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Post by Ex on Feb 22, 2023 12:16:05 GMT -5
10 random questions to resurrect this thread!
Do you enjoy romance in video games?
What's the craziest/most amusing glitch you've encountered in a game?
What's something in the realm of emulators/emulation hardware we don't have yet, but you'd love to have?
Do you enjoy playing games co-op? Have you ever not enjoyed a game at all, but later gave it a second chance only to really enjoy it then?
Has any video game ever legitimately scared you (if so name it)? What's the most disappointed you've ever been with a video game? What JRPG do you think has the most unique plot? As an adult, what is a reasonable amount of time to spend video gaming per week?
Have you ever learned something useful from a video game (as in real life thing) you had no knowledge of before?
- I'll be back with my own answers later.
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Post by nullPointer on Feb 22, 2023 13:16:08 GMT -5
Great questions Ex ! I'll probably have to tackle a couple at a time in piecemeal fashion, and I may not have answers for all of them. Do you enjoy romance in video games?
The only times I've really enjoyed romance in video games when it can be done with a deft authorial hand, and in my experience that tends to be exceedingly rare. In most cases romance in a game is treated purely as a game mechanic (here I'm thinking of GTA San Andreas, Bully and the like ... so maybe picking on that era of Rockstar I guess), or it's too hyper-focused on the sexual aspect of romance as an end goal. But that's not to say I actively dislike those things either, it's just that romance in a game has never been a selling point for me, and it's definitely not something I actively seek out. One example of 'romance done right' (and I have no doubt that others may disagree) IMO, is To The Moon. In some ways I'd say that To The Moon represents the same kind of romance seen in the notorious opening scene in the Pixar movie Up, presented not as a simple childlike concept, but something nuanced involving both good times and bad. Having said all of that, I'm an old head. Romance at this stage of my life means something completely different to me now than it did in my teen years, or my twenties and so forth. What's the craziest/most amusing glitch you've encountered in a game?Assassin's Creed III (I mean this series is a bit notorious for crazy glitches depending on which entry). I was stalking British troops from the bushes at the top of an embankment next to a lake. I drew my bow, nocked an arrow, and let it fly towards one of the soldiers at lakeside. The arrow found its mark, and it launched that f'kr to the moon (hey it's a theme!). Seriously - the guy flew up into the air almost out of view, and landed on the other side of the lake. It was bonkers, and I wish I had recorded it. Has any video game ever legitimately scared you (if so name it)I don't think a game has ever actually scared me, but I love and deeply appreciate good atmosphere building. As someone who struggles with depression from time to time, it's not jump scares or imaginary monsters that tend to get under my skin. But when a game really captures that vibe of being haunted by inner demons, that tends to resonate with me. (And here we go again ... ), Silent Hill 2 is a game that knocks it out of the park in this regard for me. But again it's not that it really scares me per se, it's that it conveys a particular sense of malaise that I can recognize and identify with. That's it for now (back to work!). I'll have to think on a few more of these.
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Post by Xeogred on Feb 22, 2023 20:13:37 GMT -5
Do you enjoy romance in video games? - I want to say yes but then fail to really think of why or come up with good examples. I think Mass Effect did it pretty well and might be the best take on the idea though, because you the player get to kind of pick the pairing. Otherwise you're always going to have fans "ship" their own pairing. Sometimes maybe the tease is all you really need though, like Resident Evil dragging sexual tension out between Leon and Ada for decades. Though I've seen some people speculate there's stuff in RE6 that suggests they maybe slept together in that one. Do I want Capcom to finally say YES they're a pair, or would that ruin the mystery/fun to it? I don't know haha. I think the Xeno games often do it well too, it's pretty subtle but they make it fairly official after a point.
What's the craziest/most amusing glitch you've encountered in a game?
One of my friends and I discovered this by accident in the 90's. So we promptly got on the phone with Tips & Tricks, got our credentials published in one issue, and this was one of the first tricks posted on GameFAQ's... OH I WISH! I remember us thinking we had to contact some magazine or something right away, we were going to make history. But being kids, I guess we forgot the next day to put in that effort. But I'll forever remember our reaction to doing this trick and then quickly being able to replicate it.
