[Wii U] THREAD IS DEAD! POST IN THE NEW ONE!!

MNC Dover

Join the PA community by having your Nintendo Network ID posted here!

READ THE SPOILER FOR INSTRUCTIONS OR YOU WON'T GET ON THE LIST!

Start by sending a PM containing your forum name/NNID to @ " MNC Dover " (remove the spaces before and after the " " marks or it won't work) to get added to the list. Please send me your info like it's shown below to make my job easier.

Also, make sure to enable your friend's list. Do this by hitting the home button on your gamepad and selecting the "friend list" icon on the far left OR going to the MiiVerse and searching for the NNID manually (recommended).

PA name/NNID
MNC Dover/MNC.Dover
Professor Snugglesworth/Pols.Voice
HallowedFaith/Cloudbomb
AngelHedgie/NoxAeternum
minor incident/minor.incident
UnbreakableVow/UnbreakableVow
Toldo/Weegian
SirUltimos/SirUltimos
urahonky/Samson
MonkeyConQueso/MonkeyConQueso
Xenogears of Bore/KingSheet
Turkey/TurkeyFried
Cloudeagle/revatt
cabbie98/cabbie98
Reynolds/RadSuit
lpburk2/lpburk2
Brainiac 8/Brainiac_8
Dritz/LostCrescendo
InvisibleInk/InvisibleInk
Khildith/Khildith
The Sneak!/TheSneak
Shadowfire/Windrunner
AbsoluteZero/AbsoluteZero
raziel_pm/RazielPrime
UncleSporky/UncleSporky
Mystic Terrapin/Ghostosaurus
MOVE IT WITH BUNMASTER!!!/spinach
Aiserou/Aiserou
Athenor/Athenor
vamen/vamenn
The_Spaniard/Span_Wolf
Warlock82/Warlock
Variable/Variable
ManetherenWolf/Manetherenwolf
Optimusbry/Optimusbry
Dracil/dracilcegon
grim123/grim123
Man of the Waves/BuckarooHoliday
BebopSamurai/BebopSamurai
maximumzero/maximumzero
Xaviar/Xaviar
OneAngryPossum/oneangrypossum
Geod/Quamel
skeldare/skeldare
Kuribo's Shoe/ShoeVonDoom
Mosez/Stormblessed
imperialparadox / imperialparadox
TheUnsane1/TheUnsane1
Sagroth/Sagroth
Agahnim / AgahnimD
Beltaine/Beltaine
LockedOnTarget/TheKruseMissile
corin7/corin7
pirateluigi/PirateLuigi
SwashbucklerXX/SwashbucklerXX
Karrmer / Karrmer
Draysoth/Draysoth1
Magic Pink/MagicPink
Mblackwell/Mblackwell
azith28/Shodan
mantis23/mantis23
RidleySaria/RidleySaria
Aoi/edison_carter
Beefjerky/Beefjerky
Beefjerky's non-PA girlfriend/Emily-Rose
Infidel/Orokos
Vicious_GSRVicious/Viciousdex
evilive72/strummer7
wallaka/wallaka
V Faction/V-Faction
TimFiji/Archpriest
Draguscloud/Dragus
TehSpectre/TehSpectre
Panax/Panax_1
BigJoeM/BigJoeM
No Great Name/SirToons
Joe Dizzy/JoeDizzy
Damagemanual/damagemanual
plufim/plufim
John Zoidberg/PAJZ83
WotanAnubis/Wotan-Anubis
Morblitz/Morblitz
H*R/WarrenMSP
draklan/Darker-Q
Chen/PAChen
Rorus Raz/Razola
louie/louieuk
dhs/dhs2004
angrysquirrel/angrysquirrel
Musiqua/Musiqua
Tpsou/TPSout
Green/AngryFrog
stlobus/Lobus42
Kafka87/Kafka87
edzepp/Edzepp
Malakaius/Malakaius
rndmhero/rndmhero
Jam Warrior/JamWarrior
losabio/losabio
Delphinidaes/delphinidaes
BronzeKoopa/hyrulefd
Grove/FallenGrove
Kaimaka/Kaimaka
Oats/Phosgene
JihadJesus/C0Y0T3_SLY
darunia106/Pirate_Burger
Conn/ConnConnor
Corpekata/Corpekata
Maz-/Maz_PA
Enlong/Enlong
Houn / DigitalArcanist
Nitsua/Nitsua16
Mr_Rose/AzarelRose
weeskwee/weeskwee
Man in the Mists/Man_in_the_mists
Spawnbroker/Spawnbroker
finalbroadcast/finalbroadcast
Toxic Toys/ToxicToys
kime/kimedelpell
ArcSyn/ArcSyn
isstasi/isstasi
Masume/Nocero
Nicopernicus/Nicopernicus
TheInspector/AnEvilHypnotist
Yukira/ModelZ
Raybies666/Raybies
Khavall/Khavall
Turambar/Turambar
Lindsey Lohan/n8littlefield
DeviousRakun/DeviousRakun
physi_marc/PhysiMarc
Raybies666/Raybies
Embassy/DJEmbassy
spookymuffin/MegaSpooky
Johnny Chopsocky/JohnnyChopsocky
FuriousJodo/FuriousJodo
Nova_C/Nova_Collision
Descendant X/HankFacepunch
Mr_Grinch / mrgrinchx
Zython/zython

