[Conn]

The "Games I'd Much Rather Play" thread wasn't quite the same and is dead anyhow, so let's have a proper topic!

I've been playing a lot of Majora's Mask lately. Although I played it when it first came out, I had very little idea of what I was doing and never made it very far, so this is basically the first time I've 'really' played it. It's certainly a lot less frustrating and obtuse now.

I'm in the middle of the Zora Egg part and quite enjoying it. It's a very interesting and creative game, and I find myself constantly wowed by it, especially in comparison to Ocarina of Time (which I find to be fairly lacklustre from an aesthetic standpoint). In particular is Termina Field, which is probably about a thousand times better than Hyrule Field.

It's well on its way to becoming my favourite 3D Zelda and I can even see it challenging Link to the Past for favourite Zelda, full stop. We'll see.

I've also been replaying the Ace Attorney games (well, skipping some of the lesser cases, like 1-3, 2-3 and 3-3... it's a case 3 thing, isn't it?) in preparation for Investigations (which I expect to get for Christmas). I forgot how much I loved the series! Just makes me more excited for Investigations.

[CyberDragon10K]

Conn, on 12 December 2011 - 11:45 PM, said:

I've also been replaying the Ace Attorney games (well, skipping some of the lesser cases, like 1-3, 2-3 and 3-3... it's a case 3 thing, isn't it?) in preparation for Investigations (which I expect to get for Christmas). I forgot how much I loved the series! Just makes me more excited for Investigations.

1-3 introduced us to the Steel Samurai. How can you pass it up? :'(

If you haven't yet, try not to YouTube the music from AAI; the some of the character theme titles are technically spoilers (i.e. who's the Damon Gant/Manfred Von Karma/Matt EnGuarde of the game, etc). :x

On topic, I've mostly been playing Diablo II: Lord of Destruction again for some bizarre reason. Single-player mostly, so found items actually mean something again. I'd almost forgotten how much fun it was just lazily killing with the Necromancer. Also, Michael McConnohie.

Other than that though, not much else really. Once my finals are over with I'll be borrowing my cousin's Wii by the weekend so I can finally play Other M and form a "valid" opinion about it. With any luck, it'll be less irritating than LoS. Hopefully. >_>

[True Sorrow]

On my DS I've been playing some Professor Layton and the Lost Future (or the Unwound Future for you Americans) which has been great fun. I like how the Prof. Layton games just get better and better with each instalment, this one being the best so far.

But then I've also been replaying Shadow of the Colossus on the PS3 collection with Ico. This time with a steady framerate and surround sound. Only finished one colossus so far but UGH SO GOOD WANT TO PLAY MOOOOORE

[Conn]

CyberDragon10K, on 13 December 2011 - 12:01 AM, said:

1-3 introduced us to the Steel Samurai. How can you pass it up? :'(

It's not a bad case, it just doesn't stand out nor have anything terribly important happen in it. I figured it could safely be passed over, especially since I've already played these games like 3, 4 times...

True Sorrow, on 13 December 2011 - 12:06 AM, said:

I like how the Prof. Layton games just get better and better with each instalment, this one being the best so far.

Definitely. 4 gives it a run for its money, though.

[V Gaibon]

Though I'd always just assumed everyone has played it, it's gladdening to hear of others enjoying this experience for their first time. I really wish they imbued new Zelda games with such uniqueness of spirit! I think the biggest thing is the way the game teases and nourishes your curiosity. Places like the Great Bay underwater make you want to explore the vast stretch in search of hidden treasure, even with little by way of landmarks in the murky depths. And the thought that something very important could happen only at a particular time that you could easily miss is really spellbinding. The air of mystery about the game is probably the most fulfilling thing I see in video games in general.

I haven't played anything other than Demon's and Dark Souls in a while, and I haven't even been playing Dark Souls as much recently because of upcoming finals (and a final project). I'm going to have to start something up again when classes are through. I'd definitely love to play Majora's Mask again after so long (for the third time)!
I'm pretty sure I've never gotten all the heart pieces...

