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nomhair · 3 years

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nether portal calculator

Under Portal Calculator – A Detailed GuideNether Portal Calculator!

The term is thrown around a ton among Minecraft gaming circles these days.And in the event that you are in one, you would most likely understand what that term means and how can it partner with your all so adored game "Minecraft".But in the event that you don't, it's okay, since you are in good company.

nether portal calculator

There is a dumbfounding number of Minecraft players who are as yet in the dark.So, hold on for me, read this depiction all the way to the finish, and you'll be insightful on the subject.So, we should start with the basics.What is Nether Portal Calculator, After all?A Nether Portal is an autogenerated system that interfaces two measurements, the Overworld and the Nether. Moreover, Minecraft Nether Portal Calculator is utilized to process the overall directions between the Overworld and the Nether.When you've cut to the chase in Minecraft where you're developing under entries, you can utilize the Nether Portal Calculator to sort out where to put your return entryway so it associates as a connection between the Overworld and the Nether.Why Use a Nether Portal Calculator?Nether gateways help accelerate development through the Overworld, however in case you're in a world for certain different players who construct doors, it's not surprising to arise in an unforeseen spot while going through a Nether Portal and end up at an off-base return gate.For Instance, you made an entryway from your home at X, Y, Z and traveled through it just to land in an under gateway room worked by another person. In this way, when you returned into it, your X and Z facilitates were not even close to where you had the section entryway, and you needed to steer through the obscure scene around evening time, keeping away from hordes and hazards.Frightening! Isn't it?And this is the place where Nether Portal Calculator comes in.By utilizing a Nether entry number cruncher to discover X, Y, Z facilitates from Overworld to Nether or the other way around, you will have the best odds of being snared back at the privilege gates.Does the Nether Portal Calculator Works?Nether Portal Calculator is a naturally planned mini-computer that figures out where gateways ought to be put in the Overworld and Nether measurements to show up at the right organizes. Basically, Nether Portal Calculator does the maths for you.Let's clarify this with an Example!If the Nether directions are 2,3 and 5, the overworld directions would be:X = 2x8 = 16

Y = 3x1 = 03

Z = 5x8 = 40

Motivated? Wanna Learn How to Use Nether Portal Calculator in Minecraft?Below is a straightforward stepwise guide for beginners:Step 1 – Choose an Overworld Location

Pick a spot in the Overworld for an entrance and fabricate the edge without lighting it.Step 2 – Record the X, Y, Z Coordinates

Enter your entrance outline as though you planned to utilize it, and press F3 to record the directions X, Y, and Z, just as the Facing (F) number. Keep in mind! This progression is significant on the off chance that you need a consistent change while going through a portal.Step 3 – Make Data Entries in Nether Portal Calculator

In our Overworld to Nether gateway number cruncher, enter the directions. Twofold check your entrances, especially if the numbers are positive or negative. Obsidian is hard to dismantle and move on the off chance that you commit an error. The number cruncher will change over the information and show the last organizes that you'll have to situate your Nether-side portal.Step 4 – Light It and Move to Nether

Light your entryway and go to the determined Nether directions utilizing F3.Step 5 – Destroy the Block Using Obsidian

Annihilate and supplant the square under your feet at these directions with obsidian.Step 6 – Align your Character Properly

Steer your character until the previous F3 Facing (F) number matches up. If it's not too much trouble, note that you will confront this bearing when you leave the portal.Step 7 – Place the Second Obsidian Block

Drop a subsequent obsidian block onto the floor to one side or left (no particular bearing). These two obsidians will fill in as the base for your portal.Step 8 – Build a Walkway

To guarantee continuous progress through the entry, assemble a walkway in any event a couple of squares from the entryway base in the coordinating "F" number course. This ensures that you don't wind up gazing at a divider subsequent to leaving a portal.Step 9 – Light the Nether Portal Frame

Complete the Nether entry edge and afterward light it.Step 10 – Clean Up and Exit

Handicap or annihilate the Nether gateway made by the game when you initially got to the Nether. Leave the Nether through the recently built entrance. In the event that you follow the previously mentioned steps cautiously, you will unquestionably get a couple of entirely associated Nether portals.Note:• You can rehash the interaction and connection a limitless number of portals.• If the game distinguishes an entryway in the other measurement that is accurately at your objective directions, it will just utilize that gateway, regardless of whether other potential entries are inside range.Some Quick Tips• To forestall the connecting issue, guarantee that no two Overworld entries are inside 33 squares of one another. You can have them that close if your plan calls for it; remember that they will in all probability both go to the equivalent place.• While minor misalignments in entryway situation don't make any difference much, it is ideal to be just about as exact as conceivable in the gateway position to keep away from conflicts.• Due to the scale varieties between the two measurements, Overworld is bum in the arrangement of the entries. For the most part, you can move a surface entryway up to 8 squares one or the other way unafraid of contention, as long as you don't disregard the 33-meter vicinity rule.• This method is likewise material in invert. In the event that you need to begin an entrance pair from the Nether, follow similar advances yet switch "Overworld" and "Under" and utilize the other calculator.• When perusing F3 facilitates, dismiss the decimal part (adjust the numbers). Just the entire number is important.• The Altitude (Y) facilitate is fundamental in the event that you make an entrance close to the Overworld's sky limit; it will be close to the Nether's roof, and the other way around. Remember this in light of the fact that, in the event that you don't, you can wind up building a huge number of stepping stools in the Nether to finish a walkway between the portals.Some Handy Strategies• Use Multiple Portals

On the off chance that you have a few overworld areas that you need to be promptly available, essentially travel to the Nether, make an entry, and travel through it. In the event that you have a particular area as a primary concern for the overworld entrance that is near where the gateway was created, you can basically erase the overworld entryway and assemble another one around there. In case you're getting short on obsidian, you might need to consider taking the made entryway's corners. It may not look as great, however it will give you four additional obsidian blocks. Spot less expensive squares, for example, wood obstructs or etched stone blocks, to improve the entry's look.• Try Tunnel System – It's protected

Building passages might be probably the best protection against hordes and getting lost, however it takes additional time and squares. Since you can experience hordes when building burrows, it is suggested that you keep the entirety of your assets in a chest aside from a stone or iron pickaxe, a lot of ghast safe squares like cobblestone, and an enormous number of lights. That way, in the event that you bite the dust, you don't chance anything fundamentally significant. The specific sum you convey will rely upon how certain you are that you'll not kick the bucket. Bring only a couple piles of squares and lights on the off chance that you are a novice, however you might need to bring more on the off chance that you are more capable. For additional provisions, you can generally get back to your Overworld base.• Nether Roof

Under rooftop is a select component in Java Edition. It is most likely the most secure technique for quick travel in the Nether and is additionally one of the least demanding. For this, you need to get to the Nether rooftop, for which there are a few different ways. Some of which are recorded HERE.• Use Map Scale – 1:8

In the event that you need to connect a few gateways, you can exploit the Nether's 1:8 scale and make a tremendous guide of your Overworld in the Nether that is additionally at this scale. It requires some investment, pickaxes, and blocks, yet it merits the exertion, making it improbable for you to get lost.Parting ShotIf you cautiously follow the above advances, you'll usually wind up at your ideal area. In any case, in uncommon cases, the doors may not connection as arranged. On the off chance that this happens, attempt to do some exploration to discover what's wrong.Just convey a few lights, instruments, and supplies, simply if there should arise an occurrence of any eventuality.So, Try out the Nether Portal Calculator!We'll be anticipating Your important feedbackHappy Minecrafting!

Get me an espresso - Made with

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sage-nebula · 4 years

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Years ago I might have rated Skyward Sword higher, but I replayed it recently and while I might rate it higher than you it's definitely not one of my favorites. Personally I wish they would have focused on more actually clever things with the motion (I will always remember spinning the spider around to expose it's weakness! I loved that!) and like most people wish they stopped at one Imprisoned fight. What did you feel were its weaknesses?

The gameplay. 100%. Skyward Sword is unplayable for me.

I love everything else about it. The music is gorgeous, the characters are wonderful, the art style is beautiful, and the story (aside from not calling Hylia a demigoddess like she should be) is fantastic. There is so much about it to love . . .

. . . if it was an anime, or a manga. But as a game? It fails horribly.

