Rainy Sunday

Today we will have rain all day, and carrot knows it.

It is a nice, quiet and relaxing Sunday in the Santiago-Ortiz household. There’s not much to do except for perhaps folding some of the girls' clothes.

The girls are dressed as the princess they are, and playing games.

The plan is to just do nothing, and make some taco soup thing later this afternoon for supper.

The beer of choice, Voodoo Ranger Future Hop IPA by New Belgium Brewing Company. In my not humble opinion, rainy days call for a stout or a ‘good’ porter, but the beer selection at my local Albertsons' it’s somewhat crappy. So, a delicious IPA it is.

If only tomorrow wasn’t Monday.

A game I’ve been playing

Metroid™ Dread for Nintendo Switch

I am going to be honest, I wasn’t going to buy this game, at least not at launch. I was going to wait, until I had finished other games in my backlog. I caved, though. I couldn’t resist the hype, my own hype.

I haven’t played a Metroid game in years. It was probably Metroid Prime, the last one I remember playing. I recently started playing Super Metroid, but didn’t stick with it. I was still very into ENDER LILIES: Quietus of the Knights, which, well, that’s another post.

So, I purchased Metroid Dread Friday night but, it wasn’t until Saturday, while the girls were watching cartoons, that play a bit. A _bit_turned into two hours. Even though I am not a well seasoned Metroid player, and certainly, I may have more difficulty compared to a diehard Metroid fan, I’m still having a lot of fun. It lived up to myhype. It is a great classic Metroid 2D game with amazing modern graphics.

The game does a good job giving you a backstory of the events larding up to this game. This game is a sequel to Metroid Fusion, if I understand correctly. I never played Fusion but, again, you get a good recap and I don’t feel lost. Plus, I have recently got into the YouTube rabbit hole of everything related to Metroid.

You also get a bit of a tutorial to get you going, but the games throws you into the action right away! As you would expect from a Metroid game, there’s lots of exploration, trial and error, and hidden places. The graphics are wonderful, the cutscenes are nicely done, definitely an AAA game from Nintendo.

Now, my new cause of anxiety are called E.M.M.I’s, also known as Extraplanetary Multiform Mobile Identifier.

These things will be your main nightmare, or at least for me, they are. These things are relentless and hard to kill, if not impossible. You’ll have to play the game to find out. And it is not like they are all over the map, but in specific areas. Scary areas.

Needless to say, I am having a fun figuring out, exploring, and playing this game. Let us see how long will it take me to beat it? I am currently playing it on my Nintendo Switch lite, no issues there.

So far, I haven’t had to resource to the internets for guidance, and will try to keep it that way for as long as I can. That being said, I don’t discard the possibility of. Right now, I am kind of stuck in an area (surprise, surprise), but we shall see.

Gungrave

Ex-Tango Gameworks Developer Ikumi Nakamura is Working on Gungrave Sequel - IGN

I am so excited for this! Like you’ve got no idea !!! Gungrave, for whatever reason, is one my favourite franchises ever. I have been wishing for years a comeback of it. I am also a fan of the anime, which I own.

I am so, so excited!!!!

Game progress: ENDER LILIES

ENDER LILIES: Quietus of the Knights is one hell of a game, even though I haven’t been much of a souls-like games fan, or much of an explorer, like much if not all metroidvanias are. And even though I can put the game down for a few days, once I pick it up, I’m playing hours. Yes, it can be a little frustrating, you do die a lot, like a lot and yet, it can be a fun game. I am currently both discouraged and motivated, I know it does sound contradictory, but it’s true. I’m at a point where I know I need some skills in order to progress, skills I have no idea how or where to get them. At the moment, my focus is to explore all the areas in, blue? Most red dots are the places they for whatever reason, probably the lack of specific skills, I cannot access.

This is an “old” screenshot, I have completed some areas and there’s more to do.

Trade-in

Earlier today, I had an impulsive idea. Well, I did it. I went to a local vidjia games store and did the trade in. I was actually very surprised at how much in-store credit I got.

If I had taken cash, it would have been about $200.00 less. As expected, they didn’t have a PlayStation 5 in-stock, but they did say they would hunt one down for me. I have no hurry, it’ll take whatever it will. Now, it’s just a matter of waiting.

