I have a Wii U - General Discussion.

OwaynOTT wrote: »

When I want a good story, I tend to read a book.

Ah, I got you.

Banjo wrote: »

I think I do. But do you? Yes, I know how patronising that sounds. I am unrepentant!
Bigger and better graphics don't always make for better story or a deeper emotional connection to the material - if anything they frequently get in the way, as the ability to create a bigger spectacle drives the story towards that bigger spectacle whether or not it's the right place for it to go, if the budget is there. But that's really a symptom of the magpie nature of consumers, and maybe outside the scope of a discussion about Nintendo.

At the end of the day, Miyamoto wears his "play before plot" credentials on his sleeve. I for one believe that he's right - the game should be fun first. The level of invention and knee-slapping laugh-out-loud joy that say, a Super Mario Galaxy brings to the table might be diminished if they had to keep coming up with plot-points that explained why, say, you're suddenly in a Toy world or on a pirate ship; or if they had to keep level themes to within the narrow spectrum allowed by a relatively sane plot. That doesn't mean that you can't bring a decent story to it afterwards, but making that a requirement at the expense of gaming experiences would be detrimental in my opinion.

I put Nintendo games in a different bubble, Mario and Yoshi don't need story's, they are about gameplay and aimed mainly at kids so story is needed, Zelda though, that could do with one and a better look, imagine if it was like Witcher 3 graphics and voice work, then it could deserve those 10's imo, what the Switch does need is big games like its rivals with proper themes and narrative or it's gonna end up like the Wii U, stuck with just the hard core Nintendo crowd.

SMC92Ian wrote: »

I put Nintendo games in a different bubble, Mario and Yoshi don't need story's, they are about gameplay and aimed mainly at kids so story is needed, Zelda though, that could do with one and a better look, imagine if it was like Witcher 3 graphics and voice work, then it could deserve those 10's imo, what the Switch does need is big games like its rivals with proper themes and narrative or it's gonna end up like the Wii U, stuck with just the hard core Nintendo crowd.

BOTW on the Wii U looks absolutely great though? It's clearly a different art style than the Witcher 3 (which I agree also looked amazing and is definitely in my top 5 games of all time), Nintendo aren't trying emulate that more realistic style so it's a bit harsh to hold it against them, right?

As much as I'm loving BotW, there is always that nagging feeling at the back of my head that I should get on with saving the world, which I usually quash with a brief "aaaaah **** her! What's on the other side of this hill?" which I possibly wouldn't do if the story was stronger or better acted? But then, a more urgent narrative wouldn't fit with such a vast game who's primary joy is in meandering and finding every tiny little hidden nugget of fun. Which is now, in an unrelated note, my new favourite euphemism for the clitoris. Wait, is that the subtext of BotW? It's a feminist educational tool for teenage boys? The joy is in the journey and the exploration, if you rush to drive your master sword into the source of all calamity it'll be over too quickly and everyone will be left disappointed? Use vibration and hunt for shrines for a while first! Source of Calamity... the mrs is going to love me calling it that...

Sorry, I had a point but I forget what it was. Yeah - plot. Was BotW's biggest failing that they tried to put a focused and linear narrative structure onto something that really should have been open ended?

Re: Witcher 3, I hear a lot of great things about it, but only from people who haven't played BotW. The few I know who went from one to the other saw no compelling reason to go back... Personally, I can't comment. Even though I just did.

Well Prince of Persia doesn't give you anywhere to wander off to, so the time limit is more about punishing failure than focussing you on a task.

The Heist had a limit too, but in the same way it was more of an exercising in abstracting the traditional video game "lives" structure.

But...eh.... Majora's Mask? An open world to explore and a tight time limit to do it in before it's all destroyed, and - within reason - that timelimit is enforced.

ionapaul wrote: »

BOTW on the Wii U looks absolutely great though? It's clearly a different art style than the Witcher 3 (which I agree also looked amazing and is definitely in my top 5 games of all time), Nintendo aren't trying emulate that more realistic style so it's a bit harsh to hold it against them, right?

Oh I know it's not trying to be Witcher or realistic, but its cartoony and lack of real story or drive makes me feel its not worth full price, I've never paid full price for a Nintendo game.

CiDeRmAn wrote: »

Doesn't appear to be the case though.
The Switch has sold and sold well, as have the major physical releases too.
Legend of Zelda has consistently charted in the top ten, if not at the top spot, of Best Games of All Time charts, and not just internet lists, but in legit multiplatform press.

And it's done that with A Link to the Past, on the Snes, with Ocarina of Time, on the N64, and later with Wind Waker and surely forever more as a result of Breath of the Wild.
And it's done this due to exquisite level design, visuals and music, despite the use of broadly the same story and mechanics in each.
But, then, we've seen series like Elder Scrolls and Fallout thrill and triumph despite being broadly the same game in each iteration, with improving visuals the main changing factor and little else.

A gritty, dark, adult themed Legend of Zelda may never be a thing, or perhaps it already has, with Majora's Mask.

I understand you don't feel it deserves the pretty universal praise it has received in the press, and you are entirely entitled to that view.
But, it really is that good.
I know where you are coming from, I detest FFVII, and yet people rave about it, I still believe it's sh1t.
And don't get me started on Streets of bloody rage!

I just feel BOTW is a 6 out of 10 at best, no reason it should stutter or lag with that graphic choice. People can like it I don't care but Nintendo games are always over rated.

SMC92Ian wrote: »

Oh I know it's not trying to be Witcher or realistic, but its cartoony and lack of real story or drive makes me feel its not worth full price, I've never paid full price for a Nintendo game.



I just feel BOTW is a 6 out of 10 at best, no reason it should stutter or lag with that graphic choice. People can like it I don't care but Nintendo games are always over rated.

6/10? Don't be a silly billy.

I've been playing games since the 80s... BOTW pretty much is the second coming. It's the closest I've experienced to gaming perfection.

Gizmo55 wrote: »

6/10? Don't be a silly billy.

Slow downs to nearly 22fps and freezing in the forests knocks a score down for me, but sure all the reviewers looks past it cause it's Zelda, any other game would be slated.

There's still that pause when you smack a Moblin in the face, but I think that's deliberately there because they know you need space to scream "Yeah, Bitch! That just happened!" at the screen.

So would you give it 6/10?

is that Ten out of Ten or did you ironically write the symbol for a serial, because it's a Port?

SMC92Ian wrote: »

Slow downs to nearly 22fps and freezing in the forests knocks a score down for me, but sure all the reviewers looks past it cause it's Zelda, any other game would be slated.

SMC92Ian wrote: »

That's a matter of taste, I'd take NO 1st party Nintendo game over the likes of Uncharted, Last of Us, Gears of War, Forza, Horizon, Bloodborne, God of War... imo those destroy the cartoony stuff Nintendo do, those may be more "fun" but I'm an adult and like amazing stories and graphics. Nintendo games to me are €20-30 games I play for a hour here and there, like indie games.

Come on now, at least keep the goals in the same place, you'll give BOTW a 6/10 because of its frame rate, but Bloodborne and TLOU get a pass?