View Full Version : General Video Game GABBIN'
Alien King
2 Dec 2008, 20:23
The orange box used an updated source engine that has several additions. Mostly better particle effects, some lighting effects I think, and the dynamic shadows you see when using the flashlight in Episode 2.
Here's a list of improvements actually:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Source_engine
Ah well. To be expected really.
Somehow, I find it comforting to think that the Source has its origins in the Quake engine... I'm not sure why.
Akuryou13
3 Dec 2008, 04:37
I vaguely remember Half-Life. I appreciated the fact it was a good game, but I never seemed to enjoy it as much. Neither did my Dad, so that's a possible reason why it disappeared.
I bought the Orange box a while ago and loaded up HL2. I then spent an hour trying to work out how it followed on from the original. I gave up and looked at the Wikipedia.most of the story is apparently revealed in expansion packs and the rest is on posters and such scattered within HL2 apparently. HL1 had almost nothing in terms of story and I'm baffled why it was so critically acclaimed as such a great and immersive game :confused:
MtlAngelus
3 Dec 2008, 05:53
most of the story is apparently revealed in expansion packs and the rest is on posters and such scattered within HL2 apparently. HL1 had almost nothing in terms of story and I'm baffled why it was so critically acclaimed as such a great and immersive game :confused:
Because it was a great and immersive game, you tit. :mad:
Akuryou13
3 Dec 2008, 08:20
Because it was a great and immersive game, you tit. :mad:don't get me wrong, it was a GOOD game, I just don't see why it was as highly-acclaimed as it was.
Alien King
3 Dec 2008, 15:17
most of the story is apparently revealed in expansion packs and the rest is on posters and such scattered within HL2 apparently. HL1 had almost nothing in terms of story and I'm baffled why it was so critically acclaimed as such a great and immersive game :confused:
Storylines don't automatically make a good game and the lack of one doesn't make it bad.
Doom has bugger all in terms of story and was a highly acclaimed game. So was Quake.
Although that's a bit unfair, the those two games were revolutionary, whereas Half Life didn't actually add anything new, it just had good gameplay elements.
People's expectation of story lines in FPS games back then were lower. Besides, a story is largely uneccessary in such a game, other than to explain why you're murdering hordes of aliens - Half Life did that well enough.
Akuryou13
3 Dec 2008, 17:24
eh, it's probably mostly a matter of me playing it this year as opposed to whenever it first came out.
kikumbob
3 Dec 2008, 17:43
eh, it's probably mostly a matter of me playing it this year as opposed to whenever it first came out. You mean it didn't age well?
Akuryou13
3 Dec 2008, 18:02
You mean it didn't age well?no FPS stands a chance. I can't think of a single N64-era FPS game that would still be fun by today's standards. in those days it was pretty much enough to have enemies on the screen and the ability to shoot them. '02 or so and beyond the gameplay went past the "there are things. you should kill them" goals, but before that it was mostly just a matter of MAKING the game being enough. compared to any given shooter of today older games just wouldn't measure up.
Atari platformers aren't going to compare at all to SNES platformers, and that's about the time-frame from birth of FPS as a genre to today's games.
MtlAngelus
3 Dec 2008, 18:11
Anyway, GTAIV is out for PC and it seems to be a lot better than on the console. Well gameplay is about the same(although shooting with a mouse is probably a gahzillion times better :P), but it features a video editor built into the game that allows you to render videos so that you can publish them online...
For example:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAApzhDyFZQ
I'm playing gears of war 2 at the moment in splitscreen horde mode.
I'm playing gears of war 2 at the moment in splitscreen horde mode.
http://forum.team17.co.uk/showthread.php?t=36565
Paul.Power
4 Dec 2008, 21:44
'02 or so and beyond the gameplay went past the "there are things. you should kill them" goals, but before that it was mostly just a matter of MAKING the game being enough. compared to any given shooter of today older games just wouldn't measure up.
Oh, I dunno (http://www.realvg.org/display.php?type=reviews&id=6)
super_frea
4 Dec 2008, 21:57
I can't think of a single N64-era FPS game that would still be fun by today's standards.
Actually I played Goldeneye again relatively recently and I have say I did enjoy myself. But it seems that this was only due to it's definitive nostalgic credentials. It reminds me solely of the good old days where everything in life was easy and simple.
This seems to be the case with a lot of old games. I was always under the impression the Ocarina of Time was the greatest game ever made in the history of mankind EVER. Until I played it again recently, by which point I realized it most certainly isn’t. It was the best game of it’s time IMO but it certainly isn’t the greatest game of all time by today’s standards it’s almost impossible to compare.
I think I should just not play games from my childhood anymore, as I seem to ruin them for myself ☹
Well, it depends on how much you appreciate the history of games. For example, I wasn't playing Nintendo games when Mario came along, and I didn't start for a good while later. But that doesn't mean I don't have fun playing SMB nowadays, despite that if it were a modern game, it'd suck craptacularly.
In short, nostalga counts in regards to how good a game is.
Akuryou13
5 Dec 2008, 01:29
Actually I played Goldeneye again relatively recently and I have say I did enjoy myself. But it seems that this was only due to it's definitive nostalgic credentials. It reminds me solely of the good old days where everything in life was easy and simple. that's the thing. shooter games were too generic back then to offer anything but nostalgia for us now. don't get me wrong I'd probably LOVE playing goldeneye and perfect dark again if given half a chance, but playing HL for the first time recently just made me play the game for the game itsself, not the nostalgia, and these days it's not that great.
This seems to be the case with a lot of old games. I was always under the impression the Ocarina of Time was the greatest game ever made in the history of mankind EVER. Until I played it again recently, by which point I realized it most certainly isn’t. It was the best game of it’s time IMO but it certainly isn’t the greatest game of all time by today’s standards it’s almost impossible to compare.
I think I should just not play games from my childhood anymore, as I seem to ruin them for myself ☹hehe. I actually disagree here. I played Zelda recently as well and while the gameplay wasn't as great as, say, twilight princess, the story was enough to EASILY make up for it even by today's standards. even playing through it again I consider it the best Zelda ever made. same goes for Mario64.
Mario BROS. on the NES was pretty awesome, shame they ruined it on the SNES with the god forsaken bug :/ you know? the one where smashing a block should instantly reverse your vertical acceleration but doesn't on the SNES. You also get many more levels on the NES version by simply making the cartridge crooked ;)
robowurmz
5 Dec 2008, 07:35
The old games still have many appeals for most of us; but a kid born today wouldn't want to play them: just think, Crysis would be seen as a "retro" game, 20 years from now.
MtlAngelus
5 Dec 2008, 13:15
The old games still have many appeals for most of us; but a kid born today wouldn't want to play them: just think, Crysis would be seen as a "retro" game, 20 years from now.
No. 20 years from now we'll all be dead because of global warming.:(
No. 20 years from now we'll all be dead because of global warming.
caused by the next generation of computers straining to play Crysis 2 :P
I doubt anyone will even remember Crysis in 20 years time. It didn't do anything new and was less fun than Far Cry.
Akuryou13
5 Dec 2008, 14:28
I doubt anyone will even remember Crysis in 20 years time. It didn't do anything new and was less fun than Far Cry.this.
it was amusing, I must admit. I enjoyed the game, but I will never refer back to it for any reason. there is nothing that it does that hasn't been done better somewhere else. it was a decent game, but hardly note-worthy.
Alien King
5 Dec 2008, 19:38
that's the thing. shooter games were too generic back then to offer anything but nostalgia for us now. don't get me wrong I'd probably LOVE playing goldeneye and perfect dark again if given half a chance, but playing HL for the first time recently just made me play the game for the game itsself, not the nostalgia, and these days it's not that great.
That's because you're expectations are too high. Most people seem to require a story even when they're not necessary and add nothing to the game. FPS stories are usually so ****, I tend not to let them get too involved in my mind. I for one appreciate a good, generic shooter - as far as I'm concerned, it doesn't need to add anything new that hasn't been done before, it just needs to do it all well. My dad for instance, still gets hours of enjoyment out of Quake II and it's expansions and that is as pretty generic as it gets.
I myself, tend to prefer a multiplayer environment though and because of that, I still find myself playing Quake III occasionaly - a multiplayer masterpiece in my mind.
Akuryou13
6 Dec 2008, 10:08
That's because you're expectations are too high. Most people seem to require a story even when they're not necessary and add nothing to the game. FPS stories are usually so ****, I tend not to let them get too involved in my mind. I for one appreciate a good, generic shooter - as far as I'm concerned, it doesn't need to add anything new that hasn't been done before, it just needs to do it all well. My dad for instance, still gets hours of enjoyment out of Quake II and it's expansions and that is as pretty generic as it gets.
I myself, tend to prefer a multiplayer environment though and because of that, I still find myself playing Quake III occasionaly - a multiplayer masterpiece in my mind.that all depends on the game. some games work very well with little or no story to them at all. goldeneye, for instance, had a very nice story but it was drowned out in the conversion to a game to some extent and was basically unnecessary. Left4Dead came out recently and it's a great game even though the story basically doesn't exist. I don't expect a game to have a good story, just as long as it's fun to play. a decent premise is all I ask (and I can't think of a game that I've played that hasn't had one of these). unless, of course, the story is what drives the game. when I picked up Half Life I was told it was the best, most immersive shooter in the world. I had already played Half Life 2, which has a really intricate story line with a lot of unexplained things in it. I went into Half Life expecting a similar experience to what I got from Half Life 2 because that's what everyone said I would see, but when I played it, the game was dry and generic. obviously it was still fun because I played from start to finish despite having no plot-line to draw me in.
honestly? if I hadn't been expecting to see the prequel to HL2, I would have just enjoyed HL1, but everyone I'd heard talking about HL1 said that the game was the most immersive shooter ever. all I saw was just another good FPS game.
the first Blood FPS from Monolith is still IMHO, the best FPS there is for single player...
Akuryou13
6 Dec 2008, 10:42
the first Blood FPS from Monolith is still IMHO, the best FPS there is for single player...thank you for once again proving that you have no concept of events happening in the same reality that the rest of us perceive....
SupSuper
6 Dec 2008, 12:23
I doubt anyone will even remember Crysis in 20 years time. It didn't do anything new and was less fun than Far Cry.They'll remember it for mercilessly murdering computers for years to come. :p
Akuryou13
6 Dec 2008, 12:55
They'll remember it for mercilessly murdering computers for years to come. :pmore likely they're remember it when they come to find out that it actually would have run on our machines as-is, but it was horribly optimized :p
Akuryou13
6 Dec 2008, 15:21
:eek::eek:
http://ds.ign.com/dor/objects/14304256/scribblenauts/videos/Scribblenauts_new2_120508.html
:eek::eek:
mind = blown
:eek:
I'm getting my Little Big Planet tomorrow :D
GrimOswald
6 Dec 2008, 15:45
:eek::eek:
http://ds.ign.com/dor/objects/14304256/scribblenauts/videos/Scribblenauts_new2_120508.html
:eek::eek:
mind = blown
Oh man, I swear I want a DS now just for that. Provided they make sure it is not too limited, that looks fantastic. :cool:
Akuryou13
6 Dec 2008, 15:50
Oh man, I swear I want a DS now just for that. Provided they make sure it is not too limited, that looks fantastic. :cool:
IGN: So when it boils down to it – and I know this is sort of the magician revealing what's behind the smoke and mirrors – but how many words can it really recognize, and how many objects do you really have to make for this game? You can say "dinosaur" or "T-Rex" or "Raptor" and it would all be the same sprite then? How many objects are there really available for players to spawn, and how many words can it sense?
