*** Nintendo Switch ***

I'm at Chapter 4 and it hasn't felt like a slog at any point so far for me.
I'd recommend playing up to mid Chapter 3 at least before giving up on it.
I think because I played the previous two games everything just makes sense and clicks for me, but I can see why some may find it convoluted at first.

wingman said:
The below shot makes me anxious. I took this last night and felt pretty much like that's as much as I can handle:

https://i.imgur.com/sLUh90T.jpg
Click to expand...

It becomes less overwhelming once you realise that there about 20 different shops just for Pouch items (Fish, Meat, Bread, Instruments, Books, Art, etc etc) - all for passive buff items that give different benefits.

If you take a few minutes to go round all the shops, paying attention to the Icon the shop has, then you'll soon know what's what.

oweneades said:
I think it is running some sort of resolution scaler in portable mode as visual artifacting (obvious shifts in clarity during a scene) is very obvious if you look for them. It is the first game that I have noticed such a scaling method visible during motion. I think we might be seeing something like a 50% scale on the 720p base (given it looks blocky on the native 720p Switch screen).
Click to expand...

Yeah the scaling happens in docked mode too, the min resolution is not as low as in portable, but still feels like it's sub-720p on occasion.

Zelda, Mario and Splatoon also have resolution scaling but only in docked I think, their min resolution is higher though so you don't notice it as much.

The combat is similar to XB-X but the UI is very different (this is the bit I don't like in comparison).
Click to expand...

I much prefer XB2's UI for it's improved usability, no more scrolling left and right constantly to get to different Arts.

(...) Even in docked mode I still feel like XB-X looked better (at least in the area I am in now) and performed better.
Click to expand...

XB2 has more going on graphically than XBX - more environment/character model detail, realtime environment shadows and lighting, ambient occlusion, more types of visual effects, and significantly higher object draw distance to name a few.

XBX definitely performed better (solid 30fps most of the time). It was a locked 720p and very well optimised for the hardware but also basic and limited in several areas - baked-in environment shadows for example helped save resources.
 
Last edited:
Those are all excellent points although I am not finding that much of a difference when rolling. Static shots would probably highlight the effects more.

Unfortunately the downside is noticeable. Hopefully they can squeeze some more optimization out of it as I feel there is a great game under the slightly rough exterior.

On the UI point have I missed something or are there a lot less arts this time around (I recall the bar had 8-10 in XB-X vs 3+1 we have now)?
 
I think if you went back to X now you'd really notice it, but for better or worse they decided to prioritise graphical features over performance/resolution for XB2. Perhaps to make the world feel more alive and natural which I think it does.

Stylistically I think I still prefer X overall - loved that sci-fi feel to it and that it didn't have the typical anime character designs and tropes that XB2 has, but I'd also love too see XBX upgraded with some of XB2's graphical features.

Some regions in XB2 look better than others, maintaining a more stable resolution/framerate and really showcasing how the engine has developed since XBX.

The resolution scaling can be distracting for me at times, but it's not having a big impact on my enjoyment of the game really. All things considered I really like how it looks, I find it more visually appealing than a lot of the high-budget games around running on better hardware.

oweneades said:
On the UI point have I missed something or are there a lot less arts this time around (I recall the bar had 8-10 in XB-X vs 3+1 we have now)?
Click to expand...

Each 'Blade' has 3 Arts + 4 specials available in battle, and you can use up to 3 Blades at once in battle (once you've unlocked the 3rd slot) so 9 Arts + 12 specials. There are further options made available a bit later too.

The combat gets better and better, movement plays a much bigger part than before now and works great with all the other systems.
 
Last edited:
Just played xc2 for an hour I love everything about it so far, think it's really charming, pretty sure I'm going to sink a lot of hours into this and already want to know where the story is going !

Also.... the pro controller..... wow :D
 
Yeah man the controller is a beautiful thing.

I think I'll keep XC2 for the weekends when I have more time. At lunchtime I am still enjoying RE: Revelations (still on the campaign though Raid mode is so good I can barely tear myself away from it) and for a quick hour or 90 minutes in the evening I have a blast with Mario Kart.
 
The Chapter5 area in XB2... :o, beautiful place and nice concept!.
I'm trying to focus on the main story but it's really hard to not get distracted by things sometimes.

2StepSteve said:
With the reviews and general feedback it's been getting, I wouldn't want to pay that much for it.
Click to expand...

I don't really read or watch reviews these days, but 84 on opencritic/metacritic would suggest the game has received very positive reviews surely.

I'm not aware of what negative things are being said exactly, but among the online communities I frequent people are generally enthused by the game and discussions are positive.

It's must have for any JRPG fan imo - unless you don't enjoy micro-managing systems in your games, but most of that stuff is optional I think (or from what ive played so far).
 
Last edited:
Picked up splatoon 2 yesterday but struggling to get online with it. When I try and load an online lobby, I tries to connect for a while and I then get Error 2618.

Nintendo suggests this is something to do with my router Nat type? Anyone know how I fix it?
 
SAM81 said:
Picked up splatoon 2 yesterday but struggling to get online with it. When I try and load an online lobby, I tries to connect for a while and I then get Error 2618.

Nintendo suggests this is something to do with my router Nat type? Anyone know how I fix it?
Click to expand...

That really depends on how your home network is set up. Within the Switch network settings, what does it say your NAT type is? Preferably you want type A/B.

~~~~~~

DF did an analysis on XB2 and did confirm on the poor performance/quality: https://www.reddit.com/r/NintendoSw...digitalfoundry_xenoblade_chronicles_2_switch/

Too sum it up shortly:
  • Docked is 720p with a TAA solution
  • Undocked is a dynamic res ranging from 552p - 368p with a sharpening filter over it
  • Technical graphical improvements over Xenobalde Chronicles X in areas such as reflections, lighting, motion blur, etc.
  • Odd drops down to 20fps in areas that previously didn't drop, rebooting the game fixes this but they soon crop up again.
Click to expand...
I think they should raise the minimum resolution and perhaps drop the sharpening filter :p.
 
I played XBC2 for a bit in the car and it is definitely worse than on the TV but I kind of expected that with so much going on and the large environments. I'm not that bothered because with a game of this size I am expecting to play it TV only anyway.
 
RedStarRiot said:
Do you need to install games to memory on the switch?

Do I need to purchase an SD card? If so what do folk recommend?
Click to expand...

Some games require it. not all of them. Generally recommended though.

Card wise. Cheapest class 10 from a reputable brand. I have a 128gb. It's been fine so far. I like physical games though over eshops.
 
RedStarRiot said:
Do you need to install games to memory on the switch?

Do I need to purchase an SD card? If so what do folk recommend?
Click to expand...

If you're buying digital versions of games then yes. Although saying that, some physical versions actually requires you to download a big patch as they cheap out on the card by going with 16gb instead of the bigger 32gb one.

There was a 128gb micro SD card that was on a really good offer on black friday, but it's gone up in price now. Sandisk or Samsung will be my recommendation, just make sure the read speeds are good.
 
Last edited:
dark-souls-one-remaster.jpg

Please please please please pleaseeeeeeee :D.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom