Weekend Gamer: What are you playing?

[Jetherik]

With the weekend supposed to be around 100 degrees in Phoenix (which is below normal), I will be doing a lot of yard work. I also will be finishing up the review of SpellForce 2, playing some COH, and right now I am reaching into the CD pile to randomly pull out an oldy but goody game to play as well - Divine Divinity. I never did finish the game because of bugs so I guess I will see if they have everything patched up and try to play it again. What will you be playing? What games have you tried to play but couldn't because of bugs?

[NoName]

Buying two ferrets!! Weeee.

That and Wow, with possibly some multiplayer NSMB thrown in. Also maybe some more Titans Quest.

[Adam Blue]

Act of War. I'll finally have my 360. So....a bunch of that.

[Zaro]

Beyond Good and Evil.

[violentp]

Some Marble Blast Ultra, Dead Rising Demo, and try and finish American campaign on Vet in CoD2. Busy, busy, busy.

[captainstrombosis]

Gonna play through Kotor/Kotor2/Jade-empire so I get those cravings out of the way. Gonna mix in some Company of Heroes every little whle.

[Borys]

FINAL FANTASY X !!!

I'm replaying the best FF since FF8 right now. My goal is to get "100%" this time - that is to kill all Monster Arena monsters, get all ultimate (celestial) weapons and win all there is to win in Blitzball.

So far so good - I have the Al Bhed airship and Auron is already dealing 9999 damage to Sin without any Strength boosts.

Damn those Monster Arena fuckers though. They kill me in one blow - dealing around 40 000 damage to Wakka.

Oh, and DAMN THOSE DARK AEONS. 99 999 damage? WTF... how am I supposed to win that fight (Cindy, Mandy, Sandy in Mushroom Rock) ?.

Omega Dungeon is FUN, FUN, FUN.

I'm also playing ANACHRONOX - still on the scientists planet, damn I'm slow.

[Zurik]

First weekend that I'll actually get to sit down and play the 360 for an extended time. Gonna finish the last 4 missions I have on Chromehounds, and then take it online. Probably do some DoD:Source and Titan Quest on the PC, then some Arkham Horror.

[Morangie]

Street Figher 2, Dead Rising demo and Chromehounds, if I can ever be dragged away from the assembly area.

[falcon]

Dead Rising Demo, Chromehounds, and probably a little BF2 action to round things out. I'm guessing I'll have to do a little work this weekend so I'll be playing "Visual Studio 2005 - Please don't crash" a bit as well.

[Eran Hawke]

Looks like there was a lot of activity on Xbox Live this week I need to catch up on.

I'll be filling out my Pokedex too.

[askheaves]

falcon, VS2005 is remarkably stable, especially when stacked against 2003/2002. Good luck :)

Probably play some rented Prey (have it until Sunday noon), Age of Empires DS (rocking the house on that), Dead Rising demo, get back into my DDR routine, maybe try to hook up a little Mario Kart DS with my bro in Japan. Also have last year's Punisher game (bought for 6 bucks) and Scrapland (for 5) to consider.

Oh yeah, and trying to get my computer to boot again after water dripped into my monitor from the ceiling... maybe I should patch my roof too...

[Varsity]

I'll be giving the newbies a helping hand in Red Orchestra myself. Those poor buggers.

[Mortis]

Dead Rising demo, SF2 and Warcraft 3. I may give in and buy Titan Quest also but I am trying to hold out for a price drop/sale.

[Kelegacy]

Playing more Kameo, that game is excellent. Also, Dead Rising demo tonight. Might try out Lego Star Wars for Xbox, picked that up recently but haven't tried it.

[bapenguin]

Chromehounds and some Hitman.

[CrashCart]

I'm replaying the best FF since FF8 right now.
So you liked 8 and didn't like 9? I feel the complete opposite about the series since 8. I didn't like Squall's depressed/emo/whatever attitude and the use of summons dealing the only real damage (whoever added the "mash the button to do more damage since you have to watch the same long animation repeatedly" mechanic deserves a medal), but I never actually finished the game since I couldn't get into it. On the other hand, I felt 9 returned the roots of the original FF on NES with the black mages, medieval-ish setting, etc. which I really dug since the series has gone techno-fantasy lately, which I can do without. I did enjoy X for what it was, though.

In any event, as for what I'm playing.. Some Far Cry, since I finally have a graphics card that can run it reasonably well and I'm thinking about picking up this Titan Quest game. I've heard about around here being decent, and I've had a bit of a hankering for some D2 hack and slash, but can't find my CDs for it. Maybe some Sly 3 if I pick that up.. I hear it just became a greatest hit and I recently finished 2.

[Abednigo]

So you liked 8 and didn't like 9? I feel the complete opposite about the series since 8. I didn't like Squall's depressed/emo/whatever attitude and the use of summons dealing the only real damage (whoever added the "mash the button to do more damage since you have to watch the same long animation repeatedly" mechanic deserves a medal), but I never actually finished the game since I couldn't get into it. On the other hand, I felt 9 returned the roots of the original FF on NES with the black mages, medieval-ish setting, etc. which I really dug since the series has gone techno-fantasy lately, which I can do without. I did enjoy X for what it was, though.

I completely agree.

I'll hopefully finish Metroid Prime and start Prime 2, then maybe play a little Wind Waker and perhaps start Ocarina of Time: Master Quest.

[Rakael]

Metroid Prime: Hunters most likely. That and finally reading A Game of Thrones.

[Abednigo]

Metroid Prime: Hunters most likely. That and finally reading A Game of Thrones.

How is MP: Hunters? I didn't really enjoy the demo that was packed in with the DS. I didn't really like having to control so much with the touch screen, but I've been tempted to pick it up and give the full version a try.

[falcon]

falcon, VS2005 is remarkably stable, especially when stacked against 2003/2002. Good luck :)


Very much so but I'm using nHibernate and it doesn't always play well with VS2K5, especially when you want to debug.

[Kefkataran]

Whole smorgasbord of gaming going on for me this weekend on top of a whole ton of comics from the last two weeks to go through since I've been out of town. Right now I'm thinking some New Super Mario Brothers while I'm on the road, some Galaga, Street Fighter II, and Cloning Clyde when I need a quick arcade fix, some NBA 2K6 for achievements, and some Titan Quest for quick bloodlust. Should be a very fun weekend. :)

[Rakael]

How is MP: Hunters? I didn't really enjoy the demo that was packed in with the DS. I didn't really like having to control so much with the touch screen, but I've been tempted to pick it up and give the full version a try.

I am having fun with it myself. The full game is much better than the demo was in pretty much every way. The control scheme does cramp my hands a bit, but is still pretty neat and seems to be getting better the more I play. The levels seem way too linear for a Metroid game though, and if you are even half-assed with the stylus you can slaughter everything. I haven't went online yet, so I can't comment on the multiplayer, although I hear it is a lot of fun.

[violentp]

So you liked 8 and didn't like 9? I feel the complete opposite about the series since 8. I didn't like Squall's depressed/emo/whatever attitude and the use of summons dealing the only real damage (whoever added the "mash the button to do more damage since you have to watch the same long animation repeatedly" mechanic deserves a medal), but I never actually finished the game since I couldn't get into it. On the other hand, I felt 9 returned the roots of the original FF on NES with the black mages, medieval-ish setting, etc. which I really dug since the series has gone techno-fantasy lately, which I can do without. I did enjoy X for what it was, though.


I on the other hand was happy to see someone else who enjoyed 8. I thought it took a much more mature tone. Not to take anything away from 9, that was great too although the ending goes a little far out there. Almost cried, then I didn't.

[Maskatron]

Finishing Prey on the PC, checking out the DR demo, and then working on building a mech that isn't a joke in Chromehounds. At least that's the plan, but I have a big fear that I'll end up just playing Uno instead. :)

[NoName]

I'm also playing ANACHRONOX - still on the scientists planet, damn I'm slow.
That game is a whole lot of fun, even if slightly buggy. Why couldn't we have more RPGs like that?

[screwtape]

Quake 4 on the 360. I tried it on PC when it came out and didn't enjoy it much. For some reason, I'm having a blast with it on the 360. I'll try the Dead Rising demo, of course, Street Fighter 2 on XBLA and maybe a bit of WoW before my month ends.

[askheaves]

Very much so but I'm using nHibernate and it doesn't always play well with VS2K5, especially when you want to debug.

Makes sense. I've noticed that when the debugger is paused, lots and lots of Windows messages and functions are blocked until you hit F10... things like opening My Computer. Probably related.

I can't get into another Final Fantasy game after FF1 (which I never beat), but I'm considering picking up FF4 for GBA (DS, really), but I don't want to drop 35 bucks on a game from 1990 or whatever.

And, is there something wrong with me that I'm only so interested in continuing my game in Prey before even getting a third gun? I had more fun playing the Saint's Row demo... which I'll add to the list of weekend gaming.

[Watership]

Saints Row Demo, Dead Rising Demo, Demo Demo Demo Demo..
Chromehounds for a bit, and I'm going to finally finish King Kong. (for the points).

[Kefkataran]

I just saw that the Dead Rising demo is out. See my list of games I'm playing up there? Take all of them and cross them out. Dead Rising. That's my weekend.

[TalkingOctopus]

Mario Kart DS - I've gotta try this one online after I finish the 150 cc circuits.
Advance Wars 2 (gba) - Very similar to 1 and DS, but I'm still enjoying it.
Trauma Center - On chapter 5.
Arc the Lad Twilight of the Spirits (ps2) - I have to beat the final boss this weekend, otherwise, I don't think I'll ever finish it.

I'll also be playing Mushihimesama and Raiden DX.

[Borys]

So you liked 8 and didn't like 9? I feel the complete opposite about the series since 8. I didn't like Squall's depressed/emo/whatever attitude and the use of summons dealing the only real damage (whoever added the "mash the button to do more damage since you have to watch the same long animation repeatedly" mechanic deserves a medal), but I never actually finished the game since I couldn't get into it. On the other hand, I felt 9 returned the roots of the original FF on NES with the black mages, medieval-ish setting, etc. which I really dug since the series has gone techno-fantasy lately, which I can do without. I did enjoy X for what it was, though.


My take on FF8 & 9:

Final Fantasy IX

FF9 was "more of the same". It felt like old SNES FF games, there was too much fan service in it and too little substance. I hated the character designs (Zidane with tail? Freya was a ... she? Quina... WTF was that anyway? Steiner - a japanese take on German knights) sans Vivi (Vivi rules). The last boss was laughable (Kuja IIRC) and you battled him in a tree, like we didn't see those types of endings before.

I disliked the setting and environments - Lindblum was only meh.

Oh, and FF9 was just way, way to easy. Of course it's my own damn fault cause I spend 120 hours on it :) Freya's Dragon Crest, Zidane's Thievery and Quina's Frog Drop were all 9999 hitters.

Don't make me start on the "omega" weapon known as Osma. A giant... ball... ? Pathetic.

Final Fantasy VIII

Ahhhh... what an awesome, mindblowing game. Everything - from the graphics, through characters, system and right to the music was just oozing highest quality.

Music - who can forget Liberi Fatali, Blue Fields, BALAMB GARDEN, The Landing, The Man with The Machine Gun and Fithos Lusec Wecos Vinosec? Just all around excellent tunes that sink into your brain after one listening. Balamb Garden theme is so soothing and calming... I am listening to it right now.

System - crazy and innovative. You could beat the game without leveling once and beating a sweat. Drawing WAS tedious, I'll give that to the haters, but once you did draw 100 of one magic (or 600 like me ;) you were set. Junction 100 Curagas to Health and you have 7000 HPs. Junction Ultima to Strength and you have 240 Attack Power. However drawing is only the half of success - there were also GF abilities. HP +20%, HP +40%, ENC-NONE etc. Brilliant stuff that forced you to think your strategies and character setup. That's why I love FF8 and FF10 - they give you FREE HAND in sculpting your characters. Drawing/ Junctioning and Sphere Grid are two best leveling up ideas in FF games ever, screw the silly materia system from FF7.

Graphics - awesome CG sequences. FF8 intro and FF8 outro + the camcorder credits are one of the best FMVs in FF games ever - the intro to FFX (Sin destroying Zanarkand) comes pretty close though.

TRIPLE TRIAD - nuff said. Amazing mini game, I spent countless & countless of hours on it. Right there with Blitzball. Alas I didn't get Lionheart on Disc 1 - only on Disc 2.

Characters - Seifer Almasy. The biggest PC badass in FF games until Auron came to live. Squall was likeable. I hated Irvine and fucking Selphie though.

The only downfall of FF8 is the SILLY story. Time compression, orphanage, space walking? UGH. Give me a fucking break.

FF8 is awesome, different, serious.
FF9 is "meh", "samey", "kiddie".

BTW I used GFs 9, that's right N-I-N-E, times in the entire FF8 playthrough. I was just collecting them and had to see how the summoning looks like :D

[Abednigo]

I am having fun with it myself. The full game is much better than the demo was in pretty much every way. The control scheme does cramp my hands a bit, but is still pretty neat and seems to be getting better the more I play. The levels seem way too linear for a Metroid game though, and if you are even half-assed with the stylus you can slaughter everything. I haven't went online yet, so I can't comment on the multiplayer, although I hear it is a lot of fun.

I'll definitely have to check it out then. I've been looking for something to test out the wireless network I just setup in my apartment (and to take my new DS-Lite online with). I'll have to pickup Mario Kart again too.

[Norse]

I'll try to finish Prey on X360 this weekend. The game was fun in the beginning, but now I'm just bored with it. I just have to get through the game as fast as possible to get it out of my system.

I'll download the Saint's Row and Dead Rising demos, and maybe the Kameo demo so I can finally try that one out. Bejeweled 2 and Geometry Wars will be played if I need a short break from the other games. New Super Mario Bros will be my on-the-go game.

Come to think of it, I can't see how I'll find the time for anything besides gaming this weekend :)

[CrashCart]

<too much text to quote about FF8&9>
To be honest, it's been so long since I've played 8 or 9 that I can't really speak on the individual points you've brought up but your analysis seems reasonable enough. 9 may have been easy like you say, but I probably enjoyed it for the fan service you described. Added to the fact that I didn't get into 8 so it was a while since I'd played a Final Fantasy I enjoyed. Maybe if I could get past how moody Squall is, I could give 8 another shot and try to forgo using the GF/summons like you describe. Though I still enjoy the medieval/fantasy settings more than the futuristic settings. Especially if you're running around with swords in the dystopian, cyberpunk future.

The problem with that plan, though, is every time I consider playing 8 and I go through my games collection.. I can only find 3 out of 4 discs to the game. I think I separated the discs to prevent me from ever being able to play it again. :D

Not really.. I probably just lost one somehow, or it's in the PS1 which is boxed away somewhere...

[Dafizman]

Playing Dead Rising over and over, giving my ferrets a well needed bath, and playing guitar hero with the girlfriend until I get sick of her beating me on every freaking song except Higher Ground.

[captainstrombosis]

My take on FF8 & 9:

Long text here

Kuja was a puts, I completely agree there. However FFX didn't have a great boss either. If I remember it right, you couldn't lose the fight with Yu Yevon unless you actually tried too.(auto-life was actually cast on you from the beginning)

I have liked every FF game. I have never been fanatic about them however. I know that when one comes out I'm going to have an enjoyable experience, but they all have their problems. Drawing and the annoying combat system in FF8 bothered me, the music was also very forgettable for me. Along with most FF music. But the FMV's were killer for the time and I had a lot of fun playing it. I think FF8's problem was that it was so different, while many people who follow a series really DO want more of the same.

If the game had come out without the FF tag and been marketed as a stand alone RPG, I belive it would have been a beloved game to many.
Oh, I also liked FF-X2...sue me!

[mikeohara]

Tekken 5 for the PS2, maybe a couple of RPGs if I'm lucky (waiting on a couple of things to clear before I buy a 360).

[thecrazyd]

I will be losing the final battle in Advance Wars DS over and over again, interspersed with some Sly Cooper 3.

[Kefkataran]

How is Sly 3, Mr. thecrazyd? I'm a fan fo the first two and have been itching to pick up the third, especially now that it's apparantly only 20 bucks.

[Metal Jesus]

I'm probably going to download the Dead Rising demo from Xbox Live this afternoon. See if that is worth picking up.

I'm also playing Valkryie Profile on the PSP and really starting to figure out all the combat and platforming.

[Returner]

Dead Rising Demo ALL WEEKEND.

[captainstrombosis]

Dead Rising Demo ALL WEEKEND.

You people are such fanboys. It's just a demo!

[Deadend]

Borys, I disagree with you on the brilliance of FFVIII, as to me the junction system caused the characters to become almost exactly the same in combat. There also was no limit to how many GF's could be junctioned to each character, making them even more bland feeling. I also had the horrible problem of that the monsters levels were linked to Squall and there were many occasions where he was the last man standing in a fight, thus got all the xp, and made the level gap between him and other characters even larger.

I thought the sphere grid system however was almost as perfect as a system could be, as each path acted as a way to build a class, and it allowed you to move about the grid freely, thus customizing as you wanted, but still giving each character core tricks they tended to pick up before others, and thus help keeping characters unique in combat until towards the endgame.

[MAbans]

World of Warcraft, as usual.

[Phanto]

Continuing my adventures in Baldurs Gate 2 + expo, I will try Call of Suarez demo tonight (I hope) and maybe i will play some CoD2 over the internet with my older brother friends.

[thecrazyd]

How is Sly 3, Mr. thecrazyd? I'm a fan fo the first two and have been itching to pick up the third, especially now that it's apparantly only 20 bucks.
Well, first let me give you some grounding. I played the first one, and I saw potential. Potential to be great, but to grounded in generic platformer bullshit. I never played 2.

3, however, I am really liking so far. The entire game (so far) feels like an elaboratly staged heist. I also enjoy how you start out with a wide range of skills, and do not have to earn them along the way like in the original. It is a nice looking game (though not much better then the original, which was also quite lovely), and, although it is a clear gimic, I fucking love the levels where you wear 3D glasses.

[Kefkataran]

I would suggest two. I loved the first, of course, but I think two was a LOT better. You pulled off some insane cool heists in it. I'll definitely be checking 3 out soon though.

[i aint yer pa]

Some Ultimate Baseball Online, some NCAA 2007 and a whole lot of DS gaming, starting with Meteos.

I'll squeeze yard work in between gaming, not the other way around, thank you very much!

[Kelegacy]

Does anyone know how the PS1 smoothing feature on the PS2 works? I know you go into the menu by pressing Triangle, but after I select it to "smooth" the PS1 titles I never notice a difference. It also resets back to non-smoothing each time I turn the PS2 back on.

[Zurik]

Does anyone know how the PS1 smoothing feature on the PS2 works? I know you go into the menu by pressing Triangle, but after I select it to "smooth" the PS1 titles I never notice a difference. It also resets back to non-smoothing each time I turn the PS2 back on.

Yeah, you won't notice much difference. I turned it one in Front Mission 3 and the mechs look a little less jagged. It also seemed to never save the setting for me either. It might cause crashing issues though, I had the PS2 lock-up a few times with it on.

[askheaves]

I'll squeeze yard work in between gaming, not the other way around, thank you very much!

Had to remind me, didn't you. I was out of town for 3 weeks so my lawn hasn't been trimmed in almost a month. And with all the rains, it's brutal.

So, for at least part of the weekend, I'll be playing "Weed Whacker Pro 2K6" and "Hedge Clipper Hedge Clipper Revolution."

[Skytram]

EVE-Online and some Dawn of Sorrow. ;)

[Yadneb]

Dead rising demo, fire emblem: path of radiance, SF 2 xbox live arcade, and final fantasy IV advance.

[TRiLoGY]

Well, I'm bored of the Dead Rising Demo already so I probably wont be playing it this weekend. Infact, I'm a bit bored with my 360 in General at the moment and it doesn't look like there is anything new worth picking up for at least a month (Based on UK Release dates).

[Returner]

You people are such fanboys. It's just a demo!

You’re an idiot. Fanboy of what, playing good games shit I'm guilty? How about you just leave assclown.

[ezzkmo]

zombie games. i'm in that kinda mood.

[Bumbuliuz]

I will be trying to finish Zelda: Windwaker, I am doing the triforce shards part now. I had been meaning to finish this game for ages. After that some nsmb and some prey for the 360.

[Steve_Erhardt]

Dead Rising Demo, Chromehounds, on the 360. On the PC I'll probably be doing mostly Lock-On now that I've finished Prey (great game, BTW...)

Only crimp in my plans is that I'll be moving all my PCs into another room tomorrow, and that invariably means I'll be subjected to my compulsion to do nitty-gritty cleaning on the equipment and desks, and maybe even a clean load on one or two. Ah well. It'll be nice when I'm all done. =)

[miah]

Well, a friend of my wifes was selling a bunch of games to make rent :( and I bought several. So along with playing Chromehounds, and the Dead Rising Demo, I'll be playing ShadowHearts, and maybe starting out a game in Alter Iries<sp>. I managed to get ShadowHearts, Shadowhearts 3 (I already have 2), and the two Alter Iries games. I really like what I saw of the SH series form 2, and played 1 for almost two hours last night. Great game =)

[dotbomb]

SF2 Hyper Fighting and Dead Rising demo on 360. I'm getting 'ok' at dragon punches with Ken. I can actually bet the computer a few times lol

[Rezin8r]

Playing some more Guild Wars: Factions. Trying to get some more Elite skills.

[Kamalot]

Playing more Kameo, that game is excellent. Also, Dead Rising demo tonight. Might try out Lego Star Wars for Xbox, picked that up recently but haven't tried it.
We should hook up and get some Kameo online Co-Op achievements.

[Kelegacy]

We should hook up and get some Kameo online Co-Op achievements.
That would be highly possible if I had Gold, which right now I don't. When I pick up a good multiplayer gamer, I will though. I'll let you know.

[captainstrombosis]

You’re an idiot. Fanboy of what, playing good games shit I'm guilty? How about you just leave assclown.

Hahahaha. Nice.

No, playing a demo not meant to last all that long for an entire weekend? That's being a fanboy.

[Kamalot]

Hahahaha. Nice.

No, playing a demo not meant to last all that long for an entire weekend? That's being a fanboy.

Maybe it means he likes the demo, or that the demo is really good.

I can play demos for days and be happy. I play Top Spin, Moto GP, Dead Or Alive 4, Tomb Raider (love it!) and Table Tennis. In fact, I can play demos with friends over all night on the multiplayer games. The Prey demo has online multiplayer along with the GRAW demo and the Moto GP demo.

Demos rock and have seriously had me cut back on the number of games I actually buy.

[Pinku!]

Going to finish up Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap (FUN, but SHORT game), wrap up my final case in Phoenix Wright and possibly start up Summon Night: Swordcraft Story.

...I REALLY need to quit buying new GBA and DS games and play the 20+ titles I own that have yet to be played. Dammit. This fall is going to SUCK for me. :(

[Kamalot]

Going to finish up Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap (FUN, but SHORT game), wrap up my final case in Phoenix Wright and possibly start up Summon Night: Swordcraft Story.

...I REALLY need to quit buying new GBA and DS games and play the 20+ titles I own that have yet to be played. Dammit. This fall is going to SUCK for me. :(
You are going to LOVE Summon Night: Swordcraft Story! I haven't been able to put it down for days!

[Pigeon]

WoW and Tetris DS. It's X Games weekend, though, so that'll cut into my game time a lot.

[Heretic Machine]

Been playing WoW... lots, and lots of WoW. Also played the Dead Rising demo this morning, and I expect I'll repeat it many times until I can purchase the game.

