Review #102: Kirby - Return to Dreamland

 Suck your way to the top as you spit or swallow your enemies!

 Go out and buy this game now, not because of it's quality, but because it's a bit of a rarity, produced at the end of the Wii's life cycle, few copies were produced, and it's quickly becoming a very sought after item. But is the game any good? Long story short, it's your typical Kirby game.
 The story involved Magolor crashing his Lor Starcutter into dreamland, losing five key components in the process, and Kirby being the good fellow that he is, decides to help him gather all five pieces, alongside a Waddle Dee, King Dedede and Metaknight. Story was never, and never will be, Kirby's selling point, it's just there to give you a little bit of motivation, and it does hold a twist that most Kirby games pull, so you'll probably be expecting it. As simple as the story is, the cutscenes peppered throughout the game are incredibly charming, as silly and dull and the story is, I just couldn't stop myself from smiling at times.

 At its core, the game plays just like any other Kirby game, on a 2-D plane, with a multiplayer component. At any moment, a second player can hop in as either MetaKnight, King Dedede, Waddle Dee or a different colored Kirby, the former three behave like the Sword, Hammer and Javelin powers respectively. And now is when I get to call foul, player 1 cannot choose any other character. I understand how accessing hidden areas would be impossible if you couldn't pick other Powers, but I just want to play as MetaKnight, but the game won't let me because I'm player one. Not fun, let ME choose if I want to screw myself out of hidden areas. Besides that, the rest of the game is the usual Kirby fare, suck in enemies and swallow them to steal their Powers(If they have one) or shoot them out as a powerful projectile. You'll also have to do some jumping and avoid some obstacles as you search for hidden items.
 If you are expecting a hard as nails platformer, you are in the wrong place, but then again, people that say that Kirby is a "easy" game haven't really played Kirby. Kirby is not about getting through the levels, heck, Kirby can fly indefinitely and avoid most obstacles. The fun in Kirby comes in the form of collecting stuff, there's 120 hidden cogs to find, and many times, one single mistake means redoing the entire level, the developers were nice enough to make it impossible for you to kill yourself after said mistake, so there's no choice but redoing the stage. 'sides, beat the game and you unlock Arena and Extra Mode. Extra Mode cuts your life bar in half, places more enemies on each stage and gives them different sizes, the bigger ones can take more punishment. Doesn't end there, bosses get new palette swaps and new moves, there's also a new boss at the end of the game. Beat Extra Mode and you unlock the True Arena, which houses a second hidden boss.

 Besides multiplayer, there's a second new gimmick in the form of Super Powers. Every now and then you'll come across shiny enemies, eat one of these and you'll earn a Powered up version of Sword, Ice, Fire, Beam or Hammer. These are poorly implemented, as whenever you use it, it brings the game to a halt so that Kirby can strike a pose before unleashing the power. Some of them are more involved, like the Beam that you can move around or the Snowball that you can move about, but the others just have you, and other players if present, sitting as it goes off. Not fun. They are a poor addition to the series, even if cutting a rope with the Giant Sword is amusing the first time. Thankfully they are not the focus and they are only featured in a few levels.
 As for how it looks, the game is very colorful, filled with bright, solid colors. Enemies and objects in the game are very simple, with few details, the levels themselves fare much better, lots of tiny details everywhere, with different planes and objects, regardless, it hardly pushes the Wii's hardware, but as a whole, it's gorgeous. Music is very varied, from upbeat beats to more relaxing tunes, and they do tend to fit the levels they are in. Overall, it's all very cute, but nothing noteworthy.

 As one of the last Wii games produced by Nintendo, if not the last, it could've been a lot better, at the end of the day, what you've got is just another Kirby game that doesn't stand above or below its predecessors, nor does it try to stand out from them.
 7.0 out of 10.

Gundam Extreme VS Full Boost Impressions part 9

Delta Plus

 The successor or predecessor, depending on how you wanna see it, to the Hyaku Shiki, this unit plays nothing alike and is half as cool. It received minor tweaks here and there, but it's basically the same unit, it has a very slow melee and few tools to deal at long range, but at mid-range? It's a beast.

NEW Gundam Banshee

 This unit is so much fun, and a great alternative to the Unicorn Gundam. Unlike the Unicorn, Banshee is not much of a all-around unit, but rather a great mid-close range bruiser. It's got plenty of projectile tools for anything that's close and some rather fun tools for close encounters, to top it off, it has a Destroy Mode that buffs it and grants it new, stronger moves(Both close and long range). By default, it's a timed Mode, like the unicorn, but once it reaches about 25% health, it becomes permanent. To be honest, I think the 2500 cost is a bit too little for this beast.

Sinanju

 Now it has more HP and is bigger in size! Sinanju is Mobile Suit with two different modes, a really strong mid-range player and a form that sucks at everything but melee, plus, it way more mobile, it's faster and can propel itself by kicking asteroids(Which double as projectiles!). Looks really cool, but it takes some work to make the most of it.

Kshatriya

 Bumped down to 2000, which also means nerfs everywhere. It got some new ways to shoot its funnels. It's a decent all-around unit, particularly good at mid-range.

NEW Rozen Zulu

 A long range specialist, Rozen Zulu has some very awkward and unique looking attacks, so it may take some time getting used to it. I think it might be a good unit, but it's just not my style.

BONUS

Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket

Gundam Alex

 Only got a couple of tweaks, it's the same Alex it used to be. For a 1000 unit, its damage output is quite high, at close range. Yes, Alex is a close-range 1000 unit, it has some tools for mid-range combat, but its melee is so good, and its armor lets him get in quite safely. To make the most out of the Alex, you probably need to master getting in and out of the armor.

Now Playing: Kirby's Return to Dream Land

 So, a mate came home and now I'm kinda stuck playing this one for March.

 Ever played Kirby? Well, more of the same. To be fair, movesets feel a bit more fleshed out, but it's the same old movesets you've used since the SNES!... Although, to be fair, I did come across a couple of new ones(Grass and Water, one is incredibly overpowered in an already easy game and the other is pretty fun to use).

 There's a new feature actually, Super versions of Powers, but they are to be used in specific places during certain stages, and I feel that they bring the game to a halt, as the screen darkens as Kirby strikes a little pose before using the power, quite underwhelming and dull.

 Multiplayer is fun 'n all, but why oh why does Player 1 get stuck as Kirby? I want to play as MetaKnight! So what if I get screwed out of collectibles, it should be my choice, and if there are other players involved, let them be Kirby and let me be Metaknight. Actually, players 1-3 can be either a different colored Kirby, Waddle Dee, Metaknight or Dedede, so unfair!

 Overall? It's alright, as most Kirby games are, nothing special. Wish they'd bring Kirby 64's power fusion back, now that was a fun gimmick!

Progress Report: Classes have started Edition

 I just wanna lay on my bed, drink some Pepsi and watch The Princess Bride, but alas, I cannot.

 Mobile Suit Gundam Extreme VS Full Boost: I've been posting updates with my progress, so I guess this isn't really needed? But I could mention how I'm enjoying most of the new units and the tweaks to the old suits. I love this one, and I'm done with 60+ of the 98 units, Mission Mode next!

  Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy: What's the actual name of this friggin' game? I went with what the spine said, heh. I just reached the Epilogue, so I'll see what comes next. I have mixed feelings on this one, care was evidently put into the package, fan service is everywhere, and tons to unlock... but I would've preferred something a bit more straightforward, no equipment and no customization on the movesets, but that's just me. Oh, and the story is terrible!

 Tales of VS: Now that I got the hang of it, I'm having fun with it! Got through Lloyd's story mode just fine. My main complaints are the same I have with Dissidia, I wanted a more straightforward fighting game, no equipment/moveset bullsh!t, but hey, that's just me.

 Tales of Eternia: I might've hyped myself a bit too much with this one. It definitely picked up after the scene with the King of Inferia, I wasn't expecting him to be such an a$$hole! Oh, and I love just how different this cast is from other Tales of games. Reid is a lazy bum who wants nothing to do with saving the world, unlike every other Tales of Hero. Farrah is the real hero, the one that loves helping people and what have you, and she is not the main character! Keele seems to be like Chester, in that he lags behind the rest of the party, but the reasons for their situations are quite different; Chester and Cless started at the same "level", so to speak, but while Cless spent time training when he went to the past, by the time he returned to the present, Chester was completely outclassed(And then you could trigger some scenes in which he trains as Arche watches, I JUST LOVE PHANTASIA), Keele on the other hand was always a weakling; and Keele is, probably, one of the most irritating allies in the Tales of series, makes Hubert look like a Teddy bear!. Meredy is cute as a button, love how she says "You bet!" whenever she responds positively.
 Yes, the cast is pretty dang unique for a Tales game, as much as I love the series, you just gotta admit that they love reusing archetypes.

Now Playing: Tales of VS

 Oh boy, what have I gotten into?

 I have played tons of Japanese games, games that didn't require you to actually know Japanese, mostly fighters. But Tales of VS is a whole different beast, try to play Dissidia in English. JUST TRY TO. What makes it so hard? The fact that it's not just a fighter, it tried to add RPG mechanics, namely stats, customizable equipment and moveset. I tried doing Arcade Battle and I got wrecked so hard, I could barely dent Farah and she'd just heal back up every wound I'd make. I wanna blame my equipment, but I can't buy any, yet. Oh well, I'm going to try my hardest with this one. I will.

Archile's Grab bag: Tales of Thursday edition

 It's here! 

  Open up!

