Saturday, October 5, 2024

Introducing the Start of a Brand-New "Experimental" Video Series: Mario Superstar Baseball (GC)!

Thank you, everyone, for your patience with new video content and updates on my YouTube channel! Your wait will hopefully be deemed as worthwhile with a brand-new video series! It's Mario Superstar Baseball as part of the SuperPhillip Sports Network! Enjoy this experimental new series, having myself do impromptu commentary over my playthrough of the Mario Sunshines/Fireballs in the game's Challenge Mode! 

I learned two major things while making this video: 1) How to splice two videos together to seamlessly look like I'm commentating live as opposed to over recorded footage, and 2) I suck at baseball terminology! 

Regardless, I hope you'll like what you see and listen to! I'm always desiring constructive feedback, so feel free to hit me up in the comments with what you think! Thanks, all!

Monday, September 23, 2024

Grapple Dogs: Cosmic Canines (NSW, XBS, PC) Review

We continue our theme of platformers, particularly indie ones, with Grapple Dogs: Cosmic Canines from Medallion Games. I review this title as played on the Xbox Series S.

These Grapple Dogs are out of this world.

The last time we left Pablo and friends, our puppy protagonist had just defeated an evil robot named Nul. After the battle, a mysterious being not-so-subtly alluded that the fight was far from over with a new threat lingering in the shadows. Grapple Dogs: Cosmic Canines picks up immediately from there with a new mission: collect all four Allkrystal pieces before the multiverse as our heroes know it is destroyed by the aforementioned new threat, Vyr--and a new playable character, the brooding, gun-toting Luna.

What follows is that of four worlds, each containing one piece of the shattered Allkrystal, each guarded by one of Vyr's commanders. Though first, Pablo and Luna must venture through several platforming levels both exploration and obstacle course-based to gather enough jewels to open the way to each boss's domain. 

Our protagonist Pablo is getting into the swing of things.

Like its predecessor, Grapple Dogs: Cosmic Canines contains a multitude of levels, featuring an abundance of platforming challenges, and--as expected from the title--points to use each dogs' grappling hook to swing across chasms and over obstacles and hazards. Levels are linear affairs, but there are plenty of opportunities to explore off the beaten path, whether for extra berries--the currency of Cosmic Canines--or more interestingly, hidden jewels and treasure chests containing new skins for Pablo and Luna's grapple hooks. It's to players' benefit to explore levels fully, as these previously mentioned jewels are the means to progress in worlds, opening gates that lead to even more levels.

Venture through the ocean blue (or in this case, the waters beige) of the world map.

Each character has their own separate set of stages to move through, utilizing their unique abilities. Pablo can charge and punch enemies, as well as bounce to generate more height. Whereas Luna's most prominently featured ability is that of her firing her gun, which she can shoot in 360 degrees with the use of the right analog stick. She also has a helpful dash, whether on land or in midair that takes a brief period to recharge before being able to use it again.

Run and gun (or dash and bash) as newcomer Luna!

Levels offer a dynamic range of gimmicks, mechanics, and platforming challenges for players. One level had Luna firing at targets that turned on and off blocks that could be used to either leap on or off of, slide down or climb up wall jump-style, or to block enemy fire or obstacles like lasers. Eventually some multitasking was needed, as I was required to both swing and aim at a target at the same time before making a jump to the newly revealed block created by the shot target. Meanwhile, another level featured a pink and orange shade that turned all characters into silhouetted form. The level would change shades on different beats (also displayed visually with a meter at the top of the screen for less rhythm-inclined players like myself), thus shifting which platforms were stable and solid to stand on.

In addition to level gimmicks, there are various power-ups to be found in Grapple Dogs: Cosmic Canines. Both characters stumble upon them in their respective levels, but the utility in how they use them is different. With the shock power-up, Luna gets what is essentially an electric shotgun, firing short bursts that absolutely demolish enemies that are too close for her comfort. It also charges up light bulbs, which in turn turns on certain platforms to be used. Meanwhile, Pablo's shock power-up form grants him the ability to roll into a ball and glide along electrical panels in an impressive and utterly delightful and fun way. 

