|
|
Post by Cyrano on Mar 2, 2012 12:51:51 GMT -5
^^ I really need to work on finishing Strange Journey - I'm up to the final (?) HUUUGE map area with all the teleporters, but I haven't really played it in ages. The left half of Eridanus 1F, with all the pit traps above on 2F? I have to say, the teleport and pit trap areas a kind of a hassle even on NG+. But between level 90+ demons and the ability to turn off random enconters, I'm cutting through the game like warm butter this time. I just passed the alignment lock again, and the Law path is getting kind of messed up. I found that Nocturne was very much a slow burn, for me. It really kind of dragged at the start, but as the game progressed I found that the atmosphere and overarching character interactions (what few ones are there) really drew me in. Plus, it's one of the few JRPGs I can think of off the top of my head that will have completely different dungeon and boss battles for whole late game sections depending on your actions. If you like the style of gameplay but would like something with a bit more story, I'd recommend checking out Digital Devil Saga 1 & 2. They use the same basic "press-turn" battle system as Nocturne, but remove the "leader dies = game over" battle mechanism and let you change your unlocked skills at will. This makes the game both easier (because you can build for any situations) and more difficult (because the game knows this and will make some sections brutally difficult without the right skills equipped), and it's got one hell of a story arc across the two games. I'm finding it's slowly getting better. I think part of the problem was just me playing tired. I was also at that awkward point (which seems to be pretty common in SMT) where healing was a little too expensive compared to the amount of macca dropping/damage being dealt which also lined up with the gap between Dia and Diarama. And I was being a cheapass with my macca and items. I'm about to head to Kabukicho Prison for the first time now. Thanks for the DDS recommendation! I've actually been looking forward to them -- I decided to do Nocturne first since I'd heard about the lack of story in advance. It seemed like it'd be harder to go back for it after DDS. Both of the DDS games are pretty cheap on Amazon, so I think I'll pick them up soon. Have you played the Devil Summoner games? GameStop is currently doing a store transfer of a used but complete copy of the first one for me, for about a third of the cost of the disc only copies on Amazon. The SMT+detective story sounds like a fun premise, and the real time combat should be a nice change of pace. And Devil Survivor 2 just came out for the DS! I think I've heard the non-SMT games on my shelf whispering death threats. Oh well, at least there's never a shortage of things to play. For me, I'm trying desperately to finish Platinum-ing Hyperdimension Neptunia, which is essentially a pretty terrible game but one that I've found myself inexplicably caught up in. The sequel is coming out like ... now, and I'd like to have the first game totally laid to rest before it shows up. On top of that I've been re-playing Ghost Trick on my DS during my work lunch breaks. That's a damn fine game. Damn fine. I picked up Neptunia a couple of months ago, and while I really wanted to like it I found it SO. BORING. I don't know how that fun of a premise could have turned out so dry. I'll have to try it again someday. Ghost Trick - Word. Semi-relatedly, I still haven't given up hope for Ace Attorney Investigations 2. |
|
|
|
Post by quinjester on Mar 3, 2012 8:57:02 GMT -5
Thanks for the DDS recommendation! I've actually been looking forward to them -- I decided to do Nocturne first since I'd heard about the lack of story in advance. It seemed like it'd be harder to go back for it after DDS. Both of the DDS games are pretty cheap on Amazon, so I think I'll pick them up soon. Have you played the Devil Summoner games? GameStop is currently doing a store transfer of a used but complete copy of the first one for me, for about a third of the cost of the disc only copies on Amazon. The SMT+detective story sounds like a fun premise, and the real time combat should be a nice change of pace. And Devil Survivor 2 just came out for the DS! I think I've heard the non-SMT games on my shelf whispering death threats. Oh well, at least there's never a shortage of things to play. I loved Devil Summoner 2 - I'm only about 1/8 of the way into DS1 (played them in the wrong order, oops!) and I haven't played it in a while since I've got so many other things on my plate - they're definitely "lighter" than other SMT games, at least in terms of difficulty. They're super japanese and super inaccessible to anyone who doesn't already buy into the SMT concept of demons and fusing, but since that's not a problem for you I imagine you'd enjoy them. They're definitely an entertaining departure from the super serious, super grim worlds of Nocturne and DDS, without going the full 180 and hitting the pop-py, bright realm of Persona 3 or 4. Plus, they have Raiho. And who doesn't love a Jack Frost with dreams of being a 4th wall breaking SMT protagonist?  Now I'm off to play Atelier Totori, because I'm a glutton for punishment and can't resist buying JRPGs when I find them, even if I have 30 waiting for me at home already. |
|
|
|
Post by recca74 on Mar 7, 2012 22:28:53 GMT -5
I got Street Fighter X Tekken yesterday. Only had a chance to play through the tutorial mode, but the graphics and mechanics are legit. The Gem system is going to be...interesting. There was only limited exposure during the tutorial, but I think it could be fun to mess with for local and perhaps general network play.
