Currently playing...

[venusian]

Working my way through Samus Returns on the 3DS in leu of buying a Switch. It's basic but good. Typical Metroid romp, lots of back tracking, map scouring etc. You get what you expect. I just wish the 3D was more stable on my original 3DS 'cause the 3D effect is lovely when it works.

[MegaZoid.]

Skyforce on switch , it's THE best shootem up.

[venusian]

Skyforce on switch , it's THE best shootem up.

Absolutely! Have played the Vita version almost to death.

[WiteWulf]

I loved Anniversary on the PS4/Vita but cannot get past that fucking stupid EMP thing on level 5. I'm not alone, loads of people ranting about it online; shame as it spoils an otherwise fantastic game.

We picked up Reloaded on the Switch at the weekend and it looks like another great game. Alas, I've discovered a previously hidden hatred for the Switch controllers with this game. The analogue sticks have such a short throw they feel incredibly imprecise for a game like this. I'm gonna wind up investing in a Pro controller or an SN30 Pro at this rate

[Deckard]

Go Pro, Go Pro , probably my favourite controller since the N64.



just a shade under 50 quid and very funky

https://www.game.co.uk/en/xenoblade-chr ... VmR_JsAspQ

[venusian]

fucking stupid EMP thing on level 5

One doesn't get past it (or at least I didn't). Let it hit you and the rest of the level is a dodge-en-up. It's not hard once you stop trying to resist.

[Misfit]

Skyforce on switch , it's THE best shootem up.

Absolutely! Have played the Vita version almost to death.

How do these compare to the iPhone version?

Oddly I'd only downloaded it the other day after talk of GR++ surfaced and I fancied trying a vertical shooter on the phone and this came out as one of the better ones when I googled.

It's very pretty on the iPhone X, although I have issues seeing humans to rescue.

I'm not 100% convinced though, there is a lot of grind and timers. Presumably most of that is because it's a free iOS game? or does it take ages to get some decent weapons on other versions? Hated it to start with, but have persevered a bit due to some travel and now my standard gun isn't a pea shooter at the very start it's feeling OK.

It works ok in landscape on the Switch/Vita? Is it expensive (/Edit Anniversary on sale at £3.29 cross-buy on Sony, £7.99 Reloaded PS4 and £8.99 on Switch)? If they are a very similar play experience to the phone I'm probably not bothered, but if it's better then it may be worth a look.

/Edit. It appears it must have been on PS+ at some point as I seem to have it listed under my Vita/PS3/PS4 games!

[venusian]

It is a bit grindy but no time limits, just collecting stars from shot-down enemies. OTOH it's so nice to play that I didn't mind grinding at all. Was a bit disappointed when I owned everything, tbh.

[Misfit]

It is a bit grindy but no time limits, just collecting stars from shot-down enemies. OTOH it's so nice to play that I didn't mind grinding at all. Was a bit disappointed when I owned everything, tbh.

In iOS you pay the stars, then have to wait (and it's longer the higher the upgrade) or can pay more stars to avoid the wait.

And you have 10 credits, credits refill over time. or again stars can speed that up. But even doing badly I think I've never gone below 7.

I guess the grinding is ok now I don't have a pea shooter. It certainly makes you replay the levels!

Anyway, as I have it on the Vita already I can try without worrying . And as my daughter is hogging the switch for Stardew Valley, buying it on that would be no use anyway...

[Misfit]

So not only did I have Sky Force from PSN, I had even installed it on my Vita, but never played it!

It actually prettier on the iPhone, you're a bit closer to the action so everything is a bit bigger and the load times are pretty much instant on the phone. They aren't bad on the Vita, but certainly noticeable after playing the phone.

The grind is different, there are fewer upgrades to each weapon on the Vita and they go up in price much quicker. but they are instant. The last gun upgrade I did on the iPhone had an 18-minute wait after paying for it (or pay an extra 200 odd stars)!

The big difference is control. An analogue thumbstick is much better than dragging your finger on the screen! Although my finger dragging has definitely got better over the last few days.

The pay area does feel a bit overly wide on the Vita, but that may be because I'm used to the phone version. But of course, if this was in an arcade it would have had a vertical monitor. It's a shame they didn't try and do a rotated screen option.

Overall though both very similar and I was able to do well on the Vita quickly as I knew all the patterns. Rekindled a bit of my love for shooters not called gridrunner, I've not been so good with bullet hell ones and never really been able to cope with twin sticks both of which seem to be all the rage at the moment.

[WiteWulf]

The pay area does feel a bit overly wide on the Vita, but that may be because I'm used to the phone version. But of course, if this was in an arcade it would have had a vertical monitor. It's a shame they didn't try and do a rotated screen option.

You bastard....now you've got me thinking how nice Ikaruga would be on the Vita (or Switch!) in vertical mode

[Deckard]

Gotta be happening surely.....TATE mode too would be fantastic on the Switch. Prop it up on the table and use my Pro Controller

[Misfit]

You bastard....now you've got me thinking how nice Ikaruga would be on the Vita (or Switch!) in vertical mode

Indeed huge oversight for any game that doesn't try it on a handheld.

Tried Ikaruga on the Xbox One, but the black borders annoyed me, just wanted to rotate my 50" TV!

[Misfit]

Gotta be happening surely.....TATE mode too would be fantastic on the Switch. Prop it up on the table and use my Pro Controller

OK, had to look up TATE mode.

Yes, they should really play with the idea on the Switch. Can't see it happening, but would be cool.

So is Reloaded much different to Anniversary? Can't see me buying it again on the Switch (after paying effectively zero on the iPhone and Vita!) unless it offers something else.

[WiteWulf]

Tried Ikaruga on the Xbox One, but the black borders annoyed me, just wanted to rotate my 50" TV!

Nearly broke my back (and the telly!) Back In The Day putting our 32" Sony CRT on it's side to play Ikaruga "properly" on the Dreamcast