Issue #46: Live by the Sword – May/June 2020
Added 2020-04-20 17:05:13 +0000 UTCSwordplay is simple.
Not in the real world, of course! Goodness knows if I ever found myself in the middle of an actual duel, I'd then soon find myself skewered shortly thereafter. But in the world of video games, nothing's more natural than hacking and slashing.
It's one of the easiest interactions to understand. You, a good guy, have a pointy blade. You press a button and it makes bad guys go away. Rinse and repeat. Instantly satisfying gameplay!
Swords have been the most common weapon wielded by video game heroes for decades as a result of that simplicity -- and no, I'm not going to go back and try to verify that claim. Who could? The number of different games that have pressed a virtual blade into the player's hands are countless at this point.
But among that myriad, a handful of truly special swords have emerged over the years. Iconic weapons that make you feel especially powerful and especially special when you use them to make the bad guys go away, versus whatever nondescript hunk of sharp metal might have been offered to you otherwise.
In this NF issue, we springboard off the upcoming launch of Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition to pay homage to several of those incredible weapons. Our titular feature, Live by the Sword, asserts our Top 20 selections from the armory of the ages. That leads into our final preview of the new Xenoblade Chronicles remake for the Switch, itself focused on Shulk's multi-functional Monado -- arguably the greatest weapon ever wielded by any of Nintendo's many first-party heroes.
Other swords then carve their own places throughout the remainder of this edition, through our reviews of games like Katana Kami, Samurai Shodown and Trials of Mana to our exclusive final preview of Panzer Paladin and our interview with its creator, Jonathan Lavigne. We're even kicking off an all-new, hopefully recurring column in the Retro section called Left in the Past. It'll look back at decades-old games that have never been rereleased on any more modern hardware after their original launches -- first up is the Wizards & Warriors series. I know you old-schoolers remember IronSword!
So kneel, good knights, and arise again with greater knowledge of gaming's best blades. This NF is preparing you for combat!
Digital subscribers, keep an eye on your email inbox this Wednesday, April 22. A download link will be sent your way on that day.
Print subscribers, this issue is in production now and will be mailed to you this week. Right now the print company we work with is operating normally, not effected by the shutdown orders in place for many businesses around the country. Delivery to your homes may be slower than normal due to the ongoing pandemic . . . but then again it might be faster since overall mail volume has dropped in the past month. Just be understanding either way! This is a difficult time in human history right now, and NF is going to stay on schedule, but bear with us in the months ahead if we have to adjust to new realities! Cool?
Thanks as always for your support, Force fans! Xenoblade's one of my personal favorites, so this issue was a lot of fun to work on for me in particular!
~ Lucas M. Thomas
Comments
I ordered this magazine of the store because I didn’t get it off of Patreon. Nothing after nearly 2 weeks. It feels like the store is kinda useless.
2020-08-01 23:16:54 +0000 UTCThis was my first issue of NF and it well exceeded my expectations. I love it so much content covering a wide variety. I'm absolutely thrilled with it.
2020-07-24 00:18:32 +0000 UTCI never received this issue either.🤔
2020-07-01 16:18:56 +0000 UTCI haven't received my issue yet. Wasn't sure if this was a shipping issue or if Covid-19 might have delayed all the shipments for everyone here in Canada
2020-07-01 06:35:56 +0000 UTCSeems like I'm not the only one who hasn't received their issue, I had to change addresses before this came out and I'm worried it got sent to my other address.
2020-06-24 00:09:48 +0000 UTCI just received my copy today (I am in Canada) ! There's hope, I wish it will be soon for the rest of you who haven't received it yet.
2020-06-23 12:58:52 +0000 UTCI have yet to receive my copy as well :/ I know COVID was slowing things down but its been almost two months and still no issue in the mail. *** I am also from Canada**
2020-06-22 18:30:05 +0000 UTCHaven't received my copy yet, I'm in Canada. Not sure if there are delays due to the ongoing Covid situation, and if this is even the best way to contact about it.
2020-06-20 23:51:12 +0000 UTCI never received my copies (2 paper copies). I noticed a lot of people in Canada never received it.