An impulsive plan

I’m doing something out of sheer impulsiveness. I am currently resetting both of my main gaming consoles, my PlayStation 4 and Xbox One S. The plan, is to take these two along with _almost_every game I physically own on both of these, and some Nintendo Switch games to a local gaming store. The hope is to get enough credit to buy a PlayStation 5.

Will I be able to pay in full with the treads-in? I doubt it, but still, it should be enough to down the cost of the new console. Will it be readily available? Also doubt it. I’m sure my options would be both get cash or in-store credit. I’m certain if I opt for credit, I might get more. Also, if I choose credit and a console is not immediately available, I would not mind to just keep the store credit until a console is available.

A game I’m playing

When it comes to video games, if you give me a sword, the bigger, the better, and I will hack and slash my way through. The more overpowered you can make me, and crazy combos — even better. Shooters, I will go Rambo on them mother frackers, guns blazing, wrath of god, Old Testament, and then some.

Last week, I started playing ENDER LILIES: Quietus of the Knights on the Nintendo Switch. This game is a dark fantasy 2D RPG, or at least that is the description, which it’s accurate. Furthermore, I would say, it has a very Souls-like feel and style.

I have a big sword, sort of, but I cannot hack and slash my way through like I would in a Warriors/Musou-style or action RPG game. This game requires more patience, knowing your enemies patterns and know when to strike. This becomes a problem where I lose my coolness, when I forget this is not a hack and slash, and I need to be more thoughtful of my course of action and movements.

The game is gorgeous with beautiful crafted dark environments that make contrast with the main character. The music, it’s great, creating a serene atmosphere within all the darkness in this adventure.

The main character, her name is Lily, and you awake after an unforeseen descent of the rain that transformed all living things into undead monstrosities known as the Blighted. And you pick up a ‘Spirit’, and this is how you would fight and defend yourself through this dark adventure. You also collect more spirits along the way, that will add different abilities to your character.

Although I have had to make adjustments to my playing-style, I am truly enjoying it. I am about 2 hours into it. I have died a lot, and mostly because of my own impatience. Bosses — and mini bosses — are very punishing, they can take a big chunk of health. I do find myself leveling up and gaining experience rather quickly, not sure of this is standard for these games. You heal by praying or resting at specific spots, also known as respires, where you would — again — respire when you die. You don’t lose any of your experience or progress. Yes, you might end up farther back since you’ll respire and your latest saved location but any doors you unlocked or items you picked, you don’t lose those. You can also fast-travel between these. At these spots you also heal all your stats, you can upgrade your souls and charms. You can also visit memories, which is basically that you can fight bosses you have already beaten. Why would you do that, I don’t know, perhaps to level up?

This is really a fun, beautiful indie game. I am enjoying it quite a lot. Lately, I am into this indie, souls-like, rouge-like games phase, and I think the Switch is the best way to play these (in my opinion).

I do hope I can finish it and if I do that it will give me the confidence to play other games in this genre.

🎮 Started ENDER LILIES: Quietus of the Knights for Nintendo Switch

🎮 Finished: Timespinner for Nintendo Switch

Another vidjia games list, Switch Edition

Since I had made a list of all the games in my backlog, I thought I should also make one of every Nintendo Switch game I have played and enjoyed the heck out of.

Diablo III: Eternal Collection

I am sure I can find out exactly how many hours of gameplay I have on this game, but it requires some digging and setting up. Now, I am confident, I have at least 60 to 80 hours. I have replayed this game so many times. I enjoy it every single time I play. Hack and slash dungeon crawler — love it.

ASTRAL CHAIN

Anime, action RPG. This is easily a triple AAA game, and I am almost positive is a Switch exclusive, I think. The animation is wonderful, the story is great, the hack and slash fighting style. There are some “detective” style gameplay elements besides all the action. I cannot recommend this game enough.

Streets of Rage 4

I still play this game, especially since they recently released additional content for it. I am a sucker for beat em’ up games, ie, Ninja Turtles in Time, Scott Pilgrim vs The World, Double Dragon, etc. The art style is outstanding, the soundtrack is probably one of the best soundtracks I have listened in recent years, I play it while working as background music all the time.

Neon Abyss

Neon abyss is a rogue-like action-platformer, kind of shoot em’ up style. It is so much fun and challenging. It does have an easy mode but some boss battles, specially “The Managers” can be challenging. But the same way is challenging, it can be addictive, no matter how many times you die, and you will die, you can’t help it but to go at it again.

