The Gaming Thread

[lordlundar]

With MMX:CM, take final fantasy 10, put cell shading in, and that about covers it.

It is a very solid game, with a decent plot, but nothing that really sets itself apart from any other RPG. (but when you get Xs second hyper mode...)

I managed to snag a tough one last week. Ar Tonelico. A typical anime-ish RPG with a solid story. I just started it and I'm hooked. This is a perfect example of my fave type of game. Not the best looking thing in the world, but great story, well thought out characters and solid gameplay.

[gunsage]

Don't think I've heard of Ninjabreadman...but it sounds hilarious. Anyway, I remembered the other games...

- Blaster Master (PS1)
- Oddworld: Abe's Oddyssey (PS1)

Blaster Master has that cheezy, T.R.A.G. sort of wanting to be serious, but failing miserably...kinda like a B movie or something. And really, thus far, it's not a "bad" game...just cheezy. Oh so cheezy. Of all the games I got, I could really only sell Abe and Rogue. Here's the funny part...those games only cost me $15 total and yet, if I sell both of those titles, I'll make over $20.

Just further proof that it's worth bargain bin diving every so often. In any case, yesterday I picked up a couple of PS2 titles...

- Unlimited SaGa
- Megaman X: Command Mission
- Suffering: Ties that Bind
- Maximo: Ghosts to Glory

...And here's why. Yes, I'm on the podium for this one. I'd never gotten a chance to try Unlimited SaGa. Ditto for Suffering 2, but this is especially relevant for SaGa. Besides The Bouncer, it was one of the WORST Squaresoft titles ever, according to everyone and their brother. In any case, I stayed way the hell away from it while still sorta wanting to try it anyway. It was the same way with The Bouncer...when I saw previews for it, it looked kinda neat and I really wanted to try it...then I did...ugh.

Thus far, SaGa isn't that bad. The combat system is a bit funky, but manageable. And really, in comparison to other SaGa games, this is what I kinda expected. As far as Command Mission and Maximo, these were both titles I had played and liked, but were WAY too expensive to warrant a purchase at the time. I managed to get each for less than $10. Unfortunately, the Maximo copy is just about roached...but I have free coupons for disc scrubbing at Game Crazy.

And finally, I loved The Suffering. Great game. And each time I kept finding the sequel, I would often put it down and get something else. NOT THIS TIME, BUCKO. And yes, it's quite awesome. Beyond that, I've pretty much neglected my DS and plan to make a return to SMT soon. That's about it.

[DarthRetard]

Just picked up Ninjabread Man for the Wii as a joke, it's pretty hilarious. Terrible, but hilarious.

[gunsage]

If you liked anything from Shin Megami Tensei then Persona 3 should be right up your alley.

Pssst. I have it. Actually, I may be wrong here, but I have almost all of them. Here's what I still have after my sales...

- Digital Devil Saga 1 (PS2)
- Digital Devil Saga 2 (PS2)
- Persona 3 (PS2)
- Devil Summoner (PS2)
- Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne (PS2)

Those that aren't mentioned that I have played and/or previously owned:

- Persona 1 (PS1)
- Persona 2 (PS1)
- Digital Devil Saga 1 (SNES)
- Digital Devil Saga 2 (SNES)
- Revelations: The Demon Slayer (GBC)

I know there were two versions of Persona 2 (only played American version), supposedly a NES game, another PS1 game called "Soul Hackers," Stella Deus for the PS2, some GBA titles, and also, though slightly unrelated, there's Jewel Summoner for the PSP. And yes, Persona 3 kicks major ass. Anyway, I'm back where I initially ran out of steam in Digital Devil Saga...the supposedly impenetrable fortress with plenty o pitfalls...ugh.

As far as Nocturne, and keep in mind I'm playing the hard mode, I'm a bit stuck in the Amala Network for the first time. I say I'm a bit stuck because often you'll make one minor mistake (or something completely unpreventable like missing), and you're screwed...BIG TIME. I just kinda hang out near the save and healing points constantly grinding. Really, that's all I can do at the moment...I guess.

In any case, I also dropped in yesterday at my local Gamecrazy and picked up, oh, 6 PS1 titles and Psi-Ops for the PS2. The awesome part is that the games I picked up for the PS1 really aren't bad, per se, either...

