Game

[Borys]

`

[archnemesis]

Even with PS+ discount it's a tad too expensive for me. I'll wait for a discount or for it to become a freebie.

[Hitler Stole My Potato]

This is the reason I pay for PS+.

I'll wait until it's free.

[Powerslave]

Even with PS+ discount it's a tad too expensive for me. I'll wait for a discount or for it to become a freebie.

Yeah same for me. I wish people would stop consider 12-15 euros for relatively short indie titles to be cheap.

[demi]

> Afford to pay for PS+

> Can't afford games

[archnemesis]

When you have a backlog with hundreds of games you can afford to be picky about new purchases.

[bork]

> Afford to pay for PS+

> Can't afford games

 

[demi]

When you have a backlog with hundreds of games you can afford to be picky about new purchases.

You're going to probably croak before you "finish" any backlog. Play Guacamelee in a weekend and be done with it.

[Hitler Stole My Potato]

> Afford to pay for PS+

> Can't afford games

Exactly. Remind me of Steamfags: "$5 or no sale!" when talking about current $60 titles.

When you can just wait a couple months and get it for 5 bucks (or free off PSN) it seems kind of silly to rush out buy something just because you can.   Plus why buy off PSN now when your stuff isn't even going to carry over to the PS4? 

I can wait.  I've got too much stuff around here as is.

[archnemesis]

Yep, same here. There is no reason to pay twice as much for a game you're only moderately interested in.

[Huff]

You're supposed to wait for free games when they arn't super fucking rad like guacamelee. Fucking drop the money on this game already you prissy twats

[Lucretius]

Wrestlevania is my new favorite Vita game.  Tight controls.  Great music.  Sick art style.  Goat jump!

[Huff]

It's very metroidvania light.

[Himu]

been burned too many times by people crying Metroidvania on not-Metroidvanias, so I too am waiting on a big sale.

Every time people say something is Metroidvania you can bet your ass it isn't anything similar to Metroidvania.

[Lucretius]

been burned too many times by people crying Metroidvania on not-Metroidvanias, so I too am waiting on a big sale.

Every time people say something is Metroidvania you can bet your ass it isn't anything similar to Metroidvania.

EVERYtime?

[Shaka Khan]

I platinum'd it, and I rarely go for platinum in any game. At the end of the day I didn't give two fucks about how much of a Metroidvania it was because it was a great game. I'd gladly buy any extra levels DLCs.

The game is tight, yo.

[cool breeze]

I bought it earlier this week to get on that whopping $3 discount.  Figure if I don't play it now, I will in two weeks during a long ass plane ride.  Initially was going to wait for the inevitable PC verison.

and yeah, people tend to oversell metroid qualities of certain games, but game quality has nothing to do with how much it adheres to a specific formula.

[Huff]

Well, I care cuz if it's a real Metroidvania, I'm starving for one and will buy instantly, but if it's just another action/platform game, I'm cool with waiting for a sale.  Got a whole bunch of great games sitting here that I can play without spending more money.

No it's a very minimum metroidvania with very little exploration. Speed running 100% can take less than 4 hours.

Still one of the best games of the year so far

[Himu]

never trust anyone who says a game is Metroidvania. It never is. I've been burned so many times from that single word in hopes of new Vania goodness. To make matters worse I haven't liked an ACTUAL Metroidvania since Aria so there's that.

[Shaka Khan]

For the sake of the argument, is there more to the formula than: map layout, (faux?) non-linearity, multi-branching levels, ability-based progression, and sense of exploration?

I'm trying to determine whether some of you have been suckered into games that were wrongfully labeled as metroidvanias OR just shitty metroidvanias.

Well, I care cuz if it's a real Metroidvania, I'm starving for one and will buy instantly, but if it's just another action/platform game, I'm cool with waiting for a sale.  Got a whole bunch of great games sitting here that I can play without spending more money.

If that's your insta-buy criteria then you probably should wait. The game definitely started with Metroidvania as a template, but ended up as a successful hybrid of a few game types. You should ask Aeana for her opinion, she played it and enjoyed it quite a bit up until she fought one of the tougher bosses later in the game.

[AdmiralViscen]

Latter day Metroid games are pretty linear themsevles so I am not sure of the definition. This game is kind of segmented but you can backtrack for secrets and you get power ups that make you more mobile and allow you to access new parts of old areas.

[Himu]

For the sake of the argument, is there more to the formula than: map layout, (faux?) non-linearity, multi-branching levels, ability-based progression, and sense of exploration?

I'm trying to determine whether some of you have been suckered into games that were wrongfully labeled as metroidvanias OR just shitty metroidvanias.

To me a metrodivania is...just that: Metroid. Non linear map with areas inaccessible until you gain new abilities.

[Shaka Khan]

I don't even think all IGAvanias followed the non-linearity requirement that closely.

