D NY Have an idea for a story? M arts@theotherpress.ca Switch versus mother platform > ‘Stardew Valley’ and ‘Minecraft’ on the Switch Sonam Kaloti Arts Editor Ihe Nintendo Switch has a wide array of game genres to pick and choose from. However, the Switch is also relatively new, meaning it doesn’t have the same expansive collection of games available as other competing platforms such as the Xbox, PlayStation, or PC. Luckily, developers of all game types have forayed into the world of the masterful Switch, allowing their games to be played anytime and anywhere. Obviously that is a strong business decision and I cannot fathom why every developer hasn't provided us with that luxury. Lest we wait, here are two games that are on the Switch, and here's how they fare on the handheld versus their mother platform. Stardew Valley I’ve said it before and I'll say it again— Stardew Valley is one of the best games out there right now. I love it with my whole heart (and hoe, pickaxe, and shovel). Originally on Steam, the mechanics are smooth and I found very few actual issues with the gameplay. On the Switch, however, I find that any game with meticulous precision is a wee bit difficult to navigate with the Joy- Con. Aiming directly upon the intended block is as challenging as it is with a mouse. Another downfall is that while multiplayer on PC is free, to play multiplayer on the Switch requires the Nintendo Switch Online subscription. A plus to Stardew Valley on the Switch is that the game is very relaxing, and the Switch is the perfect console for snuggling up ina blanket and playing a cool-down game. Minecraft I didn’t expect Minecraft to be much better than the mobile Pocket Edition. I was clearly fooled by the handheld’s tiny screen because boy, was I wrong. While Minecraft is undoubtedly superior on PC due to the sheer amount of technical advancements made on its original platform, on the Switch it resembles the Xbox version more, which is not an insult. The vision and movement controls on their own are smooth and operate well, but together they create a jankier feel to the game that reminds me more of a shooter than a sandbox. Again, I think this game would be good on the Switch if the intended Tune in and Dropout: ‘WTF 101’ TV show review CC ¢ Mainstream lyrics criticism e ‘You’ TV show analysis * Outside ‘Kim’s Convenience’: Part two ..and more! Image via IGN The Switch is the perfect console for snuggling up in a blanket and playing a cool-down game. use is very casual rather than a more competitive approach. I've also concluded, after watching my six-year-old brother play Minecraft on the Switch for the first time, that the Switch is a great gateway to understanding controls and coordination in order to progress to harder games or different consoles. » Animated show nails the balance between funny and informative Jacey Gibb Distribution Manager wee K KY The jokesters over at CollegeHumor launched their own comedy streaming platform Dropout TV. I'm here to tell you if their exclusive content is worth the subscription fee. he process of learning is inherently fun. Whether it’s learning a new skill or learning how much vodka is too much vodka, there’s a sense of accomplishment that comes with growing as an individual. Traditional schooling doesn’t always scratch that itch—but that’s where Dropout TV’s WTF 101 comes in, ready to sucker-punch you with the knowledge you didn't really ask to learn, but now you know it, so hey, might as well regurgitate these factoids the next time youre at a party. Created by long-time CH cast member Mike Trapp, WTF 101 follows four detention-bound students and their teacher as they travel through the present day and past, exploring just how truly fucked up the world is. Their teacher, Professor Foxtrot, is a zany, near-unhinged woman who relishes in exposing the teens to all the horrors of the natural world and has no problem drawing very thin parallels between the students’ lives and whatever abomination she’s highlighting that week. WTF 101 adopts a similar format to CollegeHumor’s previous series Adam Ruins Everything in that the comedy is based on factual information. The premiere episode of WTF 101 pokes fun at one of the students for cheating on a test, which sets up an exploration of the various parasitic relationships in the natural world. Similar to a bibliography, each episode ends with a slideshow of real-life photographs of the featured horrors. Asa long-time watcher of all things CollegeHumor, it’s great seeing the cast explore mediums outside of their traditional sketch comedy. The four teenagers are voiced by Katie Marovitch, Ally Beardsley, Raphael Chestang, and Zac Oyama, with long-time actress Mary Pat Gleason voicing Professor Foxtrot—and everyone knocks the voice acting out of the park. While a few of the characters feel underutilized in the first few episodes, they become more fleshed out as the series progresses. Acommon thread through my C C Professor Foxtrot is a zany, near-unhinged woman who relishes in exposing the teens to all the horrors of the natural world Overall, I think the Nintendo Switch does a good job of keeping the integrity of the original games, but for Stardew Valley and Minecraft, | can’t shake the training wheels feel to them. Nonetheless, a portable option to your favourite games is easily enough reason to try them on for size. x ° = a = va 5 wv a 6 £: previous Dropout TV reviews is that the shows’ runtimes often lag, which isn’t the case with WTF 101. Episodes run at a tight 8- to 10-minute range and could even go for longer, but they cut things off, which is exactly how a television show should be. Viewers should be left craving more, rather than checking the bottom of the screen to see how much time is left. WTF 101 is fast- paced, tightly written, and the jokes come at breakneck speed. After finding myself not really gelling with many of Dropout’s initial offerings, WTF 101 isa refreshing addition. It’s funny, well-animated, and a great showcase for cast members to flex their vocal chops. With the show’s wide-reaching premise, nearly any topic could be covered in future episodes—and unlike the students in detention, I’m excited to see where things go next. You can catch a brief sneak-peek of WTF 101 on YouTube, but full episodes are only offered through Dropout TV.