Weekend Gamer - What are you playing?

[Jetherik]

Again, not a good weekend for the people living on the gulf coast. Our thoughts are with you and hopefully the worst damage was a tree falling into the street.

For those who have not been affected, life contines and there are games to be played. What will you be playing this weekend? I hope to play "Catch up on Sleep." If you were in/still are in Rita's Wrath - hopefully you can check in to let us know you are ok.

[Murtaug]

Games have been the furthest thing from my mind of late. I just finished working two-weeks straight and all I wanted to do today was sleep in. Granted, sleeping in meant 4:30a instead of 4:00a.

If I do decide to give any games a whirl this weekend, I will probably either finish up Doom 3 on Xbox or play a bit of Evil Dead: Regeneration. I have quite a few movies I have bought in the past couple of weeks to watch though now that I have finished catching up with CSI: Las Vegas.

Gave Family Guy Season Four a watch too, as well as the first episode of My Name is Earl. Family Guy is stale for me, just not a fan of the show I guess; it has its moments but relies on pop culture for to many jokes that go nowhere. Earl was pretty good though, glad to see more of Jason Lee.

[Klade]

I'm playing Eve and will probably be playing it a lot from now on. I also have Riddick which is fantastic so far, but Eve has supplanted the larger part of my free time.

[Draft]

World of Warcraft. maybe KOTOR 2, and maybe maybe Dawn of War: Winter Assault.

[Zeroman]

DoW:Winter Assault, maybe some CoH or WoW... oh yeah and the Total Overdose demo...

Zeroman

[civx]

Phantom Dust.

And MAYBE XIII

[vodka_mike]

I just dl'ed the AOE3 demo.

What the crap did they do to that game!? I love AOE 1 and 2, but to just throw a player into that with no instructions/tutorial is crazy. Bah! The previous AOE games were great because of their simplicity, I think they lost that somewhere. Maybe I'm being too harsh, I'll try again later.

But for now it's the worst demo level I have played in a very long time.

And it's really nice to see that the new lense flare is that idiot light bloom effect. It doesn't help make things look better! It's like that is the only effect that devs can easily use a shader on or something. I wished they'd cut it out. (and yes I found the switch to disable it.)

I've been getting back into the CS lately, so maybe that's what I'll play.....

[Varsity]

EVE, EVE, EVE, and if I'm lucky I'll be able to fit in a bit of sleep too.

[bKangy]

Brothers in Arms:RtH30 (natch, me and friends are planning a bit of a paintball showdown with his twin brother's friends, and I'm in charge of 3 of them when we're out there. I figure I may as well think about tactics while I'm playing this weekend :P) and Civ III, in preparation for the coming storm of Civ IV.

[Magnanimous Gnome]

I reinstalled Dawn of War last night (no expansion). After spending nearly an hour updating through the game's inane patching system, I'm actually going to play it now!

[TheBrainKills]

Working my way through RE4, damn those blind guys are bastards.

I was going to pick up Battalion Wars but they wanted $60 canadian for it.
I will wait for it to hit the players choice for $30.

also still playing CoDUOMP
and have to get back into Guild Wars, I haven't ascended yet.

[Heretic Machine]

WoW... and that's about it. Probably won't even play it very much.

[score]

Fahrenheit.

Pretty good so far.

[ezzkmo]

i have no idea what i'm gonna play this weekend yet. no clue. something.

[thecrazyd]

Ultimate Spider-Man, mother fuckers!

[Ludoc]

I'll probably just screw around on live. Anyone looking for some Doom 3, Halo 2, Brothers in Arms or Pariah action hit me up. gt = luDOC

[H.Bogard]

trying to get my hands on fahrenheit/IP and asterix and obelix 2

also maybe suffering 2 if i can find it for a digital purchase (d2d or somethin)

[evilpenguin9000]

I'm hoping to get a Zul Gurub run in this weekend, but not sure if it's gonna happen. I may also play some NFL Street.

