Missy's Game Shelf

  • Digimon Story: Lost Evolution English Fan Translation

    After Digimon Time Stranger I wanted to play a different Digimon game, but also something I had never played before. There are only two Digimon Story games that were never released in the west. Digimon Story: Lost Evolution and Digimon Story Xros Wars Red and Blue based on an anime series that was ongoing at the time. Over the years, we have found something like a language will not stop dedicated fans and even though this game released years ago it got a Fan Translation in 2023 and that is the version I am going to play. As this is a translated game I do not know if it is a one to one translation or if anything was changed or not.

    Lost Evolution is an odd game first it reuses most of its dungeons and levels from Dawn and Dusk. Now that is a problem, Dawn and Dusk have some of the worst level design and to see those same levels again was not fun. Lost Evolution is also the first game to tell a much darker story basically all of the Tamers, the group that raises Digimon, from the first two games went missing and the player has to save everyone from the group who caused that. Cyber Slueth, Hackers Memory, and Time Stranger have similarly darker elements as part of their plot. So it is safe to say that this game was more of a transition to the darker plot lines future games would have.

    As for the gameplay changes the more incomplete routes for digivolution were finished in this game and a lot of new features were added. You unlock these by finding plates and repairing them with the touch screen minigame the better you do the better the digimon will be when it digivolves better stats and movesets are unlocked this way.

    Overall, this wasn’t a bad game and the Translation is good enough that you can still finish the whole game. I did have some problems with the repair minigame, but I imagine it is easier with an actual DS and not an emulator.

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  • Digimon Story Time Stranger And Pokemon Legends ZA DLC

    Digimon really doesn’t want the comparisons to Pokemon to stop not only was the base game for these two within weeks of each other, their major DLC was released within 3 days of each other. First Time Stranger as I finished that first. The DLC is releasing its story content in parts and so far part one has come out. I didn’t mind the content so much, but I can see how someone who never played Cyber Sleuth would be confused as to why Kyoko is an important character and Kodai not showing up for half of the base game and where he went. Also the DLC may take place prior to Cyber Sleuth, but sense a lot of this games focus is on time travel it could take place at any point. Now, the DLC does add new and old Digimon and evolutions and as this is a part one sets the story up for what is to come. Will Kyoko be the only returning character or will we see more from Cyber Sleuth or even other Story games as a treat for fans or will they introduce new characters and concepts that might be present and expanded on at a later time.

    Next, Pokemon Legends ZA DLC honestly I can say I didn’t enjoy this one as much. Do you want to know the worst thing you can add to a game that rewards stealth and patience: a time limit. What is worse is that to progress you need to do tasks that used to be optional (such as Blueberry Quests in Scarlett and Violet) this can range from catching a certain Pokemon or destroying objects. Now there are three you can do at anytime within the couple of minuets in Hyperspace and when you complete them you are rewarded with an item you need to break open spawned randomly on the map. Why doesn’t the game just reward you or spawn that next to you? Next this is the first time the games have removed the level cap and through the use of berries and donuts you can increase your level the problem is this is temporary, making it feel hollow you know the next time you see the Pokemon you just caught reduce its level by tons making it pointless to swap your team out unless you really want to use certain Pokemon. This DLC does add new story content and we see Korrina and get introduced to the region Champions daughter, but honestly this really doesn’t add much aside from older Pokemon and as for the New Megas I can’t say I liked them as much. As for additional challenges and boss fights they were okay at best and frustrating at worst given in a game with the ability to dodge you still somehow take damage even if nothing hits you.

