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Before I dive into todays article let me just tell you what this is. I have complied my favorite news from myself and my friends over at Gamingtrend to bring you this roundup. Be sure to visit the links over on the site, and enjoy! Because this is my first time doing this, some stuff is from a couple of weeks ago.
Battlefield 6 review from Cassie and Henry
One of the most iconic franchises in the FPS genre, Battlefield is a series known for its all-out warfare, destruction, and intensity, from the multiplayer to the campaign, and everything in between. However, the train seemed to teeter on the rails after a couple of somewhat lackluster releases and very odd decisions about the direction the developers wanted to take it. At the end of July, we got a first-hand look at what Battlefield Studios (Criterion, MOTIVE, DICE, and Ripple Effect) have been working on with the multiplayer reveal, which showed a lot of promise with regards to gameplay, creative direction, and so much more. This was followed up by the beta, which peaked at over half a million players, a testament to the hopes of many who are looking for something refreshing, and a real contender to that other series. Of course, we’ve been hands-on, boots-on-the-ground, and in the trenches with Battlefield 6 for several days now, and if they’re not already shaking in their battle rattle, they should be.
Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 review by David
There’s a special feeling I get when revisiting games from my childhood. It’s part nostalgia, sure, but I think there’s more to it than just that. While I’ll never get to experience a game for the first time ever again, there’s something equally exciting about seeing a title through fresh but familiar eyes. As a kid, I played Super Mario Galaxy 1 and 2 to death, getting every star as both Mario and Luigi multiple times over. Eventually I had my fill and moved on, with my memories of both titles becoming more fuzzy as the years passed.
Of course, I played Galaxy 1 again with Super Mario 3D All-Stars back in 2020 since it was a limited release (FOMO is my weakness), but after getting 100% as Mario, I just didn’t feel compelled to do so again as Luigi. It was a decent port, but as I play mostly in portable mode, touching the screen to use the pointer constantly felt like a chore. I’m still glad I played it, but given a choice between 3D All-Stars and the original Wii version, I’d pick the Wii every time. Once again, the game began to fade from memory, and those memories were this time tinged with a bit of a sour note.
Absolum review by Jack
Many games lately aim to be immortal. Whether they try to be “services” that funnel you into an endless loop of matchmaking and cash shops, dump you in giant open worlds, or procedurally generate gauntlets, the current gaming “meta” prioritizes taking up your time above all else. Absolum goes the procedurally generated route, injecting the beat-em-up formula of classic arcade games with randomly generated encounters, powerups, and item drops. I like a lot about Absolum, but above all else it made me think that eternal life doesn’t quite live up to the hype. Absolum demonstrates the pros and cons of immortality, ultimately resulting in an enjoyable experience that ironically has less of a shelf life than its arcade ancestors.
Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar review by Adam
Story of Seasons has been on my radar for years, yet I’ve never made the leap to playing through a game in the series. I’ve played the likes of Harvest Moon, Stardew Valley, Animal Crossing, Disney Dreamlight, and The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim, if you count that as a cozy game at this stage, like I do. When Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar for the Nintendo Switch 2 was announced, I was super excited for a chance to try the series out at what should be the best version of the game. The website for Grand Bazaar lists multiple ways in which this version is THE version to play; did the game deliver? Let’s discuss.
Pac-Man World 2 Re-Pac review by Anthony
When playing the first Pac-Man World – or should I say its remake in Pac-Man World Re-Pac – I was reminded of the burgeoning 3D platformer scene in the late 90’s, back when Super Mario 64 changed the rules and left the industry figuring out this newfangled 3D business. In braving these wild new frontiers came the task of juggling depth perception with translating classic mechanics into a whole other dimension, leaving us with Pac-Man World’s familiar assemblage of dot-munching and fruit-collecting in 3D. But what’s good for the goose isn’t always good for the gander, and so I found myself with a middling adventure indistinguishable from the pack of colorful mascot platformers.
Pac-Man World 2 Re-Pac follows the same blueprint, albeit with some new tricks up Pac-Man’s non-existent sleeve. Having not played the original 2002 version, you’ll forgive the lack of any direct comparisons, but I’m told everything from level design to boss fights have been revamped – and that’s on top of a brand-spanking new postgame. Mighty generous on Namco’s part, but how does it stack up?
Nicktoons & The Dice of Destiny by Raven Winters
Nicktoons & The Dice of Destiny is the newest entry in the Nicktoons series, and, boy, am I in love. Nicktoons has been dormant for quite some time, since 2008, to be precise. I’m sure fans remember Nicktoons: Attack of the Toybots, Nicktoons: Android Invasion, and Nicktoons: Nitro, which are some of the last games released for this series. I am a huge Nickelodeon fan, and SpongeBob reigns supreme as my favorite.
Nicktoons & The Dice of Destiny is an action RPG in the vein of Diablo. The roster is denser than I was expecting for this return to the series – and while I miss the 3D Platforming action, any worry I had about a top-down Nicktoons game washed away as soon as the tutorial started. Fair warning, spoilers are sprinkled throughout this review, but I will not reveal the end of the game or any major story beats.
News
Some of my favorite news articles from the last few weeks.
Season 19 of Overwatch!
Darkness descends, lanterns flicker, the masks go on… the Haunted Masquerade is about to begin! Season 19 is going to be a ball of spooktacular strategy, cursed chaos, and terrifying transformation. From festive Halloween events new and old, to ongoing Stadium evolutions, magical Mythics and costumed cosmetics—you’re cordially invited to the Haunted Masquerade.
I can’t wait for this damn season.
David brings us some great Call of Duty news and opinions!
David shares some news on Minecraft meets Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds
Now Playing on Gamingtrend
Catch you next week!
Join me next week where I assign some tokens, we catch up with Gamingtrend, and get ready for new guides! Thanks for reading!
