What [not shmup] game are you playing now?

[Cagar]

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[BIL]

Might as well see how the ol' Shin Contra S-Rank holds up now that Hard Corps is in the bag. I actually find Contra III harder to no-miss than either of them, but the weapon pickup system is turning me off right now. So boring. I end up using C + F the whole game and have to watch out for unwanted weapons. Much nicer to get 4+ weapons and then figure out where and how to use each.

[CStarFlare]

Got Dragon Warrior IV for the NES yesterday, so I've been playing that. I love that enemies in the very first dungeon drop stat boosting seeds.

[BrianC]

Been playing a bunch of pinball stuff, including some Little Wing games and Pinball Arcade on 360.

[Ghegs]

That's a bummer, time attacks are the main reason attracting me to arcade racers. Any campaign mode is just there to open up the tracks and cars to use in time attack.

It sounds like you'd like Outrun 2006; the time attack mode in that actually loops the track at the end of each checkpoint if you turn left when you're time attacking a single segment so you can keep racing it without having to reset the track or anything (no interruption in racing due to a menu). Also gives you tons of options like racing tracks reversed/backwards, not to mention all the tracks from both Outrun 2 and Outrun 2 SP are in it.

I'm not fond of the XBLA Outrun Online Arcade though, since it cut out 15 tracks (Outrun 2 course is missing). Not even sure if it's still up for download.

edit: and I see from your youtube channel you've obviously played it, derp

Yeah, I played a lot of Outrun Online Arcade some years ago, especially Time Attack. I got #13th best time in the world leaderboards for one of the routes, I think it might still be standing.

I do have Coast 2 Coast for both the original XBox and PS2, but haven't invested a lot of time into that one. The XBox version has some (very minor) issues when played on a 360, and I got so used to the 360 pad from playing OOA that playing the game on a PS2 with a Dual Shock 2 feels weird.

[BareKnuckleRoo]

The XBox version has some (very minor) issues when played on a 360, and I got so used to the 360 pad from playing OOA that playing the game on a PS2 with a Dual Shock 2 feels weird.

Ah, see I rented the PS2 version a while ago but then I went with the PC version, so I'm used to just playing that. I imagine an Xbox controller would work with it, albeit I haven't tried myself.

[Deca]

Mutant Mudds, SSX, a little BF3 here and there and I need to finish RE:Revelaitons.

[Ghegs]

The XBox version has some (very minor) issues when played on a 360, and I got so used to the 360 pad from playing OOA that playing the game on a PS2 with a Dual Shock 2 feels weird.

Ah, see I rented the PS2 version a while ago but then I went with the PC version, so I'm used to just playing that. I imagine an Xbox controller would work with it, albeit I haven't tried myself.

Have you played Trackmania 2? I've neglected it for a while, but it's good stuff. The driving feels a bit like Outrun 2 at times, so if you can find a track to suit your fancy (I don't really care for the loops and jumps and mazes that seem to make up 90% of the tracks), it's very fun.

[JBC]

The XBox version has some (very minor) issues when played on a 360, and I got so used to the 360 pad from playing OOA that playing the game on a PS2 with a Dual Shock 2 feels weird.

Ah, see I rented the PS2 version a while ago but then I went with the PC version, so I'm used to just playing that. I imagine an Xbox controller would work with it, albeit I haven't tried myself.

The PC version is definitely my choice. Such a fun update to a classic series. I place After Burner Climax in the same category of quality. Now if only we could get an update for Space Harrier! (Or at least a release for Planet Harriers, which I've never gotten to play)

I'm still playing Megaman 8-bit Deathmatch. The bots are set to be pretty ruthless and by default the match limit is 20-25 frags. Since there's a chapter for each robot master from each game plus two Wily Castle maps & a boss per chapter it makes for a pretty epic journey. I've just now made it to Megaman 3, which starts you out on Snakeman's map. I've also discovered some hidden secrets, like if you finish Flashman's stage in under 5 minutes you will fight Enker from the GB Megaman. It's pretty amazing that fans have put together a game I hold in higher regard than most console releases this year.

[drunkninja24]

Just finished up playing Tales of Graces F. Awesome game, I really enjoyed the change to the skill system from previous Tales games.