Pablo's brand of flame power-up grants him the ability to charge in any direction in fireball form.

Previously, the first Grapple Dog tied the berries that you collected in levels with 100% completion, requiring players to gather them all to fully finish a level. This time around, berries are mainly the currency used in Toni's--Pablo's bunny girlfriend--shop. Here, health upgrades, grapple hook cosmetics, and character outfits for both Pablo and Luna can be purchased. It's nice to have some use for berries in this sequel rather than just having to collect them for a rote completionist purpose. 

Berries are also spent to open up special bonus challenge levels, where a central mechanic or power-up of the game is explored and focused on with greater depth. The goal of these challenge levels is either reaching the level's finish line, or in what comes off as an ode to Super Smash Bros.--whether intended or not--breaking all of the targets or collecting all of the level's berries within a time limit. 

Whereas Luna's flame power-up grants her a freakin' flamethrower! Flame on!

At the conclusion of each world, there is a battle against one of Vyr's righthand commanders. These battles are highly varied. One has a big blob of a boss pursue Pablo as our protagonist performs various platforming feats to reach points in the level where he can deal damage to the boss blob, while another features Luna in a more traditional battle of endurance against a boss with a shield who can only be damaged from above or from behind. The bosses are tougher endeavors than the main game, but they're also incredibly rewarding to beat.

Between completing levels--searching high and low for collectibles--speed-running levels to aim for gold medals, and beating bosses, there is a lot to do within Grapple Dogs: Cosmic Canines. You won't be left wanting for more content. Even after the base game is completed, there are much more difficult post-game levels to explore and complete for the "true ending" of the game. 

Grapple Dogs: Cosmic Canines does come equipped with two helpful accessibility measures for if the game gets too arduous or if players would prefer a breezier time. These are the abilities to nullify damage as well as jump infinitely, making the game and its various platforming challenges less, well, challenging. These can be turned on and off at any time, and there is no genuine penalty for using them.

In my experience with the Xbox Series S version of the game, I did encounter times where my character grappled and glitched unnaturally across the screen and through objects, to the point where the camera did not follow. Additionally, I received two error messages from a system level while playing, both when I used the leaf-grapple just over a ledge. I had to force-quit the game and restart, which was a bit vexing considering how long some levels can feel when you're scouring them for secrets and collectibles. That said, those glitches and errors were rare. 

Pablo goes to the poles (and climbs them, too)!

To me, and I'm sure this is no unique opinion, Grapple Dogs: Cosmic Canines looks the part of a Game Boy Advance game that never was--offering colorful, crisp, and detailed visuals that wouldn't be foreign to Nintendo's handheld. Locales look lovely, whether they're rain-drenched battlefields, futuristic cities full of monkey citizens, or desolate post-apocalyptic deserts. Well, as lovely as something post-apocalyptic can look, that is! The music is full of bops, delivering bouncy tunes and warm vibes when appropriate and foreboding and ominous sounds at more tense moments and levels.

Medallion Games managed to make an even more impressive sequel with Grapple Dogs: Cosmic Canines. The varying play styles of both playable characters has each feeling different and fun to use, the level gimmicks keep things fresh, and the secrets and collectibles are generally fun to find and well hidden. Some minor to maddening glitches and some difficulty jumps may rub some players wrong, but if you do decide to give this Grapple Dog sequel a chance, you'll most likely be in for a dog-gone good time.

[SPC Says: B+]

Sunday, September 22, 2024

Gimmick! 2 (Multi) Review

For your Sunday night and for the first day of fall, a new review arrives on SuperPhillip Central. It's Gimmick! 2 from Bitwave Games, and here's the SPC verdict.

A star is reborn

The original Gimmick! released on the Nintendo Famicom back in 1992. The 16-bit Super Famicom was the new hotness in Japan at the time (and had been for a while), so the game was pretty much overshadowed, despite Gimmick! itself being one of the more technologically impressive Famicom games by virtue of being a late release in that system's life. Sunsoft of America opted to not localize the game in North America, but recently it finally saw its way to our shores--albeit digitally--via a remaster. 