[fistfulofmetal]

To me a metrodivania is...just that: Metroid. Non linear map with areas inaccessible until you gain new abilities.

then if you're keeping it that simple, a lot of games claimed as Metroidvania are indeed Metroidvania. I think the spirit behind the term is that the game world is clever and intricately designed. So many games are Metroidvania but their level design is simple and lacks subtlety.

[Himu]

I don't even think all IGAvanias followed the non-linearity requirement that closely.

That's because not all Igavania's are Metroidvania's. Ecclesia certainly isn't.

[Shaka Khan]

Even ignoring the resemblance, this game has some solid platforming and platforming puzzles tied to its level design, not to mention surprisingly good combat. I think these two aspects outshine the metroidvania appeal and are pretty much behind most of the praise.

Aeana says it's a Metroid but no Vania.  So, non-linearish exploring where you find items/abilities that let you access new areas you couldn't reach before, but no experience points, leveling up, or equipment.

That's an excellent way to put it.

[Lucretius]

Even ignoring the resemblance, this game has some solid platforming and platforming puzzles tied to its level design, not to mention surprisingly good combat. I think these two aspects outshine the metroidvania appeal and are pretty much behind most of the praise.

Agreed. 

[demi]

Aeana says it's a Metroid but no Vania.  So, non-linearish exploring where you find items/abilities that let you access new areas you couldn't reach before, but no experience points, leveling up, or equipment.  And a hub I guess?  Should probably have some sort of hub.

The one that sticks raw in my ass is Outland, btw.  People were like OMG METROIDVANIA and it really, really wasn't.  At all.

WHY U MAD THO?

[Himu]

Yeah Outland was a burn for me. Friend said that xbla furry game was one too.

Anyways this game looks good.

[Shaka Khan]

The one that sticks raw in my ass is Outland, btw.  People were like OMG METROIDVANIA and it really, really wasn't.  At all.

I downloaded Outland as soon as I finished this, and for the third time I gave up after an hour of playing. The game from what I played isn't complete trash, but it was just not clicking with me... like the whole is less than the sum of its parts.

[Human Snorenado]

...you had to put Outland in your ass, didn't you?  It's ok, you can tell us.  We're in the Trust Tree.

[Himu]

Thought I was the only one who thought Out land was crap even though it had all those accolades.

[iconoclast]

I didn't like Outland either. The demo made me think it was going to be a level-based action/platformer (I hadn't read anything about the game), but the full game had big bloated world full of nothing. I played for a few hours until I got bored and quit. Maybe it gets more interesting later.

Guacamelee is kinda fun though. I wouldn't say it's a particularly good game since you're practically never penalized for making mistakes (death is meaningless; missing a jump while platforming just lets you try it again), but it's a good time waster.

[chronovore]

Wrestlevania is my new favorite Vita game.  Tight controls.  Great music.  Sick art style.  Goat jump!

Clever.

[Human Snorenado]

Indie GOTY 2013. 2013's Journey.

...who the fuck counts that as a plus?  yuropeens are fucking awful it seems

[maxy]

Sony paycheck must be good,hmmmmm

[archnemesis]

After hearing the 8-4 podcast describing it as being dialogue-heavy and filled with 4chan memes I'm considerably less interested.

[Shaka Khan]

It's not really dialog heavy, and 80% of the memes (at least the ones originating on the Internet) are there in the form of posters in one town.

I'm usually sensitive to such things, but I found the Mexican twist on all of these memes, and trying to guess which is which, was sort of entertaining. It would have offended me more if the game was severely lacking, and used them as a sloppy crutch, but it's not; they're just there for amusement, and they're easily avoidable.

[Huff]

After hearing the 8-4 podcast describing it as being dialogue-heavy and filled with 4chan memes I'm considerably less interested.

You take 8-4 seriously? Lol

The meme stuff is in the background and you really don't notice unless you look for it.

[Eric P]

yeah i am enjoying this even if my lack of platforming skills are making certain parts harder than necessary.  i get a nice feeling of accomplishment when i complete an area or boss

[archnemesis]

You take 8-4 seriously? Lol

Actually, I usually don't. I do, however, trust them (and their guest Chris Kohler) about it being dialogue-heavy. It's a blight upon many indie games and it almost never adds to the experience.

I played another indie platformer yesterday, Knytt Underground, and it was incredibly talky for no obvious reason.

[Powerslave]

It's not really dialog heavy, and 80% of the memes (at least the ones originating on the Internet) are there in the form of posters in one town.

I'm usually sensitive to such things, but I found the Mexican twist on all of these memes, and trying to guess which is which, was sort of entertaining. It would have offended me more if the game was severely lacking, and used them as a sloppy crutch, but it's not; they're just there for amusement, and they're easily avoidable.

I think the 'Pedrobear' one is so stupid. I have no idea why that meme is so 'adored' by people.