What's something in the realm of emulators/emulation hardware we don't have yet, but you'd love to have? - I actually think it's been around for awhile now in some emulators... but rewind features? That kind of seems like a cooler idea than utilizing save states to me. This feature tends to be in re-releases of old classics nowadays, which is generally some kind of emulation. So I'm sure some emulators do it. Do you enjoy playing games co-op? - Ehhh I'm not sure. I did back in the day with friends, but I'm not sure about now. It's always cool for some random fun but never when I'm gaming seriously. Have you ever not enjoyed a game at all, but later gave it a second chance only to really enjoy it then? - More like the 4th chance or something on all the King's Field games. Trying to think of some other older examples though... Has any video game ever legitimately scared you (if so name it)? - My tolerance is pretty high for horror, I find so much of it comforting in a bizarre way haha. Just love deep/dark atmospheres. But Silent Hill 2 at least makes me ask questions in my head, really think about stuff. SOMA is a recent one that was very similar, it has some shocking moments that blew my mind in thought provoking ways. And Alien Isolation is a rare treat of one that had an environment/section that I HAD to get out of as fast as possible, because it was that unnerving. An incredible feat, I can't think of anything else doing that to me. I remember playing it with headphones in the dark, as I usually try to do with this genre. In my teen years, the Fatal Frame games creeped me out real good, not because of the jump scares, but because they really lean into the torturous rituals and flesh out the past of the ghosts and stuff. So that gets in your head. What's the most disappointed you've ever been with a video game? - I'll have to return to this one, there's gotta be something... As an adult, what is a reasonable amount of time to spend video gaming per week? - Let's say 7 spread throughout however. An hour a day doesn't seem too crazy. But it's pretty subjective depending on someone's surroundings/life. I'd guess I spend maybe 10-12.
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Post by toei on Feb 23, 2023 10:49:42 GMT -5
Do you enjoy romance in video games? I don't mind it, most of the time, but I can't think of any super memorable romantic moment. There's that one slow dance scene in the original Mother, but I remember it because you don't see characters do a whole dance too often in a NES RPG and the music was cool, not because it moved me.
What's something in the realm of emulators/emulation hardware we don't have yet, but you'd love to have? Perfect quality automatic translation would be incredible. An option to suspend time in the real world even more so.
Do you enjoy playing games co-op? I really did as a kid, and refused to play beat-'em-ups by myself. It never worked for me with Secret of Mana, I tried with two friends and they wouldn't want to talk to the NPCs or explore things, so they were just annoying. But it can still be really fun for some games. Some years ago I got together with a childhood friend and we finally beat Toejam & Earl, which we used to play all the time in primary school. It was great. It's a good game for that because you can split up anytime and explore each floor faster that way, but you need to meet up before moving on to the next floor, so there's that balance of autonomy and cooperation.
Have you ever not enjoyed a game at all, but later gave it a second chance only to really enjoy it then? Sure, multiple times. I can't think of most of them now, though, but Parasite Eve 2 is one. Really couldn't get into it at all years ago, and had the complete opposite experience when I gave it another shot.
Has any video game ever legitimately scared you (if so name it)? The first two Silent Hill games are legitimately creepy to me. Pyramid Head did scare me at least once.
What's the most disappointed you've ever been with a video game? Phantasy Star III was a huge letdown for me. I'd played IV beforehand, and it become maybe my favorite game at the time. This was the late '90s and the games weren't in stores anymore, yet I didn't have access to emulation, so I would look for them in secondhand shops all the time. A nearby store had PSIII, and it cost something like 43$, which was really expensive for a used game at the time. I had to save up to buy it, and when I finally brought it home, it seemed so half-baked, lifeless and empty compared to PSIV... barely any character dialogue, no NPCs in towns after the first chapter, barebones story, almost no bosses in the entire game... I eventually grew to like it somewhat through replays because I had nothing else to play, and because the potential was there, but yeah.
Recently, it was Streets of Kamurocho, of all things. Remember that? The free game Sega gave on Steam for a limited time that was announced as a Yakuza 2D beat-'em-up? That sounded amazing to me (and still does), but it turned out to be just a hack of the first level of Streets of Rage 2 with bad Yakuza-themed sprites. Sure it was free, but it was also nothing, when I would have paid for that exact game concept actually realized.
As an adult, what is a reasonable amount of time to spend video gaming per week? Who knows? I don't game regularly anymore. When I get into the mood I can play far too long for a few days in a row, maybe a week, then not play at all for a while. I make sure I handle what I have to handle.
