Video Games
Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince iOS Game Review – Much Better Than Switch, But With Two Flaws
Back in December, I reviewed Square Enix’s monster-collecting RPG for Switch. I loved my time with it, despite its many technical issues. I expected it to return to PC like , one other Nintendo Switch exclusive, but I didn’t expect a mobile release. Square Enix’s latest release on iOS, Android, and Steam brings the entire previous paid DLC to the sport at a lower entry point, but removes one feature. That’s the real-time online multiplayer battles. Beyond that, there’s already a a lot better experience on Steam and mobile, simply as a result of its lower cost and included content, but is the sport value your time during this crowded release period and given its high price? That’s the query I’m going to reply in my mobile review, which will even include the sport on Steam Deck.
If you’re not accustomed to it, it’s a spin-off series of the major games with turn-based combat, but as an alternative of the major player fighting, you catch, raise, and nurture monsters to fight for you. When I played it, I enjoyed it, but I used to be told it was a “Monsters-lite” game, so when it was announced for Switch, I used to be excited to play it. I ended up loving it, as you possibly can see from my review linked above, but I feel it’s a really strong monster-collecting RPG with turn-based combat, whether you prefer it or not. What was much more interesting was that it seems like a side story and prequel to . It also had a seasonal feature where the monsters would change depending on the season and the world you were in.
Story-wise, the bits and pieces from IV already made it more interesting than a daily spin-off, but I focused more on getting my dream team of monsters than worrying in regards to the plot. I’m super blissful with how well thought out the mechanics are and the way the massive zones, lots of of monsters, and combat made me wish to keep playing, even on Switch after I first finished it, let alone on iPhone, iPad, and Steam Deck. Aside from the traditional turn-based battles and recruiting recent monsters, Synthesis in is sort of a Shin Megami Tensei fusion, and there is just a lot you possibly can do together with your skills. The seasons here not only change the monsters, but additionally the areas you possibly can explore with changes to the map. This implies that a body of water you possibly can’t cross will probably be frozen during a season, providing you with access to a brand new secret.
Combat in games like this will be repetitive, so I’m glad to see loads of quality-of-life features here, like a tactics menu that works similarly to the unique, direct commands, and more. You’re not only here to defeat enemies, but additionally to scout them, to bring them into your team and grow to be stronger. Ultimately, I didn’t test out the web multiplayer on Switch much, so I am unable to comment on how much of a loss it’s here, however it’s still a game mode that was cut. If you’ve got played it on Switch, keep that in mind, as it is the one area where the mobile and Steam versions are inferior to the Switch.
already shipped with loads of content, however the DLC just upped the experience level. This DLC was sold within the Digital Deluxe Edition or as a standalone DLC for the bottom game. The DLC alone cost over $25 on Switch, so getting the complete base game with all of the DLC for $24 on mobile makes it an incredible deal, but I’ll get to that in a moment. This DLC included The Mole Hole, Coach Joe’s Dungeon Gym, and Treasure Trunks. The Mole Hole was a dungeon that allowed you to scout (recruit) monsters you’d fought before, making it much easier to max out as you played. The DLC was also good for speeding things up, as you would also easily scout monsters that only appeared during a selected season or through synthesis.
Coach Joe’s Dungeon Gym DLC has randomly generated maps and is supposed to be post-game challenges quite than in-game experiences. The final DLC is just a chest that will be opened once per hour, containing a complete of 10 items. It’s type of a cheat DLC, so to talk. I didn’t find it great to have useful game modes or content in paid DLC, but that is now not a difficulty because it’s all included on iOS, Android, and Steam for the bottom price.
Now let’s move on to the features of the mobile port. With Square Enix you possibly can never make sure what features will probably be in the ultimate game. There isn’t any controller support. This is beyond disappointing for the reason that game is literally a console title ported to mobile devices. I attempted 6 different controllers without success to make certain. In addition to controller support, there may be cloud save and a couple of graphical options on iOS. Cloud save works tremendous.
