What [not shmup] game are you playing now?

[amdiggywhut]

Been playing Borderlands 2 again recently. I'm not necessarily proud of it. Highly enjoyable, though.

[Obiwanshinobi]

So my frequent dying in Spartan: Total Warrior was due to low health ("Gesundheit" in the German version; my second favourite German word after "Erdgeschoss"). Nonetheless, what a game - dares to be simple and for such a simple game it can be pretty clever. I keep marvelling at the engine - how impactful the collision feels and how it never seems to slow down even in particulary crowded situations.

[RealPlumpBox]

I am slowly grinding my way threw Diablo 3 on the 360. On my 3DS I am working on Bravely Default. And my Vita I am sloooooooolwy working on Silent Hill Book of Memories. (Why? because its a SH game and my favorite series.)

[Sir Ilpalazzo]

I couldn't get along with AC Super Contra's controls at all until I learned a few workarounds. In case any of this is news to you:

-there's no aiming delay when you're in the air; the game effectively handles like the console ports, then. As in those games, jumping forward while blasting at enemies below/above is a good technique. Works great in the fortress assault at the very end of stage 1.

-as with the first AC game, avoiding diagonals will eliminate delay. I treat it like a four-way game while on the ground, pretty much. This also applies to the two overhead stages.

-machinegun and super machinegun are the game's best weapons hands-down, with spread a distant third. Get the MG early in stage 1 and the SMG at the helicopter, and keep it for the easiest 1CC/1LC. Tapping will make even the standard MG kill stuff quickly.

The aim delay is still a pain in the ass in both AC games, especially if you grew up with the console versions and their frame-instant snap, but with the above countermeasures I find it adjustable to.

I don't like AC Contra as much as the FC port and treat it more as a curio, but AC Super Contra's enormous crowds, detailed graphics, floor-shaking explosions and rampant pace didn't translate perfectly to FC, giving it a certain edge. I wish FC Super Contra had deviated even more from the arcade than it did, tbh. When it attempts to mimic the AC game too closely (stages 2 and 3), it feels barren by comparison. Its platforming-oriented original stages are generally a lot more fun, that boring autoscroller in stage 4 aside.

Ah, thanks for the advice. I had already noticed the lack of aiming delay in the air, and how powerful the upgraded machine gun is (especially a lifesaver in stage 2) but it's still kind of tough to get used to. I guess the first step is to show a lot more restraint with firing than in most other Contra games.

I can understand liking the NES version of Contra more than the arcade one - it does control a lot better - but after playing through the arcade one I came to prefer it a lot more. The NES version just feels stretched-out in comparison, and I believe the arcade version's super-brisk levels suit the game's fairly simple mechanics much better.

[Marc]

Trying to play Castlevania HD. Enjoyed the first and second levels, then reached the second boss which seems to have been designed solely with co-op in mind, there are certain iron maidens that it doesn't seem possible to get to before he does, thus suffering around a 140HP penalty in the process. If I'm missing something, please let me know (I've already blocked off a few with crates where possible).

[null1024]

Omega Boost [PS1].
Bit rusty, died on the Area 5 boss, missed a bunch of enemies, etc. Forgot how good this fucking game is.

The King of Fighters 2002 [Neo-Geo/MAME].
I will play many fighting games in my life, but this is the one I always return to. I love the fact that just about all my friends will happily play this game with me.

Wipeout 3 [PS1].
I've been a fan of the series, but I've also been pretty terrible at it too. How the hell does cornering work in this game at higher speed classes? Been trying to do the Mega Mall spiral without crashing and miserably failing.

Jumping Flash [PS1].
Very fun. Very easy.
Today, I learned that you can climb on the first boss [the dragon] and just shoot it all day if you can stay on it [was doing time attack].

[edit]
The King of Fighters 2002 Unlimited Match [PS2].
holy crap it runs on my laptop at 60fps in PCSX2

This is a good day. This is a very good day.
I'm surprised at myself for having not tried it before though, heh.

[Mischief Maker]

Freedom Planet [PC]

Sonic-style platformer with characters that have a lot of movement and attack abilities. I thought the level design is was great for the most part. The combat and bosses feel similar to platformers by Treasure. Nice difficulty curve too, the game gets quite challenging by the end even on normal difficulty. I don't think I enjoyed the classic sonic sonic games as much.. I'm guessing that's mostly because of the added attack mechanics and more complex boss fights.