Miah:Well, the answer is that if you can think it, you can write it.
IGN: And it'll show up?
Miah:It'll show up.
IGN: And if it doesn't can people storm your offices and demand refunds?
Miah:Haha. It'd be pretty tough to find things by the time we're finished with the game, yeah. I mean, we can't have copyrighted materials, and we won't do anything vulgar, but outside of that people are going to be really happy, and really surprised. I mean we've spent three months of just hardcore list-making. A gigantic excel sheet of just going through dictionaries, and going through encyclopedias, and just grabbing anything and everything there is to get. Find and define every object. We have things in here that are so obscure that I don't think people are going to ever find them unless we release official lists someday. People won't write half the things that exist in this game because they're so obscure. You just don't think of them. did I mention :eek:
GrimOswald
6 Dec 2008, 15:55
did I mention :eek:
...how much does a DS cost? :D
If it really is as big and comprehensive as they it is, it would be not just a fantastic puzzle game but a great sandbox for messing around with. WANT.
No no, must tell myself I do not know enough about it yet. >.<
And phew @ not using dicks to get stars off trees.
Akuryou13
6 Dec 2008, 15:58
...how much does a DS cost? :D
If it really is as big and comprehensive as they it is, it would be not just a fantastic puzzle game but a great sandbox for messing around with. WANT.
No no, must tell myself I do not know enough about it yet. >.<lol, I've seen that video and that quote. I know enough about it. WANT!1!1!!!@J#!IK$IASOD12@!#$#%&$%&%^&%^#IyAWE:TIKJN#W%#!!!!!
And phew @ not using dicks to get stars off trees.lol, sadly the comments on the IGN site are talking about exactly that....
GrimOswald
6 Dec 2008, 16:03
lol, I've seen that video and that quote. I know enough about it. WANT!1!1!!!@J#!IK$IASOD12@!#$#%&$%&%^&%^#IyAWE:TIKJN#W%#!!!!!
STOP TEMPTING ME LALALALA I CAN'T HEAR YOU$$$$$$$$$$$
lol, sadly the comments on the IGN site are talking about exactly that....
You know there is something wrong when not only is that unsurprising, but expected. :p
Metal Alex
6 Dec 2008, 16:19
This game... Seems actually incredibly FUN. I mean, stuff like trying to solve all levels with a pie, a spring, and a paperclip... Or trying to find obscure words...
I HOPE they make a replay function.
*vague memories of Pod resurface*
Anyone else remember that? On the ancient Acorn PCs at infant school. "Pod can:" and you typed in a verb. He could run and look and fly and stuff. And pod can pop :D
Akuryou13
6 Dec 2008, 16:35
I HOPE they make a replay function.as in the ability to watch the replay or the ability to continuously do a level over again?
cause the interview mentions that you have to solve each level 3 times to unlock it for sandbox mode. on solve #2, you can't use what you used in solve #1, and on #3 you can't use anything from 1 or 2.
Seems really fun, but not enough for me to want to buy a DS, just for that
Akuryou13
6 Dec 2008, 16:37
Seems really fun, but not enough for me to want to buy a DS, just for thatseriously. among all the other things on the DS how have you not found SOMETHING that you could use to justify buying it? :p
Metal Alex
6 Dec 2008, 16:38
as in the ability to watch the replay or the ability to continuously do a level over again?
cause the interview mentions that you have to solve each level 3 times to unlock it for sandbox mode. on solve #2, you can't use what you used in solve #1, and on #3 you can't use anything from 1 or 2.
Replays, of course! I mean, making a Mc Giver solution should able to be enjoyed over and over.
seriously. among all the other things on the DS how have you not found SOMETHING that you could use to justify buying it? :p
However, the DS didn't get anything new lately... And some games aren't really games...
"your maths teacher!"
Also... They are still trying to sell Nintendogs... NINTENDOGS! AND BRAIN TRAINING! If they had more stuff they'd be selling that.
seriously. among all the other things on the DS how have you not found SOMETHING that you could use to justify buying it? :p
I don't like so much of Nintendo games and I don't like so much portables, so...
If I was going to spend money on a portable, ti would be a PSP, probably..
But still, I'm from Brazil, and things imported from US are really expensive here
I mean, I spend 216,00 Reais (brazillian money) on the LittleBigPlanet
This is almost 100,00 dollars for a game
I'm sceptical of Scribblenauts. Having anthing and everything in it really seems too good to be true, in the literal sense.
MtlAngelus
7 Dec 2008, 00:40
I'm sceptical of Scribblenauts. Having anthing and everything in it really seems too good to be true, in the literal sense.
You still enjoy spore. Anything thrown your way should be good enough.
Metal Alex
7 Dec 2008, 01:53
You still enjoy spore. Anything thrown your way should be good enough.
The creators are still nice. I'm not hooked, but if I ever think of anything, I still go and make it. Also, I don't really have time for the actual game, so... I just chill out from time to time.
And before people say it sucks. Yes, it has a lot of potential but wasn't made to the maximum it could have reached... But it's still a time killer.
Alien King
7 Dec 2008, 09:41
But it's still a time killer.
An expensive time killer that comes with a rootkit...
Paul.Power
7 Dec 2008, 10:45
:eek::eek:
http://ds.ign.com/dor/objects/14304256/scribblenauts/videos/Scribblenauts_new2_120508.html
:eek::eek:
mind = blown
:eek:
I really enjoyed Drawn to Life. Well, up to the point where I just could not beat the second boss. (Time-limited platforming while dodging Goddamned Bats (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/GoddamnedBats), anyone?). And I wasn't so happy with the religious overtones, and the platforming was fairly generic (if fun). But the graphics they'd made were wonderfully crisp and light-hearted, and the graphics I made were hilariously bad (not to mention calling my Hero - a badly drawn Father Christmas - "SANTA?", leading to the inevitable dialogue screwups due to the misplaced question mark).
Scribblenauts looks fun, although I can't help but wonder just how many objects there are in that library and how many different interactions between objects they've thought of. It sounds like a game designer's dream and a game programmer's nightmare.
Akuryou13
7 Dec 2008, 10:50
Scribblenauts looks fun, although I can't help but wonder just how many objects there are in that library and how many different interactions between objects they've thought of. It sounds like a game designer's dream and a game programmer's nightmare.I imagine most of the objects have very similar interractions. shuriken or football I imagine both work the exact same, as would most of the other throwable objects like them.
Shadowmoon
7 Dec 2008, 11:04
Is anyone here planning to get the DSi soon? It releases Spring 2009 where I live, which is close to my birthday, so i'll probably get it for my birthday.
It looks good, I just hope that the graphics are better than its predecessor.
GrimOswald
7 Dec 2008, 11:12
Is anyone here planning to get the DSi soon? It releases Spring 2009 where I live, which is close to my birthday, so i'll probably get it for my birthday.
It looks good, I just hope that the graphics are better than its predecessor.
I did a brief search of this DSi and it looks the same? What is better about it? :-/
super_frea
7 Dec 2008, 11:25
I did a brief search of this DSi and it looks the same? What is better about it? :-/
"The Nintendo DSi is about 12% thinner (2.6 mm) than the Nintendo DS Lite. The new handheld has two VGA (0.3 megapixel) digital cameras; one on the internal hinge pointed towards the user and the second one on the outside of the shell. It also has larger screens (3.25 inches, up from 3 inches) and improved speakers. The power switch has been replaced with a power button, as the original DS had, now located next to the bottom left side of the touch screen. The DSi has five brightness settings compared to the DS Lite's four; however, battery life is reduced compared to its predecessor. The internal rechargeable battery may still be replaced by the user at the end of its useful life of (typically) several hundred charge/discharge cycles.
A new SD card slot is utilized for external storage of pictures and downloaded software and to play AAC audio. The front slot for Game Boy Advance (GBA) cartridges has been removed,[6] thus removing the unit's backward compatibility and its compatibility with accessories that require the GBA slot, such as the Guitar Hero: On Tour grip, which is essential to play the game. The removal of backward compatibility also prevents games such as Pokémon Diamond and Pearl from accessing saved data stored on GBA cartridges. The DSi has 256 MB of internal flash memory. Photos can be synced to the Wii's Photo Channel.
All existing flash carts for the Nintendo DS and DS Lite are incompatible with DSi; however, flashcards designed for DSi are available. Similar to its competitor, the PlayStation Portable, and Nintendo's home console, Wii, the DSi will have upgradable firmware. This is a first for a Nintendo handheld system.
It has been reported that the DSi utilizes region locking for DSi-specific software, since it provides Internet services tailored individually for each region, but the DSi itself does not have region lock-outs, so Nintendo DS games from any region can be played. In addition, the DSi uses rating-based parental controls, which differ by country. The WPA and WPA2 support is not backward compatible with original DS games. Only DSi services can use WPA."
Shadowmoon
7 Dec 2008, 11:31
Also:
"The Nintendo DSi is able to connect to an online store similar to the Wii Shop Channel, called the DSi Shop. Here, using Nintendo Points (previously known as Wii Points), users will be able to download DSiWare games and applications to the internal memory or the SD card of the user's DSi system. Each DSi that accesses the DSi Shop prior to March 2010 will receive 1,000 Nintendo Points. The applications will either be free, or cost 200, 500, or 800+ (marked with a 'Premium' tag) Nintendo Points.
The DSi Shop was launched with the DSi Browser, a web browser being made available for free download."
GrimOswald
7 Dec 2008, 11:36
"The Nintendo DSi is about 12% thinner (2.6 mm) than the Nintendo DS Lite. The new handheld has two VGA (0.3 megapixel) digital cameras; one on the internal hinge pointed towards the user and the second one on the outside of the shell. It also has larger screens (3.25 inches, up from 3 inches) and improved speakers. The power switch has been replaced with a power button, as the original DS had, now located next to the bottom left side of the touch screen. The DSi has five brightness settings compared to the DS Lite's four; however, battery life is reduced compared to its predecessor. The internal rechargeable battery may still be replaced by the user at the end of its useful life of (typically) several hundred charge/discharge cycles.
A new SD card slot is utilized for external storage of pictures and downloaded software and to play AAC audio. The front slot for Game Boy Advance (GBA) cartridges has been removed,[6] thus removing the unit's backward compatibility and its compatibility with accessories that require the GBA slot, such as the Guitar Hero: On Tour grip, which is essential to play the game. The removal of backward compatibility also prevents games such as Pokémon Diamond and Pearl from accessing saved data stored on GBA cartridges. The DSi has 256 MB of internal flash memory. Photos can be synced to the Wii's Photo Channel.