- Missile Command
- Alien Trilogy
- Rogue Trip: Vacation 2012
- 007 Tomorrow Never Dies

And, uh...well, two others whose names evade me currently. In any case, they have a sale going where you can pick up two for $5. Pretty sweet deal, especially considering I can probably go and turn these over for at least double the price online. Psi-Ops is also kinda cool, but having forced tutorials is really crappy. It's mostly fun because of the Havok engine. Why? Well...

- Telekinetically throwing someone off a high platform is great.
- I personally enjoy constantly crotch kicking someone about after they've died.
- Even if I'm fully strapped, I love tossing random objects (and dead bodies) at enemies.
- Tossing people into fireplaces. Mwahahahaahaa.

Besides that, though, the game's plot is okay, the saving is kinda crap, and ultimately, it has a number of other flaws...but Havok saves the day.

[Gravekeeper]

An anime series of Persona just began airing. First episode was promising. I shall persist in beholding it. -.-

[Chanlin]

If you liked anything from Shin Megami Tensei then Persona 3 should be right up your alley.

As for games in my current play and or recently finished list in no particular order:

Blue Dragon
Valkyrie Profile 2
Puzzle Quest
Zelda: Phantom Hourglass, Twilight Princess
Persona 1, 2, and 3
Assassins Creed
Halo 3
Atelier Iris 1 and 2
Wild Arms 4 and 5
.hack// Quarantine and GU 1 and 2

[gunsage]

Honestly, I enjoyed Zelda 2 also, but mostly because it DID have RPG qualities. BTW, I just got back from vacation...yay. Also, I switched over to first shift, which is quite a shock, because it's actually proven much easier thus far. I'm also finishing up my Network+, then it's on to Security+. BUT, this thread isn't about that!

I honestly didn't know what to play on my vacation, so I let my wife choose. First, she chose Wizardry for the PS2. Fun stuff, but it gets a bit tedious. Why? Well, there's certainly some interesting qualities here like morale, allied actions, quests, etc., but there are very few shortcuts in the game and you never truly get access to a full map unless you use a spell...meh. Why mention the lack of shortcuts? Well, each time you leave the labyrinth...YOU START ALL THE WAY OVER FROM THE BEGINNING.

Anyway, I had fun just grinding and quest bashing for a while on that, then I got bored. Then she did something absolutely brilliant. She picked off the shelf...Nocturne. Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne, to be specific. As a basic recap, Nocturne is part of the "MegaTen" series, which encompasses Shin Megami Tensei, Digital Devil Saga, Persona, and a few others. Most of these titles deal with demons, negotiation, HEAVY RPG characteristics, and, well, the occult.

The reason I say it was brilliant she chose Nocturne is I started over on hard mode. Yeah...die within 10 minutes of starting? HARD MODE. Make one minor mistake in battle which completely snowballs what little "strategy" you may have left? HARD MODE. Got into a battle with 8 enemies that you just HAPPEN not to have the spell they're weak against? You get the picture.

Fun stuff, but even more fun is that it got me back into playing the MegaTen series, so I also started back up with Digital Devil Saga. Don't know if I'll be playing Persona 3 again anytime soon, but most likely. And while we're at it...

Digital Devil Saga kicks ass.

So does Nocturne.

Shameless plugs AHOY!

Edit: I also picked up a couple of games since I was on vacation and made some sales. I picked up episodes 2 and 3 of .hack, but I'm sure finding the 4th will be a bitch. I also replaced the missing copy of Disgaea for wifey, though I was more looking for the PSP version which I guess has new stuff. Beyond that, I also picked up Total Overdose (crazy shooting frenzy at its finest) and Metal Gear Solid 3 Subsistence (which I promptly beat). I don't really care about the online mode, but the secret theater was hilarious and the translated versions of MG1 and 2 for the MSX? Freakin' nice.

[Broomjockey]

There were so many innovations that were not repeated.

You probably know this, but that's because it wasn't originally a Zelda game. They just repackaged it, and reprogrammed some stuff and called it Zelda, because they weren't sure what to do with it.

[Kara]

*cough* ZELDA 2 AND MAJORA'S MASK *cough*. Hmm.

Zelda II was one of the first games I got for my NES back in '89. It took me like 6 years, but I beat it. Now I can beat it whenever I want. I know it's the underdog of the series, but I LOVE it. There were so many innovations that were not repeated. At it wasn't until Ocarina of Time that fighting enemies actually felt like a "fight" as opposed to just, run around and whack them in the back.

[Gravekeeper]

Just finished The Witcher. FANTASTIC game. The totally random sex kinda weirded me out....but other then that, fantastic game. Been a long time since there was a really kick ass, well written RPG out.

