LazyBoy

Does anyone know when the review embargo brakes for this? Looking forward to seeing the first (official) reviews.

Something that struck me tonight while watching Match of the Day was United being on last (on a Saturday). Can't think of seeing that many times before, especially on a 7 game schedule. Depressingly its a sign of how far we've fallen. For the past couple years post-Fergie, us playing boring games and those low in quality kept us up the schedule because that was news in itself. Now it's not even news, it's the norm. We're 7 points off forth approaching December, and we barely deserve to be that high. Out of the League cup already, and living dangerously in the Champions League group. And there is no reason to believe anything will improve. There will be a great 'tell all' story printed one day about what's been going on behind the scenes since Fergie left, and how ignorant decisions and general negligence have turned the greatest club in the world into a laughing stock. Shout out to Arsenal. There's a team who were facing a similar situation as us (the exit of a long time manager and alpha at the club) but instead are doing really well. Say what you want about the moral character of the owners, but with just a couple clever hirings they have turned the team into an enjoyable spectacle again, and are giving the fans something to chear. Hilariously England are now fun to watch, which is mighty convenient, as there is some football I can enjoy. Crazy times when that is the case.

Cheers mate. Shows how much I'm paying attention.

I read that you can set a difficulty level for World of Light - was that an option in the old games for the single player? I can't recall. Straight to the hardest mode for me. If I can't beat that what chance will I have fulfilling my dream as a later life eSports champion?

Wow, I'm sold. Thank you for bringing it to our attention. The dynamic battle system looks brilliant. I love the look and scope of a lot of the old SNES RPGs, but find them hard to go back to now because of their outdated systems and tired challenges. This on the other hand looks like it is re-examing everything. Special shout-out to the removable HUD. Less crap on the screen the better for me.

Just got out of an old 60s movie called The Chase - Robert Redford, Marlon Brando, Jane Fonda. Was great, like a solid 4/5. More about moral decay than about the 'man on the run' situation the movie sets up at the beginnning. Would never have watched it either if they weren't showing it on the big screen, so there's that great feeling of stumbling across something special. And my word Brando could act. Upstages everyone else on screen regardless of whether he's got lines or not. Need to see more of his. Any recommendations?

I've read in the past that United are actually against this, since we earn so much from the PL already. But if we do end up as part of some super League then that's me done with them - it's not the same club anymore. The lack of consideration for match going fans is criminal. Id take up supporting my second or third club full time probably, too hard for me to leave football behind altogether.

Im actually taking the Friday off to play through the game, so I'll be up for a tourney as soon as possible!

As a United fan I desperately hope Perez comes in for Mourinho for Madrid as rumored, leaving us free to take a run at Zidane, Poch or Jardim.

Thats not the first time I'v heard that sentiment voiced, and I completely respect the hardcore approach. However the days are gone though where I have the patience or the time to suffer a boss for the first 10 times of playing it and getting slaughtered(the problem may also just be that I suck). I remember Alba from Ninja Gaiden Black taking me days to beat as a teenager - time which I just don't have now. So yeah its a little easier, but I get a lot more of the game for my time. Plus I just love co-op, always have. It works especially well in this game if you play with people who know how to take turns aggro-ing.

I can totally appreciate a good story, but for me its always more about how its presented rather than the actual quality of the plot or script. Give me the discoverable logs and intriguing mysteries of the world of Metroid Prime over the hammy scenes of an Assassins Creed any day. MGSV's optional tapes and minimal cut scenes please instead of MGSIV's feature length lessons in self-importance. Recently Hollow Knight and Dark Souls 3 have really stood out in the way they have presented their lore (getting me interested in the game and leaving me to discover more if I wanted to). However if you want something more traditional Banner Saga is certainly the stand out from the last year. Its got the optional exposition if you want it, but the mastery of the game is in the image of the caravan against the vastness of the world. Watching it swell and then thin out, at some points running from danger, at some points just relaxing against the godstones. It perfectly nurtures your investment in the game, which for me is the point of a story in games. Banner Saga takes and builds on a lot of what made the Fire Emblem games great (especially the GBA ones).

Well I never played WiiU version (skipped the console entirely), but Brawl just was not good gameplay-wise. The feel of Melee - its pace, balance, nuances - was unprecedented, and the series had struggled to get back to that quality of competitive gameplay. Who knows whether or not Ultimate will achieve that, but early indications are good. The pace in particular is encouraging, and from the fights that are up on youtube there doesn't seem to be any game-breaking characters. Fingers crossed this does similar for the series as Melee did all the way back when.

Its all about summoning mate. My practice is always to use the white soapstone to leave my mark before a boss door first, and help someone else beat it for practice in the knowledge I won't lose souls. Learn their patterns and how you can be effective. Then once you've beat it a couple times, and you've returned with some humanity, reverse your hollowing and summon some friends to help you out. Get into that practice and you'll start to worship the game - otherwise you can run the risk of getting frustrated by the whole experience. And of course I would be happy to lend a hand if you ever needed it in co-op.