All existing flash carts for the Nintendo DS and DS Lite are incompatible with DSi; however, flashcards designed for DSi are available. Similar to its competitor, the PlayStation Portable, and Nintendo's home console, Wii, the DSi will have upgradable firmware. This is a first for a Nintendo handheld system.
It has been reported that the DSi utilizes region locking for DSi-specific software, since it provides Internet services tailored individually for each region, but the DSi itself does not have region lock-outs, so Nintendo DS games from any region can be played. In addition, the DSi uses rating-based parental controls, which differ by country. The WPA and WPA2 support is not backward compatible with original DS games. Only DSi services can use WPA."
Yeah, I Wiki'd it, but was hoping there was more information than that, because that does not look like that much of an improvement. I certainly cannot see the point in buying it if you have either of its predecessors, and even if not it seems debatable whether it is worth it or not. Hmm.
super_frea
7 Dec 2008, 11:42
Yeah, I Wiki'd it, but was hoping there was more information than that, because that does not look like that much of an improvement. I certainly cannot see the point in buying it if you have either of its predecessors, and even if not it seems debatable whether it is worth it or not. Hmm.
Yeah. The lack of backwards compatibility blows. I'm not gonna be buying one I'd rather get the DS Lite.
Shadowmoon
7 Dec 2008, 11:54
Yeah. The lack of backwards compatibility blows. I'm not gonna be buying one I'd rather get the DS Lite.
Are you not getting one because it can't play GBA games, or do you think it can't play GBA or DS games?
It said this in the article, which implies it can play DS games:
The removal of backward compatibility also prevents games such as Pokémon Diamond and Pearl from accessing saved data stored on GBA cartridges.
If your sad that it can't play GBA games, get a GBA, their quite cheap now.
super_frea
7 Dec 2008, 11:57
Are you not getting one because it can't play GBA games, or do you think it can't play GBA or DS games?
It said this in the article, which implies it can play DS games:
.
Of course it can play DS games... it's a bloody DS. It's not an entirely new handheld console the article says "DS games from any region can be played.".
I'm not going to buy one cause all the improvements seem gimmicky.
Shadowmoon
7 Dec 2008, 12:08
Errrrmm, a few months back it said there will be actual games for the DSi, and it did name one game that will be a Mario Game. Just checked through the article again, and that part has being removed!
So, all it is basically an improved DS, which can play DS games, and has an Internet Shop?
*walks off in disgust*
Errrrmm, a few months back it said there will be actual games for the DSi, and it did name one game that will be a Mario Game. Just checked through the article again, and that part has being removed!
So, all it is basically an improved DS, which can play DS games, and has an Internet Shop?
*walks off in disgust*
Yeah, I could tell you thought it was a new handheld altogether when you said "I hope it has better graphics than its predecessor".
Paul.Power
7 Dec 2008, 12:27
I don't quite know what's got into Nintendo of late. They seem to have been watching Sony's marketing department and gone "that's a good idea!" when... gaaah
Akuryou13
7 Dec 2008, 13:07
I don't quite know what's got into Nintendo of late. They seem to have been watching Sony's marketing department and gone "that's a good idea!" when... gaaahthe only problem is that it's working so damn well for them. their systems have always been more family-friendly so where gamers are disgusted by sony the non-gamers are loving nintendo for doing the same things :-/
SupSuper
7 Dec 2008, 21:29
I'll admit I never cared about backward compatibility in consoles, since they're not really "upgradable". I mean, when I got a GBA, my GB didn't magically go away, and when I got a Wii, I never really considered playing Gamecube games (plus all the extras I'd need to get that working). Sure it expands your library, but the previous console's games won't last long on stores anyways.
But I do hate short iterations of the same console (something Nintendo is doing a lot these days). What happened to good old addons and extras? The Gameboy's lived a long time out of those. Now you can't go a few months without being driven to get the newest sleeker livelier model, rendering all the previous ones useless. You could trade in the old model for the new (and this is rarely possible around here) and lose any cut functionality. Or get the new one and get stuck with the old one which'll rarely be used as soon as everything else adopts the new model. Or stick with the old one and miss out on any new stuff. It's lose-lose.
super_frea
7 Dec 2008, 21:45
I'll admit I never cared about backward compatibility in consoles, since they're not really "upgradable". I mean, when I got a GBA, my GB didn't magically go away, and when I got a Wii, I never really considered playing Gamecube games (plus all the extras I'd need to get that working). Sure it expands your library, but the previous console's games won't last long on stores anyways.
Well the main reason it annoys me with the DS specifically, is because it's a handheld, meaning that, for example, if I'm going on holiday and want to play both GBA games and DS games, I'd have to bring both the GBA and DSi with me (not the biggest annoyance in the world granted, but it's little things like this that irritate me... also what is with everyone ripping off apple and placing "i" everywhere these days...).
It doesn't bother me with standard consoles particularly, other than it meaning that I can sell my old console for a small price, making myself a bit of money and it is terribly annoying to have to unplug everything in order to play an older generation game.
*Splinter*
7 Dec 2008, 21:56
no Guitar Hero
D:
Not that I've played the DS version...
Kelster23
7 Dec 2008, 22:31
You lack the orange button in the DS version of GH :P
and imo, PSP>DS Even though I have a DS and not a PSP... I regret it though D:
Does anyone have an opinion on the PSP 3000 in comparison to the PSP 1000/2000?
Shadowmoon
7 Dec 2008, 23:23
Not much changed in the 3000. Improved LCD Screen (and its emerged the new screen has visible dark lines) new microphone, start and select buttons will be rectangular circles and home button similiar to the Playstation 3 Dualshock 3
Sounds better than the old PSP versions, but not that better.
I'm not getting the 3000.
D:
Not that I've played the DS version...
Well, to put it bluntly:
It sucks. It sucks BADLY. It sucks as much as the ad for it sucks.
start and select buttons will be rectangular circles
Shadowmoon, I liked you more when you didn't try to be intelligent.
Paul.Power
8 Dec 2008, 10:29
I'm not bothing to get a DSi. I didn't bother to get a DS Lite, or a GBA SP, or a GBA Micro, or a GB Pocket. One handheld per generation is fine by me. There's nothing wrong with my DS, so why would I need a different type?
rectangular circles
Uh, rounded rectangles anyone? ;)
Akuryou13
8 Dec 2008, 11:48
Shadowmoon, I liked you more when you didn't try to be intelligent.and no one ever liked you...
seriously. it's rounded rectangles. the wording was odd, but it's rather obvious what he meant.....REALLY obvious....
Paul.Power
8 Dec 2008, 11:51
I suppose he could have meant ellipses, in that ellipses are to circles what rectangles are to squares.
Akuryou13
8 Dec 2008, 11:52
I suppose he could have meant ellipses, in that ellipses are to circles what rectangles are to squares.hey! keep your logic out of our flame parade! :mad:
SupSuper
8 Dec 2008, 14:39
I'm not bothing to get a DSi. I didn't bother to get a DS Lite, or a GBA SP, or a GBA Micro, or a GB Pocket. One handheld per generation is fine by me. There's nothing wrong with my DS, so why would I need a different type?If they make a DSi Advance Wars. :p
kikumbob
8 Dec 2008, 14:53
My 2 cents.
I suppose he could have meant ellipses, in that ellipses are to circles what rectangles are to squares. I like this guy.
Improved LCD Screen (and its emerged the new screen has visible dark lines) This is worrying.
and no one ever liked you...
seriously. it's rounded rectangles. the wording was odd, but it's rather obvious what he meant.....REALLY obvious....
Yeah, it was obvious he meant oval. I think it's funny that out of everyone trying to defend him no one came up with the right term.
edit: from this post onwards try to be as hypocrite as humanly possible
Metal Alex
8 Dec 2008, 15:38
Ah... I love yakuza's constructive posts.
Paul.Power
8 Dec 2008, 17:14
it was obvious he meant ovalGiven he hasn't responded yet, that's a little bit presumptive.
And "ellipse" fits "rectangular circle" better than oval. Oval is "irregular circle". Ellipses, like rectangles, have a specific geometric definition. Ovals are just "squashed circles, I dunno."
Shadowmoon
8 Dec 2008, 17:21
This is what it looks like (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=3x3Tn7bHaAU&feature=related)
Paul is right, Its an elipse.
Doesn't look that much like an elipse
Paul.Power
8 Dec 2008, 17:35
Oh, wait, I know what it is.
It's a lozenge.
also what the hell, choral music.
Shadowmoon
8 Dec 2008, 17:37
Just rewatched it, nope, its a circular rectangle. I missed the bit of flatness at the bottom.
If I'm not mistaken, it's actually a type of superellipse.
...yes, there is such a thing as a superellipse.
Incidentally, Yakuza... :P
I'm not bothing to get a DSi. I didn't bother to get a DS Lite, or a GBA SP, or a GBA Micro, or a GB Pocket. One handheld per generation is fine by me. There's nothing wrong with my DS, so why would I need a different type?
Yeah; I really don't see why people complain about a new version of a handheld coming out, as if it makes their current one obsolete.
Oh, wait, I know what it is.
It's a lozenge.
No, a lozenge is a type of rhombus. It has no curves at all.
In fact, I don't even know what you were thinking there.
Paul.Power
8 Dec 2008, 18:40
No, a lozenge is a type of rhombus. It has no curves at all.
In fact, I don't even know what you were thinking there.I was thinking the shape of terminators on a flow chart. They look a bit like a certain type of wine gum, hence the mental connection with throat lozenges (which I have never seen the shape of and only know the phrase for). This was reinforced by knowing that lozenges had *something* to do with flow charts, but I now see that it's the decision boxes that look like lozenges, rather than the terminators. Oh well.
There we go. Sure I was wrong, but at least you now know what I was thinking there. "Show your working", and all that.
If I'm not mistaken, it's actually a type of superellipse.
...yes, there is such a thing as a superellipse.
*wiki*
Oh hey, that's what they're called. I've made them before on my graphic calculator, but didn't know what they're called. Well now.
SupSuper
8 Dec 2008, 22:56
A geometry discussion? In a gaming thread?!? This can only be the work of Paul Dot Power!
Yeah; I really don't see why people complain about a new version of a handheld coming out, as if it makes their current one obsolete.Well any games that make strict use of the new features (eg. the camera on the DSi) will obviously have to leave the old model out.
Metal Alex
8 Dec 2008, 23:01
A geometry discussion? In a gaming thread?!? This can only be the work of Paul Dot Power!
Nah, think it's a discussion...
This can only be the work of yakuza Dot... uhm... Well, you get the point.
Yes, no problem here. Dot Power is still safely locked away in his prison of non-canon.
Well any games that make strict use of the new features (eg. the camera on the DSi) will obviously have to leave the old model out.
And how many games do you think will actually do that?
Tip: it begins with an N(ot any worth getting).
MtlAngelus
9 Dec 2008, 02:38
There's a demo for sonic unleashed on the xbox marketplace. It only lets you play one of the daytime levels. It seems fine, although given I've never played a sonic game before, I had a weird time trying to figure things out. Needless to say, I went trough the whole level without really knowing what I was doing/going on.