I'm surprised how little attention this has gotten compared to Shovel Knight, I think the difficulty curve on Freedom Planet is tighter and it's more arcade-style. I need to put more time into both games though.

Did you get the steam or humble store version?

I want to know if the final product still asks for administrator privileges like the demo.

[Kaiser]

Did you get the steam or humble store version?

I want to know if the final product still asks for administrator privileges like the demo.

No it doesn't ask for those. At least on the steam version it didn't, not sure about the other one.

[Crayon]

A friend and I played Windjammers for about 5 hours today. After he left I played the AI for another hour or so. This game is amazing.

[drauch]

A friend and I played Windjammers for about 5 hours today. After he left I played the AI for another hour or so. This game is amazing.

The only game that never leaves my Neo. Best cooperative game around!

[Stevens]

A friend and I played Windjammers for about 5 hours today. After he left I played the AI for another hour or so. This game is amazing.

A friend of mine runs a retro game shop here in NY and does dojo style nights where people come in and play fighting games. He added Wind Jammers recently and everyone seems to really like it.

[MovingTarget]

Just started Shogun 2 Total War today, runs ok but I really need a better cpu. Game is awesome, even though I got my ass handed to me halfway through a campaign, i'm stoked to do it again as the same clan.

[Blinge]

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

I played it to death a few years ago, but now I'm doing a pacifist playthrough, and it's really the most enjoyment I've had out of the game for a long time..

I'm throwing all my stats into sneak, healing and illusion so i can eventually cast some decent stealth spells.
I tried sneaking through the first oblivion gate quest and my stats are still too low, enemies are spotting me from a mile off, even if i'm motionless in the dark. Ended up having to just run through that whole section.

[null1024]

Contra: Shattered Soldier [PS2].
Just started it. I'm no good at it yet, but I'm enjoying it.

KOF2002:UM [PS2].
fighting Krizalid as Bao is suffering

but for some reason, it's less suffering that fighting Krizalid as anyone else

A friend and I played Windjammers for about 5 hours today. After he left I played the AI for another hour or so. This game is amazing.

A friend of mine runs a retro game shop here in NY and does dojo style nights where people come in and play fighting games. He added Wind Jammers recently and everyone seems to really like it.

Windjammers is fantastic.
Played it with some friends a while back, need to play it with them again soon.

[ACSeraph]

Been getting into a lot of random old crap recently, spent the weekend playing Sega Mark III Hokuto no Ken and Nekketsu Kouha Kunio-kun (arcade version).

For all it's simplicity that Hokuto no Ken game is fuckin' great. I actually have the Seag AGes JPS2 version, and I played through the remake on there, but the SMS version is better imo.

[chronicdog]

Risk of Rain is blowing my mind and making me realize how asleep at the wheel so many devs (big and indie) are when it comes to 2D action game design.

Its kind of sad because I had waited on playing Broforce while it was in early access so they could finish it.

There is no way that game will hold a candle to this in terms of replay value. Risk of Rain is a true classic, I will play this game for years to come.

Im sure it will be fun, and hopefully the guys making Broforce wont make the same mistakes Mercenary Kings did (too grindey, not enough item/enemy/stage variety, no arcade feel/immediacy to the gameplay).

[Ruldra]

Sega Mark III Hokuto no Ken

Love that game, although I used to play the North American version Black Belt. Best cover ever.



Took me many years to figure out how to get past Oni/Toki. If you don't know what you're doing, he'll counter everything you throw at him.

[ACSeraph]

Haha that cover is perfect honestly, totally explains everything you need to know about the game. Maybe just add some blood spatter and you're done. Is the US version the same as the JP one? THe JP version is pretty violent for such an ancient game.

[BIL]

No exploding scrubs in the SMS version. Outside of Japan the MD sequel (aka Last Battle) got the same censorship+license removal treatment. Fuck the police. :[

edit: oof, remembered wrong - I know something got changed for Black Belt besides the license, but it looks like scrubs do indeed still go to pieces. The MD Hokuto no Ken got whitewashed for sure, enemies just fly offscreen in US/EU where their heads and bodies explode rather graphically in JP. Boss deaths are toned down too, sometimes nonsensically. Bask/Hulk Hogan explodes into a fountain of piss.