[Arphahat]

I received "Prince of Persia: Warrior Within" as a gift and played through that recently. In doing so, I realized that I still had "Prince of Persia: the Two Thrones" sitting around from Christmas that I had purposely set aside until I could play warrior within. Been playing PoP:tTT non-stop and will likely finish it tonight. While it is fun, I think I like PoP:WW the best of the three.

After that, I'll have to see if there is anything else sitting around that I've forgotten about. Every once in a while I go back to Sims 2... maybe I'll end up doing that.

[Steele Johnson]

Everquest 2. This game is simply amazing after all the changes they've put in over the year(s). It's like playing a new game, and even the graphics are amazing. Not too bad for a game that was just lying around after buying WoW. I'm actually enjoying this more than WoW. Go figure...

[Lekon]

You are going to LOVE Summon Night: Swordcraft Story! I haven't been able to put it down for days!


Huh, I was looking into picking that game up, I may just have to.

First weekend in a few I have time to play, And think Ill beat Megaman ZeroX3 for GBA, as I just beat 4 last week.

Definatly lots of the Dead Rising demo. Sure its 15 minutes, but its 15 minutes of sandbox fun damnit, its getting my skills in shape for the real thing. The auto aim on most of the melee weapons does make it a hell of a lot easier. This game's a hoot.

Maybe some titan quest, but mostly Dead Rising while watching animaniacs, just for that nice dissonance.

[Kamalot]

First weekend in a few I have time to play, And think Ill beat Megaman ZeroX3 for GBA, as I just beat 4 last week.If you like MegaMan Zero X3, you'll LOVE MegaMan ZX. I'm playing the import now. I wouldn't reccommend importing unless you know a TON of Japanese, which I don't, but the gameplay is fantacular!

[JRR006]

Silent Hill 3, Ninja Gaiden, and Gun. As for demos... Ninety Nine Nights and Dead Rising.

[PatrickRes9]

I'm playing Madden 2006 waiting, sulking, crying, for football season to start. In between games of Madden 2006, I cant stop checking for last minute news before pre-season. Do you know whos going to win the Superbowl this year? I can tell you. It's very simple. The Denver Broncos.

[EternalGamer]

Getting a late start on a trip back to St. Louis today. I won't get there until about 2AM if I leave in the next few minutes. When I get settled again, though, I plan on playing some Metriod Prime 2 and checking out Dead Rising (my parents actually have broadband!). Maybe a little Oblivion, but I haven't touched it in over a week after clocking 27 hours. I may be sending it back soon (Gamefly) as I may be done with it.

[Echani]

I'm about halfway through Vagrant Story again, but this time I've been playing it consistently, rather than for half an hour a shot whenever I'm in the other side of the country on holidays, so it's much more compelling. Once that's finished, I'll see if I can stomach getting back to .hack//INFECTION. I have no intention of buying the other 3 parts of the story, so I know that completing part one is just going to be a case of finishing the game for the sake of finishing it - and allowing me to sell the game on conscience-free.

[Shifteh]

World of Warcraft, Prey, maybe some Deus Ex, and Guitar Hero.

[Tharsis]

World of Warcraft, Guitar Hero and some much needed zombie killing demonstrations. I'll also be playing some of my favorite game:

Blow off yard work and real work while playing games.

A little rain will help with one, and maybe high gas prices with the other?!

[Spigot]

How is Sly 3, Mr. thecrazyd? I'm a fan fo the first two and have been itching to pick up the third, especially now that it's apparantly only 20 bucks.
I'm not Mr. thecrazyd, but I am one of the world's biggest Sly fans and I'll say that Sly 3 is amazing. Not quite as amazing as 2, but that's because that game is amazing beyond measure.

Definately pick it up for $20 if you haven't already. You'll love it.

Nice to see all the FFVIII and IX love. I liked them both a lot for very different reasons. IX was great because it was all FF fan-service. It was a great retrospective on the whole series. VIII was great because the characters really made you care about them and the system was fun. Plus, I'm obviously growing ovaries as it and FFX are the two games that brought tears to my eyes during the ending cinematics. In fact, just to belabour a point, FFX's ending was so perfect that the entire story concept of FFX-2 just irks me because it basically obviates most of what made the ending of FFX so powerful.

But I digress.
While it is fun, I think I like PoP:WW the best of the three.
YOU! YOU ARE WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE GAME INDUSTRY! :mad:
I will admit that PoP:WW has some really great ideas and when you get going on the platforming sections or the Dahaka runs, it's awesome. The problem is that the combat is so poorly executed and basically takes whatever momentum that had been building in the game and stops it like a freight train slamming into a titanium wall. I really, really, really tried to enjoy WW, but couldn't, despite getting a good 2/3's of the way through it and buying it about 3 times (due to all the times I'd traded it in in frustration).

PoP: The Two Thrones was what WW should have been. It had combat but it flowed much more naturally from the platforming bits. Plus it dropped the 12-year old angst and while dark, still had more of the self-deprecating humour from The Sands of Time.

