Trying out the latest character while discussing the big news from the September 13th Nintendo Direct!
nintendo switch
The Real Problem With ARMS as a Tournament Game
A few days ago, I outlined some of the challenges that ARMS will face as a viable esports game. However, having now participated in a local tournament, I have discovered a critical flaw in the game that has completely killed my motivation to play it at that level. Worst of all, I don’t think there’s a viable fix for this problem.
Does ARMS Have a Future in eSports?
In the silver age of fighting games that we currently live in, eSports has become a key factor in the success of every game in the market. From having thousands of players compete in Street Fighter every year at EVO, to a niche game like Skullgirls maintaining its scene with smaller-scale events, to the millions of viewers who tune in through streams, the eSports aspect of fighting games keeps them relevant long after launch. With ARMS having been out for a few months now, let’s discuss whether this game has what it takes to thrive in the world of eSports.
Time to Take a Break from ARMS
I was so close. Like, thisclose.
My goal in ARMS is to hit rank 20. The highest rank in the game. After making a breakthrough in my play style, I got all the way up to rank 19 with just a few wins shy of 20. Then, it all fell apart.
A few internet issues caused the game to unfairly penalize me with rage quitting, combined with a ton of losses against stiff competition and my ranking has fallen off of a cliff.
After many losses and having thrown my controller more times than I can count, I think it’s time to take a break before I destroy my controller, my dignity, and my sanity.
ARMS Reveals Lola Pop as it’s Next Character
After revealing a new stage and teasing the latest character with grainy camcorder footage, we finally get our first good look at Lola Pop in ARMS! While she looks pretty goofy, she’s certainly not clowning around in the ring.
Lessons I’ve Learned While Climbing the Ranks in ARMS
During the beta for ARMS, I was crushing my opposition with an iron fist. It got me thinking that I was going to waltz to the top of the leaderboard. Within hours of first playing the final game, it was me that was repeatedly falling to the canvas. There were nights where I would go on massive losing streaks that would cause me to lose ranks that usually ended with me throwing my controller. Forget about reaching the top of the world, I had to look in the mirror and ask myself if I was actually trash at this game.
Refusing to give up, I kept practicing. Kept making mental notes of all of the different ways I could improve. Having wallowed in the middle ranks for weeks, I’ve turned a corner and am making a strong push to reach rank 20, the highest rank in the game. Here are some things I’ve observed along the way!
Splatoon 2 Review
The original Splatoon was a bold new step for shooters. Nintendo found an innovative way to make a compelling shooter where precision accuracy wasn’t a requirement. As such, it was a fresh experience that a wide variety of players could enjoy.
By virtue of Splatoon 2 being a direct sequel, it was never going to shock the world in the same way its predecessor did. On top of that, Nintendo hasn’t done too much to shake up the core formula. What it may lack in surprise it compensates for with refinement.
Overcooked: Special Edition Impressions
The act of cooking is an integral part of our everyday lives and one that many enjoy partaking in. So why don’t we have any good cooking-based video games? Sure, cooking on the surface isn’t as exciting as shooting zombies, racing go-karts, or swinging a sword, but someone has to eventually find a way to make a compelling cooking game, right?
No disrespect intended towards BurgerTime or Cooking Mama, but Overcooked might be the riveting cooking game that we never knew we wanted. A hit indie title last year on PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One, the game finally makes its way to the Nintendo Switch in a special edition. Is this port a worthwhile addition to your Nintendo Switch library?
ARMS Makes a Strong Sales Debut
Nintendo’s oddball fighter proved to be a heavyweight at retailers worldwide. First, it debuted at #2 on the U.K. charts, only behind an on promotion Horizon Zero Dawn. Then, its debut in Japan almost outsold the debuts of Tekken 7 and Street Fighter V combined. Most recently, NPD data shows that ARMS performed extremely well in the US, reaching #5 with 256,000 units sold physically and digitally. For a game that left many of us scratching our heads when upon its reveal in January, ARMS has become a hit.
Out Now: Splatoon 2
Years after shocking the world with a spectacular debut on the Wii U, the Inklings are back with Splatoon 2 on the Nintendo Switch! This one seems to feature more of everything you love, with a few big new additions, such as a horde mode and a beefier single player campaign.
I enjoyed the original a great deal, but for some reason it fell out of my rotation fairly quickly. This time around, I hope to play a lot more of it. My copy is in the mail and hopefully it will arrive later today. Are you picking this one up today as well?
In Third Person 