1.) The motion controls are NOT 1:1, even with Wii Motion Plus. And if Skyward Sword were designed like any other Zelda game, where you could hit monsters any way you pleased and they would take damage, that would be fine! But because Nintendo was so confident that they had 1:1 motion controls, they decided to make every monster—even ones as basic as Deku Babas—into puzzle monsters where you had to hit them a precise way at a precise time or your attack did no damage. And you know what? That’s bad game design even if you have absolutely perfect motion controls. Because let’s pretend, for the sake of argument, that the controls were 1:1 with the Wii Motion Plus, as advertised, and my problem was that my coordination was poor. In that case, the game is still unplayable, because it means that people without perfect coordination for whatever reason (maybe they just never developed those skills, maybe they’re disabled in some way) can’t play the game. For a series as wide-reaching as Zelda, it’s a problem if you’re cutting off a huge portion of players from being able to enjoy it. And on that note . . .

1.5.) The motion controls were MANDATORY. I understand that Nintendo has been in love with motion controls for a long time, and I accept that. But you should be able to turn them off. Like, they’ve put them into just about every big budget game they’ve released the past couple of decades. The Splatoon games have them, Breath of the Wild had them, and so on. But in each game, you can turn them off. Hell, even though Breath of the Wild does require them in a couple shrines, those shrines aren’t required to beat the game. To 100% it, sure, but not to beat it and get a full experience out of it regardless. So for Skyward Sword to require the motion controls to the point where you’re not even given the option to turn them off (which, again, makes sense given that they based even insignificant monsters around them) is terrible. It’s terrible for people who don’t like them, but it’s absolutely HORRIBLE for people who are disabled and thus can’t use the motion controls. Skyward Sword’s motion controls are a huge middle finger to disabled folk, and that sucks.

As a side note? I was much younger when I played Skyward Sword than I am now, and in much better health. But even back then, I could only play for a couple hours before I got winded because of all the damn sword swinging I had to do and whatnot. This is why I think it’d be unplayable to me now; I’m not healthy enough for a damn video game and that sounds like it should be an oxymoron, but it’s not.

2.) Once again, the dungeons are too damn long. This was a complaint I had about Twilight Princess as well, but it bears repeating here. Whether it’s because of my ADHD or otherwise, I just can’t handle dungeons that take hours to complete. Breath of the Wild was, pardon the wordplay, a breath of fresh air in that sense. Finally, the dungeons were a reasonable length again. But in Skyward Sword they were not. They were insanely long and full of goddamn motion control puzzles, which made them feel like a chore x2 (because they would already be a chore due to the length, but the miserable motion controls made it even worse). Games should not feel like a chore to play, but Skyward Sword still did.

3.) Fucking EVERYTHING was a puzzle, though. So I’m going to elaborate on this a little more in a second, but basically Skyward Sword didn’t have an overworld. Skyward Sword had a hub area (the sky), and then several puzzle dungeons that led to even longer puzzle dungeons on the surface. The Faron, Eldin, and Lanayru areas were extremely small areas filled with puzzles that you had to complete just so you could get to a dungeon with more puzzles. There was nothing to explore in these areas, nothing to see, because you were too busy solving puzzles so that you could go solve more puzzles. And I hate that! I get that puzzles are a big part of Zelda, but you know what, exploration should be too. Exploration is what the series was literally founded on, even if the limitations of the NES meant there really wasn’t that much to find. So to have a game basically be nothing but dungeons, especially for a person like me who isn’t jazzed about dungeons in the first place, was a huge buzzkill.

4.) There really was NOTHING to explore. So, to elaborate on what I mentioned in the previous point: Aside from the surface area basically being nothing but dungeons (dungeons that you had to backtrack through five billion times), the sky was empty. It was just completely empty. There was nothing there. You had Skyloft, the Pumpkin island, the roulette island, Beedle’s ship . . . and that was it. Oh sure, there were other floating rocks here or there, but there was nothing on them. There was nothing to do. And considering this followed Wind Waker, where there was so much to discover in the ocean, so many different islands that had secrets and people and cabanas and minigames and whatnot, it was a massive disappointment. Nintendo showed us that they could give us huge areas to explore, they just deliberately chose not to for a 25th anniversary title. What this meant is that you had nothing to give you any breathing room between dungeons. Because again, the surface areas before the actual temples were basically little mini dungeons. So whereas in past Zelda games you’d have little sidequests and places to explore in-between dungeon crawling, in Skyward Sword you really didn’t have that. So not only could I not breathe because of all the physical exertion, but I also couldn’t breathe because the game gave you no time to rest. Goddess Din give me strength.

5.) The backtracking was INSANE. My god, another reason this game could have benefited from more areas was so that you wouldn’t have to keep exploring the same damn areas again, and again, and again, and again, AND AGAIN. The Imprisoned fight you mentioned was bad enough, because that wasn’t a fun fight and so to have to do it something like three separate times was miserable. But it was also miserable that there was literally nothing to this game below the clouds or above them, so they just had to keep inventing fetch quests to send you back to the same areas time and time again. Seriously Nintendo? At least Twilight Princess had more places for us to go, even if they looked boring. You couldn’t even give us that for the 25th anniversary title. Smh.

All in all, the gameplay experience of Skyward Sword is just absolutely miserable. From the forced motion controls to the fact that it’s nothing but dungeons pretending to be a map, I had to force myself to keep picking up the Wiimote because playing it felt like doing a chore akin to mowing the lawn. Which sucks, because as I said, I love the story and the characters to pieces. Fi’s farewell makes me cry every time I rewatch the scene on YouTube. But while story and characters do carry weight and are important to when it comes to Zelda games, ultimately, Zelda games are still games and therefore gameplay is paramount. If a game is not fun to play, then it has failed as a game. And unfortunately, Skyward Sword is one that failed as a game, perhaps because Nintendo invested so much time in the story and characters that they forgot they were supposed to be making a video game instead of an anime. It is what it is.

#people keep talking about a Skyward Sword remaster but nah #what it needs is a reMAKE #from the ground up #keep the story and characters the same #change EVERYTHING about the gameplay #change the whole surface #actually put shit in the sky to explore #otherwise it's a hard pass #because I'm not going to buy a game that's not fun to play #when I can just watch all the cutscenes on YT for none of the pain #Anonymous

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happyorogeny · 5 years

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The Explorer

(~1700 words)(Drow, The Forgotten Realms)(spiders, tw animal death, poison mention, violent thoughts)

The Overworld wasn’t so bad.

When he had first reached the surface it had seemed a blasted and barren place. He had thought with horror that what was said of the Overworld was true, that this was a place of death and burning. It had been all he could do to locate a limestone cave and take refuge as the sun rose, and look on in dread at the blinding incandescence and the bare rock of the mountains. How could anything survive up here? There was nowhere to hide.

Now he knew that that had been the time called Winter, and that in winter the ground was bare and the wind cold and hunger an eternal companion, closer than even his shadow. But just as poisons could be medicine, all curses carried blessings. In the winter the nights were long and dark and the sky glittered with starlight, just soft enough that even darksight eyes could adjust to them. And the days were so short that he could take to some shallow overhang or hollow tree to rest, and rise again as the sun was setting.

He had been blessed indeed, to reach the surface when he did.

Blessed by what, he did not know. Lolth usually didn’t pay too much attention to drow men and they in turn largely preferred it that way.

Now that it was Spring the trees had fetched additional growths- leaves- and soft white flowers that fell over the forest floor and softened his step. The trees were pleasing to him indeed, as they offered him shade and protection from the burning sun-eye. He doubted the surface gods would take kindly to seeing him here. And though they were well known to be weaklings he didn’t care to irritate anything divine. A drow didn’t live long if he didn’t know when he was outmatched.

Besides, why would he want to travel from this forest? It was full of food and he was enchanted by the many different variations of green, the texture of lichen on bark, the way that the wind through the canopy sounded exactly like rain.

He had never heard such a thing before. There was no wind in the Underdark. What a notion, that even the air up here was free to move as it pleased.

What a boon, that it was so quiet he could hear it. Hear even his own breathing, his own heartbeat.