One of the things I noticed was the lack of the focus attack and the integration of the "tag" system and its various partner combos. Capcom definitely seemed to want to incorporate some of the Tekken mechanics into this game to support its characters. It's got its own version of the forward roll and juggle system that are staples of previous Tekken entries. Can't wait to play a little more of this.
|
|
|
|
Post by quinjester on Mar 14, 2012 11:47:42 GMT -5
Downloaded Journey off PSN yesterday - that's a hell of a game. Absolutely gobsmackingly gorgeous, and it's got an amazing blend of music, visuals, and a relatively unique anonymous seamless coop system built in that makes it a joy to play.
I'd definitely recommend anyone with a PS3 to check it out.
|
|
|
|
Post by Cyrano on Mar 14, 2012 17:42:23 GMT -5
Downloaded Journey off PSN yesterday - that's a hell of a game. Absolutely gobsmackingly gorgeous, and it's got an amazing blend of music, visuals, and a relatively unique anonymous seamless coop system built in that makes it a joy to play. I'd definitely recommend anyone with a PS3 to check it out. Holy Hotpants, Batman! This wasn't on my radar at all, but I've really enjoyed thatgamecompany's previous efforts. I bought it, played it, and really enjoyed it. I will be playing it many times more. |
|
|
|
Post by Cyrano on Mar 23, 2012 19:22:07 GMT -5
Finally finished off SMT: Strange Journey with 100% of the records (full compendium, all endings, too much shrimpwalking, etc.). Still highly recommended.
Then I blasted through Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin in two days and had a fun time. I think it was easier than some of the other GBA/DS Castlevanias and it felt a little smaller (probably due to the map being segmented off into separate paintings). I liked playing as Charlotte more than Jonathan, although she seemed strictly worse against most of the late bosses.
Now I've just started Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia and I'm getting my ass handed to me. I think I've died more times in the first hour or two than in all of PoR.
|
|
|
|
Post by krimpov on Mar 26, 2012 18:59:26 GMT -5
I'm taking on Mega Man Zero Collection on my (already old) DS. So far, it's good but infuriating at times. I'm considering playing the rest of the series on a PC emulator instead once I've finished the first game, because it feels like I'm fighting the DS Lite more than the game itself. Maybe it will be better with a Playstation or Super NES controller.
|
|
|
|
Post by ancer on Mar 30, 2012 20:04:15 GMT -5
Finished my 1st run through of Dead Space 2. it had its scary moments and on casual setting i had some harrowing moments. Starting a 2nd play through to level up.  |
|
|
|
Post by mazingetter on Apr 8, 2012 8:45:10 GMT -5
Finished Asura's Wrath recently. Right now, I'm alternating between Tales of Graces f and Star Ocean: The Last Hope International.
|
|
|
|
Post by Ben-Ohki on Apr 8, 2012 19:54:08 GMT -5
For my long weekend, I really would have liked to be playing Mass Effect (the first one, since my friend loaned it to me 2 weeks ago). Unfortunately, in that 2 weeks I've only been able to play it 4 hours on one Sunday and then a couple of half-hour sessions afterward before I finally gave up in frustration at my Xbox 360 continually overheating...
The saddest part about this story: when I dropped the console at the local UPS outlet, the clerk took one look at the mailing label and said, "you're sending in your xbox, huh?" What does that say about the Xbox 360 when even the UPS clerk has the repair facility address memorized?! Ugh!
So no Xbox stuff for me for a couple of weeks... in the mean time I'm playing little arcade games on my PS3 like Marvel Pinball and demos for Pacman Champion DX (which I haven't bought but should) and Galaga... which I also liked a lot and am considering getting the full version.
|
|
|
|
Post by quinjester on Apr 18, 2012 8:44:33 GMT -5
I just recently got an arcade stick so I've been indulging in some fighting games and trying to get a feel for it. Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 is fun as ever, though I'm so far behind the skill curve of players online anytime I try to play I get curb stomped, but kneecapping people as a cockney Raccoon never gets old. I've tried to get into Skullgirls, but the controls seem very sticky and for some reason I can't seem to get into it.
Other than that, Xenoblade Chronicles for Wii is fantaaaaastic, but I think I may have played too much of it at once (um. Like 13 hours. Straight. Yikes) because I've started to feel pretty burned out on the experience. Also, Persona 3 FES came out on PSN a few days ago so I've been rediscovering that as well.
|
|
|
|
Post by magengar on Apr 19, 2012 3:01:18 GMT -5
My favorite pass-time while multi-tasking...  ... ;D zozo-mag |
|
|
|
Post by coldiron on Apr 19, 2012 20:47:54 GMT -5
Prince of persia warrior within.
|
|
|
|
Post by krimpov on Apr 20, 2012 8:51:11 GMT -5
Aliens : Infestation (Nintendo DS).
Good game with some nice references to the Alien lore, like the boss fight in the Space Jockey's room, but it could have been better. I've seen it described as Metroid with a touch of Contra, but it's not nearly as good as either. But it's a fun game anyway.
The "dynamic story system" isn't really impressive. It looks like they basically rewrote all the dialogues in the game for every single marine you can pick up along the way. So when you switch characters, it's the active marine that handles the conversations with the NPCs while the rest of you squad take the backseat. Your squad members never talk among themselves, except in the intro and when you find a new marine. While the contrasting personalities are interesting (with some more caricatural than others), the system feels half-baked at times. Like when some characters comment on events that happened earlier in the game before you found them, when they were still hiding in a air duct. As soon as the new guy joins your squad, it's like he's been with you since the beginning.
