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I am a Final Fight guy. I grew up with the SNES copy of Final Fight. I had no idea it was originally an arcade title or the fact that it had 2 player co-op. My brother and I took turns punching Mad Gear punks throughout Metro City. My experience with the likes of Captain Commando and Knights of the Round were experienced through CPS1 and CPS2 emulators so it’s nice to have the opportunity to own arcade perfect ports of them.

While Tomb Raider fans are busy discovering what’s new and exciting in Shadow of the Tomb Raider, I just got around to starting Rise of the Tomb Raider on Xbox One courtesy of Xbox Game Pass. So far? I’m enjoying it but I’m have a tough time grasping her motivation for finding the tomb of the Prophet. Is it really just because her dad was looking for it? 

I will play Dragon Quest XI. I’m making that pledge despite not finishing Dragon Quest VIII on the 3DS or Square Enix’ other JRPG epic, Final Fantasy XV. It just doesn’t look charming like all Dragon Quest titles, it also looks technically impressive. I’ve only played Dragon Quest titles on a portable which made the choice between Nintendo 3DS and PlayStation 4 though. Unfortunately, Square Enix decided not to bring over the Nintendo 3DS version to western shores so I was left with the PlayStation 4 version by default. Then a PC version was announced and now a Switch version. I don’t know which version I will end up getting but the bottom line is this: I will play Dragon Quest XI.

Yakuza 2 was my first Yakuza title. It made a Yakuza fan out of me but I haven’t revisited it since playing it for the first time on the PlayStation 2. I don’t see myself revisiting the original game in its original form but I will gladly revisit it via this Kiwami 2 remake. I cannot wait to punch a tiger again.

Here’s Something You May Have Missed

• In an e-mail to Prime members: Starting Aug 28, Prime members will no longer receive a 10% discount on physical video game pre-orders. All eligible pre-orders placed before Aug 28, will still receive the 10% discount.

I enjoyed Guacamelee. It just snuck up on me with its Lucha-styled Metroidvania fun. It came through in a time where this style of game was resurging through independent studios like DrinkBox Studios. In 2018? That’s whole different story. Guacamelee 2 found itself in the company of games like Hollow Knight and Ori and the Will of the Wisps. Needless to say: it’s not so unique and thus I’m not itching to pick that up. Maybe when it’s on sale.

I’ve never played World of Warcraft. I was too cheap to pay the monthly fee all those years ago. I know plenty who played Blizzard’s epic and I feel that I absorbed so much of that game through their tales and impressions of the game. Many have fallen off throughout the years but every once in a while, I hear a resurgence of interest around the debut of a new expansion. Battle for Azeroth’s artwork channels the MMORPG’s ancestral roots which tickles me with nostalgia. I have doubts that we’ll ever see another one of those any time soon. 

Okami HD on the Nintendo Switch is a match made in heaven. Brush powers with a touch screen makes a whole lot of sense. If I were to purchase a third copy of Okami, I think it would be for the Switch. 

August 2018 Plus Games

Instant Game Collection

PlayStation 4

• Mafia III
• Dead by Daylight

PlayStation 3

• Bound by Flame
• Serious Sam 3: BFE

PlayStation Vita

• Draw Slasher
• Space Hulk

We’re in the middle of 2018 and there are still worthwhile Nintendo 3DS titles coming out. WarioWare Gold looks awesome but I’m going to be that person and say: I wish it was on the Switch. I am still playing my Nintendo 3DS (DQ8) but I want WarioWare on the big screen for some party shenanigans. It’s silliness should not be contained on the small screen!

Here’s Something You May Have Missed

August 2018 Gold Games

Games With Gold

Xbox One

• Forza Horizon 2: Standard
• For Honor: Standard Edition

Xbox 360 & Xbox One

• Dead Space 3
• Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two