What are you playing?

[Bocsius]

Bought some of the DLC and started another run through Mass Effect 2.

This game is just not replayable. I loved it the first time through. Can barely force myself to play a second time. It's like Gears in more ways than one, I guess. It was harder to replay those games, too.

spoiler (click to show/hide)

Give me more Dragon Age

[close]

[demi]

Only 2400 people playing online on MOH... can you say bomb

[archie4208]

Only 2400 people playing online on MOH... can you say bomb

Everybody is playing the superior Black Ops. 

[Third]

Both games are terrible.
Everyone should play the new Lara Croft game.

[tiesto]

Beat Bayonetta on Normal... damn, what an awesome game. Didn't like some parts that would instakill you if you weren't paying attention (a couple QTE sequences) or those assholes with the claws that moved really fast and took so much damage out of you. Now just going around trying to get a few 'cheevos... then on to something else. Don't think I have the skills to handle Hard mode, sorry Beezy

[Stoney Mason]

Only 2400 people playing online on MOH... can you say bomb

Supposedly it sold well although it was obvious nobody was going to be playing this one after a few weeks. It's just not a very good MP game. NPD's are this week so the numbers will be there. 

[Diunx]

Beat Bayonetta on Normal... damn, what an awesome game. Didn't like some parts that would instakill you if you weren't paying attention (a couple QTE sequences) or those assholes with the claws that moved really fast and took so much damage out of you. Now just going around trying to get a few 'cheevos... then on to something else. Don't think I have the skills to handle Hard mode, sorry Beezy

I hated the missile part before the last level

[Bebpo]

Didn't DICE make the multiplayer?  I thought people liked their stuff.

[Stoney Mason]

Didn't DICE make the multiplayer?  I thought people liked their stuff.

People like DICE's Battlefield stuff. This ain't no battlefield. It's a sub par COD clone. 

[Great Rumbler]

Resonance of Fate

Got this in the mail today from Amazon and put an hour into already. So far, I really like what I'm seeing here. The world is interesting and unique, the combat a neat mix of real-time and turn-based with some cool twists and some depth, and the characters seem like they might be bearable for 30-40 hours. Of course, I was pretty high on Star Ocean 4 after the first 10-12 hours, but it quickly tailed off after that and I ended up hating it, so we'll so how tri-Ace's latest holds up over time.

[Raban]

If I went out and bought Shenmue 2, it's backwards compatible with 360, correct? What should I expect, if I get it? All this talk about the Facebook-game sequel makes me interested. I'd play the first but I don't have a DC.

[Herr Mafflard]

I got Shenmue II for xbox ages ago. Never played the first one so I wanted to see what the fuss was all about. I think I turned it off after wandering around a bit and haven't touched it since.

Anyway, got Vanquish, Deadly Premonition and Nier sitting here at the moment. Don't know which one to start playing first.

[Raban]

I got Shenmue II for xbox ages ago. Never played the first one so I wanted to see what the fuss was all about. I think I turned it off after wandering around a bit and haven't touched it since.

Most helpful impressions ever

[Herr Mafflard]

 

I don't want to judge a game I hardly ever played - but to be honest I was sick of it about a half hour in. Hope this helps.

[Raban]

I don't want to judge a game I hardly ever played - but to be honest I was sick of it about a half hour in. Hope this helps.

Eh, I'll take what I can get.

[Robo]

That's a typical experience, actually.  Walk around for a bit, shrug shoulders, throw disc in a closet and forget.  If you get anything else out of it, it's either because you REALLY want to, just to show those goddamn smug internet sonsabitches, or you're impressed by the novelty of manifested boredom in a virtual environment.  Either way, it'll make you want to go outside and do stuff for real.

[Raban]

That's a typical experience, actually.  Walk around for a bit, shrug shoulders, throw disc in a closet and forget.  If you get anything else out of it, it's either because you REALLY want to, just to show those goddamn smug internet sonsabitches, or you're impressed by the novelty of manifested boredom in a virtual environment.  Either way, it'll make you want to go outside and do stuff for real.

