This is a blog dedicated to video games, from Animal Crossing to Resident Evil, Kingdom Hearts to Elder Scrolls Online, I let my fancy take me to many wonderful places!
Let's talk about Detective Pikachu today. I had been excited about this game for a good long while, and knew that it would be something I would love. When I was a child, I was obsessed with detectives. I wanted so badly to become one when I grew up. I read tonnes of whodunits, and mum caught me fingerprinting in the kitchen more than once. I used to put police tape up around the crime scenes I was investigating (inside the house, don't worry), and I even had a trench coat I wore while I was working.
I was also a huge Pokemon fan, of course! I played Pokemon Red frequently, training my Pokemon to be their very best. So, when I discovered that there was going to be a game that combined my love of detectives and investigations, and Pokemon, I was sold from the beginning. I became even more excited when I learned about Detective Pikachu, the coffee swilling, rough talking companion to the playable character, Tim Goodman. Yep, I had to buy the game on release. And the Amiibo. Of course. I haven't finished the game yet. I've just started Chapter Seven, and according to my 3DS, I've been playing for close to 10 hours. I thought that I would be able to write a little about what I think of it so far, and then maybe write something again when I've finished it. So let's get into it. Firstly, I love the game, just as I thought I would. The game play is a lot of fun. You collect clues, interrogate witnesses, put the pieces together, in a variety of different ways. I feel like the different ways to interact with the world of Ryme City and its inhabitants were decently varied, and have thus far not gotten bored, or bothered by any repetitiveness (that's not to say some parts of solving the case aren't repetitive- they have to be by nature- but it hasn't been a chore). I will say here that this game is very easy. If you're looking for a challenge, you likely won't find it here. Even if you do have a hard time connecting some clues, there are no penalties for wrong guesses, so you can proceed through the process of elimination.
Visually speaking, this game is pretty, but it isn't spectacular. It is very bright and colourful, and the Pokemon are all adorable, which is to be expected. When you are talking with Detective Pikachu, going through Case Notes or Files, or working on the bottom screen to solve the problems that stand in your way, it is quite a pretty game. When you are travelling around however, it becomes a little jarring. I am not sure if this is purely because of 3DS limitations, or if it is noticeable to me because I've been playing a lot of PS4 lately, but when you first get into your session with the game, the graphics might be a little distracting. I have noticed however that the more I play, the less I notice, as I get absorbed into the mystery. Ah yes, the mystery. The draw of the game, and any game/novel/movie like it. As I said, I haven't yet finished the game, so there is still a lot I don't know, but at this point, I would happily call the mystery solid. You are given enough clues to make some assumptions about the overall situation with Detective Pikachu (and I have no idea if my assumptions are correct, or if they've deliberately placed misleading clues to distract me), but not enough that you feel there is no point in continuing. As far as the mini mysteries strewn throughout the game go, while they are formulaic, as they would of course be, the clues are well distributed, Red Herrings are used appropriately, and you always end up with the perfect amount of information you need to proceed. Throughout the episodic mysteries you solve, you are able to gain new information and leads for your main pursuit, which is to find Tim's missing father, Harry Goodman. Detective Pikachu's loyal partner.
I know that the voice of Detective Pikachu is a contentious issue for many, but I had no problems with it. In fact, I didn't even have to grow accustomed to it. It just fit for me. If you can separate Detective Pikachu from other well loved Pikachu characters, then you likely won't have much of a problem here. The voice acting is strong in this game, and the music engaging and appropriate for the numerous settings you get to explore. And a quick note about the Amiibo. If you didn't get the chance to snag the behemoth, or you couldn't afford to, or justify the price, then don't worry too much. His only function at this stage is to unlock any Pika Prompts that you missed during your time with the game. Pika Prompts are cute interactions with Detective Pikachu, which you can view as many times as you'd like, but they're hardly essential to the game, and if you're persistent, you can collect them all without the Amiibo. I'm not sure if it will be compatible with any other games in the future though. Overall, so far, I would give Detective Pikachu a 7/10! And keep an eye out for a fun cameo!
Hey guys! I uploaded my first video today! It isn't great quality, and I'm sure that in the future I will be able to improve this (a camera upgrade might be a good start), but for now, I hope that you enjoy!
