Messages

551

TalkBack / Re: Monster Hunter Tri Launches Today

« on: April 21, 2010, 02:03:26 PM »

I got very bored of Monster Hunter releasing the same game with almost every iteration.

552

TalkBack / Re: Capcom Announces 2011 North American Releases

« on: April 20, 2010, 01:51:48 PM »

Somehow the thing that has me most excited of this lot is Ghost Trick. The new trailer is interesting.

553

Podcast Discussion / Re: Radio Free Nintendo: Episode 191

« on: April 20, 2010, 02:22:01 AM »

I had to smile at James' mini-rant about the random wierdness and...well...just plain randomness of Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journeys, because for the most part you can apply those comments to just about every MegaTen game (especially the bit about Demon Negotiation being completely random).  I've played quite a few of the MegaTen games now (Personas 3-4, Digital Devil Saga, and Devil Summoner 2), and to be honest the two PS2 Persona games are the only ones I'd actually consider good (and not just "good", but "amazing") with consistent logic and rules.  I keep trying each new MegaTen title in the hopes that they would recapture the magic of the Persona games, but they just seem to be weird for weirdness' sake with an emphasis on grinding and repetition.

For a while I was a bit down on Devil Survivor but at the moment I am really enjoying it. The game allows you to simply purchase your demons from an auction that can be accessed at any time, and each demon has a "buy now" price. Devil Survivor has a fusion search that makes what monsters fuse to create which incredibly simple to see and understand. In fact, I am surprised that Strange Journey eliminates this, since J Parish noted that demon fusion is easier in Strange Journey.

554

Podcast Discussion / Re: Radio Free Nintendo: Episode 191

« on: April 19, 2010, 09:46:22 PM »

(where is the next dinorama, btw?)

It's coming. We're recorded it. From what I hear, the production was marred by technical problems (again, but different ones) because my co-host, Scott, who is also the editor and tech guy, still doesn't know what he's doing. I haven't heard any of it yet, but Scott is re-recording his and Raven's news segments, and Scott tells me that he gave me the wrong mic accidentally, so I sound like I'm speaking through a muffled tube. Wonderful.

A part of my just wants to Skype in like I do for the Newscast, even though Scott lives ten minutes away. I'd rather use my own headset mic that his equipment. Just between you 'n' me, of course.

I will try not to bring it up during my daily conversations with Scott.  :

555

Podcast Discussion / Re: Radio Free Nintendo: Episode 191

« on: April 19, 2010, 07:57:01 PM »

Hey now, I don't review games that are 8-12 months old all the time! Cave Story just came out, and I plan on reviewing Mega Man 10 after I download the interesting DLC. Screw you guys!

*goes back to playing NyxQuest and Retro Game Challenge*

In all fairness Cave Story is a port of an old game, and Mega Man 10 can be mistaken for an NES game. I suppose it is your affinity for dinosaurs that has been reflected in your gaming habits. (where is the next dinorama, btw?)

556

TalkBack / Re: REVIEWS: Infinite Space

« on: April 19, 2010, 03:11:45 AM »

"Punishes any lack of thinking and planning"

This is a plus for me. If I am thinking while playing a game I find it more addicting.

Of course, if I am being punished for not putting more skill points in strength than magic during my initial role and it only bites me in the ass fifteen hours in without any way to fix what I've done, that is bad design.

557

Podcast Discussion / Re: Radio Free Nintendo: Episode 191

« on: April 19, 2010, 01:10:36 AM »

I'm going to do some research at NASA for six weeks. It's on the southeast side of Houston.

Wow! That is a great opportunity, best of luck. Space and flight has always interested me, but I was discouraged from going into aerospace when signing up for school. I just remember being floored when I got to go see how massive their research tools were at Boeing here in California. The things they can do to simulate space is incredible, especially considering the scale at which it is being done.

558

Podcast Discussion / Re: Radio Free Nintendo: Episode 191

« on: April 19, 2010, 12:20:56 AM »

where in texas are you going jonnny ?


Anywhere near the University of North Texas in Denton ?

I would be interested to know that as well, since I am moving down to Texas next year to do my graduate work in transportation engineering.

559

TalkBack / Re: DSi XL Debuts With 141,000 Units In Its First Week

« on: April 18, 2010, 03:12:57 AM »

I also wonder how many units were shipped. Given the size of the box, I wouldn't think most stores would want to stock too many of them due to the extra shelf space taken up.

The box is still smaller than a PSP 3000 box.

I am enjoying my XL, I actually find myself playing my DS more and I am sure that it is not simply my mind trying to validate the purchase.

560

TalkBack / Re: Games We Loved 2009

« on: April 15, 2010, 02:44:20 PM »

I see that both Family Pirate Party and Cocoto Platform Jumper were slighted in this list.

561

TalkBack / Re: Gormiti : The Lords of Nature Coming to Wii and DS

« on: April 15, 2010, 02:39:25 PM »

What is with Konami naming their games "__________: (the) lords of __________" as of late?