But ah, much as poison could be a medicine, boons came with curses in their wake. He hadn’t heard another voice in some time now. No streetcorner preachers, no mercenaries fighting over the split of their latest proceeds, no endless singing of priestesses in worship, no screaming from rooftop battles or side-alley assassinations. No tunnel-hunters or mushroom farmers trying to sell him their latest wares as they drifted past in houseboats on the great underground river that cut through the city.

This mountainside and the adjoining valley were very quiet. His explorations had turned up rocky caves, underground streams, waterfalls and what seemed to be abandoned paths. The overworlders claimed to have mighty cities, but he would believe that when he saw it.

All the same, these roads had to go somewhere. And so he had started to walk, mapping the forest as he went.

After two moon-cycles worth of exploration he discovered a wood elf village high in the treetops, a situation that brought him to a complete halt in the night. Surface elves, most hated of the overworlders. And yet he recognised the shape of houses up in the canopy, and the bridges running between their homes didn’t seem so unlike the webbing that stretched between the stalactite spires of the Underdark. Even the voices weren’t so different. If he closed his eyes and pretended they didn’t need those torches to see, they could almost be drow.

The thought had brought with it repulsion. The surface elves had not sided with the drow when they demanded stability in the Fey Wilds. And for their cowardly neutrality the Old Elf God – he was not worthy of a name – had thrown them all out. And now they begged and grovelled for forgiveness, to be let back in, whereas the drow had pride and had made themselves a place in this world.

They weren’t like drow. They couldn’t be.

And yet that sounded like a consort squabbling with his house matron, and there was the fussing of a hungry child, and there a young man sneaking off to meet a young woman in the woods much as would happen with an illicit house romance.

They were foolish and careless. He could have followed them less than a breath behind if he cared to, and killed them both.

But he didn’t care to.

He tried to see into their houses, but the light blinded him. He couldn’t see how the men and women looked at one another. And something about them made him restless and anxious and he could do nothing except leave and head deeper into the valley, flattening his ears so that he didn’t have to hear them.

Perhaps there were other drow up here too, drow like him that needed room to breathe and grow, room that didn’t exist in the Underdark. How could anything grow down there, when the caves were filled fit to burst with the constant churning chaos of interpersonal rivalries, religion and murder and lust?

Maybe the other drow that had gone before him had followed the path and left this valley. But he didn’t think he was quite ready for that.

No, he needed time to prepare, for the creatures of the forest said that Summer was coming.

He was blessed indeed to have such a skill, that the voices of birds and animals rang clear in his mind. It had been just the very same in the Underdark, where he was a beast tamer of some minor note and renowned for his ability to calm even the most fresh-caught spider.

That had saved him after he had fled into the tunnels, inquisitors on his heels. Notoriously dangerous and a death sentence for most drow, that empty system of caves had become a haven for him. The creatures of the dark accepted him as a beast among them. Not a wretched houseless drow, not a mediocre man lacking talent and beauty and cruelty. Just a thing of flesh and blood, the same as every other. He could hear their whispered warnings of mind-flayers and drider, hear their murmurs of other tunnels and the caverns that led up to the surface. That had helped him find his way. That, and the messages scratched into the rock by those that had come before him.

Here be darkdwarves. Before you the tunnel is unstable. To the east three days without water. Walk away from the voices. Don’t pass under the stalactites. Have courage.

Have courage.

He wasn’t quite sure what summer was, only that that the creatures of the world were preparing. That the trees were waking up, that animals gorged themselves after the vast emptiness of winter. It seemed a time of anticipation, an oncoming time of plenty. In a way, it made sense. The drow had stability in the Underdark- constant darkness, constant climate, constant flows of food and water. The Overworld was a place of flux and change.

Summer seemed like it was a time of light. Even this deep in the valley, even with all the leaves whispering over him, the sunlight sometimes burned his shoulders and made his eyes sting.

If he was to survive summer, he needed a house. Somewhere to stockpile food, rather than foraging as he went and eating only as much as he could carry. Somewhere he could start to repair his poor torn tunic. A reliable place to retreat to when the sun grew too bright. How strange, to think of a house and not have it be some looming edifice with dozens of rooms and secret corridors and seething tensions.

Already he had investigated three and discarded them as being too close to the road, too far away from water, too easy to be trapped in. The range of choice made him heady. Space was limited in the underdark, and drow had to make to with whatever little they could scrape for themselves.

But here, here he was nearly overwhelmed with options. Why, this cave here could have fit three whole families, assuming one didn’t kill off the other two. And it was a prime location at that, nicely elevated and set deep into the trees, hard to find unless one knew where one was going. A river gurgled past on one side, filling pools as it tumbled down the hill, and the otters had told him the waters were full of fish.

Yes, he thought, squinting into the corners. He could see some tiered rocks there at the back that would be perfectly fine for storing he sadly ragged cloak, and a stock of fruit and roots and dried meat. Next winter he would be a fat and happy drow, rather than shivering miserably in some pathetic little scoop.

And better yet, this cave had pets in it.

He hopped back out of reach as a cave spider snapped at him, scolding it. These ones were completely wild, small and brown, but he was entirely sure he could domesticate them within a few generations. He rummaged into his pack and tossed a dead rabbit into the spiders web as he passed. The four of them immediately descended on the feast, tearing it apart amongst themselves.

Sooner or later they would learn to associate him with food, and from there he could start to train them to come to hand. Drow nobles in the underdark often hunted in the outlying tunnels with small leaping spiders, not so different from these. He had often longed for such a little companion, but he was a mere commoner. He couldn’t possibly afford one, never mind that it would be stolen from him, or that a noble might kill him on the spot for daring to have one.

He climbed up onto a rock shelf at the back of the cave and lay down, closing his eyes. It felt safe enough and he could surely train the spiders to weave a web across the main entrance and catch anyone that tried to attack him. Spiders didn’t eat very much, and he could use the silk to spin bandages and cloth.

And perhaps next year, next summer, he would follow that road and see where it went.

It was not so very much. But it was enough for him, and enough for now.

#Drow #DnD #Forgotten Realms #Spiders #tw animal death #violent thoughts

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aion-rsa · 3 years

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30 Best Nintendo Switch Games

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

After four years of the Wii U, we were eagerly anticipating its successor. While there were plenty of great games on the doomed platform, the Wii U just never caught fire with the public at large. But four years into the Switch’s lifespan, and Nintendo has turned things around dramatically.

Instead of winding things down, the Switch shows no signs of slowing down, with plenty of excellent third party games in its library, as well as more than a few innovative titles from the Big N as well. The platform has also been a great way to bring underrated Wii U gems to a broader audience of Switch adopters. With a rumored 4K upgrade on the horizon, there’s a good chance that the Switch may even have another four years ahead of it,

But for now, these are the very best games available for the portable-console hybrid:

30. Untitled Goose Game

2019 | House House

Anyone who’s even been to a pond can attest to one simple fact: Geese are dicks. Untitled Goose Game lets you finally live out the fantasy of being one of nature’s most annoying creatures, flapping, honking, and generally being a nuisance to the residents of a fair English town. The only thing missing is the goose poop covering everything in sight.

Untitled Goose Game is a short but sweet experience inspired by classic stealth games that adds just enough charm and innovation to make it one of the best indie games on the platform.

29. Dark Souls Remastered

2018 | FromSoftware

There’s not much more that can be said about Dark Souls that hasn’t been said about this revolutionary action RPG title already. Its tough-as-nails difficulty, foreboding atmosphere, and esoteric storytelling have made it a fan-favorite and critical darling.

The Switch port doesn’t change much. It’s actually a visual downgrade from the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 versions without the benefit of 4K resolution, but being able to play Dark Souls on-the-go more than makes up for that. This may not be the best version of Dark Souls, but the gameplay still stands up, and like a lot of Switch ports, being able to finally play the game on a handheld makes it a worthy pick up.

28. Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle

2017 | Ubisoft

“What if Mario starred in an XCOM game?” might sound like the basis for some very ambitious fan fiction, but somehow Ubisoft pulled it off with Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle. The Rabbids actually fit into the Mushroom Kingdom pretty well and the Rabbid impersonations of Mario and company are hilarious.

Even if Mario games aren’t typically your cup of tea, the tactics featured in this turn-based strategy title add a layer of difficulty rarely seen in the plumber’s resume. If you aren’t careful, the corrupted Rabbids will repeatedly hand you your ass on a platter.

27. Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker

2018 | Nintendo

The Captain Toad levels were the best parts of Super Mario 3D World, one of the few well-reviewed Wii U exclusives that haven’t yet made it to the Switch. Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker delivered more of what people loved, this time for the 3DS.

Ignoring traditional Mario-style platforming for isometric puzzles that bar jumping, getting all the stars in every level of Captain Toad is genuinely challenging but rarely frustrating. Captain Toad also stands out as one of the better Wii U ports for the Switch, thanks to a number of new levels, although many of them are only available as paid DLC.

26. Starlink: Battle for Atlas

2018 | Ubisoft

Starlink: Battle for Atlas is a fun space shooter bogged down by a confusing and frankly unnecessary toys-to-life gimmick. The basic premise equates to a sort of smaller scale No Man’s Sky, but with highly customizable ships and weapons.

The big draw for the Switch version is exclusive Star Fox content, missions that feel like the animal-themed space combat game people have wanted from Nintendo for years. They’re certainly better than Star Fox Zero. The retail version even comes with awesome Arwing and Fox McCloud toys.

With gamers largely burned out on the toys-to-life phenomenon, Starlink didn’t exactly light up the sales charts, but it did sell best on the Switch and is scratching that Star Fox itch.

25. Hollow Knight

2018 | Team Cherry

Nintendo basically created the Metroidvania genre, but the company has been remarkably stingy about releasing new 2D Metroid games. Thankfully, Hollow Knight is here to fill the void with its insect-filled underground world. While there have been many takes on the Metroidvania formula over the years, a Tim Burton-esque aesthetic gives Hollow Knight a unique edge over the rest of the field.

Of course, Metroidvanias are only as strong as their maps, and Hollow Knight’s giant, secret-filled levels are easy to get lost in for hours. And then there’s the Dark Souls-inspired combat, which requires both patience and skill to master. We can’t wait for the sequel.

24. Xenoblade Chronicles 2

2017 | Monolith Soft

Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is not for casual gamers. The main story alone takes more than 60 hours to complete and you’re looking at well over 100 hours of gameplay if you dig into the side content. Its systems, particularly the Pokemon-style Blade system, aren’t very user-friendly and require time to truly understand. But for those who are willing to keep with it, or who enjoy complex stories and mastering all the intricacies of a JRPG, there are few games of this caliber available on the current crop of consoles. And none of them are on the Switch.

23. The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening

2019 | Nintendo

The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening is arguably the very best game for the original Game Boy, held back only by the portable’s lack of buttons and color. The Switch-exclusive remake easily rectifies those issues, and improves on this classic with so much more, including customizable dungeons and a delightful new art style inspired by children’s toys.

The core Link’s Awakening experience remains as enjoyable as it first was back in 1993, with the deceptively small Koholint Island giving way to nine labyrinthine dungeons and some of the best puzzles in the entire series. This is a great example of a remake done right.

22. Stardew Valley

2017 | ConcernedApe

There’s something oddly relaxing about farming games that Stardew Valley taps into better than any other game in the niche genre. Maybe it’s the especially calming music, the charmingly well-written characters, or just being able to live out your agricultural dreams at your own pace. Whatever the exact reason, Stardew Valley has garnered millions of fans since its original release.

Part of the appeal is the regular updates. Just when you think you’ve seen everything, ConcernedApe will add new content to keep the game fresh. And while Stardew Valley is a fantastic experience on any of the numerous platforms it’s currently available on, being able to play it anywhere on the Switch arguably makes it the definitive version.

21. New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe

2019 | Nintendo

The Switch’s success has allowed many Wii U games to enjoy a second life. With their brief levels, Mario games have always been perfect for handhelds, and with its pitch-perfect controls and heavy nods to Super Mario Bros. 3, New Super Mario Bros. U is arguably the best side-scrolling Mario game of the last decade. The Switch port even includes all of the New Super Luigi U content previously only available as DLC and a new playable character, Toadette.

20. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

2017 | Bethesda Game Studios

We probably didn’t need another version of Skyrim, and the Switch port doesn’t look that much better than the original 2011 release, but as with other ports of older games, the ability to play one of the greatest RPGs anywhere is a good reason to double (or triple) dip. And there are a few cool unlockables though amiibos, like the Master Sword.

It’s impossible to ignore such a classic RPG on the Switch, especially now that you can play it on your lunch break or on the bus. But seriously, Bethesda, you can stop porting Skyrim now. Get to work on The Elder Scrolls VI and maybe bring that to the Switch.

19. Pokemon Let’s Go, Pikachu/Eevee

2018 | Game Freak

The Pokemon franchise has been around so long at this point that the Let’s Go games are actually the second remakes of the original 1996 Red and Blue games. That’s okay though, as even the last remakes were released on the Game Boy Advance in 2004. By 2018, it was time for a new coat of paint.

Let’s Go freshens things up with modern 3D graphics, wild Pokemon that are now visible in the overworld, and Mega Evolutions from more recent games. The biggest change is the most divisive: motion controls for catching Pokemon. It can be a little silly at first, but it actually adds to the game’s charm.

18. Luigi’s Mansion 3

2019 | Nintendo

Luigi has long played second fiddle to his more famous brother, but after three spooky solo games, he’s built up a successful franchise in its own right that ranks up there among Nintendo’s best. If the previous Luigi’s Mansion games had a flaw, it’s that they got a little repetitive. Luigi’s Mansion 3 thankfully fixes that problem with a massive 17-story hotel with plenty of puzzles to solve and ghosts to trap. And while Luigi’s Mansion 3 is a fantastic single player experience, what really gives it legs is its co-operative modes for 2-8 players, making it the best ghostbusting game since, well…Ghostbusters.

17. Octopath Traveler

2018 | Square Enix

Square Enix’s love letter to 16-bit RPGs might just be better than the classics. Octopath Traveler boasts an innovative battle system that tweaks the typical turn-based formula and unique “HD-2D” graphics that are unlike anything else in the genre. It’s easy to lose several hours playing in portable mode or at home on a big screen. And while the story drags a little bit at times, it’s still worth playing to the end to see how the tales of all eight protagonists play out.

16. Astral Chain

2019 | PlatinumGames

PlatinumGames’ streak of creating the best and most unique action games in the industry continues with Astral Chain. Everything that has made the developer’s past titles like Bayonetta and Nier: Automata instant classics is on full display here, from the massive set pieces to the bonkers anime-inspired story of humanity making its last stand against an interdimensional threat.

And while you’d think those previous efforts pushed combat in an action game to its limits, Astral Chain’s innovative gameplay finds way to introduce new twists to the Platinum secret sauce. Here, you control both your main character and a fully customizable tethered Legion to maximize combos. This is the perfect game to tie you over until Platinum finishes up Bayonetta 3.

15. Bayonetta 2

2018 | PlatinumGames

The first Bayonetta was a sexy, stylish take on action-adventure hack and slash games, with some of the smoothest combat around and a badass protagonist. Bayonetta 2 doesn’t mess with the winning formula but adds more combat options and some of the most ridiculous setpieces ever put in a game, like a battle on top of a moving fighter jet. If you’re looking for something a little less family-friendly on the Switch, look no further than this hectic action game.

14. Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze

2018 | Retro Studios

The original Donkey Kong Country trilogy is a highlight of the 16-bit era, but in hindsight, it was more beloved for its graphics than its gameplay. It was only once Retro Studios took over the series that the franchise began to live up to its potential, with super smooth platforming and levels more creative than even some of Nintendo’s Super Mario games.

While Retro’s first Donkey Kong Country game on the Wii was a little too punishing, Tropical Freeze got the balance between challenging and frustrating just right. The game was originally released on the Wii U, and the Switch port adds Funky Kong as a playable character. This is an excellent platformer to play with a friend, too!

13. Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury

2021 | Nintendo

Super Mario 3D World is a top-notch Mario game, so it was always a shame that it released on a platform as underwhelming as the Wii U. The genius of the game is how it so perfectly combines the best elements of 2D and 3D Mario games. Levels have clear beginnings and endings, and ultimately you just need to climb the flag pole at the goal, but there’s also plenty of room for exploration to track down every last green star. Plus, the cat suit is one of the weirdest and best power-ups in any Mario game.

