What [not shmup] game are you playing now?

[Slump]

Been going through my annual winter time play through of FFVI & Link to the Past on SNES and also Torchlight on PC at the moment.

[Marc]

I've been playing Red Faction on PS3. Reminds me of GTA back when it used to be about the fun.

[Vexorg]

You mean Red Faction Guerilla? I've got it on PC, but I haven't really been able to get into it because it doesn't seem to want to cooperate with my video card (causing glitching and crashes.) It also tends to be one of those games where the fun parts (the destructible buildings) have too much of a somewhat clunky combat system in between them, The maps also have way too much empty space in them, which means that even if you have a vehicle you're spending too much time getting from one place to another.

[sjewkestheloon]

It's been guiding me on a strict path so far but I get the impression that Persona 4 is about to open up on me.

Lots of interesting mechanics at play too. Just about to take my first adventure into TV land outside of a specific scripted event. Looking forward to a bit of grind and maybe a few new cards so that I can use that nice and newly opened Velvet Room.

I can't remember another JRPG story that has gripped me in such a way. I am quite compelled.

[EinhanderZwei]

I can. For me, such game was Phantasy Star Portable - the best non-oldschool JRPG I've played in a while. Gonna try out Universe soon

Yet Persona 4 and SMT: Nocturne (mentioned earlier) are truly awesome games. Atlus rules! Anyone played the Persona 1 remake, BTW?

[professor ganson]

I can. For me, such game was Phantasy Star Portable - the best non-oldschool JRPG I've played in a while. Gonna try out Universe soon

If you've got access to a DS, I'd highly recommend getting a copy of Phantasy Star Zero. So far I like the presentation even better than that of Phan Star Portable. And this is coming from a hardcore Alfa System fan. If you like the format of Phantasy Star Portable, check out Alfa System's Tales of the World: Radiant Mythology. It's very similar to PSP. Or you can wait for the sequel to PSP, which should be coming pretty soon.

As for Persona 1, I haven't started it yet. I'm not sure whether to play it or Devil Survivor first.

[mesh control]

still playing Gran Turismo PSP

[The Coop]

The Legend of Spyro: The Eternal Night (PS2) and Torchlight at the moment.

[Dragoforce]

Legend of Kage.

I will break it.

[TLB]

Watching my friend suck ass at and telling him how to play NG2 on 360. In a few hours I'm busting out the Skol and maybe I'll make him keep playing it. Otherwise we're watching Dirty Harry V :P

[Ed Oscuro]

You mean Red Faction Guerilla? I've got it on PC, but I haven't really been able to get into it because it doesn't seem to want to cooperate with my video card (causing glitching and crashes.) It also tends to be one of those games where the fun parts (the destructible buildings) have too much of a somewhat clunky combat system in between them, The maps also have way too much empty space in them, which means that even if you have a vehicle you're spending too much time getting from one place to another.

Empty, bad combat system? It's like deja vu all over again.

[MadScientist]

I just started playing RF:G as well recently - I'd say it's one of the better open worlds games out there. The combat is actually pretty good and way better than the GTA games.

[BulletMagnet]

Atlus rules! Anyone played the Persona 1 remake, BTW?

I'm a little ways in, though not too far - as someone who never played it on PS1, I'm generally enjoying wandering around and chewing the fat with the demons (one of my favorite parts of Nocturne), but the game's pace is also on the slow side, especially compared to more recent RPGs.

Elsewhere, I finished the first two Shadow Hearts games a little while back, and am currently playing the third to complete the cycle...well, except for Koudelka.

[sjewkestheloon]

Atlus rules! Anyone played the Persona 1 remake, BTW?

I'm a little ways in, though not too far - as someone who never played it on PS1, I'm generally enjoying wandering around and chewing the fat with the demons (one of my favorite parts of Nocturne), but the game's pace is also on the slow side, especially compared to more recent RPGs.

Elsewhere, I finished the first two Shadow Hearts games a little while back, and am currently playing the third to complete the cycle...well, except for Koudelka.

I love the odd touches in the Shadow Hearts games. Collecting gay porn cards for abilities anyone? MGS style stealth as a talking dog? Oh yes.

I think I'll break Covenant out for a run when I'm done with my current games.

[null1024]

Star Fox 2, finally got the English+bugfix patch to work.
I really don't know how you could hold on the release a completed, mostly bug free, and enjoyable game like this. Seriously, the game is great fun [but *needs* to be played on hard or expert, normal is just too... easy].

