What [not shmup] game are you playing now?

[EmperorIng]

The other night I beat Metal Gear Solid for the first time. I can definitely see why it was so revered as a game. Arcadey stealth action, lots of secrets to discover, and some very enjoyable boss fights (Psycho Mantis, Helicopter, Sniper Wolf, Vulcan Raven, Metal Gear). As for writing quality, I'd put it on-par with SNATCHER in terms of good solid VG writing, though it occasionally lapses into over indulgence, like my Japanese animes.

Still though it is excellent. Since I never played the series before, I'll probably have to pick up MGS2 and MGS3 (no PS3) for fun times.

It's funny that I'm far more familiar with Policenauts and Snatcher at this point in time before ever playing a MGS game.

[ACSeraph]

^I've actually been back into Metal Gear quite a bit lately. You're right about the over indulgence, but I find that to be one of it's more lovable points. I love the plot of the MG series for the same reason I like anime, american comic books, and shitty horror movies. Obviously it isnt "To Kill a Mockingbird" but theres something gloriously fun about an episode of G.I. Joe that takes itself way too seriously.

If you have a GC make sure to check out twin snakes. It MGS1 running on the vastly superior MGS2 engine. 2 is actually kind of a weak game because the story makes about as much sense as the last couple episodes of Evangelion, but as a game it's solid. 3 is probably my favorite but it's extremely slow paced and not for everyone.

I just finished Peacewalker HD last night and loved it. The story was decent but the gameplay was where it really shined. 4 had a great engine that was wasted because of how uneccessary stealth was with the overpowered auto-aim (4 was a great movie though). Peacewalker basically applies that same engine to a much more stealth focused game, and to great effect. PLus managing and building up Outer Heaven is super addictive. The story and cutscenes are also much less invasive than usual, for those who want to focus strictly on the gameplay.

[broken harbour]

Next RPG on the list will probably be FFX/X-2 remaster

FFX is pretty good, I think you'll like it. X-2 on the other hand...I couldn't play it for 5 minutes.

Yeah I've heard that X-2 is a love/hate game, some really dig it and others throw up in their mouth a little bit, kind of what I hear about FF8 actually.

Hmmm.... maybe I should just play 8,9, then X/X-2?

Lol, me asking a shmups forum about what FF game I should play next...

The other night I beat Metal Gear Solid for the first time. I can definitely see why it was so revered as a game. Arcadey stealth action, lots of secrets to discover, and some very enjoyable boss fights (Psycho Mantis, Helicopter, Sniper Wolf, Vulcan Raven, Metal Gear). As for writing quality, I'd put it on-par with SNATCHER in terms of good solid VG writing, though it occasionally lapses into over indulgence, like my Japanese animes.

Still though it is excellent. Since I never played the series before, I'll probably have to pick up MGS2 and MGS3 (no PS3) for fun times.

It's funny that I'm far more familiar with Policenauts and Snatcher at this point in time before ever playing a MGS game.

I played the first MGS when it was originally released, the only thing I really remember was that it was uber frustrating and all the blank faces.

Granted that was at least 15 years ago so my memory could be spotty. I'd like to get into the series at some point tho.

[EmperorIng]

It wouldn't be a Konami game without blank faces though. It was practically a trademark!

^I've actually been back into Metal Gear quite a bit lately. You're right about the over indulgence, but I find that to be one of it's more lovable points.

There is a charm to listening to a character explain at length the importance of Japanese anime in their lives. In real life, it's insufferable. But in a virtual environment...!

Twin Snakes always interested me, but I think i'd bite the bullet and take on MGS2 instead. MGS3 is consistently touted as one of the best (or second-best) in the series, so that's on the radar (especially with the pack that includes Metal Gear 1 and 2).

[Some-Mist]

The other night I beat Metal Gear Solid for the first time. I can definitely see why it was so revered as a game. Arcadey stealth action, lots of secrets to discover, and some very enjoyable boss fights (Psycho Mantis, Helicopter, Sniper Wolf, Vulcan Raven, Metal Gear). As for writing quality, I'd put it on-par with SNATCHER in terms of good solid VG writing, though it occasionally lapses into over indulgence, like my Japanese animes.

Still though it is excellent. Since I never played the series before, I'll probably have to pick up MGS2 and MGS3 (no PS3) for fun times.

It's funny that I'm far more familiar with Policenauts and Snatcher at this point in time before ever playing a MGS game.

if you replay through snatcher again after completing all the MGS games, it's kind of crazy how many early MG references there are in the playthrough. Even a crossover to MGS4 which made me laugh.

Twin Snakes always interested me, but I think i'd bite the bullet and take on MGS2 instead. MGS3 is consistently touted as one of the best (or second-best) in the series, so that's on the radar (especially with the pack that includes Metal Gear 1 and 2).

