Author Topic: What are you playing? (Read 4551120 times)

Rufus · « **Reply #27240 on:** October 26, 2015, 03:37:22 PM »

There's emerging out of a dungeon having barely made it because you used all your resources and there's being tired of the battles themselve because they are laborious to play and have a lot of down time. I find I can tolerate them much, much more now that I watch streams on the side or listen to podcasts.

Dungeon crawlers with real-time combat are where it's at for me. If Elder Scrolls games had halfway decent loot and much bigger dungeons they'd be up there, too. Morrowind felt very much like a dungeon crawler without walls.

Anyway, I made decent progress into SMT3 now. Currently in Asakusa. Things have gotten much easier now that I actually have a team worth a damn and enough slots to switch out demons on demand. Gonna explore the Amala network until I get tired of that, then see how to progress. I'm shamelessy looking at a guide for every boss. The battle against the four Oni in the tunnels were interesting, but they would have been very frustrating if I had run into them blind. Knowing what's up ahead makes this game so much more pleasant to play.

Mods Help · « **Reply #27241 on:** October 26, 2015, 04:16:20 PM »

I've never found the battles in any of these games to be laborious. In SMT3, you can get wiped from a random mook on the world map if you underestimate it. That's the opposite of laborious. Unless what you mean by laborious is like driving. In that, when you drive, you have to be fully aware 100% of the time and always be on your guard in case something doesn't kill you, and you find the experience to be overwhelmingly stressful.

VomKriege · « **Reply #27242 on:** October 26, 2015, 04:29:03 PM »

The good thing about Press Turn is that it helps cutting short most of the busy work while still being engaging.

Also don't be shy on experimenting with fusion (But do it with vanilla members just in case).

Don't overdo the Amala stuff, there's more than enough to last you quite a while.

Mods Help · « **Reply #27243 on:** October 26, 2015, 05:12:53 PM »

Don't bother with Amala until end-game.

Also, most real-time combat dungeon crawlers are boring. Dungeon crawlers thrive on unpredictability. Real-time combat dungeon crawlers have no unpredictability by virtue of real time combat. Also, real time combat allows you to overcome situations with sheer reflex.

The genius part of SMT3 and many turn-based dungeon crawlers with random battles is that the random battles are an actual design mechanic. With a dungeon crawler and turn-based combat, you now have an air of unpredictability that lends to stronger sense of danger. With random battles, you have no idea what you're going to fight or what level. It's going to happen, and you have to be prepared. More than that, you don't know WHEN it's going to happen. The moon stages in SMT vary wildly. Moon stages also lend to harder or easier difficulty. There's an element of a gamble. Further, press turn is genius. With random battles and press turn, you may end up getting jumped by strong enemies and they'll get the first attack, and it's up to you to make the best of it. I have never found myself struggling or even tense in a real combat dungeon crawler. They're pretty boring to me and lack the element of danger I just described. In SMT3, you will get wiped from a low level enemy who got the first turn, hit one of your demons' weaknesses, and railed on your ass. Overcoming that adversity to win never feels bad.

This is why I consider SMT3 the best dungeon crawler I've played and why I hold SMT1, 2, and 4 to high esteem. Even when SMT4 included non-random battles there was still unpredictability.

And yes, you should be fusing. Matador should have been a large lesson. In the sewers leading to the fight, you fight a lot of force-based demons, giving the hint that you should be recruiting force-based demons. It's not always perfect, but you should be using the environment and the enemies you face as clues towards your next major encounter.

Rufus · « **Reply #27244 on:** October 26, 2015, 08:00:43 PM »

I have been fusing for a long time. I'm not entirely new to these systems since I played both P3 and P4.

I see your point about the fights, but most of them are paint-by-number simple and they drag because all menu-driven combat drags after a while.

Mods Help · « **Reply #27245 on:** October 26, 2015, 10:50:31 PM »

To be fair, SMT3 is a long game. It can be as long as 80-100 hours if you let it. Any single player game that's that length has moments that drag now and then. It's just pure numbers at that point.

Just enjoy the ride and rock it out.

What's your alignment? If this is your first SMT proper, SMT has alignments which will decide your story going forward.

You can tell by how your character spins on the world map. If I remember, if it spins right, it's chaos. If it spins left it's law. If it spins back and forth it's neutral. Could be wrong, it's been a while. I should ask Aeana.

