Weekend Gaming (4/10/09) - What are YOU playing? [Archive]

Purple Santa

04-10-2009, 05:20 AM

Hello weekend gamers. The countdown clock counting the minutes, hours and days till the weekend can be stored away now. The weekend greets us once again. This is not just a plain ordinary weekend though. This is chocolate bunny weekend. The joy of scoffing down jelly beans, chocolate eggs, Peeps, painted eggs and other ungodly sweets that will be brought by a mythical bunny. For those who are more serious about the holiday, there is the biblical story of sacrifice, death and resurrection (sounds a lot like a JRPG…hmmm) with a grand feast after Sunday’s sermon known as Easter dinner. For those who are celebrating the other major religious holiday, the days and nights of eating unleavened bread (hello Passover or Pesach in my house), here is hope you have many recipes to incorporate the use of all that matzoh one tends to consume. And for the rest of us where the above mentioned holidays meant absolutely nothing (not like chocolate bunnies? Heathens!) there is the usual weekend going ons, such as more baseball, spring cleaning, yard work, getting drunk/laid and praying there is no more snowfall upon their city. So between the eating of all the chocolate bunnies and back aching spring cleaning, let’s plan for some weekend gaming.

As of this writing, Persona 3 is being ready to become part of my gaming past. After 145 hours, the game has been conquered. After my four month odyssey, I now can move onto a more diversified game plan. (Update: The last boss crushed me at the half way mark. Two hours of gaming wasted...grrrr) The plan includes:

MadWorld- I might just unplug all my other game systems so to make sure I actually do play this game.

GH II/III/Aerosmith- Some tune playing to unwind from procrastination of writing a paper that has a deadline that is creeping ever closer.

God of War/Yakuza/P3:The Answer- Some kind of combination of all three over the weekend. My PS3 is my answer to multitasking as I watch tv. GoW II I started and put down due to P3. Yakuza because…Spigot won’t stop talking about it. And the answer…because I have real issues with Persona games.

GTA: Chinatown Wars- Finally starting to do some of the missions. And damn, they killed a character I really liked already. WTF? Nicely done though…nicely done…

What's on the dining menu? Big Easter/Passover plans or the usual cheez whiz fries and mountain dew? And as always, the important what are YOU playing this weekend?

menage

04-10-2009, 05:50 AM

FarCry 2, haven't really played that much of it yet, but can't wait to set some shit on fire again.

TR Underworld. try to finish it.

Persona 4, maybe some Dead Space and SF4.

I'm also awaiting my new copy's of PoP and Banjo, if they arrive, those as well.

frederec

04-10-2009, 05:55 AM

I think I'll finish my second play of Persona 4. I can't get all the social links this time around, but there isn't any bonus for getting them in one run (unlike in P3:FES), so the important thing is I maxed out the ones I missed the first time, so I can complete my compendium.

I'll probably also continue playing Super Mario World in the minutes before sleep. Always a good time.

Bad Buddha

04-10-2009, 06:11 AM

I actually played The Witcher for an hour or so yesterday. Still not finding a lot of direction in the Lakeside act. Just running around the fields killing anything that rears it's ugly head!

Lots of family stuff happening this weekend so hopefully I'll be up at 5:00am and get in some gaming before the family wakes up and the Easter festivities begin.

Gorvi

04-10-2009, 06:19 AM

Final Fantasy XI They released A Crystaline Prophecy (http://www.playonline.com/ff11us/addon/index.html) this week, the first of the three mini expansions that they're doing this year. I've only been able to watch the opening cutscene, but from that nice nearly 15 minute intro, it looks like it's going to be a damn interesting story. So the bulk of my time this weekend should be working towards making it through that story, and when I'm not doing that more Black Mage soloing for merits.

Gurumin I'm hoping to finish this up this weekend, I'm probably at least 90% done with the game. It's a very fun little game if you can get past the overly cutesy nature of it.

Assassin's Creed I barely started this Wednesday night, but I like what I played so far. So, if I'm in the mood for some action, this'll be where I go for it.

Otherwise, I may play some Persona 3, but I don't know about that. I'm also very tempted to go by EB for that sale they're running right now, they have Castelvania for PSP, Silent Hill for PSP, and FF1 & FF2 all for $10.

zarathstra

04-10-2009, 06:30 AM

I just got the new Dresden Files book in the mail from Amazon, so what little free time I have tonight will go towards reading that. Otherwise, I'll be out of town all weekend. I'll have my DS with me, so I'll probably get some Trauma Center: Under the Knife 2 in, and maybe some Civilization: Revolutions.

Spigot

04-10-2009, 06:39 AM

Congrats on beating or coming close to beating P3, Purple. And if I were you, I'd play through God of War 2 before tackling Yakuza, if only to help cleanse the palate.

Of course, what I really want you to do is play some MadWorld. Come on!

Well, I'm heading down to the in-laws and will be having a variety of Easter celebrations, both sacred and secular, over the next few days. And lots of chocolate will be consumed, hopefully by me instead of my kids (it's bad for kids, you know!)

I'm only going to have my DS and laptop with me for the next few days, so Fallout 3 (and my trip through The Pitt) will have to wait until next week. To fill that void, I shall be playing:

Theresia (DS): I haven't played this in a week but I think I'll be firing it up a bunch over the coming days. I know what to do to get past the spot I was in.. I just have to turn the game on to do it!

Lux Pain (DS): THIS is the game I was babbling about in the Monday Blues game. Purple Santa (and maybe Gorvi), this is a game for you guys. You know how I keep babbling about making a game that is almost entirely focused on the social aspects of the Persona games? This is getting pretty darned close. It's got the sort of off-kilter Japanese high school/small town setting from the Persona games mixed with the text-based dialogue-heavy chatter of an Ace Attorney game and the creepy puzzle aspects and fractured narrative of Theresia. The production values, as far as the quality of the voice-overs (of which there are a lot) and cutscenes are pretty impressive too. The only real issue I have is that it does seem like they rushed the localization a bit. There are several spelling errors in the text (though not game-breaking) and for some very odd reason, the VO doesn't match the text all the time... It's odd though. Both the text and the VO are decently done but when you're reading one thing while the character is actually saying another, it's kind of jarring.

That said, I'm loving the game so far and can't wait to have it be my GOTW (game of the weekend). Definately give it a rent to see if you like it, but if anyone around here will like it, I would say it's you two.

OUENDAAAAAN! (DS): All of the talk about QTEs in the Weekly Release thread this week got me thinking about the fact that I haven't played Ouendan in ages and really need to unlock those cheerleaders. Plus it's just a silly game and I love it so...

I've got a few other games in my DS case that might get played (Suikoden: Tierkries, Avalon Code, Henry Hatsworth) but those three above are the ones I'll be focusing the majority of my playtime on this weekend... when I have playtime.

I'm sure much Peggle, Peggle: Nights and Bookworm Adventures will be played if I'm forced to have guard duty over the kids when they go to bed (don't ask) and Dangerous Highshcool Girls In Trouble might get a bit more playtime too. And yeah, Eschalon might get fired up if things are slow.

But yeah. You guys need to check out Lux Pain. I'm adoring it so far, warts and all.

rein

04-10-2009, 06:44 AM

I don't anticipate a lot of time for gaming this weekend but I will probably make the most out of what little I have with Valkyria Chronicles .

I'm also going to dig through some PS2 games and try to get something going on on it for some late night gaming as I try to go to sleep.

frederec

04-10-2009, 06:45 AM

OUENDAAAAAN! (DS): All of the talk about QTEs in the Weekly Release thread this week got me thinking about the fact that I haven't played Ouendan in ages and really need to unlock those cheerleaders. Plus it's just a silly game and I love it so...

Another game I need to play more. I have all three of these games, and I have yet to beat the final stage in cheerleader difficulty for any of them. I bought a pro action replay for the sole purpose of unlocking the American cheer squad in Ouendan 2.

Awesome games. I'd love for them to make more, but I'm pretty happy with three of them.