Some important notes/tips from PA posters to help smooth out your initial Wii U experience.

1) Improving Wifi performance
-- It looks like the WII U has some issues with DHCP and automatic configuration of wifi. If you know how, manually enter your IP information into the Wii U, setting the IP Address, Subnet, and gateway to match your DHCP settings but in an area that the modem isn't giving out (up around 240-250 is usually safe). Then manually set DNS - if you don't know it, use 8.8.8.8 (google's DNS). This allowed things to work much better for me.

2) Opting in to friend requests must be done before you can receive friend requests. Do this by hitting the Home button, tapping on Friend List orange button on the left, tap on Settings, enable friend requests.

3) Why the Friends Lists are like they are:

--I wouldn't be surprised if the Miiverse servers really are integral to the Wii U's experience, and timeouts were what was causing the lag.

--Also, I think I've figured out how friend invites work, and why there are 2 different ways to enter them.

--Miiverse: Social integration. You have to opt in to allow friend requests on Miiverse (which at least 4 people in the OP haven't done, *cough cough*) . If you allow friend requests in that, then you'll get notifications when people add you through it, which can be due to profile posts or from playing with other people or all that jazz.

--If, however, you don't want the world to be able to add you, you can just have friends add you via mutual NNID exchange. This is where someone puts in your NNID into their console, and you are not informed about it... But if you put their NNID in as well, then voila! You have each other as friends. (This is how I added the 4 people in the OP who didn't have their friend requests turned on).

--So basically, Nintendo's created two avenues to add friends that are NOT mutually exclusive and can be used as a gatekeeper. If you want the world to be your friend, awesome! If you don't want the world up in your grill but you still want the ability to add friends, awesome! If you want the whole world to leave you alone, go for it.

4) The home button takes a screen shot. Once the home menu is up, you can jump to the miiverse and post it in a comment there. If you don't post it, it's gone as soon as you go back to the game, to be replaced with a new one next time you hit Home.

5) Game updates can be downloaded in the background. If you click the "Start Game" button it will begin background downloading. Then you can do whatever you want while the game update downloads. I don't know if it specifically downloads while you are in the game you're downloading for, but it definitely does if you quit out of it. There is also a "Download Manager" app on the Home button where you can see what it's doing with the downloads.

So the Wii U is Nintendo's newest console. If you wish to buy it, then you have around four flavors: Deluxe Cheesecake, Hyrulian Pecan Pie, and Mario Tiramisu. There's also a ZombiU edition floating around.