Skipping it.

[Stoney Mason]

Never much cared for the Shenmue series. Beat the first. Got bored in the second and never finished it. It's one of those series that die hard Sega fans or Japan-philes seem to love. I tried to play the second a few years ago and the game design is so retro at this point that what relative charm the series use to hold has disappeared for me.

[Robo]

I guess you could say at the time Shenmue came out, it was a new thing to be able to walk around in a room and inspect pointless objects, kinda like a point-and-click adventure, except 3D.  That particular aspect has since been incorporated into ACTUAL games that aren't so tedious and boring, so doesn't seem like anything special anymore.

Or at least, that was the only thing I ever found even slightly intriguing about the game; justified or not, I dunno.

[Stoney Mason]

I only beat the first because at the time back in the day, the hype was so monstrous. I remember playing and thinking this is kind of average but I kept on playing it because I was waiting for that Eureka moment because all the critics were raving about it.

It never came for me.


I think Shenmue 2 is a much better product than the first one from what I played but I still found myself bored.

The Dreamcast had a lot of games that ended up this way for me. I distinctly remember playing Sonic Adventure and thinking it was garbage while so many people liked it. I think everybody was under mass delusions in the Dreamcast era.

[Raban]

The Dreamcast had a lot of games that ended up this way for me. I distinctly remember playing Sonic Adventure and thinking it was garbage while so many people liked it. I think everybody was under mass delusions in the Dreamcast era.

Now this I can't agree with. Sonic Adventure is the only game in the series I even enjoy. I'm sure you're on the money with Shenmue since I vaguely remember playing the demo and being unimpressed at how the things that make up the core game design are features that are pretty standard now in just about every video game, with the addition of other mechanics. However, Sonic Adventure is the only Sonic game where I'll actually agree with the positive hype for it. It's an excellent game.

[Great Rumbler]

I tried Sonic Adventure again about a year ago, it really has not aged well at all. Controls are floaty, collision detection is horrible, the camera is awful, everything outside of the Sonic levels is a crapshoot, and there's way too many moments during the levels where it takes away control from the player to show off some neat little cutscene. It's more fun than Shenmue though.

[magus]

i tried the gamecube port and couldn't be bothered to play more than the first 3 sonic level....

while we are on the subject of dreamcast game,can i say that skies of arcadia is just an averagish RPG with waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay to many random battles without getting murdered?

[Raban]

i tried the gamecube port and couldn't be bothered to play more than the first 3 sonic level....

That would be Sonic Adventure 2, which sucks.

I tried Sonic Adventure again about a year ago, it really has not aged well at all. Controls are floaty, collision detection is horrible, the camera is awful, everything outside of the Sonic levels is a crapshoot, and there's way too many moments during the levels where it takes away control from the player to show off some neat little cutscene. It's more fun than Shenmue though.

I don't think the floatiness is a bad thing, not every platformer has to have the same rigging and it's not like Sonic Adventure's physics make the game frustrating or unfair. The camera and collision I'll agree with you on, as well as the controls suffering for a cinematic camera angle in many stages. And I think everyone's campaign outside of Big's is a lot of fun. That's just me, though.

[tiesto]

I loved Shenmue 1 when it came out, such an immersive experience. Never got around to playing 2 though.

[magus]

That would be Sonic Adventure 2, which sucks.

no no,there is a gamecube port of sonic adventure 1 too,it's called sonic adventure DX,it was released in 2003

[Raban]

That would be Sonic Adventure 2, which sucks.

no no,there is a gamecube port of sonic adventure 1 too,it's called sonic adventure DX,it was released in 2003

Not in America I guess.

[demi]

uh, SADX was in America

I own it.

