By the way, I think Miyazaki said the map was larger than Limgrave, so technically that is true, even if it is misleading. You already mentioned that there are parts of the map where very little happens, which was almost never the case in the base game. It might have benefited from a slightly smaller map.
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In particular I don't understand why the NPC summoning signs were placed inside the battle arenas. They give you the opportunity to call for help, but then force you to find the sign, walk there and navigate a clumsy UI while being under constant attack. This wouldn't have been so bad if battles started slow like in the base game. Maybe technically the boss AI starts at the same time, but the DLC bosses move at a ridiculous pace and can cross the distance to the player in no time.
The full Miyazaki quote from IGN's exclusive DLC-related interview was: "It's hard to answer without giving away too much and to a high degree of accuracy, but if you think in terms of scale or size, it's probably comparable, if not larger, than the area of Limgrave from the base game."
So I suppose we're both a tad off in our recollection, although Yes, it was rather misleading either-way.
As for NPC summon signs inside a boss arena, they're actually structured differently in terms of gameplay versus when the signs are located outside the arena. If you summon help outside the arena - either NPC or player - and then go inside to fight the boss, said threat will have much more HP than normal. You also receive slightly less Runes, as well. By having the NPC sign inside the arena, neither of these things happen: it's frustrating trying to summon Igon in the middle of dodging Bayle's attacks, but the result is that he does not contribute to a ballooning health total. This is very noticeable with a particular fight you haven't reached yet, but I won't say more.
Of course, they could've just not incorporated the health-expansion mechanic as a means to artificially inflate the experience, but I guess that's a different topic for another time.
In terms of sheer content, Shadow of the Erdtree absolutely could be the best DLC ever made - $40 for what is practically a sequel is totally worth it. I guess the question then becomes "did I enjoy that content enough?" and while I certainly did on some level, I'm not sure if I enjoyed it the most of all DLCs I've ever played. Of course I realize that's super subjective lol.
I'm sure Elden Ring's expansion will grow on me more with time, even if I feel slightly bummed as-to how I experienced it in the here-and-now. My disappointment might be self-inflicted, but it'll still take time to overcome that first-impression regardless, you know what I mean? I can't imagine this'll be the last time I play the game haha :)
Not that anyone asked, but for my money "the Best DLC Ever" remains "Tiny Tina's Assault on Dragon Keep", the final expansion for Borderlands 2. Taking the gunplay to a D&D-parody environment was super fun, and using the framework of Tina's fantasy story as a means to cope after Roland's death in the base game was inspired. The success of the DLC directly led to the fledged-out Tiny Tina's Wonderlands game, with some of the best Borderlands combat and character creation to date, as well as a full rulebook for their in-universe "Bunkers & Badasses" tabletop RPG system.
For what it's worth, I think the "Neon Yellow" looks like puke lol. Legitimately terrible choice: it could've been burnt orange, or a nice Biscayne blue, or even red like the Steam Deck logo! Hell, be different and make it look like fake wood; anything but that!
Don't think I can handle another MOBA...let alone a Battle Royale one! League of Legends was a fun time, but it was also the kind of game that could damage friendships if you're not careful (as it did for me, in the long run). Now that I'm basically by myself, getting into one at this point feels impossible.
If I'm gonna pick up any true multiplayer-only game in the near future, it'll be Marvel Rivals - seems like more of a traditional Team Deathmatch situation, with characters I already know and love.
Carry-on Grub - Its a strong card...for arena. In constructive, if you need card draw this would not be in the forefront of your mind. Its too expensive if you need options in a pinch, and in hearthstone nowadays even classes like hunter can generate/draw cards for days so this card has little to no niche.
I'm wondering if the Carry-On Grub's intended use-case is with something like the Paladin's new Legendary, Sunsapper Lynessa. Draw two cards - preferably Legendaries or something important - then play the Suitcase to dupe them with Lynessa. That or some other situation where putting the cards into the spell is technically a good thig.
Oh yeah I completely forgot Nintendo Switch 2 might release next year, meaning The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom may be stuck on a last-gen platform. Hopefully they don't do that!
Either way, this looks really cool and I'm interested in jumping back into Metroid. I still have an unopened Metroid Dread case I've been meaning to play...eventually.
You'd expect Nintendo to release remakes of the other two as well by the time 4 comes out, but why make sense?
"Introducing the 'Super Metroid Prime Combo Bundle': Every Metroid Prime, remastered, all in in one package!" Slap a $100 price tag on it like that Kingdom Hearts bundle on Steam and let the money roll in.
One question: do you get to choose from all four treasure, or do they give you only three choices. Because the difference between guaranteed instant Wondrous Wand and 75% chance of Wondrous Wand does matter.
It doesn't say "Discover", it says "Choose". Based on prior usage of the term, it should allow you to pick from all four.
