Nintendo Direct Predictions

Nintendo Direct 9.13.2018 

The previously delayed Nintendo Direct from last week will be airing tomorrow, September 13, according to Nintendo's Twitter. 

With one day to go, there are plenty of speculations on what will or what will not be given attention in the 35-minute presentation.

Looking at what Nintendo has on the way, recently announced or rumored titles and a little optimism, here are 10 predictions (in no particular order) for just what Nintendo has in store for consumers in its September 13 direct, covering both 3DS and Switch titles.

1. Nintendo Switch Online

We'e already been given confirmation of the service's release date, that being September 18. Further details are inevitably going to be given light during this direct. I believe gamers care now, more than ever, whether the Netflix-style retro catalog long rumored will stack up against Nintendo's Minis or previous virtual console markets. I see Nintendo confirming everything that's guaranteed with subscriptions, pricing, cloud save details and included games very early on. 

2. Luigi's Mansion

"Luigi's Mansion" is coming to the 3DS one month from today, promising 3DS players the chance to relive or experience for the first time the GameCube launch title. Nintendo has said this direct will cover 3DS titles in addition to that of the Switch so I see it to be a no-brainer that they will offer a trailer and a reminder that this game is coming so soon.

3. Pokemon Let's Go

"Pokemon Let's Go Pikachu and Let's Go Eevee" have been getting their fair share of small trailers since being officially revealed. The titles will likely get another one in the direct, showing another gym leaders or two, a couple small features and destinations and looks at mega evolutions. I think they will finally reveal new mega evolutions, based on both the trademark files recently and the fact that it's coming pretty soon and could use something more to push excitement. 

4. Final Fantasy XV

Recently announced for the Switch, "Final Fantasy XV Pocket Edition" presumably meant to have appeared in the direct, will likely get shown in some way tomorrow. The game just launched last week on both PlayStation 4 and Xbox One and has no release date for the Switch. I think Nintendo will show a trailer for it and give a release window. My guess is Q1 2019. 

5. Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles

Just a couple of days ago, "Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles" was announced to be getting a remaster for the PlayStation 4 and Switch next year. This title would have been a pleasant surprise for the direct but, even with its announcement coming prior to tomorrow, I think Nintendo will still have it shown as it was likely scheduled to be. 

6. Yoshi's Crafted World

Nintendo revealed a new "Yoshi" game early in the Switch's life cycle; however, it was delayed to 2019 in June of this year. Now, there is plenty of curiosity, maybe even concerns, regarding what this will be. Appearing to be a bit of a successor to "Yoshi's Woolly World," the game will likely get a trailer showing more details, a title and a release date at this upcoming Nintendo Direct. The title of "Yoshi's Crafted World" was recently leaked and I believe that is undoubtedly the title, one that, like I said, will be confirmed tomorrow. 

7. New Super Mario Bros U

"New Super Mario Bros. U" and "New Super Luigi U" were rumored heavily to be coming to the Switch not long ago. This makes perfect sense thanks to Nintendo's track record of bringing the biggest Wii U titles over to the Switch. The hybrid console hasn't gotten a 2D "Mario" title yet and the aforementioned games were well-received. I believe they will definitely get revealed for the Switch, packed together with all previously released content, a price point of $50 a January 2019 release date. 

8. Super Mario Party

November marks the release date of "Super Mario Party" for the Switch and looks quite ambitious. The title has gotten attention at events like E3 2018 but seems like it could use more. I'd say there's no way Nintendo's not showing us a new trailer of this party title at their direct. I see some more games being shown off within "Super Mario Party," as well as a few new character reveals. I also think some of those mini-games they will reveal or give attention to are going to be innovative ones that use the console's features to full effect. 

9. Mario + Luigi Bowser's Inside Story

"Mario + Luigi Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.s' Journey" is the lengthy titled remake coming to the 3DS next year. This game brings back "Mario + Luigi Bowser's Inside Story from the DS with new content as well. Nintendo may not have too many large-scale 3DS titles coming at this point but this is still a prominent release, definitely worth bringing the 3DS out for fans of the sub-series of "Mario + Luigi." I think they'll show a new trailer, remind us it's still happening and give a February release date. 

10. Super Smash Bros Ultimate

Arguably the biggest game coming from Nintendo this year, "Super Smash Bros Ultimate," released in December with an impressive roster of over 70 characters. Despite Masahiro Sakurai even saying not to expect too many new characters, we all know there will be more to come. I think Nintendo likes their "Super Smash Bros" specific directs but will still nonetheless touch on their upcoming title tomorrow. The blurred out mode, presumably one that offers heavy single player content, sounds like an announcement and reveal that will be held off for another time. I do however think they will show some more gameplay, reveal a new smaller mode such as Target Smash or content of that nature and conclude with a new character reveal. Who this character could be is of course anyone's guess; however, I firmly believe they will show us one who as been long-requested and desired. Skull Kid, Geno and/or Isaac are viable options. 

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"Hours of Darkness" Far Cry 5 DLC 1 Review

An exhilarating gameplay loop with minimal story to tell

By: Ryan Ramakrishnan

Reviewed on PlayStation 4

“Hours of Darkness” takes what made “Far Cry 5” so much fun to play and incorporates it into a beautiful Vietnamese land.