[Bebpo]

Resonance of Fate

Got this in the mail today from Amazon and put an hour into already. So far, I really like what I'm seeing here. The world is interesting and unique, the combat a neat mix of real-time and turn-based with some cool twists and some depth, and the characters seem like they might be bearable for 30-40 hours. Of course, I was pretty high on Star Ocean 4 after the first 10-12 hours, but it quickly tailed off after that and I ended up hating it, so we'll so how tri-Ace's latest holds up over time.

Game is awesome, but do the arena tutorials and take the advance of many people online or you will get owned by the battle system since it is horribly explained.

[demi]

Game is a chore, goes nowhere, and is ultimately a forgettable experience

The only good song is the 2nd to last battle.

* In comparison to STar Ocean 4 its a fucking masterpiece

[Great Rumbler]

Resonance of Fate

Got this in the mail today from Amazon and put an hour into already. So far, I really like what I'm seeing here. The world is interesting and unique, the combat a neat mix of real-time and turn-based with some cool twists and some depth, and the characters seem like they might be bearable for 30-40 hours. Of course, I was pretty high on Star Ocean 4 after the first 10-12 hours, but it quickly tailed off after that and I ended up hating it, so we'll so how tri-Ace's latest holds up over time.

Game is awesome, but do the arena tutorials and take the advance of many people online or you will get owned by the battle system since it is horribly explained.

Yeah, my brother played it without doing the tutorial and said that the combat made no sense at all. 

I made sure to go through all the tutorial stuff first.

[tiesto]

Resonance of Fate is my GOTY, Ys 7 is looking to be my #2.

[Raban]

uh, SADX was in America

I own it.

Wtf why didn't I know this

[demi]

There's a PC version too

[Himu]

If I went out and bought Shenmue 2, it's backwards compatible with 360, correct? What should I expect, if I get it? All this talk about the Facebook-game sequel makes me interested. I'd play the first but I don't have a DC.

Playing Shenmue II without the first sounds weird to me, and I'm not a big fan of Shenmue IIx but I dunno. If you like slow adventure games you'd probably like it.

Shenmue II is a much better game than 1. It is a slow burner like 1, but it does things much more interesting during the slow parts. II is mostly about kung fu and getting better as a martial artist and finding one's heart. If you like kung fu stories, I could definitely suggest it, as Shenmue II is probably the only legitimate kung fu game in the history of gaming that gets kung fu right.

It has moments like this:

[youtube=560,345]xR6Y2MUaMSkEfOQs[/youtube]

But also slow moments where you do slow, tedious things such as air books, or move cargo, for story purposes. Funnily enough, I find both to be fun as hell.

In any case, like I said, it's a slow burner. When's it's slow, it's REALLY slow, but when it's fast, it's awesome so it makes all the slow moments feel worth it.

I'd still suggest playing 1 before 2, though.

[Himu]

I only beat the first because at the time back in the day, the hype was so monstrous. I remember playing and thinking this is kind of average but I kept on playing it because I was waiting for that Eureka moment because all the critics were raving about it.

It never came for me.


I think Shenmue 2 is a much better product than the first one from what I played but I still found myself bored.

The Dreamcast had a lot of games that ended up this way for me. I distinctly remember playing Sonic Adventure and thinking it was garbage while so many people liked it. I think everybody was under mass delusions in the Dreamcast era.

It really depends on the game. I've never been a fan of stuff like sonic adventure, though sonic adventure 2 can be fun. meanwhile, stuff like chu chu rocket and crazy taxi were always great.

[Stoney Mason]

I only beat the first because at the time back in the day, the hype was so monstrous. I remember playing and thinking this is kind of average but I kept on playing it because I was waiting for that Eureka moment because all the critics were raving about it.

It never came for me.


I think Shenmue 2 is a much better product than the first one from what I played but I still found myself bored.

The Dreamcast had a lot of games that ended up this way for me. I distinctly remember playing Sonic Adventure and thinking it was garbage while so many people liked it. I think everybody was under mass delusions in the Dreamcast era.