[null1024]

Mutant Mudds, Sonic Triple Trouble, Mighty Switch Force, and Tales of the Abyss [3DS].

Loving all of them.

[Ghegs]

The XBox version has some (very minor) issues when played on a 360, and I got so used to the 360 pad from playing OOA that playing the game on a PS2 with a Dual Shock 2 feels weird.

Ah, see I rented the PS2 version a while ago but then I went with the PC version, so I'm used to just playing that. I imagine an Xbox controller would work with it, albeit I haven't tried myself.

The PC version is definitely my choice. Such a fun update to a classic series.

Well, that's at least three players. Maybe we can get some time attack competition going?

[Deca]

Outrun 2SP time attack is really boring, especially compared to how awesome the SP scoring system is. I haven't played for a while but I was top 10 or 5 on all goals in OOA a while back, not sure how those scores held up but I doubt the leader boards have been too drastically shaken up since then. I was always hoping for outrun 2 dlc or something, would have been nice to have new courses to compete on with th SP scoring system.

Im way out of practice but I'm sure I could pick it back up if people want to get some sort of competition going. I really enjoy 2SP, it ends up playing like a racing game mixed with a shooter haha.

[BIL]

Decided to stop re-running old favourites (for now... comfort gaming is addictive when combined with knocking over old targets) and go back to Assault Suit Leynos, since I've never spent proper time on it like I have its flashier SFC/SAT sequels and games of their ilk like Ex-Ranza and Gigantic Army. One thing this game does better than all of the latter is to create the sense of a mercilessly random battlefield where you are very small indeed. Enemy types and numbers are so unpredictable, you're kept on the constant lookout for that oncoming shitstorm of enemy AS units, tanks and aircraft that could appear at the worst possible moment, or not at all. Great feeling... this is only on Normal, too.

Another big draw is the game's Raizingesque explosion effects. The lowliest enemy might go out in a fierce but compact bang, a flashier shower of fire, or it might just belch an almighty gout of flames one way as its burning hull goes flying in another. You never know until you blast 'em!

[evil_ash_xero]

Just got back into a game Silent Hill 2. I haven't played it really, since it came out. I tend to play these types of games, as well as RPGs, every 5 to 10 years or so. I got around to playing Dragon Force, after a whopping 15 years or something like that.

[BIL]

Finished Leynos on Normal after a few hours' screwing around, using tons of continues. For anyone else who's been put off by this game's notorious difficulty in the past, stage three out of eight is easily the hardest in the whole game. The target battleship and its hordes of reinforcements tore me to shreds again and again, until I deduced its MASSIVE WEAK POINT. Once you start getting the good equipment afterward it actually gets easier (read: not wickedly difficult). Still fun as hell, though. Of course this leaves actually clearing it, and then the two higher difficulties... I hope they're the good kind (harder level designs) and not the lazy "same game with stronger enemies and/or weaker player" type.

SUPER PRO TIP (may be common knowledge, hell if I know - my manual is in Japanese and censored localisations like Leynos and Valken's can eat my ass): pause and press A+B+C to switch between the two aiming types in-game. Thankfully you don't need to stick with one for the whole game.

[Marc]

Seeing the other half playing the dreadful Downpour has actually just made me re-order SH2 for Xbox.

Sadly for me, as a huge fan of FlatOut UC and BugBear, I've just traded in Ridge Racer Unbounded after finally admitting to myself that it's a festering pile of shit. It looks horrendous, handles even more heavily than FlatOut, has a drift button rather than interplay between the throttle & brake, and has a totally messed up risk/reward system attached to said button. I so desperately wanted to like it, but spent the majority of my time playing through gritted teeth.

I traded it for a few games, including Split/Second, which I haven't played since I sold my PS3. Playing it for a second time, it's one of the most criminally-underrated games of this generation, and does everything RRU wants to except slicker, faster, more attravively, and more fun. It's a crying shame that the team behind this were disbanded, it's by far the best arcade racer since Burnout 2.

I also picked up Borderlands, but from a quick hour, I'm not impressed.

[BIL]

has a drift button rather than interplay between the throttle & brake

Ridge Racer

drift button

Fuuuck.