Have you ever learned something useful from a video game (as in real life thing) you had no knowledge of before? I learned a lot of geography and a bit of history from Uncharted Waters when I was 11 or 12.
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Post by Ex on Feb 23, 2023 11:01:21 GMT -5
Do you enjoy romance in video games?
This depends on whether I have any influence or not. I don't care for romance in a video game that is preset, wherein the protagonist and their love interest are predetermined. In that case I'm just a voyeur and it's cringey to me. However, if I am able to pick the love interest for my protagonist, and romance that love interest purposefully and actively, I find that enjoyable.
What's the craziest/most amusing glitch you've encountered in a game?
In the PC version of Fallout 3, I found a tire sitting slightly under a large dilapidated bus. When I grabbed the tire and picked it up, the bus suddenly shot up into the stratosphere. It flew so high it eventually disappeared. I gave a copy of my save file to a friend, when he loaded the game it had the same effect on his hardware. I then gave that save file to others online, and the same occurred for them. It was something weird with the physics engine, but it was pretty hilarious to see happen.
What's something in the realm of emulators/emulation hardware we don't have yet, but you'd love to have?
I'd like to see a third party portable PS2. As in a device specifically designed to play PS2 games portably, that could run ISOs/BINs off a microSD card. With perfect compatibility of course. I'd also like to see a mini Sega Saturn that could do the same thing. I don't care if the mini Saturn is portable, it could still be a console with HDMI output. As long as it scaled perfectly to larger resolutions.
Do you enjoy playing games co-op?
I love playing games co-op, but only local co-op IRL. I don't care for playing games co-op online. Some of my greatest gaming experiences have been local co-op gaming. It seems less and less people play co-op IRL as the medium barrels on, and that's sad to me. Beating games co-op is a great way to bond with friends, family, and lovers.
Have you ever not enjoyed a game at all, but later gave it a second chance only to really enjoy it then?
This has happened to me a few times. I think the most dramatic example was with the original Tenchu. I thought that game was awful when I first played it (rented right when it released). A few years later I gave it another chance and was hooked. Still one of the best ninja simulators out there.
Has any video game ever legitimately scared you (if so name it)?
For all the horror games I've ever played, and I've played a lot, only Thief: The Dark Project managed to truly unnerve me. It was the mission where you're going through the old city to reach the cathedral the first time. It was late at night and that old city was so damned menacing and creepy, I ended up noping out and playing that mission in the daytime. This was many many years ago when I was far younger, but it did happen.
What's the most disappointed you've ever been with a video game?
Spending $60 on Sword of Sodan for SEGA Genesis back in 1992. I was 13 years old and $60 was all the money I had. Keep in mind with inflation, that's closer to $130 today. Yes indeed, new video games were far more expensive in the '80s and '90s. The box art made the game look amazing (for a teenage boy's interests - gore and T&A) so I took a chance on it. That was not money well spent.
What JRPG do you think has the most unique plot?
Probably Koudelka.
As an adult, what is a reasonable amount of time to spend video gaming per week?
As adults we all have varying levels of personal responsibility. Some of us have a lot more than others. But I think even an adult with little personal responsibility should proactively moderate their video gaming. Keep in mind, I love video games as much as anyone reading this (I started this forum after all) but I also know how addictive and time devouring games can be. To the point of being detrimental to personal growth (remember, games can trick your brain into thinking you're actually accomplishing something IRL). Furthermore, I believe it is important for an adult to have multiple hobbies to engage in, this is better for their mental health. To that end, I think 1-2 hours of video gaming a day is plenty enough for an adult. With perhaps one 3 hour day on a weekend. This would equate to a maximum of 15 hours per week. Therefore, I think 15 hours is a reasonable amount of time to spend gaming per week, for a responsible, high functioning adult.
Have you ever learned something useful from a video game (as in real life thing) you had no knowledge of before?
A few times actually. But the most dramatic example would be learning orienteering. Wikipedia describes orienteering as: Orienteering is a group of sports that require navigational skills using a map and compass to navigate from point to point in diverse and usually unfamiliar terrain whilst moving at speed. Participants are given a topographical map, usually a specially prepared orienteering map, which they use to find control points.[1] Originally a training exercise in land navigation for military officers.
The game that I learned about orienteering from was Miasmata. In this game you have to use the technique manually, in order to navigate an unfamiliar island. The way you do it in the game, is very similar to how it's done in real life.
