PixlBit

I'm playing it on Wii-U. Am nowhere close to being able to afford the $600 a Switch costs in Aus.

I hope X2 combines the two honestly. Xenoblade X's world was one of the most interesting open worlds I've ever explored, but it would be nice to have characters and a story I cared about again.

Zelda on Wii-U is very much playable, but I feel like it would be better on Switch. I just don't want to spend money on a console that might not even have games on it - much like the Wii-U.

I was joking a little, but that early game is tough man. Exploring a world where almost everything can 1 hit kill you...

https://docs.google.com/document/d/16YLc1yfc9yIH-7MY3rJ3rvrtfrWRe-s0IbciDD3KrMU/edit?usp=sharing

There's a link to my top 100 games of all time if you're interested. It's not complete and only the bottom bit is in order. And it's on page 2. Page 1 is blank.

 I think it took a really good game that was outside of the typical genres I was playing. Zelda might fit into the open world action adventure but it just has this tone and feeling that makes it feel entirely different. Plus, it's so mechanically complex that its insane.

 I played a bit of Deadly Premonition a while ago. I need to give that game another go.

 Also, I might actually buy a Switch for the new Xenoblade. Can you imagine the world that team could create with more modern hardware?!

Zelda's open world is the best part of it. It's not Skyrim style packed, but it is very interesting to explore and there are a lot of mechanics and attentions to detail that make it very fun to inhabit.

 The dungeons are pretty fun. There's only 4 traditional dungeons, and the puzzles are really cool and intricate, though far from the most complex in the series. They're all inside of giant robots that move/fly about while you're inside them, and just getting in them involves a puzzle/boss fight that is very reminiscent of Shadow of the Collossus.

As for my top 5 games... well I'm kind of working on my top 100 games list and adjusting the orders. But games that are generally my favourites in no order: Dark Souls, Resident Evil 4, Silent Hill 2, Doom 2, Oddworld: Abe's Exoddus, Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3, Half Life 2, Morrowind, Risen, GW2, The Witcher 2/3, Phantasy Star IV, Jak and Daxter, Ratchet and Clank 3, God of War 2, Fatal Frame 2, Viewtiful Joe...

And that's a lot more than 5 so I'll stop haha.

I'm not saying they're that similar, I'm saying why people would be reminded. Dark Souls combat is a lot more complex, but on the most basest level they're very similar.

 The other thing is the feeling. Dark Souls is a more adult version, sure, but both give you this weird mix of melancholy and longing as you wander through a ruined world. And that temple covered in vines and overgrown plantlife totally reminds me of the buildings you first encounter in Firelink Shrine.

 Also, I think I've died more in this game than I have in any of the Dark Souls games. Though that could be because I find it hilarious to slide down hills on shields that are almost broken.

Dark Souls combat is just a meatier version of 3D Zelda games. The main thing that sets them apart is the stamina bar.

 I don't usually see the comparison that much, but in BotW I get somewhat of a similar feeling, which is high praise indeed.

You said the game world reminds you of Skyrim's, but I would strongly disagree. Bethesda is good at open worlds, but they tend to pack everything rather densely. This reminds me far more of Shadow of the Collossus. It's sparse, and doesn't need to constantly shove stuff in your face because the world itself is just breathtaking.

 Most other things I agree with. This is a really well written review, great job man. I'm adoring this game. I'm maybe 5 hours in now. Haven't been to the first village because I've been climbing towers, doing shrines, and just exploring. If this keeps up it's quality it'll be my favourite Zelda game.

 I just love the little touches, like how hard it is to climb while it's raining (though you can climb under cover), that you can slide your shield down a hill, that you can cross large lakes with your ice platform ability, that you can freeze to death, that you drown when you run out stamina. I love cooking. I love climbing. I love that you can ride pretty much any horse. I love that I can cut down a tree, use stasis on it, hit it really hard, then jump on it and soar into a distant goat. I love that if your shield is close to breaking when you try to hillslide you just faceplant.

 I could go on and fucking on, but this is by far the best game I've played this year, and the first Zelda I've ever played that has lived up to the hype.

P.S. How the hell can you look at that screenshot of Link running towards the Temple of Time and not think of Dark Souls?

I haven't seen any of these films, because I've been wasting my movie watching time on Asian Action Films and Frech Horror Films for some reason. Probably because I'm a terrible person. I definitely want to see Arrival though, even if you didn't like it too much. I loved Prisoners so I kind of want to see his next work.

I also love Westerns so I want to see Hell of Highwater. I also want to see Hacksaw Ridge, because Mel Gibson can direct the fuck out of a film, even if I might not enjoy what is in said film.

 Moonlight sounds like an interesting watch, and I am far too behind on slice of life films, especially ones that seem as important as this one. And I hadn't heard of Manchester By the Sea, but based on your recommendation I may have to give it a look.

Luckily, achievements don't have that much pull for me. The only time I'll really try to get all the achievements in the game is if I'm close to having them all by the time I finish the game. Otherwise I can't be bothered. Most of that content isn't fun and it doesn't really offer much of a reward outside of satisfaction.

 Have you played PreSequel before? If so what do you think? I liked it more than 2, but still didn't finish it. I burn out of Borderlands games for some reason, and the obnoxiously over the top Aussie accents didn't help xD

You can have pet owls, though they're a lot of effort. They're nocturnal, so you have to look after them at night. They get really stressed if things break their routine and they make weird noises when stressed. Also, they can utterly fuck you up with their claws.

I may have looked a little too much into having an owl as a pet :p