I also will be rewatching the Firefly series in preparation for Serenity this weekend.

[UnderHero5]

More Eve Online and maybe some DoW: Winter Assault, seeing as I bought it and played one skirmish so far. Eve has been taking up a lot of my time lately.
Also a little Burnout Revenge. 56% complete and counting.

[Kelegacy]

Fahrenheit (Indigo Prophecy) until I beat it today, Radiata Stories, Xmen Legends, Burnout Revenge and I might even give NG:Black a try. I'd be a Ninja Dog, but as long as I can actually have fun, that's fine by me.

And Fahrenheit is pissing me off. I fail stupid missions because I cant tap the L/R buttons fast enough on the Xbox controller (those triggers make it much harder than if I was playing this on a PS2) and then I have to repeat the missions, but then my hands are all cramped up and I'm useless. Repeat failure, this time worse from hand damage. Still, the narrative is incredible and a few action scenes outdo the Matrix choreography. The game is superb in that regard.

[Murmillo]

Kingdom Under Fire: Heros. Plays just like the first one.

[mister_slim]

Stuffs. And workings.

Sigma Star Saga, maybe some Battalion Wars, perhaps some Hulk and RE4. DK: King of Swing maybe. Not enough time really.

[Dirty Harry]

probally tribes and cs 1.6 this weekend.

[Xaerin]

GTA:SA, FF7 and if I can tear myself away from those/have time maybe some Hulk: UD

[Montgomery_Python]

Just beat Half Life 2 and now I bought Battlefield 2. Looking to blow up some bad guys, but rather apprehensive of the learning curve.

[TheKeck]

Indigo Prophecy FINALLY! Got several hours in last night. I love it EXCEPT for the mini-game action sequences. It's like they just threw those in because they felt they had to. Oh well.

[Conner Dain]

Those of you playing DOW: Winter Assault, where did you find it? I'm in Dallas, TX and can't find it

Thanks!

[kokyunage]

Playing with my new black beautiful Nano. When not playing with that I'll be playing Burnout Revenge.

[crashedout]

Ultimate Spiderman and Xmen2. Spiderman took a huge step back in gameplay but a huge step forward in story. Makes it a decent game, glad I did not buy it though because the Hulk from a few weeks ago is much better. Marvel realy should compare these games more during their development to cross-design good elements and get rid of bad ones. Xmen2 is more of the same, but good none-the-less.

[JudasGoat]

The game where I pack everything I own and move it to another overpriced location. :(

[nesmercal]

I just finished up Fahrenheit the other night. Great game...it really goes a long ways in showing that the adventure genre isn't (and shouldn't be) dead. Upon finishing it, I was left wanting to play another game just like it. The three main characters are realized and voiced wonderfully. Also the music fits the story and theme so well. I can not recommend this one enough!

Now I'm off to the brutal, far future to lead a Winter Assualt, Warhammer style. My favorite RTS of last year is going to be occupying me for a while now.

Nesmercal

[Kelegacy]

Indigo Prophecy FINALLY! Got several hours in last night. I love it EXCEPT for the mini-game action sequences. It's like they just threw those in because they felt they had to. Oh well.

Get used to it. There's A LOT of them. The game is basically one big Quick Time Event. They let the director create a movie-like atmosphere with pre-made movies, making you just click the appropriate buttons to watch the entire thing.

I found them easy, except for the L/R alternating smashathons. Ouch. (on Xbox anyway). The story was worth the effort though. Good game.

[Liquidize105]

I finished Enclave last week. It's pretty decent actually. Don't underestimate those tiny goblins/halflings for their size! They are killers!

[JRR006]

Guild Wars, Metal Gear Solid 3, and a bit of Nintendogs. Might pick up Indigo Prophecy this evening - I've been looking forward to the full release since the demo!

[Heretic Machine]

Ok, just bought Ultimate Spider-man... Gonna check that out after I finish lunch. So, this weekend shall not be gameless!