As for the controls, I used to be surprised at how well the touch controls felt. It uses the floating joystick on the left for movement and the jump button mainly for exploration. The only minor issue you may run into is that among the touch targets are a bit small on non-Plus/Max phones. They’re not an issue on iPads though. The controls are good, but Square Enix must have left full controller support since it is a console game ported to mobile.
One of my only real issues with the Switch was the technical side of things. The frame rate was poor at launch, and the graphics weren’t great either. The former has been addressed to some extent, unlike , however the latter was never fixed. I didn’t have any major issues with graphics or performance on the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 12, and even iPad Pro. There are some hiccups on the iPhone 15 Pro when running at the best graphics quality setting and navigating certain areas, however it’s nowhere near as bad because it is on the Switch. The game feels a lot better on iOS. Check out the comparison of the high and low graphics options on the iPhone 15 Pro below:
On mobile, there aren’t any specific visual or frame rate settings beyond the resolution option within the display settings. This enables you to play at low, medium, or high graphics quality. These presets also affect other settings, corresponding to the frame rate limit and post-processing. This setting can only be modified from the title screen on mobile, while on PC you possibly can adjust it on the fly. I stuck to the high setting on all of my iPhones. Unfortunately, it has some minor performance issues even on the iPhone 15 Pro, as I discussed above. The low setting seems unusable as a result of how blurry it’s. On my 2020 iPad Pro, the high preset has more regular frame drops than the iPhone, and it also seems to work with some tweaked settings. Overall, even the older iPad Pro runs well with it, but not in addition to the iPhone 15 Pro as expected. Every device I tested it on, including the iPhone 12, ran a lot better with it than on the Nintendo Switch.
Visually, it looks much cleaner than the Switch even on older iOS devices when playing at a high level. Square Enix didn’t just do a bare-bones port here. It has full-screen support for gameplay on my iPhone 15 Pro, and even has a pattern or graphic to fill the screen in areas with pre-rendered or static 16:9 elements. This pattern or graphic is especially used on my iPad Pro, because it doesn’t support full-screen gameplay there. This also applies to Steam Deck to make up for that aspect ratio in parts. I’m glad Square Enix put within the work here to make certain it still looks good no matter aspect ratio.
Impressions from the steam deck
On Steam Deck, no matter my settings, I could not get the sport to run at a locked 90fps even with the low presets, while playing at 800p. I made a decision to go for a 60fps goal, and it was much easier to attain. One of the eccentricities is that the sport doesn’t let you alter the resolution while playing normally on Steam Deck. You can do this by forcing the resolution in the sport properties before launching it. On PC, it enables you to change the graphics quality (low, medium, high), anti-aliasing (off, low, medium, high), maximum frames per second (from 30 to unlimited), toggle v-sync, and adjust the display mode (windowed, fullscreen, borderless). If you are playing at 60fps, I like to recommend setting the Steam Deck OLED refresh rate to 60 to avoid judder as well.
I’ve played it on iOS, iPadOS, Steam Deck, Switch OLED, and Switch Lite, so there’s little question that the Switch version is the worst of the bunch, despite the incontrovertible fact that the web mode has been faraway from mobile and Steam. The massive performance boost and improved graphics with all of the DLC available for download at a much lower cost make the sport even higher. It’s value noting that the sport is listed as Steam Deck Playable, not Verified, because Valve claims that among the text in the sport is small and will be difficult to read. I had no issues with this, and it seems to me that Valve has previously marked games with smaller text as Verified. Either way, you possibly can safely buy this game to play on Steam Deck.
If you’ve skipped Switch, the brand new mobile and Steam ports are the method to go. While the mobile version without controller support is disappointing, it’s still a game I play frequently as a result of its improvements over Switch and the improbable core gameplay loop. All the included DLC means you’ll have enough content to last you even longer. If you value controller support in a game like this, Steam Deck is the method to go. Hopefully, Square Enix will bring more games to mobile in the long run. Right now, the iOS version is definitely among the finest mobile releases this yr.
