Weekend Gamer - What are You Playing? [Archive]

Jetherik

08-12-2005, 05:49 PM

Another weekend, another weekend of waiting for the start of release season... As we wait for Gothic 3 and Oblivion and other games, the question is the same as always - what are you playing right now? I finished up Gothic 2 and will be searching for parts to upgrade my computer (do I go duel processor now, or wait?) and I found in the bargin bin some Star Fleet Command volume 2 and Orion Pirates. What games will you be playing this weekend and what bargin bin specials have you found to be real treasures, or real junk?

Bushido

08-12-2005, 05:51 PM

World of Warcraft trying to hit level 51 this weekend. Re-installing Sid Meiers Civ III for fun.

Heretic Machine

08-12-2005, 05:54 PM

Well, I'll be playing some WoW, some more RE4 and KOTOR II... Some MUCKS (on one right now), and watching episodes of Reboot (best show ever). I may pick up Medal of Honor: Allied Assault since it's in the bargain bin now. I always loved that game, but never shelled out the cash for it.

Draft

08-12-2005, 05:55 PM

Playing WoW and reading this stupid, faggy Drizz't Dourden book that I CAN'T PUT DOWN.

holysin

08-12-2005, 06:00 PM

Mostly snes/genesis on my PSP while I'm at/going to work or college.
My 1gb mem stick hasn't arrived yet, and I'm a cheap bastard, so no umd games for me :P

Kelegacy

08-12-2005, 06:08 PM

Playing WoW and reading this stupid, faggy Drizz't Dourden book that I CAN'T PUT DOWN.

I own the Dark Elf trilogy trade paperback a friend made me pick up like 6 or so years ago. I tried to read it--I really did--but the writing style wasn't happening for me. I love fantasy, but the Salvatore stuff I've read just has never really grabbed me. Actually, most D&D-based books havent. I'll try again someday and hope I can over look the writing styles. I've been spoiled by Martin and other top-notch fantasy/sci-fi writers.

Kelegacy

08-12-2005, 06:12 PM

Hmm. I'm playing Resident Evil: Zero and trying to like it. I'm finally past that gay train. Also, more games on my MVP 2005 season and possibly some PC games. Maybe finally beating Beyond Divinity and clearing it off my damn hard drive. I've been chipping away at it for well over a year.

I've abandoned Atelier Iris pretty much. I wasnt too far into it, maybe 6 hours, but I just realized I wasnt having as much fun as I could be...and I have literal dozens of other good games sitting around collecting dust in my apartment that NEED to be played.

protojack

08-12-2005, 06:16 PM

Reactivated City of Heroes, gonna see if any of my old Virtue friends are still around. Besides that, Meteos, Meteos, and more Meteos.

vladthedog

08-12-2005, 06:17 PM

thecrazyd

08-12-2005, 06:21 PM

I picked up MGS3 for cheap, so I guess I'll be playing "Watch the cutscenes."

Kelegacy

08-12-2005, 06:23 PM

I've decided to give System Shock 2 a go. Back in the day I had the original (on floppy!) and loved it. When the 2nd came out I had a crap computer so I couldn't play it... I installed the texture packages and stuff so it don't look nearly as bad :)

You'll be happy this weekend. :)

I did hate the respawning monsters though. I must have gotten used to it, because I loved that game so much. Why we dont have 100 copycats of that game (i wish) is beyond me. Instead we have 100 copycats of Doom and Diablo. Yay....

Thunderbrand

08-12-2005, 06:55 PM

I'll be playing Turok 2: Seeds of Evil for the N64. I'm feeling a bit nostalgic. Earlier in the week I beat Turok: Dinosaur Hunter.

i aint yer pa

08-12-2005, 07:05 PM

After my second system rebuild in as many months, I'm gonna give some old DOS games a replay. I'm also working on my NCAA 2006 dynasty. Maybe some Guild Wars, too.

Heretic Machine

08-12-2005, 07:14 PM

Reactivated City of Heroes, gonna see if any of my old Virtue friends are still around. Besides that, Meteos, Meteos, and more Meteos.