[brob]

I played another indie platformer yesterday, Knytt Underground, and it was incredibly talky for no obvious reason.

Well that's annoying... Was there even a single line of dialog in the original Knytt? Please mail some poop to Nifflas for me.

[archnemesis]

It is trying to add some backstory to the quests, but the writing just isn't interesting at all. Trying to write something meaningful in only a few lines is incredible difficult and unless you have a great writer on your staff it's better to skip it altogether. In other news, I learned this week that mailing poop is incredibly expensive.

[cool breeze]

you can't skip it? that's something I didn't like about Dust on 360.  There's some story about bunnies committing genocide against lizard people and it has cutscenes and shit.  Even going through Metroid Prime 2 right now, the moments where you listen to those insect aliens talk about light and dark shit, and it's important to listen to know where to go next since the game's structure is backtrack fever.

[archnemesis]

Sure, you can just mash the X button like in any other game.

[Shaka Khan]

Actually, I usually don't. I do, however, trust them (and their guest Chris Kohler) about it being dialogue-heavy. It's a blight upon many indie games and it almost never adds to the experience.

I played another indie platformer yesterday, Knytt Underground, and it was incredibly talky for no obvious reason.

There was one character that I thought was a bit talkative (Flame Face) but I felt the dialog overall was light-hearted and unobjectionable in length. There's none of the pretentious existential crap other indie developers love to inject. The goal Drinkbox set out to achieve was create a humorous experience, which is evident in the Mexican settings, memes, and dialog. I personally thought it all worked.

I feel like I should stop gushing over this game, because I'm starting to increasingly sound like a shill, but it just hit the spot for me.

[AdmiralViscen]

I don't think you're gushing. Your positivity still hasn't matched the inexplicable negativity and nitpicking that is inexplicably surrounding this game (exclusively from those who haven't played it).

[cool breeze]

I've really enjoyed what I played so far.  Combat is a surprise.  Videos made it look Shank-ish, but it's quite fun.

[Shaka Khan]

In a generation full of Retro City Rampages, Scott Pilgrims, and Outlands, it's not hard to see why, I'd hope.

Truth.

[Himu]

RCR was bad?

[Shaka Khan]

It was all style and no substance.

[cool breeze]

I didn't see a demo, either, so it's not like we can try before we buy.

Buying the game downloads the demo and unlock key.  Someone must've realized that people will be willing to buy to try if they can't just try.  Demo will probably released next week if not later. 

[AdmiralViscen]

I don't think you're gushing. Your positivity still hasn't matched the inexplicable negativity and nitpicking that is inexplicably surrounding this game (exclusively from those who haven't played it).

You, of all people, calling people out for inexplicable negativity is pretty fucking rich, haha.

People aren't being negative on the game, they're being skeptical.  In a generation full of Retro City Rampages, Scott Pilgrims, and Outlands, it's not hard to see why, I'd hope.  I didn't see a demo, either, so it's not like we can try before we buy.

There is the sort of caution you're talking about, then there is agonizing over how $15 only gets you 5 hours of gameplay when you're lucky if $60 gets you 10 hours of gameplay these days.

[chronovore]

Yeah, it's weird, but there are games I am pretty sure I can play for 10 hours and enjoy for $15... And I still worry over whether or not to buy them, but I'll spend that on a lunch without really thinking about it. What's up with that?

[chronovore]

Too true.

[Himu]

I don't think you're gushing. Your positivity still hasn't matched the inexplicable negativity and nitpicking that is inexplicably surrounding this game (exclusively from those who haven't played it).

You, of all people, calling people out for inexplicable negativity is pretty fucking rich, haha.

People aren't being negative on the game, they're being skeptical.  In a generation full of Retro City Rampages, Scott Pilgrims, and Outlands, it's not hard to see why, I'd hope.  I didn't see a demo, either, so it's not like we can try before we buy.

There is the sort of caution you're talking about, then there is agonizing over how $15 only gets you 5 hours of gameplay when you're lucky if $60 gets you 10 hours of gameplay these days.

You're only lucky a 60 dollar game has more than 10 hours game play if you're buying the wrong games. Hint, usually the bad ones.

[Shaka Khan]

Well, that's what happens when people literally have more options for gaming than free time in their life.  It's a buyer's market, and people don't want to invest their gaming budget (time and/or money) into something they might not feel is worth it.  And again, no demo available.  And an indie game.  And a system exclusive.  And a Vita game.  There are lots of reasons for people to be skeptical of praise even without going into the usual gamer hype on any half decent new game.

(Fwiw, it's a cross-buy game and plays better on the PS3, imho)

[Howard Alan Treesong]

I'll spend $60 on lunch if it takes at least 5 hours to eat

[Positive Touch]

5 hours at golden corral is the ultimate investment