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Post by Sarge on Feb 23, 2023 18:14:11 GMT -5
Hmm... let's see what I can do here.
Do you enjoy romance in video games?
If done right, I can enjoy it. There's absolutely nothing wrong with a good love story. Some games get it all wrong, though - most of the BioWare RPGs come to mind - and make sex with your chosen love interest the point of it all. It's kinda crass when done that way.
What's the craziest/most amusing glitch you've encountered in a game?
I wish I still had the save, but our SNES accidentally got pulled down and was dangling by the hookups while playing Lufia II. Somehow it didn't kill the game running, and it glitched the inventory to give a bazillion stupid items and maxed everyone's level. And it took like 30 seconds to save/load.
Do you enjoy playing games co-op?
Not particularly. I've always been a solo flyer for the most part.
Have you ever not enjoyed a game at all, but later gave it a second chance only to really enjoy it then?
*coughKing'sFieldcough*
What's the most disappointed you've ever been with a video game?
Most disappointing is hard. I guess it would have to be a game that I really got hyped up for. Final Fantasy VII was something of a disappointment, but I'm sure it's not the most disappointing. I might think of something later.
As an adult, what is a reasonable amount of time to spend video gaming per week?
I think a couple of hours a day is plenty justifiable. At least ten.
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Post by Ex on Feb 24, 2023 13:30:11 GMT -5
The arrow found its mark, and it launched that f'kr to the moonFrom what I've read, both Fallout 3 and Assassin's Creed 3 use the Havok physics engine. Perhaps the glitches we encountered are tied to something funky in the Havok algorithms. I actually think it's been around for awhile now in some emulators... but rewind features? Indeed there are many emulators that support rewind. As in you hold down a button and the game literally rewinds until you release the button. Then you can start playing again from where you rewinded to. This is one of the tricks that Let's Plays use to make the player look perfect. Rewind + Editing = Perfect Player. I learned a lot of geography and a bit of history from Uncharted Waters when I was 11 or 12. It's interesting that these games are tied to real geography. Would you recommend the SNES or Genesis versions?
Final Fantasy VII was something of a disappointment, but I'm sure it's not the most disappointing. It was disappointing for me when I finally got around to playing it. Granted I played FF7 about 20 years after it first released. But I think if I'd played it in 1997, I would still felt the same way. Big step down from FF6 in all the ways that mattered.
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Post by Sarge on Feb 24, 2023 13:39:22 GMT -5
Step down from both FFVI and Chrono Trigger especially. Still a solid game, though.
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Post by toei on Feb 24, 2023 13:42:39 GMT -5
I also think FF6 is better than 7, but I've learned to accept 7 with time. I like the Midgard part, anyway. After that it's just okay.
I played Uncharted Waters on the Genesis. I think it's almost the same on the SNES, not sure though. They're both ports of an older computer game, anyway, and the graphics are minimalist for 16-bit consoles. I like the sound of the Genesis, so I'd go with it too if I ever got around to playing the sequel. They're "open-world" simulations revolving around exploration, trading and sea battles (which play out in a turn-based, sort of SRPG way). Koei's main thing has always been historical games, and that particular series revolves around the Age of Exploration. In the first game you're a Portuguese sailor out to restore your family's name after it's fallen on hard times; in the sequel you can choose between various characters from different countries, and the story seems a bit more developed (they do have storylines). They're more complex than the average console game, so there's a learning curve, but they're also not super complicated. I got super into the first game one summer in elementary school and would stage these crazy expeditions far North, looking for the most remote ports. I got rich, explored the whole world, and finally turned to piracy out of boredom. I played the game so long that my character died of old age. I did finish it, though. It's honestly one of my most memorable gaming experiences.
I could have used it to answer the "games you hated at first" question, because it took a while and some effort to get into it at first. The guy at the second-hand store said it was a RPG, and from screenshots of the port, it looked like one. I was really disappointed when I found out it was one of those complicated games (I have a mentally lazy strand when it comes to learning rules), and spent that first afternoon back from the store playing Blackjack in the first port. Then I got over it and figured out how the game played, because I had paid for it and had nothing else to play.
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Post by Sarge on Feb 24, 2023 16:19:18 GMT -5
Uncharted Waters has a lot of ports for sure. It's also on NES.
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