The best bet is the Zelda edition. You get most of the perks of the Deluxe version, which means a 32gb HDD, fancy cradles for the gamepad, and a black console. You also get a shiny Wind Waker-theme gamepad and a digital copy of Wind Waker HD AND the Hyrule Historia (a book for Zelda nerds). The only reason to get the Deluxe version over this is that you don't want Wind Waker and/or REALLY want Mario/Luigi. Yes, the Zelda Wii U gets the Deluxe eShop Promotion (more about that further down this post). Either way you go, these two sets cost $299.99.



At the heart of the Wii U is the new tablet-esque controller that allows the player to free themselves from the cruel tyranny of the TV. The screen is touch sensitive and can be used via stylus or finger. The controller features dual stick controller (and the sticks can click for extra functionality), four trigger/bumper buttons, four face buttons, and both accelerometer and gyroscope for motion control. The Wii U actually streams content to the game pad, meaning that many games can be played entirely on the pad while your TV gets used for other crap. In fact, after you do the initial set up, you don't even need to have the Wii U connected to a TV to play it. Meanwhile, other titles will make use of the controller for a variety of gameplay purposes such as inventory management, aiming weapons, and so forth. These titles, obviously, will require a TV to play.

Another important thing to note: the tablet controller also features a camera and microphone. This will be utilized in things like Miiverse, and the Wii U comes with a video chat program installed. This video shows us some of the ways the GamePad can be utilized.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nj_xW6vwK1I

The Wii U can support two of these controllers at the same time, albeit capping the frame rate at 30fps when you do so. The hardware also supports just about everything from the Wii, including the remotes, balance board, motion plus, and so forth. The Wii U also includes a sensor bar for special pointer stuff. There is also a new controller for games that don't require the extra screen. The Pro Controller is intended to be a more comfortable controller for more conventional control schemes.


The GamePad will NOT be available for sale in North America (and probably not Europe). The price in Japan is the equivalent of around $175, so expect a price point of $150 or so. However, until Nintendo decides to stock 'em, you're stuck with the GamePad included with your system. You will be able to call for a replacement, so don't' fret about breaking one. Note that no Wii U games at launch will make use of two GamePads.

The Pro Controller RSVPs for $49.99.


Hey, let's talk about Miiverse

Nintendo is basically diving head-first into online. The Wii U features standard entertainment such as YouTube, Netflix, Amazon, and so forth. The new thing here is Miiverse, which is a network that shows what people are playing, and allows you to brag, get assistance, offer comments, or post crude drawings of genitals get nailed by the frightfully alert moderation staff. The image above shows the Miis clustering around games they play, be they friends or some stranger from Utah, and comments/drawings will pop up every so often. Miiverse is entirely optional, and you can control whether you get posts from just friends, the whole internet, or nobody at all. It also can label posts as spoilers so your gaming experience is never sullied like when your friend tells you that Bowser kidnapped Peach and ruined the whole plot. There are also communities for each game that kinda act like bulletin boards, and many games will feature Miiverse posts in the game itself.

Friend Codes are dead. You make a Nintendo Network ID, and you're done. You got a friend's list, can send messages to friends, follow friend activity (kinda like Twitter), and so forth. WARNING: Your NNID is tied to the console, along with any eShop purchases you make. While it is possible to unlink an NNID, it requires a lengthy phone call to customer service and is unlikely to be fruitful unless your system broke or something. Furthermore, you can only link one Club Nintendo account to just one NNID. They're a bit more lenient about unlinking Club Nintendo accounts, but it still requires an hour on the phone listening to the lowest quality version of the Zelda theme.

Here's an annoying video to demonstrate the feature.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXfqtq_Yk0Y

The Miiverse won't just be a Wii U thing. It'll eventually be ported over to the 3DS, and you'll be able to utilize certain parts of the Miiverse on your PC, smartphones, and tablets-that-aren't-controllers. When this happens is anyone's guess.




TVii is a rather ambition system that tries to be an all-in-one hub for couch potatoes. Using the Wii U controller like a remote, you can browse and control various programs at any time. This is completely cross-platform, and TVii will search all of the popular streaming services in addition to live TV. Supposedly, you can control your cable box, DVR, and more with the remote for unfettered touch-based television control. This features appears to only be for the NA and JPN markets at this time.


