Hello, gang! I hope you're all doing well in every way possible. I thought I'd stop by again and share another quick review, which you can see above. I've put together my final thoughts on Metroid Dread, and I'm honestly very proud of how this Tiktok came together. Hopefully you enjoy it!

As usual, you can read the script for this review below, but I have something else to share before I leave you with that. I know you're all waiting for a status update on GoNintendo's revamp, and I feel like I can at least share some details on progress so far.

T27Duck, Cort, and I have been having weekly meetings about the revamp for over a month now. Work was going on before that, but now we're at a point where we have to meet up once a week to answer questions, go over features, and more. These meetings are multiple hours, complete with screen-sharing and voice chat. That might not seem like a big deal to most of you, but it honestly makes me feel quite special. This is, without a doubt, the most collaborative process there's been when it comes to revamping GoNintendo.

Both T27Duck and Cort have been making incredible progress on things so far. Out of respect for them, I'm not going to share specifics of their work. I will say that their efforts include all areas of the site, and some of the content is perfectly functional in its current state. I cannot fully explain just how impressive it is to see what these guys do. They really, truly know their stuff, and our meetings help steer them in a direction we think will make all readers happy.

Again, just to stress this point once more, this is a MAJOR revamp for GoNintendo in every way. It's a complete relaunch from top to bottom. There are lots of things to do and sift through, and it all takes time. I wish I had a set date for you as to when things would be back in action, but again, I don't have one to give. I want things up-and-running just as bad as you do, trust me.

Not working on GoNintendo feels incredibly weird. It's like I'm an alien inhabiting my body. Obviously that ties into the stuff I went through that pulled me away from regular life in the first place, but being out of the GN schedule for so long has impacted me in ways I never could have even imagined. I want to be back, and I want to work harder than ever. Just typing about it now is making me tear up a bit. I miss you guys soooooo much.

When I have news to share on a launch date, I promise I'll rush right here and tell you. Until that point, you'll just have to keep hanging tight...and I know that 100% sucks. That said, I absolutely guarantee the wait will be worth it. Everyone is working their butts off to ensure that, and I couldn't be more proud of what T27Duck and Cort have achieved.

That's that for the status update. I should be back with another sooner rather than later. Until then, stay safe, happy, and healthy.

For a number of years, a portion of Metroid fans weren’t feeling too great about the franchise. Metroid Other M received quite a bit of backlash for its characterization of Samus, and remains a divisive entry to this day. That was followed by Metroid Prime: Federation Force, a spin-off some viewed as being a case of wrong place, wrong time. The negative sentiment about Metroid as a series finally started to clear when Metroid: Samus Returns hit the 3DS in 2017, giving players a return to form. MercurySteam, the developer on that title, followed the 3DS remake with Metroid Dread, their first crack at a brand-new Metroid title. Where Metroid: Samus Returns gave fans great hope for the future, Metroid Dread shows us that Samus is definitely back, and in many ways, better than ever.

Metroid Dread is exactly what the franchise needed. The way it handles classic Metroid-style gameplay while adding countless innovations is seriously impressive. Most importantly, it completely repairs the damage Samus’ character suffered. Metroid Dread is the game Samus deserves, and the AAA experience fans have been clamoring for for years.

While work on the GoNintendo revamp continues, I'm still toiling away on some projects over on Tiktok. Most recently, I put together a video review for Hot Wheels Unleashed, which turned out to be a much, MUCH better game than I expected! You can watch that review above, or read the script of the review below.

As for the GoNintendo revamp, things are going extremely well! Lots of exciting stuff happening, including a very productive meeting yesterday. We're definitely at the point where things are really coming together. Hopefully in the not-too-distant future, I'll have a thing or two to actually show you, instead of just hint at!

Lastly, posts over at the GoNintendo Patreon continue. Most recently, we've had some fun discussion about the Mario animated movie, Metroid Dread, the Switch OLED Model, and more. There's also some personal tidbits in there as well. Thanks to all who support us over there!

As always, I'll keep you updated on big advances on GoNintendo's revamp. Rest assured, a lot is happening behind the scenes! It's a very exciting time, and I can't wait to be back to regular work. Until next time, gang!

