Captain Falcon

Game Central have given it a two out of ten but after reading the review, even that sounds generous.

In which case, they better give us a skin for Mega Man and Pit to match.

What about this guy? Even his latest incarnation was exclusive to Nintendo for a brief spell.

I'm currently working my way through Borderlands: The Pre Sequel and will hope to write something up when I'm done. I finished the main campaign yesterday and went and started on the DLC. In the mean time here's a much longer than I expected post on Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2 - the game I completed prior to starting this one.

Glad I'm not imagining things - something is definitely off. And that image, crude as it may be, does look more natural to my eyes. If you look closely, you can see Slippy in the cockpit.

Maybe it's me but something seems odd about that boxart. The only thing I think I can pin it down to is that the fur effect and the lighting on the characters is so pronounced that the Arwings on the front look very plain by comparison. It makes it look like two images thrown together that almost works but doesn't instead of one coherent design.

It's been a great year for my wallet because I've spent only £23 on Nintendo games all year (Kirby 3DS) and it will continue to remain that way until Star Fox or Xenoblade providing they live up to their potential. So it's not all doom and gloom

Aha, shows how much attention I pay to things these days... I'm really out the loop on a lot of stuff like this.

According to the link that VsPhoenix posted in the release dates thread, it seems there will be a limited edition of the game featuring a steelbook, artbook, map and poster. Was that known prior to today?

Due to some recent departures in the business, I've been approached to join the Financial Accounting department. Normally these roles are quite sought after and generate a lot of interest, and then a lot of internal bickering when someone does or doesn't get it. But because of my experience with the systems, my old manager who now works in there recommended me to the head of the function and from then onwards, it was just a matter of when - I didn't even have to sit for an interview. Salary details are still being worked out but it should be a minimum jump of 20% if not more. I'm not able to move until my replacement comes in though, and we've done a hand over, which will be the start of the next month but in a few more weeks time, I'll no longer be a manager - thank heavens for that.

I'm probably in the minority, but I thoroughly enjoyed all three Lords of Shadow games. All three looked fantastic for their hardware constraints. My only real issue with the first is that some of the enemies were a bit damage spongy - the DLC boss was just ridiculous. But it's scope and atmosphere was top notch - thanks to the graphics and soundtrack. 2 also has a fantastic soundtrack - a lot of the songs being fuller versions of Mirror of Fate and the combat was improved as well. Whilst there were less whip moves overall, the additional weapons were sensibly balanced against their need for magic so as to not burn through it in a handful of moves. The Metroidvania map was a bit confusing to navigate at times and the stealth bits were ill judged but at least they were mercifully brief. The Revelations DLC was also really well done. The story throughout 1 and Mirror was good but slightly let down by the ending in 2. I think under Nintendo's guidance, they could have turned in something pretty good. They have the talent, they just need the refinement.

That's great to hear Cube - my comment was more aimed at Serebii than yourself. The use of the word "dupe" was used somewhat in jest but in more to do with actually kidding yourself rather than the other person. Not going on dates is a symptom rather than the cause so reading something like "go on a date" as a resolution doesn't really tell us anything that you are going to do to make that happen - the very thing that should be the resolution. But it's clear you are already aware of that and are doing something about. So for you, it's about continuing the good progress and actually putting it to use.

Surely something like getting a date is ultimately out of your hands - shouldn't the goal be to be more confident, self assertive, and outgoing (or embracing other qualities people find desireable that you can address) in a bid to appeal more to people that may then choose to go out with you because you've been able to sell yourself better? Work on those and you gain more than just the ability to dupe a women into going for a meal or drinks with you. I read the other day that only 8% of people stick to their new years resolutions because they are either outlandish or just not in their control. For the past couple of years, I've took a different approach of the New Year Challenge. Last year, I went the whole year, I didn't consume any alcohol but still did the things that would lead me into situations where I'd normally partake of it. This year, I went without Pizza for 12 months. Both proved healthy for my body and my bank account which gave added motivation. Not sure I'll both this year mind as ultimately they were both born out of a promise to a person I no longer feel accountable to but promises to others are easier to keep than those to yourself.

Yeah, totally didn't get that was aimed at me, sorry. Well, my party was strong enough that I was just churning through the job classes, but I finally finished it today with 72hrs on the clock. I ended with the following classes that were all maxed out long ago. I think each character had 8 or so classes maxed, but I chose these for their stats and skills - all level 99. Tiz: Dark Knight Agnes: Spiritmaster Ringabel: Valkyrie Edea: Templar Well, that last chapter was actually rather good in the end and was a damn sight more satisfying that what led up to it.

