If you think Samus isn't thicc enough for you, just say it.

The Spider Ball was actually extremely early in the original Metroid 2.

I also want to say that if you want the Metroid Prime logbook style stuff, that's in AM2R, which I feel is better than Samus Returns, but Mercury Steam didn't do a bad job here. The parry thing makes combat feel very... mechanical.  I find myself running past enemies rather thant rying to fignt them because they're giant ass bullet sponges in the beginning unless you're melee countering them. I can't really say the mechanic is one I disdain because I like something similar that's in Bloodborne (I know Souls has a parry, but often times the game rewards you for using other defensive options in that game) but... I dunno.

I'll give MercurySteam credit where credit is due. I also think James is right here in that you can tell in the final project when a publisher wants something out of said project. I'd ask you to direct yourself to Rare pre Nintendo and post-Nintendo for a Euro-studio that is little more than a lost little lamb without the correct guiding hands overseeing the project.

I believe Lovers is designed around 2 players, didn't even know it supports 4. The understaffing is intentional, if it was designed around 4 players it would probably have more than 7 stations to use.

Well in that case I have an issue with the basic design of the game: the size of the levels, the constant stop-and-go navigation, and the lack of checkpoints when a bit of bad luck can wipe out half an hour of progress.


I think overwhelming players and punishing failure harshly can work well if we're talking 3 minute long Overcooked levels, but it's not so fun in a game about exploration.



I did lower the difficulty down a notch after the recording, and the game has become less frustrating and more enjoyable to Karen and I as a result.

If I had to sum up this episode in a word, it would be "feisty." I don't know if it was Greg's absence tthat did it, but it felt like Jon, James and Gui were "freeballing" it as it were, recalling a past episode title. The blossoming of nubile women in Steamworld Dig 2, Mario Party making one want to leave this mortal coil, the electircity was in the air!

Speaking of Greg's absence, I would normally not think too much of it, but the Bills' 23-17 victory over the Falcons raise my suspicions. I had heard reports that the head of the UK branch of the Bills Mafia was spotted at Flowery Branch and Mercedes-Benz Stadium. No known photos of this man exist, only a cartoon drawing on a t-shirt. Greg. Can you confirm or deny that you made a transatlantic flight the week of the game, thus precluding your appearance on RFN? Can you confirm or deny that you took actions that would benefit Buffalo at the expense of Atlanta? Finally, why didn't Jon also take the week off, to counteract any possible moves you may have made? Too busy dreaming of the San Jose Sharks upcoming season to have a care for the Brotherhood? Tsk, Tsk.

Alex was a good guest. I enjoyed his segment, though he pretty much disappeared from the podcast after that. People accuse Jon of doing that, but he generally doesn't go a whole hour without talking!