Only prob is, like I said, the totally random sex. It doesn't have actual sex scenes or anything but it seems like half the people you talk to try to pork you. >< I tried to get through it avoiding as many of them as possible but I was still raped or blackmailed into it 3 or 4 times.

Sometimes you'll just get jumped midway through a conversation off a dialogue option that wasn't even remotely related. Its kind of odd. But if you can ignore that ( or I guess revel in it if thats your thing ) then its a fantastic game.


Sigh, I just reopened my WoW account yesterday too. Starting up a new toon with a friend on Misha ( the server ) >.>

[Broomjockey]

I can't remember if I managed to beat CoC or not...

I do remember that the first time I tried playing (X-Box), I got to the chase sequence, died 5 bajillion times, then packed it up for a YEAR. Then the next time I played, I got through it on one try. I almost died in shock. Then I died because I got tagged by a townsman that snuck up on me while I was shocked. So I had to do it again >_<

I did manage to get really far in the game though. The insanity effects are the best I've seen in a game to date. Blows Eternal Darkness out of the water for creep factor. The weapons don't make the game any easier though...

[gunsage]

Has anyone beaten Call of Cthulu: Dark Corners of the Earth? I got far enough that I could actually have weapons, got the truck working...then got beat up during the ride. I kinda gave up there, but it was pretty fun for what it's worth. BTW, depending on the Zelda game, you may never finish it...*cough* ZELDA 2 AND MAJORA'S MASK *cough*. Hmm.

In any case, I'm still hoe-ing away at Rune Factory. I'd also like to point out that I made some impressive sales, so I decided to pick up some stuff. I picked up dot Hack 2 and 3, but it'll probably be quite an effort to find 4 in a store rather than online. I also picked up Metal Gear Solid 3 Subsistence or whatever the subtitle is.

I'd played MGS3 before, but hadn't beaten it, so I decided to pick up the "plus version" of sorts. And this reminds me...has anyone tried the Acid games? Personally, I really enjoyed them. Beyond that, I was really interested in Portable Ops, but I guess the plus version was crap or something, so I don't know.

And while we're on the subject, what are your thoughts on MGS4? Personally, I think it'll be great, but I'm not sure what system I ought to get to play it.

[RichS]

After a pause for getting ready for the holidays, I've been playing with the goodness that is The Orange Box. I've already completed Portal, and am at the point in HL2:Ep. 2 where I'm defending the base against Striders. Haven't even touched the other game I got, Stalker: Shadow of Chernobyl.

That, and my wife let me purchase a game off of Steam during their 10-50% off sale (going on until Jan. 1st!) that I've been wanting for awhile, Flatout 2. Now I have to make a copy of my Steam folder on my laptop and take it to a high-speed connection to download the game. Hopefully I'll be done today.

[SongsOfDragons]

It's probably been mentioned already, but has anybody watched the Zero Punctuation video game reviews? They are as funny as hell. Search that or go look on www.escapistmagazine.com and prepare to clutch your sides.

I'm a n00b gamer. Seriously. It took me A YEAR AND A HALF to finish Link's Awakening. I got stuck playing some of my dad's old Atari 2600 games - and yes I have seen first-hand the fiasco that was the ET game!! (Not on my dad's though.) I have a gamecube, I only really like the more multiplayers on there...I have a GBA and a DS and that's where my game library has expanded more. I really want them to port Oracle of Seasons and Ages to the DS...I love those games.

RP wise, I love Vanishing Point and Call of Cthulhu, I've tried D&D and I'm muddling together a system of my own that uses d10, and other dice (d4-d5-d6-d7-d8) as damage dice depending on one's power. It also has a hell of a lot riding on the hitpoint system, like numbers-to-roll-to-hit and how many times one can use the power before you start losing hp.

[Kara]

Just got Zelda: Phantom Hourglass for Christmas. This game is like digital love. I love how the controls are so simplistic, yet effective. Being able to move the map down to the bottom screen and write stuff on it is also great. I'm also having waaaaaay too much fun with the boomerang. I can wipe out a room full of weak enemies by writing my name, or "LOL."

I'll admit I was a little worried about sea travel, with it being the sequel to Wind Waker. Thankfully, gone are the days of "change the wind to X direction, point the ship at your destination, and go take a nap or something until you get there."

The online Battle game is fun, too. If anyone wants to play me sometime, we'll exchange Friend Codes.