There’s no shortage of racing games on the Switch. The eShop is chock full of titles in the genre, including arcade-style, kart, simulation, and more. There’s plenty of decent racers to find, but it takes something a bit more to stand out. The Hot Wheels brand certainly attracts some attention, as it's been a high-profile toy brand for over 5 decades now. Of course, a recognizable name doesn’t instantly mean a game will be good. Thankfully, in the case of Hot Wheels Unleashed, the game itself is very much worthy of the iconic name.

Most of us played with Hot Wheels cars both in and out of the house back in the day, and Hot Wheels Unleashed aims to recapture that same spirit. Race tracks are set up in everyday locations, such as bedrooms, back alleys, construction sites, and so on. The tracks themselves are built using all the classic Hot Wheels accessories you know and love. Corkscrew towers, giant loops, and miles upon miles of bright orange track are woven throughout these locations, with races taking you from the bottom of basement steps all the way up ceiling lights. Hot Wheels Unleashed’s tracks are the ones we would have built as kids if our parents weren’t so busy parenting!

Just like the tracks themselves, Hot Wheels Unleashed is packed with a litany of nostalgic cars. With a collection of 66 cars to unlock from day one, chances are you’ll see a handful of classics that are instantly recognizable. Even some of the licensed properties have made the cut, including the Batmobile, Knight Rider’s, K.I.T.T., the Ninja Turtle party wagon, and many others. The combination of all these infamous cars racing alongside each other only helps to make the racing experience that much more enjoyable.

As for the racing, while it’s pretty straightforward, it’s unbelievably enjoyable. There’s no weapons to throw out at your opponents here. Your placement in a race is based on driving skill and boosting. You slowly build boost as you drive, but you can gain it much faster by drifting. Drifting is absolutely key in Hot Wheels Unleashed, as there are a ton of extreme turns to make. You’ll spend a decent amount of your time drifting around the track, and it feels absolutely fantastic. The sheer sense of speed, your car whipping around the track, and 11 other racers jockeying for position the entire time makes for a race environment much more intense than you might expect!

The pure fun of racing makes up for the lack of variety in your objectives. Single player has you working your way through a map littered with standard races, boss races, and time attacks. Standard and boss races are pretty much the same thing, just with difficulty dialed up. Time Attack is self explanatory, but the times set for each track are quite challenging. Completing the various race objectives earns you customization options, gears to upgrade cars, blind boxes with new cars, and more. The unlocks, paired with just how different each car feels and the overall challenge of races should keep you more than busy.

There’s also other reasons to keep coming back, such as local and online multiplayer, a track editor, room customization, and some other superfluous bits. All in all, Hot Wheels Unleashed is a real treat, thanks to thoughtful track creation, adrenaline-filled racing, and smart implementation of nostalgic elements. There’s no doubt about it. Hot Wheels Unleashed really is one of the best arcade racers in recent years.

I know you guys are very patiently waiting for GoNintendo's revamp to launch, and I thank you for that. Again, the plan is to have something launched by the year's end, which means there's still a long way to go. That said, I'm very surprised with just how many people have reached out about the site's upcoming returning. Plenty of supporters, both within the industry and fan-wise, have reached out help in any way possible. I've had countless phone calls and online discussions that have opened up all sorts of avenues. The plan for this month is to hone in on a vision and get cracking.

While you continue to wait, you can get a smattering of content from me via Tiktok. I've been putting out videos over there somewhat consistently, and they've been a lot of fun. Music trivia, history, details on upcoming launches, and more. Our most recent Tiktok is a review for No More Heroes 3, which you can see above. Tiktok certainly has its restrictions when it comes to time and viewing area, but working within those limits has been quite fun for me. Hopefully you enjoy what I've put together!

If you'd rather read a review than watch one, you can check out the script for the Tiktok review in its entirety below. Along with that, I'll be writing a more in-depth review of the game shortly. Hopefully this tidbit is tasty enough to tide you over!

The No More Heroes franchise might not be the biggest or most well-known among the general gaming public, but it certainly has a sizable fanbase. You don’t get to three mainline games and a spin-off without supporters. Those fans have been waiting over 10 long years to get a third numbered installment, and just recently, their day has come. Travis Touchdown is back, and he’s more of a troublemaker than ever.