I live in Sydney, so this morning, on the 9th of March, was the Nintendo Direct. I haven't really been keeping up with Nintendo news lately, or video game news in general really. But, here I am, back in the thick of it, and I wanted to share my favourite mentions in today's Direct! Just a reminder that the release dates will be for the Australian market.
Kirby Star Allies
We already knew this game was coming. It is due out on the 16th of March. There was a little bit of new information, however. After the game's release, there will be free DLC, introducing new Allies for Kirby to play with!!!
Detective Pikachu
Again, we knew this one was coming already. This one is also releasing this month, on the 24th. It was nice to see a bit more of his strange personality, and the humour of the game. I am also quite excited about the large Detective Pikachu, releasing on the same day.
Captain Toad
When I saw Captain Toad pop up, I was ridiculously excited. When it continued to reveal that this was a port to the Switch of Treasure Tracker, I was disappointed. However, it will be coming to the Switch with a few extra Mario Odyssey levels, and a multiplayer mode. I am hopeful that this means Captain Toad will get a new game in the future, because I love Toad, and this game was brilliant. This is releasing on the 13th of June.
Octopath Traveler
I played the demo through a few days ago (and I'm still in the process of writing about my experience with it). I really enjoyed it, and I am keen on picking it up on release. We learned today about two more of the eight characters you can play- the apothecary and the merchant. We also learned that the characters can choose an additional job, to help customise and add additional layers of strategy to combat! And of course, the release date was announced. It's coming on the 13th of June, with a special edition as well, containing a pop up book presenting all of the characters, a replica coin, and a handy dandy map! I kind of want this edition, but it is currently much too expensive for me (sitting at AU$199.95 at EB Games).
Okami
A Switch remake of the original Okami game is coming, employing the Switch's touch screen, or Joy Con motion controls, depending on what mode you're playing in. I never played this game, but I did play the DS Okamiden, and that game was beautiful and very charming, with an engaging story. I was constantly reminded of Japanese kabuki theatre as I played. This releases on the 10th of July.
Luigi's Mansion
The original Luigi's Mansion game, released on the Game Cube, is coming to the 3DS! I played the sequel, Luigi's Mansion Dark Moon when it was released (it got me through a bad illness in fact, so I have very fond memories of it), but never had the chance to play the original. By the time I acquired a Game Cube, the games were quite difficult to find, unless you went on eBay. So, I am very excited to give this one a go when it releases later this year! Did you watch the Nintendo Direct today? What are you most excited for?
I have been playing video games in some capacity since I was a child. We had a computer game when I was very young about exploring a castle (I cannot remember the name of it, but it was so much fun- I played it with my siblings, and mum got us a clock specifically marked to let us know when it was the next person's turn).
My earliest solid memories playing video games are of Pokemon, as I am sure is the case for many people my age. I didn't have my own Game Boy, so I couldn't play often. My friend used to let me play her copy of Pokemon Blue when I slept over. Of course, I couldn't save it, so each time I would start at the beginning, and usually manage to earn my badge from Brock. I always chose Bulbasaur (and to this day, he is my favourite Pokemon). I must have been very enthusiastic about my experiences playing this game because, when I turned 9, mum took me to the second hand shop and bought me my very own Game Boy Colour. Not just any Game Boy Colour, but the yellow Pikachu one. I was so excited. Then, with my birthday money, I bought Pokemon Red. This was the first video game I ever bought myself. I still have it, and occasionally bring it out for a nostalgia trip on the Game Boy, which is still in perfect working order.
Some of my fondest childhood memories were playing these games, helping my sister with Pokemon Yellow (she was so enthralled by my game that mum bought her a special Game Boy Colour as well, the metallic Pikachu/Pichu one), playing with my imagination with my friend, and the help of some figurines, and watching the show before school each weekday.
As much as I still enjoy Pokemon now, and appreciate it on a whole new level (playing with my husband and my best friend is enjoyable- though I don't battle them, as I'm too anxious about making mistakes, I just sit with them and play), I'm not sure anything Pokemon related can surpass that feeling I had as a child, training my beloved Bulbasaur at my nan's, in the car, even in bed when I should have been asleep (hey, my mum bought the light attachment, I can't be blamed). Do you have fond memories of playing Pokemon as a child? Do you still play now?