There are things that bug me, like the fact that the character doesn't seem "grounded"... I mean it looks like it's just floating around. And when you fall off a ledge or something he just goes down trough any terrain, just like that. Not that it makes a difference on gameplay, but I'm kind of used to games putting at least a little effort into little details like that. All in all, it feels like a last gen game with current gen graphics.
It wouldn't make any difference if you had played the old games, because they are nothing like any new Sonic game
It's just the same character and the "speed" characteristic and that's about it. They change all the rest
It looks like he changes into a beast or something, on this new one
This is just ridiculous
Akuryou13
9 Dec 2008, 03:53
It wouldn't make any difference if you had played the old games, because they are nothing like any new Sonic game
It's just the same character and the "speed" characteristic and that's about it. They change all the rest
It looks like he changes into a beast or something, on this new one
This is just ridiculouswell at least in this one he isn't carrying a damn sword....
Paul.Power
9 Dec 2008, 17:43
There's a demo for sonic unleashed on the xbox marketplace. It only lets you play one of the daytime levels. It seems fine, although given I've never played a sonic game before, I had a weird time trying to figure things out. Needless to say, I went trough the whole level without really knowing what I was doing/going on.
There are things that bug me, like the fact that the character doesn't seem "grounded"... I mean it looks like it's just floating around. And when you fall off a ledge or something he just goes down trough any terrain, just like that. Not that it makes a difference on gameplay, but I'm kind of used to games putting at least a little effort into little details like that. All in all, it feels like a last gen game with current gen graphics.I think that this floatiness is one of the series' biggest problems now, to be honest*. Classic Sonic is actually quite heavy, with a lot of inertia and lots of momentum when he builds up speed. He shouldn't really be floaty.
* well, aside from bottomless pits and awkward camera and controls and stuff. The point is, even in a relatively good Sonic game like Rush or Rush Adventure, he still doesn't feel quite right.
super_frea
9 Dec 2008, 20:32
well at least in this one he isn't carrying a damn sword....
No, but he is turning into a werehog...
well at least in this one he isn't carrying a damn sword....
I'd think that using a sword only to fight bigger monsters is less of a handicap than spending half your screentime as looking like a cross between a mutant bear and Stretch Armstrong but having all the speed of a tortoise.
Akuryou13
9 Dec 2008, 23:58
I'd think that using a sword only to fight bigger monsters is less of a handicap than spending half your screentime as looking like a cross between a mutant bear and Stretch Armstrong but having all the speed of a tortoise.it's SONIC. sonic doesn't carry a damn sword. he doesnt' turn into a monster either, but I can accept a bad decision in the form of a transformation MUCH sooner than sonic using weaponry.
it'd be like mario picking up an axe. it just doesn't work. ever. I could, however, accept seeing mario transform into a hulk-like beast. I wouldn't like it much better, but it wouldn't be quite as wrong
kikumbob
10 Dec 2008, 01:11
Which reminds me. I should get round to playing Mario Galaxy when I have the time.
Pyramid
10 Dec 2008, 07:25
Finally got my LittleBigPlanet with the God of War costumes pack :D
*Splinter*
10 Dec 2008, 10:10
it's SONIC. sonic doesn't carry a damn sword. he doesnt' turn into a monster either, but I can accept a bad decision in the form of a transformation MUCH sooner than sonic using weaponry.
it'd be like mario picking up an axe. it just doesn't work. ever. I could, however, accept seeing mario transform into a hulk-like beast. I wouldn't like it much better, but it wouldn't be quite as wrong
Mario used a hammer before he even had a name?
Nerd upraageee
we want sonic to be a two button game, a for roll b for jump. We want the game to take place in greenhills with the same sonic 1 enemies and abilities. Just improve the graphics okay. Why does Sonic need a sword if he's made of pointy material grgrgrgrgrgr, this is like Sonic using a car, IT'S JUST NOT RIGHT LOLDAMNIT.
Sonic with a sword what the **** are you thinking mario with a water cannon my god. WHY THE HELL DOES LINK USE AN ENERGY SPHERE TO PROTECT HIM FROM DAMAGE IN SMASH BROTHERS. WHAT'S THE SHIELD FOR YOU STUPID NINTENDO.
nerd rage, when nerds rage about games not being designed to meet their nerd quality standards of nerdism.
Metal Alex
10 Dec 2008, 12:40
Nerd upraageee
we want sonic to be a two button game, a for roll b for jump. We want the game to take place in greenhills with the same sonic 1 enemies and abilities. Just improve the graphics okay. Why does Sonic need a sword if he's made of pointy material grgrgrgrgrgr, this is like Sonic using a car, IT'S JUST NOT RIGHT LOLDAMNIT.
Sonic with a sword what the **** are you thinking mario with a water cannon my god. WHY THE HELL DOES LINK USE AN ENERGY SPHERE TO PROTECT HIM FROM DAMAGE IN SMASH BROTHERS. WHAT'S THE SHIELD FOR YOU STUPID NINTENDO.
nerd rage, when nerds rage about games not being designed to meet their nerd quality standards of nerdism.
What is more sad about people comenting about that, is people caring about people comenting on stuff.
Oh, and attempting to look cool.
MrBunsy
10 Dec 2008, 13:12
It's the same nerds (often) who make the world go round - I'd rather my hospital equipment was designed by compulsively attention to detail nerds than someone who doesn't care.
Which reminds me. I should get round to playing Mario Galaxy when I have the time.
Speak of the devil: I started playing it again just yesterday.
It's a lot easier the 6th time round or so.
Akuryou13
10 Dec 2008, 13:58
Mario used a hammer before he even had a name?yes, but giant hammers have always been a staple of the comedy community. nearly every cartoon ever known has employed the giant hammer behind the back gag. a bloody war axe? not so much.
But on the other hand, Mario isn't in a universe where the enemies are routinely given swords and guns.
Metal Alex
10 Dec 2008, 14:46
But on the other hand, Mario isn't in a universe where the enemies are routinely given swords and guns.
And before, Sonic's was like that...
Akuryou13
10 Dec 2008, 14:54
And before, Sonic's was like that...which is what I'm referring to. sonic has been crap for a long time.
What is more sad about people comenting about that, is people caring about people comenting on stuff.
Oh, and attempting to look cool.
Is it possible to make a point in this forum without having randoms trying to get my attention?
Point stands, nerd raging because Sonic uses a sword and arguing how hammers are acceptable but waraxes aren't.
robowurmz
10 Dec 2008, 16:46
Sonic sucked after 1997.
Akuryou13
10 Dec 2008, 17:27
this (http://www.plainsightgame.com/) looks pretty darn fun. definitely gunna try it out, myself.
there's a video in the media section, btw.
Sonic sucked after 1997.
1997? The only Sonic game released in 1997 was Sonic R.
Anyway, what about the Sonic Adventure series (1998 and 2001)?
this (http://www.plainsightgame.com/) looks pretty darn fun. definitely gunna try it out, myself.
there's a video in the media section, btw.
What... is it? Seriously, what are you supposed to do in it? The video just shows a whole lotta leaping.
Metal Alex
10 Dec 2008, 17:30
Is it possible to make a point in this forum without having randoms trying to get my attention?
Point stands, nerd raging because Sonic uses a sword and arguing how hammers are acceptable but waraxes aren't.
I don't see anyone raging. In any case, you, insulting, are the nearest one to raging.
And if you don't want attention, getting into a thread, insulting everyone won't help. Friendly advice ;)
I don't see anyone raging. In any case, you, insulting, are the nearest one to raging.
And if you don't want attention, getting into a thread, insulting everyone won't help. Friendly advice ;)
I doubt everyone here thinks swords are stupid and hammers are ok but waraxes are a bit wee over the line.
I also wasn't aware that saying someone is "nerdraging" was an insult.
If you could read between the lines you'd notice that I was making a really serious critic about people who cry about "Ultradildo 2: the second coming" sucks because it's not like "Ultradildo 1: Vrgin's revenge", but you cannot, so I suggest you shut up. The hell up.
PS: Friendly advice.
robowurmz
10 Dec 2008, 17:53
Anyway, what about the Sonic Adventure series (1998 and 2001)?
Those are not games. Those are mutations of what was a good franchise. Those games marked the end of good Sonic games.
Pyramid
10 Dec 2008, 17:53
Sh*t
LBP is awesome :o
I didn't expect to have so many possibilities
There's still some errors to be fixed, especially about the on-line gameplay
Other than that, the game is just great. You can create neraly everything
Also downloaded the Mirror's Edge demo from the PSstore. Another excellent game. Very fast and exciting and is aso very innovating, since it's the first game of this style. It's deffinely on my "to buy" list
Metal Alex
10 Dec 2008, 17:56
*nerd upraaaage*
Ah, I thought nerd was an insult. My bad then ;)
Ah, I thought nerd was an insult. My bad then ;)
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=nerdrage
1
Metal Alex
10 Dec 2008, 18:27
this (http://www.plainsightgame.com/) looks pretty darn fun. definitely gunna try it out, myself.
there's a video in the media section, btw.
This... Looks like a mix of Mario Galaxy with robots. And that's a good thing for me! I'll have to try it some time.
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=nerdrage
1
Does that even say anything? It even has nerd in the definition. Oh, and if you think I'm annoying, imagine how annoying you are.
And I'll stop with this nonsense now, because I can't even imagine how would BOTH OF US be annoying to everyone else.
super_frea
10 Dec 2008, 19:44
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=nerdrage
1
Oh yes, lets all trust urban dictionary for accurate word definitions...
*Splinter*
10 Dec 2008, 21:32
Oh yes, lets all be sniffy about sources for accurate word definitions
Paul.Power
10 Dec 2008, 22:41
Sometimes I really wish I liked the taste of alcohol.
MrBunsy
11 Dec 2008, 00:38
Sometimes I really wish I liked the taste of alcohol.
..What brought that on? :p
GrimOswald
11 Dec 2008, 01:25
..What brought that on? :p
*Points upwards to the tangent created by yakuza that has engulfed the thread*
Akuryou13
11 Dec 2008, 01:52
What... is it? Seriously, what are you supposed to do in it? The video just shows a whole lotta leaping.it's really just a deathmatch game. you leap around trying to kill people. I can't tell what the point of the buildings glowing is, but I can see enough to be interested.
seriously. watch the video. it explains.
robowurmz
11 Dec 2008, 07:25
It's very plain to see the goal of the game, after a while!
pun pun
Oh, yeah, I forgot; the about page is drawn like a comic book:
http://www.plainsightgame.com/about
Looky looky!
Metal Alex
11 Dec 2008, 08:20
Oh, yeah, I forgot; the about page is drawn like a comic book:
http://www.plainsightgame.com/about
Looky looky!
Amazingly enough, it's the comic adaptation of the tutorial video... kinda. What I love is the idea of blowing yourself up to net points.
MrBunsy
11 Dec 2008, 11:30
Ah, je désespčre. I'm going to stop now as I have helped aid Yakuza in the destruction of yet another thread. I do apologise.
It is salvageable!
LEFT 4 DEAD?
Discuss.
super_frea
11 Dec 2008, 11:34
I'm sorry :(
Does anyone think the Tanks in L4D are bloomin' ridiculous?