[jacktion]

Eve-Online is the shite. I'm playing that a lot. Plus Battlefield 2 is the even newer shite. But it sucks resources like an ex-wife. Plus I am rocking the Advance Wars DS. Great game. All I will need for the next year or so for my DS, and I am just getting around to GTA Vice City on the Xbox, so that is a huge time suck. Basically I have too many games and not enough time.

[DannoHung]

I picked up Evil Dead Regeneration, KUF:H, and Indigo Prophecy today...

But I have a bunch of work to do...

*fuck*

[EGO]

Catching up on sleep...

but when not sleeping, playing Burnout Revenge!
Yeah baby, like crack!

[Frogleg Special]

Wonderful world of C#

[Kaiser_Soze]

I picked up Project Gotham 2, Jade Empire, NBA Jam, The Suffering, Unreal Champ., NCAA 06 at a pawn shop for 35 bucks. Next few weeks are covered when it comes to games.

[Heretic Machine]

Alright, update on the Ultimate Spider-man situation for anyone thinking about buying it... If you already own Spider-man 2, don't. It's an inferior version of that game.

[Orosco]

Playing Sanitarium (got it at Best Buy for $10), Indigo Prophecy, and Kirby Canvas Curse.

[screwtape]

Playing Sanitarium (got it at Best Buy for $10), Indigo Prophecy, and Kirby Canvas Curse.
Wow... the old point-and-click adventure game where you wake up in the mental hospital? That's a fantastic find.

I'm playing some older Xbox games - Mechassault, Panzer Dragoon Orta and Scrapland. Also playing Advance Wars DS - for some reason, the first few hours were absolutely terrible, but now I can't put it down.

[codswallop]

Fahrenheit. I'm interested in the story but the controls on the Xbox version are annoying, to say the least. Too much button mashing and Dance Dance style sequences. The problem with those sequences is you're watching which button to press and you miss all the best action!

The game reminds me of Bladerunner, in that "interactive movie" kind of way. I'd recommend it if you like adventure games and don't mind dealing with a so-so control system.

Fahrenheit is pissing me off. I fail stupid missions because I cant tap the L/R buttons fast enough on the Xbox controller
I was using my Logitech wireless and failing miserably also. When I plugged in the regular S controller, I had a lot less trouble. I found that by turning over the controller so it's vertical, and placing your thumbs on top of the triggers (with the buttons facing you, holding the sides with the rest of your hands) you can "wiggle" the whole controller back and forth to easily press the buttons. I have had no trouble with them since... except that the left trigger now makes a "springy" noise when pressed.

[outfromoutwhere]

Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow and Katamari Damacy.
SCPT is some of the best stealth gaming I have ever played, and Katamari Damacy is still captivating, even though I've already "beat" it.

[i aint yer pa]

Got to go to the OSU/Iowa game (go Bucks!) and I now plan on getting some more Advanced Wars Dual Strike and Metroid Fusion playing in with my DS.

I love me some Nintendo DS!

[TheKeck]

Get used to it. There's A LOT of them. The game is basically one big Quick Time Event. They let the director create a movie-like atmosphere with pre-made movies, making you just click the appropriate buttons to watch the entire thing.

I found them easy, except for the L/R alternating smashathons. Ouch. (on Xbox anyway). The story was worth the effort though. Good game.

Yeah, I've found that to be the case. I've actually found that the L/R smashing is pretty easy on a keyboard, and when I don't feel like thinking about the "coordination" ones, you can just smash ALL the buttons and it works fine. :D

[Kelegacy]

Fahrenheit. I'm interested in the story but the controls on the Xbox version are annoying, to say the least. Too much button mashing and Dance Dance style sequences. The problem with those sequences is you're watching which button to press and you miss all the best action!

The game reminds me of Bladerunner, in that "interactive movie" kind of way. I'd recommend it if you like adventure games and don't mind dealing with a so-so control system.


