PixlBit

I've been playing the Castlevania, Contra, and Mana collections on Switch, all of them for games I missed out on, namely Castlevania: Bloodlines, Contra: Hard Corps, and Trials of Mana. Trials of Mana has been right up there with Mother 3 and Sakura Wars as my most wished-for localization. It's better than Secret of Mana in every way, starting with combat which is faster paced and actually remembers that it's an action RPG, along with six playable characters. Contra: Hard Corps is one of the funnest Contras I've played although it's a little over-animated to the point where it's hard to see enemies sometimes. Bloodlines is a great Castlevania experience. 

I've been mostly playing GameFly rentals recently, so I'll just give you brief observations on those. 

Dead or Alive 6 was actually a very solid and smooth fighter, it just didn't have enough content out of the box for me to not trade it in for Soul Calibur VI

Soul Calibur VI is addictive as hell, despite the fact I might actually like the fighting in Dead or Alive 6 more. This is due to presentation, a ton of story content, and the game allowing me to go on an epic, souls-n'-swords journey with a green afro'd character named Jamborino. This is one I will likely buy when I have the funds. 

Red Dead Redemption 2 didn't fucking work. You don't want to know how much shit I had to try in order to get it to work. I didn't even know "Install Discs" were a thing for consoles. It was like having all the issues of PC gaming, with none of the payoff. I still REALLY want to play it, but dammit it better work next time. 

Assassin's Creed Odyssey is beautiful and has a lot in common with Horizon: Zero Dawn ... which just reminded me I still need to finish Horizon: Zero Dawn, as I believe it's the better and more original game of the two. I'll have time to play it in July, so fingers cr ... oh, wait, Judgment releases on June 25. Sorry, Horizon: Zero Dawn. It's not your fault you released the same year I rented Yakuza 0. None if this is your fault. I'm so sorry ...  

Iconoclasts was pretty cute, charming and funny, and I liked the characters and mechanics. But I got stuck on a puzzle, and when I get stuck on a puzzle in a game I rented, that's game over for me. 

Madden NFL '19 has actually been way more fun than I was expecting. I used to play sports games with my older brother and friends way more often and just stopped as I got older, but I feel more in control of what happens than I used to in previous entries. 

Also, while it's incredibly cheesy and cliche and should REALLY let you skip the overlong cutscenes, I like that they've added a story mode in the form of Longshot, which also has some helpful tips for beginners like me. It was also cool seeing *looks up on Imdb* Bobby Fish from Luke Cage (actor Ron Cephas Jones) coaching the Dallas Cowboys for a hot second. 

I expected to return it pretty quickly and cancel my membership, but they got me with the half off for next month and I'm still having fun with it. I might play with my brother during my stay in Dallas for part of the summer. Lord knows I need to keep my gaming as cheap as possible, since the university isn't paying me until October, even though I start work in late August. 

Consumption Junction:

Currently, at the time of this writing, I am playing only one game- Metal Gear Solid 4. I got it as part of the Metal Gear Solid Legacy Collection in 2013 and finally felt compelled to get into MGS 4 now. I just defeated Laughing Octopus. 

HOLY CRAP, that was a creepy battle! Enemies who can mimic inanimate objects in games like this kinda freak me out. I’ll probably be much further ahead by the time you guys read this.

Also, I’ll probably be playing Nier Automata and Final Fantasy VII, the HD remaster on Switch. Thanks for taking the time to read this. Great show as always!

Nier: Automata is one I really need to get back to. love the  opening section and how much the gameplay changes up. 

I haven’t gaming a whole lot lately, when I get the chance I am still working my way through God of War (2018). I just encountered my first Valkyrie and got my ass handed to me. You’re supposed to be level 6 before even think of taking one on, I am level 5 and it seemed impossible.

Right now my current objective is to make my way to Jötunheim, which I was reading is the final location in the game? Anyone who has beaten it, should I be doing side quests right now because I am close to the end?

Wow, The Scorpion King GBA, never thought I'd hear that one!  I played it when it came out.  It's probably so decent because it's by WayForward Technologies.  You know, the Shantae people.

I decided to do that Final Fantasy V Four Job Fiesta event I mentioned a few weeks ago.  It's fun!  Final Fantasy V is a good game.  It's neat finding weird synergies between classes or to have to overcome a glaring weakness in your team match-up.  And you know I love a good gamble.

Loved the AMA guys. I look forward to those when they come up. Twice a year seems perfect. There were plenty og fun questions. I just wish Patrick had been there. 

Consumption Junction: I've been HIGHLY addicted to Slay the Spire recently. I made my way through the 3 characters paths and found my way to the real final boss only to get wrecked. I'm glad to see it was no pushover since I didn't want a reason to stop. 

Outside of that I have been playing Minecraft. Another highly addicting game. I love having these games on Switch because I get time to play at work. Probably more time than i do at home because of my, "tiny human." 

That said, one game I am disappointed I got on Switch is Bloodstained. I didnt know the graphics would be so downgraded. Worse than that is the sluggish feeling and input lag. Wish I had kept that PS4 copy instead. 

What I go on vacation and somehow nearly miss an episode of NWP.  Shame on me.

Anywho, still plugging away at Sekiro, the day before I went on vacation I had finally beaten the bastard named Genichiro.  I cannot believe I am still working on my first playthrough 3 months after launch.

Wait a second.  Chicago Heights???  I used to live so close to Patrick?