What are you playing?

[Ichirou]

Playing Valkyrie Profile: Covenant of the Plume.  It rocks.  ROCKS.

I like it too. I'm a sucker for screaming out moves. Gives you more oomph.

Voices are pretty cool and it seems there's plenty of routes to take so lots of replay value.  Three endings too.

[tiesto]

Playing Valkyrie Profile: Covenant of the Plume.  It rocks.  ROCKS.

I like it too. I'm a sucker for screaming out moves. Gives you more oomph.

Voices are pretty cool and it seems there's plenty of routes to take so lots of replay value.  Three endings too.

Here's a hint that will make the game so much easier... don't just try to hit the Sin value for the mission, try to double it. That way you will get some really good shit that makes the game utterly simple. And you can keep your weapons on replay. Go through route C, than B and A.

[Ichirou]

Thanks for the tip.  I'm on chapter 2 now, not sure which route is A, B, and C, though.  I'm helping out some rebels in Artolia right now.

[tiesto]

Thanks for the tip.  I'm on chapter 2 now, not sure which route is A, B, and C, though.  I'm helping out some rebels in Artolia right now.

spoiler (click to show/hide)

Sacrifice 2+ guys in chapter 2 to go on route C (the easiest route)... sacrifice 1 guy to go on route B (and then any chapter after, if you sacrifice more than 1 guy you go onto route C... if you sacrifice too many people, Freya will come down from Valhalla and smite you, effectively ending your play). There is a chart of the different paths in the strat guide... naturally, getting route A and the best ending requires you to play through without sacrificing anybody to the plume. You keep all learned Skills, weapons, armor, items on replays using a completed save data (still start at level 1).

[close]

[Ichirou]

spoiler (click to show/hide)

So I should just be a completely evil mofo the first time around?

[close]

[BlueTsunami]

I just installed Morrowind GOTY with an assload of mods (Graphical overhaul, removing the fog, high res textures). Also a mod that takes out leveling and has the usage of skills directly effect their main stat (so Sneak would raise Agility directly).

[naff]

Grinding around Pulse in FFXIII and finished off God of War (the hd remake). I thought I'd give it another go because I found the GoW collection on the cheap, enjoying it a lot. Thought I wouldn't like it this much since I played a bit a while ago and thought it was lame.

[tiesto]

spoiler (click to show/hide)

So I should just be a completely evil mofo the first time around?

[close]

You can probably finish the middle route the first time through, I did although it was very difficult. The best ending will be almost impossible to get the first time through... I really wish I went bad/middle/best instead of middle/bad/best... the endings have a bit more of an effect that way.

[Kestastrophe]

I just installed Morrowind GOTY with an assload of mods (Graphical overhaul, removing the fog, high res textures). Also a mod that takes out leveling and has the usage of skills directly effect their main stat (so Sneak would raise Agility directly).

would you mind posting some screencaps with those mods installed?

[Ichirou]

spoiler (click to show/hide)

So I should just be a completely evil mofo the first time around?

[close]

You can probably finish the middle route the first time through, I did although it was very difficult. The best ending will be almost impossible to get the first time through... I really wish I went bad/middle/best instead of middle/bad/best... the endings have a bit more of an effect that way.

Too late, I didn't realize it was the last battle of the chapter and I didn't sacrifice anyone...I'm stuck on middle route now, I guess.

[tiesto]

spoiler (click to show/hide)

So I should just be a completely evil mofo the first time around?

[close]

You can probably finish the middle route the first time through, I did although it was very difficult. The best ending will be almost impossible to get the first time through... I really wish I went bad/middle/best instead of middle/bad/best... the endings have a bit more of an effect that way.

Too late, I didn't realize it was the last battle of the chapter and I didn't sacrifice anyone...I'm stuck on middle route now, I guess.

You can still get to C route if you sacrifice like 2 guys in the next chapter.

[iconoclast]

1000'd Williams Pinball Hall of Fame. I started playing it again the other day and blew through the rest of the goals I needed. Getting a hole in one on No Good Gofers during multiball was the only challenge that got on my nerves, the rest went pretty smoothly. Awesome game, probably the best pinball game I've ever played. I'd bump the old thread for updated scores but I doubt anyone plays any more.

Also 1000'd Assassin's Creed 2. I thought the game was really boring up until sequence 6 or so, then it started to grow on me. By the end I really liked it, and now I'm actually looking forward to AC3. I'm glad Ubi turned it around on this series, since the first game was basically garbage.

Think I'm gonna start up Magna Carta 2 next. Been trying to clear as much of my backlog as I can before SSF4 is out.

