Operation Backlog Completion 2025

Catching Up on All the Pokémon News

 Video games  2 Responses »  Tagged with:
May 302018
 

Yesterday, there was an explosion of Pokémon news.

First, Pokémon Quest is available now for the Switch (and coming to mobile devices in June).

Pokémon Quest is a free-to-start action RPG set on Tumblecube Island, where you direct the attacks of cube-like Pokémon. It features Pokémon from the first generation of games and seems pretty much set up like a mobile game.

Next, Pokémon Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Eevee! have been confirmed after many rumors. They’ll be out for the Switch on November 16.

These are effectively remakes of Pokémon Yellow, except Eevee is an option this time. (And like Pikachu, you won’t be able to evolve this special Eevee.)

Gameplay-wise, they seem like hybrids between traditional Pokémon games and Pokémon Go. The biggest change is that you won’t battle wild Pokémon, only other trainers.

Catching Pokémon now uses Joy-Con motion controls. A friend can also help out with the second Joy-Con.

You’ll be able to transfer Kanto Pokémon from Pokémon Go to the Let’s Go games, and thanks to the information provided by Gematsu about the Q&A, we know there will be one all-new Pokémon available through connecting with Pokémon Go.

Despite these changes, the trailer shows a lot of familiar Pokémon gameplay, too. It has typical exploration and turn-based combat for battles with trainers.

Finally, a new device called the Poké Ball Plus will work as a Joy-Con but also let you take your Pokémon with you. You’ll also be able to use it with Pokémon Go. It sounds a bit like the Pokéwalker (except not a pedometer).

Pokémon Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Eevee! are intended to help Pokémon Go players transition to the main series. Does that mean these aren’t the next mainline Pokémon games teased last year at E3?

That’s right. A new core Pokémon title is coming in the second half of 2019.

The Q&A session clarified that the 2019 title will not be linked to the Let’s Go games or Pokémon Go. They also mentioned that the Let’s Go games are focused on the home console experience while the 2019 game will focus on elements from the handheld games.

While it’s odd to say LGP and LGE are more focused on home console gaming when they connect to a mobile game and have a device so you can take your Pokémon out of the house, I think this just means the next Pokémon game will be a traditional entry in the series while these are more experimental.

I haven’t finished Pokémon Sun/Moon/Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon yet or even played the two I own in a long time. However, I’m interested in learning about the next core Pokémon game and potentially interested in the Let’s Go games.

What about you? Pokémon Quest? Let’s Go? The mysterious next game? How do you feel about the recent Pokémon announcements.

Killer7 is Coming to Steam

 Video games  No Responses »  Tagged with:
May 282018
 

I know, this post is late. The news came out on the weekend that Killer7 is coming to Steam!

We discussed Killer7 a couple months ago, when Grasshopper Manufacture indicated interest in remastering Killer7 and Flower, Sun, and Rain.

NIS America is bringing Killer7 to Steam this fall. Nothing has been said about console versions yet.

Some fans are concerned because of some trouble lately with NIS America’s PC ports, but they also published The 25th Ward without any problems that I know of.

Now, I did watch Game Informer play through Killer7 in their most recent Super Replay, but I really can’t say I have a solid grasp of the plot. Playing the Steam remaster for myself when it comes out might be just what I need!

Are you interested in the Killer7 remaster? Do you think this means a Flower, Sun, and Rain announcement is on the way next? Let me know in the comments.

RE2make Rumors Claim It Has a “Stylized” OTS Camera

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May 252018
 

We recently discussed the possibility of the Resident Evil 2 Remake being one of Capcom’s upcoming “major titles,” and now new rumors have surfaced about it.

According to Rely on Horror, they have a source who revealed details about the game.

Their source says the Resident Evil 2 remake will use an upgraded version of the RE Engine with revamped lighting and shadows, aim for 30fps/1080p on a regular PS4 and 60fps/4k on a PS4 Pro, and use photogrammetry for realistic graphics.

They’re taking care to make the characters look like the originals, although Claire will have a new outfit.

(Normally it would be bizarre for rumors to include reassurance that the characters will look like themselves, but there was a lot of confusion due to Chris in the RE7 DLC looking too different.)

The source also says the Resident Evil 2 Remake won’t use fixed camera angles or first-person, but instead an over-the-shoulder camera that has been “stylized” in some way. Leon and Claire will both have campaigns, like in the original, and there will also be new content and areas.

Most importantly, they said it will retain the classic Resident Evil design and horror focus.

These are just rumors, but let’s discuss them anyway. At first, I was disappointed to learn about the OTS camera. I’ve been hoping for something similar to REmake, after all. On the other hand, the camera doesn’t necessarily mean it’ll be an action-fest. Resident Evil: Revelations, for example, had glimmers of potential, and could have been traditional survival horror if they’d been willing to go all the way.

So if the Resident Evil 2 remake really does have a traditional Resident Evil design (puzzles and recursive unlocking, please), I’ll be okay with an over-the-shoulder camera. Meanwhile, the additional content sounds right in line with what REmake did.

Here’s hoping we finally get to see the game soon…

What do you think of the latest RE2make rumors? How do you feel about a potential camera change? Will we see it at E3? Let me know your thoughts in the comments.

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