Kelegacy

04-10-2009, 07:00 AM

Going to look at modular homes this weekend. If I can't find a home in my area, I'll create one instead!

For actual games, probably I'll be playing:

Gears of War. My friend likes playing Warzone online. I wish he'd buy Gears 2 instead.

Finishing upThe Simpsons Game. I'm at the end with the larger, mulit-part levels. I want to put this game to bed. It's good in small doses, but I want to move on to other things.

Maybe a JRPG. Blue Dragon has been calling me lately.

I could put Oblivion back in and mess around. I need to play Shivering Isles. I've also had a hankering for Crackdown again. I need some sort of sandbox play. Other than that, I don't know.

Purple Santa

04-10-2009, 07:05 AM

Otherwise, I may play some Persona 3, but I don't know about that. I'm also very tempted to go by EB for that sale they're running right now, they have Castelvania for PSP, Silent Hill for PSP, and FF1 & FF2 all for $10.

If you have the time...play some P3...I know you are really liking it but it really ramps up the goodness as it heads toward the last half of the game. And go for that EB sale. For Silent Hill alone it's worth it. SH is tough in the beginning, but I think you'll like the challenge. But I really loved the story...but i'm a big SH fan so maybe take that with a grain of salt...

@Spigot: It was after midnight, half way through the boss battle and ZAP! Instant death. Of course...I hadn't saved in like an hour...losing all progress before the last boss which is preceded by the typical "smaller bosses". A big fail to me for not realizing to go back and save when beating those "smaller bosses". I wanted to break my controller in half and then toss my lapop into the wall. Luckily, I did neither. Just went to bed angry. I'm going to level up some to give me a bigger cushion with HP. I don't want another instant zap death. But i'll finish...the lead up to that battle...was worth the play time. I can't wait to see the end...

Kelegacy

04-10-2009, 07:05 AM

Another game I need to play more. I have all three of these games, and I have yet to beat the final stage in cheerleader difficulty for any of them. I bought a pro action replay for the sole purpose of unlocking the American cheer squad in Ouendan 2.

Awesome games. I'd love for them to make more, but I'm pretty happy with three of them.

It's weird. I heard a lot of praise for Elite Beat Agents and after I bought it I found I disliked it--played it a few times and then sold it. I'm not big on music games apparently. At least of this variety.

frederec

04-10-2009, 07:14 AM

It's weird. I heard a lot of praise for Elite Beat Agents and after I bought it I found I disliked it--played it a few times and then sold it. I'm not big on music games apparently. At least of this variety.

I can't say I blame you. Elite Beat Agents is possibly the weakest of the three games. And this kind of game is not for everyone. I came into them after absolutely adoring Gitaroo Man (yet another game I've played to death but haven't gotten all that far in the most difficult mode), and really got a kick out of them. They don't have the branching songs that Gitaroo Man had, but they've got that sense of humor.

That makes me wonder, does anyone know any other rhythm game out there where the songs change depending on how you do? I don't mean certain parts cut in or go out if you suck real bad (like in bit.trip beat or Rock Band). I mean like in Gitaroo Man, where I would play a stage about ten times, then on the eleventh, I'd hear parts of the song I'd never heard before because I was performing differently.

Gorvi

04-10-2009, 07:17 AM

If you have the time...play some P3...I know you are really liking it but it really ramps up the goodness as it heads toward the last half of the game.
The thing about P3 is..... I'm almost feeling burnt out on the game, and I haven't even played it much in 3 weeks. I'm 56 hours in and the end is nowhere in sight, I'm just looking for a bit of variety. I know, that sounds odd, since I'm grinding away at FFXI almost daily now, but it's different there in that I have a ton of different things I can choose to do. I really do need to get back to it, though, I love the game, I'm just finding it tough to get motivated to sit back down and play it.

National Kato

04-10-2009, 07:42 AM

I'm now officially a homeowner.

So maybe I deserve some gaming this weekend? I think so. :)

Look for me to be playing some Dead Space, as I finally need to finish that game. Also, I'll put some hours into Cops n' Robbers multiplayer mode in GTA4, as that shit is just too much fun.

Downtime will find me playing Chinatown Wars on the DS or maybe some Rolando on my iPhone. I've put Persona 4 on the backburner for a bit. I'll get back into it, but I feel it's a good game that allows breaks in play. Especially when so much time between foggy days is spent merely advancing social links and raising stats through activities.

Gorvi

04-10-2009, 07:43 AM

I'm now officially a homeowner.
Congrats! Feels great, doesn't it?

National Kato

04-10-2009, 07:47 AM

Congrats! Feels great, doesn't it?

It'll feel better when I finally move in towards the end of this month, but I'm looking forward to it very much. The closing only took 30 minutes and there were no additional checks to write. A nice first-time experience for me, overall.

What'll even feel better is that $8,000 check Uncle Barry's gonna give me when I file my taxes. :D

Gorvi

04-10-2009, 07:48 AM

What'll even feel better is that $8,000 check Uncle Barry's gonna give me when I file my taxes. :D
Yeah, that is a very nice little boost. :)

Xydarc

04-10-2009, 08:47 AM

I'm gonna try to spread the love around this weekend:

The Witcher: It's time to start the first chapter and experience this amazing morality system everyone raves about.

Sins of a Solar Empire: I found a Star Wars mod that is begging to be played, and I'm gonna try out the Galaxy Forge toolset and create my own maps.

Mana Khemia: I need to finish this, I'm in my 3rd year, before Ar Tonelico 2 arrives at my doorstep.

Burn Zombie Burn: I'm really digging this PSN game. It'll be a nice break frrom all the RPG-ing.

Eschalon Book I: That tower still remains unexplored.

Bad Buddha

04-10-2009, 09:23 AM

Looks like rain all weekend so probably not much motorcycle riding.
:(
Sad Buddha!

I've been training since my shoulder surgery so I should be able to kick ass in the Easter Egg Hunt! Those 4-year-olds go down like a sack of oats when you hit them in the side of the knee.

Purple Santa

04-10-2009, 09:30 AM

The thing about P3 is..... I'm almost feeling burnt out on the game, and I haven't even played it much in 3 weeks. I'm 56 hours in and the end is nowhere in sight, I'm just looking for a bit of variety. I know, that sounds odd, since I'm grinding away at FFXI almost daily now, but it's different there in that I have a ton of different things I can choose to do. I really do need to get back to it, though, I love the game, I'm just finding it tough to get motivated to sit back down and play it.

That is a little surprising coming from a JRPG vet like yourself. Although I totally understand your sentiment. I didn't hit that point until recently but I was at the 120+ hours when it did. But then some plot twists perked up my interest and I just kept going. I'm not looking forward to grinding more through Tarturas but I'm thinking it's going to make the last boss a bit easier. I'm not sure if I am really hating the last boss...or admiring the balls of the developers for making it such an overextended long boss battle.

Gorvi

04-10-2009, 09:36 AM

That is a little surprising coming from a JRPG vet like yourself. Although I totally understand your sentiment. I didn't hit that point until recently but I was at the 120+ hours when it did. But then some plot twists perked up my interest and I just kept going. I'm not looking forward to grinding more through Tarturas but I'm thinking it's going to make the last boss a bit easier. I'm not sure if I am really hating the last boss...or admiring the balls of the developers for making it such an overextended long boss battle.
It used to be that that kind of thing wouldn't bother me at all, and under other circumstances, it still wouldn't. But, with work, the kids, and the house to take care of, it's an uphill battle to even get 2 to 3 hours to myself all day some days (weekends included), so it's hard to play a game that's just so long when I see all these other games that I'd like to play just sitting there unplayed or waiting to be bought.

That's kinda why I've been so into portable games, it's just so damn easy to pick them up for 5-10 minutes and then put them back into sleep mode, and all that ends up adding up. Where with a console RPG I have to sit and figure I need to have a good hour chunk of time to really do anything. I know some games aren't like that, but they end up feeling that way.