NINJA GAIDEN: Master Collection

Ninja Gaiden games have a special place in my heart. I loved them back in the day and I also loathe them, they are tough games and very frustrating. Luckily for me, on this remastered collection, the added and easier mode and the game was much more approachable and fun to play. I did finish all three and had a blast.

Ys Origin

This is and action RPG, dungeon crawler like. I loved this game, I enjoyed every bit of it. It has two characters to start with, each with their own story and challenges within the same overall plot. Once you beat the game with these two main characters, you unlock a third one, and that story is just wonderful. I played and beat the game with all the characters, the third one being my favorite story, in all honesty. It is still installed on my Switch, as I plan to replay it at some point. I did not find it very difficult, I want to say it was an easy mode as well…

WARRIORS OROCHI 4

I am a sucker foe Musou games, so there’s no surprise I love this game so much. This iteration though, it is nuts because it has all the Orochi games characters, 3 before these, plus all the Dynasty and Samurai Warriors game, plus all the new character in this very game. So much gameplay and way to many characters in this game. Worth it, though.

Octopath Traveler™

Old school turn-based RPG. Eight characters with 8 different stories of their own. This game is beautiful and a blast to play.

Fire Emblem Warriors

Another Musou game, this time featuring characters from the Fire Emblem franchise. I like when KOEI TECMO GAMES take franchises like this and turn them into Warriors-like games. You would think, “oh, this will be another mindless hack and slash”. Well, it is, but it isn’t. At least on this game there are more elements to it, there’s more strategy involved. It has lots of more story and events aside from the main game story line. It is a fun one.

Samurai Warriors 5

This one has been my poison of choice since it came out, up to, a day or two ago. So almost a moth. I have cleared and S ranked every stage, unlocked every character, I have not unlocked every special weapon year, but I am working on it. Again, hack and slash Musou style game set in Japan. Nobunaga Oda is the Man!

Currently, playing and enjoying

Timespinner

This one is what they call a metroidvania action platformer. It is very inspired or influenced by the 90s gaming era. Many people compare it to Symphony of the Night in some aspects. I am having a blast with it, I easily have a couple of hours in, and I cannot stop playing — yet. It has an easy mode where you pretty much just concentrate on the story, you pretty much never die, like at all. Apparently, it has multiple endings, which adds to the replay-ability of the game. Whether I will be replaying it — if I finish to — or not, it remains to be seen. I love the pixel-art and the music is great too.

Well, I have a pretty long list of games that I haven’t either played or finished. Tonight, the only “AAA” game on my Switch is Samurai Warriors 5. If I had any other, it has been archived. I am re-downloading most of the indie games on the list.

😎🤞🏽 🎮

The infamous gaming backlog

These are all the game titles, that I have bought over time. Some I bought and haven't even played them again. Some I started and something else came along and abandoned them. Others, well I may have just rage-quitted. Some of these I really want to play them and do my best to finish them. Some are still on my wishlist and eager to play the! Most of them are indie games, with beautiful pixel art and soundtracks. I am a sucker for pixel art. Also, most of these games have an amazing soundtrack, I'm a sucker for video game soundtracks.

I have made a list with all these titles on my task manager on rotation. I will try my best to attempt to go thru most of these, before the end of the year. Then again, it seems like an impossible task, given my tendency to buy more indie titles, especially when they are on sale, plus anything else that's coming.

We shall see...

I will be blogging about my progress, if any.

Oh! And, again, these are only the "indie" titles, not even including other games i.e. The Xenoblades or the Resident Evils, etc, etc...

New household guessing game.

There’s a new game in this house. Guessing which movie Marley wants to watch and with very vague (to almost no) clues.

Today, she wanted the one with the balls… (colored balls)

After a few questions with also very vague answers, I, somehow, guessed. How did I connect balls and the movie, Inside-Out, is beyond me? Perhaps the fact she said, colored?

The other day she wanted to watch the movie with the green fury and lives in a rock, and has a dog.

That one was easy, The Grinch.

Eastward for Nintendo Switch

This game looks gorgeous 😍

Games I have been playing, vol 2

This past two weeks I have been playing a few games, again, on the Nintendo Switch. The NS has become my gaming platform of choice, simply because it’s handheld and I can play under almost any situation, even when putting Luna to sleep.