2020-06-19 19:00:21 +0000 UTCDidn't get a printed copy either.
Brett Sim
2020-06-14 21:24:44 +0000 UTCI never received this issue and i noticed i got charged for it on may 1st, now i got charged for the next one coming up. Can i get this one too? I did pay for it.
2020-06-13 11:42:10 +0000 UTCYeah I have not received one yet either since subbing... Can someone get ahold of me about this @ joelputz31@gmail.com
2020-06-07 21:19:56 +0000 UTCIt’s June 6th and I haven’t received mine, I know a friend here in Canada received some time ago. Is the delay due to covid-19? Should I be worried?
2020-06-07 03:36:38 +0000 UTCSince it's about to be the last week I just want to tell you it hasn't arrived yet I really want to read the reviews for the games that came out in March can you do something about this I don't have the money to buy it again
mr cat
2020-05-22 20:24:31 +0000 UTCSend them a direct message on Patreon.
2020-05-22 19:11:10 +0000 UTCStill didn’t receive mine, is there gone something wrong with postage?
2020-05-21 00:19:54 +0000 UTCi just received mine today but it didn't come with the usual poster. Did you guys not do one this issue?
2020-05-18 18:05:40 +0000 UTCI also don't have mine. I will stay patient but I am worried.
Liam Peterson
2020-05-18 14:30:09 +0000 UTCI still have not received mine yet...….what do I do??
2020-05-18 12:39:12 +0000 UTCFriday May 8th and I still haven't received it...any chance I could get another copy sent out?
KJ Gisherson
2020-05-08 19:07:07 +0000 UTCAmazing issue! Just finished!!! THANK YOU!!! I’m framing my XC poster for ye olde room of game!
deadseveredhead
2020-05-07 04:55:08 +0000 UTCAny word on when to expect the PDF/digital version?
2020-05-06 22:07:37 +0000 UTCRead it. Loved it. Question; why wasn't Soul Edge/Calibur or Ivy's Snake Sword in the list? They're unique and outright cool swords.
Vegas
2020-05-06 21:18:57 +0000 UTCFalse alarm, it came today
2020-05-06 17:58:32 +0000 UTCPhilip Paterson, I'm in the same boat. It's May 6th, and I still don't have my physical issue. Hoping that nothing got held up at printing.
KJ Gisherson
2020-05-06 17:18:42 +0000 UTCI haven’t received my issue in the mail yet. It’s May 5th. Is it possible to receive a replacement?
2020-05-06 04:01:10 +0000 UTCI was so disappointed when I got a 2DS and found out I couldn't play Xenoblade on it because it wasn't the "New" 2DS / 3DS. So glad I'll be able to play this soon because I've always wanted to, but wasn't willing to shell out on an upgraded DS just for this game.
erix84
2020-04-22 20:46:25 +0000 UTCI'm waiting for this issue to be available on the store! I didn't make it in time to be on the email list. Hopefully it's available soon.
2020-04-22 15:33:26 +0000 UTCYep! I'm going to bring all the past issues back to print availability as soon as I can! ~ Lucas
The Nintendo Force
2020-04-22 13:57:19 +0000 UTCMaybe! I have just started playing it myself. (Had to wait until this issue was finished first!) It will probably end up on a Nintendo system at some point. The question is how far into the future will that be? ~ Lucas
The Nintendo Force
2020-04-22 13:56:21 +0000 UTCSo hyped for this game! I never got the chance to play it before. I played and loved “Cross” and XC2!!!
deadseveredhead
2020-04-21 18:53:27 +0000 UTCI own nearly every copy of NF I'm only missing 4 (#8, #10,#11, #12) is there some possibility that you guys could allow us to purchase some Y2 issues using the print on demand like you did for Y1?
Brian Prelle
2020-04-21 12:17:29 +0000 UTCI know this is not Nintendo game, but would the next magazine make an honorable mention to the release of Final Fantasy VII Remake? Cloud Strife is a fighter character in Super Smash Bros games, so it would be a little nice nodge to the franchise series he's originally from.
ChocoMitz
2020-04-20 18:07:32 +0000 UTC
