Metroid Dread - So far, so good!

October 8th, 2021 - Metroid Dread released. If you're not into video games, you'll probably find this boring. Hopefully, if you like video games, you'll enjoy this. I'll try to avoid spoilers and I'll put a tl;dr; section below.

I cut my teeth on the original Metroid for the NES. No maps, no save points (you would get a password if you died so you could continue), no online guides. And when you rented from the local video store, no manual, so you didn't really know what was going on. But I loved it. Vast areas to explore. (By those day's standards, so small compared to today's games.) Eerie music that haunted you yet moved you forward. And SOOO MANY SECRETS to discover. And when Metroid II came out, I would stay over at my cousins house as much as I could to stay up late (he'd be snoring next to me) while trying to finish his copy on his Gameboy.

I never was able to finish the original Metroid as a kid. I'm pretty sure I beat Metroid II. I skipped the SNES phase with Super Metroid as I drifted into PC gaming, mostly point-and-click adventures or RTS games. (Command and Conquer anybody?) And even tho I had a Gameboy Advance pretty soon after they came out, I didn't pick up Metroid Fusion or Zero Mission until recently. I did play some Metroid Prime, and Super Metroid on emulators here and there and realized, 'Boy, there's really a deep story here.' But for many years, I just didn't play many console games.

I dove back into console gaming over the past few years however, so when I heard a new Metroid was coming out on Switch, I dusted off that nostalgia and played through Fusion and Zero Mission with gusto! And I loved them. For the sake of time I did use online guides and tried to 100% them. (Only 100%'d Zero Mission) But I was amazed at how fun they were even tho there were a few years on them. Oh, and how could I forget, the remake of Metroid II Samus Returns. My favorite Metroid game given a beautiful makeover with the 2.5 graphics. I was so ready for Dread! So this weekend as soon as I could get a few hours for it, I dove in.

As much as I love gaming, I don't dedicate great chunks of time to it. So, while some have done 100% and more in Metroid Dread, I've only gotten partway through. But I love it. I can't wait to finish it. Then I may just pick it up and try it again.

Let me start by saying, I don't feel that I'm a great platformer or action game player. I've never done speed runs, and for all my years playing games, I still feel clumsy at times, hitting the wrong buttons. That being said, here are my notes so far:

• The visuals in this game are amazing! I love the transitions between cut scenes and actual game play.
• The mechanics of the various upgrades/skills Samus gets are quite comfortable if you've gotten used to previous Metroid games. I could say they're a little predictable. It's quite easy to find a dead end, shoot a few missles around, and realize, 'Oh, they want me to get the xxx upgrade for this section.' You still have to develop the skill with that tool. But even I have been able to overcome the puzzles without looking anything up.
• Let's talk predictability. I've never really felt stuck. There have been times I felt like I ran into a lot of dead ends... but usually there is at least one clear path forward. I do feel I've been able to skip certain areas until a later time. But for the most part there is always a strong suggestion of how to move forward. However, I often recognize that these suggestions may not be apparent if you haven't played many other Metroid games.
• Did I mention the visuals? 😁 There have been a few areas where I just stopped to take a look at the scenery. Little hints at the story. Areas that make you say, 'Boy, I hope I don't have to blow this whole planet up.' Entertaining little background things that remind you of previous games or just let you feel like you're playing a 3D game in a 2D layout.

So, what's my takeaway from all this? I really enjoy Metroid Dread. Do I love it? I'm not sure yet. I guess I'm leaning that way. It's no Breath of the Wild. (But what is?) But it is a Metroid game, and feels quite at home in that lineup!

Spoiler Alert!!! This link will show you how I beat one boss in the game with some of the cut scenes included. https://www.twitch.tv/videos/1173709730

It's Been a Minute

You may have noticed, I haven't been streaming. There have been several (good) things going on. I'm setting up a new office area, and we traveled! Hopefully the office will get finished in the next two weeks.

I think when I get back, I'm going to do a 'New Office' tour and a bulk Pickup Checkup. I've been getting a few things here and there, but haven't posted any of it. (Some I haven't even opened.) I've beaten Super Mario Odyssey, at least Bowser. I'm working on 100%ing it. I've got Mario 3D All Stars waiting to come out and play, and we have Hyrule Warriors on the horizon, plus some new consoles to plug in and play!

Finally beat Adventure Island

Last Night
Adventure Island is one of those games I've picked up and put down more times than I can remember. Starting around 30 years ago, I remember renting this game, falling in love with it, and then quickly getting frustrated. Then a few weeks or months later, renting it again, loving the music, then realizing I wasn't going to beat it in a weekend.

Over the years, I've played it, even as I started to stream. But still... never got around to beating it.

Well, that all ended last night! I finally beat the boss! Sure, I used saves, but no other cheats. 8-3 was a slog. The end of 8-3 has this series of platforms that drop as soon as you land on them with some bats flying at you. Took me an hour or so to get past that.

To see what it looks like to slay the final boss, check this out: https://www.twitch.tv/videos/646491735

A little anti-climactic, but well, it's done.