I'm not going to drop P3, I love the game, but it's hard right now to put the time into it.

hunterx280

04-10-2009, 10:26 AM

Not sure how much gaming time I'm going to be getting in. Maybe some TF2. I'm going to Sakura Con on Saturday so that'll probably keep me pretty busy. Sunday I should have plenty of time to waste.

I'm sure I'll be tempted by whatever is on the Steam Weekend deal so if that is something worth buying I may get that. Speaking of which, I need to finish up The Maw as well.

EDIT: I just remembered! A co-worker let me borrow Far Cry 2. I'll probably install that and give it a little time.

Jackel

04-10-2009, 11:12 AM

I'm nearing the end of the 5th chapter and the game on The Witcher. So that'll be first on my agenda.

I'll also try to get some Left 4 Dead in.

If I have any remaining time I'll get back to work on the Dawn of War 2 campaign.

Daytime_Lantern

04-10-2009, 11:28 AM

Well considering how I got my screen protectors for my DSi this week, I will be breaking out all Ouendan, Ouendan 2 and Elite Beat Agents. Seriously those could be my desert island games. So far, Ouendan has caused me to lose sleep the last few nights.

On the PC side of things, I am still playing Assassin's Creed which remains strangely fun. Moving around in that world and the combat is very satisfying, too bad there isn't much else to do outside of that.

Finally, I should play through the tutorial of Company of Heroes so I can finally play some with my brother who has been bugging me since forever.

Spigot

04-10-2009, 11:34 AM

Especially when so much time between foggy days is spent merely advancing social links and raising stats through activities.Merely? MERELY?

You dare call playing the absolute best part of the game something you MERELY do?

For shame...

For.

Shame.

It's weird. I heard a lot of praise for Elite Beat Agents and after I bought it I found I disliked it--played it a few times and then sold it. I'm not big on music games apparently. At least of this variety.I'm not a huge fan of EBA either. I like it well enough, but it's no Ouendan 2 and DEFINATELY no Ouendan 1.

I think a huge problem I had with EBA was the fact that I understood everything that was going on. A huge part of the charm of the first Ouendan (and to a slightly lesser extent, the second) was the fact that you could make up your own narrative for each incredibly silly story sequence. Plus you weren't some silly secret agents in the Ouendan games. You were CHEER SQUADS!

That, and I still think that the first game had the best music. I just didn't feel the same way about the music in the second Ouendan or EBA as I did for the music in the original.

Oh, and I'm serious. Gorvi and Purple Santa, you need to get your hands on a copy of Lux Pain stat. It'll help ease you down from the Persona high while being playable in small chunks.

Xydarc

04-10-2009, 11:39 AM

Spigot

04-10-2009, 11:43 AM

National Kato

04-10-2009, 11:45 AM

Merely? MERELY?

You dare call playing the absolute best part of the game something you MERELY do?

Well...I...um...meant 'merely' in the sense that...um...well, it doesn't take...umm...much...erm, concentration?

*runs away*

WhyThree

04-10-2009, 11:45 AM

I started Oblivion on Wednesday, so it looks like that's my weekend. And my next twelve weekends.

Spigot

04-10-2009, 11:50 AM

Well...I...um...meant 'merely' in the sense that...um...well, it doesn't take...umm...much...erm, concentration?

*runs away*Yes. Run away to your shiny new house!

Gorvi

04-10-2009, 11:54 AM

Oh, and I'm serious. Gorvi and Purple Santa, you need to get your hands on a copy of Lux Pain stat. It'll help ease you down from the Persona high while being playable in small chunks.
And it's only $20 too..... damn. I've been meaning to get a new DS game too. Ok, this or Theresia?

frederec

04-10-2009, 11:57 AM

I need to add two more things to the roster:

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: (http://www.amazon.com/Pride-Prejudice-Zombies-Classic-Ultraviolent/dp/1594743347/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1239384855&sr=8-1) Just got this in the mail today. Since it looks like a rainy weekend here in Boise, a little Jane Austin and ultraviolent zombie action sounds really good.

Got this for my wife when it came out. She likes Jane Austin okay, and she loves Shaun of the Dead. She hasn't gotten very far, but she's been amused by what she's read.

Ar Tonelico 2: I also got this delivered to me today, which is good motivation for finished Mana Khemia. I really enjoyed the first Ar Tonelico, I hope this one is as much fun.

Another game my wife has played (to completion) that I've only watched in pieces. Be warned, the localization on this one gets BAD at times.

Gorvi

04-10-2009, 11:59 AM

Another game my wife has played (to completion) that I've only watched in pieces. Be warned, the localization on this one gets BAD at times.
Isn't that the localization that was actually broken? As in there's a game ending glitch on a certain boss fight?

rinichanraar

04-10-2009, 12:00 PM

Planning on finishing up Resident Evil 5 tonight. Just finished up Chapter 5-3 last night. Goddamn.

After finishing that, I'll probably play Resistance 2. It's about time (to kick Chimera-ass)!

Maybe go back to Dead Rising. I haven't played all week, so I'm still level 15. Need to do something about that.

Spigot

04-10-2009, 12:14 PM

And it's only $20 too..... damn. I've been meaning to get a new DS game too. Ok, this or Theresia?$20!? Holy crap, the prices on DS games are too high up here. I got Lux Pain with credit (I was supposed to be getting a review copy but after more than 2 weeks of waiting for it to arrive, I just went out and got it) but it was $30 here.

Of course, it seems that the average DS game price around here is about $35-39 with the Square surcharge bumping those up to $45. PSP games are hitting about $50 for a lot of titles, which is criminal.

But if it's only $20, get both Theresia AND Lux Pain.

Theresia has a much more solid localization but is pretty dry in the AV department, though it's awesome nonetheless. Lux Pain looks and sounds a lot nicer but has the spelling mistakes here and there and the odd disconnect between what is written and what is being voiced some of the time. Neither are game breakers, but they were jarring at first.

frederec

04-10-2009, 12:17 PM

Isn't that the localization that was actually broken? As in there's a game ending glitch on a certain boss fight?

Yes, there is a boss towards the end of the game that you have to beat in three rounds or less or the game will lock up. My wife thankfully heard about it before she got there, but didn't have too much trouble making it through the fight.

And in addition to the translation being bad, there are oddities with the voiceovers. There was a bit of a stink raised because they didn't redo all the voice acting into English. But instead of just letting you have the full English track or the full Japanese track, any Japanese dialogue where the English dialogue wasn't recorded was cut out of the game. This doesn't really bother me, but is odd.

It's unfortunate, because before Disgaea 3, I felt that NISA had been doing a good job of localizations. But Disgaea 3 had me scratching my head at many of the item descriptions (that were a big source of humor in the other games). Things have just gotten worse for Ar Tonelico 2. I hope they get their act together for future games, or else I may start getting really really picky about what of theirs I buy.

Gorvi

04-10-2009, 12:18 PM

It looks like the price just dropped on Lux Pain here, it was $30 (which is what Theresia is now). That is really tempting. If I can wrestle my DS Lite away from my wife, that is.

Doogie2K

04-10-2009, 12:21 PM

A few possibilities:

Rock Band 2/Guitar Hero III - It's a standard, plus I finally have my equipment set up in my new gaming room downstairs, so I can finally drum.

Mass Effect - just started it. Don't like the tiny-ass writing on my old SDTV, but I'll manage. I've decided to make my character a bit of a hard-ass soldier, instead of the usual namby-pamby nice-guy type I normally play in these moral-choice RPGs. Also went mage (Adept) over space marine, again for the change of pace; not sure how I feel about it yet, since you don't exactly have many powers in the early game. Should I buy the DLC, since I didn't buy the edition that came with it preloaded?

Gears of War 2 - Might try to get further. Dunno.

No More Heroes - The technical graphics are a bloody mess, but the combat is pretty good, so it's worth the effort, in small doses.

Sins of a Solar Empire - I might try to start an SP game, or I might see if my buddy's back from out of town to resume our online game.