I played Virtue. My account expires on the 24th though, probably won't be going back for a while. That game just takes too much damn time to make any progress at all these days...

Cha-Ka

08-12-2005, 07:15 PM

After sampling a handful of single-player RPGs that didn't exactly cook my bacon, I've returned to City of Heroes. I feel like such a tool.

vladthedog

08-12-2005, 07:23 PM

You'll be happy this weekend. :)

I did hate the respawning monsters though. I must have gotten used to it, because I loved that game so much. Why we dont have 100 copycats of that game (i wish) is beyond me. Instead we have 100 copycats of Doom and Diablo. Yay....

ya, after all the success, i'm really suprised that there aren't tons of systemshock/deus ex clones as well as elder scrolls clones.

balamoor

08-12-2005, 07:50 PM

Oh I'm thinking WoW, some Warcraft III now that the Ladder has been reset and Diablo II because the new patch Kicks Ass.

Its a Blizzard Weekend baby.

ldi222

08-12-2005, 07:58 PM

Ironically, I am also playing System Shock II this weekend. Pretty cool so far but I agree the respawning kind of sucks. Still it holds up well today and reminds me of the era when games didnt have to be dumbed down so much.

rein

08-12-2005, 08:23 PM

I re-activated WoW so will try and get back into it. I find myself bored since starting on a new server though. Other than that, I will be working all weekend. I need a 9-5, m-f job... ..yea right.

Everlost_MI

08-12-2005, 08:28 PM

I am finishing Red Dead Revolver on the XBox so I can put some time into Darkwatch next week. I am also working on a few stories, the comic reviews and trying to seal the deck.

Ultima Thulian

08-12-2005, 08:39 PM

I'll probably play metal gear solid 3 and soul calibur 2 to brush up on my skills when their updates/sequels come out. I'll probably borrow Paper Mario 2 off a friend a give it go as well.

Blue

08-12-2005, 10:52 PM

Some WoW (inching ever close to 54), and maybe some Halo 2 over Live. Other than that, it'll be a "hit the deadline" game for me. Huzzah for people breathing down your neck. /sigh

amusedtoe

08-12-2005, 11:03 PM

Going to try and finish up Chaos Theory before I have to return it Saturday night. Of course I'd be a lot closer if I hadn't accidently quick saved over my progress 40 minutes into the level when I got shot up.

After that I've been deep into Dungeon Siege and I picked up Warhammer 40K: Dawn of War on sale for $15 yesterday. Hopefully I'm able to kick back and sufficiently enjoy this weekend before I start a new job Monday.

evilpenguin9000

08-13-2005, 12:10 AM

I own the Dark Elf trilogy trade paperback a friend made me pick up like 6 or so years ago. I tried to read it--I really did--but the writing style wasn't happening for me. I love fantasy, but the Salvatore stuff I've read just has never really grabbed me. Actually, most D&D-based books havent. I'll try again someday and hope I can over look the writing styles. I've been spoiled by Martin and other top-notch fantasy/sci-fi writers.

I'm a fan of Salvatore's stuff by and large, but you're right he can't carry Martin's jock with a wheelbarrow.

I will continue to play WoW until my eyes bleed. Hoping I can assemble some guildies for a UBRS run, but I always find a way to mistime it and show up after they are halfway in.

TalkingOctopus

08-13-2005, 12:13 AM

I've been playing mushihimesama (http://www.cave.co.jp/amvisual/mushihime/index.html) on the ps2. It's another really fun shooter by Cave. Currently, I can get to level 5 on Original Mode and level 4 on Maniac Mode.

Phades

08-13-2005, 01:07 AM

I've been sucked into a game I thought I'd hate, EVE. It's very slow paced but I find it enthralling. I love complex games.

score

08-13-2005, 02:53 AM

More Guild Wars for me. My Avatar is upto level 18 now. I'm wondering if I should start another new character but the prospect of going through all the missions I've gone through already under whelms me. Maybe I'll feel different after ascension.