If you don't have a subscription, you can purchase the episode/subscription from the controller.


Hey, the Wii U has games. Okay, not a lot, but it has some, and they're pretty great.

What's cool about the Wii U is that it's the first Nintendo home console to allow for digital purchases of full retail titles. It's worth noting that the average size of a Wii U title is 10+ GB, so you will probably need to purchase an external USB Hard Disk Drive if that is the way you want to go. The Wii U supports USB 2.0 HDDs with a maximum size of 2TB, but Nintendo says that a firmware update in the future will allow the hardware to recognize larger drives. HOWEVER, the Wii U will NEVER recognize any storage past the initial 2TB, so...just get a 2TB drive. Honestly, you don't even NEED more space than that.

It's also worth noting that Deluxe Set owners get a deal on the eShop. Every purchase you make on the eShop will give you a number of points back based on a percentage of the purchase. The end result is that you average about 10% off all digital purchases, but since the money you save goes straight into your account it's...not as nice a deal as you'd expect. You still have to spend $59.99 on Darksiders II, you just will have $5.99 on your account for other eShop purchases. This offer ends December 2014, so take advantage of it while you can.

These are all NA dates. Go...somewhere else, Europe.

OUT RIGHT THE FUCK NOW

Games in PINK are pretty much sure-deals. Games in PURPLE may require consideration, either because there are issues with the port, gameplay hiccups you may or may not tolerate, or there is simply a cheaper alternative on another platform. Everything else is probably trash or I don't know enough about it. An asterisk indicates that the game is fully playable on the game pad. Stuff in gray is shovelware or crap.

Are you lazy and just want some quick recommendations? Okay: New Super Mario Bros. Wii U, ZombiU, Pikmin 3, Wonderful 101, and Rayman Legends.

• Nintendo Land
• New Super Mario Bros. Wii U*
• Disney’s Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two
• Sonic & All-Stars: Racing Transformed* (it's really cheap on Steam now)
• Call of Duty: Black Ops 2*
• Assassin’s Creed III*
• Darksiders II*
• FIFA 13
• Just Dance 4
• ZombiU
• Madden NFL 13
• Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edge*
• Mass Effect 3: Special Edition*
• Tank! Tank! Tank!
• Batman: Arkham City Armored Edition*
• Scribblenauts Unlimited
• Rabbids Land
• Skylanders Giants
• Trine 2*
• Tekken Tag Tournament 2*
• Funky Barn
• Toki Tori 2
• Nano Assault Neo*
• Mighty Switch Force: Hyper Drive Edition* (An HD remake of the 3DS version)
• Rise of the Guardians: The Video Game
• Game Party Champions
• Family Party: 30 Great Games Obstacle Arcade
  
• 007 Legends
• Little Inferno
• Your Shape: Fitness Evolved 2013
• Avengers: Battle for Earth
• NBA 2K13
• Wipeout 3 (THIS IS NOT THE RACING SERIES)
• Sing Party
• Cabela’s Dangerous Hunts
• Rapala Pro Bass Fishing
• Transformers Prime
• Ben 10: Omniverse
• ESPN Sports Connection
• Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate*
• LEGO City Undercover
• Game and Wario
• Splinter Cell: Blacklist*
• Pikmin 3
• New Super Luigi U*
• The Wonderful 101*
• Rayman Legends (This is the definitive version, as the touch screen stuff was half-assed on other consoles. The only other version that comes close is maybe PC because it's twenty bucks cheaper)
• The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker HD (consider this a MUST BUY if you've never played it, but otherwise your purchase depends on whether or not an HD remake is worth fifty bucks)
• Disney Infinity (it's basically Skylanders from Disney, with all of the expense that infers)
• Deus Ex: Human Revolution
• Wii Party U*
• Call of Duty: Ghosts
• Super Mario 3D World
• Just Dance 4
• Wii Fit U
• Donkey Kong Country Returns: Tropical Freeze
• Mario Kart 8