Everything that made the original Wii U release a must-have remains the highlight of the Switch port, but the addition of Bowser’s Fury, a new adventure where Mario and Bowser Jr. must quickly complete missions before the arrival of a giant, enraged Bowser, makes this one well worth a double dip.

12. Pokemon Sword and Shield

2019 | Game Freak

Sword and Shield may not be the best games in the long-running Pokemon series. Arguably, the lack of some older Pokemon (even after two big expansions) is a pretty big mark against it, but the eighth generation still has a lot going for it thanks to more streamlined gameplay, a massive open-world, and the fact this is the first time a mainline Pokemon game can be played on a home console. That’s something that fans have been clamoring for since the series’ inception back in 1996.

So no, you can’t quite “catch ‘em all,” but you can still have a great time battling the gym leaders of Galar in the seemingly never-ending quest to become the very best.

11. Sid Meier’s Civilization VI

2018 | Firaxis Games

Despite the Switch’s early success, it’s still home to relatively few third-party console exclusives, but Civilization VI alone almost makes up for that deficit. This is an uncompromising PC port with 24 different civilizations available from the get-go, and all of the features from the original version. It also works great with either a controller or touchscreen controls. If you’re looking for a 4X strategy game on the Switch, Civilization VI is the one.

10. Diablo III: Eternal Collection

2018 | Blizzard Entertainment

Diablo III is one of the best games of the last decade. The Switch port is late to the party, but if you really want to slay demons on the go and don’t have a laptop handy, this is the perfect way to play the classic action RPG.

The Switch version adds a handful of Legend of Zelda items, including a Ganondorf costume. It’s not an earth-shattering exclusive, but it’s an easy excuse to sink a few more hours into this game.

9. Fire Emblem: Three Houses

2019 | Nintendo

Nintendo is still mostly known for accessible games that appeal to a wider audience. But then there’s Fire Emblem, a series of hardcore tactical RPGs where every battle can mean permanent death for you and your allies. While still true to its roots, Three Houses takes some liberties with the typical Fire Emblem gameplay. There are still plenty of battles to be fought, but the first half of the game largely takes place at a monastery where you’re a teacher preparing your students for war. And the long-used “weapon triangle” has mostly been replaced with the need to equip the best weapons for each character, adding a new layer of strategy.

As if all that didn’t make for dozens of hours of gameplay, the ability to choose which of the titular three houses you belong to has radically different consequences for the game’s story. It takes a very long time to experience everything that Three Houses has to offer.

8. Super Mario Maker 2

2019 | Nintendo

Super Mario Maker 2 is the definitive Mario game, building on its already near-perfect predecessor with new power ups, a world maker, and assets from Super Mario 3D World. The star of the show is the almost endless supply of user created levels that constantly surprise with twists on other genres and some of the most fiendishly difficult levels ever devised. And if you’re the creative type, the course maker remains one of the most intuitive modes in any game, allowing you to design perfectly playable new levels in just a few minutes.

Even if making Mario levels isn’t you’re thing, Super Mario Maker 2 includes a surprisingly fun story mode of 100 original levels that stand toe-to-toe with anything else in the legendary franchise.

7. Hades

2020 | Supergiant Games

Rarely do story, gameplay, and atmosphere mesh together as well as they do in the rogue-lite Hades. You play as Zagreus, the prince of the Underworld, with the simple goal of escaping from the monotonous life you’re forced to lead under your apathetic father. You’ll die a lot during this quest, but each time you’ll get a little stronger and gain new abilities from the gods of Olympus that keep the experience fresh. Hades knows exactly how to leverage its setting, perfectly capturing each deity’s unique personality and abilities.

The rogue-lite gameplay is also well suited for short bursts of gameplay or marathon sessions, making it a perfect fit for the Switch, which is currently the only home console its available on. It’s easily the best third-party game on the system, and one of the best reasons to pick up a Switch if you haven’t already.

6. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

2017 | Nintendo

Mario Kart 8 is the best kart racing game ever made. That was true with the original Wii U release and it’s true of the Switch port, which includes all previously released DLC and adds a few new characters and a completely reworked battle mode. Each and every track has its own challenges and the addition of anti-gravity racing is a nice update to the formula.

With tracks and characters from F-Zero, The Legend of Zelda, and Animal Crossing, Mario Kart 8 also feels like the most complete Nintendo racing game of all time. There’s really no reason for a Switch owner not to have this one in their collection.

5. Splatoon 2

2017 | Nintendo

Nintendo has never developed a multiplayer shooter like Call of Duty or Halo. Odds are it never will. But the Splatoon series is just as good as those shooters, especially the second installment. Like with the original, the focus of Splatoon 2 is to use a variety of paint-spraying weapons to cover as much of each level as possible. It’s actually a lot more fun and creative than most of the high-profile shooters out there.

Splatoon 2 adds quite a few new levels, weapons, and unlockables. There’s also a sizable single-player mode, and a ridiculously fun cooperative mode called Salmon Run. If that’s not enough content, Nintendo released the lengthy Octo Expansion DLC in 2018. A copy of Splatoon 2 could occupy a Switch gamer for months.

4. Animal Crossing: New Horizons

2020 | Nintendo

For a lot of people, Animal Crossing isn’t just a game. It’s life. New Horizons was always highly anticipated, but its release at the beginning of the Covid-19 lockdowns made it a much-needed escape for millions of people. Birthdays, graduations, and weddings couldn’t be held in-person, so many were celebrated within New Horizons. Even President Biden and Hong Kong democracy activists set up their own islands.

Even without the specter of Covid-19, New Horizons would still be one of the best games on the Switch. Nintendo has been perfecting the franchise for two decades now, but this version of Animal Crossing is easily the best yet, allowing for near-limitless customization of your own little world. And yet you’re still free to play at your own pace, without any of the pressure of the outside world. The ultimate appeal of Animal Crossing continues to be that it allows us to live our ideal lives.

3. Super Mario Odyssey

2017 | Nintendo

Is Super Mario Odyssey the best 3D Mario game? It’s hard to argue otherwise. Odyssey borrows its level structure and progression system from the beloved Super Mario 64, which Nintendo had largely ignored for the last two decades. Several new twists on the traditional 3D platforming formula, like the ability to throw your new hat buddy Cappy at enemies to take control of them, make Super Mario Odyssey feel incredibly fresh. There probably won’t be another platformer this good on the Switch.

2. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

2018 | Nintendo

Super Smash Bros. has remained wildly popular since it debuted in 1999, and there’s always been a lively debate about which title is the best in the series. Melee arguably has the best mechanics, while Brawl’s Subspace Emissary boasts the most complete story mode. The Wii U game looks fantastic, but the Ice Climbers and Snake were sorely missed.

Ultimate tries to satisfy the fans of each game by including every character who’s ever appeared in the series (plus a few new ones), more than 100 stages from throughout the Nintendo universe, a deep adventure mode called World of Light, and interesting tweaks to even the oldest characters in the roster. If Ultimate isn’t the perfect installment of Smash Bros., we don’t know what is.

Further Reading: Super Smash Bros. Characters Ranked

1. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

2017 | Nintendo

Breath of the Wild is the perfect marriage of traditional Legend of Zelda 3D gameplay and innovative new systems. The world and story are unmistakably Hylian, yet the game puts a major focus on exploration and experimentation to an extent never before seen in the series.

Yes, the number of weapons have been cut down drastically, but the handful of abilities — like freezing time and creating ice blocks — create even more ways to complete the game’s challenges and traverse its world. And you will want to explore every last inch of Hyrule’s beautifully realized world.

For almost two decades, Zelda games closely following the formula established by Ocarina of Time, one of the greatest games ever made. Breath of the Wild throws out almost all of the concepts that Ocarina pioneered and redefines Zelda as something more open-ended and exciting that will hopefully continue to evolve over the next few years.

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bikwin5 · 8 years

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PAPER MARIO COLOR SPLASH REVIEW (NO SPOILERS)

I LIED WHEN I SAID MY NEXT REVIEW WOULD BE OF ZELDA

Paper Mario Color Splash is the next entry of the semi-critically acclaimed Paper Mario series, which is the series where Mario is Paper and he does some wacky things. This game has gained somewhat of a notorious reputation for being kind of a lot like its predecessor, Sticker Star, which gained some rather mixed reception. Considering both that and the fact that Color Splash is launching at the end of the Wii U’s life with the Switch on the horizon, it’s very easy to take potshots at this game. But does it really hold up to its name???

