Messages

51

Podcast Discussion / Re: Episode 304: Don't Blame Games

« on: September 03, 2012, 01:16:44 PM »

People have that much trouble with dual analog control? I've never even thought twice about it. Right stick for camera just seems so natural, whether its an FPS, Assassin's Creed, or Final Fantasy. RE4 on Gamecube was pretty painful, what with the inability to use the C stick for the camera. Metroid Prime had the same problem. The controls in both those games were really clunky and unintuitive IMO.

Even back when I was a Nintendo only gamer, I found games like Sunshine and Luigi's Mansion really easy to get used to. I even thought Monster Hunter 3's controls were pretty straightforward. I was kinda surprised to hear so many people bitch about it.

I guess it's just easy for me to adapt to control schemes. Never had a problem with the pointer on Wii, mouse and keyboard controls were very comfortable for Portal when I played that on PC, the DS Zelda games weren't too difficult, etc.

Off the top of my head, the only control schemes that really put (read: pissed) me off were keyboard for platformers (especially for hard ones like Super Meat Boy and IWBTG...) and gyro controls. Yes that includes Fluidity and Mario Kart with the Wii Wheel. I feel like I have little control and I'm always wrestling to get it to do what I want. Fluidity's waggle jump made it even worse. Also iOS games like Rolando suck for the same reason. Oh and Monster Hunter on PSP was an abomination. Movement with the analog nub, camera with the dpad, and L button for Items? Did they not playtest that game? Are the devs not human? WTF.

Just my $.02.

52

Podcast Discussion / Re: Episode 302: The Pack-In Police

« on: August 22, 2012, 12:45:10 AM »

I really don't see it as being similar to Zelda in the slightest, and I feel that the story is WAAAAYYY overrated, but for what it is, I found it excellent.

Came here to post this. SotC is not really anything like Zelda. It's basically a boss rush in which each boss is a platforming puzzle. People say it's like Zelda because LOL U HAZ A HOERS AND A SWOERD AND A BOW ITS JUST LIEK ZELDA OMG!11!1 !

It reminds me a lot of Braid (or vice versa, I suppose). While I couldn't care less about the artistic aspects of either game, they both have really solid and rewarding puzzle platforming underneath their pretentious skin. Neither game is fun if you spoil yourself on the solution. Why? Because they're puzzle games.

SotC is as much like LoZ as Braid is like Mario.

53

TalkBack / Re: Nintendo President Acknowledges Western Mother 3 Fans

« on: August 18, 2012, 11:15:31 PM »

Father

Father's Brother's Nephew's Cousin's Former Roommate.

54

Podcast Discussion / Re: Episode 301: Mechanical Sphincters

« on: August 13, 2012, 09:44:48 PM »

It isn't like I skipped a bunch of optional content: only that one extra dungeon.

I thought that was second playthrough exclusive anyway. But anyway, I guess I'm just slow... I did the catalyst weapons quest, but IIRC that was after I beat the game for the first time.

FF7 gave us the extremely vocal FF7 fanbase, whose near-religious and frankly frightening obsession with that game (to the exclusion of all other FF games) made me hate any mention of that game for years.

Oh, believe me I know. I frequent Gamefaqs (because I'm a masochist, apparently) and just a few days ago, I saw one of the many FF7 fanboys say that FF7 had better graphics than FF6 (because "3D >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 2D") and that Cloud was a deep and developed character...

Yeah, I don't defend the FF7 fanboys at all. But you gotta admit, the hipster-ish backlash to that is no better. I think it's unfortunate that the fanbase has tainted the reputation of the game, because it really is great.

Of course, I have my problems with 7. The translation is ****, sometimes neglecting to even tell you what your next objective is, or where to go to advance the plot. The graphics are so bad that they impact the gameplay -  mostly causing trouble when traversing the static, prerendered backgrounds and you can't tell where you can walk and where you can't. Also, the minigames got pretty excessive.

As it stands, FF6 is still my favorite in the series (specifically the Advance version with the superior translation), but FF7 is not far behind. My problems could mostly be remedied with a remake, and if that were to happen, I think I'd like the two about equally.