Mods Help · « **Reply #27246 on:** October 26, 2015, 11:11:34 PM »

Speaking of SMT, DDS2 is now ten years old.

The memories~

Still the greatest final dungeon music theme ever

Back when we had more quality jrpgs to choose from you could have a backlog for years. These days we settle for calling a game like Tales of Zestiria great. Definitely the bum years of jrpgs! Here's hoping the new renaissance resurrects awesome.

I'm hoping for new SMT spin offs on PS4 since they'll be able to recycle Persona 5 assets. Here's hoping. :'(

D3RANG3D · « **Reply #27247 on:** October 26, 2015, 11:24:17 PM »

Toybox Turbos

Rufus · « **Reply #27248 on:** October 26, 2015, 11:36:09 PM »

I forgot to mention Strange Journey. I played that too, but I flaked out on it. Didn't help that it was a DS game. Every time I go back the tiny screen annoys me more. So yes, I do know about alignments, though I've not seen it through. I played DDS1 too, but that didn't have you influence your alignment (or did it?).

I have no idea what direction I spin. Gonna look out for that next time I play. Does alignment do more than affect what the last cutscene looks like? I know in SJ demon conversations could play out differently.

Oh, and I did take DDS2 for a spin, but that bored me after the first proper 'dungeon'. Ended up reading a screenshot LP (with some key videos) and man... The split between those games is rough.

Mods Help · « **Reply #27249 on:** October 27, 2015, 01:46:16 PM »

Trashed Tales of Zestiria. Bought Trails in the Sky. Better be good.

demi · « **Reply #27250 on:** October 27, 2015, 02:07:52 PM »

BETTER BE GOOD OR YOURE GONNA GET A STERN OPINION

Kara · « **Reply #27251 on:** October 27, 2015, 04:08:08 PM »

I'm glad I have MH here to tell me if I'm not in fact a fan of something. Life's a lot more easier when you have other people make the tough decisions for you.

Mods Help · « **Reply #27252 on:** October 27, 2015, 04:11:02 PM »

I don't think I ever said you're not a fan of something?

Cerveza mas fina · « **Reply #27253 on:** October 28, 2015, 07:21:40 AM »

Thats what communism is all about towarzyszu.

archie4208 · « **Reply #27254 on:** October 29, 2015, 01:06:55 PM »

Finished RE5 co op with a buddy. I like how it gradually went from Bad RE4 to Bad Gears of War.

I still had fun in co op tho.

brob · « **Reply #27255 on:** October 29, 2015, 04:48:23 PM »

bought guilty gear xrd on ps3 earlier today, but lmao at me because the EU version isn't patched and the DLC characters aren't available to purchase. googling around it seems they had issues getting these things through SCEE for the launch (

), but then it's just radio silence since then?

it's 2015 and I still have to import fighting games or be stuck with PAListan trash versions

suppadoopa · « **Reply #27256 on:** October 29, 2015, 09:04:24 PM »

replaying Lost Odyssey

I'm falling asleep

bork · « **Reply #27257 on:** October 30, 2015, 02:06:59 PM »

Quote from: brob on October 29, 2015, 04:48:23 PM

bought guilty gear xrd on ps3 earlier today, but lmao at me because the EU version isn't patched and the DLC characters aren't available to purchase. googling around it seems they had issues getting these things through SCEE for the launch (), but then it's just radio silence since then?

it's 2015 and I still have to import fighting games or be stuck with PAListan trash versions

And the next version is only a few months away from release on home consoles!

Rufus · « **Reply #27258 on:** October 30, 2015, 02:17:14 PM »

SMT3
Gave up on Amala for now. Couldn't find a door that I opened on the first floor and got tired of running around. Gonna look at a map next time...

I'm in the Obelisk now and it's sooo huuuge. I'm at the fifth small terminal, I think. If I hadn't discovered that I can fuse Daisoujou (sic?) by acident* before I went in I would have had a very bad time in there. Mahamaon and Meditation, with an additional spell inherited from fusion means he's carrying my team right now. Also helps that I ended up with a mind and/or death spell immune party. Things are going my way, clearly, but I'm ready for it to end. Spent two long sessions in there already.

