[The Coggies] Most Pleasantly Surprising Game [Archive]

DoctorFinger

12-16-2008, 08:24 AM

Most Pleasantly Surprising Game

http://www.colonyofgamers.com/images/comics/BK-NB.jpg

Title: Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts
Available For: 360
Developer: Rare
Publisher: Microsoft

http://www.colonyofgamers.com/images/comics/Braid.jpg

Title: Braid
Available For: 360, PC
Developer: Number None, Inc
Publisher: Microsoft

http://www.colonyofgamers.com/images/comics/FC2.jpg

Title: Far Cry 2
Available For: 360, PS3, PC
Developer: Ubisoft Montreal
Publisher: Ubisoft

http://www.colonyofgamers.com/images/comics/Sins.jpg

Title: Sins of a Solar Empire
Available For: PC
Developer: Ironclad Games
Publisher: Stardock

http://www.colonyofgamers.com/images/comics/Strongbad.jpg

Title: Strong Bad's Cool Game For Attractive People
Available For: PC, Wii
Developer: Telltale Games
Publisher: Telltale Games

http://www.colonyofgamers.com/images/comics/Valkyria.jpg

Title: Valkyria Chronicles
Available For: PS3
Developer: Sega WOW
Publisher: Sega

menage

12-16-2008, 08:36 AM

Only played Braid so that's easy.

Still need to check out VC and Banjo eventually though.

AtariV8

12-16-2008, 08:43 AM

I liked the Far Cry series on consoles and PC but Far Cry 2 really exceeded my expectations in terms of immersion and AI. I'm really having fun with this game and it's knocked a couple of other games I was playing to the side for now. Starting fires is a mini-game on it's own.

National Kato

12-16-2008, 08:57 AM

Far Cry 2...my love for this game is no secret.

cp#

12-16-2008, 09:09 AM

People are surprised that FarCry 2 is good? What the fuck is this award?

Kelegacy

12-16-2008, 09:16 AM

Alone in the Dark or Dark Sector. Two games I didn't give a shit about until I scored them cheap. Then I found out I really liked both.

But for a more "popular" vote, I'd choose Mirror's Edge or Prince of Persia. Probably the later moreso.

DoctorFinger

12-16-2008, 09:16 AM

People are surprised that FarCry 2 is good? What the fuck is this award?After Crytek left to do Crysis, most people thought it would tank. Instead it ended up being better (in many eyes) than either the first Far Cry or Crysis.

AtariV8

12-16-2008, 09:27 AM

People are surprised that FarCry 2 is good? What the fuck is this award?

Not surprised it's good, surprised it exceeded my high expectations. Best Far Cry ever. Although I love Crysis, I'm digging FC2 a little more.

Deunnero

12-16-2008, 09:29 AM

Banjo was a refreshing change. Pretty colours and fun gameplay sealed it for me.
My only xmas 360 purchase as a matter of fact!

JayVe

12-16-2008, 09:32 AM

Strong Bad

The game makes me feel like a kid again with its point-and-click adventure antics, and the humor is spot-on. Each episode leaves me with a good number of Laugh out Loud moments.

crazyD

12-16-2008, 09:45 AM

Far Cry 2 for me. I kind of wanted to vote for Braid, but I had high expectations for that, and while I loved it, it didn't really surprise me. I did not expect much from Far Cry 2 after Crytec left, but am really enjoying it.

GigaFuzz

12-16-2008, 09:48 AM

Sins, for me. It wasn't too much of a surprise though. Played a 6 player game at the weekend and I'd forgotten how fun it was.

Gorvi

12-16-2008, 10:09 AM

Valkyria Chronicles. It's an amazing game from SEGA, those don't happen very often.

Restlessavenger

12-16-2008, 10:15 AM

I went with Far Cry 2 as well. I had played the last Far Cry game and hadn't been impressed. When I put Far Cry 2 in I was amazed at how open the world was and how free I was to do what I wanted to complete each mission. The first time I set a brush fire to distract a camp of rebels in order to flank my target I was sold.
Far Cry 2 is a great example of a game that not only provides a story but also provides a very large canvas for the player to create their own stories.

agentgray

12-16-2008, 10:35 AM

I was not surprised that Sins of a Solar Empire was good.

Stardock was backing it and they've been batting a thousand. They are like the red-headed stepchild to Valve and Blizzard.

I voted Valkyria Chronicles. I was surprised SEGA could deliver—just not on another platform.

Valkyria only sold 33,000 copies from what I've read. I think I know all those people.

DoctorFinger

12-16-2008, 11:11 AM

I was not surprised that Sins of a Solar Empire was good.

Stardock was backing it and they've been batting a thousand. They are like the red-headed stepchild to Valve and Blizzard.
It's still a game which the vast majority of gamers had never heard of before it's launch. To me it's the game which made Stardock into the cult fave, but it had zero penetration outside of the hardcore PC gaming/strategy crowd pre launch.

Mortis

12-16-2008, 11:50 AM

From this list it's Banjo. I was pretty skeptical but the game is all kinds of awesome. I actually feel bad only paying $40 for it, maybe I'll buy the new VP also.