55

Podcast Discussion / Re: Episode 301: Mechanical Sphincters

« on: August 13, 2012, 07:50:24 PM »

Only on RFN will you ever hear about Super Mario War. One of the many reasons this is my favorite podcast ever.

To Jonny's offhand comment about FF7 - Why is it impossible for ANYONE to like both FF6 and FF7? The gameplay design (i.e. the battle system, method of learning abilities, differentiation of characters, etc.) of the two games is actually very similar. The qualities I enjoy in FF6 are also present in FF7 and vice versa, so why is it that everyone else is so divided on the issue?

And man, I wish I could have jumped into the DE:HR discussion a few times... So many scattered thoughts I wanted to add in. Great discussion, though.

Oh, and one last thing: I know James is notorious for burning through games at inhuman speeds, but 51 hours for TotA?! My first playthrough took me 80 hours! I've played Abyss, Symphonia, and Vesperia through twice each, and Abyss has taken me the longest each time. I guess when dealing with RPGs of this length, your mileage may vary...

56

TalkBack / Re: Missed Last Week's News? Catch Up in Under 5 Minutes!

« on: August 13, 2012, 01:23:24 AM »

Dubstep?

57

Podcast Discussion / Re: Episode 301: Mechanical Sphincters

« on: August 13, 2012, 12:41:47 AM »

it's basically The Room or Troll 2 of video games

Whoa, now! I thought that kind of comparison was reserved for the likes of E.T. 2600 and Superman 64.

Also, haven't listened yet, but I'm glad to hear that Jonny liked DE:HR. Ever since I played it, I've been wanting to compare our opinions. We seem to have very similar tastes, so I always pay extra attention to his recommendations.

58

Podcast Discussion / Re: Episode 299: Premature Evacuation

« on: July 30, 2012, 08:31:09 PM »

GREEEEEEEG!!!!! This seriously made my day.

Also, I've got you all (the podcast crew at least) beat on the Steam sale. This was my first one so I went pretty nuts. Spent just over $100 and got 35 games with all dlc and expansions included. A $416 value for $100. This is why I love Steam.

59

General Chat / Re: Nintendo Free Radio: Forum Cast (RFN Doppelganger Podcast)

« on: July 29, 2012, 07:35:06 PM »

Pretty good overall, especially for a first attempt. The one thing that bothered me though was that the group all seemed to have the same opinions on things. When somebody said something, it was usually met with a resounding "Yeah." Basically what that amounts to is a lot of monologuing. In one instance, there was a disagreement about 999, but nobody offered a counterargument so it just kind of fizzled out.

Don't wanna be too harsh though. I'm sure it would be just as difficult for me if I were in that position. Speaking of which, I've always wanted to do a video game podcast. If you're gonna switch up the cast, I'd love the opportunity to give it a shot. I am a younger guy, so I might be able to bring a different take on things, for what that's worth.

But regardless, good job. I'll keep a lookout for any future episodes.

60

TalkBack / Re: The Next 3D Zelda

« on: July 28, 2012, 12:21:45 PM »

The game has a time limit for dungeons and it's three day cycle makes for a certain amount of repetition.

The thing with that is that if you play the game well, you should never be pressed for time. If you've ever run out of time in the middle of a dungeon you probably

A) Didn't use the inverted song of time
B) Didn't reset time after getting the dungeon's song
C) Suck at Zelda games.

If you give yourself a full 3 days with the inverted song of time, there's no way you should ever be pressed for time in any dungeon.

And as for repetition, the only example I can think of (outside of sidequests) where you could conceivably have to repeat anything is defeating Goht a second time to get Epona. And even that's not so bad, considering you can warp directly to the boss room after beating the dungeon once.

 

Hate? Really? I didn't think anyone could have such a negative reaction to such a delightful game.

I used to dislike (I won't say HATE) Lttp until very recently. I still think the first 3 dungeons are utter crap and are totally boring. But almost immediately after that, the game really picked up and I ended up loving it (I 100%'d it within a week after that point).

I think part of the problem is that early in the game, you're so weak. Most enemies do 1 heart of damage, so 3 hits and you're dead. And it takes half a dozen hits to kill even common enemies at times. As you go, you get the master sword, better armor, and more items, which makes the combat more than hit and run tactics. Also the dungeons become more challenging and interesting puzzle-wise, so it doesn't feel like going through the motions.