MGS2 is actually my personal favorite, and twin snakes is supposed to be an outrageously unrealistic version MGS1, but with much more enjoyable gameplay. seeing as you got through MGS1 it probably isn't worth going back and playing twin snakes until you get through the whole series.

iirc MGS2 and MGS4 directly reference MGS1 scenes that aren't in twin snakes.

[Obiwanshinobi]

Little as I play console games nowadays, MGS2 is one I've been replaying slowly in recent months. Something about switching to first person view all the time grates in this day and age, but it's acquired taste. I think the idea behind it is akin to that of Viewtiful Joe (i.e. trying to "get" into a movie, or act in a dream). Idiosyncratic, but both games actually having gameplay help a lot.

(If you don't believe MGS2 has gameplay, skip all the cutscenes and conversations and play the mode Substance introduced where once seen first, it's game over for you.)
It also helps that MGS2 can be played to completion in - mostly - very brief sessions.

An interesting topic is "game modes introduced in hindsight that demonstrate game design isn't cheap at any point." Other than the aforementioned MGS2 mode, Survival of the first Burnout goes to show the traffic is anything but random (bastard, and I mean it in an "F-Zero GX Story Mode-BASTARD" hard way). Remarkably, both console racers limit the number of continues in their - supposedly - main modes, singing their hyms in praise of their times' little-acknowledged rennaissance of arcade racing. (I mean it - the tide of games for people who are into real-life cars was turning in early-to-mid 2000s. Not that I have any beef with the latter kind, the first NFS:MW and Richard Burns Rallly - PC versions - being enjoyable enough even for me.)

[Some-Mist]

iirc it still has one of the most intense sections in any MGS game I've ever played.

Spoiler

stealthing past the gigantic assembly

[Formless God]

Totally the opposite for me, X-2, while incredibly stupid, had pretty compelling gameplay. Actually aside from maybe 12 I thought it was the best post-PS1 FF game gameplay wise. X on the other hand had a decent plot, but was mind numbingly simplistic and easy. Felt like I was just holding down the X button until the credits rolled. (It was still infinitely better than 13 though)

Eh, 13 is closer to X-2 than anything though. It has a bunch of problems with execution, but the combat system itself is way ahead of anything turn-based.

[mastermx]

I would have praised ff13, if they called it anything other than final fantasy. Final fantasy is not final fantasy without that typical jrpg gameplay. People say it needs to evolve don't understand jrpgs. They suck because they are trying to evolve. All I want is a big world to explore, turn based combat, and an evil villain who chuckles he's going to destroy the world. It's not hard to do. From a final fantasy game, I expect some level of exploration, not a completely streamlined experience.

[Obiwanshinobi]

What I want from the genre are Suikoden and Golden Sun characters to be nicely drawn again. How difficult could that be?

[mastermx]

Golden Sun was legendary back in the day. I played the hell out of that game. For me chrono trigger was what really got me into jrpgs. It's been very long since I got into a jrpg. Well atleast Japan is still making good shmups.

[broken harbour]

People say it needs to evolve don't understand jrpgs. They suck because they are trying to evolve.

The only way I personally would like JRPG's to evolve is to get rid of mindless level grinding.

[Some-Mist]

xenogears is what got me into JRPGs though admittedly I haven't played through an entire RPG since my playthrough of moon: remix rpg adventure last year... which even though it was very trippy and different, it took a lot of effort reading a translation while playing - playing an untranslated game usually burns me out for months at a time. believe it or not, it was actually directed by kenichi nishi who was a designer on chrono trigger and super mario rpg before he left squaresoft taking a buncha the employees with him to love-de-lic.

I actually enjoyed FF13 though I can understand why many were disappointed. If anything, ff12 was probably the true last FF game using a similar formula to the retro installments but with a more modern/3D spin. unfortunately I never beat FF12 which is one that I really want to go back and replay :O

[Obiwanshinobi]

For all of Suikoden III's missteps, one oughtta admit its characters' 3D-modelling and animation do the sprites of yesteryear justice. Just how badly could the DS games' devs choose the artists is a story of lamentability.

[mastermx]

I haven't played through an entire RPG since my playthrough of moon: remix rpg adventure last year... which even though it was very trippy and different, it took a lot of effort reading a translation while playing - playing an untranslated game usually burns me out for months at a time. believe it or not, it was actually directed by kenichi nishi

Thanks for making aware of this game. I love playing untranslated rpgs, time to take out my J dictionary, and get busy.

I agree with you on FF13, it would have gotten better reception if it got it's own IP. Their mistake was writing the words "final fantasy" on the cover of a game that wasnt final fantasy.

@broken harbour
In some games grinding feels so good though. DQ8 has such feel good grinding its weird.

I'm glad there are people on this thread that have played snatcher, you are rare, and I salute you. You should also check out policenauts, a brilliant and similar game to snatcher.

