Category Archives: Youtuber

Games I’ve Played Recently Post #1

Hey guys, it does not always come through on here but I love me some video games. Over on the Youtube channel I started a new series called Games I’ve Played Recently. It is a simple series. As you can imagine, I just talk about the games that have been keeping me busy. I also include gameplay footage or trailers or previews of each game so you guys have an idea of what the game is like. I figured I would migrate that idea over to here and maybe we can have some good discussions in the comment section.

If you want to see the video that accompanies this post, check it out here: Games I’ve Played Recently Post #1

Let’s get it started!

Shovel Knight (Wii U)
Shovel Knight

Shovel Knight was developed by Yacht Club Games. It is a 2D sidescroller reminiscent of yesteryear. The titular Shovel Knight uses his shovel to kill enemies, create pathways, and dig up secrets. There’s plenty of new items as well as ways of upgrading his armor, health, magic, and shovel. Each is mostly fair and balanced, though the later levels have numerous insta-deaths. This makes the final few stages really get the adrenaline pumping. Most of the secrets littering the stages are massive amounts of treasure used to upgrade Shovel Knight. Occasionally, you will stumble upon a music note for the local bard or the next advancing/combat item known as relics like the Propeller Dagger. I have not really played too many 2D Platformers (I can count on 1 hand how many I have enjoyed), but to me Shovel Knight was a total game changer for me.

Paper Mario: The Origami King (Switch)

Origami

The Paper Mario series is easily one of my favorite Nintendo franchises to date. Origami King is shaping up to be another worthwhile installment. The coloring is fantastic, the exploration is enjoyable, the dialogue is still topnotch, and the combat mostly just has to grow on you. There’s plenty of secrets in each level and tons of toads scouring the landscapes. You’ll stay busy discovering all this game has to offer.

Spongebob Squarepants: Battle For Bikini Bottom (Switch)

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This game has been a joy to play. SS:BFBB is an HD overhaul of the Gamecube/PS2/Xbox classic. As such, the game map is a little small, but that’s about where my complaints end. The game is pseudo open world in that, there is a linear path in mind for you to travel, but you will have the freedom to make some detours off the beaten path. There’s a multitude of shiny objects (coins), Golden Spatulas, and dirty socks to occupy your time. The graphics are so bright and pleasant while the combat and platforming get the job done in what  might be the surprise hit of 2020.

Super Mario Galaxy 2 (Wii)

Galaxy 2

I honestly do not have enough time nor paper to explain what an absolute and complete gem the Super Mario Galaxy duo is. The worlds are masterfully crafted, the secrets are a blast to locate, the stars are so perfectly places in each level. This game is pretty darn close to gaming perfection. I have not beat it simply because I am trying to play more of new Nintendo Switch games, but this is a game I am eagerly waiting to jump back into to.

Dark Cloud 1 &2 (Playstation 2)

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Dark Cloud 1 and 2 were both created by Level 5. I have to admit this is one of the most unique games in my collection. They are a mix of city building simulator with a rogue like dungeon crawling aspect mixed in. Every city in each game has been devastated by the evil genie. Your job as the main character is to conquer each dungeon and find the missing parts of town and slowly rebuild them. It is quirky, it is unique, and it is an experience to behold. If you are a fan of any of those genre, this game is a must to check out.

Resident Evil #2

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Resident Evil 2 is a remastering, almost a reimagining of the classic survival horror  game that shook us to our cores back on the PS1/N64. I love the Resident Evil series but I have described this game as eerie and that it feels you with dread. I love the setting of Raccoon City, the police department, and all the other locations of the franchise. I also adore all the main characters this series has had over the years including Leon and Claire here. With all that said, I can’t say this game is fun to play. I just don’t like the genre as a whole. So, I play for a solid 30 minutes to an hour and then I have had enough. I can still recognize this game as a masterpiece nonetheless.

So there you have. These, for the most part, are the games I’ve played recently.  Hopefully this write up gives you an idea about the games and if you would have any interest in them. Let me know what you’ve been playing.

Top 5 Most Anticipated Xbox Series X Games!

Hey, guys. A few days ago Xbox did their presentation for the new upcoming Xbox Series X. This showcase was meant to rival what Sony was doing with their Playstation 5. At the end of the day, Xbox did show off a great number of games to get excited for. Here’s 5 that really grabbed my attention.

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(I do not own any pictures used in this blog. All rights to their original owner.)