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  • Pokepia Set As A Failure

    This game isn’t even out yet and I’m calling it a failure. The problem it is a spinoff game set for $70. Pokemon has tons of spin offs, but they are rarely priced the same as main series. Want to know something else most people have an Animal Crossing, Story of Seasons/ Rune Factory, or Stardew Valley all of which specialize in the Cozy Game genre. Koei Tecmo is taking another crack at a Pokemon game and a genre far outside their comfort zone. Now some say they should just remake Pokemon Conquest (A game that was a crossover with Koei Tecmo’s Nobunaga’s Ambition series) or stick with Hyrule Warriors. Not saying they can’t work outside of their usual style. They are responsible for the Fatal Frame games, but those haven’t had a release in years I think the last game was on the 3DS as a tech demo. Now why do I think this will still be a failure it doesn’t seem to have a lot going on for what it is or justifying its price. As I mentioned Koei Techmo is known for high action and strategy games and not only is this a spin off of a Pokemon game the switch already has games that are likely cheaper and have more in them. Not to mention Palworld is releaseing a highly similar game for much cheaper. I bet you nintendo will try and sue them for made up reasons again because Pocket Pair just make high quality for half the price and Nintendo hasn’t made anything much in quality so far Legends Arceus and ZA are the only diamonds in the rough. Sword and Sheild, Scarlet and Violet, and Detective Pikachu are not really worth their price. Also let’s break down just how much people will have to spend for this game alone $500-$600 for just the console far more than any other console in the past the game alone is $70-$80 not to mention inflation.

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  • Digimon Time Stranger

    I have played every Digimon Story game released in the west and even have a review of Cybersleuth and Hacker’s Memory saved somewhere and forgot about that. Now, before you yell at me about betraying Pokemon or whatever I always felt that Digimon had better games and to be fair I find it hard to actually enjoy Pokemon with how they treat fans of this genre and how they acted towards Palworld. Notably Time Stranger was not released on Switch meaning they are still working on that version.

    Now gameplay revolves around the three primary types while elemental damage and whether or not the attack is magic or physical. Vaccine beats Virus, Virus beats Data, and Data beats Vaccine. On easier difficulties this is really all you need to know. For later difficulties there is elemental damage and physical and magical damage. While these are present in easier difficulties they aren’t really needed I think the only times I changed things was when the opponent would put a physical or magic shied up. Though it should be noted certain Digimon have resistances to some damage. Last is personality at points if you stop moving the Digimon will ask questions and change their personalities depending on this de digivolution and some digivolutions happen. I didn’t like the Starter selections though the three starters are Patamon, Demi Devimon, and Gomamon. Now Demi Devimon and Gomamon I have no problem with they maintain their typing for the most part as they evolve, Patamon is Data, however, all of their evolutions are vaccine and while it makes sense for the evolutions I would have preferred something like Gaomon as a starter instead as its typing is also consistent. It also doesn’t take long to Digivolve them so this comes way sooner than you may think. That really is the only complaint and while the game says you are limited to 6 Digimon you are mostly accompanied by other Digimon and for most of the game a vaccine digimon joins you.

    The plot much like other games is better than Pokemon, but still needs work. It revolves around stopping a war that leads to the end of the world. While a okay plot still needs work.

    Score: 9/10

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  • Pokemon Legends ZA Review

    Feels good to write again to be honest I spent some time away trying to sort through things and I am often harsher on games when I am in a bad mood. I do have some criticisms for this game. Some major and some minor, first I will be comparing this game to Pokemon Legends Arceus and X/Y and Omega Ruby/ Alpha Sapphire, second there are more minor things than major which I’m okay with, and finally this review is my opinion so that could be different than yours.

    So Legends ZA takes place entirely in Lumious City the larger Kalos region is mentioned a few times, but I do like that the goal isn’t to become champion it is to become the best Trainer in the ZA Royale contest and actually filling the Pokedex rewards the player powerful TMs and eventually the Shiny Charm, and the story answers some questions from the gen six games. I am now out of good things to say.

    Now for the game itself. This game has no voice acting again. Ever since Gen 6 we have had full blown cutscenes and while it doesn’t bother me the characters move their mouths and nothing comes out. I think the only reason it bothers me this time is Digimon just released their newest game too and it has voice acting and before you say that Digimon has more experience with that given every game has had voice acting save the DS titles. If you want to exclude Digimon then remember: Detective Pikachu and its sequel have voice acting.

    Next, it is surprisingly difficult every Wild Area past 2 has an Alpha spawn acting as a challenge and with how limited these areas can be you will lose to one. Take Wild Area 6 the whole place is watched by an Alpha Houndoom you will lose to that thing and with how cramped some areas are it is not rare for one Alpha to chase the player into another Alpha.