MrBunsy
11 Dec 2008, 12:03
Not really, they're easy peasy to take down on Normal, and you really have to work together to take 'em down on Advanced. Not survived one yet on expert :p
Akuryou13
11 Dec 2008, 16:12
the tanks are fin until 6 of them and 30 witches spawn at once :p
but it's ok. I don't own a 360 so that's not MY issue :cool:
super_frea
11 Dec 2008, 17:09
I love the way they are able to find a nice slab of concrete from ANYWHERE.
Shadowmoon
11 Dec 2008, 17:29
Those are not games. Those are mutations of what was a good franchise. Those games marked the end of good Sonic games.
What about Sonic Rush and Sonic Rush Adventure for Nintendo DS? Haven't played Sonic Rush Adventure yet, but its presumably good reading reviews on the internet. Sonic Rush itself was good, I liked how they did the bosses especially. It was just like the old 2D games that everyone loves.
As for 3D, I think they should really stop attempting to make 3D Sonic games now, and make 2D sonic games instead, the games that are sonic the hedgehog.
SupSuper
11 Dec 2008, 18:02
I'm sorry :(
Does anyone think the Tanks in L4D are bloomin' ridiculous?They are when they're waiting for you right outside the spawn.
Kelster23
11 Dec 2008, 18:32
Left 4 Dead looks like it's good, I've watched my brother play it. Fatty Zombies D:
MtlAngelus
11 Dec 2008, 21:09
the tanks are fin until 6 of them and 30 witches spawn at once :p
but it's ok. I don't own a 360 so that's not MY issue :cool:
Eh? I've never seen that happen. :P
FutureWorm
12 Dec 2008, 01:15
Those are not games. Those are mutations of what was a good franchise. Those games marked the end of good Sonic games.
get the **** out of here
get the **** out of here
Sadly, it is true :( they really did mark the end of a good game series and is probably one of the many major reasons the company is now spending time making (crappy) games and not consoles now :/
Akuryou13
12 Dec 2008, 04:21
Eh? I've never seen that happen. :Pit's supposedly a common problem on the 360 version. or was before it got fixed.
Paul.Power
12 Dec 2008, 08:28
Opinion varies enough about Sonic Adventure and Sonic Adventure 2 that it's hard to accurately call them either good games or bad games. On average, they're sort of okay. Similarly for the Advance games, the Rush games, Secret Rings and Chronicles. Unleashed also looks like it might end up in this camp.
However, the vast majority of people don't like Heroes, Shadow or 2006.
GrimOswald
12 Dec 2008, 08:37
I thought the Sonic Adventure games were fun. Not brilliant or anything, but enjoyable.
However, the vast majority of people don't like Heroes, Shadow or 2006.
Actually, both Heroes and Shadow received mixed reviews, and both were in the "best seller" for PS2 and Gamecube, with Heroes also becoming a Platinum Hits on the Xbox. Heroes because it was similar to the 2D games and had very vivid environments; Shadow because the target demographic didn't care about adding guns to a Sonic game. 2006 was actually the only main Sonic game to be universally panned.
Akuryou13
12 Dec 2008, 16:25
btw! stoner's rejoice!
http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/kotaku/2008/12/hempwii2.jpg
it's a hemp wiimote! and it even works!
robowurmz
12 Dec 2008, 17:36
If LBP was on Wii, that'd be the controller to sell it with.
Metal Alex
12 Dec 2008, 18:16
If LBP was on Wii, that'd be the controller to sell it with.
The only problem would be inserting it on a steering wheel (see Mario Kart).
However, I don't even use the wheel now, and that texture kicks ass.
And mabye have problems fitting in the 'Mote Jacket too.
Akuryou13
13 Dec 2008, 02:22
And mabye have problems fitting in the 'Mote Jacket too.I think it acts as its own jacket, really.
edit: apparently nintendo is STILL responsible for idiots who don't know what a clenched fist is. (http://kotaku.com/5108362/nintendo-faces-new-remote-strap-lawsuit)
Akuryou13
13 Dec 2008, 13:01
Team Fortress 2 $10 this weekend!
http://kotaku.com/5109099/team-fortress-2-is-just-10-this-weekend
MrBunsy
13 Dec 2008, 13:50
I don't know anyone who doesn't have it anymore :p
shadowman
13 Dec 2008, 21:43
Paul, I personally believe that most games post SA1 were junk.
Sonic Adventure was one of my favourite Sonic games, other than the very first 3.
Paul.Power
13 Dec 2008, 22:26
Paul, I personally believe that most games post SA1 were junk.
Sonic Adventure was one of my favourite Sonic games, other than the very first 3.Personally, I really liked SA1 at first. I'm one of the crazy people who enjoyed Big's fishing; I thought that the plot, while not particularly thrilling in itself, was good for the way it linked all the characters together; and because of the way that it saved after every level I got a fairly long way into the game (this was at a time when I couldn't beat Chemical Plant Zone Act 2, remember).
The main problem was when I got stuck on Sonic's Lost World and Tails' Speed Highway (I'd finished the stories of Knuckles, Amy, Gamma and Big - in reverse order, funnily enough. That is, I beat Big first, then Gamma, then Amy, then Knuckles). These two levels were what first drilled in my hatred of bottomless pits (well, okay, some other levels played a part as well - most notably, Sonic's story from Twinkle Park onwards. But at least I beat them in the end. No such luck with Lost World).
Then I started noticing the flaws more. The bottomless pits. The fact that bottomless pits are hard to avoid when you're going really fast. A certain floatiness to the controls. Maybe it didn't help that this was SADX and I was playing it on my PC, because it's not really set up well for a keyboard* and game glitches added to the bottomless-pit finding-fun.
Don't get me wrong, I still have fond memories (something like 78 emblems after grabbing everything I could realistically do. Plus an A emblem on Sonic's Casinopolis without going via the Sewers, and an A emblem on Sonic's Ice Cap) and I don't think it's a bad game even now. But I dunno.
SA2 (which I have as a second-hand Gamecube game for my Wii) I was kind of enjoying up until Green Forest, which I just can't do. Too many bottomless pits, and the pits and the path look annoyingly similar, and there's that time limit. I want to get past it because I know that the next level is Mission Street and it's a Tails-in-a-robot-walker level and the theme tune for the stage (Rumbling HWY) is a fantastic tune and one of Jun Senoue's finest moments in his Sonic soundtracks. Maybe I should just find someone who can get past Green Forest for me :p.
----
* Remember Amy's Hot Shelter? Remember what a pain it was (Not die-lots pain, but just a very long level with the unrelenting pressure of Zero on your tail)? Remember those doors you had to open by waggling the analogue stick in a circle? Now do that with the arrow keys. uprightdownleftuprightdownleftuprightdownleftcomeo ndoorOHCRAPZERO.
shadowman
13 Dec 2008, 23:28
Funnily enough, I had the same problem with Chemical Plant zone act two. It was such a pain to get past the boss when I was little. I took a break from the game, and it was easy after that.
Bottomless pits are quite an annoyance, I agree. I've learned that if I just relax and hold forward, then they're not that big a deal. Generally Sonic games during this time tended to control themselves in areas where you're going really fast, but if you try to argue by using the analog to go any direction other than forward, you're going to be hurled somewhere obscure and otherwise fatal.
Big's whole story was simply too much of a pain to deal with. I liked Gamma the most because I seemed to be obsessed with Robotnik's various robots at the time. The fight against Beta MKII was hugely fun, both because I got to stare at the neat looking robot hurling some sort of energy ball at me, and because I got the kick the crap out of said robot. Amy's story is kind of like waiting for the dentist. It's something you're going to be glad about when you're done with it, but going through it isn't nearly as gratifying. I really enjoyed her final boss, though, both because it was fairly easy and that you're beating the crap out of a robot twice your size with a hammer.
Knuckles's story was pretty fun. When I was younger I tore my hair out trying to find that second key to the Lost City. I loved Tails's story. Partly because Tails is my all-time favourite, but also because of the storyline he's got. He's young, and wants to be as cool as his best friend, Sonic. He's scared, but he knows he can do it. That's great. His controls were a little wonky during his last boss. Robotnik would stomp on the ground, and the damaged feet would represent the robot's Achilles Heel.* I was spinning around in circles frantically trying to hit them all before he got up again.
Sonic's story was great. It had a lot of meat to it, and the story tied in relatively well to the other characters'. Some parts I could see being changed, like who actually defeated which form of Chaos, but that could easily be described as a whodunnit. Who actually got the credit for each defeat? In reality, the characters defeated bosses together if they were there at the time. My favourite boss was once again the one at the end. It frustrated me like crazy when I first got to it. The Egg viper would shoot lasers at you, throw big spikey appendages at you, and perform a kamikaze once you've trashed the machine.
Sonic Adventure 2 wasn't nearly as good for me. You couldn't choose which character you played as, so you were forced to play through the treasure hunting missions instead of putting them off for the end. The missions with the robotic walkers were a cheap cut at Gamma's gameplay, and just didn't stand up to it. Gamma's gameplay was fastpaced and moderately challenging. The walkers were just shoot-em-ups. I suppose it could be worse.
I've only played the SA1DX demo on the PC, but I've played both the Dreamcast version of SA1 and the Gamecube version to the same extent. The only real improvement is graphical as far as I can see. Also DX had minigames and a few extra out-of-game features. They didn't impress me.
This concludes probably my longest post on T17 ever.
*I had to work this in somewhere.
EDIT
And as for the soundtrack, it's something I used to keep on my iPod. It's masterfully composed. The Soundtrack for SA2 isn't bad, but it's something I haven't gotten too into. There are nice parts, and there are blah parts.
SA2 also sort of broke the formula for sonic games. It usually starts as some lush forest or otherwise paradise, and starts getting more and more far-fetched, wretched, or electronic. SA2 started in the middle of the city, and I don't think I remember a casino level anywhere.
FutureWorm
14 Dec 2008, 06:50
btw! stoner's rejoice!
http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/kotaku/2008/12/hempwii2.jpg
it's a hemp wiimote! and it even works!
420 smoke wii every day
robowurmz
14 Dec 2008, 12:03
I once got all the way to Metropolis Zone when I was about 6 or 7. I just couldn't get past Act 3 of that though. Too many looping paths. My sister got to death egg, but nobody could do it due to the fact that you start with no rings and you don't get any throughout the whole boss fights.
And I never got past Flying Battery in S&K until I was about 11. Mainly because I kept falling.
GrimOswald
14 Dec 2008, 12:46
Great. I just went and did Emerald Hill Zone in Sonic 2. I will no doubt proceed to play through the rest of it, which then may well be followed by playing the other Sonic games, and that has a good chance of leading to playing all sorts of other classic Mega Drive games such as Rocket Knight Adventures and Earthworm Jim. Again.
I hope you guys are happy. :mad:
robowurmz
14 Dec 2008, 13:40
Heh heh, you're not the only one.
I'm trying to get through the game without losing any rings. I haven't gotten very far with that yet.
shadowman
14 Dec 2008, 16:57
I believe it's time for me to fire up the ol' Genesis.