I also have a feeling that encounters bunch up now, but maybe I'm just tripping. I find myself able to walk around un-interrupted for 20 seconds, but when I finally have to fight again it's three times in quick succession.

brob · « **Reply #27259 on:** October 30, 2015, 02:39:53 PM »

Quote from: bork laser on October 30, 2015, 02:06:59 PM

And the next version is only a few months away from release on home consoles!

that part I knew about, but I don't expect it to release in Europe for at least a year. I should of course have assumed the EU version of Xrd was fucked up somehow, but it was a $25 impulse buy so whatever. Elphelt looks cool, so it sucks to not be able to buy her, but otherwise the game is still good n fun.

mormapope · « **Reply #27260 on:** October 30, 2015, 04:11:41 PM »

I recently got Guilty Gear XX Accent Core Plus R on the 360. Definitely see what Persona Arena took from the Guilty Gear series when it comes to character playstyles.

brob · « **Reply #27261 on:** October 30, 2015, 04:21:51 PM »

how is the online in that? I've looked at the steam release, but it seems the online is garb.

spoiler (click to show/hide)

Testament not being in Xrd

[close]

mormapope · « **Reply #27262 on:** October 30, 2015, 04:45:47 PM »

I've only been playing solo due to not having gold. I think I read in a lot of places that the online is bad for all versions.

EDIT: Apparently issues were fixed for the console versions? The 360 version at least. The PC version seems fine now?

From a Steam user review:

Quote

Pros
Offline gameplay is smooth and runs at full-speed easily.
Mechanically identical to the most recent arcade and console releases.
AC+R mode is toggled on by default. If you want to go back in time, switch to AC mode in the Game Options menu.
Adds arcade-only sidebars!
Dev team seems committed, some issues already patched out in the first 24 hours.
Self-published, adds a glimmer of hope for future releases.
Controllers and arcade sticks recognized by default, and full keyboard bindings are available as well as a separate menu.
Netplay allows inviting via Steam friends list.

Cons
Connections always read as 4-bars, and delay is significant across the board. Connections that were acceptable on PS3 are slower here. (Upside: connections are significantly smoother, no bursts of delay. Hopefully the standard delay is fixable.)
Not much in the way of resolution support, and playing in fullscreen has issues. (If your monitor is >60Hz, the game will read 60fps but run faster. Fullscreen also seems to add additional input delay.)
Windowed by default, and resolution options are limited. (Default is 1280x720, native res, good enough imo.)
Game reads controllers, but assigns buttons incorrectly - though prompts will read "B" to cancel, you need to press "X", for example.
Windows decides who is Player 1 and who is Player 2 - the game does not ask you to select a side when you start. This also leads to issues like Windows treating you as Player 2, forcing you to bind keys for that side, while netplay only uses Player 1's binds. Only a serious issue re: netplay, since every offline mode works fine as 2P.
Tabbing back into the game if it wasn't on top causes brief (1-2s) slowdown.

CatsCatsCats · « **Reply #27263 on:** October 30, 2015, 09:10:36 PM »

I think I'm never going to be "done" with diablo 3 and won't be able to move on to other games

Rufus · « **Reply #27264 on:** October 30, 2015, 09:13:59 PM »

You'll get bored eventually, but you will go back after breaks. Try to time that with new content/patches if you're playing on PC. If you only play a couple hours each week it'll last forever though.

CatsCatsCats · « **Reply #27265 on:** October 30, 2015, 09:15:33 PM »

Yeah that's where I'm at

I basically only game a couple to a few hours a week anymore

Take My Breh Away · « **Reply #27266 on:** October 31, 2015, 08:52:13 AM »

Haven't got the time I want to put into Halo but been playing this while travelling or on the can

Superior toilet gaming addictions

archie4208 · « **Reply #27267 on:** November 01, 2015, 10:49:00 PM »

Just beat Greed mode in Isaac Afterbirth with The Lost.

tiesto · « **Reply #27268 on:** November 01, 2015, 11:14:27 PM »

Started playing Wild Arms 5, a bit disappointed with it so far. Seems like the dungeons aren't nearly as interesting as the ones in 4 or the others - not enough challenging puzzles, and most so far seem to be using the same brown temple interior graphic. Story is still in its early stages. The 2 leads voice acting is really shrill and obnoxious. But at least the awesome battle system from 4 is back, and this time things seem a tad more balanced than that game.