[tiesto]

Covenant of the Plume was pretty fun, I really liked the story in it and how it twists the usual VP plot setup.

I am still grinding away at FF13... beat the single player game, got myself a Ribbon, and am now doing hunts. Did nearly 30 of them at the moment... but I think I am gonna grind the hell out of Adamantoises before challenging the Faultwarrens missions.

You don't need too grind too much.  Maxing out the 3 main jobs per character should suffice.  Don't venture into the other jobs before maxing out the three main jobs; the best stat buffs, abilities, and extra accessory slots are all found in the your characters original jobs.  Going into the other jobs is a waste of CP, before maxing out your main jobs.

Did you upgrade your weapons to take out the Hunts and Long Gui? All my guys have a level 2 weapon maxed out... will I need to grind for Traps and upgrade them all to level 3? Almost done getting 2 out of 3 primary jobs for my charas.

[demi]

You can take down a Long Gui using the 2 Summon method (requires an Elixir - dismantle a *'d Doctor's Code)

And adamants are the only way to get Traps the easy way. Long Guis are the second way.

[Bebpo]

Now that I'm finishing up Resonance of Fate, which is good and makes me like rpgs, I've decided to make 2010 the year of bebpo playing good rpgs.  Goal is to play 1 good rpg a month.  So far I've played KH BBS, Tales of Graces, Zettai Hero, and RoF during the first 4 months (which were all really good games except Zettai Hero).  I think my attack plan from this point on is going to be:
May - Mass Effect 2
June - Xenoblade
July - The Last Remnant
August - Tales of DestinyR DC
September - Valkyria Chronicles
October - Devil Survivor
November - Baten Kaitos II
December - Leave open for whatever big rpg comes out in Dec (Last Story probably, FFXIII Versus...doubt it)

Though I get the feeling I'll probably play more rpgs than that because I want to play Alpha Protocol too :X  Might drop one of those for it if I don't have time. 

[The Sceneman]

skip straight to Baten Kaitos 2 (best jrpg ever) and Last Remnant.

I just started playing LAST REMNANT. It is frickin HOT HOT HOT. Battle system and music are SO GOOD. Really nice graphics and solid VA too. You gotta install it if youre playing on 360 though, otherwise you get some chronic framerate issues. All sweet with the install.

[demi]

Told you

READ A QUEST GUIDE

[The Sceneman]

yeah man, it hit up x360a already, printed off the sidequest guide and power leveling strategy  IM READY

[magus]

i tought you liked zettai hero bebpo?

[Bebpo]

i tought you liked zettai hero bebpo?

It was good, but KH BBS/Graces/EoE are like the real goods.  I'd give all of those a 9 or higher out of 10.  Pretty much the best 3 rpgs this gen (not having played Last Remnant).

Zettai Hero is a solid effort in the N1 SRPG line.  It's not one of their top-tier games, but it's not bad either.  Would give it a 7 or 8.

[Mr. Gundam]

Tried out a couple of the games I picked up in Japan...

Dungeons & Dragons Collection (Saturn) -- OMG 
X-men vs. Street Fighter (Saturn) --
Hokuto Musou (PS3) -- Fun, but it's slower than I thought and the controls are clunky at times.

[Ichirou]

spoiler (click to show/hide)

So I should just be a completely evil mofo the first time around?

[close]

You can probably finish the middle route the first time through, I did although it was very difficult. The best ending will be almost impossible to get the first time through... I really wish I went bad/middle/best instead of middle/bad/best... the endings have a bit more of an effect that way.

Too late, I didn't realize it was the last battle of the chapter and I didn't sacrifice anyone...I'm stuck on middle route now, I guess.

You can still get to C route if you sacrifice like 2 guys in the next chapter.

You mean in Chapter 3, or next chapter...Chapter 4?

[muckhole]

1000'd Williams Pinball Hall of Fame. I started playing it again the other day and blew through the rest of the goals I needed. Getting a hole in one on No Good Gofers during multiball was the only challenge that got on my nerves, the rest went pretty smoothly. Awesome game, probably the best pinball game I've ever played. I'd bump the old thread for updated scores but I doubt anyone plays any more.

Just post your scores in here. It'll give me motivation to go back and finish off the game.

Started playing Metro 2033 last night. I was going to play the new Splinter Cell, but decided to save it in case I couldn't get into Metro.

Very cool setting and mood, though I can understand people's complaints about the lack of impact when firing the weapons. So far that's the only negative.