Stoke

12-16-2008, 11:53 AM

Valkyria only sold 33,000 copies from what I've read. I think I know all those people.

Gah, really? Damnit, there goes hope for any more games like that. Although I guess it does mean I'll be able to find it in the bargain bin when i finally pick up a PS3.

I voted for Braid. I had never heard of it until it blew up on EvAv and I downloaded the trial. I beat it in a day since i couldn't stop playing.

Squidbot

12-16-2008, 12:11 PM

If you don't vote for Braid you are evil!

Adam Blue

12-16-2008, 12:14 PM

Bourne Conspiracy. While short, it was a fantastic film to game adaptation. Who woulda thunk it?

Phades

12-16-2008, 12:19 PM

I voted Valkyria Chronicles. I was surprised SEGA could deliver—just not on another platform.

Valkyria only sold 33,000 copies from what I've read. I think I know all those people.

This makes me sad. It's such an awesome game. I played the demo and was really skeptical because it seemed good, but coming from Sega I didn't trust it.... The full version hasn't disappointed me though, it's just excellent.

Kielaran

12-16-2008, 12:29 PM

Far Cry 2. I had little in the way of expectations and I have been thoroughly enjoying it.

Spigot

12-16-2008, 03:56 PM

I voted for Valkyria Chronicles because I was surprised that companies are actually willing to make games like that for the current round of consoles The fact it is so overwhelmingly awesome really helps too.

The one I was most leery about was Braid as I had no idea what to expect before I bought it but took a chance anyway, sight unseen. The fact that it is a crazy critical darling was a nice aftertouch.

Restlessavenger

12-16-2008, 04:03 PM

I want so badly to play Valkyria Chronicles. I might end up breaking down and buying it this weekend even though I had promised myself that I wouldn't get any more games this year.

DaedalusFolly

12-16-2008, 04:32 PM

I have to get out (or, actually, stay in) more as I haven't played any of these. Thank jeebus for extra time off this Christmas to start catching up.

MagGnome

12-16-2008, 05:37 PM

My vote went to Sins of a Solar Empire. I hadn't been following it at all pre-launch, so the game came out of nowhere and blew me away. My most played game this year, even though I took a several month long break to focus on other titles! GalCiv was/is great, but Sins is the game that really made me take notice of Stardock, and Ironclad of course. I'm now officially a fanboy, and I can't wait for the first Sins expansion in a few weeks, let alone Elemental in 2010.

I definitely need to pick up Braid. It's been on my "purchase" list for months now. I'll be picking it up soon, once I work through some of my backlog.

I also want to play Far Cry 2, but the malaria thing really bothers me. Hopefully there's a mod on the PC that will let me get rid of that "feature" once I pick the game up.

Sins, for me. It wasn't too much of a surprise though. Played a 6 player game at the weekend and I'd forgotten how fun it was.

I'm planning a resurgence of Sins multiplayer within our community, beginning when the first micro-expansion hits in January. So far I've got Voodoo and Spigot on board. You should join us Gigafuzz!

I erroneously stated in a few other threads that the expansion was going to be $15, but it's actually $10!

crazyD

12-16-2008, 05:58 PM

I also want to play Far Cry 2, but the malaria thing really bothers me. Hopefully there's a mod on the PC that will let me get rid of that "feature" once I pick the game up.

I never really thought of the malaria as a hassle, and it works into the plot in interesting ways.

MagGnome

12-16-2008, 06:40 PM

I never really thought of the malaria as a hassle, and it works into the plot in interesting ways.

Maybe it's not as bad as it sounds then. It sounded really annoying in all of the reviews/impressions that I read.

pheriannath

12-16-2008, 06:41 PM

The malaria isn't terrible...

...unless you're swimming.

MagGnome

12-16-2008, 07:46 PM

This race is way too close.

GET IN HERE AND VOTE PEOPLE!

Vote for Sins of a Solar Empire. ;)

rinichanraar

12-16-2008, 08:07 PM

I couldn't give an educated vote if I were to choose. I haven't actually played any of the games. Does that make me lame? :(

I think a lot of members refrain from voting when they've only played one of the games and wanted to try more. I didn't even go near the Strategy Coggies.

astranoir

12-16-2008, 08:26 PM

I only played Braid from the list, but lost interest in it, and while it was okay, I wasn't pleasantly surprised. Because of this, I refrained from voting, which drives me crazy because I wish there were a "not voting" button, so I could just view the results instead of looking at an un-voted poll! It encourages me to just choose something so I can get away from it! :p

Restlessavenger

12-16-2008, 08:49 PM

astranoir

12-16-2008, 08:55 PM

There is the View Poll Results link in the bottom right corner for just that purpose.

But it's not permanent for every time I view the thread is the only problem (for me).

MagGnome

12-16-2008, 10:14 PM

Easy solution for Rini and Astranoir - just vote for Sins of a Solar Empire.