Also started playing Project Mirai for 3DS. It's really fun though it seems a tad easier than the Project Diva games so far. Haven't unlocked any Luka songs yet but I'm still early into it.

Finally, played Shienryu for Saturn. A shooter I picked up a while ago but I didn't give a fair shake to. It's actually pretty good, a nice, solid shooter with attractive graphics, catchy music. The price has escalated too.

studyguy · « **Reply #27269 on:** November 02, 2015, 12:04:24 PM »

Playing Tree of Savior.
Getting heavy Ragnarok Online vibes from this shit.

CatsCatsCats · « **Reply #27270 on:** November 02, 2015, 02:28:26 PM »

Got a full 6 set of firebirds finery for my fire focused wizard in diablo 3, wrecking shit on torment VI

qq more · « **Reply #27271 on:** November 02, 2015, 07:00:54 PM »

Quote from: studyguy on November 02, 2015, 12:04:24 PM

Playing Tree of Savior.
Getting heavy Ragnarok Online vibes from this shit.

Yeah, the same dude who made RO also made ToS. How is it so far? I loved RO except for the brutal difficulty when it comes to low parties.

I'm a Puppy! · « **Reply #27272 on:** November 02, 2015, 10:41:22 PM »

Playing Story of Seasons to get my Harvest Moon fix.
My god it's molasses slow.

Beezy · « **Reply #27273 on:** November 02, 2015, 10:57:47 PM »

Quote from: studyguy on November 02, 2015, 12:04:24 PM

Playing Tree of Savior.
Getting heavy Ragnarok Online vibes from this shit.

Nope. Bye. RO was my first and worst gaming addiction. I don't need that again.

CatsCatsCats · « **Reply #27274 on:** November 03, 2015, 01:30:49 PM »

RO on private servers was a fucking gem in it's time.

chronovore · « **Reply #27275 on:** November 03, 2015, 09:03:57 PM »

Thought I was BMOC in World of Tanks last week, but this week has been a painful lesson in my actual standing as Chief Casual Among Victims. The worst part is I can see exactly where my decision making is faulty, but I've been unwilling to adjust my play style.

D3RANG3D · « **Reply #27276 on:** November 04, 2015, 05:41:03 AM »

Tried Playing Two Worlds 2, it's ok I guess it's not grabbing me though...

spoiler (click to show/hide)

Why oh why did they do the modern intro dungeon, give me the one room intro from the first game that's like press f to unsheath your weapon, and press the space bar to open the door, have fun champ!

[close]

spoiler (click to show/hide)

TW1>TW2

[close]

spoiler (click to show/hide)

MC-kuns cheesy super hero voice from the first game.

[close]

Rufus · « **Reply #27277 on:** November 04, 2015, 11:13:16 AM »

Just you wait until you get to fantasy Africa, Baboons will be throwing shit at you everywhere you go.

D3RANG3D · « **Reply #27278 on:** November 04, 2015, 11:23:06 AM »

Quote from: Rufus on November 04, 2015, 11:13:16 AM

Just you wait until you get to fantasy Africa, Baboons will be throwing shit at you everywhere you go.

I'm already there, fuck the combat is so jank didn't know it was possible to up the jank ante.

Rufus · « **Reply #27279 on:** November 04, 2015, 11:34:42 AM »

Honestly I barely remember the game.

The Sceneman · « **Reply #27280 on:** November 05, 2015, 05:07:51 AM »

I've been watching a lot of "Game Sack" videos and therefore re-learning what REAL RETRO GAMING is all about.

Therefore I fired up Capcom Arcade Cabinet and started grinding through the worst Capcom games ever.

Trojan - repulsive game but it has a distinctive allure which keeps you coming back for more bs action

Ghosts n' Goblins - Too hard? The programming is friggn sadistic. Game is super fun though.

Will check out some more of the package soon. I should probably be playing better retro stuff though, like beat em ups on MAME

chronovore · « **Reply #27281 on:** November 05, 2015, 07:14:16 AM »

Tried playing Bionic Commando: Rearmed again. I still suck at it. I think I have tremendous trouble adapting my brain to the movement model. It's a platformer puzzler, which should be my thing, but the movement feels so foreign to me.

tiesto · « **Reply #27282 on:** November 05, 2015, 07:41:32 AM »

Quote from: The Sceneman on November 05, 2015, 05:07:51 AM

I've been watching a lot of "Game Sack" videos and therefore re-learning what REAL RETRO GAMING is all about.