[TakingBackSunday]

Couple of things:

360: Finishing up Final Fantasy XIII and playing Fable on the side
Wii: Boom Blox and Red Steel 2
DS: Ace Attorney Series as well as Pokemon SoulSilver

[magus]

i've finaly switched to armored princess after realizing that the original king's bounty was just getting annoying to play (near the end,fighting someone without loss is pretty much impossible and everytime your numbers dwindles out too much,you have to backtrack to restock and it's sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo annoying) tough this got me thinking "what if i wanted to completly switch around? is the last heroes of might & magic any good? what about this disciples 2 game i read about?"

[iconoclast]

Just post your scores in here. It'll give me motivation to go back and finish off the game.

Jive Time - 135,040 muckhole
Gorgar - 927,560 iconoclast
FunHouse - 43,560,350 iconoclast
Taxi - 12,004,010 iconoclast
PinBot - 5,977,980 muckhole
Black Knight - 5,346,xxx demi
Space Shuttle - 7,497,xxx demi
Whirlwind - 43,567,810 muckhole
Firepower - 1,756,280 muckhole
Sorcerer - 10,526,xxx demi
Arabian Nights - 117,741,600 muckhole
Medieval Madness - 408,536,030 iconoclast
Gofers - 81,956,530 iconoclast

When I went to look at my scores, I realized I never played Jive Time. Now I have a new least favorite table.  

Medieval Madness is god tier though.

[magus]

You didn't play Baten Kaitos 2 before, Bebpo?

It's a nice game, pretty fucking long. And it reuses like 90% of assets from BK1. It is also piss easy: you can kill the last boss in one combo chain meaning he doesn't even get to attack you.

And you cannot finish a great Arena subquest if you don't talk to proper people in proper order! It gets stuck and cannot be moved forward at all. FUCK THAT NOISE.

I liked the card system in BK1 more.

yea i liked BK1 more too... the greatest bit about the original where all the country you visit and stuff so when they recycle everything,it makes for a pointless sequel yet people call it like the greatest game ever

spoiler (click to show/hide)

plus they didn't recycle the greatest area ever,the tower of druaga one

[close]

[Beezy]

BK1 had the better card/battle system. BK2 had better everything else, but it's card system was just okay. I never actually beat BK2 and I haven't played it since the year it came out. Gonna have to start over from the beginning someday.

[magus]

same here
i stopped somewhere after the holoholo bird
"OMG the holoholo bird is SOOOOOOOOO hard"
*kills the holoholo bird on the first try*
" "

[Bebpo]

Finished Resonance of Fate last night.  Could probably platinum it as I pretty much 100%'d it and did all the hard trophies/achievements on my first run.  But the remaining ones just take time and are pretty pointless so I think I will use that time for more productive stuff that getting a shiny jpg.

If you like rpgs, definitely play RoF.  The core gameplay/strategy is superior to Valkyrie Profile 2 and is tri-ace's best though it's lacking the long-term depth and number of options that say, SO3 had.  A sequel with more sub-systems and depth would probably one of the best battle systems in an rpg ever.  The story is basically cowboy bebop and a good episodic character piece for 90% of it.  Then when it does the real story like bebop does at the end, it's kind of jrpgs nonsense like most jrpgs.

You didn't play Baten Kaitos 2 before, Bebpo?

It's a nice game, pretty fucking long. And it reuses like 90% of assets from BK1. It is also piss easy: you can kill the last boss in one combo chain meaning he doesn't even get to attack you.

And you cannot finish a great Arena subquest if you don't talk to proper people in proper order! It gets stuck and cannot be moved forward at all. FUCK THAT NOISE.

I liked the card system in BK1 more.

I played about 5-6 hours of it when it came out to write a preview, but I was swamped with other games to write about at that time so I had to drop it.  Then just never found time to give it another go.  The only thing I remember was the battles seemed a bit slow.  I liked BK1 for the most part, loved the graphics/music/gameplay, thought the story started well but ended up pretty dumb (par for course for jrpgs I guess).

[BlueTsunami]

I just installed Morrowind GOTY with an assload of mods (Graphical overhaul, removing the fog, high res textures). Also a mod that takes out leveling and has the usage of skills directly effect their main stat (so Sneak would raise Agility directly).

would you mind posting some screencaps with those mods installed?

Sorry it took a bit but I just now read your post, here are some shots....


This is with better textures



The two above are an example of what MGEGui can do. I'm increasing the Field of View by 15degrees. This is good for Widescreen playing.