I was using my Logitech wireless and failing miserably also. When I plugged in the regular S controller, I had a lot less trouble. I found that by turning over the controller so it's vertical, and placing your thumbs on top of the triggers (with the buttons facing you, holding the sides with the rest of your hands) you can "wiggle" the whole controller back and forth to easily press the buttons. I have had no trouble with them since... except that the left trigger now makes a "springy" noise when pressed.

I agree completely. I miss almost everything that goes on screen while I'm copying the commands onscreen. It really detracts from the game, for me. I also had to turn the controller over a few times, and slam on the buttons to keep the meter high on the L/R sequences. Towards the end of the game there are a few where you need to be PERFECT, at the top completely. I'd be nearly there and I'd get a FAILURE screen and lose a life. It pissed me off. I played one scene about 10 times today...or more. That's over an hour on a 5 minute scene. Just because of that fucking L/R shit. My hands hurt and I had to take a break...because once they started hurting I kept getting more frequent failures.

I beat the game, good story and everything, but I'll be fucked if I like this sort of gameplay. I'd rather have the game be more reminiscent of typical adventure games, with a real inventory and solving riddles on your own. The game is way too easy and focuses on the Copycat game sequences WAAAY too much. If there were only a few of these events, I'd be fine. But almost every scene has at least 1 or 2.

The only scene I went back and replayed was the big sex scene (for the Europe version owners). It was the first time I've seen something like that in a videogame, because I never used Hot Coffee. Mafia had a sex scene for the PC, but it panned away and was more discreet. Both were tastefully done and were not close to being gratuitous.

[Orosco]

Wow... the old point-and-click adventure game where you wake up in the mental hospital? That's a fantastic find.

Aye, thats the one. It was stuck inbetween copies of Tomb of Elemental Evil and Hitman 2 in the bargin bin software area.

I'm liking it alot, finding it surprisingly funny sometimes, especially the way Max describes some things, or the way his dialogs with the npcs go.
I had always heard it was a great adventure, glad I finally got a chance to play it.

[KamaItachi]

Like a lot of folks, Indigo Prophecey and when I'm finished with that, KUF: Heroes.

Only about a third of the way through IP so far and I'm loving it. Is it "fun"? not really, but it's a great experience. The QTE's I actually find a little annoying and distracting to be honest but the atmosphere and depth throughout the rest of the game makes up for that.

[Magnanimous Gnome]

Wait, you can die in Indigo Prophecy?

Pfft, "adventure" game my ass. :p

[TheKeck]

Wait, you can die in Indigo Prophecy?

Pfft, "adventure" game my ass. :p

Are you kidding?! It's like every third thing you did could get you killed in the old King's Quest games! A more appropriate question would be:

"Wait, you have LIVES in Indigo Prophecy?" Yeah, that's weird.

[TheKeck]

I agree completely. I miss almost everything that goes on screen while I'm copying the commands onscreen. It really detracts from the game, for me. I also had to turn the controller over a few times, and slam on the buttons to keep the meter high on the L/R sequences. Towards the end of the game there are a few where you need to be PERFECT, at the top completely. I'd be nearly there and I'd get a FAILURE screen and lose a life. It pissed me off. I played one scene about 10 times today...or more. That's over an hour on a 5 minute scene. Just because of that fucking L/R shit. My hands hurt and I had to take a break...because once they started hurting I kept getting more frequent failures.

I beat the game, good story and everything, but I'll be fucked if I like this sort of gameplay. I'd rather have the game be more reminiscent of typical adventure games, with a real inventory and solving riddles on your own. The game is way too easy and focuses on the Copycat game sequences WAAAY too much. If there were only a few of these events, I'd be fine. But almost every scene has at least 1 or 2.

The only scene I went back and replayed was the big sex scene (for the Europe version owners). It was the first time I've seen something like that in a videogame, because I never used Hot Coffee. Mafia had a sex scene for the PC, but it panned away and was more discreet. Both were tastefully done and were not close to being gratuitous.

So, it gets WORSE as the game goes on?!! That sucks! Oh well.