Color Splash’s storyline is not particularly deep, as one would expect from a Mario game. After receiving a letter made out of a toad’s corpse, Mario, Peach and Toad travel to Europe Prism Island to find out everything is ruined and much of the color has been drained from the world. A paint bucket named Huey emerges from the fountain in the center of Port Prisma to help Mario and his friends make the world a more colorful place by collecting the six big paint stars that have been stolen from the fountain. Also Bowser is there, that’s not a spoiler he was in a pre-release trailer anyway.

Like its namesake, Color Splash is all about painting things and restoring colour to Prisma Island. Mario has a new feature to his hammer that lets him paint stuff in the overworld, which is used for puzzles and repainting spots which will drop items like coins and battle cards. Huey also gives him the ability to cut out parts of the world, which is similar to Sticker Star’s power that let you stick and unstick pieces to solve puzzles. Paint is also used in battle, which is where the real meta of the game starts to unfold. lmao get it

The battle system in this game has many similarities to Sticker Star, this game’s predecessor. The general gist of it is that you choose one or more cards from your deck, paint them, and play them. Unpainted cards don’t do a whole lot of damage, so you’re almost always using up paint. Fortunately paint is acquired almost everywhere in the overworld and is dropped by enemies in battle. Mario’s turn is always first, so if you literally play your cards right most normal battles can be cleared in a single turn or two. Unlike Sticker Star, the number of cards Mario can play in one turn is increased by upgrades obtained by progressing through the story. This alone fixes a huge issue I had with the aforementioned game, where extra turns had to be acquired through a silly roulette. Another gripe most people had with Sticker Star is that battles are “pointless”, as enemies dropped nothing of value apart from coins and stickers. In Color Splash, enemies will now drop a number of hammer scraps, which are used to upgrade your paint capacity. As you progress you’ll get more card slots and stronger cards, which makes more paint capacity necessary in the long run. This time around, Mario’s health is upgraded solely from getting big paint stars. Big paint stars also upgrade your preemptive attacks, which can skip battles against weaker enemies.

This game’s battle system has recieved some critcism, and even I have a few gripes with it. One such new addition to the system are enemy cards, which summons an enemy to deal damage and acts as a shield. However, enemy cards can’t be used in boss fights or other important battles, which makes them worthless when a lot of the time you could be dealing more damage with something like a big jump instead. If anything it feels like they exist to make the museum sidequest harder, yes that is a thing in this game too. Things are also back, which are real world objects which mostly serve as visual humor and are kind of too cumbersome to be used in regular fights. New to this game are Thing replicas which can’t be used in puzzles to progress but can be used in battle, which at least gives some justification for using them.

Another big ass complaint I have is to do with visual feedback. Enemies in this game do not have a health bar but rather their health is shown by how much color is drained from them, which fits fairly well with the theme of the game. The problem I have with this is that Mario himself doesn’t show any numbers when doing damage, only enemies do. This isn’t a big issue in the earlier parts of the game when a single jump or hammer will take care of most enemies, but later on it gets harder to approximate by cards alone. Given that there are multiple tiers of cards (worn out, big, etc) and that cards can be painted or unpainted you can’t really figure out the numbers purely from looking at the “health” of enemies. Also the list of cards is a pain to scroll through, why even give me the option to sort them if you’re just going to start on the right side of the list every time!!!!

Now that I’m done whining we can get on to other stuff. The world of Prisma Island is connected via a world map, similar to Sticker Star’s. Unlike SS, the world map is not made of connected “worlds” but rather sections that are similar in color. Paths to new levels are opened by collecting mini paint stars, which denote the “end” of a level. This map is more akin to say, Super Mario World’s. A big downside to this is that levels may have “secret exits” that aren’t hidden at all and simply exist to make you replay a level again. The game honestly could have been done without the need for mini paint stars, but at least the map provides an easy way for fast travel.

The environments on Prisma Island range from sky blue beaches to sunny mountains and violet islands. The environments are nicely detailed and are full of little things along the way, whether it’s an unpainted spot that holds a secret or a toad who has some witty remark to say. Along the way you’ll need to solve many puzzles, some which include cutting out parts of the world and pasting in the notorious Thing cards. A lot of the puzzles in this game are honestly some of the most clever things I have seen in a Paper Mario game, some of them are even reminiscent of more traditional adventure games. They occasionally require some backtracking, but the game is kind enough to give you hints if you need them. Not all of the puzzles are great but it’s a very big step up from Sticker Star, whose puzzles were honestly a load of complete ass. Also I must say the graphics are super duper nice, they’re pretty much exactly what I would have wanted out of a HD Paper Mario game. Everything is so crispy and papery.

A big complaint that I hear a LOT is the lack of diverse characters in this game and I have to agree it’s a strange choice when the rest of the game definitely isn’t lacking in creativity. Huey, the only real new character, isn’t exactly great and his personality feels like a copied and pasted Kersti from Sticker Star. Many other toads, apart from the rescue squads, have no real distinct features apart from the occasional hat or glasses. I don’t know what caused so much segregation in the mushroom kingdom between the events of Super Paper Mario and Sticker Star but the game could stand to give some more significant characters a fresh coat of paint. get it???? get it??????

The game’s soundtrack is much more varied than I expected. Haters of Sticker Star’s jazzy tracks will be only somewhat disappointed, as there are plenty of areas that take on different genres of music, some which even sound like they could be from older Paper Mario games. The unique themes for each boss are especially cool, which is a shame considering how you won’t hear them for long.

Speaking of which, the boss fights in this game are not especially special. Despite some of them having a really cool premise they’re more like Thing puzzles than actual battles, requiring you to figure out the exact strategy to use by using the right Thing at the right time. Boss fights become impossible without the right Things, and otherwise they’re usually too straightforward and easy, making for an uninteresting fight. Fortunately, a friendly toad in Port Prisma can give you a hint on what Thing you need for an upcoming fight or puzzle.

Overall I feel like I can safely say Color Splash felt like a wild ride from beginning to end. Almost every level introduces something new and exciting whether it be a new gameplay mechanic or just something nice and funny. The humour in this game is top notch at some points although those who dislike “silly” dialogue may not be as pleased. There is not a huge amount of side content, the only big things are filling the museum and beating a rock paper scissors minigame a bunch of times. However the levels are full of little secrets here and there and there’s a lot of attention to detail.

Back when Color Splash was announced I seriously had my doubts because of how little of the game they showed. I went into this fearing that it would be just an “ok” game that was kind of boring with only a few good moments, but instead it surpassed my expectations and instead made for an experience that was really enjoyable throughout. I am sorry to the 3 Sticker Star fans out there for frequently bashing that game throughout this review but Color Splash really is a great improvement over its predecessor. There are still a few things holding it back from becoming a truly great game but I would recommend it if you like fun and you are one of the 6 Wii U owners left on earth.

#paper mario color splash

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jpkee-blog · 7 years

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https://jpkee.com/lifestyle/7-console-games-gone-mobile-chrono-trigger-the-witness-and-more/

7 Console Games Gone Mobile: Chrono Trigger, The Witness, and More

In another time, consoles and PCs reigned supreme for gaming PlayStation 4 and Xbox One Are Cheaper Than PC for Gamers in 2017 PlayStation 4 and Xbox One Are Cheaper Than PC for Gamers in 2017 So you want to invest in a new gaming set-up, and you want to choose between a PC or a new console. Here’s how your options compare! Read More . And while they are still the better option for most people, there’s no denying the power of those pocket computers we’re carrying around with us everywhere.

Throughout the years, the technological capabilities of smartphones continues to improve. And because of this, we’re able to play games that were otherwise only available on dedicated gaming rigs.

Many games have been ported over to iOS and Android smartphones by now, but what are the absolute must-haves? We’ve rounded up a list of some of the best mobile ports of console games around, so let’s dive in!

1. The Witness

The most recent port is one of the best that money can buy (and for a fraction of the price). The Witness was originally announced in 2009 and launched in 2016, so it was in development for some time. However, the end result proves that it was well worth the wait.