Spigot

04-10-2009, 12:44 PM

It looks like the price just dropped on Lux Pain here, it was $30 (which is what Theresia is now). That is really tempting. If I can wrestle my DS Lite away from my wife, that is.That's still a great deal. Two very competent adventure titles for $50? Not a bad deal, if you ask me.

jpublic

04-10-2009, 12:45 PM

Far Cry 2 - I'm actualyl enjoying this, although I've run into an annoying bug. Every time I hit tilde, it goes into the console. I can close the console, but I can't figure out how to get the game to run again - it ignores input and I have to alt-f4 or run the 'quittomenu' console command.

Drakensang - I should probably continue this. I'm working my way into the Orc-seiged castle.

My World, My Way - I'm still working on that Chaos Daughter.

Sins of a Solar Empire - I need to learn how to play with Starbases.

Xydarc

04-10-2009, 12:51 PM

Yes, there is a boss towards the end of the game that you have to beat in three rounds or less or the game will lock up. My wife thankfully heard about it before she got there, but didn't have too much trouble making it through the fight.

And in addition to the translation being bad, there are oddities with the voiceovers. There was a bit of a stink raised because they didn't redo all the voice acting into English. But instead of just letting you have the full English track or the full Japanese track, any Japanese dialogue where the English dialogue wasn't recorded was cut out of the game. This doesn't really bother me, but is odd.

It's unfortunate, because before Disgaea 3, I felt that NISA had been doing a good job of localizations. But Disgaea 3 had me scratching my head at many of the item descriptions (that were a big source of humor in the other games). Things have just gotten worse for Ar Tonelico 2. I hope they get their act together for future games, or else I may start getting really really picky about what of theirs I buy.
Thanks for the heads up. Which boss should I look out for? Also, if I choose the Japanese language track (which I usually do), will I miss out on anything?

Purple Santa

04-10-2009, 01:59 PM

It used to be that that kind of thing wouldn't bother me at all, and under other circumstances, it still wouldn't. But, with work, the kids, and the house to take care of, it's an uphill battle to even get 2 to 3 hours to myself all day some days (weekends included), so it's hard to play a game that's just so long when I see all these other games that I'd like to play just sitting there unplayed or waiting to be bought.

That's kinda why I've been so into portable games, it's just so damn easy to pick them up for 5-10 minutes and then put them back into sleep mode, and all that ends up adding up. Where with a console RPG I have to sit and figure I need to have a good hour chunk of time to really do anything. I know some games aren't like that, but they end up feeling that way.

I'm not going to drop P3, I love the game, but it's hard right now to put the time into it.
Actually I don't have all the responsibilities you have (obviously) but still avoided long games (RPGs in general) despite they would peak my interest but I don't have the willpower to avoid playing other games that come out and all shiny and new :). I know I could put one down and come back but...i'll never remember what was going on in half of them. I think i'm at some point in FF III for the DS...put that down months ago...good luck to me figuring out where to go or what I was doing before. So I know the love for RPG and portable gaming. Except when I put down a game like FF III, EO II...and forget they exist :). I have stuck with P3 only because it's been so unique for me. I am hoping eventually...and a much later eventually...when I play P4, it will still be unique for me.

Oh, and I'm serious. Gorvi and Purple Santa, you need to get your hands on a copy of Lux Pain stat. It'll help ease you down from the Persona high while being playable in small chunks.
Lux Pain is the game you have been talking about mysteriously? Some details...i'm intrigued...I could Google but I like the Obscure Gamer perspective I get from you :).

I started Oblivion on Wednesday, so it looks like that's my weekend. And my next twelve weekends.
Only 12? I'm thinking at least double that what I read about Oblivion...
And it's only $20 too..... damn. I've been meaning to get a new DS game too. Ok, this or Theresia?
My vote is for Theresia.

civil

04-10-2009, 03:01 PM

Nothing. Thanks to a perfect storm combination of Gamefly's shitty service and Chicago's unbelievable inept mail service. It's like being at the center of a lemon party trying to write a term paper.

Good though, because that leaves me with more time to work on my film (http://www.colonyofgamers.com/cogforums/showthread.php?t=7030) (yes, that's a shameless plug).

muddi900

04-10-2009, 03:03 PM

Every time I hit tilde, it goes into the console.

This has been standard in games since Quake!

I'll be playing some Dark Sector and some Dark Athena.

Spigot

04-10-2009, 03:24 PM

It's pique... PIQUE!

Bad Buddha

04-10-2009, 03:39 PM

It's pique... PIQUE!
YOU tHiNK your're So SpeciaL wItH yOu're Fancy FreNchIE Talk!

frederec

04-10-2009, 03:58 PM

Thanks for the heads up. Which boss should I look out for? Also, if I choose the Japanese language track (which I usually do), will I miss out on anything?

The boss's name is Raki, and is in the last dungeon. There is an exploit you can use to get past it (and actually every battle), but I'll let you search if you want to dig that up.

And if you listen to the Japanese track, I don't think you'll miss anything, except the Japanese voice acting that wasn't included.

It's pique... PIQUE!

Every time I think about saying something like this, I remind myself it's just a forum. And half the time if I look over my posts a second time I find plenty of stupid mistakes.

Sl1pstream

04-10-2009, 04:16 PM

Pokémon Platinum
GTA: Chinatown Wars
Resident Evil 5
Skate 2
Halo Wars (maybe)
and I'm going to try to work on my backlog.

Spigot

04-10-2009, 05:02 PM

Every time I think about saying something like this, I remind myself it's just a forum. And half the time if I look over my posts a second time I find plenty of stupid mistakes.Oh, so now you're calling me stupid, are you?

Hmmph.

:)

I don't tend to worry about anyone else's gaffes except Purple Santa's. The 'should of's bug me more...

I fired up Ouendan after probably a good year away and got smoked working on a few of the last songs on the second hardest mode. I think I need to do some of the easier difficulties first to warm up...

jpublic

04-10-2009, 05:02 PM

This has been standard in games since Quake!

I'm aware of that, but in every other game I've played when you hit Tilde again, it lets you go back to the game. FC2 apparently doesn't do that.

frederec

04-10-2009, 05:18 PM

Oh, so now you're calling me stupid, are you?

Hmmph.

:)

I don't tend to worry about anyone else's gaffes except Purple Santa's. The 'should of's bug me more...

I fired up Ouendan after probably a good year away and got smoked working on a few of the last songs on the second hardest mode. I think I need to do some of the easier difficulties first to warm up...

See, I thought I was saying I was doing stupid things. But if you want it to be me calling you stupid, that's fine too. Whatever you like.

Spigot

04-10-2009, 05:28 PM

See, I thought I was saying I was doing stupid things. But if you want it to be me calling you stupid, that's fine too. Whatever you like.Oh, I can never stay mad at you.

Say... did you pick up Lux Pain? I thought I remembered seeing one of the ObscuriGamerClub playing it or expressing interest a few weeks back...

Woah. I just found out something mind-blowing.

Sid Meier, of Civilization fame, was born right here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarnia,_Ontario) where I (more or less) grew up. He's a Sarnian!

I knew the chemicals around here did something crazy to people...

frederec

04-10-2009, 05:30 PM

Oh, I can never stay mad at you.

Say... did you pick up Lux Pain? I thought I remembered seeing one of the ObscuriGamerClub playing it or expressing interest a few weeks back...

No, I haven't been picking up much lately. My budget has been pretty tight. Though most of the games I've bought in recent months (Theresia, bit.trip beat) have been your fault. I'm curious about these social aspects of Lux Pain, but I'm also apprehensive. I remember you (I think) raving about Dangerous High School Girls in Trouble, and I didn't get into that one.

Spigot

04-10-2009, 05:46 PM

Hey, don't knock DHSGiT! I'm liking it now that I've made it past the initial parts and the story is unfolding.