SupSuper
14 Dec 2008, 16:57
I tried playing Sonic 3 & Knuckles once, but got stuck on Marble Garden zone.
robowurmz
14 Dec 2008, 17:10
Hooray, it's a Sonic party!
super_frea
14 Dec 2008, 18:12
I tried playing Sonic 3 & Knuckles once, but got stuck on Marble Garden zone.
I always got stuck on that level. Until I played it again recently.
Sorry guys, I'm in the middle of a Mario obsession. But we can hang out some other time, right?
shadowman
16 Dec 2008, 01:15
*fires up Dreamcast*
*boots up Sonic Adventure*
Crap, now I'm gonna be up all night.
God DAMN Luigi's Purple Coins!
Yes, still playing Super Mario Galaxy, and I'm just after finishing what is considered by nearly everyone to be the hardest level in the game.
Just to make Paul scream, here's a map of it:
http://bp0.blogger.com/_N-5Uv9nxNh8/R2jx5IHaKaI/AAAAAAAAAkA/xZsPXZUOg6Q/s1600-h/Luigi'sPurpleCoinsMap.png
There's 150 purple coins there, you have to get 100 of them. That red block is where you start and where the star pops in.
That white stuff is, obviously, one big bottomless pit. That blue stuff? Quicksand - same as a bottomless pit except you can't save yourself with a spin. Yellow are panels that start spinning as soon as you step on them. They don't stop. And, to make things just a whole bunch of happiness, all that green is made up of dissapearing platforms! That don't come back!
And to top things off, you have a time span of 3:00 minutes.
Oh, and see those two yellow squares on that pic? The distance from each other is the maximum distance your long jump works at. Just to put things in perspective.
In less suicidal matters, Splash Matter Galaxy is the most ingenious platforming level I've ever come across!
SupSuper
17 Dec 2008, 00:46
Luigi's Purple Coins is pretty easy once you get the hang of all the hopping and go for the bigger (and harder) clusters of coins on the right first.
MtlAngelus
18 Dec 2008, 00:06
Hmm. I don't recall ever finding any puzzle in SMG impossible. I mean some of them seemed impossible at first, but when playing them I would finish them easily, and end off thinking "Well it wasn't that hard after all... how odd."
I have to say that having a split controller(wii-mote and nunchuck) felt a LOT better than the classic controllers have ever felt on a platformer before.
edit: man, why can't the wii have more cool innovative platformers out? :(
edit: man, why can't the wii have more cool innovative platformers out? :(
Because cool innovative platformers are really hard to make nowadays. Case in point: Sonic. They try, at lot, and fail, a lot.
MtlAngelus
18 Dec 2008, 00:25
Because cool innovative platformers are really hard to make nowadays. Case in point: Sonic. They try, at lot, and fail, a lot.
All it takes is a clever story and intelligent character design. It can't be that hard.
I believe the problem is just that crappy games are easier to make, and you still get profit, so they don't bother putting effort into it...
Akuryou13
18 Dec 2008, 01:45
Because cool innovative platformers are really hard to make nowadays. Case in point: Sonic. They try, at lot, and fail, a lot.sonic would be easy as hell to make a new game for. they just refuse to do it intelligently.
they can either do it in side-view 3D and have it play just like the original games, which would be awesome and fun and such, but some might complain since we've seen it before.
or they can do it in full 3D, but they'd have to use level design similar to the Tribes games. this would be awkward in 3D, but if you have a dedicated team of intelligent designers it could definitely work.
or hell, they could ALSO just give sonic an ability to increase his speed in small areas without the need to run quickly. use the spin or something, maybe, but it could be done. sonic team just don't want to change sonic in the right ways, so they keep screwing him up.
robowurmz
18 Dec 2008, 19:42
They should do what the guys did with MegaMan 9; make it just like the old ones, but new.
With improved hardware, we can have much larger levels, and perhaps new shield abilities and so on. Hell, they can even throw in those crappy characters if they like, just as long as they don't speak.
Akuryou13
19 Dec 2008, 05:46
They should do what the guys did with MegaMan 9; make it just like the old ones, but new.
With improved hardware, we can have much larger levels, and perhaps new shield abilities and so on. Hell, they can even throw in those crappy characters if they like, just as long as they don't speak.exactly. sonic just needs to stay as it was originally. want better graphics? make it 3D graphics, just KEEP THE GAMEPLAY THE SAME! :mad:
SupSuper
19 Dec 2008, 10:56
Well they (and by "they" I mean "not they but some third party") tried that on GBA/DS, but it didn't catch on.
Akuryou13
19 Dec 2008, 14:19
Well they (and by "they" I mean "not they but some third party") tried that on GBA/DS, but it didn't catch on.then sonic is dead and we should let him rest.
GrimOswald
19 Dec 2008, 14:34
then sonic is dead and we should let him rest.
$$$$$ Mooooooooo.
robowurmz
19 Dec 2008, 16:19
CASH COOOOWS! Help us all!
Akuryou13
19 Dec 2008, 16:39
not sure if anyone's heard, but Free Radical has shut down. (http://kotaku.com/5113037/free-radical-shuts-down)
and in case you didn't know, that's the maker of the Time Splitters series.
let us all bow our heads in mourning...:(
No! But.. but I wanted the new Timesplitters!
robowurmz
19 Dec 2008, 17:27
Just read it, and then came here and found that Aku linked it...
***R.I.P TimeSplitters 4***
Killed Before it was Born
Decemer 2008
After Haze bombed badly, it was predictable that they'd bite the bullet. TimeSplitters 4 was taking too long to make.
super_frea
19 Dec 2008, 20:00
Nooooo!
Timepslitters was one of my favorite game series.
SupSuper
19 Dec 2008, 22:50
Shame. I loved the bits I played of Timesplitters at a friend's house.
Me and my friend used to play Timesplitters 2 against each other every week for such a long time. It was such good fun.
It's a shame to see that Timesplitters 4 probably won't happen, although I was a bit disappointed with Timesplitters 3 anyway, so meh.
Akuryou13
20 Dec 2008, 16:19
ZOMBIE MONKIES!!!
http://kotaku.com/5114861/free-radical-founder-sets-up-new-studio
*dances*
don't care if they get the rights to timesplitters or not. the minds behind the games aren't split up and that's all I care about. they can call their next game Space Banana Theme Park Slaughter for all I care. in fact, I sincerely hope they do just that :p
super_frea
20 Dec 2008, 18:16
Timesplitters had some of the best character designs (especially 2), of almost every game known to man and it was also a kick ass first person shooter. I bloody hope someone picks it up again.
Shadowmoon
26 Dec 2008, 11:43
I got the Orange Box for christmas, and its awesome.
Half Life 2 is the best game in it so far. I'm currently on Route Kanal, which is really friggin' hard. I haven't tried Episode 1 or Episode 2 yet.
Haven't played TF 2 yet, but when I get Xbox Live which will be pretty soon, i'll be able to play it online.
Portal is a great game too, and i'm on Test Chamber 16.
Wait... Xbox? In my opinion that was kind of a mistake - TF2 is best played on the pc. (As well as all the other games) Also, I guess there's not as many maps yet for it, but I haven't checked if the updates are availible for the xbox yet.
Akuryou13
26 Dec 2008, 14:20
Wait... Xbox? In my opinion that was kind of a mistake - TF2 is best played on the pc. (As well as all the other games) Also, I guess there's not as many maps yet for it, but I haven't checked if the updates are availible for the xbox yet.from what I understand, they're waiting to release them all at once for the 360 version. could be wrong though.
SupSuper
26 Dec 2008, 19:11
Yeah they're still working on it, it'll include every update TF2 PC has had this year, but there's no set date yet.
Wait... Xbox? In my opinion that was kind of a mistake - TF2 is best played on the pc. (As well as all the other games) Also, I guess there's not as many maps yet for it, but I haven't checked if the updates are availible for the xbox yet.
We had this discussion before: Shadowman has a crappy PC.
Kelster23
29 Dec 2008, 02:25
I got the Orange Box for christmas, and its awesome.
Half Life 2 is the best game in it so far. I'm currently on Route Kanal, which is really friggin' hard. I haven't tried Episode 1 or Episode 2 yet.
Haven't played TF 2 yet, but when I get Xbox Live which will be pretty soon, i'll be able to play it online.
Portal is a great game too, and i'm on Test Chamber 16.
When you do I'll play you. My gamertag is SmeckDevil.
farazparsa
29 Dec 2008, 13:58
You'll still have to shell out 10 bucks for the update even though we got it for free. Blame Micro$oft.
Kelster23
29 Dec 2008, 19:16
Gotta make money somehow.
GrimOswald
30 Dec 2008, 01:57
Gotta make money somehow.
Who, Microsoft? :D
farazparsa
30 Dec 2008, 09:21
Who, Microsoft? :D
Yup. Valve wanted to release the updates for free simultaneously, but Micro$oft forced them to charge, so they waited until they had sufficient material to be worth paying 10 dollars for instead of pulling a Halo and releasing eight hundred map packs for 10 dollars each.
Really, I don't understand their business model. A lot of these updates also fix problems that could've been patched sooner.
Yeah, Microsoft have gotten their fair share of complaints about that. IIRC, Team17 also wanted to release some things for free too.
A lot of these updates also fix problems that could've been patched sooner.
Consoles don't normally have game patch downloads unless they're really necessary. I don't know why, but I'm presuming there's some sort of reason for it.
Paul.Power
30 Dec 2008, 15:00
Yeah, Microsoft have gotten their fair share of complaints about that. IIRC, Team17 also wanted to release some things for free too.
Consoles don't normally have game patch downloads unless they're really necessary. I don't know why, but I'm presuming there's some sort of reason for it.I guess it's historical, given how few consoles have ever actually had internet connections.
Saying that, you'd think that Microsoft would have defied that convention, given their origin of PCs.
(spot the terrible pun)
farazparsa
30 Dec 2008, 15:27
I guess it's historical, given how few consoles have ever actually had internet connections.
Saying that, you'd think that Microsoft would have defied that convention, given their origin of PCs.
Console gamers are much more numerous (and impatient) than PC gamers. Keeping that in mind, every update would most likely require its own separate server to accommodate all the bandwidth it will eat up. There is also a matter of the newer players who need to catch up on all of the patching they have missed, hence the newer, occasional re-releases of games to include the patch for offline players or players behind in their purchase. To ready and release a patch for PC isn't as difficult a task as it might be (and probably is) for consoles.
Console gamers are much more numerous (and impatient) than PC gamers. Keeping that in mind, every update would most likely require its own separate server to accommodate all the bandwidth it will eat up. There is also a matter of the newer players who need to catch up on all of the patching they have missed, hence the newer, occasional re-releases of games to include the patch for offline players or players behind in their purchase. To ready and release a patch for PC isn't as difficult a task as it might be (and probably is) for consoles.
Elaborate? if you can play online, force the user to patch to the latest, if the user has no internet access then ... do nothing o_o I don't know what is wrong with releasing multiple patches.
edit: make 2 patch's, 1 contains all previous updates and is updated after each new release, the other contains only the very latest changes.
GrimOswald
30 Dec 2008, 15:39
origin of PCs.
I can only hope you are bestowed with a certain award in the very near future.
