An indie brawler/strategy game (ala. ActRaiser 1) heavily influenced by Devil May Cry where you expand the Aztec empire in the 15th century conquering Mexico and eventually driving off Cortez and the conquistadors.
Edit: This is a much better video showing off the depth of the combat system.
Oh fuck, I've had my eye on this for some time after listening some to some cuhrazy game podcasts involving one of the developers of this game who absolutely seemed to know what they were talking about, while the gameplay of this game looked very promising itself.
Maybe this will get me over Grimoire
Xyga wrote:
chum wrote:the thing is that we actually go way back and have known each other on multiple websites, first clashing in a Naruto forum.
Liar. I've known you only from latexmachomen.com and pantysniffers.org forums.
Spending some time with Nightshade recently (the NES game that is), and really enjoy playing it in small sessions, which is quite unique for a somewhat classic adventure game which surprisingly doesn't have a save feature.
It works because the design is pretty open ended. So every time I play it, I try going somewhere new, avoid dangerous areas I have ventured in previously, etc.
Puzzles are mostly self contained, and allow increasing the "popularity" meter which opens up some new areas that give you more resources to work with. Combat is really difficult, but with some luck, experience and decent management of the items that are able to heal you, the game feels like it should be beatable. It's definitely a flawed game, but it's incredibly likable.
I'm deep into Act 4 of Echoes and, as a Fire Emblem n00b, have enjoyed it much more than Awakening. Chiefly due to no bullshit reinforcements dropping in unannounced and wiping out a vulnerable unit. But also you don't have to grind (some of the children chapters in Awakening were either grind or wait so long in the main story that the characters you get are useless) to get anywhere, I've only done incidental grinding due to backtracking in dungeons (to find statues to promote at).
With no wind magic or archer vulnerability, pegasus knights are pretty overpowered in this though. Mine have been able to tank most situations on both paths through acts 3 and 4 - they get good defense and resistance so they're adaptable. They can make short work of a fort's ranged defences and put a swift end to an otherwise annoying cantor.
Only real complaint is the RNG is screwed up. Single figure critical chances are triggered way too often and a 20ish% chance will usually trigger a critical, almost guaranteed if you strike twice. Then you have high (70%+) hit chances miss way too often. You have the turnwheel but that seems inconsistent as to whether it repeats the same sequence or genuinely re-rolls.
Just finished Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex (PS2)
I've been wanting to play this 2004 title for a while, as I'm a big fan of the franchise and it was developed by Cavia (who, among other things, made Nier, a game I hold in very high regard).
I have to say GitS:SAC aged rather well, playing not too differently from a current 3rd person action game.
+ excellent gameplay, with a good mix of action and some puzzley climbing/jumping
+ Strong level design
+ Looks pretty fresh even today thanks to 16:9 and stable 60fps
+ There's a local multiplayer for 4 people! Will have to try this as I actually have a PS2 multitap...
+ Storytelling-wise it's basically like an interactive episode of Stand Alone Complex — works for me.
- Jumping physics are rather stiff and the lack of drop shadows make platforming a bit cumbersome
- Overall looks is pretty grey/blurry ...although that's typical for Cavia.
- Default button layout is very strange (luckily can be changed)
- The music consists of nondescript, repetitive loops. It sucks.
Been playing Persona 4 Arena Ultimax. I really like the gameplay, but have been spending most of my time on story mode since online is nearly dead anyways. It's okay to play a chapter at a time, but the story is not super engaging and has terrible pacing with lots of trivial dialogue. They should have used an omniscient narrator to sum the not so important parts up in a few sentences. It's kind of a waste of time to play tbh.
Just got Under Night In-Birth Exe:Late[st] (typing this out hurt my brain). I only played the previous release on PS3 briefly since this got releases short after I started playing the former. Actually playing this one and holding off on Story mode until I'm one with Persona. Am expecting this one to be better since its an entirely original story, not an unnecessary sequel.
blog - scores - collection Don't worry about it. You can travel from the Milky Way to Andromeda and back 1500 times before the sun explodes.
Got this one upon its release back in 2011 and quite enjoyed it.
The good Dr. has given you life and wants you to escape his lair! He has also given life to robots, zombies, Africanized bees on steroids, skeletons, and a whole host of other things who have the sole job killing you. Enemies are mostly the ram into you variety, but some do shoot at you. They do attack in packs and midway through the game, if you're not careful, they will kill you quicker than Ornstein and his fat pal.
Game plays like a rogue like crawler twin stick shooter. Starts off in a lab, mid floors move to a dungeon, and finally an office building is the facade of the lair on the bottom levels.
Game claims 25 different weapons and that is pretty accurate. You can carry a primary - usually a shotgun, machine pistol, or something of that nature. Secondary is a pistol of some sort, and you get a melee too in the form of a bat, hammer, or the like. The weapons have stats ala Borderlands and you can easily compare them on the fly.
There is also a leveling system. Strength ups the ammo you can carry and melee damage. There are three others I can't recall off hand, but your first time it is probably smart to level evenly. I've done some runs only leveling some traits and leaving one at the default.
Perhaps my favorite thing with the game play is you can't see what is around corners until your character can. In tune with this one of the dungeon levels takes place in the dark and you have a flashlight to see in front of you.
Great game for a buck that I have gotten a ton of enjoyment out of.
You're sure to be in a fine haze about now, but don't think too hard about all of this. Just go out and kill a few beasts. It's for your own good. You know, it's just what hunters do! You'll get used to it.
Sumez wrote:I really don't understand that game. How is one supposed to play it?
You have to keep moving constantly. Shame really, could have been a game mentioned in the same breath as Ghouls with a little tweaking.