Also, I'm gonna carry on with the Twin Snakes. I'm on my third play through and Snake's wearing a tuxedo!

Borys

08-13-2005, 04:04 AM

Kelegacy

08-13-2005, 04:16 AM

Hey Kelegacy - how's Beyond Divinity? I heard it is pretty different from DivDiv - chapters and not a single big-ass world, freaky fantasy like mushrooms and devils instead of goblins and orcs etc. and too much skills - like short swordsm short poisoned swords, short flaming swords, short magic swords etc.

Sounds disturbing and I simply *adored* DivDiv.

I think the game is much different. I love the story, setting, and quests, but I believe Beyond Divinity is more action-focused. There are lots of different things here. The game initially shipped with 1001 bugs, but a myriad of patches seems to have squashed most. I've never played such a buggy game...my weapons would turn into hoes and pitchforks or bags of sand sometimes...weird. Anyway I'm almost done with the game and I really have enjoyed it. It's much different than DivDiv, because the setting is in another demonic dimension, but if u enjoyed the first you should enjoy this pseudo-sequel.

It is divided up into chapters and each chapter is kind of like a "level" where you cant go back if you forget anything. Still, good game and the Death Knight/Paladin soul-bondage is kinda cool. One dies and the other does too. This game also has much more battle strategy than the first. I use Pause quite a bit like I did in Baldur's Gate.

The game is very cheap now, so go pick it up. Here's hoping for DivDiv 2!! (it's on the way!!)

Everlost_MI

08-13-2005, 04:40 AM

Anyone here enjoy Sacred or the new sequel enough to recommend picking either or both up?

Heretic Machine

08-13-2005, 06:01 AM

I've been sucked into a game I thought I'd hate, EVE. It's very slow paced but I find it enthralling. I love complex games.

Have you played X2? Because I actually started reading about it over the weekend, but it sounds like the deapth would just kill me if I actually tried to play it.

screwtape

08-13-2005, 06:02 AM

Anyone here enjoy Sacred or the new sequel enough to recommend picking either or both up?
I played a bit of Sacred. It was fun, very similar to Diablo II. For some reason, the graphics themselves made me quit - when you're zoomed out to a comfortable distance, the screen starts stuttering and jumping. It was literally giving me headaches, so I quit playing it. If it wasn't for that weird graphics glitch (I was able to reproduce it on 2 more machines, so I don't think it was just my rig) I probably would have played it a lot more. Maybe they've fixed the issue in a patch or something. I believe there was a demo for the game way back in the day - perhaps you can start there.

I reactivated my WoW account, cancelled my EQ2 account, and I'm loving my hunter. Also playing Psychonauts, Rome: Total War and Meteos.

Carnisaur

08-13-2005, 07:05 AM

I just got the original Bard's Tale for NES and I will beat it.

bapenguin

08-13-2005, 07:47 AM

Guild Wars...haven't had much time to play this passed week. Also housework...gotta catch up on shit around here.

BalekFekete

08-13-2005, 07:50 AM

Playing the "Leaving for a weeks vacation to sit on the beach, and drink beers into the night". :D

Neverborne

08-13-2005, 08:08 AM

Playing the "Leaving for a weeks vacation to sit on the beach, and drink beers into the night". :D

Hey, once the sun starts setting, you can switch to hard liquor.

VoodooKarma

08-13-2005, 08:20 AM

I think the game is much different. I love the story, setting, and quests, but I believe Beyond Divinity is more action-focused. There are lots of different things here. The game initially shipped with 1001 bugs, but a myriad of patches seems to have squashed most. I've never played such a buggy game...my weapons would turn into hoes and pitchforks or bags of sand sometimes...weird. Anyway I'm almost done with the game and I really have enjoyed it. It's much different than DivDiv, because the setting is in another demonic dimension, but if u enjoyed the first you should enjoy this pseudo-sequel.