Fire Emblem Warriors

I’m still playing the crap out off this game. I even purchased all three DLCs which no only add more characters to the rooster but more story gameplay. I have a few characters on level over a hundred. Yes, I am overpowered, yes, I am GOD.

Within the Blade

> Within the Blade is an epic game in stealth, platforming, and RPG genres, in which the player takes on the role of a Ninja. Explore the scenic world of feudal Japan, using your stealth to complete missions.

This game is pretty wonderful, I’ll school pixel art, lots of blood, and you’re a ninja fighting demons. It has the elements of a platformer with RPG ones, and is like 10.99 USDs. It is worth both your time and monies.

SAMURAI WARRIORS 5

> A new SAMURAI WARRIORS begins > > After a 7-year wait, a new installment in the tactical action series “SAMURAI WARRIORS” is finally here!

Alright, if you know me, you should know I am a sucker for Musou games. I mean, Fire Emblem Warriors is a Musou game. I was watching a YouTube video for SW, and the guy was saying that it was almost impossible that anyone had played all the Dynasty Warriors or Samurai Warriors games. Pfft, little does he know!

I have been waiting for a Samurai Warriors game for a long time, and It’s finally here. As far as the gameplay goes, there’s not much new here. The characters, or at least most of them, have been redesigned compared to the previous games. The art, it’s so outstanding. It is probably my favorite thing, is the art style.

I can see myself putting over a hundred hours on this game.

Streets of Rage 4

Currently, my favorite beat ‘em up and of all times. This game has been out for a while, but they have recently released its Mr. X Nightmare DLC. Which adds 4 more playable characters and more moves. I love having a good excuse to play a fantastic game. If you haven’t played SoR4, you are missing out.

No podcasts fo’ you’

This week has felt like it had already 8 days and is not even past today’s (Friday) midday. Working from home is one thing, but working from home, with the 2 girls and a busy workload with little fires everywhere to put out, it’s another thing entirely.

This means, I haven’t been able to catch-up with my favorite podcasts, or listen to music. I mean, I play music, in the background, when I can, but I’m not listening. It is all, again, putting fires out and being a dad, or at least trying, el-oh-el!

I am spent, more mentally than physically. I have lost my coolness a bit and get irritated easily.

The only fun activity I have been able to kind of squeeze in is playing Samurai Warriors 5 on the Switch. It actually helps that it is pretty much a jack and slash game and pretty mindless.

Need a break, and a beer.

(Test) Games I have been playing.

Games I have been playing.

I have been playing a few games this week, or so. On the Nintendo Switch, mostly.

Fire Emblem Warriors

This is a Dynasty Warriors type game, you and your allies against thousands! Featuring all the key characters in the Fire Emblem franchise. Lots of fun with this game, I even got some DLC’s to have extra character. Although I am playing other things, I don’t think I am fully done with this game yet.

Ys IX: Monstrum Nox

Sometime last year, I played Ys Origin and loved that game!! It was so much fun and when Y’s IX was announced, of course I was looking forward to it. I played the Demo that is available in the Nintendo Store, it looked and played like a dungeon crawler action RPG — sold. I preordered the game, and although I am having fun with the fights and the game looks great, it is feeling a little bit like a sloth. I spend too much time reading and less action. The story is intriguing but not as fun — so far— and as good as Y’s Origins was.

Ruvato : Original Complex

Something about this game just called me.

> Stolen Girl, Hidden Truth Play a high-speed, hack and slash, action game on the Nintendo Switch

Well, it was the hack and slash part what got me. Also, it looks great, the art and such, the environments can seem boring and somewhat repetitive, but the story is pretty good so far, and it was only 15 USD.

Super Smash Bros.™ Ultimate

I hadn’t played the Switch version of this game ever before. Last time I played a Smash game was on the GameCube, back when I used to work at GameStop, and that was circa 2007-08. The only reason I decided to check it out was because of its latest DLC/Challenger Pack — Kazuya. I technically don’t even own the game, it’s my bother in-law’s and yet, a purchased the pack. I suck at this game, I don’t understand it, and curse anybody who says this is a fighting game.

🎥 Dynasty Warriors on Netflix

As a devoted fan of this series of games, I loved every minute of this motion picture show. Probably the best video game movie adaptation I’ve seen in years. The best part, was the music, it was straight from the games!

❤️❤️❤️