Watch Microsoft’s full conference here: FULL Xbox Games Showcase – July 2020

#5 EverWild: Admittedly, I haven’t played too many games by the studio Rare. I loved Golden Eye and DK 64 back on the N64. However, since being acquired by Microsoft, I’ve missed most of their Xbox exclusive games. Still, I can recognize the powerhouse that once was Rare even if they are a far cry from their former glory. With all that said, I am excited to see the next chapter of their game making story unfold. This game has the potential to be 1 or 2 on this list by the time it is actually released. The reason it is here at number 5 is the same reason that is holding back so many of these games. There was no gameplay footage. Now, this is something you’ve probably heard if you have watched any of these Xbox Conference reviews, either in written or spoken format. It is not a deal breaker. Trust me, I am excited to see what Rare does with a open world sandbox game. The simple fact is some of the games on this list are just further along and it is easier to get excited for those games.

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#4 Grounded: I really thought this game was going to secure the #1 spot a month ago. I had heard some big name franchises tossed around and even some announce trailers for one game. But without a doubt, Grounded was one of the furthest along games in the Xbox’s catalog. Heck, I think Obsidian has been teasing a demo this month. Grounded is developed by the studio Obsidian. An up-and-coming juggernaut in the field. They got their big break working with Bethesda to make Fallout: New Vegas, an absolute gem. Then they secured their reputation with last year’s smash hit, Outer Worlds. They are currently working on their next big blockbuster in Avowed, but they are giving us a hold over in the form of Grounded. A game that looks like Honey I Shrunk the Kids set in a Fallout universe. The player will take control of 1 of 4 kids and try to survive the dangers of the backyard while also discovering plenty of secrets along the way. This game looks like it will be a great addition to Obsidian’s arsenal of titles.

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#3 Fable: I may be lying to myself here. in fact, this game has played musical chairs with the top 3 spots. Honestly, if I did this list tomorrow there’s a chance this game could be number 1. Fable was the first Xbox franchise I fell in love with. I played Fable 1 as a kid and then grew up with Fable 2 and 3. It is arguably my favorite Xbox exclusive franchise. It was completely omitted from the Xbox One’s library. Needless to say, I have been craving more Fable in my life. As of right now, I think Fable is the closest thing Microsoft has to a console seller. Why is it number 3? Simple. Numbers 2 and 3 have gameplay footage.

Fable

#2 Balan WonderWorld: Looks simply amazing. When the first two years of the Xbox Series X’s life is over, I think Balan has a legitimate shot at being the best game on the console. Created by the same man who created the Nights franchise, you can rest assured that this game will have plenty of charm and character. It’s at number 2 over juggernauts like Rare and Obsidian because it actually had plenty of gameplay and a release date. I got a vibe of what this game wants to do and be. I can visualize myself owning this game and playing it and getting lost in it’s worlds. Something I can only say about a few games shown off earlier this week.

Balan

Honorable Mentions-
Halo Infinite- I like Halo but I am not a Halo nut. No one is praising this game even though Microsoft seems to think it will be it’s big hit. It just falls flat compared to Sony’s Spiderman, Horizon Zero Dawn, and even this gen’s The Last Of Us 2.
Tell Me Why- This game actually looks pretty solid. I would definitely check this game out if it came out on Gamepass.
Avowed- A 10 second snip pretty much tells you this game is quite a ways away. Still, should be amazing when it finally comes out.

#1 Psychonauts: I think the clear head and shoulders front runner. As of right now, Halo is pretty much a joke to the internet even if it manages to come out strong. Fable and Avowed are a good bit away from release date. Even Everwild is still probably a ways away too. Leaving the question, what do Xbox players get excited about? I think Psychonauts is that answer. It had plenty of game play footage leading me to believe it is probably one of the closer games to launch. Psychonauts 1 is a cult classic and the sequel will look to expand upon its already established reputation. Today’s age has shriveled up the 3D Platformer well, especially if you aren’t on the Switch. If you like the genre, Psychonauts looks to be a must own. It is the game I am most excited for as of today.

Psychonauts

So that’s my thoughts. On the surface, Xbox’s showcase seems quite weak if Halo isn’t up to par. It is important to remember that Xbox has already revealed other games such as Cyberpunk 2077,  Scarlett Nexus, Yakuza, and Assassin Creed’s Valhalla.

Let me know what games you guys are excited for?

