What [not shmup] game are you playing now?

[null1024]

Tales of Xillia [PS3].
It's still fun. I'm still not done, especially since I haven't been playing it too much. I still can't help thinking about the plot as "lol tales story", even if it's actually not that bad.
Also, this is probably my favorite cast so far in a Tales game.


KOF13 [PS3].
Goddamnit, I need a Hitbox. Maybe once they make one for the PS4 [so I will be able to play GGXrd with it as well, and since the PS3 happily accepts random HID-spec controllers, it'll still work ], I'll get it. The best controller in my house that I can use on my PS3 is a PS1 pad, and there's still issues with doing the motions on it. So, I'll try to do a Neomax and it won't come out, and I'll get fucked since something else happened.

[gs68]

FTL: Faster Than Light. It's spaceship and crew management rolled up into a roguelike-like package. A fairly fun game, if you can get past the randomly-generated elements.

[Acid_Rain]

OutLand. Really surprised that it never seems to have been mentioned on here. Gorgeous platformer, with silky controls, some superb design, and great bosses.

Agreed, this one is really fun to play. And the visuals are stunning.

[spadgy]

I just can't put down GunLord. Got a PS4 with a few games, and yet GunLord has all my attention. Sorry next-gen.

[CStarFlare]

I picked up a repro cart of Seiken Densetsu 3 (patched) and have started playing it. I'm not sure why, but the game feels a little less magical than 2 so far. I don't know if it's just me being older, the colors being a little more muted, or what. I had a hard time choosing a character, starting a new file reminded me of the first time I played Saga Frontier. Which is best, who's got the best story, how are the different, is each individual's game short enough to make playing through more than one reasonable, aaaaaa!

But I'm enjoying it. Like with DQVI (which i played the same way), it's an awesome feeling to play a '90s game from one of my favorite series which is entirely new to me in 2013. Unfortunately, I'm playing it on an HD TV since my SD model died on me a few months back, and I know the game looks worse for it.

[shmuppyLove]

Tales of Xillia [PS3].
It's still fun. I'm still not done, especially since I haven't been playing it too much. I still can't help thinking about the plot as "lol tales story", even if it's actually not that bad.
Also, this is probably my favorite cast so far in a Tales game.

I finished my first playthrough as Jude today, immediately started up a New Game+ with Milla. Ended up with a bit over 4,000 Grade Points to spend on unlocks for the 2nd playthrough, the cost of some items really had me humming and hawing!

Curious to know where you're at in the game, the story takes an extremely interesting turn later on.

[null1024]

Blazblue: Continuum Shift Extend [PSP].

Decided to pick up Noel, she's fun, and I think she hasn't changed as much as Jin from CSE to CP. Also, this is the only way I can play BlazBlue at home right now.

Tales of Xillia [PS3].
It's still fun. I'm still not done, especially since I haven't been playing it too much. I still can't help thinking about the plot as "lol tales story", even if it's actually not that bad.
Also, this is probably my favorite cast so far in a Tales game.

I finished my first playthrough as Jude today, immediately started up a New Game+ with Milla. Ended up with a bit over 4,000 Grade Points to spend on unlocks for the 2nd playthrough, the cost of some items really had me humming and hawing!

Curious to know where you're at in the game, the story takes an extremely interesting turn later on.

Right after that bit with Millia's legs, and the whole party up to that point is back together.

and of course, I'm playing through as Jude

[heisenbergman]

Lots of Pinball FX2

[Ed Oscuro]

Every day is wiping down the PSP with soapy water day. Easy to do but must be done carefully...I'm not wasting money on screen protectors.

Infected - silly arena shooting game. What is it with PSP games and New York in Christmas? Add in a huge dose of lowbrow humor too. Not bad, although there are a few things about the gameplay and looks that hold it back.

Phantasy Star Portable - deciding to play it with headphones makes a big difference for enjoying the music. A-rank weapons are starting to show up and I'm not trying to fight PP decrease by not linking photonic arts anymore (they're necessary).

Gangs of London - I haven't played very much but the gameplay and looks strike me as flat, as usual. Been spending some time with the Pub Games instead - the arcade game is an interesting find.