On the Horizon

• Jett Tailfin
• Super Smash Bros.
• X (Xenosaga 2?)
• Bayonetta 2

Do not get attached to this thread. At some point after the Wii U launches (probably after the first holiday season), the thread will be retired. Okay, at this point it's obvious the Wii U Thread has gotten a stay of execution. This is because the system is doing terribly and there'd be practically no Wii U talk without this thread. Do not point to this thread if we decide to shut down the mega thread for some other console. Instead, take solace in knowing your hardware isn't struggling to beat the PS Vita in sales each month. Having said that, the mod staff reserves the right to shut this thread down whenever it deems fit. Especially if behavior becomes routinely toxic.

I'd like this note in every future Wii U thread.

MNC Dover

By the way, this is the Wii U thread. I know Mario Kart 8 will be discussed here, but it would be best for extended conversations on the game to be taken to the dedicated Mario Kart 8 thread instead.

Besides, @Rorus Raz‌ worked so hard on those past MK game descriptions.

skeldare

New thread, woot!

Here's hoping for some awesome E3 announcements!

WotanAnubis

skeldare wrote: »

Here's hoping for some awesome E3 announcements!

I hope that Smash Bros Tournament is going to be fun to watch. And also that Nintendo invited people who are willing to have fun rather than just win.

Brainiac 8

While the WiiU is much sparcer than the other companies future offerings, something tells me that I'll be having much more fun with some of the upcoming games.

X, Mario Kart, Yarn Yoshi, and SSB are all going to make an awesome year for gaming. I cannot wait to find out what unknown games E3 will bring.

skeldare

I'm really hoping for a release date for Hyrule Warriors since I'm really in the mood for a good warriors game.

Brainiac 8

I'm on the fence about that one. I like the Zelda series, but I have never played the Warriors games. How are they?

The Dude With Herpes

Brainiac 8 wrote: »

I'm on the fence about that one. I like the Zelda series, but I have never played the Warriors games. How are they?

They can be really fun, actually; they just oversaturated the series way too much there for awhile. They were releasing 1-2 a year or more and with so few changes that you could go half a dozen iterations without seeing a single damn difference.

But I've enjoyed a few. There was one, who's name I can't remember, that was more like a chibi version of a Warriors (something heroes, mystic heroes?) for the Gamecube I used to play with friends when I was in the military and it was a blast.

I doubt it's gonna have a ton of depth, but I imagine it'll be fun.

Maz-

Nintendo, eh? Pretty doomed, if you ask me.

Renzo

Brainiac 8 wrote: »

While the WiiU is much sparcer than the other companies future offerings, something tells me that I'll be having much more fun with some of the upcoming games.

X, Mario Kart, Yarn Yoshi, and SSB are all going to make an awesome year for gaming. I cannot wait to find out what unknown games E3 will bring.

I WISH X were releasing this year. I know that nothing's been announced, but I can't imagine we'll see it before Holiday 2015.

But I won't complain if I find myself playing it this year.

Maz-

It's set for a 2014 release in Japan at least.

I guess we'll know more after E3.

nicopernicus

I had planned on picking up Pikmin this week. Now I'll just wait until Mario Kart comes out. Sweet!

Brainiac 8

Renzo wrote: »

Brainiac 8 wrote: »

While the WiiU is much sparcer than the other companies future offerings, something tells me that I'll be having much more fun with some of the upcoming games.

X, Mario Kart, Yarn Yoshi, and SSB are all going to make an awesome year for gaming. I cannot wait to find out what unknown games E3 will bring.

I WISH X were releasing this year. I know that nothing's been announced, but I can't imagine we'll see it before Holiday 2015.

But I won't complain if I find myself playing it this year.

I'll keep holding out hope that it shows up this year. I want it really badly. :P

MNC Dover

I own all the free games except Wii Party U. That one I'd want to play with the included mini-stand.

maximumzero

I was wondering why I wasn't getting any more notifications...