Therefore I fired up Capcom Arcade Cabinet and started grinding through the worst Capcom games ever.

Trojan - repulsive game but it has a distinctive allure which keeps you coming back for more bs action

Ghosts n' Goblins - Too hard? The programming is friggn sadistic. Game is super fun though.

Will check out some more of the package soon. I should probably be playing better retro stuff though, like beat em ups on MAME

THE SACK

Play some oldskool Konami shooters!

Rufus · « **Reply #27283 on:** November 05, 2015, 08:58:54 AM »

Quote from: chronovore on November 05, 2015, 07:14:16 AM

Tried playing Bionic Commando: Rearmed again. I still suck at it. I think I have tremendous trouble adapting my brain to the movement model. It's a platformer puzzler, which should be my thing, but the movement feels so foreign to me.

Are you using the stick? Even the 360 dpad worked better for me with that game. I found myself making too many transitional movements with the stick, which would sometimes register as diagonal. Playing the NES game briefly made it click for me. You only need to touch a directional button if you want to hook a platform straight above or grab something to the sides.

BrokenVerses · « **Reply #27284 on:** November 05, 2015, 11:33:06 PM »

Persona 4 Golden

Me: Ask Chie for her number

Game: You don't actually have the courage to say that!

Joe Molotov · « **Reply #27285 on:** November 06, 2015, 12:51:59 AM »

The Vita knows me too well.

eleuin · « **Reply #27286 on:** November 06, 2015, 01:08:39 AM »

chronovore · « **Reply #27287 on:** November 06, 2015, 02:10:09 AM »

Quote from: Rufus on November 05, 2015, 08:58:54 AM

Quote from: chronovore on November 05, 2015, 07:14:16 AM
Tried playing Bionic Commando: Rearmed again. I still suck at it. I think I have tremendous trouble adapting my brain to the movement model. It's a platformer puzzler, which should be my thing, but the movement feels so foreign to me.
Are you using the stick? Even the 360 dpad worked better for me with that game. I found myself making too many transitional movements with the stick, which would sometimes register as diagonal. Playing the NES game briefly made it click for me. You only need to touch a directional button if you want to hook a platform straight above or grab something to the sides.

Yeah, I was on analog stick. Are you saying I only need L/R on the d-pad for movement, except when I'm wanting directly above?

The Sceneman · « **Reply #27288 on:** November 06, 2015, 03:54:15 AM »

Quote from: chronovore on November 05, 2015, 07:14:16 AM

Tried playing Bionic Commando: Rearmed again. I still suck at it. I think I have tremendous trouble adapting my brain to the movement model. It's a platformer puzzler, which should be my thing, but the movement feels so foreign to me.

I lovedddd the game but I havent played it since 2008. I still hold my 200/200 in that title as one of my finest 360 completions

The Sceneman · « **Reply #27289 on:** November 06, 2015, 06:59:30 AM »

Quote from: tiesto on November 05, 2015, 07:41:32 AM

Quote from: The Sceneman on November 05, 2015, 05:07:51 AM
I've been watching a lot of "Game Sack" videos and therefore re-learning what REAL RETRO GAMING is all about.

Therefore I fired up Capcom Arcade Cabinet and started grinding through the worst Capcom games ever.

Trojan - repulsive game but it has a distinctive allure which keeps you coming back for more bs action

Ghosts n' Goblins - Too hard? The programming is friggn sadistic. Game is super fun though.

Will check out some more of the package soon. I should probably be playing better retro stuff though, like beat em ups on MAME

THE SACK

Play some oldskool Konami shooters!

which ones? All I know of is the Gradius series, and I have Gradius V for the PS2 which is pretty much the ultimate videogame. Developed by Treasure and music by Hitoshi Sakimoto

tiesto · « **Reply #27290 on:** November 06, 2015, 08:08:45 AM »

Quote from: The Sceneman on November 06, 2015, 06:59:30 AM

Quote from: tiesto on November 05, 2015, 07:41:32 AM
Quote from: The Sceneman on November 05, 2015, 05:07:51 AM
I've been watching a lot of "Game Sack" videos and therefore re-learning what REAL RETRO GAMING is all about.

