It will be interesting to see if the harder to drive cars separate teammates more and makes judging their merits easier. Prior to the 2009 regulation changes that made the cars more or less much easier to drive, teammates were often way off each others pace making it super clear who was the better driver (in that car at least). Since then the gaps have really been quite narrow for the most part.... but it could be that the talent level is just much more even these days as well.
It just seems like they wanted to attach a name with nostalgic appeal to a new show and Castlevania was for grabs. There isn't much story really in the series up until the 360 games so its pretty much a do whatever you please with it situation, which just makes me cynical about why it is using the Castlevania name at all.
I think in most cases (as long as the games remain good and fun) its mostly just a shift in what section of the fanbase will enjoy it more. Stuff like DA2 where the simplification was at the same time as a inferior and rushed game it becomes easy to blame the simplification as the reason it was worse. But stuff like Mass Effect 1-2 is an example of 2 good games where most people still liked both but who liked which one most depended on personal preference in game design.
The SMT series is a curious beast because most people have not played anything previous to Nocturne. Having gone back and played previous games (after Nocturne being my first experience in the series, including Persona spin offs) I can say that simplification has HUGELY made that series much better, and it is still on the complex side where it stands now. Nocturne was a major break in the series that greatly simplified pretty much every system, but in a good way that got down to the core of what was interesting or fun and left out the annoying chuff that just needlessly confused and got in the way. SMT IV id say didn't mess up by being more simple really, it honestly isn't much simpler, it messes up a bit by not balancing itself very well and not having a nearly as interesting premise or world to explore. Nocturne (even with its flaws) still is the best distillation of what that series is about overall, pretty much all of its game design is complementary and is in service of its plot points as well. IV and even Strange Journey to me get bogged down in a bit of disconnect between gameplay systems and story, they dont feel as natural or easy to understand as pieces to a puzzle and also are far more exploitable in general. Nocturne like the Persona 3 and 4 found a pretty great balance, even if more hardcore, of where what the game is asking of you is mostly very clear and understandable.... they introduce you to relatively simple systems that it expects you to absolutely use at all times to finish.
Knack is a mediocre game, it isn't terrible its just fine.
It is a game for kids or adults playing with their kids, and for that it is above average. No it isn't going to compete with games aimed at adults but not all games are made for that demographic. A decent series of games aimed at people with a family is something that is good for games, it certainly beats licensed shovelware. Think of it as similar to the SNES or Genesis disney games, perfectly fine games that got a generation into playing them.
The continuing joke about it being terrible is old and kinda lame at this point.
Is 6 the one with Charge Man? I loved his level theme! Shame he looked stupid with a train engine for a head. So, I'll cast a vote for 6 then.
Also, (disregarding the recent megaman collection) why don't more people like 9 and 10? I though they both were really good.
People love 9. 10 has a more mixed reception as its clearly inferior. I think it all comes back to purity at some level. 9 is a fantastic game but it really wasn't a NES game even if it was made exactly in that style. It is also hampered a bit by ignoring improvements that were made after MM2 which is just a shame. 9 and 10 should have had the slide in them at least.
3 is the best, but really this poll should be about what game OTHER than 2 or 3 is the best since 99% of people will pick those.
5 is BY FAR the most overlooked game in the series, yeah its probably the easiest (after 2 on US normal), but it has really cool creative level gimmicks, an excellent soundtrack, and great Wiley stages. To me its a better game than 2 overall. 6 is also great but the fiddly nature of the suit powers (especially the jets) kinda knocks it down from the top for me.
People who pick Mega Man 4 are absolute monsters. It is by far the worst in the series, the stages are a mess of ok ideas badly implemented and the soundtrack is pretty much garbage save 1 track.
A lot of championships were more decisively won on reliability than this one. As far as Lewis being top 3, I dunno its hard to really say that when he only won 1 of his championships without a car that was by far the best in the field. Seriously the dominance of this car is fucking unreal, so we can only judge him the last 3 years against his team mate.... who he has been better than but not by that much. So if Nico isn't top 10 then Lewis definitely isn't top 3.
What a wonderfull race. Verstappen showing yet again why hes easily a top 3 driver and Rosberg showing yet again why his on track to the most undeserved Driver championship ever.
Sauber cemented their win against poor Manor and Force india their win against Williams with Massa screwing up his last homerace.
Worth noting is that 4 cars had a spin at the exact same place on the white line in the last turn. Only Verstappen saved it.
I've never understood the narrative that Rosberg would be the most undeserved driver champion ever. How about his dad Keke? What about Jacques Villeneuve? To me he is a good driver in the realm of a Damon Hill, not among the best, but certainly nothing to turn your nose up at if he wins. It isn't like he has ever been that far off from Lewis who is a 3 time champion, sure Lewis is definitely better but not by a giant margin or anything.
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