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Issue #43: Division in the Ranks – November/December 2019
🕑 Added 2019-10-29 14:01:56 +0000 UTCWe try our best to keep things positive in the pages of good old NF, but to claim that everything's all hunky-dory heading into the release of the new Pokémon Sword & Shield would be disingenuous. Controversy has overrun the hype cycle for this particular pair of series sequels. Fans are angry! And their anger is valid, too – were it a misplaced rage, we might breeze right past it. But no, the division in the ranks that has appeared in the Pokémon fandom is worthy of attention and discussion. So that's what we're going to do!
As with past Pokémon-led issues of NF Magazine, we made the decision to split this edition into two pieces. But whereas the similar issue we published in the lead-up to the release of Sun & Moon in 2016 simply used its twin lead feature articles as two parts of one grand final preview for those games, we're doing things differently this time around.
The titular Division in the Ranks feature appears on the Sword side of NF #43. In it we discuss what it is that's got the fans so riled up about the mainline series' debut on the Switch, but we do so with our signature NF move of couching everything in its proper historical context. The article rewinds things back to the beginning of the brand and chronicles the smaller controversies the series has endured over the decades, leading up to the Pokédex problem that's now taken center stage. In addition, we've printed an image of every past Pokémon – so you can hopefully get a proper sense of just how massive a monster catalog it really is that Game Freak is having to deal with these days!
Meanwhile, on the Shield side, the easier-going Bigger Than Ever Before feature serves as our more standard final preview of what the new games have in store for us. Specifically focusing on how things in the new Galar region are larger in scale and scope than we've ever previously seen!
Our regular Reviews, Previews, Comic Breaks and more are here as well, of course, as we close the book on another calendar year and begin to look ahead to 2020. Here's hoping you get to finish 2019 strong by having a blast journeying through Galar!
. . . Or, you know, skipping that. Since that's an understandable decision to be making too!
Digital subscribers, keep an eye on your email inboxes this Friday, November 1. (I want to give our October issue the full run of this month before sending this next one out the door. Who would want to shove Luigi out of the spotlight before Halloween?)
Print subscribers, your physical copies are in production now and should arrive in most mailboxes by mid-November. The timetable's pushed back about a week later than normal this time, but if the postal service works as it should and we've timed everything correctly, most print subscribers (in the States at least) should see their copies of #43 show up in the last few days before Sword & Shield go on sale.
As always, thanks to you all for your continued support! With the help of you, our patrons, we've been able to complete our seventh calendar year of coverage! We'll kick off 2020 next time, so stayed tuned for that!
~ Lucas M. Thomas
Comments
Did the digital link not work for anyone else? I can't get mine to work...
Since I'm overseas, I always get the issues a bit late, so I don't really pay attention to which is supposed to come and what game it is about. I noticed that I didn't receive my issue. Is it to late to try to sort things out ?
I have never received a copy of Issue 43, though I got Issues 42 and 44. Can you please send my copy of Issue 43? Thank you!
Hi there, I still haven’t received my copy of Issue 43. I just got my copy of the Tokyo Mirage Sessions issue today, but I’m a big fan of Pokémon, so was really hoping to read this issue in particular. Any way a copy can be re-sent?
Still haven’t got mine either, even they don’t reply on messages so it’s a bad customer service in my opinion. The only thing they want is your money and that’s it. -_-
They blocked me on Twitter for asking about my missing issue
Still haven't gotten mine. Messaged twice, even on twitter where I saw you reply to other tweets. This is getting frustrating.
PatTheHyruler
I still haven't received mine. I'm guessing the delivery is just taking a while this time for some reason? Usually it has arrived by now.
mr cat
Are you going to review king of cards and shovel Knight showdown in the next one
Still waiting for a response
Haven't gotten mine yet either
Unfortunately I have yet to receive my physical copy of this issue in the mail 😔 I am from Canada so it usually takes a tad longer to get here; but it usually makes its way to my mailbox at least within two weeks.
Hello, My Copy of Issue 43 came in with rips and creases. I was wondering if I could get a replacement?
For some reason, the DropSend link for this has never worked. DropSend says the file is missing. Can someone help?
Brian Prelle
Hello, I've been a big supporter for you guys for over 2 years now. I just received my copy today but I only got one (I'm a double copy patron) if you guys can send me my 2nd copy I'd really apreciate it. Ps. The copy sent in the mail got messed up a little bit (probably just the mail man's fault) it's not too bad but I display all of them on my wall and I would like it if I could get a replacement copy. The damage isn't really that bad so as long as the 2nd copy is good I'll just keep the first one as a side table copy for reading purposes. Again thanks for your guys hard work.
mr cat
Just got this issue today quick question is the mistranslated miyamoto qoute from shield page 6 "a rushed game is forever bad but a delayed game is eventually good"
Greg Fountain
Haven't recieved this issue yet. Got my first one about the same time as everyone else.
I tried to contact customer service last Thursday, as I have a two issue subscription, and only one issue showed up. It's been over a week and no sign of the second issue. Is there a specific place I need to contact, as I did so here, but no reply. Looking at social media, it seems like there is some kind of problem getting anyone to reply in regards to "customer service", so can someone please contact me ASAP, or I'm going to have to cancel my sub, as paying customers shouldn't have to spend their extra time trying to get a product that was paid for.
Stewart
Some retro game reviews would be nice to have in each issue. Like 5 or so smaller or 2 bigger reviews of old ones. Or a mix of them. Also more custom covers like the mother 3 one!
deadseveredhead
Thanks Alice! That makes perfect sense! 😃
Alice Marie James
One half is upside down and you flip the magazine over and read that half. So I guess it's kind of like 2 half issues. This doesn't happen super often, I think it mostly just happens with Pokemon or things where 2 is a big thing. This isn't something that happens every issue. But yeah for this issue, and it's a regular full size issue, one half of the magazine is printed regularly and then you can flip the magazine over and read the other half. So it basically has like 2 front covers and stuff. Does that make sense?
have you tried emailing them? It worked for me.
Larry Davis
I mean, NF is usually exceedingly positive towards everything Nintendo, to the point where they seem to have zero knowledge of what's happening on other consoles. Isn't that more of an indication that there's actually a reason for people to be upset about these games? Pokemon fans especially tend to just buy every one even though the series has been largely the same since its inception.
Larry Davis
cool dogwhistle, Mike.
how do i contact somebody here to resolve an issue? i still havent recieved the previous 2 magazines. i have the THE PRINT + DIGITAL COMBO SUBSCRIPTION: INTERNATIONAL. thank you
Danielle Mendus
the unnecessary light you've given to the "controversy" over S&S is very indicative of where your publication stands on it. It is extremely disappointing you're pandering to the trolling and haters and this is about the end of it for me and this periodical.
deadseveredhead
I’m a new patron AND a little confused. Do we get two half issues? Or do we get one of the two at random?
Flamesof24
I honestly think the snowflake fans are just complaining for the sake of complaining. The game still looks great.