No More Heroes 3 sees Travis pick up his trusty beam katana once more for another stroll through the garden of madness. Previous No More Heroes titles had Travis square off against would-be assassins to climb a ranking board, and that’s the name of the game in this third outing as well. The big difference is that this time, Travis is taking on assassins of an interdimensional variety. Instead of fighting humans in grueling battles, the assassin rankings are now filled with aliens from all over the universe.

While the sword fodder might be different, the action remains the same. No More Heroes 3 features combat that’s fast-paced, super-powered, and incredibly violent. Alien blood of all colors will paint the screen as you slice and dice, creating a Jackson Pollock-like battleground around you. Of course, Travis brings a bunch of his favorite wrestling moves with him as well. It wouldn’t be No More Heroes without a few brain-busters, suplexes, and backbreakers!

When you’re not spending your time saving the world, you can collect some funds by doing odd jobs. Travis may be an assassin first, but he also makes a great landscaper, garbageman, and more. Performing odd jobs around town earns Travis all sorts of goodies that are necessary for progression. Get money to enter ranked assassin fights, earn WESN to upgrade your abilities, and collect random trinkets that can be combined to create varied buffs.

Most of the components No More Heroes fans want and expect from a new installment are here, but there is one considerable change. All henchmen battles now take place in a limited selection of battle arenas, which means you’re no longer running around themed levels prior to assassin battles. Entering these battles is required, as they give you gems needed to open up the next assassin face-off. Losing sprawling stages definitely stings, but battles are now 60 frames per second, and the variety of enemies and their moves can make each match-up quite memorable.

No More Heroes has never been a franchise for everyone, and creator Suda51 has always been upfront about that. There’s tons of otaku humor, 4th wall breaking, outlandish scenarios, and over-the-top brawls. This is the stuff that leaves plenty scratching their heads, and that’s totally understandable. If you’re one who prefers more mainline trappings, No More Heroes 3 is a very hard sell. For longtime fans of Travis and his adventures, No More Heroes 3 cranks the vibe and atmosphere up to 11. You’re getting pure, unadulterated Travis here. It might not be the best entry in the series, but it’s certainly worth your time, and undoubtable earns its spot in the franchise.

When it comes to a series that has as many installments as Romance of the Three Kingdoms, it can be difficult to jump right in if you’ve never played before. Luckily, there are good tutorials and understandable game mechanics which, while involved, can be learned by a player with a little determination. Yes, I found that determination is what it took for me to push through the convoluted menu system and try to dig deep into what fun could be had here.

I personally have only played one other RotTK and that was the seventh installment on PlayStation 2. As a fan of history and video games, I was immediately immersed in the time period and the historical characters. The amount of real historical figures that you can take control of is staggering and I loved learning more outside of the game about some of the most intriguing warriors. Because I loved RotTK7 so much, I found it difficult to put certain features out of my mind and concentrate on the mechanics of RotTK14.

The historical characters are all still here and in fact they have added hundreds more. You can still create your own generals with familial ties to real figures and you could have a lot of fun creating your own faction and putting them into very specific scenarios throughout the romance timeline. My Johnny Yune dynasty didn’t do all that bad against the early power of He Jin!

While many new features have progressed over time to get to where they are in RotTK14, there are a few features that a player like me regretfully misses. Firstly, you better enjoy being the Liege Lord because there is no longer options to being a ronin, general, or prefect under an AI ruler. That means that you won’t be working your way to the top of a famous leader’s ranks, but you will have all the responsibility and stress of the man or woman in charge. With that system comes a lot of micromanaging and there are many diplomacy options to try. Once I was familiar with the game’s options, I found that many were undercooked and I didn’t use half of them. There are certain things that your prefects can do by themselves but as leader, appointing people and advising them in which ways to govern just gives you more things to worry about as you try to strategically fight back in sieges on all borders. Heavy lies the crown for sure.