Lux Pain is a more traditional adventure game but there are quasi-social events and the setting, a Japanese high school where creepy things happen and a secret organization sends its operative in to fix things, are pretty much in keeping with the feel of the Persona games. It is definately one I think people should rent, as it isn't for everyone but it's filling a great spot in my adventure-starved soul.

Xydarc

04-10-2009, 06:09 PM

The boss's name is Raki, and is in the last dungeon. There is an exploit you can use to get past it (and actually every battle), but I'll let you search if you want to dig that up.

And if you listen to the Japanese track, I don't think you'll miss anything, except the Japanese voice acting that wasn't included.

Ha. Good one.

I think I'll avoid the exploit for now but I appreciate the boss name. I also agree with you about DHSGiT...I guess I just don't get it. I got it on sale though, and I don't mind helping out indie devs.

Daytime_Lantern

04-10-2009, 06:21 PM

Braid on Steam assuming it actually comes out.

Purple Santa

04-10-2009, 09:16 PM

Xydarc

04-10-2009, 09:30 PM

After weeks of Persona love...backlash?

frederec

04-10-2009, 09:34 PM

I'm at the breaking point with P3. I've now died 3 times at the same exact moment with the last boss. I love turn based games with bosses that can pull a "instant death" on you. I'm ready to say FU to the game...and hello youtube to find the ending. I think i'm going to torture myself one more time...then it's time to move on to other gaming pastures....

Stuff like that frequently happens because you weren't bringing the right persona at that moment. For instance, the last boss of P4 kept killing me because of this status attack that followed up with instant death. But I fell for it just because I forgot in that game if you guarded you also protected from status ailments. So once I did that, I made it through okay.

If you're on the last boss of P3, it should be changing arcana periodically. It's possible that for that particular arcana, you just need to switch to a persona that is immune to light or dark. Then you can switch away once you've made it past that part.

maharahaj

04-10-2009, 10:15 PM

I started playing Wipeout HD again, now that they implemented a patch that shows online badges/rankings. Too bad that the addition of this feature cause as extra 15-20 seconds of down time in between races though. Considering each race takes only 3:00 tops, and there currently is approx. 1:30 time spent in between each race (going back to the menu, picking a new ship if you want, loading etc.) the additional 20 seconds is a big deal. I'd rather spend more time racing. I would play tournaments, but people always seem to drop out of them, making them meaningless.

I plowed through my second play though of RE5 (360) between yesterday and today. Having a fully loaded out Magnum w/ infinite ammo really makes the game a cakewalk. I might start another play through to find all the BSAA targets.

I just finished downloading Flower; time to install and try it out.

Will probably play RB2 tomorrow at a friend's house.

Cyndair

04-10-2009, 10:32 PM

This weekend has already been busy with family and church but when I do find some free time I'll be playing:

Persona 3: I'm approaching the 40 hour mark and still going strong. Despite the Persona backlash in this thread I'll keep trucking away. I'm 5 days out from the 4th full moon and at the 85th floor in Tartarus. Hearing Purple Santa talk about the 250-somthingth floor is daunting!

OK, the beach scene was hilarious. "Operation Babe Hunt" was a complete failure. At least I can start a social link with Yukari now. Thankfully I already had my charm maxxed out.

Killzone 2: I wanted to finish up the single-player last weekend but never got around to it. I will try again this weekend.

Little Big Planet: I've got some friends coming over this weekend for local co-op. Going to finally put the Metal Gear Solid DLC through its paces.

Purple Santa

04-10-2009, 10:36 PM

After weeks of Persona love...backlash?
Like with any LTR...there are bouts of doubts :). I'm just impatient when it comes to a game's end. I want to be done. Especially after all this time. Not so much a reflection on the game..then on my lack of patience.

If you're on the last boss of P3, it should be changing arcana periodically. It's possible that for that particular arcana, you just need to switch to a persona that is immune to light or dark. Then you can switch away once you've made it past that part.
I'm going to try that. I was caught twice with the same persona so i'm going to switch out at that point. Usually I know to switch strategies for offensive reasons but hadn't thought about changing for defensive purpose. Thanks for the tip.

Restlessavenger

04-11-2009, 12:07 AM

jpublic

04-11-2009, 12:07 AM

Purple Santa, here's the quick and easy way to win the game:

1) Get Lucifer
2) Get Satan
3) Have lots of Somas and other things that can replentish your MP.
4) Get to the end boss, and the final stage of her.
5) Use the Fusion Spell Armageddon.
6) Use a MP refill.
7) Return to step 5.

It should only take 2 of those.

Cavalier

04-11-2009, 12:54 AM

It's a Persona 4 weekend for me, I really need to clear our my backlog of games before Star Ocean 4 and Tales of Vesperia (finally) hit the UK.

Purple Santa

04-11-2009, 05:03 AM

I've sort of been going through a console funk. At this point my stack of games to be played is just so daunting that I have retreated to my DS for the last week or so (and as of this afternoon... my DSi.

I have been plowing through DQ IV with a vengeance and have been having a really great time with it. Also a little Peggle Dual Shot and Retro Game Challenge in between. I've picked up 5 or 6 new DS games in the last couple of weeks so even the stack there is getting a bit large.

I can't blame you for running off with your DSi. I love mine.

Purple Santa, here's the quick and easy way to win the game:

1) Get Lucifer
2) Get Satan
3) Have lots of Somas and other things that can replentish your MP.
4) Get to the end boss, and the final stage of her.
5) Use the Fusion Spell Armageddon.
6) Use a MP refill.
7) Return to step 5.

It should only take 2 of those.

Ok, to sound like a total noob despite playing this game for way to long...I don't have the Personas you suggested. How do I get them? I love the sound of that fusion spell too...i'd love to be able to throw that at this damn boss...

And I was on the second to last Arcana last night...my heart was racing because I thought, yes finally going to beat this game...nope...it threw up some defensive force field that bounced everything back basically killing the characters with their own attack. First time around, you were warned so, everyone I put into standby. Second time around, I knew it was coming but I couldn't stop them from attacking...and once again, poof...instant death. At 2 am last night I seriously gave some thought of just finding the videos of the endings. I even found them, and started to play one. I felt guilty and decided to sleep on it. So now here I am ..again...with another strategy to beat this final boss. I need a new hobby...

Edit: Just died again at the 8th Arcana. Using the persona that worked last night. Thanks Jpublic and Frederec for your help in this game. I gave it my best shot. I need to take my life back. I'm caving and going to watch this ending on Youtube.

Edit2: @ Frederec: You were right. Seeing the "good" ending was worth it. Bittersweet that I couldn't make it to the end to see it with the credits rolling afterward but that ending needed to be seen.

x Returner x

04-11-2009, 05:37 AM

Demon's Souls
Left 4 Dead

menage

04-11-2009, 06:09 AM

Played Banjo yesterday night. Fun little game, a lot like LBP in it's premise, only forces you to build during the game a bit more. Which actually helps me to build stuff. LBP kinda had 2 separate entities in that regard.

Spigot

04-11-2009, 07:28 AM

frederec

04-11-2009, 07:46 AM

I had a pretty good roster of Persona in P4 that kept me safe from pretty much anything that could be thrown at me by the endgame, but it was still a squeaker and took me two attempts to beat the true boss.

(What follows are mild spoilers for second cycle on P4, but nothing that gives away story.)
Just last night I got the final persona in P4 that you can only get on a second cycle. I was pretty excited, but then discovered that it's not listed on the compendium! I guess it makes sense, since just a few minutes earlier I actually completed the compendium and got the 25% off item, and it's the only persona of the world arcana. And I'm sure they did this so you can't just call it up at the beginning of a new game and stomp all over everything's ass. But it's still frustrating to know I can't take it with me.

I also managed to encounter and beat The Reaper last night in P4. (He shows up in random chests after the first cycle.) It was pretty tough, but I did get the best weapon for the protagonist out of it. Not sure how quick I'd be to fight him again, but it was satisfying. Now I just need to see if I can survive against Margaret...