    Lastly, there are sidequests that give items and rare hold items. I would much rather the reward be Mega Stones and hold items. Now before you say the Mega Stone’s are rewards there are only about 10 given out. The gen six games had them hidden rewarding the player for exploring here there is no reason to go out and explore Lumious City if the best items are behind Mable’s Research or sold and upgrades behind the players health and exp are behind platforming challenges.

    Now for the main draw to this game the mega evolutions and plot. Most of the new Megas look good and aren’t too bad I think the only one I didn’t like was Starmie’s new mega something about it doesn’t look good. As for the plot this game takes place 5 years after the events of X/Y and your goal is to become a rank A trainer in a tournament so you can team up with Zygarde and AZ’s Floette to save Lumious City. You also learn what has happened to some of these characters over that time.

    There are things I liked about this game and admittedly what I listed here is more minor complaints probably the fastest I ever completed a Pokedex, but still a fun game. I did miss how in Legends Arceus areas were more open and had an open feel to them, but I think it works for what it is.

    8.5/10

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  • Suspected Fraud From Nintendo As Company Panics

    That is a very strange title Nintendo a company infamous for abuse of the legal system may have committed fraud. As the Switch 2 has floundered due to being both the console and games being expensive, added to the patents, and shareholders backing out after that last direct. Retailers have also been selling their stuff at a cheaper price so it actually sells. Nintendo didn’t like any of that so started selling the original Switch, the Switch Lite, and the Switch OLED for close to $600 a hundred dollars more than the actual Switch 2. Nintendo were probably thinking this is a good move given that console was affordable.

    Never mind that confidence in the company is at a low. Patents that make no sense, gameplay that is so boring two rival games are overshadowing their mascots, and DLC for things that should have been in the base game. Mario Kart used to make other games look boring in comparison, but Sonic Racing Crossworlds continues to impress. Pokemon just announced their farming game only for Palworld to put out a highly similar game, The Legend of Zelda has games like Blossom Knight and the upcoming Mina the Hollower, Metroid has to worry about the absolute take over from Hollow Knight and Silksong, even Kirby has to worry.

    So while they are within their right to price this way in some countries consumer protection laws prohibit selling something for a certain amount then raising the price. Now people are saying Doug Bowser leaving Nintendo is a good thing because he has allowed these choices. I disagree it doesn’t matter who is in charge of Nintendo of America it is still the same company making these choices and until we see games actually worth their price or a lower price then they are just not worth it. Shareholders are fleeing, their once stellar reputation is in the mud, and they are doing nothing to fix these issues.

  • Story Of Seasons Grand Bazaar

    This is another remake of a Harvest Moon game made by the original developers. Similar to the other remakes it adds a little quality of life, changes to make it feel both accessible and different enough, and characters being more fleshed out than before.

    The original Grand Bazaar was one of the more overlooked Harvest Moon game and seemed part of a sort of trilogy of Harvest Moon games with a new art style. The first time we saw it was in Islands of Happiness or Sunshine Islands (the same game with quality of life improvements and bug fixes), after we got Grand Bazaar, and finally a Tale of Two Towns. Each one improving on the one before it. As for the remake it uses the same art style as previous Story of Season games and a lot of characters were renamed likely for copyright reasons.

    First, the changes you are given a glider early and it helps traveling around, next characters have requests before heart events or allowing to get extra points. These quests sometimes can take no time at all to awhile, but there is no time limit on these unlike previous entries. I actually like these changes it makes the player take their time rather than rush through the game and for a farming simulator where the gameplay and mechanics are meant to be slow and relaxing that is important.

    I did enjoy this game more than any of the more recent new Story Of Seasons games. It is way better than Rune Factory 5 and Guardians as well as Pioneers of Olive Town, but that begs the question is if the next new game can carry the same quality the remakes have? So far we have seen improvements to already good games while the newer titles suffer. I still have hope for their new games Trio of Towns and the original Story of Seasons on 3DS were excellent and showed what the team could do, but now it feels like the only games that are getting that treatment are the remakes and they aren’t bad, but I want the same care given to new games.