Super-excited about both Mario Kart 8 and Disney Infinity: Marvel Super Heroes.

It's been a good day for game reveals.

Zython

Damn, I already picked up Pikmin during the Target promo. I guess I'll get Wind Waker. Still, nifty promo.

Taramoor

Pink Gold Peach.

Her name is three different colors.

So confused.

Sterica

Any Wii U multiplayer is done on my friend's Wii U, so my only option is NSMB Wii U.

I mean, I already beat it and traded it in for a 3DS XL (I was forced to return my first Wii U), but I did never got the chance to 100% it...

TimFiji

Hi Wii U thread!

Quical

Hi TimFiji!

TimFiji

Hey you're not the thread!

Zython

You just got told, Quical.

TDawg

RE: People with too many Wii U games already, could you not sell the download code? Or would Nintendo know?

This deal is making me seriously consider buying a Wii U+Mario Kart.

skeldare

TDawg wrote: »

This deal is making me seriously consider buying a Wii U+Mario Kart.

Do it. Do it.

do it

Mulletude

How does I get the ten one ups in remix? It gets to 8 and stops. If I try to adjust at 8 it stops. Sad face

skeldare

Mulletude wrote: »

How does I get the ten one ups in remix? It gets to 8 and stops. If I try to adjust at 8 it stops. Sad face

I'll be honest. I never figured that out.

UncleSporky

Oh geez this gif. Have to link it because it's too big but man. Seriously.

Houn

Finally watched the Direct.

Whelp, that's another $60 gone. *sigh*

The Dude With Herpes

UncleSporky wrote: »

Oh geez this gif. Have to link it because it's too big but man. Seriously.

That's fantastic. A++ Would watch again!

AbsoluteZero

I forgot TVii was a thing until I scrolled past the OP just now.

maximumzero

AbsoluteZero wrote: »

I forgot TVii was a thing until I scrolled past the OP just now.

If I actually watched TV I'd probably use it all the damn time. But these days my TV watching consists of Cosmos and that's all.

Enlong

Watching the Mario Kart direct now.

...when did this turn into the Mario Kart Home Shopping Channel?

skeldare

Enlong wrote: »

Watching the Mario Kart direct now.

...when did this turn into the Mario Kart Home Shopping Channel?

The minute they sold you on the game.

UnbreakableVow

Hey Wii U thread!

Don't get The Amazing Spider-Man 2

Carry on!

Enlong

What? Aww...

Did they screw up the web swinging?

skeldare

UnbreakableVow wrote: »

Hey Wii U thread!

Don't get The Amazing Spider-Man 2

Carry on!

It's not THAT bad. A little glitchy here and there but at least the swinging isn't terrible.

UnbreakableVow

Enlong wrote: »

What? Aww...

Did they screw up the web swinging?

So here's a weird conundrum!

Spider-Man 2-style swinging is more or less back in full effect

I love Spider-Man 2 dearly, a lot of it due to the web-swinging

However, the camera in ASM2 is still pulled in really close to Spidey the same way it was in the first game. When you had automatic magical web-swinging to get you out of tight spots, it was never frustrating, and it was a cool feeling to free-fall to street level and shoot out a web and pull up at the last moment

But having the camera in so close combined with that old style of having to attach to a building is just the worst possible combination. Disorienting, never able to achieve great momentum. I feel like the developers maybe knew this, which is why they also kept in the web rush move (think Batman-game grappling hook) to let you move around the city as well

Aside from that, the characters look awful, the animations are horrible, the voice acting is just some of the worst, and they do nonsensical things like putting in pointless Mass Effect style dialogue trees during cutscenes (but with no real choice to affect them, so, again, pointless), and side missions that play a full-on news clip cutscene every time you finish one.