TL;DR The beginning of LttP sucks. Insanolord, give it another chance, you might end up liking it.

61

TalkBack / Re: The Next 3D Zelda

« on: July 27, 2012, 07:38:18 PM »

Considering Majora's Mask is my second favorite in the series, I'm a bit blind to its faults. Can someone who thinks the game is "bad" please explain your point of view, cause I'm having a hard time seeing it.

62

TalkBack / Re: The Great Pre-Wii U Backlog Saga

« on: July 19, 2012, 02:51:45 PM »

The Steam sale has quickly dashed my hopes of shrinking my backlog this summer. But the backloggery is great. Whoever mentioned they're using an excel sheet.... dude go set up a backloggery account. It's free, it's an attractive interface, and there's a community to compare your stats to if you so desire. It's almost fun to fill out your backloggery in and of itself, IMO.

Here's my backlog:  http://www.backloggery.com/Nintengineer

Also, take three guesses as to whose this one is:  http://backloggery.com/MrDiamondJ

63

TalkBack / Re: Mega Man Coming to 3DS eShop Next Week in Japan

« on: July 14, 2012, 11:03:38 PM »

I was hoping this was the Gameboy exclusive one. They really need to get AT LEAST Mega Man V out, if not the other Gameboy ones. MMV is RIDICULOUSLY expensive these days.

64

TalkBack / Re: Nintendo Clarifies Statements Regarding a Unified Account System for Wii U and 3DS

« on: July 14, 2012, 01:17:26 AM »

Man, I was just thinking today how I wish Nintendo would allow game sharing across platforms. I bought FF7 on my PS3 and downloaded it to my PSP now that I'm commuting to work for the summer. It's convenient, and I sure as **** wouldn't have bought it again just to have it on my PSP, so a money milking strategy would have just pissed me off. When is Nintendo going to learn that these business decisions are just making people angry and making themselves look foolish?

But given Nintendo's recent track record of sticking to their guns with "no plans at this time" ... I won't rule it out completely.

65

Podcast Discussion / Re: Episode 297: Hippy Shows

« on: July 10, 2012, 11:46:30 PM »

As a younger gamer, remakes have been really great for me because I can go back and play great games that I would probably not have played otherwise. For example, the first time I got to play all the early Mario and Final Fantasy games was on GBA. I think it's great that awesome games like Ocarina of Time and Star Fox 64 are available so that kids can play them and get into older games just like I did as a kid.

Also Guillaume, I just wanna say that even when you were still just a guest, I was always happy when you were on. It's great that you're humble, and you're understandably nervous. But don't worry about being a "fraud." You've already shown that you're smart, funny and all around a great addition to the show. Just keep in mind that for every outspoken troll, there are twenty silent fans with nothing but nice things to say.

66

Podcast Discussion / Re: Episode 297: Hippy Shows

« on: July 09, 2012, 07:23:37 PM »

Get a PSP 3000. Here's my reasoning:

- It's cheaper than a Go or Vita.
- All PSP games are available on UMD, but not all are available for download.
- You could always buy a large memory stick and download games (which is cheaper than on Vita because of its proprietary memory cards).
- All PSone classics can be downloaded to PSP.
- Ellyn already said she has no interest in any Vita games.

I also asked my friend (who owns 62 PSP games, many of which are rpgs) which PSP rpgs he would recommend. He said:

Riviera: The Promised Land*
Hexyz Force*
Knights in the Nightmare*
Yggdra Union*
Final Fantasy I, II, IV Complete Collection, Dissidia 012 [Duodecim], Tactics
Half Minute Hero
Persona 1-3*
Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky
Ys 1, 2, 3, 6, 7
Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep
Monster Hunter Freedom Unite
Gods Eater Burst

*All these are on sale this month on PSN.

Many PS1 rpgs are also available as classics, including FF7-9, Chrono Cross, Vagrant Story, Xenogears, Grandia, Wild Arms 1&2, Suikoden, Parasite Eve 1&2,  etc.