    8/10

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  • Nintendo Recent Direct Proves Intent

    Alright, I’m sure everyone’s seen the recent direct. It left a bad taste in peoples mouth. First, for Mario’s 40th anniversary they announced a movie and HD remakes of Mario Galaxy and Galaxy 2, but they priced them at $70 with little to no changes, further this is more than Mario 3D All Stars release price. Both were also available on Wii U virtual console for $20 each.

    Then, Pokemon recently announced things that makes that community angry. DLC for Pokemon Legends ZA, a game that isn’t even released yet along with Mega Evolutions for Raichu and the Kalos starters. Everyone has wished the Kalos starters need Megas, but that was when things went bad. See it has been revealed that you can’t get them through normal gameplay you need to play ranked matches during specific events. Now to even access ranked in most Switch Pokemon games you need a Nintendo Games Pass, a subscription service that costs a monthly fee. As for the Mega Dimensions DLC pack ZA isn’t even released yet which means that this is content that was created for the base game, but Nintendo wanted to nickel and dime people again and decided to release them separately.

    Donkey Kong Bananza was also reacted to similarly to Pokemon the DLC was announced just 2 months after launch, This makes that likely the DLC isn’t that at all it was meant to be in the main game, but much like with Pokemon, Nintendo couldn’t help themselves and wanted to take as much money as possible.

    Normally, I would reserve a Nintendo Direct to excitedly talk about the upcoming releases along with my own thoughts and opinions, but I have no desire to do that I don’t want to talk about the new and upcoming games coming from this company.

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  • Nintendo Needs A Wake Up Call

    Nintendo is once again doing something in response to not being able to create a good game. They recently created a patent that prevents games from using the ability to summon creatures and make them fight for you. Let’s ignore that this steps on the toes of multiple games. Kingdom Hearts even uses this fancy taking it up with Disney and Square, they aren’t the only big company every Elder Scrolls game has it so Bethesda will be taking notes, World of Warcraft litterally has an entire class based on this mechanic I’m sure Activision and Blizzard aren’t shy about lawsuits, Shinmagmi Tensei and Persona uses it and I’m sure ATLUS wants their share. Whoever keeps approving these needs to step down as a lawyer or judge as Nintendo is just going to keep trying to abuse the legal system so they can be on top when in reality they can’t make good games anymore.

    If you think about it Mario Wonder was a game based on fan feedback based off the Mario Maker games, Pokemon hasn’t had a good game since Sun and Moon in 2016, Zelda has been carrying Nintendo but the last adventure Echoes of Wisdom was okay at best and started as a level editor, Metriod is pretty abandoned paving the way for Hollow Knights takeover, Kirby is pretty much the only consistently good game, but even that game hasn’t had a substantial update aside from what amounts to a DLC. The fact is if Nintendo made good games rather than the slop they put out they never would have to worry about competition.

  • Delays In Anticipation For Hollow Knight: Silksong

    This is quite possibly the strangest thing to happen in recent memory. Normally many games try to release as soon as possible, but Indie Devs are purposefully delaying their games. Now, what started as a few delays has skyrocketed to near every Indie release slated for October. As it turns out nothing is wrong with the games, but rather attention. Indie Devs do everything to get attention on their games and that means trying to not get much competition so they are delaying because of one game, Hollow Knight: Silksong. The sequel to Hollow Knight a Metriodvania with amazing art, fun gameplay, and one of the best Indie games out right now. So when its sequel was announced people were excited and Indie Devs panicked. Initially they were saying simple bug fixes was the reason so many games were delayed, but eventually it came out that they were avoiding Silksong’s release as much as they could. Several Indie Games have delayed their games even games from different genre aren’t taking the risk of people buying Silksong over their game. I don’t know if this is a statement on how good Hollow Knight actually is and what is expected of its sequel or how things in the industry work. I also know that over hyping a game could lead to its ruin Hollow Knight is amazing and blew its own expectations out of the water, but if those same expectations aren’t met then it can be bad even if the game is as good as the original.