4454

If I recall, it was time-gated more than anything else. It wasn’t terrible so much as just completely unnecessary… and for all that I say it wasn’t terrible, I definitely didn’t finish the game, and I’m pretty sure it’s because I have broken completionist brain and one of the uncommon blades just would. not. drop. I mostly liked XC2 other than that, too! (Though not as much as the first, and it was an egregious example of a JRPG that was just way longer time-wise than the story needed it to be.)

4455

I don’t think you even get a full size party in XC2 until like 10+ hours in? I’m pretty sure you don’t get full combat mechanics (break/topple/launch/smash) until way later.

There’s a couple points in XC2 where you don’t have a full party, but you’re still allowed to free-roam around the map and do side quests, but you’re super handicapped in battle. What you should do in those segments is bee-line through the plot until you get back up to strength, but that isn’t communicated at all.

4456

I always assumed something like this is what happened - when I tried to play it years ago it didn’t really occur to me I was going to get a lot more complexity and interesting systems as I made my way into the story, and by the time it did I’d long since sold the game. But, at this point, I’m interested in giving XC3 a real shot, assuming it gets good reviews (which seems likely).

4457

I don’t think so. They have something to take its place that I don’t really understand yet where you equip one extra type of character that isn’t a regular party member but it sounds like there aren’t too many of those and you don’t pick them up via gacha mechanics.

4458

Yeah I think I was still getting new combat mechanic tutorial popups more than 20 hours in :)

4459

The final tutorial pop-up in XC2 appears something like 80 hours into the game. It’s not combat-related (I’m pretty sure), but yeah.

4460

Is the Switch region-free? There are some physical compilation collections (Aleste, NAMCOT, Tiger-Heli, Taito) that are only in Japan/Asia that I would like to import if that’s possible.

The Switch appears to have quite a lot of these, third after the PSP and PS2.

Also, does QT3 play in docked mode or handheld? If the latter, what grip accessory do you recommend? I’m looking at Hori, Skull & Co. or Satisfye.

4461

The Switch is region-free, and you can also easily access other regions’ digital stores. If a given Switch is registered as an account’s primary device, digital content from that account is available for all users on that Switch. This includes things like being able to access the international Nintendo Switch Online NES/SNES/Genesis/N64 apps - if you have the relevant subscription on your main account, you can access the other regions’ versions of the same apps by downloading them with an account for that region.

I play both handheld and docked. I don’t use any sort of grip accessory for most stuff, but if I’m playing vertical games, I use the Flip Grip.

4462

Thanks! I didn’t know this even existed. I have a lot of shmups so this would help for Tate mode.

4463

Just make sure the games you want to play support the correct portrait orientation. The Flip Grip is built so that it doesn’t block the game card port or headphone jack, which means the Switch can only be inserted one way, and a surprising number of games only offer a single rotation direction.

I bought mine for shmups as well, but I also play Groove Coaster with it, and I hear it’s nice for pinball games that support it.

4464

I play exclusively handheld, even at home. I use this:

And a Pro controller and it’s terrific.

4465

So I played Kirby a month or so ago. I’ve got Metroid Dread lined up this month. Splatoon 3 is out in September, and Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope in October. I know I’m late with Dread but it’s a bumper year for me with Nintendo.

4466

Picked up the Hori Grip Pro and it’s so much more responsive than then janky JoyCons. It looks like the FanGamer vertical mode thing won’t work with anything but the official JoyCons. Too bad the Hori doesn’t have gyro and force feedback support.

4467

I use mine almost completely portable, with one of these:

Hori Nintendo Switch Split Pad Pro (Black) Ergonomic Controller for Handheld Mode - Officially Licensed By Nintendo - Nintendo Switch Amazon.com

4468

I use mine docked, of course. With a Pro Controller. As I learned recently though, if it falls over, make sure it’s in the dock properly when you set it straight again on the carpet. (Well, as straight as you can get it on carpet, it’s never really straight vertical on carpet).

4469

I had the Hori, but didn’t end up liking it very much. I much prefer these from Binbok:

They have gyro and rumble and their own batteries and can be used detached like a pro controller, all things the Hori lack. Plus I think the Binbok is more comfortable.

4470

Oh look, Divinity Original Sin 2 is on 50% sale, the lowest one so far. I’ve loved the release version and never got to playing the Enhanced Edition, but… I can’t imagine playing a game like that with gamepad and on a portable console. I’ve tried Baldur’s Gate and it controls horribly.

There’s also Thea and Thea 2. I was surprised by how I liked Civ6 on switch so I’m getting Thea 2, a somewhat similar turn-based strategy game.

4471

Is this in Europe maybe? It’s not showing up for me on Deku Deals

4472

Can’t vouch for the Switch version, but the gamepad controls on the XBox were great.

4473

It was fine to me, with one exception being the inventory management. That was quite spoiling my pleasure, so I put it away until i get the pc version.