I totally agree with Kelegacy. Beyond Divinity was fun but not as 'magical' as Divine Divinity was. Definitely worth playing but kind of a disappointment compared to the first one.

This weekend I am playing a little Nanostray to hold me over until Advance Wars DS comes out in a few weeks. 10 days and counting.....

PS---Any of you Nanostray players out there, I need some tips on the end of that desert level in arcade mode. Sunharra Desert I think is the name. Any good strategies for the part towards the end of the level where 8 billion ships come from all directions?

Carnisaur

08-13-2005, 08:44 AM

Is nanostray worth picking up? The reviews are mediocre but shooter reviews usually are. The whole "8-billion ships" comment makes this sound like my kinda game.

VoodooKarma

08-13-2005, 08:57 AM

Is nanostray worth picking up? The reviews are mediocre but shooter reviews usually are. The whole "8-billion ships" comment makes this sound like my kinda game.

The only thing that I don't like about Nanostray is the touch screen weapon selection, but you adjust to it after a while. The adventure mode is pretty easy but the arcade mode is where the fun is at IMO. There's something addicting about trying to beat your high score and the scoring system they have for Nanostray is pretty cool. It makes it easy for a rookie at shooters to get into but more experienced players are going to try and get that big score. Plus, when you beat the arcade levels you get this code to enter at the Nanostray website. It keeps detailed rankings for all players so you can see how you match up to other Nanostray players across the world. I wasn't expecting to like the game that much after reading the reviews but I am hooked.

XxSATANxX

08-13-2005, 09:18 AM

JFK Reloaded:

Read a review over at Something Awful!

Spigot

08-13-2005, 09:47 AM

Kelegacy

08-13-2005, 11:06 AM

I'm taking a break from Atelier Iris to finish up Killer 7 (on the last mission), clear away a few more quests in WoW and start Final Fantasy 7 again. I saw the trailer for Advent Children on the Steamboy DVD and that got my interest piqued again as I never did finish FF7 (got to the end boss about 6 years ago, just never beat it).

That, and working and reading Dead Beat by Jim Butcher. Ah, Harry Dresden, you are the coolest wizard/PI around.

I know you and I were two of the only people playing Atelier, but did you find yourself getting kinda bored at all? I truly did like the game, but I always wanted to be playing something ...different. It's really a cookie-cutter game besides the fusion stuff. (though that's not always a bad thing). It's not a really long game, something like 30 hours, but I needed to abandon it for awhile so i could go onto other games. I dont know if I'll return, though I hope i beat it someday.

amusedtoe

08-13-2005, 12:23 PM

Playing the "Leaving for a weeks vacation to sit on the beach, and drink beers into the night". :D

No DS? No PSP? Not even a GBA or an oldschool handheld? I'm ashamed.

Liquidize105

08-13-2005, 12:49 PM

Still the same-o thing for me. Natural Selection baby! I'm getting pretty good at it too, aliens only though. I'm Hearts on SCHamptons1.

I want to try Arcanum soon, it just sits there on my desk.

Kelegacy

08-13-2005, 01:52 PM

Still the same-o thing for me. Natural Selection baby! I'm getting pretty good at it too, aliens only though. I'm Hearts on SCHamptons1.

I want to try Arcanum soon, it just sits there on my desk.

I wish I still had my Arcanum saves. I lost them when I transferred to a new computer (i forgot they were there). Still, excellent game. Try it out. Now.

No, i'm not kidding. Do it right fucking now.

mister_slim

08-13-2005, 02:43 PM

Everything.

Phades

08-13-2005, 05:26 PM

Have you played X2? Because I actually started reading about it over the weekend, but it sounds like the deapth would just kill me if I actually tried to play it.

I was curious about that one but don't know much about it. Is that an MMO?

Spigot

08-13-2005, 08:55 PM

I know you and I were two of the only people playing Atelier, but did you find yourself getting kinda bored at all? I truly did like the game, but I always wanted to be playing something ...different. It's really a cookie-cutter game besides the fusion stuff. (though that's not always a bad thing). It's not a really long game, something like 30 hours, but I needed to abandon it for awhile so i could go onto other games. I dont know if I'll return, though I hope i beat it someday.