I'm rarely disappointed by WayForward's 2D works (Shantae, BloodRayne Betreyal, Contra 4, A Boy And His Blob) and this was $15 very well spent. (It was on sale earlier this month on Amazon.ca. It's back to $23.79 now.)
|
|
|
|
Post by krimpov on Apr 20, 2012 8:54:03 GMT -5
My favorite pass-time while multi-tasking... ... ;D zozo-mag Aaaaah... Solitaire. Single-tasking your multi-tasking since 1990. Because admit it, you're not getting any work done when you're playing that darn card game. ;D |
|
|
|
Post by ancer on Apr 20, 2012 10:08:55 GMT -5
bought RAGE the other day ( 3 disks, really ? ) . I'm still working on my 2nd play through of Dead Space 2 - trying to get all the achievements.
|
|
|
|
Post by Ben-Ohki on Apr 21, 2012 20:33:11 GMT -5
My favorite pass-time while multi-tasking... ... ;D zozo-mag Aaaaah... Solitaire. Single-tasking your multi-tasking since 1990. Because admit it, you're not getting any work done when you're playing that darn card game. ;D Hell yeah - I actually know a guy who lost his job because of it. (Well, maybe not because he was playing Solitaire, but I'm pretty sure it didn't help to be seen with that on one's screen when the boss walks by the cubicle). So just to come back to my story from a couple of weeks ago - yeah, I got my Xbox back from UPS in what may have been a broken land-speed record. Obviously, I suspect it's not really my own Xbox and they probably just sent me another refurbished one. And I've been loving Mass Effect. I don't know why I didn't get around to this sooner. I mean, it's a sci-fi game, which is right up my primary interest. Plus it's an action rpg, which means I could dial down the action difficulty without feeling guilty (I admit, I suck at "twitchy" action).  |
|
|
|
Post by recca74 on Apr 21, 2012 22:11:32 GMT -5
I just recently got an arcade stick so I've been indulging in some fighting games and trying to get a feel for it. Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 is fun as ever, though I'm so far behind the skill curve of players online anytime I try to play I get curb stomped, but kneecapping people as a cockney Raccoon never gets old. I've tried to get into Skullgirls, but the controls seem very sticky and for some reason I can't seem to get into it. Other than that, Xenoblade Chronicles for Wii is fantaaaaastic, but I think I may have played too much of it at once (um. Like 13 hours. Straight. Yikes) because I've started to feel pretty burned out on the experience. Also, Persona 3 FES came out on PSN a few days ago so I've been rediscovering that as well. Big shout-out to quinjester for indulging in a few matches of BlazBlue Continuum Shift this evening. I had a ton of fun, my brother. Didn't know you picked up a stick too. What kind did ya get?? I've been rocking a Hori Real Arcade Pro 3 SA for a bit, but would love to pick up an HRAP V3 at some point. Skullgirls....not sure if I like it or not yet. It's interesting, but yeah, the controls seem a bit sluggish. I'm a big fan of Mike "Z" Zaimont, and I know this had roots in MVC 2 and Blazblue, but I don't think it's quite as responsive control wise as either of those. Guess I'll spend a bit more time with this at some point. Started a Mass Effect campaign a few weeks ago and have yet to pick it back up. Thinking of starting the whole thing over and going with FemShep if possible.  Glad to know that Xenoblade is getting good buzz. I know it was in question as to whether or not it would even make it here. |
|
|
|
Post by hashiriya1 on Apr 24, 2012 18:34:47 GMT -5
Xenoblade Chronicles! |
|
|
|
Post by quinjester on May 4, 2012 10:35:48 GMT -5
Big shout-out to quinjester for indulging in a few matches of BlazBlue Continuum Shift this evening. I had a ton of fun, my brother. Didn't know you picked up a stick too. What kind did ya get?? I've been rocking a Hori Real Arcade Pro 3 SA for a bit, but would love to pick up an HRAP V3 at some point. Hey man, yeah, it was a good time. A bit of a one-sided masochistic pounding since I'd been playing the tutorial for all of 10 minutes when you challenged me, but it's fun to play against genuine human beings regardless Madcats was doing a $50 off special on their new Soul Calibur TE sticks, so I have one of those, $110 shipped seemed like a good deal for what is generally regarded as a pretty high quality stick (and I have to say I'm super happy with it so far). I've been playing around with the various replacement art options since I don't care much for the stock art and wouldn't mind doing a custom job on it. The newest distraction to my limited attention span has been the Walking Dead - that's just an excellently written piece of adventure gaming all around; the voice acting is great and the way the first episode clips along makes it really feel like an interactive story that doesn't get too hung up in esoteric puzzle solving, and the way it promises to create a different story experience based on your decisions seems really cool. I'd definitely recommend checking out the demo to anyone with an inclination towards adventure games and zombie stories that are more about the human interaction than they are about "use fire axe on zombie's face" (though there's that, too). |
|
