Topic: Episode 230: Amazing Discoveries!

[Jonnyboy117]

This show will probably make you want to play Ogre Battle 64.

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/rfn/25066/episode-230-amazing-discoveries

We've got a great show for you this week! It starts with a three-man crew, but Jon sneaks into New Business soon after we kick it off (even though he hasn't had time to play much). The rest of us make up for it, though, as Greg addresses the bizarre situation with Inazuma Eleven in the U.K. and also references a game that Jonny reviewed but does not remember at all. James concludes his chronicle of 999, making it sound crazier than ever. Jonny wraps up New Business with a positive (though not spotless) report on Monster's Tale, plus the surprisingly great Sonic Colors for Wii.

Then, it's time for RetroActive #16 - Ogre Battle 64. James serves as our wizened guide through this vast, often mysterious game. Your forum comments act as guideposts as we dissect and marvel at the wondrous weirdness of this overlooked gem, originally released in 2000. If you're not already playing along, you'll probably want to after hearing about all the awesome (though well-hidden) characters and scenarios in this game. Don't worry -- there's still time to chip in your thoughts, as we'll return to Ogre Battle 64 in two weeks and will need fresh listener quotes by then. Jump into this very official forum thread to make it so!

[TalesOfFan]

Are there any spoilers in the podcast for 999? I have finished both the coffin and safe endings.

[Yoshidious]

Are there any spoilers in the podcast for 999? I have finished both the coffin and safe endings.

There are no 999 spoilers to worry about. James discusses how the endings differ from one another while also fitting together, but without going into specifics.

[Killer_Man_Jaro]

I must say, the catch line for this episode is so true. I thought I would switch off once the Ogre Battle talk began, but against my expectations, a lot of the things James mentioned piqued my interest. Now I'd kind of like to play it. At the same time, though, I'm not convinced that I would get the most from the game, if all of these cool gameplay twists are as confounding and ill-explained as they sound. Who was it who said that they liked the game better in theory than in practice? That's largely what concerns me. Maybe I ought to check out the RetroActive thread and figure out if it's really worth me risking £7 on something I may or may not enjoy.

Anyway, cheers for the affirmation of Sonic Colours' quality. Just a few episodes ago, there was a Listener Mail response regarding the Sonic franchise that was, in all honesty, quite scathing, so to credit this latest game is saying a lot. My copy is sitting in my room, still sealed because I just haven't had time - I'll open it up soon enough.

[Crimm]

My copy is sitting in my room, still sealed because I just haven't had time - I'll open it up soon enough.

LINDYMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANN!

[Crimm]

Follow up, why is nobody asking about the picture in the article?

[Killer_Man_Jaro]

My copy is sitting in my room, still sealed because I just haven't had time - I'll open it up soon enough.

LINDYMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANN!

Look me in the eyes and tell me you've never left a game sitting for a while after buying it. You put on your little show, Mr Jones, but I don't believe for one second that you haven't been guilty, at some point in time, of Lindemann syndrome.

And if it really matters, I'll humour you... so, James, what's with the picture?

[noname2200]

Awesome stinger.   Jonathan Metts, True Prophet?

Glad to hear three straight weeks of 999 talk; the game's great, but it's gotten so little press that it makes me wish it had a bigger publisher than Aksys, whose entire marketing scheme seems to be making an official thread over at NeoGAF and then hoping for the best.  I'm curious James, what endings have you unlocked?  Did you go through Door 3?  Or did you get the axe ending?  I ask because you spoke about thinking that you had a pretty firm grasp on a few of the characters, but I'm pretty sure that you're off on at least one of those.  I know I was.  The real ending is quite a trip, although it does a great job of tying all the conversations, characters, and plotlines together.  One thing though: the game does suggest a different course for you to take after you get an ending, by flashing a series of numbers for you to follow, but it's subtle and quick.

[Jonnyboy117]

"Sweater Guy" was the host of a late 80s, early 90s infomercial series called "Amazing Discoveries". It was quite clever in that several different products were marketed under the show's umbrella, so to idiots and impressionable youngsters (like me), it could be mistaken for some kind of legitimate consumer science show. I recommend looking up some clips on YouTube if you're curious; Sweater Guy was a forerunner of Billy Mays and other well-known pitch men.


A choice example:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnmLuOEDbkQ


With the late, great Jack Lalanne:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6D9nAY65lc&feature=related

[TalesOfFan]

I had just assumed that it was a picture of Greg. 

[Kytim89]

What does Greg look like?