Purple Santa

04-11-2009, 07:54 AM

That's too bad, Purple. But I agree. You can only bang your head against a wall so many times before you have to cave in.

I had a pretty good roster of Persona in P4 that kept me safe from pretty much anything that could be thrown at me by the endgame, but it was still a squeaker and took me two attempts to beat the true boss.

I'm not sure I'm looking forward to playing P3's endgame with the lack of control over other characters!

Go get Lux Pain, Purple...

Well if I didn't have a paper that is looming over me, I probably would of cooled off a few hours and then once again tried. I can only guess why the 8th arcana uses whatever zap spell it is (it looks like a door is in front of you and underneath you...shadow like) that it is an instant kill. It's the only time I saw that particular attack.

Being able to control the characters would of saved me from dying last night. That was a rare frustration with P3 that I had. I know if I had been able to control my characters from attacking...I would of went on to beat the last Arcana. C'est la vie. And P4 ending was a squeaker for you? I look forward to that end boss. I don't plan on touching P4 until the summer. Despite it being damaging to my mental health, I think i'm going to begin The Answer tonight. Only after some palette cleansing GoWII play though :).

I remembered where I had seen a mention about Lux Pain. A recent issue of Play magazine. They were giving it a preview, and left myself a note to look into it. I have a Gamefly slot open, so I think i'll be adding that today.

jpublic

04-11-2009, 09:29 AM

Jackel

04-11-2009, 09:34 AM

Finished off "The Witcher" last night, so I'll be able to devote some time to DoW 2 tonight!!

Purple Santa

04-11-2009, 10:10 AM

Don't worry about it Purp. I had so massively over-leveled the ending was a joke to me. Every single one of my party members was in the 90's.

To get those personae, you have to make it to 88 on your main character. Satan is 79 and of the Judgement Arcana, Lucifer's 88 and of Star, and you must max out Star for him.

I did look up those two personas. I saw the levels that was needed and I was like *yikes*. I knew toward the last 20-30 hours of the game I wasn't leveling up properly. Before then, I was intently trying to grind to get to higher levels. The grinding though wore me down by the end. I thought I would need at least to be at 80 or above to have an easier time with the last boss. I was a measly 73. I'll have to avoid grinding burnout with P4 when I get around to it.

Bad Buddha

04-11-2009, 10:38 AM

MagGnome

04-11-2009, 11:27 AM

I've had a busy weekend so far, with little time for gaming. I had yesterday off, so I did some cleaning and laying around, and I also finally filed my taxes. $300+ heading my way, woohoo! It's going right into my housing fund.

Speaking of my housing fund, I'm at Level 3 of House Hunting as of today. This level is sort of a First Person Adventure wherein I explore houses in full 3D. The graphics are amazing, and hopefully I won't run into any bugs or glitches.

I went out with friends last night and ended up meeting up with this guy I've just started seeing. I stayed over at his place. ;)

I got home this morning and fired up World of Goo after eating breakfast and getting ready for the day. I beat the last two levels and saw the ending - what a great game!

I've got a lot going on the rest of the weekend, but I'm hoping to start a new game. I'm not sure what I should play next - I guess that's what happens when you've got too many damn games to play. Sounds rough, eh? Here's my Steam profile (http://steamcommunity.com/id/MagGnome/games), if anyone wants to offer some suggestions.

Purple Santa

04-11-2009, 11:41 AM

I noticed that the OP mention Easter festivities.

I'm roasting up a garlic, rosemary leg of lamb with roast Yukon Gold potatoes to take over to my mother's for an early supper. I'll try to snap some pics. :D

Turns out my son has a D&D game scheduled for tomorrow. :confused: I hope he chooses to have dinner with us and his grandmother!

That sounds yummy! I'll be there with my spork :p. I absolutely love lamb. My ex-father in law would cook lamb every Easter. Good eating times. Nothing else about that point in my life was very good...but the eating was good...well on holidays anyway :). And pics are definitely welcome...of the food especially.

I'm sure as dedicated as a gamer as your son is...I believe he would be smart not to warrant your wrath:eek: Maybe i'm old school...dad's were meant to be feared and respected...then loved...in that order :D

@Mr. Gnome: Continued good luck with your house hunting. And it's nice to hear you have a new "friend" :cool:

MagGnome

04-11-2009, 01:49 PM

I just knocked out a couple more levels in I-Fluid. It's an interesting game, but I wish that the water droplet didn't skid around so much.

rinichanraar

04-11-2009, 02:01 PM

Almost finished with Resident Evil 5. Wow, I sure kicked that rock's ass. ;)

drobvice

04-11-2009, 02:10 PM

mythical bunny

Mu..Mu..Mythical...Bunny :sobs: You've ruined everything! This is an Easter TRAGEDY. :runs away screaming:

On a lighter note I'll be playing Phoenix Wright Justice for All and a little Mystery Dungeon: Shiren the Wanderer on the old DSi.

Spigot

04-11-2009, 03:46 PM

I had a pretty packed morning with the kiddies doing the easter egg hunt in the local park and then we took our kids bowling with the grandparents for their first bowling game, ever. Of course, my son, with his usual gusto and bombast, declared, "Bowling is my favourite thing ever. I've never bowled though."

Lots of fun was had by all and then I was able to sneak off to the mall for a bit and put some surprise birthday money to good use getting a couple of new novels (steampunk + angels & demons + high fantasy? Sounds good to me!) and Rhythm Heaven for the DS. I was THIS close to snagging Peggle DS as Toys R Us had it for $19 but my wife said no and, given that I wanted the books and Rhythm Heaven more, I capitulated.

MagGnome

04-11-2009, 03:59 PM

I just finished a short Sins of a Solar Empire game, and I thought I'd share a few screens. It was a small map with only 7 planets. I played as Advent (green) versus the Vasari (blue) controlled by the AI.

Drone ships:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v58/JacobD/ScreenShot_11.jpg

Vasari's capital ship goes BOOM!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v58/JacobD/ScreenShot_17.jpg

They quickly attacked me with another one:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v58/JacobD/ScreenShot_19.jpg

The Vasari managed to build one last capital ship as I attacked their home world:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v58/JacobD/ScreenShot_22.jpg

The final bombardment of the Vasari's home planet:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v58/JacobD/ScreenShot_23.jpg

Edit - Apparently COG's forum software downgraded the resolution of my screens. They were glorious in 1680x1050. :D

Purple Santa

04-11-2009, 08:18 PM

Mu..Mu..Mythical...Bunny :sobs: You've ruined everything! This is an Easter TRAGEDY. :runs away screaming:

On a lighter note I'll be playing Phoenix Wright Justice for All and a little Mystery Dungeon: Shiren the Wanderer on the old DSi.
I guess I shouldn't mention anything about The Great Pumpkin either :(

So how are you liking your DSi?
I was THIS close to snagging Peggle DS as Toys R Us had it for $19 but my wife said no and, given that I wanted the books and Rhythm Heaven more, I capitulated.

I think Peggle is the new crack. I've read about how some have bought the different versions of this game but recently watched 4 of my housemates (including ADD) become glued to the game on XBL. Peggle needs to be abolished...

H.Bogard

04-11-2009, 08:43 PM

I actually played The Witcher for an hour or so yesterday. Still not finding a lot of direction in the Lakeside act. Just running around the fields killing anything that rears it's ugly head!

Just drag yourself through that act, the rest of the game is worth it.

drobvice

04-11-2009, 09:45 PM

I guess I shouldn't mention anything about The Great Pumpkin either :(

So how are you liking your DSi?

I think Peggle is the new crack. I've read about how some have bought the different versions of this game but recently watched 4 of my housemates (including ADD) become glued to the game on XBL. Peggle needs to be abolished...

Great Pumpkin, oh everyone knows he's fake :p

The DSi...I love it! But I haven't really been using it for much the Lite can't do, other than the browser (which is faster than the DS one and built in) and the lack of smudges. I am liking the UI, though. I don't think the Wii'ification of the DS is a bad thing.