Thanks for reading and have a great day!

Want to see my thoughts on the PS5’s showcase? Read here: Reacting to the PS5 Announcement Stream!

It’s Been Too Long

Ugh.

We came back with a force and put up some of our best post to date. I was energized and passionate. This is not a post saying I’ve lost the spark or the passion. Just the opposite, in fact. I find myself everyday thinking “I wish I could post something.” However, I go through a few thought processes a day.

The major thing that happened was dealing with the family. New dirt and old scars were brought up about crap I thought was long dead and gone. I say it all the time that this blog is kind of like a memory jar for me to go back and view after time has passed. Personally, something huge happened in my family recently that I think will be a complete non-issue in two years. That or my family will be pretty messed up in the long run. So in two years I may revisit this post and see how things are looking. Though, it did completely ruin me for about 3 days and has severally lowered my energy levels. Its one of the reasons I have not bothered streaming at all lately.

Secondly, is on top of that, Jessica’s cousins that we’ve been babysitting since Covid hit are getting worse. They are either getting burned out of Jessica and myself or they are really missing their dad. Either way, my energy levels have been drastically down and they’ve been more of handful recently. It means I just dont have the energy to put on a good stream, yet.

Well, later today Ill upload the Manga Haul #2. Then Ill upload my thoughts on Pokemon Snap getting new life and finally at some point this week, I’ll talk about my history as a collector. So stay tune.

For now, that is all. With any luck, these post will be funneling out through the week.

As always, thanks for reading!

Games that COULD come to the Nintendo Switch this year! (2020)

Real quick. Dont feel like reading a long article? This discussion exist in video form too on my Youtube channel.

Here: Wii u Ports Video!

Okay so 2020 has kicked off and people are already speculating on if some Wii U games will be ported to the Switch.  So let’s have some fun and look at games that might be coming to the Switch. 

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Now believe it or not I actually tried to use some logic with this list. I looked at what people were wanting ported over so I knew there was at least interest in these games, plus the likelihood and how easy it was to port over these games were. Did Nintendo stand to gain anything from the effort,  how would they control on the Switch and so on and so forth. Now here’s the tricky thing. I dont think the Switch needs a whole lot of Wii U ports, so while I’ll be making a case for I’ll have arguments against most of these games. So let’s take a look at my list.

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#1 This, in my opinion, is easily the strongest candidate of them all. Super Mario 3D World. What? Super Mario 3D World is a gem. I got it basically when I got my Wii U and I wont go too much into detail in this blog but I do have a new found appreciation for this game. Correct me if I am wrong but i don’t believe Nintendo has any Mario games lined up the Switch right now which blows my mind. We’ve carved through the Tennis Mario, the Rabbid Mario, The Odyssey Mario, The New Super Mario Bros, The Party Mario and the Kart Mario so now are waiting for Odyssey 2. This would be a great holdover. I’ve heard people mention Color Splash but A, that game is dependent on the Gamepad (after talking to myself, I dont think it relies on the Gamepad) and B. I thought people didnt like it? I could be wrong there.

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#2. Nintendo Land. Okay, Okay. I have officially lost my mind. This goes against all my rules. But hey, It’s a great game. And if I hadnt lost you already, I just did. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Nintendo Land but again, Nintendo, I believes, wants to give you the option to play in handheld mode exclusively which, just wouldnt work for Nintendo Land. It’s too dependant on the Gamepad and probably wont happen. The game may need some reworking around the need for the Gamepad, but I wouldnt be opposed to picking it up again on the Switch if it retailed for say 20 bucks and featured new Minigames and such. Maybe to reflect Bayonetta and Astral Chain, Wonderful 101, Tokyo Mirage Sessions as well as Splatoon.

Image result for Nintendo Land

#3 Wonderful 101- Again you’re going to see a constant theme of games needing to be reworked. I think Nintendo and Platinum have something to gain from this release and honestly, maybe it should be my number 2 instead but oh well, the script as already been created. Either way, Wonderful 101 is beloved but it is also stuck on the Wii U which just had such a lower install base. Now, to my knowledge, Platinum Games has been hard at work on Bayonetta 3 following Astral Chain. So I’m not sure if Platinum games would be over seeing the port or how that works. If that’s the case, I’m not sure how badly Platinum would want to allocate resources to porting it over. However, it did sale well, a new age of fans would be crying for Wonderful 102 or whatever they decide to call it.