But I digress some more.
I'm about halfway through Vagrant Story again, but this time I've been playing it consistently, rather than for half an hour a shot whenever I'm in the other side of the country on holidays, so it's much more compelling. Once that's finished, I'll see if I can stomach getting back to .hack//INFECTION. I have no intention of buying the other 3 parts of the story, so I know that completing part one is just going to be a case of finishing the game for the sake of finishing it - and allowing me to sell the game on conscience-free.
Good call on both games, Echani. Vagrant Story is amazing when you sit down and really work at it. Once you get a good variety of weapons powered up and the story unfolds a bit more, it's addictive. It also looks great with the PS1 smoothing option turned on :)

.hack is one of those games that was pretty decent in concept and exection... had it been limited to one game. Stretching out 1 game worth of story and content over 4 games was annoying as all get out. The gameplay is boring as heck by the third installment and it doesn't change for #4 either... things just get harder. The story and characters are all interesting and I really liked the way they captured the feel of a deteriorating MMORPG in a single-player game, but I can't really advocate anyone paying for all 4 installments.

As for the PS2 texture smoothing for PS1 games, you really need to be playing a game that has a lot of 3D graphics to notice it. Xenogears looked amazing with the texture smoothing turned on, as did Front Mission 3 and Vagrant Story. If you're playing a game that is primarily 2D (ie. Symphony of the Night or Legend of Mana) you're not going to notice much difference in the look of the game.

And finally...
Weekend Gamer: What are you playing? First off, good call on Divine Divinity. It (and Beyond Divinity) are great games that I never spent as much time as I should have. One of these days...

I'm going to be working on Chrono Trigger on the SNES, Trapt on the PS2 (awesome game, by the way... one that is inspiring a 2-minute hate rant the more I'm playing it) and FEAR on the PC. Thanks to my EvAvacation, I've made tremendous progress through all three games this week.

If you like different games, I highly recommend Trapt. Very fun, very bloody, very clever game in a series I've been a fan of since the PS1 versions.

[John Mirra]

I'm trying to finish Final Fantasy VII once and for all. I don't care anymore. I just don't. I'm using every dirty trick I can to just finish the game.

I've had the game for seven years, but I keep getting distracted.

[vistigris]

Just got invited into a beta so that will probably be the only thing that I'll be playing this weekend besides the Dead Rising demo and a bit of Chromehounds.

[Liquidize105]

Just waiting till the weekend to play some Red Orchestra.

[maharahaj]

Maybe download the Dead Rising demo, some more MotoGP06; we'll see.
Speaking of seeing, I'm seeing Alice in Chains tomorrow at Musicfest in Bethlehem PA so that should be awesome and I have been plowing through The Shield on DVD again. Love it.

[pseudopseudo]

I'm downloading Red Orchestra as I type this (just got Steam today... it's kind of neat) so I'll probably tinker with that a bit this weekend. Also, massive amounts of Tetris 4D on Dreamcast, and I've been meaning to jump back into Resident Evil 4.

And oh yeah, I'm like, 4 hours of play away from 100% completion on Hot Shots Golf: Open Tee for the PSP. I swear I've been playing it for a year, and I STILL don't have everything unlocked.

[Arphahat]

YOU! YOU ARE WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE GAME INDUSTRY! :mad:
I will admit that PoP:WW has some really great ideas and when you get going on the platforming sections or the Dahaka runs, it's awesome. The problem is that the combat is so poorly executed and basically takes whatever momentum that had been building in the game and stops it like a freight train slamming into a titanium wall. I really, really, really tried to enjoy WW, but couldn't, despite getting a good 2/3's of the way through it and buying it about 3 times (due to all the times I'd traded it in in frustration).

PoP: The Two Thrones was what WW should have been. It had combat but it flowed much more naturally from the platforming bits. Plus it dropped the 12-year old angst and while dark, still had more of the self-deprecating humour from The Sands of Time.


Heh... :) Well, the combat in WW is an improvement over the repetion from the SoT, and tTT combat system seemed the same to me. I didn't really see the momentum issue you are discussing.

I liked WW because I liked the freedom to backtrack and search other areas whenever. tTT feels more like I'm "on rails." Due to the backtracking (which I enjoyed) it extended the length of the game, making it longer than tTT (which I am almost done with.) I also really enjoyed the multiple ending possibilities in WW. The life upgrades were more challenging in WW.

And, prior to playing WW, I had heard how everyone had an issue with the level of angst that the prince had developed. However, when playing, you learn that he is being relentlessly hunted by a creature that exists only to destroy him. If he had been the lighthearted, funny prince from the first it wouldn't have made as much sense to me.

In tTT, the attitude of the prince doesn't flow as well as the rest of the story. At the end of WW, it is obvious that the prince and the empress are involved. Yet, her death at the start of tTT does little more than anger him.