Now, 32 years after the fact, Gimmick! 2 launches onto the Nintendo Switch (the platform of which this game was played on for this review), PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X and S, Xbox One, and PC. While the game has a colorful, charming, and whimsical appearance, don't be fooled--Gimmick! 2 is one challenging 2D platformer, but also one that's immensely rewarding.

Our green plush toy turned living, breathing hero Yumetaro is back, and once more he's to rescue his young owner who has been taken away by a mysterious but mischievous sorcerer. The opening scenes deliver the story with partially animated cartoon stills that set up the story swiftly, thus thrusting players right into the action soon after.

When his owner is taken to a faraway, fantasy land by a nefarious sorcerer,
Yumetaro is on the job to rescue her!

Gimmick! 2 gently eases players into said action with some mild platforming challenges, and introduces (or in this case of players of its predecessor--re-introduces) players to its main mechanic--throwing a star. Yumetaro can conjure one of these stars at any time, summoning it over his head with both arms raised. This simple-seeming star has a multitude of utility to it. Yumetaro can throw it, hitting enemies with it as well as various star-shaped switches to activate rainbow platforms. 

A little star power here and there is what the job calls for!

More interestingly (though not to say the previous actions aren't fun to do), he can rebound it off walls and leap onto it, riding it as it bounces around. This action is mandatory for most of the game's challenges. Seeing as the physics for the star are so true-to-life, it's a matter of throwing the star with enough momentum, at the correct angle, and with the right velocity to have it either smack enemies with it, hit switches, or ricochet it off walls properly to get the job done.

Scratch that--make that a LOT of star power is what the job calls for!

In many aspects, Gimmick! 2 is as much a puzzle-platformer as it is an action-platformer. It's all about finding the right angle to throw your star, leaping correctly onto said star as it rebounds, and using it to reach otherwise inaccessible areas. 

I mentioned before how Gimmick! 2's colorful and cartoon-y appearance belies a truly tricky platformer, and while it's true that the game is challenging at its core, it's also rather lenient with checkpoint placements and amounts. I found failing a certain jump or sequence definitely gave me that addicting "I gotta try this ONE more time" feeling, which naturally turned into "I gotta try this TWENTY more times". Needless to say, some frustration was found, but moreover, I was overall enjoying my time banging my head (and Yumetaro's star) against the wall in an effort to push through and persevere.

The main game of Gimmick! 2 isn't overly long. It's six or so levels and a starting run (factoring in figuring out how to get through levels and solve platforming puzzles) will most likely take anywhere between 3-5 hours. With enough practice, a full playthrough of the game can be as short as 1-2 hours. That said, there's plenty to discover in each level outside of the main path. A myriad of treasure chests containing collectibles in the form of cosmetics like different headgear, as well as various skins for Yumetaro and his star, are strewn about each level. Many of these are placed in some truly fiendish to either find or reach locations. 

Treasure chests like this one are placed in some truly tricky locations,
requiring an eagle eye and some steady thumbs to pull off the platforming moves to reach them!

In addition to those optional treasures for cosmetic goodies, in order to get the "true ending", featuring an extended final level and series of boss encounters, players must discover hidden items placed in the most difficult of locations and miniature obstacle courses. These demand your star-throwing acuity be at the top of its game and a level of mastery, too.

To help aid with some (see: definitely not all) of the difficulty in Gimmick! 2, there is an Assisted mode. Truth be told, this is still an incredibly challenging game even with Assisted on. The original Gimmick mode features less health for Yumetaro, as well as more enemies and hazards to worry about, too. So, think of Assisted mode as a means to ease into the game better before tackling the more challenging Gimmick mode.

Spikes like these purple urchins are instant death, so leap and tread carefully, Yumetaro! 