[vrakanox]

I've been playing Skyrim,Skyward Sword, Ninja Gaiden 2, Xenogears, and a bit of various castlevania games here and there :3

[Peklo]

Persona 4, rather obsessively, for the last week and a half. I got fed up with having potentially incredible games sitting untouched on my shelf, so I put my faith in this on the spur of the moment. I'm very glad I did, as it has grabbed me in a way Persona 3 never managed to. I started that game on three separate occasions, each time edging in a little farther than previously, but it never did last. I couldn't put my finger on why, and since 4 is essentially identical in terms of mechanics and only refines the formula, the answer probably lies in the characters depicted herein, and they are indeed a more interesting crew on the whole.

The game's writing is sort of all over the map, though. The best bits are generally found in the numerous Social Links - theoretically optional content, not that anyone is going to wholly ignore them during the course of a playthrough. The point is that it emphasizes the jarring disconnect in quality between the writing in the main and side questlines. There is just an enormous amount of seemingly endless, droning dialogue devoted to the gang coming up with theories in regards to the serial killing incidents, proving or disproving them, and repeating the same points ad nauseum in the main story. It doesn't help matters there are certain predetermined events littered about the schoolyear -- campouts, class trips, festivals, etc. -- that dish out plot in staggering amounts, and usually in the form of unnecessary and badly executed comic relief hijinxes. I am on board for the story in concept -- a murder mystery in a small town -- but it devolves into unbearable territory far too often.

Thankfully, once you manage to escape the relentless exposition and tasteless jokes of the main narrative, there is a lot to love about the seemingly inconsequential characters inhabiting the countryside of Inaba. Several story arcs have people coping with someone's death, usually those of loved ones and family members, and it's during these instances when the writing displays maturity and subtlety beyond expectations. Lord knows it can be anything but (still not sure what its deal with homosexuality exactly is, but knowing Japan I assume the worst), but helping a classmate overcome the societal difficulties and prejudices pushed upon him on the event of his sister's death, and having him come to terms with that loss? It's just really well done across the board. Same goes for the protagonist's uncle and seven-year-old cousin, both among the best, most realistically portrayed characters of their sort I've encountered just about anywhere. Child characters are dubious to do effectively, at best, and here it just feels effortless in how good it is.

So yeah at times I want to strangle this game but mostly it's just hugs and kisses. I didn't even mention the wonderful music or always-amazing combat and demon fusion that comes with the Megaten territory.

[Guy Starwind]

A lot of Skyward Sword. I'm on the last castle area but am too lazy to finish it.
I've also been playing MGS4.
I recently beat Fire Emblem 6 again.
I started playing the super version of Dracula X for the first time.
I play HoDe here and there.
Monopoly for Snes.
Finally Dark Souls. In fact I really need to finish it. I've been putting it off for too long now.

[Conn]

So I beat the Great Bay Temple, got all stray fairies and did a couple other sidequests and then the game froze on me before I could save

god dammit

[Nox_A15]

Too much work recently to just sit and play, but I'm doing my best. After finishing Dark Souls I stopped playing it - it's too addictive for me. Will get back to it in the future. I've recently finished first Deus Ex, started playing Deus Ex: Invisible War and already planing to buy Human Revolution before Christmas.

In the meantime I've finished BloodRayne: Betrayal on PS3. And you know what? It's the best Castlevania I've played this whole year... oh, wait! But that's true - the game is very inspired by oldschool Castlevania games. WayForward as always created one hell of rewarding platformer. It's short, true, but have nice atmosphere, fun mechanics which encourage to replay and achieve better ranks, great animation and wonderful music - Jake Kaufman did a hell of a job, that's for sure (and it's available for free, with voluntary donation, here - http://virt.bandcamp...cial-soundtrack). Konami should learn how to do 2D games on modern consoles, seriously.

