12 hours of Terry last night. Like, REALLY played Terry. Played him on and off in passing since his release but after last night he may be creeping onto my 'main' list. He's insanely fun and has a degree of difficulty to play that I enjoy. While his combos are 'easy bake' at times, the insane mind games and neutral required makes him stupidly investing to use and it's kinda intoxicating.

Sup, punks? Not sure when I'm out of work tonight but I need to brush the rust off my Incinceroar and could use some games tonight. Anyone interested, any skill level, hit me up. Still need to upload my FC to my profile, cuz I'm a dingus. However shoot me a message and I'll send it when I get home. Usually out of work and home by 11:30 PM EST. Late night Smash sessions are my jam.

That new Epic Rap Battle is probably the best they've ever done. Quality is insane. I also can't pick which clown wins because the entire package is too good.

Just wanted to say that I love your current pfp.

Ristar was an underrated gem.

People working themselves up over nothing with the DLC. Be like me. Shed all hopes and expectations. Just go for the ride. Though, then again, I have never 'cared' what characters got into Smash or didn't. Just enjoy the game and what any new addition has to offer, be it someone I 'wanted' or 'didn't want'. Just feels like people are setting themselves up for completely avoidable emotional train wrecks over nothing.

Going to hit the grind after work tonight. See how many rooms I get booted from. I really aught to start putting notches in my SSBU case for each kick I receive, for science of course.

Man, I just wanna play without getting booted out of lobbies after one game T_T

Think I'm gunna take a day or two away from the boards. Yikes. It's rough in here since the direct.