In The Witness, players find themselves waking up on a remote island, all alone. The game’s inspired by Myst, and it involves open-world exploration, puzzle solving, and a narrative experience.

Who are you? Why are you on this island? How’d you get here? Why aren’t there any signs of life other than yourself? These are questions that you’ll constantly ask while you play. The answers reveal themselves to you as you progress.

The puzzles in The Witness are all interactive mazes and labyrinths found in both natural and man-made structures. Sometimes they’re obvious, but more often than not they’re hidden and require some digging around before you’re able to find them.

A Puzzling Adventure

The Witness has over 650 puzzles for players to solve, though you don’t have to do all of them to complete the game. The island’s split up into 11 sections arranged around a mountain in the center, which is the final destination. However, the player must reach and activate the gold box in each sector to move on to the next area.

It’s vital to note the importance of the visuals and sound in The Witness. The game not only has a beautiful and immersive world, but it packs in a lot of details that you’ll want to pay attention to.

The game also lacks a soundtrack for good reason — it forces you to listen to your surroundings. The island can be eerily quiet to emphasize that there are no other signs of life around you. The lack of sound, aside from hearing your own footsteps in various terrain, adds depth and texture to the overall product.

If you like puzzle solving (we have free Mac puzzle games 13 Free Mac Puzzle Games to Test Your Solving Skills 13 Free Mac Puzzle Games to Test Your Solving Skills Are you a puzzle game fan looking to solve all kinds of brain teasers on your Mac? These free games offer hundreds of levels for you to match three, clear word tiles, and more. Read More too), exploration, and an intriguing story, then The Witness is definitely one you must check out.

Download: The Witness for iOS ($9.99)

2. The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth

Itching for an intense action shooter RPG? Then The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth should satisfy your cravings with grotesque and controversial themes.

The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth came out in 2014 and is a remake of the 2011 original. In this roguelike The Best Roguelikes To Play When You’re On A Coffee Break The Best Roguelikes To Play When You’re On A Coffee Break Some roguelikes can take a while to beat. What if your time is limited? Introducing the coffeebreak roguelike! Read More action RPG shooter, players learn about a boy named Isaac and his mother. The mother, however, becomes brainwashed and gets a message from God, demanding the life of her son in order to prove her faith. It’s dark and grim, yet oddly addictive.

In the game, players take control of Isaac, who has escaped his mother by running into the creepy basement. Using his tears as bullets, Isaac must fight his way through the basement dungeon filled with hideous monsters and other abnormal critters. Eventually, he’ll have to face off against his own mother, who has turned into a deformed beast.

Intensity, Rebirthed

All dungeons in The Binding of Isaac are procedurally generated No Man’s Sky and the Future of Procedural Games No Man’s Sky and the Future of Procedural Games If you haven’t heard of No Man’s Sky yet, you’re missing out. This open-world adventure game is set to pioneer a new standard in procedural generation, a topic that’s deeply interesting even if you don’t… Read More , so they’re different on each run. This also means that enemies you encounter and items you loot vary. And since it’s a roguelike, death is permanent. The game plays like a dual-stick shooter, and features a top-down perspective.

In the Rebirth version, there’s more content and gameplay modes for you to enjoy. This includes 10 other playable characters and hundreds of new power-ups and items. Gameplay modes include Challenges, where each dungeon has a modifier, such as complete darkness. No matter which mode you decide to play, the goal is to survive for as long as you can for the best score.

The Binding of Isaac has made its way to pretty much every platform, and for good reason. It’s a high-quality experience that’s just downright fun to play. Whether you’ve played it before or want to jump into the fray for the first time, the mobile port is a pretty good version, since you can keep it in your pocket.

Download: The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth for iOS ($14.99)

3. Chrono Trigger

If you’re a fan of Japanese RPGs (check out the best free Japanese games on the App Store The 6 Best Free Japanese iPhone Games In The App Store The 6 Best Free Japanese iPhone Games In The App Store A lot of Japanese iPhone games have now made the jump to the Western market. Here are several free games we recommend! Read More ), then you absolutely must play Chrono Trigger. Whether or not you’ve played the SNES original back in 1995, the mobile port is a worthy addition to anyone’s game collection.

Why is Chrono Trigger a masterpiece? The original crew who made the game consisted of what many call the “Dream Team”: Hironobu Sakaguchi, the creator of the Final Fantasy series, Yuji Horii of the Dragon Quest franchise, and Akira Toriyama of Dragon Quest and Dragon Ball fame. These are all big names, so Chrono Trigger was definitely made by people who knew a thing or two about JRPGs.

Chrono Trigger is your typical JRPG with familiar mechanics. Players travel through the overworld map and explore various terrain, including forests, deserts, cities, and dungeons. There’s a varied cast of characters from different eras (time travel is involved) that you’ll encounter and get to team up with. Each one brings their own unique personality and traits to the group.

The Legendary Battle System

However, the biggest aspect about Chrono Trigger that set it apart from other JRPGs is the battle system 5 Classic RPGs With Unique Battle Systems You’ll Love 5 Classic RPGs With Unique Battle Systems You’ll Love Skips the usual affair and start playing these 5 RPGs with unique battle systems you’ll fall in love with. Read More . Chrono Trigger shows enemies on the map as players navigate around, so there are no random encounters. And when players engage with enemies on the map, battles take place rightthere, rather than a separate battle screen.

The battle system in Chrono Trigger makes use of the Active Time Battle 2.0 system (ATB is a staple of Final Fantasy IV). This means each character can only take action in the battle when their personal timer (speed stat dependent) hits zero.

Actions consist of basic attacks and “Techs,” which are special skills or magic spells that usually affect an area. Each character has Techs that you can use in conjunction with a teammates to create powerful Double or even Triple Techs. This distinctive system is key to victory, especially considering that enemies can change positions during battle.

At the time of its release, Chrono Trigger was revolutionary, and is still considered by many as one of the best video games of all time 6 Places To Find Out What Are The Best Video Games Ever 6 Places To Find Out What Are The Best Video Games Ever It’s only natural for a fan of gaming to wonder what the best games ever made are, or at least what the experts think are the best. Read More . This was due to the multiple endings, character-developing side quests, ATB 2.0 battle system, and graphics.

In 2008, Chrono Trigger came onto the Nintendo DS, along with bonus content from the enhanced PlayStation port in 1999. The DS version added an arena where you battle monsters, two new dungeons, and a new ending that foreshadows events that occur in Chrono Cross. When you buy the iOS or Android port, you get all of this extra content as well.

Chrono Trigger is a piece of video game history that has inspired many modern JRPGs of today. And even though Chrono Trigger originally launched in 1995, it still holds up incredibly well today.

Download: Chrono Trigger for iOS | Android ($9.99)

4. The World Ends With You

Do you love JRPGs but crave something fresh and unlike anything you’ve played before? The World Ends With You fits this bill.

The first part of The World Ends With You that’ll catch your eye is the stylish art and aesthetic. The game carries a design that is much more modern than most other Square Enix titles, and it’s done incredibly well.

All of the characters have cool motifs, personalities, and traits, and are easily distinguishable from each other. Plus, the game takes place in a fictional version of Shibuya, Japan, so fashion plays an important role.

Music also plays a big part in The World Ends With You. Since the main setting is Shibuya, the soundtrack encompasses a wide variety of music genres, including rock, hip hop, and electronica. With this combination, there’s a track that represents all moods and tones of Shibuya. The tunes in The World Ends With You are downright fantastic 11 Best Video Game Soundtracks For Studying 11 Best Video Game Soundtracks For Studying Video game music is engineered to allow you to focus while still enjoying background noise. If you need some studying music, look no further than these 11 awesome games. Read More , and well worth the price of the game.

The story for The World Ends With You involves a boy named Neku, who wakes up and finds himself in a game of life or death: the Reaper’s Game. The Reaper’s Game lasts for seven days, and he must survive the entire time in order to find out why he’s even been chosen in the first place.

The game’s split up into three chapters based on the three weeks in which Neku is a player in the Reaper’s Game. During each week, Neku encounters other players who end up being his partner for that time. New missions occur each day, and Neku and his partner must complete them or face erasure. Neku’s partners each have their own set of skills to utilize in combat.