It really depends on the game. I've never been a fan of stuff like sonic adventure, though sonic adventure 2 can be fun. meanwhile, stuff like chu chu rocket and crazy taxi were always great.

There were definitely great Dreamcast games. I don't want to come off like I didn't like the system. I just also think there were a lot of games that got elevated and overly pimped by a very vigorous Sega defense force.

[Himu]

I agree with that, but that's the case with just about any system. I feel the same way about this generation in regards to ps3 and 360.

[Diunx]

There's a PC version too

Yeah I remember downloading this and deleting it a couple of minutes later.

Sonic

[Himu]

I bought the gc version, thinking I should give it another chance. Used it as a coaster and then later flung it out of my backyard like a frisby.

[BlueTsunami]

Trying to play SSX3 on my 60GB PS3 and it randomly hangs at certain points in the game. Fucking sucks. Guess I'm gonna have to bust out the PS2.

[demi]

Ghost Recon Wii:

Awesome game. If yu liked Dead Space you will like this. Does a good job portraying the GR experience as well. It's not so much an on-rails shooter, but more of a stop-n-pop shooter. You get an AI partner in place of the 2nd player if you dont have any friends like me. They will shoot, but not heal you etc. You can heal you or your partner by clicking on them. You can activate slowdown if needed.

Basically enemies will appear running at you, etc. So you kill them. Then an arrow will appear, and you click it to move to the next area. You can als click it when there are enemies to proceed in the level faster (speedrunning, perhaps). The graphics are "ok" - but Dead Space was certainly better looking.

I was told Time Crisis is a good comparison. But it's not so much a first person shooter either. You can see your bodies.

10 minute impressions: Worth a look

[Joe Molotov]

Beat Deathspank. It was two afternoon's worth of dumb fun. I'll buy the sequel when it comes out on Steam.

[Bebpo]

Ghost Recon Wii:

Awesome game. If yu liked Dead Space you will like this. Does a good job portraying the GR experience as well. It's not so much an on-rails shooter, but more of a stop-n-pop shooter. You get an AI partner in place of the 2nd player if you dont have any friends like me. They will shoot, but not heal you etc. You can heal you or your partner by clicking on them. You can activate slowdown if needed.

Basically enemies will appear running at you, etc. So you kill them. Then an arrow will appear, and you click it to move to the next area. You can als click it when there are enemies to proceed in the level faster (speedrunning, perhaps). The graphics are "ok" - but Dead Space was certainly better looking.

I was told Time Crisis is a good comparison. But it's not so much a first person shooter either. You can see your bodies.

10 minute impressions: Worth a look

Cool.  The more lightgun shooters the better.  They kind of remind me of pinball games when on Wii with a cursor.  It's less about the physical act of aiming and more about learning the strategies to maximize your points.

Beat Deathspank. It was two afternoon's worth of dumb fun. I'll buy the sequel when it comes out on Steam.

Yeah, I thought it was fun.  Will play the 2nd game whenever they release it.

[Joe Molotov]

Hey Bebpo, check the leaderboards, I'm totally pwning you on Chicken Kills.

[Bebpo]

Finished up Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light.

Damn fine game.  Anyone who uses steam and hasn't played it yet needs to at least try the PC demo ASAP.  Fantastic pacing with no downtime or areas that wear out their welcome, top notch graphics, great combat, LOOT, challenges, puzzles, platforming, bosses; it has about everything you could want out of a Tomb Raider game besides plot.  Probably my 2nd favorite modern TR behind Anniversary.  The game really feels underpriced at $15.  It doesn't really belong with XBLA/PSN type games.  It's basically retail quality title just at half the length.

Hey Bebpo, check the leaderboards, I'm totally pwning you on Chicken Kills.