I'll have to give the Mark III version another look, I got a pretty good Spartan X feel from it but wasn't quite hooked. Currently Kenseiden is my lone game on the format.

[Ruldra]

Is the US version the same as the JP one?

Only real difference is that the third boss is a sumo wrestler instead of a big monster. And you finish off the second boss with kicks instead of a finger to the eye.

[EmperorIng]

Resident Evil Director's Cut - Chris

Way less ammo in the first part, and no easy access to zombie-destroying weapons like Grenade Launchers. I like it a lot. However, towards the end of the mansion's first go-about, I find myself with a good amount of pistol and shotgun ammo. The game will probably settle into a normal run now, with just less carrying space. Love the game.

I will really have to try the Arrange Modes, just to see if they fix the generous amount of ammo problem. I recall RE2 being a bit better in the "oh shit there are so many zombies and I have no bullets" department, making for some tense situations. I could just be rosily remembering my first playthrough though.

Breath of Fire 3

38 hours in and I am still not finished. I am about to go to the town of Dragnier so I assume I am getting closer to the end. Man, this game has really grown on me.

[broken harbour]

Hydro Thunder Hurricane

Oh

My

Gawd

I wasn't expecting much for a download only title but this game is frigging amazing! Action packed, frantic, looks great, and chaining together the perfect lap being on boost the whole time is super rewarding, how did I not hear about this game when it came out? I never played the original tho I do recall seeing it at a local arcade back in 2000 I think, right next to House of the Dead and F355 Challenge. I think this game would appeal to shmup players, it tickles the same pleasure centers of my brain, and it's really addictive. It needs another sequel!

[BrianC]

Is the US version the same as the JP one?

Only real difference is that the third boss is a sumo wrestler instead of a big monster. And you finish off the second boss with kicks instead of a finger to the eye.

I'm sure there's others. The first stage midboss that was Heart in the JP verison is easier to beat in Black Belt. One boss was turned into a woman for the US version.

[chronicdog]

Trying to play Castlevania HD. Enjoyed the first and second levels, then reached the second boss which seems to have been designed solely with co-op in mind, there are certain iron maidens that it doesn't seem possible to get to before he does, thus suffering around a 140HP penalty in the process. If I'm missing something, please let me know (I've already blocked off a few with crates where possible).

Hey, Ive played that game quite a bit, it requires some grinding. Coop is also rather useful for the later bosses, but yes you can solo all of them. Certain items work much better than others!

Add me on XBL if you need a coop partner ChronicBurnout3

[gbaplayer]

Finished Suikoden 2 yesterday: Good game but a little bit to short and easy.

Starting Wild Arms 1 today.

[Ruldra]

I'm sure there's others. The first stage midboss that was Heart in the JP verison is easier to beat in Black Belt. One boss was turned into a woman for the US version.

Speaking of Heart, there are times that I hit him hundreds of times and he just won't die, to the point where I sometimes get a game over because I can't get past him. I don't know if this is a bug or if there's a specific way to deal with him. In the US version this never happened.

[MovingTarget]

Haha that cover is perfect honestly, totally explains everything you need to know about the game. Maybe just add some blood spatter and you're done. Is the US version the same as the JP one? THe JP version is pretty violent for such an ancient game.

Mortal kombat on the master system was quite violent too :p

[Marc]

Hydro Thunder Hurricane

Oh

My

Gawd

I wasn't expecting much for a download only title but this game is frigging amazing! Action packed, frantic, looks great, and chaining together the perfect lap being on boost the whole time is super rewarding, how did I not hear about this game when it came out? I never played the original tho I do recall seeing it at a local arcade back in 2000 I think, right next to House of the Dead and F355 Challenge. I think this game would appeal to shmup players, it tickles the same pleasure centers of my brain, and it's really addictive. It needs another sequel!

Yeah, I'm quite surprised it doesn't have more fans on here, it's a fantastic game with a huge amount of content and the various modes are really well balanced. One of those games where you can switch on for ten minutes and find yourself there hours later trying for that one perfect run.

[ArmoredCore]

Oniken (steam remastered) Really enjoyable imo

[rapoon]

you're a mage.
you vaporize baddies with your spells (that you craft)

best fps i've played since painkiller.