[bean19]

Radiata Stories - I held off on this game at release based on some luke warm reviews, but I've been charmed by it. Not a great game by any means, but certainly there is fun to be had with this title.

Also dabbled with the Serious Sam 2 demo. It was about what I expected, which is to say both super-fun and completely ignorable if you have other FPS games.

NDA betas I can't talk to you about yet.

[Kelegacy]

Radiata Stories - I held off on this game at release based on some luke warm reviews, but I've been charmed by it. Not a great game by any means, but certainly there is fun to be had with this title.

Also dabbled with the Serious Sam 2 demo. It was about what I expected, which is to say both super-fun and completely ignorable if you have other FPS games.

NDA betas I can't talk to you about yet.

I'll be playing Radiata a bit more today. I took a week off and now I'm finding it hard to get back into. Mostly because I forgot what the fuck I was doing. Anyway, the reviews were pretty much mediocre, which made me think the game would be just that. I was wrong and i'm having a great deal of fun. It has flaws, but there is no way I'd score it lower than an 8 out of 10...not higher, but not lower.

If you read the reviews, they are not as bad as their scores suggest. I'd honstly like to know what the fuck reviewers deduct points for these days. Length, okay. Bugs? Yes. Subpar graphics? Maybe. Load times and frustrating flaws? Yes. Instead, they just throw random numbers on games these days. Break it down for me! When I reviewed Jade Empire, I knew EXACTLY why I was taking points off, and that's how I came up with the final score.

[screwtape]

Aye, thats the one. It was stuck inbetween copies of Tomb of Elemental Evil and Hitman 2 in the bargin bin software area.

I'm liking it alot, finding it surprisingly funny sometimes, especially the way Max describes some things, or the way his dialogs with the npcs go.
I had always heard it was a great adventure, glad I finally got a chance to play it.
Agreed. The dialogue is fantastic, and some of the NPCs are downright creepy. I particularly remember the children playing Tic-Tac-Toe or hopscotch on the playground. It's a shame such games are hard to find at retail stores.

My main complaint with the game (the only one I remember after playing it 5+ years ago) is that some of the solutions are random and unpredictable. But that has plauged almost any adventure game for as long as I can remember.

I finally got back into Chronicles of Riddick. A couple of ridiculously hard parts - made all the harder because the game refused to save the first seven or eight times through - made me take a hiatus. Now I'm back to snapping necks and shoving shivs through the soft palates of unsuspecting guards. What a great game.

Anybody pick up Ninja Gaiden Black? I loved the original, never had the chance to play the Hurricane Packs - is there enough additional content to warrant the purchase?

[51|RandoM]

Installing winxp on a new SLI rig I built during the week. I had a bunch of raptors laying around from older builds, put two in a raid 1(OS) and four in a raid 0(GAMES). That, an fx-55, two gigs of ram, and bfg 7800gtx oc SLI, should be a fast machine.

[bean19]

Installing winxp on a new SLI rig I built during the week. I had a bunch of raptors laying around from older builds, put two in a raid 1(OS) and four in a raid 0(GAMES). That, an fx-55, two gigs of ram, and bfg 7800gtx oc SLI, should be a fast machine.

If you are an enthusiast, I applaud you.

If you are extremely wealthy, I beg you for a duplicate system as my rig does the job fine now but will be puttering and wheezing by the time I finish college.

[Everlost_MI]

Nothing, a spur of the moment trip to Cedar Point consumed most of my weekend. Now if I am lucky I'll get to finish watching the Steelers/Patroits game.

[Magnanimous Gnome]

Are you kidding?! It's like every third thing you did could get you killed in the old King's Quest games! A more appropriate question would be:

"Wait, you have LIVES in Indigo Prophecy?" Yeah, that's weird.


True, but most of the "pure" adventure games had no death. If you have lives and can die that kind of pushes it towards "action-adventure", ala Zelda and Beyond Good & Evil. Picking nits I know.