Well, I'm playing it in chunks too. The story and such is very de rigeur, but I'm playing it more to find bigger and better recipes and see how the storylines with the shopkeepers work out. The interactions with the shopkeepers are turning into a more compelling storyline than the actual quest. I'm not sure if this is intentional or not, but it's got me hooked.

That said, I tend to play it for a chunk of a week, then put it down to work on WoW or one of my rented games, then I'll come back for another week's worth of synthesizing, item collecting and maybe even progress the main plot a bit.

My big beef is that some of the crucial items I need to complete certain items are never in stock at the one store that might sell them which is keeping me from making those items. Sigh.

I've already put in about 30 or so hours. I'm sure that if I ignored the fusion and synthesizing, I'd be done it by now, but those parts are turning into an almost Pokémonesque "Gotta Make Them All" crusade.

I do love the character interactions and the artwork. And after playing a bunch of high-concept RPG's lately *cough* Xenosaga 2 *cough* it's nice to just get back to a familiar concept with an addictive twist.

Now, back to finishing Killer 7!

Spigot

08-13-2005, 10:19 PM

Have you seen some of the previews for Radiata Stories? It looks absolutely gorgeous and some of the story regarding the characters sounds neat. It definately looks like it's coming from the Enix side of Squeenix, which isn't a bad thing in the slightest.

I really should fire up Star Ocean 3. Never really got very far in it...

mister_slim

08-14-2005, 07:08 PM

Kelegacy

08-14-2005, 07:25 PM

Finished Psychonauts last night. The ending was disappointing. Plot and character handling was pretty by the book. And the final bit of platforming seemed to be Double Fine building a level around the flaws in their engine.

That last part was crazy. It was actually pretty challenging, too. And I wanted to know why Raz's family was killed by a gang of Psychics. I thought it would come into play more, but there were just a couple loose threads. But yeah, that ending wasn't really excellent. Maybe they were hoping for a sequel? I dont know.

But the whole, "everyone has skeletons in the closet/bats in the belfrey" thing was great. I especially liked Sasha's repressed thoughts about his father. Those little rotating picture-stories you sometimes stumbled upon were really well drawn and heart-breaking. Especially Sasha's, with his dad mourning and drawing deeper and deeper into himself while Sasha is left ignored. I felt bad for the poor Psychonaut. He seemed so normal, though all-business, on the outside, but inside he had demons of his own. As do most people.

mister_slim

08-14-2005, 07:39 PM

And Milla's children. That was fucked up.

I wish they'd tied up some of the loose ends, since Schafer refuses to make a sequel.

Kelegacy

08-14-2005, 07:58 PM

And Milla's children. That was fucked up.

I wish they'd tied up some of the loose ends, since Schafer refuses to make a sequel.

If he doesnt do a sequel, then he should license it out, as I've said repeatedly, to be a cartoon or something. It has SO much promise. I mean, if Invader Zim can be on Nickelodeon, why not Psychonauts: The Animated Series?

I dont remember Milla's children. What happened? I do remember the Sarge's "meat" problems with his father the butcher, Sasha, the Milkman, the Asylum guys and girls, but not so much Milla. I just remember I didn't enjoy her level very much. It was really retro and the colors and discoball areas almost gave me a seizure.

The Napoleon guy had an interesting level. Most of the areas were very inventive, actually. The Black Velvet area was so spot on it its art direction that I was stunned. The colors, the textures...excellent.

mister_slim

08-15-2005, 10:23 AM

There was a little side room just a little before the racetrack. Inside there is a couple rocking horses and a big chest. You get one of the Viewmast reels, which shows Milla and her children being happy and then her going shopping and returning to find the house in flames. If you open the chest, Milla tells you not to go into it. If you do, you find a bunch of those flaming demons, locked up, with audio of them begging Milla to save them.