Paul.Power
30 Dec 2008, 16:43
I can only hope you are bestowed with a certain award in the very near future.
To be fair, I was pinching that pun from one of the Order of the Stick prequel books (in which case "PC" means "Player Character").
What's worse is that I only got the pun when you said it and not when I read said book. I feel bad about that...
GrimOswald
31 Dec 2008, 02:32
To be fair, I was pinching that pun from one of the Order of the Stick prequel books (in which case "PC" means "Player Character").
Yeah, that is what I thought of. Damn it, now I want to go and read it again.
farazparsa
31 Dec 2008, 09:07
Elaborate? if you can play online, force the user to patch to the latest, if the user has no internet access then ... do nothing o_o I don't know what is wrong with releasing multiple patches.
edit: make 2 patch's, 1 contains all previous updates and is updated after each new release, the other contains only the very latest changes.
On consoles, patches are released in very long intervals creating a sort-of patch drought every now and then. Bugs are fixed, new bugs are discovered, patch released, rinse and repeat. The problem is that these patches all need a dedicated server because of the sheer amount of players. The cost of these alone is why Micro$oft is charging for almost all of their downloadable content. If there IS a big problem, they may fix it, but don't expect it to be soon.
When you say to make 2 patches, that's easier said than done. On the PC, the players will be expected to navigate to the website and choose which one suits their needs. On the consoles, there is no such ability, and this is where it gets complicated. How must you keep the new players moderately on the ball with the seasoned players without sacrificing speed and time?
Akuryou13
31 Dec 2008, 10:03
How must you keep the new players moderately on the ball with the seasoned players without sacrificing speed and time? "there is a software update available. would you like to download it now?"
and if your player base is REALLY stupid, you can even include "you will not be able to play online without the latest patch"
use P2P technology to keep everyone up to date =) yea I know, not likey to happen.
Edit: and what Akuryou said ^. If you forget to install 1 update and a new update is released, you must install the full update which will simply overwrite already patched files (so no problems occur). host them on 2 servers for the first year, then on a joint server after that first year.
MrBunsy
31 Dec 2008, 11:15
On consoles, patches are released in very long intervals creating a sort-of patch drought every now and then. Bugs are fixed, new bugs are discovered, patch released, rinse and repeat. The problem is that these patches all need a dedicated server because of the sheer amount of players. The cost of these alone is why Micro$oft is charging for almost all of their downloadable content. If there IS a big problem, they may fix it, but don't expect it to be soon.
Valve manages it well enough with Steam for free :p
farazparsa
31 Dec 2008, 12:31
Steam uses a similar system to what consoles use, which is integral patching. The thing that makes Steam work is that its userbase is smaller than that of the consoles, and uses a different server hosting system. Its business model is different as well, relying on D2D purchases and whatnot.
The message I've been trying to pass along is that the main reason patches on the consoles are released between such lengthy intervals is that of companies constantly on the move. It's the same case with most games; after a few patches, suddenly the company goes drops off of the radar. Thankfully T17 constantly supports WA, or we'd be stuck with glitches up the rear.
Cybershadow and Deadcode actively support W:A, Team17 support (passively) Deadcode and Cybershadow.
Akuryou13
31 Dec 2008, 13:48
Cybershadow and Deadcode actively support W:A, Team17 support (passively) Deadcode and Cybershadow.yes. thanks for redundantly explaining his point.....
MrBunsy
31 Dec 2008, 15:57
Steam uses a similar system to what consoles use, which is integral patching. The thing that makes Steam work is that its userbase is smaller than that of the consoles, and uses a different server hosting system. Its business model is different as well, relying on D2D purchases and whatnot.
The message I've been trying to pass along is that the main reason patches on the consoles are released between such lengthy intervals is that of companies constantly on the move. It's the same case with most games; after a few patches, suddenly the company goes drops off of the radar. Thankfully T17 constantly supports WA, or we'd be stuck with glitches up the rear.
Still don't see why that means they have to charge so much for what Valve & others do for free on the PC.
Shadowmoon
31 Dec 2008, 17:07
Recently got Sonic Unleashed for wii.
The day stages are actually quite fun, I really like the design of the levels. Had the game had just day stages in it, and no night stages, it might have been better. But no, the game had to have night stages. Although the game has a fairly equal ammount of day and night stages, you'll spend much more time on the night stages, and the night stages are unfortunately, really really boring.
Firstly, the combat is very repetetive, and very boring too. You shake the nunchuk to make Werehog Sonic punch with his left hand, and the wii remote to make him punch with his right. Shaking them alternatively makes you acheive combos, and shaking them at the same time can make you perform special moves.
All you'll do to fight enemies in the night stages is punch them and do special moves on them, but the special moves aren't that interesting either.
Another frustrating thing is that to make Werehog Sonic dash you have to push the analog stick a few times in the direction you want Werehog Sonic to go, and sometimes in the game you'll do that by mistake on a platform and fall.
From the 3rd night stage you'll just want to get through the night stages as quickly as possible. In the later night stages they get very frustrating, with more platforms to jump over and more enemies to defeat.
The music in the game is actually quite good, though.
Overall, Sonic Unleashed is okay. The damn night stages suck the most fun out of the game.
I'm a bit unsure about Sonic and the black knight, Hopefully they pull off the sword combat, but i'm really not that hopefull.
I haven't played Sonic and the secret rings yet, but from what i've seen on the internet its presumably good, so i'll pick it up soon.
FutureWorm
31 Dec 2008, 17:21
Recently got Sonic Unleashed for wii.
The day stages are actually quite fun, I really like the design of the levels. Had the game had just day stages in it, and no night stages, it might have been better. But no, the game had to have night stages. Although the game has a fairly equal ammount of day and night stages, you'll spend much more time on the night stages, and the night stages are unfortunately, really really boring.
Firstly, the combat is very repetetive, and very boring too. You shake the nunchuk to make Werehog Sonic punch with his left hand, and the wii remote to make him punch with his right. Shaking them alternatively makes you acheive combos, and shaking them at the same time can make you perform special moves.
All you'll do to fight enemies in the night stages is punch them and do special moves on them, but the special moves aren't that interesting either.
Another frustrating thing is that to make Werehog Sonic dash you have to push the analog stick a few times in the direction you want Werehog Sonic to go, and sometimes in the game you'll do that by mistake on a platform and fall.
From the 3rd night stage you'll just want to get through the night stages as quickly as possible. In the later night stages they get very frustrating, with more platforms to jump over and more enemies to defeat.
The music in the game is actually quite good, though.
Overall, Sonic Unleashed is okay. The damn night stages suck the most fun out of the game.
I'm a bit unsure about Sonic and the black knight, Hopefully they pull off the sword combat, but i'm really not that hopefull.
I haven't played Sonic and the secret rings yet, but from what i've seen on the internet its presumably good, so i'll pick it up soon.
haha you got sonic
Currently playing a recently-made-English MMOG called TalesRunner, a platformer racing game. It's actually reeeally fun.
Here's a link to the videos section (http://talesrunner.gpotato.com/?m=downloads&a=video), if you're interested. The first one can be ignored, it's a typical gameplay-unrelated promo video.
I haven't played Sonic and the secret rings yet, but from what i've seen on the internet its presumably good, so i'll pick it up soon.
It's got a good gameplay system, as the linearity is more reminicent of the original games, but it wasn't quite put together properly.
*Splinter*
31 Dec 2008, 18:53
Still don't see why that means they have to charge so much for what Valve & others do for free on the PC.
There is no reason. I certainly dont have to pay for updates on PS3...
farazparsa
31 Dec 2008, 19:06
Hence the nickname, "Micro$oft."
robowurmz
1 Jan 2009, 15:34
Received a PS3 + LittleBigPlanet yesterday!
Gotta say, I haven't had this much fun playing a videogame in years. YEARS.
The visual style, the music, the "co-opetition" mechanism (in which you help eachother while battling for the most bubbles and prizes) in the online play and overall the very easy to use construction tools. It really is a fantastic game, it's a must-buy if you have a PS3.
Talking of PS3 games, I also got MotorStorm: Pacific Rift. It's a marvellous game, I heartily recommend it for anybody who likes racing games; the in-cockpit camera view is absolutely gripping, and provides a real sense of speed when boosting along like a maniac. I've had some fun times, not least riding a motorbike over the rooves of several monster-trucks in a bid to look awesome and get ahead in the race. Only a minor problem: there is no replay feature. I would have liked to see replays of parts in the race, but sadly there is not an option.
I also bought the new Prince of Persia game; it's really breathed life back into the series. The visual style is overwhelmingly awesome, and the almost water-colour environments really bring out the stark contrast between good and evil regions. The combat has been ramped up and is much much harder, but it is not frustratingly so. However, getting defeated in combat does bring the enemy's health up (you don't die in this game. There are no checkpoints.) so this can be irritating if you've just spend 20 minutes fighting.
*Splinter*
1 Jan 2009, 16:39
Talking of PS3 games, I also got MotorStorm: Pacific Rift. It's a marvellous game, I heartily recommend it for anybody who likes racing games; the in-cockpit camera view is absolutely gripping, and provides a real sense of speed when boosting along like a maniac. I've had some fun times, not least riding a motorbike over the rooves of several monster-trucks in a bid to look awesome and get ahead in the race. Only a minor problem: there is no replay feature. I would have liked to see replays of parts in the race, but sadly there is not an option.
If you like MotorStorm: Pacific Rift I seriously recommend the first MotorStorm. It lacks split-screen multiplayer (D: ??!) but everything else is (to me) better than in Pacific Rift. ESPECIALLY the track designs, brown though they may be :p
farazparsa
1 Jan 2009, 20:06
I also bought the new Prince of Persia game; it's really breathed life back into the series. The visual style is overwhelmingly awesome, and the almost water-colour environments really bring out the stark contrast between good and evil regions. The combat has been ramped up and is much much harder, but it is not frustratingly so. However, getting defeated in combat does bring the enemy's health up (you don't die in this game. There are no checkpoints.) so this can be irritating if you've just spend 20 minutes fighting.
Prince of Persia has built its name on difficulty, all the way from the original, where you had a real-time stopwatch counting down the time you had to finish. I was wholly disappointed with the new one because of the abandonment of all challenge. It is impossible to die, and you only get sent back a few seconds. It feels like an interactive movie to be honest, and the controls are, "play" and "stop." Some actions, like wallrunning, only require you to press or hold a button. It's very disappointing, coming off from a skill-based series.
It seems the problem with recent games and recent consoles is that they are meant to entertain, not challenge. Though challenge can be entertaining, the difficulty has been dropped significantly to cater to younger or inexperienced gamers and reach a wider audience. Take, for example, some of the hottest things on the market at the moment; Resistance, Halo, Gears of War, et cetera. Checkpoints are seldom rare and sprinkled all over the place so that when you stop playing or die, you only go back a few feet. This creates a sort-of "present" within the game where you are entertained as you try to get past the immediate threat, or the 'present,' with no real thought into the future or the past. Once you pass, you can continue onward. You are entertained.