And, it is likely a matter of personal preference and the story involved. I am a huge fan of time traveling stories and WW did a good job telling one.

[Spigot]

I think it's more of the way they made it 'dark' in WW that bugged so many people. Yes, the Dahaka is a living embodiment of death sent to enforce the timeline that the Prince has messed with. Yes, it's hunting him down mercilessly.

The problem is that it was such a radical departure from the light-hearted tone of the initial SoT and really felt like they were aiming for the 'EXTREEEEEME!' demographic instead of having something a bit more nuanced.

As for the momentum issue, you're right that The Two Thrones had basically the same combat engine. HOWEVER, I never felt like the monsters were being cheap like I did in WW. I really enjoy the platform/puzzle elements and Two Thrones had that at the fore with some enhancements to the combat system in WW that really made it feel like it worked instead of feeling clunky in WW. WW did have a great castle to explore and the time-travel bits really worked. However, it just seemed to lack the same spark that both Two Thrones and SoT had.

Good to hear that you liked WW though. I'm just glad you didn't praise it for the Godsmack score :)

[Arphahat]

I just finished tTT and I did like the game.

In reality, it would have been nice if they could have combined the positive elements of all three together. And, I did miss the prince having silly conversations with himself. But, I was willing to accept that he was a different prince because of the Dahaka.

I did like the heavy metal score of WW, as it helped with the tone of WW.

What I really, really, REALLY missed in tTT was... the boobies. ;)

[The Iron Weasel]

Dead Rising inbetween grieving sessions as my friend just died in a car accident.

[Arphahat]

My condolences, TIW.

[Spigot]

Ug, that sucks, Iron Weasel. Sadly, I can relate. Same thing happened to me several years ago.

Stay strong.

[The Iron Weasel]

Ug, that sucks, Iron Weasel. Sadly, I can relate. Same thing happened to me several years ago.

Stay strong.

I'm gonna try, he was in a car with his friends and they hydroplaned over the yellow line and had a head on accident with a dump truck. I couldn't even believe it for the first 3 hours, the news had to come at work. The whole store just stopped working. I just sauntered around in the rain, smoking for a few hours. Hoping someone was playing some sick joke on us.

[LilAbner]

SF2, Dead Rising demo, Saints Row demo, Table Tennis, Mario Kart DS, and GTA: LCS (PSP).

[SaintArnold]

Castlevania: Circle of the Moon. My first Castleroid/Metroidvania, and I love it.

I may also squeeze in some Paper Mario, Far Cry Instincts, or Jade Empire.

[Deadend]

I'm gonna try, he was in a car with his friends and they hydroplaned over the yellow line and had a head on accident with a dump truck. I couldn't even believe it for the first 3 hours, the news had to come at work. The whole store just stopped working. I just sauntered around in the rain, smoking for a few hours. Hoping someone was playing some sick joke on us.

Oh man, my condolences, stay strong.

[ÜberJumper]

Company of Heroes Open Beta.

[Kefkataran]

Damn Kelegacy deleting his drunken ramblings.

[pseudopseudo]

Damn Kelegacy deleting his drunken ramblings.
Right? I thought the drunken rambling was damn funny.

[Spigot]

Hee hee... Why did Kelegacy have to delete his drunken ramblings?

I want cheap games too!

[Kelegacy]

My life is already full of too many regrets, Brock. When I get drunk I only add to them.

I bought Minish Cap for 10 bucks, cartridge only. It was selling for 21, but since I'm so beautiful the store let me take it home cheap. And Table Tennis was 25, but I'm so frustrated with it right now. It gets goddamn hard, and if anything I've gotten worse rather than better as the game has progressed. I was awesome for a while but I've picked up a bad habit of moving around the table after I swing my paddle, holding my thumb on the analog stick just a bit too long after aiming my shot. I'm now scrambling to win bigger matches.

I'm getting Dead Rising next week if it kills me. I'll trade PDZ in for whatever credit I can get, because I really do not want to pay 60 bucks. It's not that I cannot afford it (I don't bat an eye when I'm tossing expensive beer down my gullet) but for videogames I have this new boycott against supporting the pricing scheme. Especially since I know the hike is ludicrous and unnecessary.

[MoJoBehaumat]

What...no Quest 64 love ;)
but seriously..
I am not playing shit...saving and waiting for my FFXII :)

[Kefkataran]

I'm getting Dead Rising next week if it kills me.

Hell yes.

What...no Quest 64 love

Hell yes.

[The Iron Weasel]

.
I'm getting Dead Rising next week if it kills me. I'll trade PDZ in for whatever credit I can get, because I really do not want to pay 60 bucks. It's not that I cannot afford it (I don't bat an eye when I'm tossing expensive beer down my gullet) but for videogames I have this new boycott against supporting the pricing scheme. Especially since I know the hike is ludicrous and unnecessary.

After that demo, I can't stand the wait anymore.