[Marc]

It's not a RR game though, and I really don't understand why Namco attached the name to it. A Ridge fan is going to fucking hate it, for the 'gritty' visuals before they even get to touch the stupidly heavy cars, and a non-fan would be put off by the name. either way it's dump.

[Deca]

Ridge Racer is one of my favorite franchises of all time and the first time I saw the unbounded teaser trailer I literally felt sick to my stomach. Ace Combat Assault Horizon was a pretty similar experience.

[BareKnuckleRoo]

Have you played Trackmania 2?

Nah, sadly my gaming purchases have sort of neglected the racing genre for quite some time.

[Well, that's at least three players. Maybe we can get some time attack competition going?

I'd be up for that. It's a shame the online servers for the games were taken down or multiplayer'd be an option. Only way to play multiplayer now seems to be by playing LAN with the PC version using a virtual LAN like Hamachi.

Also, holy shit SCREAMER. I completely forgot I own that game; I bought it ages ago when all I had was a crappy 386 pc and it ran like ass, totally forget to actually go and play it seriously when I got a better PC. Hopefully it runs well in DOSBox.

[sjewkestheloon]

Picked up the devil may cry hd collection yesterday and played through the first game until mission 17 or so. Such a fun game, I am looking forward to trying out hard mode and working towards mastery.

It is also a lot easier than I remember but maybe that's because of my time spent playing bayonetta.

[shmuppyLove]

I'm taking a bit of a break from Skyrim and playing Fortune Summoners: Secret of the Elemental Stone.

It's a really well done 2D action/adventure platformer, reminds me a lot of the older Ys games.

http://www.carpefulgur.com/fs/about.htm

[Aquas]

finished Blue Dragon, now playing Final Fantasy XIII. I like it a lot. XIII-2 is next.

[iconoclast]

God, Ninja Gaiden II is the most frustrating game I've ever played. Once you get into the second or third loop of survival, one mistake against certain enemies can end your run in an instant. Especially since some weapons aren't very well equipped to deal with the most difficult waves.

Still, it's probably my favorite game of all time. I think I'll go for 85+ million total karma in Mission Mode (I've got 70~ right now). Hopefully I can get most of that through the survival missions, because a lot of the regular missions kinda suck.

[GateofThunderforceIII]

finished Blue Dragon, now playing Final Fantasy XIII. I like it a lot. XIII-2 is next.

What did you think of Blue Dragon?

[Ghegs]

[Well, that's at least three players. Maybe we can get some time attack competition going?

I'd be up for that. It's a shame the online servers for the games were taken down or multiplayer'd be an option. Only way to play multiplayer now seems to be by playing LAN with the PC version using a virtual LAN like Hamachi.

Has that been confirmed to work? If so, I really need to pick up a PC copy of the game.

Also, holy shit SCREAMER. I completely forgot I own that game; I bought it ages ago when all I had was a crappy 386 pc and it ran like ass, totally forget to actually go and play it seriously when I got a better PC. Hopefully it runs well in DOSBox.

Yeah, Screamer's good stuff. I have some time attack vids of that up, too. Works great in Dosbox, that's how how GOG packaged it. I'm still waiting for GOG to put up Screamer 2 and Screamer Rally as well.

[BareKnuckleRoo]

Has that been confirmed to work? If so, I really need to pick up a PC copy of the game.

I'll see if I can test this. The LAN multiplayer option works just fine, so I imagine Hamachi ought to work with it. Only issue with the PC version is you need to turn audio playback hardware acceleration down to basic in Windows XP under in the Control Panel -> Sound or it can have issues when playing. Not sure how well it works under Win Vista/7 either (EDIT: Works fine in Windows 7 from the looks of it, no need to fiddle with compatibility settings). You might want to find a demo or something as a trial before purchasing a copy...

[JBC]

Warrior Blade: Rastan Saga Episode III

Truly an overlooked and underrated Taito classic featuring multiple screens in the vein of Ninja Warriors and Darius. The other two Rastan games may not have been the best, especially the 2nd, but this entry makes up for it with flying colors.

[TrevHead (TVR)]

Jet Set Radio Future, its my introduction to the genre and im loving it skating around the open stages to the music despite the less than perfect camera controls. Itll be intresting to play the upcoming XBLA version of the original, that is unless Sega hasnt cancelled it