I still remember a great part in either Monkey Island 3 or 4 where you can fall off of a cliff. Suddenly Guybrush pops back up and says something like "Hey, this is an adventure game. I can't die!!" Hilarious meta moment.

[KamaItachi]

I still remember a great part in either Monkey Island 3 or 4 where you can fall off of a cliff. Suddenly Guybrush pops back up and says something like "Hey, this is an adventure game. I can't die!!" Hilarious meta moment.

HA! I still remember that (it was from the first one) where part of the cliff collapses and a dialogue box pops up saying "You should have saved your game! now you"re dead!"

Did anyone else have their first death from searching Kane's apartment and mixing the pills and booze? I thought that was oddly hilarious.

[Spigot]

I had a weekend at the in-laws but that didn't keep me from spending a bunch of time gaming. Made it out to see Corpse Bride though.

I got a bit of WoW in (finally started doing Battlegrounds) but not enough to make me happy. Console-wise, I spent most of the weekend playing (and finishing) We <3 Katamari and working on Golden Sun 2 on the GBA.

I tracked down a copy of Advance Wars 2 for the GBA which was one of those epic game collecting quests that I never thought I'd finish. When you go to about 14 different stores in 4 cities 400 KM from your house looking for a game, you usually never find the game. Thankfully I did.

I also got MGS3 for $15 (CANADIAN!) brand new at Toys R Us. Since my copy has wandered off to one of my friends' places and I have no idea where it is, I couldn't pass it up. Also got a second Taiko Drum Master set for my buddy so we can have duels on my PS2. Annnnd I got Ratchet & Clank: UYA for $19 (Canadian) new... can't go wrong there.

Oh, and I found a copy of Super Castlevania IV for the SNES which is now in my collection. Woo!

The sad thing was that I was hoping to spend the weekend playing Radiata Stories and it never even made it into the PS2. I'll remedy that this weekend.

[Spigot]

I'm eagerly awaiting my Indigo Prophecy which should be arriving from the rental guys sometime this week. I think I have the Xbox version coming... Which is the best? (aside from PC, which I'd have to buy and I can't afford it with Sly 3 and Shadow Of The Collosus coming out shortly).

[mister_slim]

Get used to it. There's A LOT of them. The game is basically one big Quick Time Event. They let the director create a movie-like atmosphere with pre-made movies, making you just click the appropriate buttons to watch the entire thing.
I'm hoping Quantic Dream will do a game for the Revolution. Seems like the kind of flexible, contextual input they'd want.

[Magnanimous Gnome]

HA! I still remember that (it was from the first one) where part of the cliff collapses and a dialogue box pops up saying "You should have saved your game! now you"re dead!"

Did anyone else have their first death from searching Kane's apartment and mixing the pills and booze? I thought that was oddly hilarious.


I didn't know there was something like that in the first game too. I never played all the way through that one, just the third and fourth.

[EternalGamer]

I picked up Ninja Gaiden Black to reward myself on finishing the first third of my thesis, and have not been able to tear myself away from it all weekend. I only dabbled in the original version borrowing it from a friend, so I can't really answer the guy that wants to know about the new content. The camera seems better from what I remember of the (could you press R to center it in the original or freelook with the right analogue?).

The game is starting to scare me a little, because it is getting progressively harder meaning I have to spend more time to beat levels. It has me glued and I am afraid of this vunerability. I know it is going to use it against me to throw some super ridiculiously hard nonsense my way and I will end up sitting there for hours, swearing because I can't finish it and because I can't put it down...

Dan

[Kelegacy]

HA! I still remember that (it was from the first one) where part of the cliff collapses and a dialogue box pops up saying "You should have saved your game! now you"re dead!"

Did anyone else have their first death from searching Kane's apartment and mixing the pills and booze? I thought that was oddly hilarious.

Yes. When you take the pills at the start of the game (or at least I did, when I woke up that first time) he reads it and it says don't take with booze. Well, a few scenes later I came home, found the liquor under the cabinet for the first time, the screen got fuzzy, and I wandered into the bedroom and took some pills.