Image result for Wonderful 101

4. Pikmin 3. The first game on the list I have never played. So I cannot speak to how dependent on the Gamepad this game is. Regardless, I kind of disregarded this port considering all of the talk about Pikmin 4. Also, Ive heard people say they would prefer a Trilogy much in the way Metroid Fans are clamoring for. However, if we dont get the trilogy the more and more I write this the more I think this could be a solid port. Pikmin 4 looks like it is taking longer than expected so giving us Pikmin 3 remastered could solve a lot of issues. A. it would tide over Pikmin fans while finishing up Pikmin 4. B. It would introduce a new generation to Pikmin. Pikmin 1 and 2 came out on the Gamecube and a lot of hardcore players jumped off the Nintendo bandwagon with the Wii meaning plenty of people could have missed the 3rd installment after loving the first 2.

Image result for Pikmin 3

#5. Star Fox. What can I say? I enjoy Star Fox even if I’ve never been into shoot em ups. Again, how dependent are you on the Gamepad? For Star Fox. Entirely. The Wii U Gamepad provides a cockpit view. There’s no way to have the Switch provide the same view while also being docked. This game needs a remaster, desperately, but it probably needs to be reworked. If they do it right this could spark interest in a new Star Fox sequel which is never a bad thing. 

Image result for Star Fox Zero

So there’s my list. Trust me I know there’s better games. Splatoon for example is not very dependent on the Gamepad as it just serves as a map. Move that up to the TV screen or do away with it entirely and you’re golden. Just not sure if they do this since we already have Splatoon 2 and I think most would prefer Splatoon 3 over a remake of the first. Its the same problem with the other 2 Zelda games. Who wants to re-buy those games for a 3rd time when Skyward Sword is still trapped on the Wii? So I think Mario 3D World and Pikmin have the most realistic shot even if I didnt order them that way. Either way, let me know what games you guys want to see ported over. I really dont think the Switch needs anymore, but they’re probably coming none the less.

Super Smash Bros Ultimate(And more Switch games!)

Hey guys. If you head to my youtube channel you can watch some content of Super Smash Brothers Ultimate and Let’s Go Eevee (Premiering today!) Here’s some links!

Let’s Go Eevee Episode #1

Wes Vs Jess Super Smash Bros Ultimate

Let’s Go Eevee is an LP while SSBU is us testing out the game.

Thanks for reading. Thanks for watching.

Have a great day!

A Hat in Time DLC comes out Thursday!

If you haven’t heard, A Hat in Time DLC comes out Thursday. Here’s some of the highlights:

A New Chapter- Of course one of the highlights is the addition of the latest chapter, Arctic Cruise. It is a brand new world to explore, which is always exciting. With that, comes brand new characters, time pieces, and hours to sink into the game.

A hat in Time Arctic Cruise

New Game Mode “Death Wish”– I will be honest. This one is a little less obvious. It seems as if this mode wants you to play old levels with a twist or it will create small levels with challenges. These twist come in form of challenges. The one challenge seen on camera is beat the level in 8 minutes. If this is the case, than Gears for Breakfast added a whole new level of replayability.

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A Hat in Time is Coming to the Switch– This is exciting for future me as I do not currently own a switch. I dont believe the release date has been announced, so keep an eye peeled.

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Co-op is coming to A Hat In Time

Split screen co-op will be added for free to A Hat in Time come September 13th. This is amazing. This is coming at a time when Super Mario 64 online taught us these old retro games can be just as fun with multiplayer as singleplayer. From the trailer, it looks like they are opting for a vertical screen (line going up and down) instead of horizontal. This again, is just one of the many ways Gears added not only replayability, but a fresh spin on the original game. The best part is that this will always be free.

Important Takeaways:
The DLC launches September 13th.
The DLC will be free for 24 hours
$499 USD after 24 hours.
The Co-op feature is free anytime
Brand new stage and game mode.
Yes. I am very pumped.

Per usual, you can watch my channel for more updates and gameplay footage of A Hat in Time.

Here’s some of my recent A Hat in Time videos.

Thanks for reading! Have a great day.

A Hat in Time is apart of the Humble Monthly (3 games for $12)!

Been on the fence about A Hat in Time? For the next 17 days A Hat in Time will be included in the Humble Monthly. For $12 you will get A Hat in Time, Conan Exile, and the Escapist 2.

