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Post by Sarge on Oct 7, 2019 16:11:50 GMT -5
Heh, I do love me some Picross. I don't do Sudoku much, so I bet you actually beat me to the punch. I just took the lazy way out prepping. A lot of the principles seem the same, though. It's as important to know what's not in a position than what is. EDIT: Not sure I'm going to stick with it, but I decided to give Getsu Fuma Den a go. I can tell it was from earlier in the Famicom lifespan, because a lot reminded me of TMNT, given the sound effects and some of the combat feel. It also wouldn't at all surprise me if it were the composer from Goonies II on the game; especially the shop tune reminded me of the 3D maze segments from that game. *checks on Wikipedia* Or not. Huh, guess it's just that good ol' Konami house style going.
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Post by Ex on Oct 8, 2019 0:45:42 GMT -5
Dead Space: Chapter 6 was about... repairing broken things in the ship, under the guidance of holograph girl, while fighting necromorphs. Just as the previous 5 chapters have been about. And then I made it to Chapter 7. Which was riding the tram to another section of the ship, to be given the same song 'n dance by holograph girl... repair ship things while fighting more necromorphs. I wouldn't say Dead Space is a boring game (it's not), but this particular routine is getting a bit stale. With five Chapters left, I sure hope the designers start mixing up the locations and objectives in a less predictable fashion.
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Post by Xeogred on Oct 8, 2019 18:33:56 GMT -5
Sounds like more negatives so far than positive. The hardest game in the world is getting a homerun recommendation right for Ex. The world will probably end if that happens.
The format changes a bit in the second half, but you might be another one who could prefer the second game.
I personally liked the whole tram system in the first game. Gave it a nice Metroid flavor.
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Post by Sarge on Oct 8, 2019 19:51:51 GMT -5
Everyone's a bit harder to predict than you'd think. Mine and Ex's tastes overlap in quite a few areas, and there are places where it clearly doesn't. But that's part of the fun! That's also why I like to track down reviewers that I like, and figure out their idiosyncrasies. There will be things that they care about that don't bother me, and vice versa.
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Post by Ex on Oct 8, 2019 20:56:06 GMT -5
Sounds like more negatives so far than positive. Nah, I think more positively of Dead Space thus far than negatively. I think I've learned what you prefer in video games now, and which of those preferences correlate and dissociate from my tastes. But there are games you and I both completely agree on being fantastic. Super Metroid, Gun Hazard, and Demon's Souls for instance. But it's true you are definitely more into action-horror than I am. Perhaps, I've read the second game is even more action-oriented though. But I own DS2 and DS3 on 360. And I did really enjoy Dead Space: Extraction on Wii. Enough to beat it twice even. I can kinda see that. Every tram stops at an central hub per level, with plenty of recursive backtracking. I am ready for the second half to mix things up though.
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Post by Xeogred on Oct 8, 2019 21:03:28 GMT -5
Maybe you can see why I often bundle up FEAR and Dead Space together in some discussions now, though at the same time I can easily see how someone might just only take one of these (like yourself). For the most part though they are indeed action games first, with a slight horror or what I like to say just simply "tense" backdrop for some fun atmosphere and seriousness. I like that blend and these types tend to lean into sci-fi, fantasy, supernatural, etc, so you get some creative and interesting enemy types too instead of the generic soldier goombas with no design personality. Guess you could designate Resident Evil as the blueprint of this type. I don't think I ever sold Dead Space to anyone as a pure horror game. But yeah, it's a full package that delivered a much richer experience to me than Uncharted 2, Gears, etc at the time and I think it holds up very well 10 some years later.
Dead Space 2 gives Isaac a voice, is completely linear and more scripted sometimes, has no map system, less backtracking, more color I guess. So yeah I can see how some might favor that. But I love the balance and isolated vibes of the first game.