Video Games
The 10 best Game Boy and Game Boy Color games on Nintendo Switch and 5 we’d like to see – SwitchArcade Special
In our next dive into retro gaming on the Switch, we’ll return to 1989. And then to 1998. We’re back to the old monochrome beast and its colourful successor: the Game Boy and Game Kolor Boy. While there is a big choice of games from these handheld devices available within the Nintendo Switch Online app, we’ll as an alternative take a take a look at those games that dare to exist within the wilds of the Switch eShop. Here we have now ten of our favourite games, plus five more games we’d like to see. Of course, in no particular order. Time to play loud!
Shantae ($9.99)
Once upon a time, true scarcity, which might cost tons of of dollars to obtain in any legal form, is now quite available in digital form. This game is far more difficult than its sequels, but it surely takes advantage of the Game Boy Color hardware in a variety of interesting ways, giving the platforming a bit greater than your average Game Boy hop-and-bop. Wow, I have never seen the term “hop-and-bop” in about twenty-five years. Oh well. : It’s quite fun.
DX World Tour ($19.99)
Here’s one other game that, until recently, was officially playable quite a bit. is an interesting platformer from Sunsoft that gives a brief but enjoyable experience. This version of the sport offers full colorization and at the identical time includes quite a lot of additions which might be value delving into. It’s the right way to play out this quirky, charming story.
Final Fantasy Legend II – SaGa Final Fantasy Legend Collection ($19.99)
It’s time to delve into the compilations and we’ll start with the one which covers all Game Boy games: . You’ll find all three games within the series here, and they’re all really good portable RPGs. I’m picking an honorable mention here, just because I feel it is the best of the three. It has a variety of the weird mechanics that make games so interesting, but it surely feels more comprehensive and accessible than the primary game. Probably the best turn-based RPG game on the pre-system.
Final Fantasy Adventure – Mana Collection ($39.99)
Along with the games comes the sport that began the long-running series. As such, you will find him in two Super NES sequels. I’ll repeat: all games value playing. This motion RPG was an amazing alternative to the superb system game, with a quick pace and a surprisingly ambitious plot. It has been remade several times, but nothing resembles the unique.
TMNT III: Radical Rescue – TMNT: The Cowabunga Collection ($39.99)
Konami has created some great games for the Game Boy and has made several of them available of their various collections. it includes all three original Game Boy games and I feel all of them have their merits. However, an open-ended, pseudo-Metroidvania is the best selection. Lots of motion as you’d expect, however the added layers of exploring the world, rescuing your brothers, and finding all of the upgrades make this game really engaging.
Operation C – Contra Anniversary Collection ($19.99)
After a somewhat lukewarm attempt at bringing the sport to the Game Boy by , you’d think there was little hope that the tense run-and-gun motion would survive the change. Surprisingly, it turned out to be truly amazing. Sure, you’ll be able to’t play with one other player. Strictly a solo thing. But it’s fast, fun and difficult in the way in which you would like a game to be. Perhaps there was hope for Konami’s motion platformers on mobile devices in spite of everything!
Castlevania II: Belmont’s Revenge – Castlevania Anniversary Collection ($19.99)
How does this relate to the announcement? Yep, after mostly combating the primary Game Boy game, Konami turned things around in an enormous way with Belmont’s Revenge. It’s a wonderful game that easily lives up to its home console entries, even when it could’t outdo them. Considering it had some not-so-great games, it’s possible that many players skipped this game considering it could be the identical. If you have not played it yet, here’s a convenient way to achieve this.