 Tales of VS: I've been a fan of the Tales of series ever since I played the translated ROM of Tales of Phantasia for the SNES. I love SNES RPGs almost as much as Playstation 1's, and Phantasia mixed the real-time battles from Seiken Densetsu 3, my favorite SNES RPGS, with the time travelling aspect of Chrono Trigger. Unlike Chrono Trigger, there were only two time periods, and you couldn't switch at will until the very end. Tales of Phantasia was a fantastic game and I fell in love with it, playing as many games as I could in the series. I've finished most of the games that made it state-side(Destiny(Which I need to buy!), Phantasia(GBA), Abyss(PS2), Graces F, Xillia, Symphonia and Symphonia Dawn of the New World), plus, I'm now playing Destiny 2(Eternia for Japanese players), only missing are Vesperia(Don't have a 360), the PSP one(Which I am gonna get ASAP!) and Legendia.
 I love the Tales of Series, and them making a fighter out of it was a dream come true. Kinda...

Gundam Extreme VS Full Boost Impressions part 8

NEW Strike Noir Gundam

 Good at any range, and very fun to use. For a 2500 unit, it seems a bit lacking on the damage department, but it looks so good at everything it does... and he loves to play with its guns when it goes idle!

Exia Gundam

 It has more HP and a new Extreme Attack. It's especially good at close range, lots of melee combos and cancels, but its long-to-mid range game is a bit lacking. Its main beam rifle has little ammo and needs recharging, so every shot must count. For what it's worth, it does a ton of damage, for a 2000 unit.

Dynames Gundam

 Got very minor buffs to its subweapons. It has a ton of projectile tools and a shield mode that blocks a bit of damage, reduces mobility by a lot and turns melee into a weak kick, but changes the missile subweapon into a Gerobi beam.

Susanoo

 Upgraded to 2500, with the needed buffs to mobility, boost and HP, among other minor buffs and cancel- possibilities. Has a new move that dashes forwards and can be cancelled into melee, I didn't find much use for it. Susanoo has a fantastic close-range game, with combos that move him all over the place, but his projectiles are few and incredibly weak, making him a hard to recommend.

Gundam 00 + Raiser

 Has a new assist and a new Extreme attack, Raiser Mode lasts longer and it can now use the beam boomerang like Normal 00 Gundam. 00 has very slow projectiles, but shines everywhere else, its mid range and close range games are pretty strong, and Raiser Mode makes it faster and enhances all his moves. Very good choice.

Cherudim Gundam

 Got a lot of buffs for its subweapons. Cherudim is a great long range and mid range unit, but since it lacks any form of melee, unlike other ranged units, it really doesn't want to get close to anything. What makes it different from the other units, is that its melee attack is a projectile weapon that doesn't consume ammo,  but on the flip side it's really slow, so you have to be smart about it.

NEW Arios Gundam + Archer Gundam

 Pretty strong  for a 1000, and quite the extensive moveset. What makes Arios unique is that it is constantly accompanied by Archer Gundam, who shoots with it, and you can order it to shoot as an assist attack. Furthermore, they can fuse together for a Mobile Armor mode that has quite the moveset, not many MA modes get as much care! Arios' only weakness might be its close range game, but it really shouldn't need to engage that close.

NEW Reborns Gundam

 This one is so good. It has two modes, can be changed at will and neither have a timer, Normal mode is good at any range, plenty of projectile tools, an assist and some pretty good close-range moves. Gunner Mode has a pathetic excuse of a melee attack, but it can stun, and has some fantastic long range and mid range projectiles. I wasn't expecting to like this one, but it's really good.

NEW Arche Gundam

  Has a lot of bit-based tools, most of them track a, pardon the pun, bit. Arche wasn't made for long-range skirmishes, he wants to get close and personal. I actually like its melee tools, but it could've benefited from a bit more variety on its subweapons.

NEW Throne Drei Gundam

 I didn't like it, but I think that it's a really good unit. Its more important tool is the red field, that turns all locks on friendly units into green locks, at the cost of making it a sitting duck. It's also a bit of a Assist unit, it has four different assists!, but the rest of its moveset feels pretty... vanilla.

Mobile Suit Gundam 00 The Movie

Raphael Gundam

 A two mode unit, it received minor tweaks on both modes. Raphael is a unit that shines at long range, but shouldn't get into mid or close range unless it's on Separated Mode. Separated Mode actually turns Raphael's melee into some very fun to use combo strings, but it makes it a bit of an easy target, still, being able to attack from two different directions while Separated is very neat.

Quanta Gundam

 It got tweaks everywhere, and I think, think that the melee combos in Quanta Mode are new, I don't remember it having melee combos. Quanta is a bit complex to use, it has many modes and tools, but i think making the most of it requires experience, heh.

BONUS

Gundam Unicorn

 Received a ton of minor buffs, the one I like the most? Destroy Mode lasts about 5 seconds longer. Unicorn Gundam is an all-purpose suit, very straight to the point and easy to handle, it's particularly devastating at mid and close range, especially while in Destroy mode.