A little bit into the game, they unlock the hero/menace system, and if you don't keep up a steady stream of doing those side missions, you're constantly bombarded by flying enemies

The first game was actually really good - the combat system on-ground wasn't quite there, but aerial fighting was fun, and complex web-swinging was simplified in order to accommodate that combat system. Here it seems like they finally "listened to the fans" on regards to the swinging without understanding what was great about that system, and they in turn sacrificed their own system which worked pretty damn well

UnbreakableVow

Get Child of Light instead, is what I'm saying

Enlong

Already have done.

skeldare

UnbreakableVow wrote: »

Get Child of Light instead, is what I'm saying

Yes, everyone should pick up Child of Light.

vamen

UnbreakableVow wrote: »

Enlong wrote: »

What? Aww...

Did they screw up the web swinging?

So here's a weird conundrum!

Spider-Man 2-style swinging is more or less back in full effect

I love Spider-Man 2 dearly, a lot of it due to the web-swinging

However, the camera in ASM2 is still pulled in really close to Spidey the same way it was in the first game. When you had automatic magical web-swinging to get you out of tight spots, it was never frustrating, and it was a cool feeling to free-fall to street level and shoot out a web and pull up at the last moment

But having the camera in so close combined with that old style of having to attach to a building is just the worst possible combination. Disorienting, never able to achieve great momentum. I feel like the developers maybe knew this, which is why they also kept in the web rush move (think Batman-game grappling hook) to let you move around the city as well

Aside from that, the characters look awful, the animations are horrible, the voice acting is just some of the worst, and they do nonsensical things like putting in pointless Mass Effect style dialogue trees during cutscenes (but with no real choice to affect them, so, again, pointless), and side missions that play a full-on news clip cutscene every time you finish one.

A little bit into the game, they unlock the hero/menace system, and if you don't keep up a steady stream of doing those side missions, you're constantly bombarded by flying enemies

The first game was actually really good - the combat system on-ground wasn't quite there, but aerial fighting was fun, and complex web-swinging was simplified in order to accommodate that combat system. Here it seems like they finally "listened to the fans" on regards to the swinging without understanding what was great about that system, and they in turn sacrificed their own system which worked pretty damn well

I actually feel like the swinging is terrible. Possibly because they promised so much more, but mostly because it's terrible. Not terrible in a vacuum mind - if this was the first one ever, I'd have been a happy camper - but compared to pretty much every other Spiderman game created. They made this big video to talk about how webs stick to buildings now, which is sort of the case, but within 2 seconds of the first webzip tutorial, your webs are sticking to the sky blatantly and in your face. Technically SWINGING webs stick to the buildings...sometimes. Unless you're in the park, then they attack to the sky again. There's even voice acting put in for Spider to make comments about how he needs something for webs to attach to, meanwhile you web into the sky and pull yourself into the heavens.
In original SM2 the webs would interact with objects if they hit them. You'd take a corner of a building, the corner would catch the web, and whip you around like you'd expect. In this new one, the webs just clip completely through the building. It's disheartening that a game a decade ole on PS2 had infinitely more complex webbing. Web of Shadows is the only thing that has come close to it, and even if had the air web problem, but at least the rest of the swinging felt crisp and the vast amount of animations really sold his movements.
The only good thing I can say about the swinging is you can pick which hand to use now, which is nice.

The air combat in the last game was simplistic but felt sort of epic, rocketing through the air as you unleashed web bolts into SpiderHunters. Ever aspect of combat in this game seems to have been made worse than before. It looks nice in motion but most of it is just tapping X over and over. And it feels like they really cut back on animation count. I do find it satisfying to stick enemies to ceilings and such with webs and them just sit there hanging around for a while though.

The menace meter as mentioned is a huge pain. If there was randomish crime to stop, it'd be okay. But every crime involves a cutscene you've seen 100 times, a short battle, then another cutscene you've seen 100 times, then a length exp reward tally.

I always buy every Spidey game and most of them have flaws, but I've enjoyed 90% of them. This is the first one where I've had buyers remorse. It just all feels so clumsy.

I'm really crossing my fingers for a new dev and next gen Spidey game. What's a brotha got to do to get Rocksteady to get the Spiderman license? mmm mmm