Trust me, it's the right thing to do. Would I mislead such beautiful women? :)

Kielaran

12-17-2008, 06:03 AM

Kelegacy

12-17-2008, 06:12 AM

I'm going to give Braid a download when I get home. I just won it from Mountain Dew and Spike TV because I entered a contest for the VGAs (disclaimer: I neither drink Mountain Dew, nor watch Spike TV, and I think the VGAs are terrible and didn't watch). Yet...free download! Yessah! Funny thing is, I intended on buying it all along, just never got around to it. Still have the demo on my HDD though.

MagGnome

12-17-2008, 06:53 AM

Don't listen to the evil gnome! You two should buy Far Cry 2 so that way we can spam you invites next time we get some MP going.

Hmmm, that's a tough choice.

A) A bout with malaria

or

B) A chance to rule the galaxy

Yeah, that's a hard decision to make. ;)

johnperkins21

12-17-2008, 12:04 PM

I voted for Valkyria Chronicles so as to give Braid a negative vote. Man I hated that game, and I had such high hopes for it as well.

Kielaran

12-17-2008, 12:10 PM

Hmmm, that's a tough choice.

A) A bout with malaria

or

B) A chance to rule the galaxy

Yeah, that's a hard decision to make. ;)

A chance to rule the galaxy was so last year. There are way more rule the galaxy games then get malaria games.

Pick A, pick A, pick A.

MagGnome

12-17-2008, 03:53 PM

A chance to rule the galaxy was so last year. There are way more rule the galaxy games then get malaria games.

Pick A, pick A, pick A.

Ruling the galaxy will become fresh again when the first Sins mini-expansion comes out in a few weeks. Malaria is never fresh or exciting. ;)

crazyD

12-17-2008, 04:20 PM

Ruling the galaxy will become fresh again when the first Sins mini-expansion comes out in a few weeks. Malaria is never fresh or exciting. ;)

Malaria is the hot new disease of '08! Everyone has the malaria fever!

Kielaran

12-17-2008, 04:49 PM

Malaria is the hot new disease of '08! Everyone has the malaria fever!

Screw '08, '09 will be the year of malaria.:cool:

MagGnome

12-17-2008, 06:13 PM

I take it that the main character in Far Cry 2 couldn't afford a mosquito net?

Does the game really open with you being bitten by a mosquito?

Spigot

12-17-2008, 07:10 PM

I take it that the main character in Far Cry 2 couldn't afford a mosquito net?

Does the game really open with you being bitten by a mosquito?He spent all of his money on bullets and couldn't aim well enough to hit the thing before it bit him.

MagGnome

12-17-2008, 08:58 PM

He spent all of his money on bullets and couldn't aim well enough to hit the thing before it bit him.

I'll bet Mr. Mosquito is to blame.

crazyD

12-18-2008, 11:06 AM

Does the game really open with you being bitten by a mosquito?

He gets malaria during the jeep ride in the opening sequence.

Unnecessary Spoiler tags!

Commissar Rob

12-18-2008, 11:14 AM

I have to get out (or, actually, stay in) more as I haven't played any of these. Thank jeebus for extra time off this Christmas to start catching up.

Me neither...and with all the stuff sitting on my shelf I'm just not sure when I will be able to...Jeebus willing ;) I'll be able to catch up on my backlog next week.

Variable Gear

12-22-2008, 03:20 AM

Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts.

astranoir

12-22-2008, 08:58 AM

Easy solution for Rini and Astranoir - just vote for Sins of a Solar Empire.

Trust me, it's the right thing to do. Would I mislead such beautiful women? :)

Don't listen to the evil gnome! You two should buy Far Cry 2 so that way we can spam you invites next time we get some MP going.

Oh noes! Maybe I should just continue to stay away from this thread... Why do I keep coming back? :confused:

I will have to say, Kielaran, malaria doesn't sound good...

Kielaran

12-22-2008, 12:11 PM

Oh noes! Maybe I should just continue to stay away from this thread... Why do I keep coming back? :confused:

I will have to say, Kielaran, malaria doesn't sound good...

Don't knock it 'til you've tried it! :p

I haven't been bothered by the malaria aspect of the game, but see how some people are.

astranoir

12-22-2008, 12:20 PM

Don't knock it 'til you've tried it! :p

I haven't been bothered by the malaria aspect of the game, but see how some people are.

Wanna send me a copy? ;) I'll be sure to try it then :D

Kielaran

12-22-2008, 12:36 PM

Wanna send me a copy? ;) I'll be sure to try it then :D

Maybe when I finish it. :)

astranoir

12-22-2008, 12:42 PM

Maybe when I finish it. :)

Well, if you do, I'll let you know if I was pleasantly surprised (can anyone be pleasantly surprised by malaria?)
okay, I'll leave the malaria alone, now :)

Spigot

12-22-2008, 12:51 PM

Speaking of malaria, I was talking to this lady at a luncheon a few weeks back and she kept going on about how fat she was (she wasn't THAT fat) and stated that she had tried to go on a few mission trips to Africa for the express purpose of catching malaria. According to her, you lose 25 pounds during each bout of the disease and it tends to recur 4 times, so that was her way of easily shedding 100 pounds without going to the gym.

I wonder about the human race sometimes...

astranoir

12-22-2008, 12:55 PM