On the presentation side of things, Gimmick! 2 is a charmer with a gorgeous hand-drawn art style brimming with color. It all runs at a smooth FPS too, which is especially necessary for a game where precision and timing are of the utmost importance when platforming, so any nasty frame-rate hitches would be unwelcome. What IS welcome, however, is the music done by veteran video game composer David Wise of Donkey Kong Country fame. The music is suitably catchy, hummable, and offers a slightly ambient sound.

While the relatively high price tag ($24.99 USD) for a relatively short game might seem like a gnarly proposition, Gimmick! 2 delighted and dazzled me with its cute, charming graphics on top of its occasionally grueling platforming challenges. While the game is quite difficult--especially when aiming for the aforementioned "true ending"--it's one where failures aren't extraordinarily punishing, simply putting you back to the closest checkpoint, at most, a mere minute away. Gimmick! 2 is in essence a game with retro-style challenge mixed with modern sensibilities. This mix makes for an excellent 2D platformer that with enough practice and patience will hopefully delight and dazzle you, too.

[SPC Says: B]

A copy of Gimmick! 2 was provided by the publisher for the purpose of this review.

Wednesday, September 4, 2024

BAKERU (NSW) 100% Playthrough - Episodes 1 & 2

BAKERU recently released on the Nintendo Switch and Steam after a lengthy wait for localization. In fact, I had practically given up on it coming Westward. Fortunately, Spike Chunsoft published and helped localize the game for Western audiences, and now we get to enjoy developer Good-Feel's Japanese fairy tale adventure.

A bit impromptu of a decision, but I've opted to start a 100% playthrough on my YouTube channel, SuperPhillip Plays, of the game, split up into digestible episodes and with timestamps. This is a no-commentary run, so enjoy the pure gameplay featured!

 

Thursday, August 29, 2024

Shadow of the Ninja: Reborn (Multi) Review

Shadow of the Ninja: Reborn officially released today on the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Steam, and the Xbox Series of consoles, the latter of which this review is based off of. Here is the SuperPhillip Central verdict.

Without a shadow of a doubt, you will get schooled.

The original Shadow of the Ninja is an NES cult classic, known for its compelling combination of awesome action platforming and punishing but fair difficulty. It's currently available as a game to play as one of Nintendo Switch Online's offerings, specifically in the NES catalog. Now, decades later, the title is remade and reborn, getting a new lease on life with added features, a new level, and lots of polish with Shadow of the Ninja: Reborn. Keeping that aforementioned combination of action platforming and punishing but fair (for the most part) difficulty, Reborn is hardly a game for the timid, and that isn't always the player's fault, either.

Being a relic of the NES era, there isn't a massively deep narrative or plot to Shadow of the Ninja's remade incarnation. What you get is two ninjas--Hayate and Kaede--who are on a mission to take down a dictator who leads a dystopian country. That's pretty much it plot-wise, but it serves a serviceable enough purpose to get to slaying enemies and evading death traps of all shapes and sizes in the six level campaign. 

Which ever ninja you choose to start out with is less of a choice of skill set--they both seem to play similarly for the most part (save for slightly different but discernible physics)--and more on aesthetics. Each start out with a ninja blade and a kusarigama--a spear that extends from a chain. The former is perfect for melee and honing in on close-by foes, while the latter is excellent for not only keeping space between enemies but also taking them out from afar before making a perilous jump, for example. The kusarigama can be fired in all compass directions when possible (i.e. there aren't walls or floors in the way), and both the blade and chain can be temporarily upgraded once for better utility. 

Ninja gear discovered in levels in all sorts of locations makes for the bow that wraps your ninja's offensive package together. These come in the form of myriad weapons, abilities, and health-bestowing items to utilize in a pinch. From traditional shuriken and kunai to less typical ninja fare like shotguns and miniguns, your ninja can acquire quite the arsenal--though only a handful of ninja gear can be equipped at once before they're tossed away upon collecting a new one.