Depends why you play games. For me its new ideas, new worlds, new puzzles, and unfortunately its less likely you'll find these in the AAA games, where increasingly ridiculous budgets resulting in a similarly growing risk aversion. Indies are where its at - Banner Saga, Rocket League and Hollow Knight are the best games Ive played this year because they can afford to take risks. These things go in peaks and troughs however, and I can imagine a near future where major studio games, suffocated by cost and the festering issue of 'Crunch' around AAA games, start to look for cheaper projects that leverage good ideas.

Good to know, thanks. I was trying to figure out whether I should splash for the PS4 the other day with Red Dead coming out, and counted on my hands what else I would get on it. Bloodborne, and Horizon (after your recommendation), but couldn't think of anything else. Maybe an arcade driving game and Hitman. That's about it. I figured with Smash coming out I wouldn't bother, got enough to play.

Where does SOTC rank among them for you? Was it your first time playing it? I loved the look of the world in Horizon, but the gameplay looked a bit generic (along the 3rd person action/ubisoft style), and I feared I would get a little bored. Am I being unfair to it?

What have you been playing, if you don't mind me asking?

Especially since they seemed to have been recognizing the importance of pro/serious community with this version and the WiiU (after the pick f**k you that was Brawl). Seemed like a weird back step. More I think about it more Im looking forward to it though. The idea of every match being different, having to adapt to the situation, adjusting your game accordingly. Sounds like to bonafide time sink to me.

Come on guys, lets just drop it. Far more important things in life. @Mr-Paul What kind of games are you in to mate, might be able to recommend you something. I'm in totally the same position by the way. I'm a professional with a social life now so I have to be a bit more choosy with my time. I barely play any 'mainstream' games now, as I feel the top level of the industry has gone incredibly stale (not even bothered about Red Dead 2). But the indie scene is brilliant, and the switch is the perfect console for them. Tell us what you like and maybe I can recommend something - I'd consider it a victory if we can find something which reignites your passion for games.

I've heard a lot of complaints about Switch online, but I honestly have no problem with it. Is it the best value? Not in the slightest. But I have been playing Dark Souls and Rocket League very regularly, and the online performance is reliable and quick. If that remains the same for Smash then I think 20 is fair for good online access. They could definitely be doing more, but coming from the Fantasy Star Online era I appreciate that what we have got is pretty good progress. This is Nintendo after all. Does anyone know if there will be any way to export videos from matches you record? If we were to have a tournament would be cool to be able to edit it down to a recap video for the forum.

Wow that's so well put together. Got me weirdly pumped. Could someone confirm something for me - with the way online match preferences work, does that mean there is no way to play online just in a simple 1v1 no items final destination way constantly. From the sounds of it last night if you're playing online there is a chance you will be subject (half the time) to the match preferences of whoever you are matched with, which could be anything. Not very hardcore friendly if true (although I think the constant variety will be refreshing). I'm liking the look of K Rool at the moment. His super armor mechanic is very cool, and I think opens up some very interesting rush mechanics. Think I might start with Mario though. Having played since I got soured on Brawl, which is a long time ago now, so could do with a simple character to practice the basics on. On and the spirits thing looks great. Fiddling around until you find some OP builds will drain a lot of my time. Have there been any talks on the forum about getting some tournaments together online. With the spectator mode we could all set aside a couple of hours and watch the whole tournament through.

I bloody love this game, an absolute bargain for 30 quid. Just beat the 4 Kings for the first time, having stopped and given up here previously. I'm understanding the game better now, and having a build that I'm slowly mastering makes the game so much more enjoyable. Ive got this DEX/INT Ninja flip build (CMW a big part of it), and last night I was beating all-comers in Darkroot, having just a great time playing in a way that works on the strengths of my character. I've only got the path down to the bed of chaos to complete now, before I do Oolacile and the final boss, but Im already thinking about my next build. For NG+ I've got the idea of one-handing an Ultra Greatsword in the right hand, and off-handing a small quick sword like the rapier in the left. Kind of like Cervantes from Soul Caliber. @Sméagol Any suggestions/tips if I was to go down a STR path like this?

Just had a Leeroy moment. I've got two summons helping me get around he inards of the cathedral at Another London. Those silver knights can reck you if they want. We're progressing well, getting in plenty of backstop. Then we get to that room with the four silver knights. I'm squaring up to run in and out and draw one out of the room so we can pick him off, when the white summon just pushes past and runs straight in the room. Us other two run in after, and despite a valient effort they crush us. On the plus side I've be summoned into a few Ornstein fights now and my soul arrows are so effective. They were a knightmare when I had to face them alone on my first run.

Would be great to team up some time. It's not so much about difficulty, the game is just so much more fun in a team. Went off to kill the Hydra last night, with the aim of getting the Oolacile catalyst from Dusk. I want to be using Magic weapon (and in the future GMW) but without putting too much into Int. So I did that, and figured I'd head up to the forest and pick up the Ninja ring whilst I'm there. Well I got recked by gankers obviously. Going to try again tonight.

Well I'm happy to help with Quelagg if you want, I've just gotten past her on my current run. My pike build isn't too effective on her but I can at least get her attention whilst you hit her. Have you beaten the Man-eater Mildred phantom in the approach to the bonfire?