Ninja JaJaMaru: Big World Adventure – Ninja JaJaMaru: Retro Collection ($14.99)
is certainly not the best game within the bunch, but I feel it’s a very important representation of a number of the more odd titles which have populated the library around big publisher releases. A whole lot of work has also gone into this reissue. It has a brand new location and has been recolored, giving it a pleasant shine to a game which may not have made it to the highest of anyone’s list for such effort. Although that is the one Game Boy game, this collection is overall interesting.
Extreme Sports ($9.99)
WayForward’s most famous, completely original Game Boy Color property is in fact , but it surely’s no slouch either. Basically, a set of sports mini-games combined with an open world is a lot better than it needs to be. The graphics are good, the gameplay is great for a fast binge, and those that want to finish all the things completely will find a troublesome challenge ahead of them.
The Rescue of Princess Blobette – Retro Boy and His Blobette Collection ($9.99)
(*5*)
Another game that is here more for its unique feel, it does a fairly good job of bringing the house computer-style adventure gameplay of the NES original to the small screen. In some respects, it’s a more refined game than its predecessor, released in a more compact and dynamic form. If you like games that require thought due to occasional moments of opacity, you may like this one.
And… 5 Game Boy and Game Boy Color games that we’d like to see on Switch
Batman: The Video Game
Yeah, it’s somewhat weird that Batman uses guns throughout an early Game Boy motion game. But it is also weird that Keaton’s Batman enjoys murdering villains, so let’s just call it an indication of the times. The necessary thing is that that is one other truly great game from Sunsoft, and despite the fact that I do know the possibilities of any of those games based on the flicks being released are close to zero, I won’t ever stop asking.
Pokemon Gold/Silver/Crystal
I generally avoid games that I feel might come to Nintendo Switch Online sooner or later, which suggests most of Nintendo’s first-party games are not any longer available. I hope I’m unsuitable about this, but something tells me that while spin-offs will likely proceed to come to the subscription service, mainstream games won’t. Therefore, I’m formally requesting the chance to purchase and play these wonderful Game Boy RPGs on my Switch.
Gradius: Interstellar Attack
I used to be hesitant to include this or something excellent, but finally we have now the Switch to scratch that itch while it only exists in Game Boy form. For a platform whose display ought to be terrible in shooters, the Game Boy had some excellent platforms. This was Konami’s second kick on the can for Gradius on the platform, and while the primary one was okay, this one really got everyone going. Honestly, I just need a Konami-style collection and more. If that happens, this game ought to be there.
Metal Gear Solid
I’m starting to realize there’s a variety of Konami in this text. In any case, this might be the best third-party Game Boy Color exclusive. Almost all the things that was great about PlayStation was one way or the other squeezed into this completely original adventure. This game completely blew me away on the time with this fidelity, and it still impresses me today. Yes, a lot of the template was developed in MSX2, but it surely’s cool to see something like this on the Game Boy Color. Maybe this may appear in the following collection?
Dragon warrior monsters
it spawned many imitators, but truthfully, it had monster catching elements before it appeared within the mainline games. So . We forgive you, King. is one in every of the higher Game Boy games inspired by the corporate’s success, and I feel it could be great to see it on Switch. And what? It is offered on Switch, but only in Japan. Come on, Square Enix. Just throw a Western ROM within the box and help some fans out!
And that is the list, friends. Are there any Game Boy or Game Boy Color games that you just like on Switch? Would you like to see something? Have your say within the comments and tell us what you’re thinking that! It’s all the time interesting to hear other people’s opinions on this topic. As all the time, thanks for reading!
Video Games
3 things I wish Pokémon TCG Pocket would steal from Marvel Snap
launched this week on iPhone and Android, and it is a surprisingly crisp and streamlined version of the cardboard game after years of really bad alternatives. it’s mainly a license to print money, however it does an ideal job of showcasing what people love concerning the game – the cards themselves – and getting a lot of the other stuff out of the way in which. Still, as an enormous fan of Marvel Snap, I’d love for the mobile game to steal a couple of things from the 2022 comic book phenomenon Second Dinner.