 

[iconoclast]

Been playing Spider Man: Shattered Dimensions. Up to the Sandman's stage, and so far this game is kinda meh. It's certainly better than Spider Man 3, and slightly better than Spider Man Friend or Foe, but it's still not great at all.

I wish someone would make a Spider Man game of Arkham Asylum's quality level.

[Positive Touch]

still working on the hard-as-fuck last level for the best ending in Cave Story.  this game really is as fantastic as everybody says.  something about these old-school game stories that just really gets to me :'(  has the developer ever been hired by a real company?

next up i'm going back to hard mode on Bayonetta.  i hate that there are different hidden crows on each difficulty.  makes replaying the levels so tedious.  not sure if the secret boss is worth all the trouble.

[Bebpo]

You know, there are too many really good games these days.  I'm both pleased by the amount of 9+/10 non-stop fun games being released and annoyed because I feel like I'm rushing through them to get to the next one :X

What ever happened to shitty games

[Great Rumbler]

What ever happened to shitty games

They're still out there, mostly made by Nintendo and Sega.

[Bebpo]

Anyone play Alundra recently?  Does it still hold up?  I have the PS1 disc, but I think I'm gonna get the PSN version along with Arc the Lad II to play on psp and support gaijin.

[archie4208]

I'm playing Baldur's Gate 1 in the BG2 engine and it is bliss.  I miss the old Bioware. 

Anyone play Alundra recently?  Does it still hold up?  I have the PS1 disc, but I think I'm gonna get the PSN version along with Arc the Lad II to play on psp and support gaijin.

Best Zelda clone out there. 

[Diunx]

You know, there are too many really good games these days.  I'm both pleased by the amount of 9+/10 non-stop fun games being released and annoyed because I feel like I'm rushing through them to get to the next one :X

What ever happened to shitty games

Get a wii.

spoiler (click to show/hide)

or buy a first party ms game

[close]

[tiesto]

You know, there are too many really good games these days.  I'm both pleased by the amount of 9+/10 non-stop fun games being released and annoyed because I feel like I'm rushing through them to get to the next one :X

What ever happened to shitty games

Really, I'm just the opposite way... most of the time I feel myself going back to games I missed in past generations. Though I'll admit 2010 was better in terms of gaming than the last few years... especially as a PSP owner.

[Mr. Gundam]

2010 has been a great year for gaming. Finally finished Vanquish earlier today and currently playing guitar and singing in Rock Band 3.

[magus]

Anyone play Alundra recently?  Does it still hold up?  I have the PS1 disc, but I think I'm gonna get the PSN version along with Arc the Lad II to play on psp and support gaijin.

i haven't played it in a while but i still think it's a quite good zelda clone
the only real problem i have is that at a certain point you get inside an ice level and you have to solve a bunch of really annoying sokoban like puzzle but it's nothing a good faq can't solve

[Positive Touch]

Anyone play Alundra recently?  Does it still hold up?  I have the PS1 disc, but I think I'm gonna get the PSN version along with Arc the Lad II to play on psp and support gaijin.

played through a good part of it last summer and yes, it's just as good as ever.

[iconoclast]

The last 50 pt achievement in Guwange is starting to piss me off. First of all, the description for it is wrong: it says you need to beat the final form of the final boss without taking damage, when in reality, you have to beat the final TWO forms of the final boss without taking damage, AND without using a bomb. The problem is, the pattern on the final form is random as FUCK. It's so easy to completely screw yourself if s/he decides to shoot a gigantic yellow orb in a clockwise direction when you're hoping it will go counter-clockwise. Worst god damn boss Cave has ever designed.

Back to Spider Man before I break something.

[Great Rumbler]

Put about ten hours into Resonance of Fate and I love this game. I'd say it's easily one of top five [maybe even top three] JRPGs I've played since the PS1.

[Bebpo]

Put about ten hours into Resonance of Fate and I love this game. I'd say it's easily one of top five [maybe even top three] JRPGs I've played since the PS1.