PixlBit

Yeah, I would have preferred sprites or sprite looking 3D models for Samus Returns. So many of these side scrollers with 3D models look bad to me, because the assets are usually not AAA quality (Rondo of Blood X springs to mind), which they need to be in order to compare favorably to crisp, vibrant "hand drawn" graphics. Like, Castlevania Order of Ecclesia blows Bloodstained out of the water visually imo. Super Metroid and Zero Mission look spiffier than this game, but like you said, at least side scrolling Metroid hasn't been abandoned completely.

I agree with your number one spot. Was my game of the show. Love these games, and PC release?! Current gen graphics ?!! Couldn't have received better game news.

Also interested in TEW2. I passed on the first game because of the lukewarm reception and the try-hard gore. This looks way more intriguing to me. Maybe I'll go back to 1.

too much too late for MS I'm afraid. I don't see a lot of these in homes. Not a slight against the hardware itself, but I don't think more power is the answer to their market woes.

As for these games, Metro has my interest and maybe Anthem, but I'm afraid style is vastly going to  win out over substance.

I like the setting of the new AC (deserts are my thing), but this series needs that verticality that made the Ezio games the standouts of the series, and you just don't have it to that degree in this period and region. And also the combat needs a major reworking. Too much of it is on auto-pilot. This series is a such a missed opportunity for representing historic fighting techniques. Not full simulation maybe, but something more skillful and nuanced than Ubisoft has included so far.

I don't like seeing the Arkham style combat in other games, but it makes more sense for Spiderman to bounce around than it does for Mad Max and Shadow of Mordor, where these human characters just look like they're sliding/floating from enemy to enemy and it looks off.

But it's Monster Hunter that is game of the show for me. I put a lot of time into Freedom Unite and Tri. Looks stunning and just plain fun. Runner up is a game called The Last Night, which has quite a bit of controversy behind it....

Maybe in game it will come off better. Sounds like a bad Saturday morning cartoon theme otherwise.

You guys are really maxing out this game. Wish I had the patience and dedication for one single game. Last time I did was getting the Platinum trophy for Warriors Orocni 3 a few years ago. What a grind that was.

As far a this particular game, I wish I had friends who were into it. Once I completed my goal of building a keep upon the highest peak, I saw little reason to go back to it by myself, outside of updates. There weren't enough goals to pursue when I was playing, which was before the game even officially launched.

Metroid is forever. The original is a pretty hardcore game. It's like an old dungeon crawler basically, you have to make your own map.  I don't think it's as bad as people say now. It's intentionally designed to be a game of discovery and challenge.  Super is still the overall best though. Never cared for Fusion and the internet revisionism surrounding it nowadays is weird. Zero Mission is solid and a top tier remake, but not as open ended or challenging as the original.

I think about the Mega Man games from a graphic design perspective. I think that the limited, color palette and simple shapes of the NES games is a strength. Harmonious and striking from a graphic design standpoint.  I think the X games went overboard with the color and detail some times. They do look good, but often garish, like fruit loops lol

I get triggered when people call Axiom a "metroidvania' when the game is blatantly, completely Metroid inspired. So I'm glad he kept it out. No 'vania to speak of, no need for the extra syllables.

Hmm. Tough one. I think the Metroid games control better, the powers are more interesting to me than they are in the Igavanias. But Castlevania has that gothic horror theme I love, and the music is second to none while I think only Super Metroid has inspired music of the bunch, and the bosses are overall better and more fun to fight. It's really hard to decide. The NES CVs, especially 3, are better than Metroid. But Super Metroid blows the doors off of SC4. LIke you said, CV has more good games, but SM is just in the upper upper echelon of video games.  And Prime also blows the doors off of 3D vania so bad it's not even funny. Slight edge to Metroid I guesss, but Vania made me a gamer.

Metroid. The Alien influences, the labyrinthine world, the powers, haunting music, the feelings of isolation and discovery in an alien world, Samus' somersault. Remember when video game heroes used to do cool somersaults?

Oh, and hire me as an artist please