What's Next?
This means we get to move on to the next game, which I also started last night. Video is up for now on my Twitch site. Super Mario Odyssey. I'm already really enjoying it, and think it should be a good adventure for the stream.

Coming up, I'm thinking of putting CrossCode in the lineup. Maybe making it my first All-Day, First-Day play through of a game on the stream.

Off the schedule but still around!

If you've been following our Twitch Channel, you'll see that Eugene and I have been plugging along with Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past. And we're almost there. I think we only have one more crystal and/or Zelda to save.  So, I'm planning to do a Play it Till We Beat It stream. I'm not sure when that will be.
I may be switching the stream to Monday nights, starting at 8. That may enable us to do some longer streams. I've had Mario Odyssey sitting next to me on the desk waiting to be played, so I'd like to get that in. I've also been doing some Cities Skylines and Factorio that could be fun to stream. I'd also like to go back and finally be Adventure Island... but that will have to be after MrRKnight finishes his Blind Run of it! (If you haven't checked him out, go do it!)
I've upgraded my camera a bit. A little sharper of an image. I may be looking at a mic in the near future. But with the new hardware the stream seems to be more stable.

Stream Status and future schedule

Hey folks. Just an update. With this Covid-19 things, I've actually been busier than before. But I've cleared a few projects off my plate at home, which should open the way for some more streams.

We did try streaming last Tuesday (3/24/2020) but had some issues. I updated OBS and it doesn't seem to play well with my Elgato now. I need to figure that out.

Still hoping to finish our play through of A Link to the Past.

Still need to finish the rebuild of the Nintendo DS! I may need some new gear for that one for it to look nice.

I'd like to do some Cities Skylines play through... especially since I downloaded the Sunset Harbor DLC! :D

So, stay tuned!

Breath of the Wild Fan Fic... by Me! - Link and Beedle

I initially posted this story here: https://forum.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?176719-Link-and-Beedle-BoTW-Fan-fic

Warning... possible spoilers below.

Chest heaving, Link made it across the bridge to the stable. Tabantha stable. Had he known it was here he would have stopped in and stocked up before making his way to the tower. The trek south from the Tabantha tower had worn him out and he'd busted 3 of his best weapons, barely making it past the Guardians. But he'd made it. He was at the stable, warm fire, soft beds, and maybe some useful supplies.

Just then he spotted Beedle. 'Hey Beedle!', he called out.

'Are you stalking me?', replied a startled Beedle.

Link was a little surprised by the response. 'No, I was just surprised to see you all the way out here. How'd you find this place.'

'Uh, just, ah, wandering around.'

He had a funny, nervous look. Suddenly, Link had a thought.

'Beedle, did you know this stable was here?'

'What? No! Of course not, I'm just wandering around, like you.'

'Beedle, you sell all over, you made it here all the way from Lurelin village in less than a day. You must have known this was here.'

'No, no, of course not. I just found it. Wanna buy some arrows.'

Link started to get frustrated. 'What other stables do you know about Beedle?'

'I, uh, I don't know, just the ones you found I guess?', Beedle started backing up.

'Just the ones I found?! Wait, are you following me?!', Link started to close the gap.

'What? No! That's absurd, why would I follow you? I have so many customers.'

'Yeah, and every time I 'bump' into you, I run into...', Link thought a moment. 'Beedle, are you working for somebody?'

'No, I work for myself, honest!'

'Beedle. Who are you following me for?'

'Nnn... nobody!', backing up some more.

'Beeedle?!'

'They made me! They made me do it!'

As he backed up Beedle stumbled over a tree branch lying on the ground. A couple of stamina elixirs tumbled from his pocket.

'Ah-hah!', Link shouted. 'No wonder you can keep up with me with that huge pack on your back. How come you never offer any of these for sale?'

'I need them, I need them to keep up with business!'

'While I'm thinking of it, what DO you carry around in your pack? You barely ever have anything to sell.'

Link took a quick slice at Beedle's pack with his Traveler's Sword, the last one he had after his voyage from the tower. The bundle burst open with rupees and...

'MIGHTY BANANAS!!!', Link yelled. 'Are you spying on me for the Yiga?!?!'

'They, they made me!', Beedle stammerd. 'They said they'd feed me to a Molduga! Link, you have to believe me! Link... you're, you're turning Dark!'

Link was indeed turning dark... he could feel the rage building. He tried to temper it, and then, another thought.

With a glint in his eye, Link slowly brought his sword toward Beedles chin, as he knelt down, leaning in close to his face.

'Beedle, I see you have several Mighty Bananas available. And I'm sure you have some particular... 'friends' who are waiting for them. I just happen to have a pile of Hinox Toenails. I'll tell you what we're going to do...'

No stream this Tuesday, but new content coming!!!

This Tuesday (3/10/2020) I won't be able to stream. But don't worry, we're still on our quest to complete A Link to the Past.
In other news, I'm getting setup to stream some tech work. I have a couple consoles to work on and I've almost got things setup to stream the work while I discuss it. So look forward to more excitement!