Not that it's a bad thing, but this kind of entertainment does not last, and hence is why today's games rely on multiplayer to extend the experience. It is not a challenge to finish a game, it is a reality. You will finish the game, it's just how fast you do it that varies. What compliments this type of play is the system of health that is considered norm for these kind of games now, where your health regenerates to the point of well-being over a short amount of time. No more will you have to worry about bigger enemies and conserving your health, as it is a 'present' problem, and just that.
I'm starting to think I'm the only person who wants a challenging video game rather than a cruise. Granted, one of my favorite games is Contra. :p
Kelster23
1 Jan 2009, 20:33
That's why God of War II Titan difficulty is hard ah ha. The health chests don't even fill your health bar to the top, which they do on the easier difficulties.
farazparsa
1 Jan 2009, 20:42
That's why God of War II Titan difficulty is hard ah ha. The health chests don't even fill your health bar to the top, which they do on the easier difficulties.
What a coincidence that you should say that, because I've actually finished God of War II on Titan. It just so happens to be one of my favorites as well.
Still can't get past Ares in God of War 1's God difficulty. :mad:
There's a limit on that. You want a game to be challenging, but not frustratingly difficult. Unfortunately, there's no strict formula for finding the right point.
The Super Mario 3D series has the most ideal system: the levels vary greatly in difficulty, which are randomly mixed together, but you only have to complete about 50% of them unless you want to go for a big challenge. That way, people do what they're capable of, and if a level is fustratingly difficult, they can skip it. Unfortunately, there's a reason that's very rarely done: the Super Mario 3D games are exceptionally big! Average games wouldn't be big enough to allow the user to finish the game completing only half the levels.
As for LittleBigPlanet: I played it on christmas too, but I actually had the opposite opinion to you RoboWurmz. It was hardly challenging, the level mechanisms were actually rather plain and not as unique as I was expecting them to be, and I found the level creator very hard to use! But I didn't have a go at online though.
Edit: and I have a new faourite puzzle game ever, and it's a simple flash game:
The Codex of Alchemical Engineering (http://www.kongregate.com/games/krispykrem/the-codex-of-alchemical-engineering)
The premise is simple. You've got an unlimited supply of certain orbs, which you have to transform and bond together as needed and deposit them in a circle at the top, all using glymphs and programmable mechanical arms; but you can't have the orbs collide. It's an open plain, there's no tricks to it, it's not a puzzle game where you're supposed to guess how the author did it - and yet, it's an ingenius game, it really makes you think!
It's probably not suited for those of you who don't have an interest in mechanics though.
*Splinter*
1 Jan 2009, 23:49
There's a limit on that. You want a game to be challenging, but not frustratingly difficult. Unfortunately, there's no strict formula for finding the right point.
The Super Mario 3D series has the most ideal system: the levels vary greatly in difficulty, which are randomly mixed together, but you only have to complete about 50% of them unless you want to go for a big challenge. That way, people do what they're capable of, and if a level is fustratingly difficult, they can skip it. Unfortunately, there's a reason that's very rarely done: the Super Mario 3D games are exceptionally big! Average games wouldn't be big enough to allow the user to finish the game completing only half the levels.
Err... What? They're easy. TOO easy. The only difficulty is the frustrating kind relying on bottomless pits and such. I wouldnt call it exceptionally long either, even if it IS longer than the (ridiculously short) average
farazparsa
2 Jan 2009, 15:58
Remember when we used to get "stuck" in games? Those were the days. :p
Also, I can't seem to figure that engineering game out. :confused:
Akuryou13
2 Jan 2009, 16:05
Remember when we used to get "stuck" in games? Those were the days. :pthat still happens in newer games as well as long as it's a good one. I just make sure to play on at least Hard difficulty these days.
SupSuper
2 Jan 2009, 16:23
Also, I can't seem to figure that engineering game out. :confused:Basically you have to place mechanical arms and program them to grab atoms from a spawn and drop them onto the target circle. (and have them do some other stuff in later levels)
Kelster23
3 Jan 2009, 00:35
What a coincidence that you should say that, because I've actually finished God of War II on Titan. It just so happens to be one of my favorites as well.
Still can't get past Ares in God of War 1's God difficulty. :mad:
lol I can't either he kills me in like 2 hits.
I'm still working on completing Titan Mode. Did you complete the challenge of the Gods/Titans yet? I did challenge of the Gods but now I'm stuck on the challenge of the Titans I don't remember which one though lol
farazparsa
4 Jan 2009, 02:29
Oh, I see. It's quite fun, actually. Especially when you finally get something working as it was pictured in your head.
lol I can't either he kills me in like 2 hits.
I'm still working on completing Titan Mode. Did you complete the challenge of the Gods/Titans yet? I did challenge of the Gods but now I'm stuck on the challenge of the Titans I don't remember which one though lol
Yeah, the first thing I did after beating the game once was finish the challenges. Some of them just take a LOT of tries.
Kelster23
5 Jan 2009, 17:05
And we mean A LOT of tries. I think I got to challenge 4 on Challenge of the Titans. Challenge of the Gods took me all night.
farazparsa
6 Jan 2009, 02:52
It quite literally means, "Challenge of the Titans." No hyperbolic statement there.
MtlAngelus
9 Jan 2009, 00:54
Tried out the skate 2 demo, it's a bit restrictive. I hate time limits on demos. >:I
Hey, I'm just announcing out loud that my Steam account got hijacked recently. I got it back, and every single person on my friendslist was removed.
So, please add me: The ID is "counterangel"
Paul.Power
14 Jan 2009, 13:08
Hey, I'm just announcing out loud that my Steam account got hijacked recently. I got it back, and every single person on my friendslist was removed.
So, please add me: The ID is "counterangel"
Snap, incidentally. And "paulpower4"
Metal Alex
14 Jan 2009, 22:37
Team Fortress 2.
My Steam name is "MrMetalAlex". Add me! I'd love to try a game or two with you guys :D
Taken for that other thread. Feel free to add me too! And also...
Left4Dead! Nothing says professional zombie hunting than a guy in a suit.
Steam name: MechPlasma, for those of you who missed it.
We really need to make a Team17Forum Group.
Edit: Actually, I decided to do just that! (http://steamcommunity.com/groups/Team17Forum/) Do try to keep it to forumgoers only.
Currently, it's set as any member can invite; that may change later, if non-regular forumers start getting invited.
For the time being, PM me if you want to be in. Check your Steam invitations first to see if I already got you.
I guess I'll simply invite you to join. :p
MtlAngelus
28 Jan 2009, 21:24
http://kotaku.com/5141234/bask-in-mario--luigi-rpg-3-trailer-ecstasy
This game looks awesome. Might make me finally get a DS. :P
Ahaha, big fat toads and Luigi. I want it.
robowurmz
29 Jan 2009, 10:25
This is the moment when I buy a DS.
Looks awesome, good thing theres no$gba ;)
robowurmz
29 Jan 2009, 15:24
Looks awesome, good thing theres no$gba ;)
It's a DS game. Not a GBA game.
NO$GBA (Nocash Game Boy Advance) is a Game Boy Advance and Nintendo DS emulator for Microsoft Windows and MS-DOS. It supports most Nintendo DS homebrew, and a majority of commercial ROMs.
Of course, playing illegally downloaded games is wrong, so franpa will obviously be buying the DS Game Card and using some Nintendo hardware to rip the ROM off the card so he can play it on his PC. Obviously.
robowurmz
29 Jan 2009, 15:52
Oh, I didn't know NO$GBA had been updated for DS games...
Oh, I didn't know NO$GBA had been updated for DS games...
We know that, it was clear when you made a wrong statement.
Pyramid
15 Feb 2009, 00:52
New God of War III trailer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-d_3yKKEiKM
MtlAngelus
15 Feb 2009, 01:23
It looks great. Shame I don't have a PS3.
On another, they're taking too long with Cavestory wii. :(
I mean, they were supposed to release it before this year started... already over a month past the estimated release date... WHYYYYY?!? D:
Pyramid
15 Feb 2009, 02:16
BTW
I heard that in order to play on-line on the X-Box 360, you need to pay
Someone that owns one, can tell me if that's right?
MtlAngelus
15 Feb 2009, 02:38
Yes, you pay for an Xbox Live Gold subscription. Roughly $50 US for a year subscription.
Considering the cost of the PS3 here, at the time I bought the 360, it'll take about 5 years for me to pay the same I would have paid for a PS3. :p
And that's for the 60 GB PS3... Considering I got the Elite Xbox 360, with a 120GB hard drive, I'd say the 360 was the best choice for me. :p
Pyramid
15 Feb 2009, 03:12
On your case, I agree
But paying for playing on-line...damn that sucks :confused:
MtlAngelus
15 Feb 2009, 04:25
On your case, I agree
But paying for playing on-line...damn that sucks :confused:
However, it is commonly regarded that the Xbox Live service is better than the PS3 online.
I cannot vouch for this, because I haven't tried a PS3 online. But reading up on it it does seem to be true.
Also because there's more people online in most games, etc. :P
Pyramid
15 Feb 2009, 04:27
I don't know too, because I never tried the Live
But I heard that it almost doesn't have free material at all
To put it simply, you won't be getting a 360 and not use the internet, so add 50 bucks times however long you expect to use it for onto the base price.
Although it will seriously suck when you start using it a lot less often (such as if you get a console from the next generation that isn't an Xbox) as you won't be able to play online anymore.
robowurmz
15 Feb 2009, 09:39
The online service in games tends to be better on Live because the people who play there are the ones willing to pay.
farazparsa
15 Feb 2009, 12:50
The online service in games tends to be better on Live because the people who play there are the ones willing to pay.
Your circular reasoning is countered by the fact that many people choose not to purchase Live for that exact reason.
That and perhaps the fact that the Xbox 360 comes bundled with a microphone. We all know what happens then.
Metal Alex
15 Feb 2009, 13:28
Just in case anyone feels like being aware, I have now Left 4 Dead. Purchased this weekend for half the price :p
If anyone wants to kill undead guys / eat brains, I'm up for it!
Speaking of which, I now have far more fondness for that game than before, after playing several versus matches with friends on LAN! I expect to be playing you sometime.
Kelster23
16 Feb 2009, 06:00
New God of War III trailer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-d_3yKKEiKM
OMFG I saw that this morning. I'm stoked.
To put it simply, you won't be getting a 360 and not use the internet, so add 50 bucks times however long you expect to use it for onto the base price.
Although it will seriously suck when you start using it a lot less often (such as if you get a console from the next generation that isn't an Xbox) as you won't be able to play online anymore.
Which next ones aren't supposed to come out for at least a year, and that's the subscription length.
Your circular reasoning is countered by the fact that many people choose not to purchase Live for that exact reason.
That and perhaps the fact that the Xbox 360 comes bundled with a microphone. We all know what happens then.
They get muted. Or you get Vanilla Ice Ice Baby randomly when you're playing Halo.
aga I need a PS3 with a high definition tv.
While I'm at it I want a cello.
Which next ones aren't supposed to come out for at least a year, and that's the subscription length.
About 3 years, I say. New generations of consoles tend to come about every 5 years or so.
vBulletin® v3.8.6, Copyright ©2000-2013, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.