First Castlevania: Lords of Shadow, and now Gormiti : The Lords of Nature.

562

Podcast Discussion / Re: RetroActive #12 Poll -- Game Boy Edition

« on: April 14, 2010, 08:18:14 PM »

With respect to the MK license, it was my understanding that as of last year that has been in Warner Bros.' hands.

I'm actually aware of this. There was still a 2 1/2 year period that Midway had. Hopefully Time Warner realizes how much easy money there is by releasing Midway IP's on the Virtual Console (just releasing the games in the three Midway Arcade Treasures releases would add about 50 games to the VC). I am still stunned Midway didn't do this to help their financial situation. I don't think it would have stopped them from being bankrupt, but it might have kept them afloat a little longer.

They did end up going under, so a lack of smart decision making doesn't surprise me all that much. But a missed opportunity? Definitely.

563

Podcast Discussion / Re: RetroActive #12 Poll -- Game Boy Edition

« on: April 14, 2010, 08:01:51 PM »

I still wonder if it's Nintendo's fault or Midway's fault that the Mortal Kombat games have not appeared on the VC. Back in March 2007 Midway confirmed that the Mortal Kombat games would be released on the VC. It's been over three years and no Midway games have appeared since then (in fact, very few games from western publishers have appeared).

With respect to the MK license, it was my understanding that as of last year that has been in Warner Bros.' hands.

But of course, Nintendo has yet to release titles that they hold the licenses to that fans have been demanding. All this on a distribution platform that they would certainly make back what little money they put in to the emulation.

More importantly, where is my GB virtual console! I may be a sad individual, but I want, nay, need to play Link's Awakening on my DSi XL! For those of you that say it would look bad- I enjoy playing that game on my big LCD screen anyways.

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Podcast Discussion / Re: RetroActive #12 Poll -- Game Boy Edition

« on: April 14, 2010, 02:44:14 PM »

Graybrick, I like you.  Not like that...unless your, to quote a funhaus meme, "a hot chick."

I suppose that as far as bearded and deep-voiced males in their early twenties go that I would rank more as a "medium chick."
Though I am not.... how do you say... "gaybrick."

Either way, you're not my type 
 

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Podcast Discussion / Re: RetroActive #12 Poll -- Game Boy Edition

« on: April 13, 2010, 11:58:09 PM »

I would be willing to help out with that if the staff aren't eager to move on a GB feature. My name is, after all, greybrick.

Ha ha, is your name really "greybrick" because of the Game Boy? I totally didn't make that connection.

Yep, that is the reason! Not my real name, of course. It was the first piece of gaming I ever touched, and for a very long time I exclusively owned game boys and nothing else... until late into the gamecube's life if you would believe it.

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Podcast Discussion / Re: Radio Free Nintendo: Episode 190

« on: April 13, 2010, 02:16:52 AM »

I'm not going to bother looking it up, but I would guess that beetles fight each other on instinct and can't actually be trained. More intelligent animals usually prefer to avoid fighting to the death.

To bring everything full circle, Pokemon are apparently intelligent enough to only fight until the point of fainting.

567

Podcast Discussion / Re: Radio Free Nintendo: Episode 190

« on: April 12, 2010, 12:55:58 PM »

Also, would anyone else here rather play Dragon Quest than Final Fantasy?  One of these franchises has stayed true to it's roots while still offering new adventures.  The other has totally jumped the shark and become a "cinematic experience" aimed at angst-filled teens who are happy to think that style can overcome the glaring shortcomings in story-telling and gameplay.  To each their own I guess.
 

I always choose DQ over FF, but FF13 is awesome.

568

Podcast Discussion / Re: Radio Free Nintendo: Episode 190

« on: April 12, 2010, 01:08:43 AM »

I know people like to rag on Dragon Quest for being stuck in its own traditions, but at least every Dragon Quest has a new story, new characters, and a totally new world to explore. And since those are the main reasons to play this kind of RPG, every game in the series feels fresh despite the simple gameplay and call-backs to classic monsters. Put DQ8 next to the original Dragon Quest, and you may not even realize they're from the same series. But put Pokemon Platinum next to Red/Blue, and it's painfully obvious.

Having played many hours of the original Dragon Quest can say that VIII can immediately be picked out as part of the Dragon Quest lineage. Dragon quest VIII was actually the first in the series to deviate from the first person combat, and to be fair it was quite a step above DQ VII which was essentially the same game as most of the others that came before it. I would say that the biggest innovation in Dragon Quest is the addition of monsters that the player can catch.

Of course, I know what point you are trying to make and I agree that Pokemon needs to move forward. In Dragon Quest, it was convenient to come into the game already understanding the monsters and the mechanics so that one could just enjoy the new story content. In Pokemon, games that are leveraged far less on story and more the mechanics of the game itself, I would argue that this lack of mechanical innovation is unacceptable.