This is a shot that shows how the sky looks with the "Better Skies" mod (I think they're pulled from Oblivion)

Here's the tutorial with links I used to get all the mods needed...

http://morrowind2009.wordpress.com/

You can apply AA and Texture Filtering with MGEGui but unfortunately the CPU on my system is a huge bottleneck (to my 8800GT), so I'm playing with minimal AA and Texture Filtering (at 1280x800 Windowed). It'll look much better if you have a stronger system where you can apply those two things and actually use the "Distant Lands" function (which allows you to see far off, like in Oblivion).

[Kestastrophe]

Thanks for the screens. I don't think it looks much worse than Oblivion.

[cool breeze]

Sky Odyssey

Still great and it has the best flight camera.  The feeling of flying is better than most games even today despite it looking like a PS1 game quickly ported to the PS2.  The game even defaults to digital controls.

[magus]

Sky Odyssey

Still great and it has the best flight camera.  The feeling of flying is better than most games even today despite it looking like a PS1 game quickly ported to the PS2.  The game even defaults to digital controls.

[Bebpo]

Yeah, Sky Gunner is awesome.

[Smooth Groove]

Yeah, Sky Gunner is awesome.

I'll never know.    That game was impossible to find and now it's sorely outdated. 

[Beezy]

Yeah, Sky Gunner is awesome.

I'll never know.    That game was impossible to find and now it's sorely outdated. 

No it wasn't.

My TRU was selling a shitload of copies for like $2-3 each like 2-3 years ago. Even months before that, I always saw it there for $10 or less. I never heard of it so assumed it was shit. Oh well.

[Smooth Groove]

You're in NY though.  I bet even TRU sells bootlegs over there. 

[cool breeze]

Sky Odyssey

Still great and it has the best flight camera.  The feeling of flying is better than most games even today despite it looking like a PS1 game quickly ported to the PS2.  The game even defaults to digital controls.

sky gunner was fun too but I'm talking about the really old PS2 game that was like pilotwings

[Bebpo]

Sky Odyssey

Still great and it has the best flight camera.  The feeling of flying is better than most games even today despite it looking like a PS1 game quickly ported to the PS2.  The game even defaults to digital controls.

sky gunner was fun too but I'm talking about the really old PS2 game that was like pilotwings

If you like flying around in a plane, you should check out Tori no Hoshi.  It's a similar type of game where it's relaxing and just trying to convey the feeling of flying around a world (an alien world in this case)



Wow, there isn't a single video of it on all of youtube.  I knew it sold like 10 copies, but jeeez. 

[Bebpo]

Yeah, Sky Gunner is awesome.

I'll never know.    That game was impossible to find and now it's sorely outdated. 

http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=sky+gunner&_sacat=0&_trksid=p3286.m270.l1313&_dmpt=Video_Games_Games&_odkw=sky+odyssey&_osacat=0&bkBtn=

Fairly cheap if you really want to try it.  It probably holds up alright in an emu.

[cool breeze]

Sky Odyssey

Still great and it has the best flight camera.  The feeling of flying is better than most games even today despite it looking like a PS1 game quickly ported to the PS2.  The game even defaults to digital controls.

sky gunner was fun too but I'm talking about the really old PS2 game that was like pilotwings

If you like flying around in a plane, you should check out Tori no Hoshi.  It's a similar type of game where it's relaxing and just trying to convey the feeling of flying around a world (an alien world in this case)

Wow, there isn't a single video of it on all of youtube.  I knew it sold like 10 copies, but jeeez. 

I looked around and it seems like niconico has a few videos: http://www.nicozon.net/tag/%E3%83%88%E3%83%AA%E3%83%8E%E3%83%9B%E3%82%B7

I don't know what to make of it.

I like Sky Odyssey because the flying has energy.  A lot of arcade or sim flight games feel too digital or like you're controlling the reticle rather than a plane; two examples of that are that new Jak and Daxter on PSP and Dark Void.  Flower is similar to Sky Odyssey in that it feels like you're an unstable element in the sky, but Sky Odyssey has a lot more factors that make it interesting like wind, stalling, etc.  It is satisfying to fly low and match your speed with a train to refuel, even if that sounds like the most boring thing ever.

[tiesto]

Friend came over and we broke out the Duo...

played Dorakyura-X: Chi no Rondo, Exile, and Popful Mail... was pretty kickass. PCE

Also just finished all the hunts through the Titan's Trials in FF13. Hope to have the rest of it done by the time I leave for Boston on Fri.