[gs68]

I blame NINTENDO SIXTY-FOOOOOUUUURRRRRR

[TLB]

Uh...last not shmup I played was Ninja Gaiden 2 quite momentarily last time I was drunk (Monday). I made a video about a severed arm that was stuck in midair.

[BIL]

Still mucking about with the first four Silent Hill games. I love this set, virtually the only non-arcade stuff I still care to play. The sheer atmospheric detail alone can occupy me for hours, never mind the odd forum nerdfight over the various storylines.

BANGIN' CHOONS

[handsome_rakshas]

rival schools

JUVENIRE GANG MEMBA!

Still mucking about with the first four Silent Hill games. I love this set, virtually the only non-arcade stuff I still care to play. The sheer atmospheric detail alone can occupy me for hours, never mind the odd forum nerdfight over the various storylines.

BANGIN' CHOONS

I went through Silent Hill 3 about 5 times in the last 6 months but I can't work up the nerve to play the others. I just think I've grown to love 3 so much the others just won't do.

Well, I'm kind of stuck on what to play next. I was going to start the Yakuza series in anticipation of part 3 in March but I've been really lazy and just wanting to play quick Genny games. I almost started playing Shadow of the Colossus again after showing it to my gal pal to prove video games can be artistic and emotional. I've also confirmed that girls will jump in bed with you to play Flower because they love that sentimental junk.

Oh crap, I also just realized I've had Lunar Eternal Blue, Albert Odyssey, Magic Knight Rayearth, Popful Mail, and Vanguard Bandits rotting in my closet and never touched them. I've become the worst kind of game player, the collector.

[1up]

Just started on Balad of Gay Tony

[mortified_penguin]

Most of my time now is split between Demon's Souls, (still), and the Mechwarrior Living Legends mod for Crysis.

[DEL]

Earthbound for the third time & a bit of the classic Ninja Spirit by IREM.

[BIL]

I went through Silent Hill 3 about 5 times in the last 6 months but I can't work up the nerve to play the others. I just think I've grown to love 3 so much the others just won't do.

Give SH2 a go sometime. It's just as stylish as SH3 and has a far more substantial story - it is resultingly a lot more subdued and melancholic overall, though. More of a slow burner. It eventually gets seriously oppressive about 2/3 of the way through. Only real flaw is overly clumsy controls, but they can be adjusted to. Headphones / good sound system strongly recommended for best results - the soundtrack is Akira Yamaoka's masterpiece.

SH1 is excellent as well, and does some things better than either of the subsequent two... more outright terror than SH2, and better pacing than SH3. Its age and poor (though minimal) voice acting may impede enjoyment, though. SH4's game design is flawed (too circuitous for a horror game), but it has some interestingly surreal concepts at work. Only for the patient.

Only played Homecoming, of the non-Konami developed games. Mostly decent story buried under lots of tired rehashing, lame Hostel gore, countless bugs / glitches and a third-rate SH2 xerox of a "plot twist." Combat is both more serviceable than SH1-4's, and completely counteractive to the horror effect (and honestly... who plays horror games for their action?) Don't bother with this one before any of the KCET games, if ever.

[ZOM]

...yet no other Silent Hill than number 3 has such awesome texture effects and creepy hallways...
Oh oh oh and the freakin' mirror room!!! Just remembered it! Damn, I'm getting the urge to play that game again.

Homecoming? What's that?
Though I recall using some sort of strange therapy used to erase traumatic experiences.

[Gespenst]

X3: Terran Conflict. IMO, best space sim ever.

[sjewkestheloon]

I'll never forget my first encounter with triangle dude from SH2. I was running scared but my mate urged me to just hit him in the face. I tried. I died.

[Thunder Force]

X3: Terran Conflict. IMO, best space sim ever.

I remember buying its predecessor "X3: Reunion" on Steam last year, based on screenshots... and installing it excitedly expecting a modern Wing Commander / Colony Wars, then after 30 minutes thinking that I'd accidentally bought something closer to Eve Online, and uninstalling it.

Is it possible to play these games solely as an action shooter, requiring no time investment?

[EinhanderZwei]

Homecoming? What's that?
Though I recall using some sort of strange therapy used to erase traumatic experiences.

It's the worst piece of shit I've ever played. Imagine a bad RE4-5 clone in SH setting targeted for the audiences that consider Crysis the best game ever. And with a gay plot

[Jockel]

Final Fantasy VI. Love it.
So far around 12 hours in the game and i am absolutely amazed.

[sjewkestheloon]

FF6 is a gem. Nice and tight construction, a no nonsense RPG.