That's the plan. My team are about level 88 so most enemies fall over quite easily. In all fairness, the last couple of chapters probably didn't take that long to finish in the grand scheme of things, especially given all the time put in by the end of No. 4, it was just that it was so dull. I think this is one area where the story telling suffers as a result of this being in a game format. If this was a film, vast chunks could have been montaged easily with a focus on the important bits instead of having to do it as it has been done.

Seeing this thread get bumped reminded me that I haven't finished it yet either so I played a bit this morning and am now on Chapter 8. When Tales of the Abyss put me off to the point I took a long break, I started from the beginning but there is little chance of me playing through this again from the beginning, so onwards it is, even if I'm struggling the remember where I came from... or not I'm definitely struggling to care though - I know that for certain. I'm just glad you can turn off battles and adjust the difficulty on the fly - makes getting through certain areas so much easier and less time consuming. I don't think I've ever played a game that started so well and then went downhill this badly.

I'm not a big fan of the single player offerings in the Wii U version. At first, I really didn't get Smash Run but now it's where I spend most of my time on the 3Ds version. The classic mode also works a lot better without the forced 8 player matches and pointless board shuffling exercise so I'm totally with Eevil on that one. Is the Smash Tour something that you have to get used to or does it suck as much on the second and subsequent times as well in single player?

So the first live demonstration of the game will take place tonight (tomorrow morning) as part of the Capcom Cup which has already begun with exhibition matches of Omega Mode in USFIV and is about to commence the Finals. I believe it's due to take place at the end during the special annoucements section which is 03:15GMT Watch it here.

I really need to get my back side in gear and get in some games with you lot but Mon-Fri is pretty much a no go and then it's just actually getting round to playing it on the weekends when I'm still working my way through other games. I'm off work this week though so that certainly frees me up to get in on some games.

Cross play across is a great move and probably something MS wouldn't be keen on. Here is the gameplay footage from Playstation Experience earlier on showing some of the new gameplay features to be added this time. Can't wait to see more next weekend. Boxart already.

Well, enemies aside, there are mines and caves to enter and explore, small villages, odd huts, enemy settlements to take on, empire/stormcloak encampments, random travellers, criminals on the run, etc. That you can harvest the flora and fauna makes a difference too as only certain plants grow in certain areas. Random dragon attacks, initially before you get too powerful at least, are good because whilst the enemy is the same, you have to be totally aware of your surroundings and look for good spots that will enable you to take them down without exposing yourself too much. Water areas have sunken ships that can be delved into and looted. So yeah, it's difficult to go far without something to do but it's all optional. I think the big thing with Skyrim is the visual diversity. People think Skyrim must be all snow but there is so many different feeling locales that make exploring an absolute pleasure. The landscape is rarely flat so there are lots of elevation changes but the key thing is that they feel natural - they don't feel like the exist because a game designer shoved them in there which is how Zelda environments have tended to feel. I understand that's because the gameplay comes first but it doesn't always make for good world building. Just wandering the terrain is a delight for someone like me - taking in the sights and sounds is a real experience, if not exactly a gameplay one, but from an atmospheric perspective. I thought the footage here looked ok, if a little tame for a reveal. As others have said, the land looks a little barren and plain, and the slow motion dismount felt rather out of place to me - I think I'd prefer it if is was something you set up before you jump off even if that would end up automating it somewhat. For the landscape, a bunch of particle work to act as fairies/sprites and over sized pollen or something will make a big difference in creating a sense of a living world. As would an ambient soundtrack to play under the music. It goes a long way to making that big world feel alive.

Has anyone had the game lock up on them at all? I was playing home run contest the morning and the TV screen and gamepad went black and it made a loud and long beep and forced me to turn the Wii U off. It's really nice getting to play on the big screen after the 3DS version and with a much better controller to boot but I still get lost so easily in those 8 player matches.

So I wasn't sure of this after playing the demo - my take aways were that the 3DS screen feels too cramped for the action, it's too low res as well, the slide pad is not in the same league as an analogue stick and the shoulder buttons are terrible as ever. BUt on the other hand, it's Super Smash Bros. Which means even after all such compromises inposed by the hardware, which have clearly extended to the game design as well, it's still fun. So yesterday I was chatting with a mate at work and just went out and grabbed the game on my lunch. And now I've had time to sample more of it's offerings, the above still holds true. It's lots of fun, but I fear it won't get a look in once the main event turns up. As a guy who's online play is usually spent in a semi competative spirit, sticking to mostly flat stages and no weapons, the stage designs are novelties and curiosities to be experienced but not indulged in. So that they differ in that regard is also of little consequence in the grand scheme of things. I've played a bit of online today in "For Glory" 1 vs 1 and the half the time, there was no noticable lag. Others had it but it was bareable and a couple of fights were very painful for all the wrong reasons. Hopefully, I'll see some of you good folks online soon.