The battle system is now one that is happening on the same map as all of your other political dealings. That means that there are no more specific battle areas in which you can try to use a little more strategy for when you’re severely outnumbered. This gave me a feeling of less control in battles because there aren’t as many options to tell your individual generals to try. It was more of a point and click and hope your forces last longer. They’ve also taken away specific military unit factions. In RotTK14 you conscript soldiers at each of your cities and train them with your powerful generals, but they are just soldiers. There’s no cavalry, navy or bowman units. All of those buffs pertain to the general leading these soldiers. If the general can take advantage of shooting arrows from a far then his soldiers can. Instead you’ll get an advantage in battle by surrounding enemies and “coloring in“ the area around their forces. There is still plenty of strategy, but the micromanaging and the lack of individual general control during battles gives more to worry about, but less to feel in control of.

The music in the game is serviceable and there are a few nice compositions here. As with all strategy games, you are bound to be hearing the music quite a bit and even good songs can get old when you have a long play session. I was questioning a couple of the tunes as they sounded a little out of place for the historical setting (one song feels like it could be in the Harry Potter movies), but they are good and can be switched off.

RotTK14 is a game that I would recommend to history buffs and strategy game lovers. If you are willing to put in the time and learn all the games systems, there is some fun to be had. If you are someone who is easily frustrated or who dislikes micromanaging then it’s not the game for you. Although, for me, RotTK14 does not live up to the previous installment that I had played and loved, it’s nice to finally get another series entry optimized for NA and it’s even nicer to be able to take it anywhere on the go with Nintendo Switch.

This review is 100% spoiler free. Story-based and laterly introduced gameplay elements will not be discussed in detail. Playing through RPGs as blind as possible is always the best way to experience them. Here is a spoiler of the review though; I absolutely love this game.

Nintendo purists may be unfamiliar with the “Atelier” series, which made its debut in Japan as a PlayStation-only franchise back in 1997. Various spin-offs were released for a few of Nintendo’s dedicated-handhelds such as the Game Boy Color and DS, but the mainline games didn’t lose PlayStation console exclusivity until two decades later with the launch of the Switch in 2017. Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & The Secret Fairy is the sequel to a sub-series. The main protagonist Reisalin Stout (most commonly known as Ryza) has only previously appeared once, in its predecessor, Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness & the Secret Hideout. So, even though the entire franchise shares an interconnected universe, you don’t need to worry about doing any research before jumping right into the latest entry in this alchemy-themed JRPG series. Although it’s recommended that you first play the predecessor to maximize your enjoyment and familiarity with the characters, the sequel stands well enough on its own to be an excellent entry point for newcomers.

As someone who loves, respects, and appreciates the JRPG genre, it also, admittedly, is not my expertise. Oftentimes with this style of game, I'll find myself confused and overwhelmed by the abundance of mechanics, and struggling to understand the overly-complicated and disorganized user interfaces. In the words of fellow YouTube content creator ‘Scott The Woz’, I’m simply put, just “not an RPG guy.” With that being said however, I absolutely adored playing through Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & The Secret Fairy. It was an extremely refreshing surprise, and quite possibly even my favorite game of the current decade (so far). This isn’t because it’s any less elaborate and intricate than your typical JRPG, but because it lovingly holds your hand and guides you until you’re ready to let go and explore on your own (but not in a way that feels insulting to the player). No matter how many new gameplay mechanics are thrown at you, the instructions are clear, precise, and easy to understand. Despite having what would be generally considered an overwhelming amount of different simultaneous tasks-at-hand, it never really feels overwhelming.

Taking place 3 years after the events of the first Atelier Ryza game, the story follows Reisalin Stout on a mission to become a better alchemist. Invited by her friend Tao to indefinitely move from her home on Kurken Island, the two of them, alongside their friends old and new, go on an epic adventure to discover the secrets and treasures of the lost and forgotten ruins in the monster infested outskirts of the royal capital of Ashra-am Baird. Something important to note is that the game does not include English voice acting, and must be played through its entirety with subtitles. As an avid “subbed not dubbed” anime aficionado, this wasn’t a problem. The localization team did an incredible job at making the dialogue engaging to read, with high quality and passionate Japanese vocal work to accompany it. The main story itself is consistently entertaining and charming, oftentimes being comedic or edge-of-your-seat attention-grabbing. Each of the characters are glowing with unique personality and appealing character design. There is admittedly a fair share of fanservice, including emphasized cleavage and jiggle physics, and exposed, pronounced thighs, but nothing ever feels too overly-sexualized. Ryza may be cute and ditzy at times, but she’s also incredibly smart and a badass adventurer. Female protagonists aren’t extraordinarily common in JRPGs, so it’s certainly a nice change of pace.