Conn, on 12 December 2011 - 11:45 PM, said:

I've also been replaying the Ace Attorney games (well, skipping some of the lesser cases, like 1-3, 2-3 and 3-3... it's a case 3 thing, isn't it?) in preparation for Investigations (which I expect to get for Christmas). I forgot how much I loved the series! Just makes me more excited for Investigations.

I personally enjoyed Investigations, but it took a while to get used to. It's just completely different type of humour and gags. Of course without spoilers - finish is a little emotional masterpiece, like always in this series. One of those that make you forget about some less fun cases and make you remember the game as better overall.

CyberDragon10K, on 13 December 2011 - 12:01 AM, said:

Other than that though, not much else really. Once my finals are over with I'll be borrowing my cousin's Wii by the weekend so I can finally play Other M and form a "valid" opinion about it. With any luck, it'll be less irritating than LoS. Hopefully. >_>

I bought Wii from my friend this holidays and already finished all Metroid Prime Trilogy, then jumped into Other M. My opinion? Just like with LoS - it's not better or worse. It's just completely different. (but must admit - I've got really mixed feelings after finishing Other M).

First of all, forget about exploration and look at the game as at the interactive Metroid film, otherwise you'll be disappointed all the way from here to Zebes. Plot is interesting enough, with some great twists at the end, but game is pushing you trough one corridor, making sure you won't lost anywhere. There are some forced "looking around in FPP" sections, which I hated after first one, which took me a few minutes before guessing what devs want me to find. :/ The way Samus unlocks new abilities is also quite... stupid? That depends. There are situations when you'll facepalm hard because of it.

After finishing any oldschool Metroid and any Metroid Prime game you'll definitely feel mechanics are a little "defective". You move in 2.5D, but Samus aim for herself. When you look in FPP, you can't move around. But they really achieved something this way - it's much easier to start playing if you're new Metroid player - just one Wiimote and you are set. The game also looks and sounds fantastic (especially fights) - it's first Metroid with so film-like soundtrack. Prerendered films are also jaw-dropping.

The game is short, but really intensive (even to much - there is so much going on all the time, I stopped to enjoy boss fights as much as I did in other Metroid games - there was to many of them in short time and sometimes you can't even tell the difference between boss and lesser enemy).

Overall, it's the great game, but if you want to enjoy it as a Metroid fan, remember the story is the most important here this time, not the gameplay.

[striderkiwi]

I've mostly been playing Sonic Generations, and since finals are done now I started playing Resistance 3's online multiplayer.

[Frankie]

I too have replayed some Ace Attorney cases (My favourite is by far 1-5) really enjoyed it.
Last time I played Majora's Mask was about half a year ago...I played it first when it came out but didn't finish it, along with OoT. I was too scared of that Shadow Temple O.o
Also, I have recently played a very enjoyable Fire Emblem 7 Hack. It's called Fire Emblem Mage Knight 404.
By the way, any interesting CV fangames and/or hacks? Can't find any :I

[Frenger]

I have been playing alot of Castlevania: Harmony of Despair.
And Mario Kart 7.

[V Gaibon]

Frankie, on 15 December 2011 - 09:48 PM, said:

Also, I have recently played a very enjoyable Fire Emblem 7 Hack. It's called Fire Emblem Mage Knight 404.
By the way, any interesting CV fangames and/or hacks? Can't find any :I

Almost freakishly coincidentally, my Sloggy associate and I were working on a Fire Emblem hack about Castlevania.
It's not going anywhere because hacks are horrible and we'd rather spend time on something worthwhile, not to mention we thought no one would play it. I'd be great if we could find someone who's used to hacking FE games so we wouldn't have to be reinventing the wheel, but it's probably just as well...

There is a topic about CV hacks in the Fanworks section by the way!

[Frankie]

With good advertising people'll play it even if it's the crappiest thing ever. For example, there's a pokemon Ruby hack called Pokemon Quartz. It's horrible but it's still pretty well known.
I've never hacked any FE games, but I'm pretty sure you can find FE hackers in the Sanctuary of Strategy and Serenes Forest forums. That is, if you feel motivated about your project, of course.
Thanks, I'll check it out