Dead.

[Spigot]

I still haven't been able to get past level 7 in the original Xbox Ninja Gaiden. Just the thought of getting a harder version of it makes me shake with terror.

[Spigot]

Playing Sanitarium (got it at Best Buy for $10), Indigo Prophecy, and Kirby Canvas Curse.

Sanitarium is a fantastic point & click adventure. I should dig up my copy and give it a whirl.

[Magnanimous Gnome]

I still haven't been able to get past level 7 in the original Xbox Ninja Gaiden. Just the thought of getting a harder version of it makes me shake with terror.


Actually Black is easier, if I'm not mistaken. It contains an Easy mode anyway.

[EternalGamer]

Actually Black is easier, if I'm not mistaken. It contains an Easy mode anyway.

It does have a easy mode called "Ninja Dog" which is only offered after you die several times in the first level. The game asks you if you want to "abandon the way of the Ninja." You can not select it from any menu, even after this. It is obvious the designers were not thrilled with the idea of offering this option. Of course any self respecting gamer like myself would never take it anyway. :)

As for the rest of the game, from what I hear, Normal mode is made a bit more difficult now due primarily to two things: 1) Most enemies now have the ability to counter combo (though they don't usually use it). 2) A technique known as "Interceptor" that was apparently very powerful is now gone. Unfortunately for us new comers, we can only listen to the old time NG fans talk about how the game was "easier" without these additions. We much persevere with what we have... which we are forced to admit sounds like a better balanced (if harder) game.

I am at the end of level 8 now after a couple of days of play and I"m starting to feel the heat a little. Still have a large supply (at or near max capacity most of the time) of healing materials, but I"m trying to keep it that way for later on, so I reset whenever I have to use more than one or two.

Dan

[TheKeck]

HA! I still remember that (it was from the first one) where part of the cliff collapses and a dialogue box pops up saying "You should have saved your game! now you"re dead!"

Did anyone else have their first death from searching Kane's apartment and mixing the pills and booze? I thought that was oddly hilarious.

No, I almost did that (I guess) but at the last moment I remembered the warning label on the pills.

[Achilles]

Actually Black is easier, if I'm not mistaken. It contains an Easy mode anyway.Yeah that's the theory. I've died about 100 times and I'm begging the game to unlock the easy mode. I wonder if it won't unlock because I didn't die on the first boss. It’s not easier, it’s harder (on Normal). They repaired some of the holes that the weaker bosses had it seems, but it could be because I’m going through the game with the staff in stead of the dragon sword. The game’s so frustrating if Itagaki was here watching me play I’m not sure if I’d start beating him with the controller or not. Alright I wouldn’t but I’d want to, he’d probably be laughing at me too, the bastard.

I’m shocked though that 308 people who have Live have already beaten it on Normal, and 64 have beaten it on Hard. Captain Tuttle has the high score with 14 million.

Yep, EternalGamer just solved my problem. I didn’t die in the first level so I’m forever locked out of Ninja Dog mode. Darnit :(

I don’t know for sure what Interceptor was, but if it’s the move I’m thinking of the game will be much harder without it. I'm on level 8 as well.

[bean19]

Actually Black is easier, if I'm not mistaken. It contains an Easy mode anyway.

Yeah, well I read the Ninja Dog mode only helps your attack damage. . .

This was never the probem for me. I can fight things fine. . . event the bosses (although they are VERY "try and die" until you learn them).

My problem was the bloody jumping puzzles once you get into the city. I got to the point where I KNEW that I wasn't getting to where I needed to go because I couldn't make a certain jump. . . but after falling from the jump, it would take 5 minutes to backtrack to the jump. Basically, I said "fuck that" and while I definitely look back (because the fighting gameplay was so freaking sweet), I won't spend another minute on stupid ass uber difficult jump puzzles.

But that's just me. If you don't mind jump puzzles and you are generally good at fighters, this is a fantastic game with high (but surmountable) difficulty.