AHiT

They are also running a deal called Pixel Perfect Platformer. Other games included in this sale are Yooka-Laylee, Rayman Origins, Limbo, and Cuphead.

Cuphead

Episode #1 of blind LP for Yooka-Laylee is on Youtube now!

Hey everyone. If you enjoy the video be sure to like, comment, and subscribe! Please, that would be so awesome! If you really enjoy it, try to share it on twitter, facebook, and any other forum you can think of. I’d really appreciate it and it would mean a lot to me.

Thank you for taking the time to read my post and watch my video. You rock. Thank you for any help you can provide in advance! Have a great day everyone!

Video Game Review: A Hat in Time

AHiT

A little less than a year ago, Gears for Breakfast released this little gem for the world to enjoy. And enjoy it I have. If you’ve never heard or seen A Hat in Time before, it is a 3-D action platformer made in the same vain as other classics such as Super Mario 64 and Banjo Kazooie. The game is full of colorful level, giant worlds to explore, an overabundance of collectibles and some of the most engaging characters I have seen in a platformer.

My style of review is like having a casual conversation, so lets discuss what the game does right and wrong.

The Right
Exploration– This is one of the most important factors to me when determining the fun factor of a game. The game features 4 massive worlds plus a fifth level that is linear instead of a sandbox. Yes most games feature 10+ worlds, but the worlds you’ll find in A Hat in Time are vibrant, unique, and full of charm. Mafia Town is still a world I’ll load up and run around in to this day. The freedom of movement only aids this category as well. Featuring double jumps, aerial dashes, and wall climbing, the open worlds are super fun to traverse. It never gets old dashing around the levels.

Mafia Town

Characters- I don’t always expect much from the supporting cast from platformers, however almost every character in this game is memorable and just adds to the personality that is A Hat is Time. The Snatcher is probably my favorite character, but the conductor and DJ Grooves rivalry, the alien-fearing Mafia, and the interesting antihero Mustache Girl, form a rainbow of charm that help carry the game.

The_snatcher

Collectibles- Collectibles. You either love them or hate them. I think Gears for Breakfast absolutely nailed the collectibles that are hidden throughout the game. The collectibles are the Time Pieces (think stars from Super Mario), Pons (think coins from Super Mario) and Rift Tokens (I don’t really have a comparison, but its a second currency). Not collectibles per se, but there are several hats she can equip to give her powers. For example, she has a sprint cap that lets her move faster while say, the brewers cap gives her the ability to launch projectiles. There’s also dyes that change her costume color and style. I find this to be the perfect blend. There’s enough collectibles to help cover the level and motivate you to explore without making it feel like a chore. This really goes a long way in a game styled like this.
Time Piece

The Wrong
It is short… for now. 5 worlds and a nice hub world means the game is of fair length. However, as a gamer, you never want a game to end. However, the next wave of DLC/update says it roll out 2 new worlds. Of course I am looking forward to this. This small blemish may soon be erased.

Untapped Potential– When I was reading about the game, I remember reading about using the Time pieces to turn back time and such. It comes up from time to time, but it seems like its mostly in the background. This seems to be a story element and not a gameplay mechanic. I could be misremembering something, but it will feels like there were some time alerting mechanics they could have expanded upon.

Really, these are my only real complaints. The game is just a perfect blend of elements I love in video games. Anything else I say from here would just be reiterating earlier thoughts. If you played early platformers from the N64/Gamecube, PS1/PS2 era, you owe it to yourself to get this game. A Hat in Time is available on the steam store for just $29.99 and the PS4 and Xbox One for $29.99 as well. I’m not going to assign a score but just know this game is close to perfect. I keep fluctuating somewhere between 9 out of 10 to 10 out of 10. Yeah, it really is a great game.

Be on the look out for my youtube review on channel in the near future.

Thank you

 

Let’s Talk: A Hat in Time!

Hey guys A Hat in Time came out yesterday. I will be doing a review once I finish the game. If you do not feel like waiting and you’re on the fence with the game. You can go over to my Youtube channel and watch my Let’s Play. I’m two episodes in and I upload often.

Anyway, follow the blog so you know when I post my full review.

I’m hoping to bring other reviews back soon (Mangas, Animes, Games, and Top Fives).

As always, Thanks for reading!

Twitter: @Dahubbz
Manga Monday: https://dahubbz.com/category/manga-monday/
Youtube: Dahubbz Channel!