Therefore I fired up Capcom Arcade Cabinet and started grinding through the worst Capcom games ever.

Trojan - repulsive game but it has a distinctive allure which keeps you coming back for more bs action

Ghosts n' Goblins - Too hard? The programming is friggn sadistic. Game is super fun though.

Will check out some more of the package soon. I should probably be playing better retro stuff though, like beat em ups on MAME

THE SACK

Play some oldskool Konami shooters!

which ones? All I know of is the Gradius series, and I have Gradius V for the PS2 which is pretty much the ultimate videogame. Developed by Treasure and music by Hitoshi Sakimoto

The Twinbee series (especially Detana and Pop 'n Twinbee), Salamander/Life Force (I prefer Life Force on NES to the arcade Salamander, actually), Xexex, Crisis Force (Famicom), and of course the Parodius series

Cerveza mas fina · « **Reply #27291 on:** November 06, 2015, 08:12:41 AM »

First episode of TWD Season 2

Positive Touch · « **Reply #27292 on:** November 06, 2015, 09:34:58 AM »

I played like the first five minutes and was like "nope, I'm not prepared to go thru this again yet!"

demi · « **Reply #27293 on:** November 06, 2015, 09:39:38 AM »

Season 2 is nowhere as feels as the first one. I was more annoyed at the character intractions. One minute you are getting yelled at, the other you are getting praised to no end.

Cerveza mas fina · « **Reply #27294 on:** November 06, 2015, 10:25:14 AM »

Never finished season 1 due to a game breaking bug, but since 2 is on ps+ now and kind of stand alone ill play it.

Did you play the Game of Thrones one?

Rufus · « **Reply #27295 on:** November 06, 2015, 10:55:32 AM »

Quote from: chronovore on November 06, 2015, 02:10:09 AM

Yeah, I was on analog stick. Are you saying I only need L/R on the d-pad for movement, except when I'm wanting directly above?

Pretty much. Ocassionally you'll have to decend, too, but that's rare. You aim your grappling hook with your feet, if that makes any sense.

archie4208 · « **Reply #27296 on:** November 06, 2015, 11:04:35 AM »

I gotta wonder what the Persona Q developers were thinking when they made like 90% of the jabroni mobs weak to Hama and Mudo. I'm playing on hard and have died like 3 times and am currently in the middle of the second dungeon.

The boss fights and FOEs are a good challenge though.

chronovore · « **Reply #27297 on:** November 06, 2015, 08:24:51 PM »

Quote from: The Sceneman on November 06, 2015, 03:54:15 AM

Quote from: chronovore on November 05, 2015, 07:14:16 AM
Tried playing Bionic Commando: Rearmed again. I still suck at it. I think I have tremendous trouble adapting my brain to the movement model. It's a platformer puzzler, which should be my thing, but the movement feels so foreign to me.

I lovedddd the game but I havent played it since 2008. I still hold my 200/200 in that title as one of my finest 360 completions

Your love for the game is one of the reasons I keep trying to play it, but I never get very far. I'll give it a shot with the d-pad, but I'm probably going to delete it since I can't beat it.

The Legend of Sunblade · « **Reply #27298 on:** November 07, 2015, 09:34:26 PM »

Got goaded into playing GTA Online with some buds. Pretty much made me forget that Fallout 4 is coming out in a few days, exactly what I needed.

chronovore · « **Reply #27299 on:** November 07, 2015, 09:47:13 PM »

Earned a ½ million Silver in World of Tanks with some help from Sceneman. Also had my best fight ever in a KV-2, where I had decent cover and one-shotted three tanks in a row. Delightful.

Quote from: The Legend of Sunblade on November 07, 2015, 09:34:26 PM

Got goaded into playing GTA Online with some buds. Pretty much made me forget that Fallout 4 is coming out in a few days, exactly what I needed.

Tried to play some GTA Online with USA peeps on Friday, spent 40 minutes trying to figure out why we couldn't join the same jobs even though we were in the same Free Mode "lobby."

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Author Topic: What are you playing? (Read 4551120 times)