[Crimm]

What does Greg look like?

Like Greg.

[NWR_insanolord]

What does Greg look like?

Like Greg.

That can't possibly be right.

[happyastoria]

What does Greg look like?

Like Greg.

I always pictured Greg to be very fat, like Jim Sterling, or very skinny. For all I know he's probably the sex god of the show.

[NWR_insanolord]

I've always pictured him in a wheelchair, with an eye patch, stroking a white cat, but all British people sound that way to me.

[TJ Spyke]

I think I may have said this before, but I always picture Lt. Malcolm Reed (from Star Trek: Enterprise) because their voices are almost exactly the same. At the very least I bet they are from the same part of England.

[happyastoria]

I've always pictured him in a wheelchair, with an eye patch, stroking a white cat, but all British people sound that way to me.

It's funny, I really want to know how he looks like.

My guess: Dark hair, tan, boyish good looks, six pack, possibly a Mod or a hipster; I'm leaning towards the former. And finally, he most likely wears a fedora....oh yeah, he loves to wear tight pants to show off his assets accompanying by some very exquisite pair of Chelsea boots! In other words, Greg looks like a God.

[NWR_insanolord]

I didn't know happyastoria was Greg's alt account.

Also, he'd better not wear a fedora, that's my thing.

[Retro Deckades]

I must say, the catch line for this episode is so true. I thought I would switch off once the Ogre Battle talk began, but against my expectations, a lot of the things James mentioned piqued my interest. Now I'd kind of like to play it. At the same time, though, I'm not convinced that I would get the most from the game, if all of these cool gameplay twists are as confounding and ill-explained as they sound. Who was it who said that they liked the game better in theory than in practice? That's largely what concerns me. Maybe I ought to check out the RetroActive thread and figure out if it's really worth me risking £7 on something I may or may not enjoy.

I have to agree, I found the Retroactive discussion very interesting. I always planned to download the game someday and would have played along, but it landed right in the middle of my move.

I'm looking forward to part two (far more than I was for TWEWY).

[Chocobo_Rider]

oh, by the way, to help increase anyone's enjoyment of Sonic Colors.

the "broken" swingy things Johnny mentions? yea, they are pretty damn broken.

HOWEVER, that's because logic dictates you would try to jump off at the height of your swing.

oh no.

for some reason, you want to jump off about 3/4 through your swing.  I think it might even make a little sound effect at that time.

if you jump at 3/4 through the swing, you will be launched gracefully in that direction.

... and not plummet to your spikey death.

hope this helps everyone (including Johnny)!!

[Jonnyboy117]

I thought that might be the case, but it's so hard to judge your timing within the arc of the pendulum. It's just a mess. A few other things are like that too -- for instance, I wish double-jump was a separate button from homing attack. There are times when I'd like to get to a distant platform without being sucked away by an errant enemy.

[Chocobo_Rider]

yea, took me about 10 minutes of failed jumping to figure that out.

the double-jump/homing attack does also get in the way.  I think I died 2 or 3 times because of that.

though, I'm really not sure what the alternative should be.  do I want it on a separate button just because of that 3% of awkward jumps? I'm honestly not sure.  but if Sonic Team could figure out an elegant solution that'd be stellar ^_^

[noname2200]

yea, took me about 10 minutes of failed jumping to figure that out.

the double-jump/homing attack does also get in the way.  I think I died 2 or 3 times because of that.

though, I'm really not sure what the alternative should be.  do I want it on a separate button just because of that 3% of awkward jumps? I'm honestly not sure.  but if Sonic Team could figure out an elegant solution that'd be stellar ^_^

Press for double-jump, hold for homing attack?

[Chocobo_Rider]

yea, took me about 10 minutes of failed jumping to figure that out.

the double-jump/homing attack does also get in the way.  I think I died 2 or 3 times because of that.

though, I'm really not sure what the alternative should be.  do I want it on a separate button just because of that 3% of awkward jumps? I'm honestly not sure.  but if Sonic Team could figure out an elegant solution that'd be stellar ^_^

Press for double-jump, hold for homing attack?

Oh man, I had already typed out what an awesome idea that was but then I realized that when it comes to jumping, doesn't longer holding equal longer/higher jumping?  If it were made a less customizable jump it might screw things up, no?

But hey, real great idea! Keep 'em coming, I have faith in you ^_^

[Jonnyboy117]

I don't know what, if any, influence Sonic Team had on Sonic Colors. Primary development was by Dimps.