What's Peggle's hook? I played about 5 min of the demo on XBLA and it was fun but I wasn't zomg! sucked in.

menage

04-12-2009, 06:30 AM

Played Prince of Persia last night. It's pretty decent so far, minus the battles which are more of a hit and miss affair, and the level design is a bit awkward about telling you your direct goal. Sometimes I'm just jumping around without a clue where I should be heading or doing. I know there this blue follow me ball, but it's more a complaint about narrative and structure than the gameplay itself.

Looks pretty, plays well and the platforming is actually more fun than I thought it would be. I like it, zooming around the levels. More control than AC but still easy enough to not annoy or frustrate with dozens of sudden deaths. The not dying is kinda overrated as a game killer. You still fall, a lot, it only saves you some loading which is fine by me.

The people responsable for turning him into Nathan Drake should be shot. I loved Nathan Drake, but not in medieval Persia. Totally out of place.

The whole thing reminded me of a Hollywood blockbuster. Looks great, entertaining, but also totally flawed in some areas, great popcorn stuff, nothing really lasting. Like most Ubisoft games I guess.

Kelegacy

04-12-2009, 06:30 AM

I beat Simpsons Game last night, which is a relief. It started to grate on me. It's an interesting game, and very diverse because of the wide array of levels (and humorous in its parodies) but I had enough of it.

I am installing Oblivion right now to my 360 HDD as I'm going to play some Shivering Isles today. Guess I'd better give it a shot, as I'm in an adventuring mood.

I also bought Sacred Gold at Target for 7.50. Contemplating giving it an install as well.

I also played a bunch of demos. My God, is Ninja Blade a game or a movie? I remember killing some enemies on my own, but the rest of it was a total QTE shitstorm.

Purple Santa

04-12-2009, 06:35 AM

Great Pumpkin, oh everyone knows he's fake :p

The DSi...I love it! But I haven't really been using it for much the Lite can't do, other than the browser (which is faster than the DS one and built in) and the lack of smudges. I am liking the UI, though. I don't think the Wii'ification of the DS is a bad thing.

What's Peggle's hook? I played about 5 min of the demo on XBLA and it was fun but I wasn't zomg! sucked in.

The Great Pumpkin brings those candy baskets full of chocolate bunnies and peeps. Fake no way! ;)

I can't wait for the DSi ware myself...I haven't tried the browser yet...and considering my DS lite was never hooked to my network, it's nice being connected with my DSi.

I'm not a puzzle gamer myself. So I can't say what the enjoyment is with Peggle. Although I can see part of the fascination...it's different enough I guess..I don't know, I don't play puzzle games...maybe it's derivative of something else...they can't get enough of it here. I hear that stage ending music one more time.....ugh. I'm sure some of the Peggle addicts here will clue us in on the ZOMG features.

MagGnome

04-12-2009, 09:23 AM

I also bought Sacred Gold at Target for 7.50. Contemplating giving it an install as well.

I feel a little bad telling you that the game is $5 right now on Steam. :p

So did no one like my Sins shots? It took me forever to get that post put together, so I was hoping for at least one or two comments. Not that I'm an attention whore or anything...

Microsoft just let me know that my Xbox Live Gold subscription has expired. Thanks guys!

Kelegacy

04-12-2009, 09:25 AM

Amazon has a sale on XBLA codes today for Galaga Legions. 50% off, it comes out to being less than 5 bucks. It's hilarious that we have to rely on places like Amazon to give us actual deals instead of Microsoft. Their deals of the week are usually terrible.

Kelegacy

04-12-2009, 09:27 AM

I feel a little bad telling you that the game is $5 right now on Steam. :p

So did no one like my Sins shots? It took me forever to get that post put together, so I was hoping for at least one or two comments. Not that I'm an attention whore or anything...

Microsoft just let me know that my Xbox Live Gold subscription has expired. Thanks guys!

But for 2.50 more I don't have to use DRM or Steam and I have a hard copy! I'll always pick physical copies over DL. :) The Steam sale this weekend is what prompted me to pick it up.

MagGnome

04-12-2009, 09:37 AM

But for 2.50 more I don't have to use DRM or Steam and I have a hard copy! I'll always pick physical copies over DL. :) The Steam sale this weekend is what prompted me to pick it up.

:p

I was the same way until just this past year.

Let me know what you think of the game.

rein

04-12-2009, 09:50 AM

:p

I was the same way until just this past year.

Let me know what you think of the game.

How intrusive is steam? Does use up many resources? I have installed it on my laptop and my desktop in the past but I can't remember much about it. I'm thinking of putting it on this little Eee PC for World of Goo but hardly worth it for one or two games if it uses too many resources.

...and yes... ...I liked your screens of Sins. Makes me want to pick it up.

MagGnome

04-12-2009, 10:12 AM

How intrusive is steam? Does use up many resources? I have installed it on my laptop and my desktop in the past but I can't remember much about it. I'm thinking of putting it on this little Eee PC for World of Goo but hardly worth it for one or two games if it uses too many resources.

...and yes... ...I liked your screens of Sins. Makes me want to pick it up.

I don't think it is very intrusive at all. My machine is far from a power house, and Steam runs just fine. It just sits in the background. I don't notice any slowdown or anything with it. It's not perfect - nothing is - but I really like it. Steam and Impulse are both great programs/services.

I was totally against digital distribution until last year, and now I'm up to 85 games on Steam as of today. :o I didn't spend more than $20 on any of those except Left 4 Dead, and the majority were $10 or less.

I will give one disclaimer - I have a good, solid internet connection, so I can't vouch for how Steam runs in offline mode, as I never use it.

I went ahead and picked up Sacred Gold, Disciples 2 Gold, and Culpa Innata, which looks like an interesting adventure game. $20 total.

rein

04-12-2009, 10:22 AM

I don't think it is very intrusive at all...

Thanks Mags. Now I have to play around and find out exactly what kind of load this tiny thing can handle.

OK, I have put a little time into Valkyrie Chronicles but I am driving myself nuts trying to get perfect scores. I'm not sure when I started playing games this way because I used to run through the first time and would save perfect scores for a second play through.

My question for everyone, do you keep reloading games for perfect scores? Or, do you blaze through the first time and save the perfect scores for the second play through?

MagGnome

04-12-2009, 10:27 AM

Xydarc

04-12-2009, 10:55 AM

Thanks Mags. Now I have to play around and find out exactly what kind of load this tiny thing can handle.

OK, I have put a little time into Valkyrie Chronicles but I am driving myself nuts trying to get perfect scores. I'm not sure when I started playing games this way because I used to run through the first time and would save perfect scores for a second play through.

My question for everyone, do you keep reloading games for perfect scores? Or, do you blaze through the first time and save the perfect scores for the second play through?
In Valkyria Chronicles, I saved the "A" rank attempts for the skirmishes. This way, I could enjoy the story missions.

rein

04-12-2009, 11:01 AM

I'd actually be more concerned about World of Goo if I were you Rein - check the game's requirements, or I can look them up on Steam for you if you wish. If you can run World of Goo on your Netbook then you can definitely run Steam.

As for your question, I'm a big completionist, so I have a real problem with trying to get perfect scores and find all of the secrets, etc. in games. I have to actually talk myself out of doing this, otherwise it gets to the point where I am not having any fun. It turns into work.

Edit - I went ahead and pulled the World of Goo system requirements off of Steam:

Supported OS: Windows® XP or Vista
Processor: 1GHz or faster
Memory: 512+MB RAM
Video: Any 3D graphics accelerator less than 5 years old
DirectX® Version: 9.0c
Hard Drive: 100MB

Obviously the game is not a system hog by any means.