Let's see how the Tenchu games and Monster Hunter series hold up. Too bad Monster Hunter Portable 3rd was never released with an official English translation, though somebody apparently did a mostly complete one all the same.

[drauch]

Monster World IV. Had only just messed around a bit with it in the past. Much more RPGish than I originally assumed. Really enjoying it thus far; exactly the type of game I was in the mood for.

[lilmanjs]

Burnout Paradise. Like having to takedown roaming cars to get new ones.

[Leandro]

Cadash, Mega Drive. Finished it with the fighter, great Taito game

[spadgy]

Back to Tearaway to mop up after getting the clear. Such a wonderful game. One of the few titles that feels like it could perhaps have only happened on the Vita.

[replayme]

Back to Tearaway to mop up after getting the clear. Such a wonderful game. One of the few titles that feels like it could perhaps have only happened on the Vita.

That's because the Vita is a one of a kind machine

On topic: Tearaway is on my Xmas list. Now it's just a matter of deciding (in time for Boxing Day) if I want to buy my list of games, or forsake all of them for the sake of a 3DS XL/Zelda combo.

[spadgy]

Oh - I love my Vita - one of my favourite platforms. I've enjoyed loads of games on it. It just so happens that Tearaway is the most Vita-dependant of all those titles thus far, and perhaps the best!

[replayme]

Oh - I love my Vita - one of my favourite platforms. I've enjoyed loads of games on it. It just so happens that Tearaway is the most Vita-dependant of all those titles thus far, and perhaps the best!

"Perhaps the best"?!?!? High praise indeed.

What would you regard as being your top 5 games on the system (incl multi-plat) as I'm pretty new to the handheld and would like to get a few games for Christmas (assuming I don't buy a 3DS)?

[professor ganson]

What would you regard as being your top 5 games on the system (incl multi-plat) as I'm pretty new to the handheld and would like to get a few games for Christmas (assuming I don't buy a 3DS)?

The 3DS library is better at this point, but if you get a Vita, Zanac Neo is a must.

[Skykid]

Oh - I love my Vita - one of my favourite platforms. I've enjoyed loads of games on it. It just so happens that Tearaway is the most Vita-dependant of all those titles thus far, and perhaps the best!

"Perhaps the best"?!?!? High praise indeed.

What would you regard as being your top 5 games on the system (incl multi-plat) as I'm pretty new to the handheld and would like to get a few games for Christmas (assuming I don't buy a 3DS)?

Well you should buy a 3DS because Zelda (and several other really first class titles), but I'm really digging Dragon's Crown at the moment - it's the reason I bought a Vita and I'm happy it's completely validated the purchase.

It's probably not a game for everyone, and I spent the two hours or so thinking it might not be for me: but as soon as it clicks and all its multi-genre bolting falls into place, it becomes a harmonious, beautiful belt-scrolling RPG hybrid that you love to grind. It keeps on opening up too: the game seems to begin in earnest when you reach the B-routes.

Will also need to check out Tearaway, on Spadgy's lofty recommendation.

[spadgy]

Tearaway isn't the perfect game. It's a little too tentative with getting to it's more interesting platform design, and the combat is rather simple. But as a result of how much detail, character and nice ideas it drapes over a traditional game form, it makes something truly special, and the many ways it breaks the fourth wall add up too something really brilliant and striking. Spoiler free: I'll just say the crescendo feel and presentation of its closing section is one of the most noteworthy I've enjoyed in many years.

[Obiwanshinobi]

Rather off-topic, but I don't wanna start a new thread just to ask - does SoulCalibur 2 HD Online really slow down sometimes? It was RenderWare-powered, multiplatform by design to boot and the screenshots - unsurprisingly - look typically of RenderWare games running on PC. Doesn't Xbox version even output "real" 720p? (Still, isn't saying much of its horizontal resolution.) I'd think porting such an old RenderWare game to PS3/360 should be smooth sailing.

[BulletMagnet]

I've enjoyed loads of games on it. It just so happens that Tearaway is the most Vita-dependant of all those titles thus far, and perhaps the best!

I still think you just like it due to the bountiful abundance of squirrels therein.

[Ruldra]

Spirit Stones (Android, iOS)

Nice mix of Puzzle & Dragons and card collecting. Each unit is a card and you mix and evolve them to get better cards. There's a quest mode where you can play solo, battle mode to fight other people online and a raid mode where you and other people work together to kill a tough boss.