The ninja gear that you keep in your possession by the end of a level is put into the shop for permanent access, where at the beginning of a given playthrough you use the money you've earned from slaying enemies to purchase an assortment of ninja gear to start your next playthrough. The highest amount of money you've earned is the benchmark for future playthroughs, so there's never any worry about messing yourself over with a low budget to buy gear on a playthrough.

The six levels themselves are sometimes overwhelming affairs. Practically every few steps in a level sees your ninja encountering some kind of enemy, trap, or pit to deal with. Yes, in these levels death is less of a possibility--it's more of a certainty. Fortunately, levels are also split up between multiple sub-areas, which serve as checkpoints. Now, that doesn't mean that these sub-areas aren't lengthy endeavors onto themselves, meaning that I never died deep into a sub-area and had to redo tons of progress. Oh, I definitely and frustratingly did. But at the very least there's the option to continue that is available after the somewhat patronizing and overlong "Game Over" screen plasters itself on your screen--a screen that I got a little TOO used to.

With six levels, Shadow of the Ninja: Reborn might not seem like a lengthy endeavor of a game. Truth be told, if you have the skills to rush through every level like a master ninja, then Reborn won't give you too much longevity. Fortunately, most of us aren't equipped with that advanced skill set. Instead, you'll find yourself replaying levels, making slow but steady progress, earning new ninja gear to assist you on future playthroughs, and finally, FINALLY, making enough headway to take down the final boss and successfully beating the game. 

There are two difficulty modes in Shadow of the Ninja: Reborn--normal and hard. The first is the base difficulty, suggested to beginners and standard players alike. The latter presents more enemies, advanced attack patterns for said enemies, and just a more arduous journey--which the base difficulty of normal is no cakewalk to begin with! Co-op play is also offered for two players locally, which serves as a nice way to lessen the difficulty burden, but unless you can find a co-op partner who can put up with the level of challenge on display, then you'll probably be going it alone.

That said, here comes the troublesome part of Shadow of the Ninja: Reborn--and it's a bit of a doozy: the controls. While hacking and slashing feel wonderful and are done well, it's other mechanics that don't hold up so well. This includes climbing, which makes it so simple tasks like clinging to pipes were efforts in frustration as my ninja would either climb to the other side of the pipe to take damage or drop out completely from the pipe, also taking damage from the fall into the abyss. Then, there's wall climbing, which is all too aggravating and requires double tapping the A button when on a wall to scale it. It's quite clunky and finnicky, offering nowhere near the precision and grace required for some of the later stages' platforming challenges.

Last but not least, the ninja gear you stumble upon that I touched on earlier is a bit cumbersome to switch between. Rather than being able to cycle through all your options with the unused rear triggers, instead you are forced to hold the ninja gear button and press left and right on the D-Pad to cycle through your options. It's rather challenging in the heat of battle to madly switch to the proper ninja gear you want. It made for situations where I'd die and get a game over, right before being able to select a healing ninja gear, for example. 

Shadow of the Ninja: Reborn looks divine with its upgraded visuals. The spritework is tremendous, offering immensely and painstakingly detailed characters, and the biggest charmer here is that of enemies, especially those large ones like the yellow robotic bully that loves to fire flames from its flamethrower. The backgrounds and environments are no slouch either--and that's an understatement. Everything oozes atmosphere and the aesthetics are stellar. The soundtrack has gotten a boost and improvement too, and the tunes feature the guidance of the original composer, Iku Mizutani, delivering a lovely 80s/90s hard rock sound to it.

Depending on your level of patience and perseverance, Shadow of the Ninja: Reborn may be a tough ask to consider playing. This is a massively difficult game, which sometimes isn't helped by the clunky climbing controls or the on-the-fly ninja gear switching. It's also a short game to experience all of the content available, but most players will not exactly be able to breeze through it to see it all in a fast fashion. If you're willing to put in the effort and contend with the level of challenge offered, Shadow of the Ninja: Reborn is a remarkable 2D action platformer that properly transitions the NES original to a new era.

[SPC Says: B-]

A copy of Shadow of the Ninja: Reborn was provided by the publisher for the purpose of this review.