In addition to the main story, there are also plenty of side-quests to participate in. These quests are implemented in such a way that doesn’t feel forced or tedious. In order to earn your keep at your beautiful new atelier, you must take advantage of your alchemy skills to help those in need of assistance. Citizens, merchants, children, and even bandits will offer rewards in exchange for your services. With enough exploration, material gathering, and alchemist crafting, you’ll oftentimes not even need to go out of your way to complete these tasks. Many of them can be accepted and completed at the bulletin board located inside the local café, and doing so will raise your reputation, providing for more difficult requests and better rewards. Some quests however, are activated by talking to people directly throughout the city. These usually provide additional dialog and character interaction outside of the ongoing main story. It rarely feels like filler content, and adds a decent chunk of extra total gameplay hours to your adventure.

Atelier Ryza 2 doesn’t have a fully open world, but what it does have, is vast and immersive. Traveling to different locations around the city and outskirts of Ashra-am Baird requires a brief loading transition, but luckily, the wait times on the Switch version aren’t too painful. Everything is interconnected, but you can speed up the travel process by selecting previously visited areas on the world map. In addition to the world map, you always have access to a mini map of your current area, plotting destination points, events, quests, shops, and more. Discovering and exploring the ruins specifically truly makes you feel like an adventurer. Progressing through the story, searching for clues and memories, and piecing them together in your Exploration Diary is a really unique and interesting mechanic. While not necessarily difficult, it’s an extra piece of gameplay that adds to the overall experience; another engaging thing to do apart from gathering, crafting, and battling.

Gathering items that are spread across the world is crucial to crafting new items such as; weapons, tools, armor, food, and medicine. It can actually be quite peaceful to go out exploring just to find and collect as many materials as possible. Crafting new gathering tools allow you to discover items that were previously unobtainable. Just make sure to equip ‘em in your menu after you create them. Your inventory space is limited, but you can always bring everything you collect back to your atelier for easy storage and safekeeping. The atelier is the location you’ll most often visit, as it’s where you’ll complete all alchemy-related tasks, save your game (although there is an auto-save feature), advance the story, and heal party members.

Synthesizing items is the most important gameplay mechanic to learn and understand. I’ve mentioned the word “alchemy” multiple times in this review, but there is a strong possibility you don’t even know what it means. Defined by the Oxford English Dictionary as “a seemingly magical process of transformation, creation, or combination,” Ryza does exactly this; turning gathered materials into something entirely new. Recipes can be learned by progressing through the story or by growing your skill tree. In order to unlock the ones available from the tree, you must spend “SP” which is collected by synthesizing items and exploring through ruins. Synthesizing isn’t nearly as simple as something like a Minecraft crafting table, and is actually extraordinarily complicated in comparison. Items you gather have specific traits and effects, a level of quality, and are associated with an element pertaining to ice, fire, lightning, and/or wind. All of this must be accounted for to determine the exact results of the item you’re creating. In most cases, if you have all the necessary materials for a recipe, it’s much easier to use the “Auto-Add” feature, which allows for you to skip straight to the synthesis process by simply selecting if you want the result to be “High Quality” or “Low Quality.” However, you must be a little more interactive and experimental if you want to use the “Recipe Morph” feature. Some recipes can be turned into an entirely different one with this process by meeting certain conditions and carefully choosing items with the necessary traits. Once first synthesized, the recipe is easily craftable exactly like the others. Equipping any of the items you synthesize as a “Core Item” for your party members on their “Core Crystal” allows you to use it an infinite number of times during battle, with each use being exchanged for CC (Crystal Charge) points. These points are earned by using skills in battle (more on that soon).