[Olivia Wilde Homo]

Almost done with Disc 2 of Lost Odyssey.  About 14 hours in.  It's a solid game though definitely not addictive (I think I've had it for 4 weeks now and its a Gamefly rental )  It reminds me a lot of Legend of Dragoon, in which I think I'm the only person out there that actually liked that game.  Not surprised this one got a lot of hate.

I really should force myself to play two hours a day at least.  I can be done by sometime next week I suspect.

[The Sceneman]

BK1 had the better card/battle system. BK2 had better everything else, but it's card system was just okay. I never actually beat BK2 and I haven't played it since the year it came out. Gonna have to start over from the beginning someday.

gotta lay off the purple drank mayne, BK2 battle system goes poop all over BK1's. BK2 is amzing.

Milly

Played a few more hours of Last Remnant yesterday, game is so so ridiculously good. Its a got a really weird vibe about it that I like.

All Bore jrpg fans sohuld play it, Demi wasnt kidding about this one.

[chronovore]

Played some more SR2 Activities with Scenester, who has forgotten about me already  :'( ( ).

Also played Rock Band 2 moar. Every time I play, it's peeps with the platinum icon, which I assume the same as RB1 - finished the Endless Setlist on Expert. I finally found someone who sings at almost the same level as I do, so I went 2 for 5, finally getting the two online 'cheevs.

Played Fight Night Round 4 for about 3 hours. It's fun, but I can't get the timing down for blocks/sways.

[Trent Dole]

Nearly 1000d Warriors Orochi 2 and have had at DW6 since. All of its achievements are inexplicably secret. All the scenarios have been cleared at least once so I suppose it's time to have at Bioshock some more.

[Bebpo]

Beat Saira.

It's a game that wants to be a relaxed adventure/puzzle game & a hardcore timed platforming challenges game at the same time and the two just really don't mix.  Especially because it's trying to do hardcore indie platforming and the platforming controls are kind of shit.  Game has the worst wall jumping I've ever seen. 

It's too bad because the puzzles are quite good and the art/atmosphere is really nice.  I definitely enjoyed over half the planets, but the experience just didn't flow that well and feel like a great game.  I'd be curious to see if Nifflas makes more episodes using the saira engine and if he ditches the platform timed sequences next time around.

[OptimoPeach]

Still beating ass in Starcraft 2. Made it up to #1 in my gold division last night, so I'll probably be promoted to platinum just in time for the reset. I should be able to at least maintain a platinum rank after I win all my placement matches though, so it's all good. Man I'm a BEAST.

Also trudging through FF13 still. Kinda boring. Digging the battle system for what it is, but I dunno if it lives up to the hype. Maybe I'm not far enough along yet? How long before I can choose my party?

[Bebpo]

There is hype for FFXIII?

If anything, I'd call it anti-hype 

[demi]

Lots of hype, baby. FF13

[OptimoPeach]

I meant the battle system specifically

[The Sceneman]

LAST REMNANT WHOOO BABY

[Joe Molotov]

LAST REMNANT WHOOO BABY

[The Sceneman]

the game is cool. and by cool, I mean TOTALLY SWEET.

At work now, just wish I was at home playing it  :'(

[Ichirou]

I played some Final Fight yesterday night.  I missed the Industrial vault challenge by literally 2 seconds.

[The Sceneman]

I used Haggar for that one, you can kill the boss real quick using his flying pile driver.

[Ichirou]

I was using Guy.  Guess I'll try again with Haggar.  For the flying pile driver, you have to hit the jump and attack buttons at the same time while he's up in the air, right?

[The Sceneman]

I was using Guy.  Guess I'll try again with Haggar.  For the flying pile driver, you have to hit the jump and attack buttons at the same time while he's up in the air, right?

sort of, its a timing thing. When you holding a dude, jump, and when you are nearing the height of the jump, push attack and haggar will flip the dude upside down and slam him

[cool breeze]

Tomb Raider Underworld

It may be janky with a baffling camera and sometimes sloppy controls but it is really really good.  Better than Legend and Anniversary so far.  The best change they've made was having checkpoints everywhere so when the game messes up, it is at most 10 seconds of work you need to redo.  Combat is terrible too but the difficulty system is neat and let me turn down the amount of health they have, so it is only a one shotgun blast to the face and they die.  It is still unnecessary to have random bats flying around to piss you off.

Game looks great too.  Can't comment on the console version but it looks sharp and runs great on PC.  Still, I want to rent the 360 version since I read the DLC is 360 exclusive for some reason.

The story is pretty nuts too.  I don't know the Tomb Raider lore but there is an angel and like an anti-Lara, plus I'm pushing giant rocks.