569

Podcast Discussion / Re: RetroActive #12 Poll -- Game Boy Edition

« on: April 11, 2010, 10:42:49 PM »

Did greybrick just try to win me over with Mesozoic Morrison references?

He did. And he did.

It's all part of my secret plan to take over the world. You will know the next phase is complete when one Mr. Jon Lindemann is mysteriously absent from RFN. I kid 

But seriously, GB feature! Now that I know it exists out there in the ether I will pester until it is resurrected.

570

Podcast Discussion / Re: RetroActive #12 Poll -- Game Boy Edition

« on: April 11, 2010, 05:37:11 PM »

Revival?!?

I would be willing to help out with that if the staff aren't eager to move on a GB feature. My name is, after all, greybrick. The classic GB is where I got my gaming start, and some of the most memorable titles I have played are on that system. Since I am a lowly reader perhaps I can be the Anurognathus to the staff's Diplodocus

571

TalkBack / Re: America's Test Kitchen: Let's Get Blogging

« on: April 11, 2010, 04:43:22 PM »

I am not going to buy one of these until the voice recognition is improved. If I am working with raw meat or moist foods I am not going to want to have to touch my DS, or go wash my hands in the middle of something because it skipped a step. I suppose that since I already can cook well enough that I don't feel like I am missing out, it just seems that these "games" have a great potential for exposure to foreign dishes.

572

TalkBack / Re: Iwata Asks Capcom about Monster Hunter Tri

« on: April 09, 2010, 08:02:26 PM »

The cel-shaded Zelda still exists on the DS.  Right now we have BOTH styles being made.  So what's with the complaining?  Does realistic Zelda have to cease to exist to appease the Wind Waker fanboys?  What we have now is a compromise and I think it's a pretty good one.

My problem is that the realistic style comes at the expense of having a seamless world. I also don't think that going for that look is very flattering to the Wii. TP looked like jaggy garbage on my screen with low-res textures. I played the whole thing through but all the while it bothered me.

573

TalkBack / Re: Iwata Asks Capcom about Monster Hunter Tri

« on: April 09, 2010, 04:00:47 PM »

I just want Nintendo to bring back the cel-shading.

Never going to happen on a home console again.  The haters of cel-shading where way more vocal about it and made their presence known much more.  Not to mention after the realistic Twilight Princess went on to sell 3 million more copies then the cel-shaded Wind Waker, it doesn't really give Nintendo any reason to use cel-shading on a home console Zelda again.

The best anyone can hope for is if the Nintendo 3DS is around the same power as the Gamecube, at least the handheld Zelda's will be of Wind Waker cel-shading quality.

Did you consider that the amount of Wiis sold may have had an impact on the sales of TP? Not to mention that there was little else to buy for the core gamer during the Wii launch, and that TP was on two platforms.

574

TalkBack / Re: Pokémon Black and White Announced

« on: April 09, 2010, 01:17:19 PM »

I want to see Nintendo take Pokemon in an even more Animal crossing direction. What I mean by that is I want my own town or pokemon ranch where I can farm and sell berries, and raise my own pokemon, and I want the currency I earn to give me something meaningful in the game (perhaps even a pokemon) or for my wonderful farm to attract pokemon for me to catch like in Viva Pinata. There can still be the whole catch 'em all, gym badge, team rocket deal, but I want there to be more user creativity involved.

Holy run on sentences.

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TalkBack / Re: Iwata Asks Capcom about Monster Hunter Tri

« on: April 09, 2010, 03:20:23 AM »

I think this means that we are going to get another realistic looking Zelda.

Yeah that's what I was thinking too from what he said, but it's not what I want. Oh well.

I just don't think it looks that good on the hardware, and it means that it is not likely that the entire world will simply stream. Wind Waker allowed the visuals to be consistently pleasant and be drawn at a great distance. I was hoping they would go a bit further down the "cowboy link" road and give us a sprawling western/desert zelda where different oases would act as islands did in Wind Waker.

I have also been hoping that Nintendo would make a modern day Zelda in which a person is born with Link's spirit, i.e. he is the incarnation of Link for his generation, and he finds himself compelled to kill someone that has committed a crime, because it is in his nature. It could be that a modern day ganon figure has kidnapped Link's girlfriend, or Link has seen a news report detailing a horrible crime that would somehow trigger his need to save the day. I imagine this game playing out as a sort of detective mystery- Zelda needs puzzles, no?- with a few intense action moments, and at the end the player would be faced with the option to kill someone to satiate Link/ right a wrong. I would hope that motionplus could be used to add weight to the situation, and before the game's plot begins in earnest it could train you in motions that could kill but in a different context such as using a squirt gun or hitting a baseball with a bat. Either way, you wouldn't actually have reason to kill anyone until the end, and the game would end after you make your choice. Perhaps it would make you live through the consequences in an epiloge. I imagine the whole thing would only take five hours or so to complete. They could call it, "Hero of Time". 

In my head that sounded a lot cooler.