The full Miyazaki quote from IGN's exclusive DLC-related interview was: "It's hard to answer without giving away too much and to a high degree of accuracy, but if you think in terms of scale or size, it's probably comparable, if not larger, than the area of Limgrave from the base game."
So I suppose we're both a tad off in our recollection, although Yes, it was rather misleading either-way.
As for NPC summon signs inside a boss arena, they're actually structured differently in terms of gameplay versus when the signs are located outside the arena. If you summon help outside the arena - either NPC or player - and then go inside to fight the boss, said threat will have much more HP than normal. You also receive slightly less Runes, as well. By having the NPC sign inside the arena, neither of these things happen: it's frustrating trying to summon Igon in the middle of dodging Bayle's attacks, but the result is that he does not contribute to a ballooning health total. This is very noticeable with a particular fight you haven't reached yet, but I won't say more.
Of course, they could've just not incorporated the health-expansion mechanic as a means to artificially inflate the experience, but I guess that's a different topic for another time.
In terms of sheer content, Shadow of the Erdtree absolutely could be the best DLC ever made - $40 for what is practically a sequel is totally worth it. I guess the question then becomes "did I enjoy that content enough?" and while I certainly did on some level, I'm not sure if I enjoyed it the most of all DLCs I've ever played. Of course I realize that's super subjective lol.
I'm sure Elden Ring's expansion will grow on me more with time, even if I feel slightly bummed as-to how I experienced it in the here-and-now. My disappointment might be self-inflicted, but it'll still take time to overcome that first-impression regardless, you know what I mean? I can't imagine this'll be the last time I play the game haha :)
Not that anyone asked, but for my money "the Best DLC Ever" remains "Tiny Tina's Assault on Dragon Keep", the final expansion for Borderlands 2. Taking the gunplay to a D&D-parody environment was super fun, and using the framework of Tina's fantasy story as a means to cope after Roland's death in the base game was inspired. The success of the DLC directly led to the fledged-out Tiny Tina's Wonderlands game, with some of the best Borderlands combat and character creation to date, as well as a full rulebook for their in-universe "Bunkers & Badasses" tabletop RPG system.
Shadow of the Erdtree is up there, though.
Flavor text doesn't reference Majora's Mask? 0/10 terrible card!
Ooh, yeah! Hades is one of the best games I've ever played, and the sequel is already fantastic despite being in Early Access.
I'm gone for a few days, and we've hired someone to write a (admittedly fantastic) Elden Ring guide in my place? I see how it is lol 😆
For context, the "amazing loot" happens to be Treasures from the now-extinct Duels mode. There are 28 options in the Discover pool.
For what it's worth, I think the "Neon Yellow" looks like puke lol. Legitimately terrible choice: it could've been burnt orange, or a nice Biscayne blue, or even red like the Steam Deck logo! Hell, be different and make it look like fake wood; anything but that!
"Sand is for sculpting!" - the OG sand sculptor!
Don't think I can handle another MOBA...let alone a Battle Royale one! League of Legends was a fun time, but it was also the kind of game that could damage friendships if you're not careful (as it did for me, in the long run). Now that I'm basically by myself, getting into one at this point feels impossible.
If I'm gonna pick up any true multiplayer-only game in the near future, it'll be Marvel Rivals - seems like more of a traditional Team Deathmatch situation, with characters I already know and love.
I'm wondering if the Carry-On Grub's intended use-case is with something like the Paladin's new Legendary, Sunsapper Lynessa. Draw two cards - preferably Legendaries or something important - then play the Suitcase to dupe them with Lynessa. That or some other situation where putting the cards into the spell is technically a good thig.
Apparently not the Muensterosity we expected, given that actor's resume leak. Was it all fake, or are we getting another cheese-card?
Oh yeah I completely forgot Nintendo Switch 2 might release next year, meaning The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom may be stuck on a last-gen platform. Hopefully they don't do that!
Either way, this looks really cool and I'm interested in jumping back into Metroid. I still have an unopened Metroid Dread case I've been meaning to play...eventually.
Lost opportunity to name it "The Legenda of Zelda: The Missing Link"! lol
"Introducing the 'Super Metroid Prime Combo Bundle': Every Metroid Prime, remastered, all in in one package!" Slap a $100 price tag on it like that Kingdom Hearts bundle on Steam and let the money roll in.
Nintendo, pay me!
I was NOT expecting a Zelda game this year, let alone one where you actually play as Zelda lol. Consider me hyped! :D
Woohoo! Didn't actually play the first two Prime games, but the third one was amazing back in the day.
OMG I LOVE IT. It has the aesthetic of the Link's Awakening remake, too!
It doesn't say "Discover", it says "Choose". Based on prior usage of the term, it should allow you to pick from all four.
We noticed, and fixed it while you were typing haha :D