You're sure to be in a fine haze about now, but don't think too hard about all of this. Just go out and kill a few beasts. It's for your own good. You know, it's just what hunters do! You'll get used to it.
Played Vanquish, beat it on Normal, played a bit of hard, realized it wouldn't do anything to really fix the game's issues.
Mikami's worst, by far. The game is uncertain of what it wants to be, and its two directions (cover-based shooter with regenerating health and regenerating slo-mo vs. arcade-inspired fast-paced shooter) work against each other every step of the way. P.N. 03 is a MUCH stronger take on what Vanquish wants to be.
You want Vanquish to make up it's mind? Try God Hard diff, then.
It eliminates all cover based tactics, since under the peremiter you have to be as aggressive as possible.
Utilizing all technique to sharpen up the very own style of play.
No excuses, no mercy.
Obscura wrote:Played Vanquish, beat it on Normal, played a bit of hard, realized it wouldn't do anything to really fix the game's issues.
Mikami's worst, by far. The game is uncertain of what it wants to be, and its two directions (cover-based shooter with regenerating health and regenerating slo-mo vs. arcade-inspired fast-paced shooter) work against each other every step of the way. P.N. 03 is a MUCH stronger take on what Vanquish wants to be.
I've started Vanquish twice, and gotten bored around the third level, can't even remember why as I'm sure I found it pretty enjoyable up until then.
PN.03 I've started twice and gotten bored around the second level, and also remember enjoying it up until I dropped it.
This is where I tell myself I'll revisit both games, alongside the queue of 30+ games still sat unplayed on the PS4 hard drive.
Obscura wrote:PN03 is criminally underrated. As far as straight-up action games in the 3D era go, there aren't many that can compete with it.
May have to give it another bash then. I do remember feeling that the controls were a bit... stiff, which is certainly something that Vanquish can't be accused of.
Started P.N.03. Feels raw, but I'm intriqued.
I remember a quick Q&A with Mikami around the time they developed The Evil Within. He stated that he is not content with P.N.03, since he was only allowed six months for completion (and that God Hand is his favorite among his direction).
Made it to the first boss, Sonnenblume. I failed, naturally, and after selecting continue the game skipped the boss, stating I wasn't prepared and promoting me to the next mission. Wow. Didn't see that one coming. What's the magic word then? Git gud, score decent, buy upgrades or a different suit? It works, you know. I want that battle and I won't be ignored!
And I smiled, because the instruction booklet says "Normal - Average Difficulty".
Got past my disdain of that fucking annoying lead character and finally started a game of Final Fantasy X.
Well, I'm pleasantly surprised so far. Only a couple hours in though so I will reserve my final judgement until I clear the game.
Combat is excellent I think. Super involving and probably the best of the FF games I've played.
Story is cool so far too.
I've got no gripe with the 'skill tree' system.
I also really like the look of the game, beautiful use of color. And great monster designs as well. Combat scene look dope, have a nice rythm and nice animations.
The game just flat-out looks gorgeous on a good standard def CRT, despite being 480i.
Still don't like the Blitzball theme though. And Titus still isn't in my good graces. But I've come to realise that a douchebag character like him works well as a protagonist for that story.
Ronyn wrote:Made it to the first boss, Sonnenblume. I failed, naturally, and after selecting continue the game skipped the boss, stating I wasn't prepared and promoting me to the next mission. Wow. Didn't see that one coming. What's the magic word then? Git gud, score decent, buy upgrades or a different suit? It works, you know. I want that battle and I won't be ignored!
And I smiled, because the instruction booklet says "Normal - Average Difficulty".
That happens no matter what -- the first time you get to Sonnenblume, you're allowed to fight it for a few seconds, and then you get the "you're not ready!!!" message. You'll fight him later, don't worry.
Final Fantasy X is a good game. I can easily see why it's off putting, and when it came out it also took me some time to come to terms with it - but aside from FF8, the series had never let me down at that point, so I pulled through and I'm great I did.
I'm pretty disappointed that the series ditched the ATB system after that game though, cause FFX is objectively the best implementation of that system, by a long shot (ignoring the fact that you can hardly call it "ATB" since it ditches the gauge).
Also, Blitzball is stupid. Every game is: 1. Get the ball to Tidus, 2. Jecht Shot. No challenge
Sumez wrote:Final Fantasy X is a good game. I can easily see why it's off putting, and when it came out it also took me some time to come to terms with it - but aside from FF8, the series had never let me down at that point, so I pulled through and I'm great I did.
I'm pretty disappointed that the series ditched the ATB system after that game though, cause FFX is objectively the best implementation of that system, by a long shot (ignoring the fact that you can hardly call it "ATB" since it ditches the gauge).
Also, Blitzball is stupid. Every game is: 1. Get the ball to Tidus, 2. Jecht Shot. No challenge
I agree with you on everything. Blitzball is interesting just for the funny fact the Spirans are able, with enough training, to hold their breath for a shitload of time.
I'm glad the HD Remaster got a PC port, modding allows me to play the game with the JP dub, which isn't as grating as the English dub. The laughing scene after the Blitzball tournament is still awkard as fuck, though!
ChurchOfSolipsism wrote:I'll make sure I'll download it illegally one day...
To be fair, it's meant to be awkward.
Most of the problems with the FFX voice acting is that they couldn't/didn't change the lip sync, so the actors had to sync their lines to the Japanese animations, which came out really strange most of the time. This is especially evident with most of Yuna's lines. The game has some otherwise great actors, such as John DiMaggio for one.
Notice how Auron's voice doesn't suck? Because you can't see his mouth.
'tude