I read an article that had Wold of Goo listed as one of the games that runs great on the netbook. I'm definitely going to give it a try. Steam seems like a great option at the moment because I have no external dvd drive to install the disk version. I will try to get to it later... ...unfortunately I am doing a bit of working from home this weekend. I guess that is why I am glued to COG so much too. I can tab over and read the board while I am working. :)

MagGnome

04-12-2009, 11:33 AM

I read an article that had Wold of Goo listed as one of the games that runs great on the netbook. I'm definitely going to give it a try. Steam seems like a great option at the moment because I have no external dvd drive to install the disk version. I will try to get to it later... ...unfortunately I am doing a bit of working from home this weekend. I guess that is why I am glued to COG so much too. I can tab over and read the board while I am working. :)

Let us know how it works out. I'm sure the game will run well. I just finished it yesterday - some of the levels are pretty tough, but that game is great. It's a lot funnier than I thought it would be, and the music is excellent.

Spigot

04-12-2009, 02:56 PM

I'm about the furthest from a completionist that you can get. Well, not quite. If there's lore attached to finding something, I'm all over it like a dirty shirt. Otherwise it can go stuff itself.

That, and I rarely have time for second playthroughs unless the game's pretty bloody short.

Let us know how Culpa Inata is, Maggie. I'm in a total adventure game zone right now between Lux Pain and Theresia.

I really should write up this weekend's TTS thread. I just need to pick a game...

Ghostbear

04-12-2009, 03:04 PM

Spigot, I recently played through The Longest Journey and thats a great one if you are in adventure game mode. That and Syberia.

Spigot

04-12-2009, 03:12 PM

Spigot, I recently played through The Longest Journey and thats a great one if you are in adventure game mode. That and Syberia.Seriously... You're seriously trying to recommend TLJ and Syberia to me? Seriously?

I was playing and beating those games when you were still in diapers! My right index finger is enlarged from all of the pointing and clicking. I can combine uncombinable objects into items that will open the most stubborn of doors!

Thanks for the help though. I loved TLJ and Dreamfall (dear Funcom, stop farting around with MMOs and finish the third installment in some way/shape/form, please!) and Syberia was a great game that suffered from being split in half and released as two games. Both Syberias were great games, but it should have been one release.

I need NEW adventure games... or ones I haven't stumbled across yet. I still have to get around to playing the second Runaway game...

Ghostbear

04-12-2009, 03:54 PM

Seriously... You're seriously trying to recommend TLJ and Syberia to me? Seriously?

I was playing and beating those games when you were still in diapers! My right index finger is enlarged from all of the pointing and clicking. I can combine uncombinable objects into items that will open the most stubborn of doors!

Thanks for the help though. I loved TLJ and Dreamfall (dear Funcom, stop farting around with MMOs and finish the third installment in some way/shape/form, please!) and Syberia was a great game that suffered from being split in half and released as two games. Both Syberias were great games, but it should have been one release.

I need NEW adventure games... or ones I haven't stumbled across yet. I still have to get around to playing the second Runaway game...
Ummm I was 18 when TLJ came out.

Kelegacy

04-12-2009, 04:01 PM

I don't know what you could do, Spigot. Did you ever play Arcanum? That would be a great PC game. Can't remember if you ever did a week on that.

Seeing how it's easter, you could do a special game that involves rabbits or eggs. Jumping Flash was a rabbit sort of creature. And wasn't there a Dreamcast game call E.G.G or something? Elemental Gimmick Gear?

Spigot

04-12-2009, 04:19 PM

Ummm I was 18 when TLJ came out.Sigh. Nobody appreciates fake rage anymore...

I don't know what you could do, Spigot. Did you ever play Arcanum? That would be a great PC game. Can't remember if you ever did a week on that.I was THIS close to doing Arcanum today but I'm at the in-laws and am juggling kids and family stuff, so I didn't really have the wherewithal to do as thorough a write-up on Arcanum as it warrants. I might tackle it next week though.

And Arcanum is the single game I wish that G.O.G. would put into their library. I never got terribly far in it and have long since lost both the HDD that had it installed and the install discs themselves. Sigh.

Seeing how it's easter, you could do a special game that involves rabbits or eggs. Jumping Flash was a rabbit sort of creature. And wasn't there a Dreamcast game call E.G.G or something? Elemental Gimmick Gear?D'oh. Now you remind me of E.G.G. I didn't even think of it when I was casting about for something to write on today. I think I still have my copy of E.G.G. somewhere. Hell, I think they did a few spin-offs/sequels for the GC or PS2....

Purple Santa

04-12-2009, 04:56 PM

So did no one like my Sins shots? It took me forever to get that post put together, so I was hoping for at least one or two comments. Not that I'm an attention whore or anything...

You an attention whore? Not a chance ;). I liked the screens..usually I always like the Sins screens but to lazy to quote and then delete the pics. Also I still haven't bought the game...so I didn't want to be reminded of that...again. But feel free to now :p

Well found some time to get some gaming besides P3. Tried Madworld...just didn't catch me like I wanted it to. The tutorial was annoying but that's just me wanting to go slash up anything around me. And the idea of syle points on my kills...meh...I suck at that. I'll rent this another time when i'm in a different mindset. A good game for the Wii though...all ten who will play it...

And went back to Prince of Persia: Epilogue. Ubisoft...not sure how you made such an enjoyable game but IMO, gave such crap for DLC. It felt you took all the worst parts of the main game (repetitive platforming, tougher bosses with less leeway to kill them) boiling out all the charm that made the game enjoyable or at least able to put up with the not so fun parts. And the ending ...sucked.

Kelegacy

04-12-2009, 05:00 PM

Spigot, I've never played EGG. I have a copy but I think I started it up once to see if it worked and never even played it. There was an intro scene that was a lot of talking or story and I just shut it off.

Thankfully I still have my DC so someday I'll play it. It's one of the few system I ever kept and I'm just waiting to get a VGA cable someday.

As for Arcanum, I need to start it up here someday soon. I'm having a serious craving for a good PC game from that era, with an isometric view. Either that or Icewind Dale 2, Diving Divinity or something similar.

bean

04-12-2009, 06:21 PM

I'm playing Ars Tonelico, a PS2 RPG with a novel combat system that involves protecting girls while they sing incredibly powerful songmagic. You "dive" into the girls to learn better song magic and install crystals in their ports to enhance the songs. These tasks are intentionally analogous to sex and there are even frequent pedophilia jokes. . . which are only funny because the "girl" is actually 18 years old and inhabiting a child's body plus you never actually give her the business. Also, she's a videogame character. . . no children were harmed during the making of this game. I think.

MagGnome

04-12-2009, 06:38 PM

Seriously... You're seriously trying to recommend TLJ and Syberia to me? Seriously?

I was playing and beating those games when you were still in diapers! My right index finger is enlarged from all of the pointing and clicking. I can combine uncombinable objects into items that will open the most stubborn of doors!

I probably played both of them before you did, so shut up. :p

As for Arcanum, I need to start it up here someday soon. I'm having a serious craving for a good PC game from that era, with an isometric view. Either that or Icewind Dale 2, Diving Divinity or something similar.

You could always fire up Eschalon. ;)

rein

04-12-2009, 07:10 PM

frederec

04-12-2009, 08:52 PM

Pervert! :p

It gets worse (better?). Ar Tonelico 2 ditches a lot of the innuendo to go straight for pervy jokes.

Spigot

04-12-2009, 08:56 PM

I liked your screens too, Maggie. I just wish they were a higher resolution :)

Purple Santa: Go back to MadWorld tomorrow. I loved it from the get-go but couldn't really commit to it until I made it a few levels in and really got into the rhythm of the game. It's a game that needs to be played in bite-sized chunks or else it will grate, but when you're nibbling on it, mmm... does it ever taste good.

MagGnome

04-12-2009, 09:22 PM

I liked your screens too, Maggie. I just wish they were a higher resolution :)

I uploaded them in 1680x1050, so the forum software must have shrunk them. That or photobucket did, I'm not sure which. The file size was small, so I'm not sure why they were downsized. :(

I just saw a giant spider in my living room. I clung to the couch in terror while my roommate squashed it with a shoe. I thought it was a house centipede - that's how big the thing was. I'm never going to sleep now.

Ghostbear

04-13-2009, 12:46 AM