During battles with the Noise enemies, the skills that Neku has are dependent upon the player’s choice of equipped pins. There are many pins to find and collect in the game, and they let you take actions like healing, slashing enemies, firing bullets, and more.

In each district of Shibuya, there are specific brands of pins and clothes that are popular and trending. If you’re wearing items associated with these brands, they boost your capabilities in battle. Conversely, when you wear brands that aren’t fashionable, your abilities suffer.

It’s important to note that since The World Ends With You was originally a Nintendo DS game, it utilized two screens. However, the mobile ports only have one screen to work with, so they come with a simplified battle system.

There are a lot of riddles and puzzles to solve in The World Ends With You. Sometimes districts in Shibuya get blocked off from players until they satisfy the requests of nearby Reapers. These can consists of tasks like erasing Noise symbols, having certain clothing brands equipped, or even giving them specific items.

Plenty of content awaits players in The World Ends With You, and the storyline is intriguing and captivating. It’s a modern classic JRPG that is a must-play for any fans of the genre.

Download: The World Ends With You for iOS | Android ($17.99)

5. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

If you’re in the mood for something more action-packed and crazy, then you can’t go wrong with Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. Originally released in 2004 for the PlayStation 2, then Windows and Xbox in 2005, many consider San Andreas a gaming masterpiece.

The Grand Theft Auto franchise has always been popular for its open-world environments, engaging stories, music, and insane gameplay. With Grand Theft Auto, players get a combination of third-person shooter with driving game elements, and these two combined lead to chaos in the streets 10 More of the Funniest Video Games Ever Made 10 More of the Funniest Video Games Ever Made Looking to laugh when you play video games? We’ve rounded up ten more funny titles that will keep you chuckling throughout. There’s something for every sense of humor here! Read More .

San Andreas follows in the footsteps of previous games with the third-person perspective and vast, open world. The game takes place in the fictional state of San Andreas, which is heavily based on California (Los Angeles and San Francisco) and Nevada (Las Vegas).

Players take on the role of Carl “CJ” Johnson, who returns home after his mother’s death. Old friends and family show up in hysterics, forcing CJ to get his old gang back together for clashes with cops and other activities. Throughout the campaign, secrets behind his mother’s death reveal themselves.

Sandbox Adventure

As you play, you’re able to move around San Andreas by foot or car. Due to the open nature of the game, players are free to explore at their leisure, pretty much doing whatever they want.

While on foot, CJ can walk, run, swim, climb, and jump while using weapons or engaging in hand-to-hand combat. If you want a vehicle, you can do some grand theft (hence the name) and snag cars, bikes, buses, semis, boats, aircraft, tanks, trains, and pretty much any other vehicle you can think of. Stealing vehicles is a major element of the game, and the key to getting away from police quickly.

In the single player campaign, while there’s a storyline to follow, it probably won’t be your first priority. There are a ton of side quests that you can do between main missions, and they reward character attribute points or money. These quests include many types of jobs, such as rescuing people, putting out fires, driving a taxi, and some unsavory tasks, such as burglaries.

Whether you’re a fan of the Grand Theft Auto series or a newcomer, San Andreas is one of the best installments that you can play. And with the power of smartphones, this classic game can now go with you everywhere.

Download: Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas for iOS | Android ($6.99)

6. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic

Do you feel that the Force is strong with you? Then you’ll want to give Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic a try. It released in 2003 on Xbox and PC, and is also held in high regard among gamers What’s the Best Star Wars Mobile Game? What’s the Best Star Wars Mobile Game? Are any of the Star Wars mobile games worthy of the venerated Star Wars license? I played 13 of them to find out. Here’s what I thought of each one. Read More , regardless of the Star Wars branding.

In Knights of the Old Republic, players get a fresh story that separates itself from the movies. Knights occurs 4,000 years before the formation of the Galactic Empire. A Dark Lord of the Sith, Darth Malak, attacks the Republic with his deadly Sith fleet. Players take on the role of a young Jedi and venture forth to stop Malak.

Even though this is a Star Wars game, it plays much like other RPGs. In the beginning, players choose from three basic character classes: Soldier, Scout, and Scoundrel. Later on, after you pass the Jedi trials, you’ll get your Jedi subclass: Guardian, Sentinel, or Consular. You’re able to have up to two companions traveling with you. Each character also has skill stats, feats, and Force powers (similar to magical spells).

The combat system in Knights of the Old Republic is unique and simulates real-time combat. However, it’s actually based on rounds, and all combat actions are calculated based on rules similar to Dungeons & Dragons. Each character attacks and reacts to enemies simultaneously, and it appears seamless because it’s sequential. You only get a limited number of actions per round, so you’ll have to plan your moves strategically.

There’s plenty to do in Knights of the Old Republic as well, besides just engaging in epic lightsaber battles. You’ll find main storyline quests, as well as side missions that you can start by interacting with teammates and other NPCs. Players also must make many decisions during the course of the game, which affect their alignment with the light (Jedi) or dark (Sith) side of the Force.

If you’ve never played Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic before, there’s no better time than now to check it out. Be sure to also check out more games that you’ll like if you’re a Star Wars fan.

Download: Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic for iOS | Android ($9.99)

7. Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions

Love the world of Final Fantasy but want something more strategic and tactical? Then look no further than Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions. This mobile port is the updated 2007 PlayStation Portable version of the original 1997 Final Fantasy Tactics on PlayStation.

What makes Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions different from most typical Final Fantasy games? Instead of your typical JRPG, The War of the Lions is a turn-based tactical role-playing game, with battles feeling like a chess match as they happen on grids with various terrain.

In The War of the Lions, players control a mercenary named Ramza. The world of Ivalice is in a late medieval era where technology is booming, but magic and the supernatural still exist. A civil war is happening between Ivalice and neighbor Ordalia, while a force of darkness has emerged. It’s up to Ramza, along with any allies he manages to round up, to save both worlds.

While The War of the Lions has many original characters, longtime Final Fantasy fans will see some familiar faces in the mix. The War of the Lions includes Balthier from Final Fantasy XII, Cloud Strife from Final Fantasy VII, and even Luso Clemens from Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift.

Ramza travels around Ivalice from point-to-point on the overworld map. He’ll encounter various cities and towns, along with patches of wilderness that can hold many surprises, like random battle encounters. While in towns, Ramza can hire new recruits, send party members out on automated quests, and buy equipment and items. The story unravels through a linear series of missions.

Each character on the field is a chess piece, and has limited mobility depending on their job and terrain. The player and enemy alternate turns, moving their units and performing actions during this time. During the player’s turn, units can move and then perform an action, such as attacking or using a special skill. Once all your units have taken action, then it’s the enemy’s turn, and the cycle repeats.

There’s 22 jobs available in The War of the Lions. These include your classic Final Fantasy classes, like White Mage, Black Mage, and Dragoons, to advanced jobs like Summoner, Time Mage, and Orators. Starting jobs are available from the get-go, and more become unlocked as you meet level requirements for specific classes.

Doing actions in battle grants each character experience and job points, with the latter used to purchase new abilities. Once a character learns a skill from a job, they can permanently access it.

But don’t be careless in battle: The War of the Lions can be unforgiving with permadeath. If someone takes excessive damage and is not revived within three turns, they’re gone forever.

Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions is an awesome lesser-known Final Fantasy game, and one that every gamer should check out.

Download: Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions for iOS ($13.99) | Android ($11.99)

What Mobile Ports Are Your Favorite?

It’s really amazing how gaming technology has advanced. Now we can have these amazing classics in the palm of our hand, ready to play at a moment’s notice.

While there are surely more great mobile ports, we’ve handpicked our favorites here. If you want even more great mobile games to check out, we recommend discovering some hidden gems 7 Mobile Gaming Hidden Gems You Must Try 7 Mobile Gaming Hidden Gems You Must Try Everyone knows Candy Crush and Monument Valley, but what about the best mobile games hiding beneath the service? Here are seven great hidden gems for your iPhone or Android guaranteed to be a blast. Read More .

Do you have a favorite game that received a mobile port in recent years? Did we miss your favorite? Let us know in the comments!

Image Credit: Maridav/Depositphotos

12 Free Browser Match-3 Games to Enjoy on Your Next Break

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