Unfortunately you can't play offline and there's a energy bar so you can only play in small doses. Card artwork is obviously aimed toward horny teenagers too. But it's pretty fun nonetheless.

If you decide to play this on Android, let me know so we can share codes.

[replayme]

Just been playing the Capcom Classics collection on PSP (the one with Final Fight and Strider on it). Boy, do I totally stand by the opinion that most old games don't hold up to today's lofty standards. I'm sure if developers expanded on the game mechanics, and brought nicer production values into the mix, then "old-school" style games would be able to sustain my attention for a slightly longer amount of time. But the PSP arcade collection (as is) just reminds me of why (even in the age of the indie revolution) certain genres have died out.

[Leandro]

Just been playing the Capcom Classics collection on PSP (the one with Final Fight and Strider on it). Boy, do I totally stand by the opinion that most old games don't hold up to today's lofty standards. I'm sure if developers expanded on the game mechanics, and brought nicer production values into the mix, then "old-school" style games would be able to sustain my attention for a slightly longer amount of time. But the PSP arcade collection (as is) just reminds me of why (even in the age of the indie revolution) certain genres have died out.

which game in specific are you talking about?

[spadgy]

I've enjoyed loads of games on it. It just so happens that Tearaway is the most Vita-dependant of all those titles thus far, and perhaps the best!

I still think you just like it due to the bountiful abundance of squirrels therein.

Oh, of course. You know me. Chuck I squirrel in something, and I'm all for it.

I did get my first ever PSN warning for uploading a Tearaway in-game photo starring a squirrel wearing a cock-shaped hat I'd rustled up. Uploading the image was an accident. The rest of the crime was all done with intent.

[PedroMD]

I'm replaying Chrono Cross for the first time in more than a decade. I don't even know how I managed to play it the first time, since I was around eleven years old at the time and barely even knew english, but I finished it multiple times and it's been THE BEST RPG I'VE EVER PLAYED in my mind since then.
Well, I'm not sure I'll keep thinking that, but I'm 20 hours in and loving every minute. And the soundtrack is hitting me right in the face with nostalgia gloves.

[ACSeraph]

FFXIV is destroying all my shmup time. Been a long time since I got into an MMO, but I'm really enjoying this one. I like that you don't have to grind shit, you can just follow your quests and you'll level up as required. It's good for people like me who can't afford to devote more than a couple hours a day to it at most.

Otherwise I've been playing BlazBlue Chronophantasma, both at home and at the arcade. I'm learning Izayoi because she's really fun despite her shit-tier status. Terumi is fun too (though simple) but I can"t play him at the arcade unfortunately. Also really enjoying the changes made to Noel (my main). She always felt like something was missing in the older games, but now with her 236 C and her follow up to her air special she feels a lot more "complete". I hate her new Astral Heat though, I miss being able to combo into it from almost anything in Extend.

[STG]

Finally got around to playing Phoenix Wright 5, wasn't too thrilled about it being a DD-only release but I couldn't help myself. Love the series.

Didn't think I'd get into the change of using poly's for the characters/crime area's, but it works well for the most part. Some character expressions looks a little... odd. I kind of miss the examining of each screen like the previous games: they did hone it down into dealing more directly with the witnesses and other characters when you go from place to place, and only allowing examining of a few area's. Still, very enjoyable dialog and some funny moments so far, just started case 4.

[Obiwanshinobi]

I'm replaying Chrono Cross for the first time in more than a decade. I don't even know how I managed to play it the first time, since I was around eleven years old at the time and barely even knew english, but I finished it multiple times and it's been THE BEST RPG I'VE EVER PLAYED in my mind since then.
Well, I'm not sure I'll keep thinking that, but I'm 20 hours in and loving every minute. And the soundtrack is hitting me right in the face with nostalgia gloves.

This and Xenogears are games I've endured playing mostly for the music. Bizarrely enough, I can't even remember the music, but some of the Chrono Cross' backdrops are engraved vividly in my memory.

[Ed Oscuro]

In honor of Tenchu: Time of the Assassin's nostalgia rush:
BOING! BOINNNG! BOINNNGGG!