Glen-i

Right, demo done. Here are some of my thoughts. The class system is interesting. Outside of some important characters getting exclusive classes (Shez and Claude, for example), everyone can use almost any class. The class determines the character's moveset, with more advanced classes getting more options for combos. Assuming that Edelgard, Dimitri, and Byleth also have exclusive classes, I make that 16 different movesets so far. It's a promising start, but.. Now this is just me conjecturing, but if there's a way to eventually get every character through plot-relevant shenanigans, or some kind of New Game +, there's certainly gonna be no way to avoid the dreaded moveset clone situation. We're already up to 26 characters across all three houses, plus Byleth! Unless the advanced and master classes have even more split path choices, which I somewhat doubt. Shez's exclusive class, Fleugal, has a silly name, which belies the fact that it's immensely superior to every other class so far! It feels like unlocking Lyn in the first FE Warriors! Only Lyn's the main character now! It's nutso how fluid it is! Characters are now differentiated by the passive abilities they have. Stops everyone blending into each other, at least. I'm a particular fan of Ignatz's paint shenanigans and Lorenz's Rose emergency counter. They kept the weapon triangle! That's one hell of a pleasant surprise! Really helps this feel more strategic compared to Hyrule Warriors. AI controlled characters are also relatively competent again, provided you don't send them to a disadvantageous fight. It was my favourite thing in the first game. I am completely lost on the plot. The game makes no attempt to fill people who didn't play Three Houses in on what's going on. Luckily, I'm never playing Three Houses, so I don't mind. All that matters is war is on, and I need to kill thousands of soldiers with 4-8 young adults at a time. Gotcha! The Gatekeeper hasn't shown up yet. Suspicous. He's totally gonna be an optional joke character.

Insomnia was being a pain in the bum last night, so I fought off boredom by booting up NSO SNES and trying to run to the credits in Donkey Kong Country 2 moderately fast. Died more times then I would've liked, but eh... half asleep. Then I did the same for Super Mario World. 17 minutes, 42 seconds. No deaths there. That's all I have to say. What a meaningful post!

I literally just unlocked "Wyvern Master" which the game points out only Claude can use, so that's nice.

After Age of Calamity ditched them, that constant feeling of never finishing quickly enough has come flooding back to me. It's always the time! I'm hoping Claude will get to unlock a unique class for himself. Shez has one right now, but it would be strange if the house leaders weren't offered the same opportunity. Still playing the demo (it's surprisingly meaty, still on the prologue), so I'll give more thoughts when I'm done.

Only one from me, but it was an amazing feat of skill!

Real talk, the moment Jot left the book, I audibly said "Whoa!" out loud. Haven't done that since Smash Ultimate's "Everyone is here" moment.

I was already in at full price, but that's just peachy. If more people like me get it Day 1 on Switch, we should have a session on it. It's 6 player online.

Speaking of...

Yep, that's it. Stupid name. Dig the character though!

Can't have the risk of this slipping under people's radar. Shown at the Devolver Direct. This seems to be James Turner's (One of the Pokémon artists since Black/White) project after leaving Game Freak. Looks really promising, and the concept is very cool. Definitely keeping an eye on this one.

Ah. Plucky Squire is James Turner's (Until quite recently, Pokémon Artist) new project. I guess this is what he's been working since Pokémon Sword/Shield. Now I'm even more interested!

Oh wow! Are you praising Devolver's show!? That is high praise! Plucky Squire is coming to Switch, so I'm keeping an eye on that.

Big lol at the blatant inspiration for the ending sequence there. Skate Story stuck out to me. No idea how it plays, but it's certainly got a unique look to it. The Plucky Squire looked cool as well. Gives a Mario Odyssey style 2D merging feel to it.

Yeah, I've only done the prologue, and it says that some important characters (such as Zesh? That's not the right spelling, is it?) get a special class only they can use.

I'm ready to check a look at Devolver Direct in an hour and 14 minutes! Wonder if that Monkey Island sequel will show up?

Normally, when someone says that, it means they're expecting someone else to join the room, but sure. We can make that the "I need the toilet" shout-out as well. Just remember to give a "Let's Go" when you're ready. In fact, I'll make it plain. If you need to shortly move away from gameplay for a bit in between GP's, use the "Let's wait for more players" shout-out. And then use the "Let's Go" one when you return. It won't help when we're in between races, but at the end of a GP, I'll wait a few seconds to give people a chance to say it if need be.

You know, I'd argue that choosing tracks purely to screw over another player is not in the spirit of this. But then I remember we're playing Mario Kart. As long as the same track isn't done twice.

Obstagoon was my favourite of his. BTW, that list might not be comprehensive. Those are the designs we know he did. Could be more he worked on that we don't know about. Weird that Game Freak waited a whole generation before saying, "Hey, remember Shadow Lugia? We should get the guy who designed that in."

Obligatory heads-up post to remind people of tonight. (8pm) EDIT: I'll repost the image as well. Remember, it's Frantic items, so keep that in mind.

Only just realised the new series started, will have to catch up tonight. Admittedly, I'm almost entirely in it for the Seth influence then the actual Star Trek homage, but I liked the other series.

Yeah, I'm day-1'ing that shiz! Hoping some N-Europe members can get a 4 player sesh together.

A demo is available as well.

I can give you a shout on Thursday if you want?

I'll believe that when I see it.

OK, I've been saying for a while that there's no point in those icons, because the Mii is the only way you can be truly unique, and you can't even use a frame or background with them. But that icon is damn fine for second place!