(*3*)
For the past two days, I’ve spent most of my idle moments on my smartphone gaming somewhat than scrolling through Twitter or consuming AI-slop on Instagramwhich is precisely what I expect from a superb, on a regular basis mobile game. All the currencies and sub-economies designed to get you to spend money on a game that would otherwise be free are a bit convoluted and difficult to parse, however the battles are fun and opening virtual booster packs by slicing through packs with the flick of a finger is a surprisingly effective simulation the pure joy of doing it in real life.
However, I’m not as obsessive about Marvel Snap as I am with Marvel Snap yet, and I think there are three reasons for that. The first is the match length. Battles with Marvel Snap pass quickly, making it relatively easy to begin the subsequent game no matter what’s happening around you. he’s a bit more involved. Players have a complete timer of 20 minutes, with the countdown starting at over 60 seconds on individual turns. The clock isn’t milked, but matches can still feel a bit drawn out as players stack benches and increase the ability of their Pokémon. More than once, after ending a match, I thought: “It was fun, but do I really have time for another one?”
The second thing that is holding me back a bit is the match rewards. In addition to small matches, it also offers sensible progression based on acquiring additional cards to level them up and earn points that might be spent on acquiring recent ones. This is a clever twist on the normal RNG booster pack formula. , as an adaptation of an existing card game, doesn’t offer the identical luxury. Unfortunately, as things currently stand, the one reward for winning matches are small amounts of XP that contribute to your overall level. Picking it up gives you extra rewards, but none of them are very clear. As a result, ending matches feels a bit anticlimactic somewhat than supplying you with that dose of dopamine that makes you immediately wish to play one other match.
Finally, the cards themselves. Beyond constructing your collection, Marvel Snap has a secondary goal: acquiring, sometimes through outright purchase, cool alternative card art in your favorite decks. It provides something different to strive for, in addition to a technique to express your particular taste for a well-liked deck type. It runs into trouble again since it relies on existing card art, and while there are multiple versions of among the unlockable cards, there aren’t a lot of them and there is not any real technique to directly pursue them. If you open the package and receive the complete graphic variant, great! If not, well, wait for the subsequent random pull.
It’s still early days, and it otherwise holds up quite well, actually higher than every other digital version of a card game I’ve played prior to now. There’s just one set of cards to gather in the mean time, and there is not much for the eyes to enjoy within the paid in-game store. I’m sure every part will change soon, but for now the sport hasn’t fully brought back the magic of my beginnings in . Maybe that is for one of the best. I finally needed to delete this game from my phone since it was taking on an excessive amount of of my free time.
Video Games
“Genshin Impact” 5.0 pre-install update is now available, a new trailer has been released
HoYovers has pre-assembly has began for the predominant (free) version 5.0 update “Flowers Resplendent on the Sun-Scorched Sojourn” for supported platforms. If you have not been following the sport currently, version 5.0 introduces a sixth nation: Natlan, new characters like Mualani, replays for Raiden Shogun, and far more. The update will launch on August 28 for mobile, PC, PS5 and PS4, with the sport coming to Xbox Series X in November. The first banner in version 5.0 includes: Mualani, Kachina and Kaedehara Kazuha, while banner 2: Kinich and Raiden Shogun This update may even bring updated graphics. Read about it here. Watch the new Kachina trailer below:
You can pre-install it by tapping the resource pack button before installing. The download size is 2.67 GB for iOS and roughly 16 GB for PC. If you would like to play and do not have it yet, you’ll be able to download it at no cost within the App Store for iOS Here and on Google Play for Android Here. The PC version is available on the official website Here and Epic Games Store. If you are playing on iOS 14.5 or iPadOS 14.5 or later, you’ll be able to play with PS5 and Xbox Series X|S controllers. At launch, we named it Game of the Week and named it Game of the Year for 2020. I also described it as among the finest iOS games you’ll be able to play with a controller. What do you consider version 5.0 thus far?
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