My time with “Far Cry 5’s” first DLC, “Hours of Darkness” concluded in under four hours; however, as a mere expansion to a large-scale game, I found it to be a justified run through a visually appealing creation of Vietnam. The gunplay in both stealth-driven and the most action-packed situations left me very happy to have more of that “Far Cry” feel but the lack of any push for a real narrative made it fall short.

Story
In previous iterations, the “Far Cry” series has thrived on story and antagonists alike. Acting as the first major expansion of three to “Far Cry 5,” “Hours of Darkness” sees Wendell Redler surviving and fighting the Viet-Cong in Vietnam in the peak of the war. This plot, even without over characterization or plot points, could have been very interesting. Plenty of novels and films succeed at depicting the Vietnam War but this is a game that couldn’t quite do it in the narrative department. The expansion rarely, if ever, shows cutscenes, gives personality to characters or tells us more than what the gameplay shows us. There isn’t even more than one core mission so technically, the story is never given the time to shine.


Gameplay
“Hours of Darkness” offers a gameplay loop of checking things off the map in the same vein as much of Ubisoft’s other titles, specifically “Far Cry 5.” “Hours of Darkness” throws you into an open world, albeit a concise one in comparison to the core “Far Cry 5” experience. Objectives to tackle include but are not limited to NVA camps and NVA commanders to take down, AA guns to destroy and POW’s to rescue.

The open world activities provide good fun to experience the joy of “Far Cry 5’s” gameplay mechanics. This makes up for the lack of story missions but not entirely. The main mission is basically to escape but this can be reached all too quickly should you choose to rush through the Vietnamese map, not concerning yourself with side objectives.

“Hours of Darkness” offers a few weapon slots in addition to various explosives and other throwables and projectiles. Items like dynamite and grenades lend themselves well to the high action in the game’s encounters. They complement guns like the flamethrower for the creation of chaos.

Alternatively, stealth is a viable and enjoyable option in many of the game’s moments. I found the need to be stealthy to keep myself from being taken out in an instant. Creeping around slowly, using throwing knives, silenced handguns and sniper rifles or a bow and arrow and knocking enemies out from behind create an incredibly intense and tight-knit stealth experience. When not stealthy or ready to unload some ammo and explosives however, the enemies are quite tough.

A.I. in “Hours of Darkness” don’t hold back, much like “Far Cry 5” in all honesty. At times it seems like you’re unprepared; however, others have you wondering if the enemies are truly overpowered or broken. The expansion’s overall difficulty is generally fair with no significantly hard encounters or missions in the game.

Returning from the main game is a perk system but it is flipped on its head in “Hours of Darkness.” This time, we see perks being unlocked temporarily by doing things like stealth kills or kill streaks in general. You’ll unlock a perk for a limited amount of time that boosts your defense, combat skills and more. This system works well for the contained experience of the DLC as opposed to the large-scale main game and its usage of permanent perks as a progressive system.

Also a returning factor from “Far Cry 5,” “Hours of Darkness” offers the chance to rescue and put to work three soldiers as “guns for hire.” These three soldiers, Joker, Moses and Yokel, can be saved and then help you out in combat; however, there’s one catch- if they die, there’s no revival. Permadeath of these optional gun for hire is an interesting way to provide you both assistance and fear of losing your comrades. Sadly this A.I. wasn’t always reliable and as combat ready as you’d expect; however, they get the job done as much as any of the many A.I. did in “Far Cry 5.”

Graphics
“Hours of Darkness” looks quite nice in its dark jungle settings. Whether looking from afar from a high altitude or when directly in enemy contact, “Hours of Darkness” comes with a visually appealing creation of Vietnam.

Environments aren’t too varied but I didn’t expect to see a whole lot more than the jungle and forest settings outdoors and the contained bunkers and enemy camps, each looking as good as “Far Cry 5” did.

Technically, I ran into no standout bugs or glitches and only saw the frame rate notably dip once or twice, certainly less than the main game of “Far Cry 5.”

Sound
With “Far Cry 5,” I found the voice acting to be a pivotal part of the narrative’s delivery and overall experience, specifically with the antagonists. In the same way “Hours of Darkness” lacks that primary antagonist or story altogether, voice acting isn’t given the time of the day.

Music on the other hand is prominent enough in “Hours of Darkness.” The gameplay and exploration of its miniature open world gets complemented by some thrilling music, intensifying every shootout.

Content
“Hours of Darkness” has an open world to tackle side missions in, albeit smaller in scale and content than the main game. The map does however make up for the entirely too small story and its single core mission.

You may find yourself collecting all the Vietnam lighters, saving every POW or seeking out revenge on each of the commanders. Either way, it won’t be far off in terms of sheer map completion than what you’re adapted to in “Far Cry 5” but it makes for a pretty fun adventure through it all.

Conclusion
Ultimately, “Far Cry 5’s” first DLC expansion, “Hours of Darkness” offers enough to do to keep you entertained in its otherwise tiny campaign. The story isn’t given any time to flesh itself out nor does it last for more than one core mission. Fortunately, I found entertainment out of killing NVA commanders, taking down their camps, destroying propaganda and more. “Hours of Darkness” offers the same gunplay combining solid first person shooting, use of explosives and other throwables and stealth to create a generally fun experience in Vietnam, if not a little too short overall.

How fast did you beat “Hours of Darkness?” Did you complete every objective in Vietnam?

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