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As for me so far this month, I've been busy outside of Xenoblade X... but I have a nice four day weekend for some birthday time off. I'm still thinking about Echo Night and Haunted Ground the most, so I'll try to check those out.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 9, 2019 8:28:44 GMT -5
Van Helsing [PS2/2004] A DMC-clone for PS2 and Xbox based on the eponymous movie starring Hugh Jackman. Well, most of the time I'd use the term 'clone' disparagingly, but Van Helsing is actually very good and pretty close to the best DMC games (1 and 4 if you ask me). It's a bit more focused on firearms and ranged combat rather than hack 'n slash, but you do have blades and you're encouraged to get close and personal against certain enemies. Other than that, you've also got a grappling hook to reach elevated locations, but also to drag enemies closer to you, immediately initiating a melee combo as you draw them to you. Pretty similar to Nero's combat style, actually - even earlier than that, I think Jack could also do that in Capcom's The Nightmare Before Christmas? Combat is solid, fast and fun. Enemies drop green gems that can be used to buy upgrades and red gems that replenish your health. You've also got an inventory with consumables. Weapons include revolvers, shotgun, crossbow, 'electric gun' and a Gaitlin Gun. Also a rifle, which I've never found. You've only got two melee weapons to choose from: your 'Tojo blades' (see game cover) and a couple of scimitars you obtain later. By fighting enemies you fill up your 'Special Ammo bar' that lets you activate your weapons' much more powerful secondary attack (similar to the Tome of Power from Heretic). The game also constantly encourages you to switch between your weapons seeing as enemies are vulnerable to some attacks and completely impervious to others. E.x. the crossbow is very effective against flying enemies, but it doesn't do a thing against enemies made of stone. The game takes place in Transylvania and has a very convincing gothic look to it that makes for a solid atmosphere. Enemies and bosses consist of a smorgasbord of 'notorious' monsters. Their leader and final boss being Dracula - needless to say, Van Helsing feels a whole lot like an old-school - albeit 3D - Castlevania game at times. There's even a reference to it. You even have limited 'quick execution' moves that reminded me of the sub-weapon attacks from Castlevania, since they often consist of throwing holy water at enemies or stuff like that. The game's a tad too short, clocking around 4 hours, but it takes something like 2 hours if you know what you're doing and avoid all the optional fights. After your first playthrough, you get to unlock 'Hard' difficulty, but it's still pretty easy considering you get to keep all of your weapons and upgrades from your previous playthrough and the Gaitlin Gun is OP. Still, one of the best licensed games I've played. + Fun, solid gameplay; Beautiful gothic environments make for a good atmosphere; Weapons are all pretty cool and complement each other well... At least until you get the Gaitlin Gun (very close to the end). - You visit the same environments and fight the same bosses more than once; Not much in the way of purchasable combos/upgrades. 4/5Pics:
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Post by Sarge on Oct 9, 2019 10:46:32 GMT -5
That might make a good game to come back to. I have a copy, and played it for a bit. It definitely cribs from Devil May Cry, but hey, if you're gonna steal, steal from the best.
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Post by Xeogred on Oct 9, 2019 18:49:39 GMT -5
Holy crap that looks awesome! I just checked out a video too and wow yeah, this indeed looks like a straight up DMC1 clone... and done well! I never would have considered playing a Van Helsing game until now haha... granted, I recall digging the movie a fair bit actually. I just ordered the game for $9. (Xbox)
@tsumuri : Have you played Castlevania Lament of Innocence or Curse of Darkness? I really wanted to like both of them but fell off fairly fast. They tried a little too hard at replicating SoTN in 3D and I think they suffered for it... way too many repeating rooms and hallways, it quickly gets boring to look at and navigate. To be fair, I didn't play much of Curse because the very rare Xbox print I have of it has an audio glitch that makes it unbearable, I might try grabbing the PS2 version someday. Lament has an amazing OST at least.
DMC1 and 3, then Souls end up being a good take on what 3D Castlevania could have been...
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Post by Deleted on Oct 9, 2019 19:03:53 GMT -5
@tsumuri : Have you played Castlevania Lament of Innocence or Curse of Darkness? I played Lament of Innocence briefly and it didn't grab me at the time. I had a good time playing through the first level of Castlevania 64, which is more like a 3D version of the pre-SotN entries, but then I got pretty discouraged by all the platforming. Partly because I'm just really bad at it, partly because the camera is kinda garbage. Loved those motorcycles-riding skeletons though: I'm also a bit on the fence about Bayonetta, it often gets compared to DMC, but I don't buy it 100%... Not sure if it's for me.
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