Differentiating itself from the majority of modern JRPGs, Atelier Ryza 2 uses a “real-time tactics'' battle system instead of the often implemented turn-based one. Exactly when you (as well as your opponent) are able to attack is based on a “wait time,” located on a constantly moving timeline gauge. The gameplay is polished and elaborate enough for hardcore JRPG players, while also being straight-forward enough to use for a more casual audience (with a bit of patience and willingness). Your choice of difficulty mode upon starting a new save file will determine exactly how well you’ll need to understand the logistics of the mechanics. Plenty of new system elements are introduced during your playthrough, and the complexity of the battle system is both impressive and insane, so let's just go over the basics.

HP is your self-explanatory health bar. The goal of battles is to deplete the monster’s HP down to 0, while keeping at least one of your party members alive. Winning against these encounters will award you with EXP, leveling up the participating characters and increasing each of their stats (defense, attack, HP, speed, etc). There are no random encounters, so apart from mandatory bosses, most battles are completely optional. You’ll likely want to farm for as much EXP as possible if you want to consistently level up, but it never really feels like a monotonous grind. During battles, AP is earned by use of normal attacks, which then allow for the use of special attack skills, providing for a much greater deal of damage. Enough AP can allow these skills to be chained together for a combo. “Support Mode” and “Aggressive Mode” can be swapped by the push of a button, letting you decide if you want your party members to automatically be able to use up the collectively earned AP for their own skills. You can also swap the party member you’re directly controlling, so there is a lot to consider when engaging in some of the tougher battles. Attack skills can be either “Magical” or “Physical.” When certain battle conditions are met, your party members may call out for an “Action Order,” and by using the specified skill type, it will allow them to use their powerful “Order Skill.” Some skills also have elements (ice, fire, lightning, wind), which are, of course, more critical to the proper enemy type.

Graphically, Atelier Ryza 2 runs surprisingly well on the Nintendo Switch. Although capped at 30fps, the framerate is smooth and consistent, and the gameplay is never fast enough paced for it to be totally noticeable. Both docked and handheld mode offer a beautiful visual experience, enhanced by a vibrant, colorful, eye-candy art style. The loading time of every initial bootup can be annoyingly slow, but once you get past it and start playing the actual game, you never feel hindered on a technical level. In terms of audio design, the sound effects are fun and immersive, while the music is incredibly catchy, and very fitting to whatever your particular environment or situation is. Different versions of the tracks are played depending on the in-game time of day, and it really adds that extra level of polish.

Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & The Secret Fairy is nothing short of a masterpiece. An engaging story, exciting and complex battle system, unique alchemy crafting, and a world filled with fabulously designed environments and characters makes the game a must have on Switch for Atelier fans, JRPG fans, and those looking to dive into the franchise or genre. There is so much to learn, discover, and master that this review barely scratches the surface. The biggest disappointment I received while playing was that I missed my chance to purchase the game’s limited edition collector’s bundle. With a newly added photo mode and paid DLC content on the way, now is the perfect time to start your exciting adventure as an alchemist explorer. Here’s hoping the loveable Ryza returns for a third Atelier game, or perhaps makes an unexpected guest appearance as a newcomer in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate… just let me dream, okay?

Three reviews in this week's issue of Famitsu, and once again, all of them are for Switch games. Check out the latest review scores below.

Bravely Default II (Switch) – 9/9/9/9 [36/40]
Empire of Sin (PS4, Switch) – 8/7/8/7 [30/40]
Ghosts ‘n Goblins Resurrection (Switch) – 8/8/8/7 [31/40]

Great action, smart strategy, and random curses carry Curse of the Dead Gods to top of the action roguelite genre.

The latest issue of EDGE has released, and with it comes another round of review scores. Check out the score round-up for issue 356 below.

Hitman 3 - 9
The Medium - 5
Little Nightmares 2 - 7
Persona 5 Strikers - 6
Gods Will Fall - 8
Tohu - 6
Olija - 8
Nuts - 7
Conspiracy! - 7

Only one review score in this week's issue of Famitsu. Check out the review for Cotton Reboot! from issue 1681 below.

Cotton Reboot! (PS4, Switch) – 8/7/7/8 [30/40]

Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury is here, and the Bowser's Fury mode is brand-new! Is this add-in worth the purchase of the full game alone, or is this a tiny experience not worth your time or money?