[broken harbour]

Lol, Snatcher has been on my 'to play' list even longer that FF7 was! I just have never gotten around to buying a Sega CD....

@mastermx: FF7's battle system was fun, I enjoyed it, but near the end I started to get annoyed by the 'random encounterz' every 3 steps. Felt like they were padding the total game time by throwing in too many battles. + Most western gamers despise grinding with a passion, honestly if the Japanese dev's could eliminate grinding, or at least make it optional or something, I think that JRPG's could make a resurgence in the west.

Just my 2 cents.

[Mischief Maker]

honestly if the Japanese dev's could eliminate grinding, or at least make it optional or something, I think that JRPG's could make a resurgence in the west.

They already tried that:

[ACSeraph]

"TWO BIG THUMBS UP"

[mastermx]

Grinding is different to random battle encounter. Grinding is when you purposefully seek out encounters to level up. I agree with you on random battle encounters, sometimes they over do it. I guess it's a method of increasing difficulty.

[ACSeraph]

Most modern JRPGs dont really have random encounters anymore though, and are generally easy enough you don't need to grind. The real problem is that quality titles are few and far between. Last gen was basically just Xenoblade in the upper tier, and then a few other merely decent titles. The worst thing that ever happened to JRPGs was the move towards AI controlled allies imo. Even Xenoblade suffered from that, though the game managed to be good despite of this. The only game that ever did that right was FF12, because you can build the AI yourself and give direct orders at any time mid battles. 13 was incredibly shallow in comparison, not to mention feeling more linear than CoD.

[BrianC]

Just my 2 cents.

I didn't know you were the Food Lion Lion!

[EmperorIng]

Lol, Snatcher has been on my 'to play' list even longer that FF7 was! I just have never gotten around to buying a Sega CD....

I wouldn't think it's worth it considering the price of a Sega CD, coupled with the price of SNATCHER. There's always Kega Fusion.

[Marc]

Ninja Blade, I'm aware that it's supposed to be pretty average, but as someone that's never warmed to DMC or Ninja Gaiden, I'm quite enjoying it.

More Spelunky, made it to Olmec, then froze and died.

Also played some of the new Wolfenstein, quite good after the first linear hour or so, but the 360 is struggling g it's nuts off to run it.

[prototector]

I've been playing Driver: San Francisco on the PS3. No complaints from me about reverting to the first Driver's car confinement. The new Shift ability is a fresh concept and good way to expand on the car limitation. However, I'm not really into the drastic character redesigns; there's been a continuity in the characters, both looks and voices, in the first 3 Driver games that, at least to me, has been broken with this game. But overall, it's awesome so far.

[Stevens]

Lodoss War
Daytona 2001
Test Drive Le Mans
Red Dead

[S20-TBL]

Shatterhand
Adventure Island III

Dangit BIL you made me

/blamegame

[broken harbour]

Fired up Super Mario Galaxy 2, figured I don't want another 50+ hour time suck for my next game. I loved the first one, except the last level... eff that level...

[Icarus]

Crypt of the Necrodancer (PC) and Final Fantasy XIV (PC)
Necrodancer is badass, by the way. Definitely recommended.

[Some-Mist]

Lol, Snatcher has been on my 'to play' list even longer that FF7 was! I just have never gotten around to buying a Sega CD....

I wouldn't think it's worth it considering the price of a Sega CD, coupled with the price of SNATCHER. There's always Kega Fusion.

this - I just played it using other means

Most modern JRPGs dont really have random encounters anymore though, and are generally easy enough you don't need to grind. The real problem is that quality titles are few and far between. Last gen was basically just Xenoblade in the upper tier, and then a few other merely decent titles. The worst thing that ever happened to JRPGs was the move towards AI controlled allies imo. Even Xenoblade suffered from that, though the game managed to be good despite of this. The only game that ever did that right was FF12, because you can build the AI yourself and give direct orders at any time mid battles. 13 was incredibly shallow in comparison, not to mention feeling more linear than CoD.

If it's counted as 7th gen, Mother 3 was my personal favorite JRPG from last gen. granted it was released on GBA after 7th gen began, but the charming/funny story, rhythm-based battle system, and no grinding/random battle encounters shoot it up right among my favorite JRPGs of all time. It's a very simple game but it does so much right that it's hard to deny that it's a heavy-hitter in the genre.

Crypt of the Necrodancer (PC)

watched a trailer and I think I'm going to nab it when it goes on sale. looks pretty fun but I think $15 is kind of a high asking price.

[Mortificator]

Tomba. It looks like a platformer, but you're rarely in any danger from enemies or environment. Most of your time will be spent running back and forth through the surprisingly small game world to complete your fetch quest itinerary; maybe Fujiwara brought some of that back to Ultimate Ghosts 'n Goblins.

Anyway, I didn't hate playing through, but it's not a game I'd revisit or recommend.