[Achilles]

Just started a new game (in a different save slot) and unlocked Ninja Dog mode, you need to die three times, and confirm that you want to "abandon the way of the ninja" 4 times. Ayane kind of makes you her bitch. But it’s a lot easier. I haven’t gotten to the jump puzzles, I imagine those are the same, but all the enemies are a lot easier to beat, the game’s just little harder than God of War on Normal now. You get new wallpaper for the ‘press start’ menu after unlocking Ninja Dog though, one of Ayane replaces the one of Ryu and it looks quite good.

63 people have beaten it on Ninja Dog, I see a lot of repeated names from the Normal list.

[Magnanimous Gnome]

Yikes, I don't think I'll be getting Black. I never played the original, and was thinking about buying the re-release, but you guys have talked me out of it.

I get frustrated with difficult games very easily, and from what everyone has said about this title, I'd be throwing my TV out the window.

[EternalGamer]

Yikes, I don't think I'll be getting Black. I never played the original, and was thinking about buying the re-release, but you guys have talked me out of it.

I get frustrated with difficult games very easily, and from what everyone has said about this title, I'd be throwing my TV out the window.


Actually, I have not found it that bad SO FAR. If you are willing to take some time, you can return to practice on many of the easier enemies ad naseum, and they will still give you money, which you can use for health upgrades. So theoretically, if you keep playing and fighitng weaker guys, you could save up for a lot of those items that bring you back to life automatically with full health and ninpo. I am not sure how many the game lets you carry at once, but there are shop access points everywhere. At a few points I ran around the city killing guys for about an hour, and I have racked up quite a bit of cash that is there in ready supply whenever I need it, and as I said, all my health and magic items are maxed out (though the max out pretty low).

I might change my tune in a couple of levels, but right now, I went in prepared and haven't had too much difficulty.

Dan

[ÜberJumper]

Dawn of War:Winter Assault. FUN!

[Achilles]

Yikes, I don't think I'll be getting Black. I never played the original, and was thinking about buying the re-release, but you guys have talked me out of it.

I get frustrated with difficult games very easily, and from what everyone has said about this title, I'd be throwing my TV out the window.Ninja Dog mode isn't bad at all. As I said, a little harder than God of War on Normal which I could beat in my sleep. Since the game's only $29 I'd recommend getting it and playing through it on Ninja Dog. It really is the best action game ever made.

[Magnanimous Gnome]

Actually, I have not found it that bad SO FAR. If you are willing to take some time, you can return to practice on many of the easier enemies ad naseum, and they will still give you money, which you can use for health upgrades. So theoretically, if you keep playing and fighitng weaker guys, you could save up for a lot of those items that bring you back to life automatically with full health and ninpo. I am not sure how many the game lets you carry at once, but there are shop access points everywhere. At a few points I ran around the city killing guys for about an hour, and I have racked up quite a bit of cash that is there in ready supply whenever I need it, and as I said, all my health and magic items are maxed out (though the max out pretty low).

I might change my tune in a couple of levels, but right now, I went in prepared and haven't had too much difficulty.

Dan


Thanks EternalGamer and Achilles. I'll definitely pick the game up, or at least rent it first. :) I've been wanting to try it, and the two of you calmed my fears.

[EternalGamer]

Thanks EternalGamer and Achilles. I'll definitely pick the game up, or at least rent it first. :) I've been wanting to try it, and the two of you calmed my fears.

It's definately worth diving into. It is only fair to warn you that you will probably get your arse handed to you for the first hour or so, regardless. But it does get easier once you get the mechanics of blocking down (and a few of the nifty sword upgrades like Flying Swallow at level 2). I am embarassed to say when I started playing the FIRST BOSS gave me a beating quiete a few times before I could finish him without using any of my healing potions. However, I consider myself of an average skill level and certainly limited in the amount of hours I can spend gaming, and I am still progressing quiet nicely.

Dan