67

Podcast Discussion / Re: Episode 296: Smooth But Not Silky

« on: July 02, 2012, 07:50:31 PM »

Having just played Crackdown, I can say I vastly prefer Infamous' sticky jump to Crackdown's unpredictable ledge-grabbing. I could jump at a ledge in Crackdown several times before I managed to grab it. In Infamous, damn near everything can be grabbed onto. In Crackdown, you're never quite sure.

And for some reason when you're scaling a building and you jump up and hit a ceiling, you don't grab anything on the way down! At least not until you've fallen very far. I've died because I bumped my head on a windowsill near the top of a building and fallen 50 stories to the ground below, not grabbing a single thing on the way down, despite mashing A and pushing towards the dozens of passing windowsills. It is IMMENSELY frustrating.



Oh, and by the way, congratulations TYP!

68

TalkBack / Re: Fire Emblem: Awakening Preview

« on: June 16, 2012, 06:45:21 PM »

I've put maybe 80 hours into it, mainly because I'm being completely obsessive and reloading the level whenever I lose someone.   Or lose treasure.  Or fail to recruit someone.

Hey, a kindred spirit! That's how I've played every Fire Emblem game. For a handful of levels, it has led me to near insanity (Shadow Dragon Chapter 10, trying to recruit both Maria and Minerva without losing anyone... O_o Or how about FE7 Chapter 26 - recruiting both Nino and Jaffar in the Fog of War mission with no casualties! *cries*), but I'm one of those masochistic gamers who loves the brutal difficulty.

Nothing to be ashamed of, you've earned your bragging rights if you've endured playing FE that way.

69

TalkBack / Re: Kirby Anniversary Collection Games Revealed

« on: June 12, 2012, 10:32:10 PM »

Pretty much what I was expecting. I already own most of these games, but maybe I'll pick it up for cheap later on, since I'd prefer to have a physical version of Kirby's Dreamland 3, and the SNES cartridge is pretty expensive.

70

TalkBack / Re: Pikmin 3 Impressions

« on: June 09, 2012, 12:00:42 AM »

Fair enough. I agree with that. Although I guess I'm in the minority of people who have 100%'d Pikmin 2 three times, and one of those was a no pikmin death run. And I've played Pikmin 1 to completion 10 times at least, and my fastest time was 9 in-game days. XD So maybe I'm not the right person to ask about these games if you expect an average opinion.

71

TalkBack / Re: Pikmin 3 Impressions

« on: June 08, 2012, 03:01:57 PM »

I also hope for less of an emphasis on caves than in Pikmin 2, but I don't really understand why everyone harps on the randomization so much. Every sublevel will always have the same treasures and enemies, but the placement of them and the number of enemies can be randomized.

There are also a good number of levels whose layouts can change, but never very drastically, and they always contain the same key environmental elements. And I can think of a number of levels whose layouts never change at all.

Not to say that they should continue using randomization in Pikmin 3 because I would much rather have meticulously designed levels, but its effect on Pikmin 2's quality is WAAAAAY overblown.

72

Podcast Discussion / Re: Episode 293: Four on the Floor

« on: May 29, 2012, 02:40:23 PM »

Great to have the whole crew together. Guillame, unsurprisingly, is a great fit for the show. I just think he needs to stop being so down on himself!

Also, no stinger two weeks in a row? C'mon, that's one of my favorite parts of the show!

73

Podcast Discussion / Re: Episode 290: BOMZALDROPPEN

« on: May 07, 2012, 02:51:15 PM »

I always knew the day would come when the current crew would break up. I just didn't expect it to happen so soon, and I never thought Greg, the "Cal Ripken Jr. of RFN", would be the first to go.

After years of listening to the podcast, I feel like I know each of the members personally, and to me they feel like some of my closest friends. Hearing that Greg will be leaving brought a tear to my eye, but he absolutely deserves it. After over 4 years of damn near perfect attendance, and more than 170 weekends editing the podcast, he's more than put his time in.

Greg's unique personality, his sharp wit, Bills fanaticism, insightful opinions, and immense respect for his colleagues and listeners will be missed.

Nobody can replace you Greg. You will always hold a special place in our hearts.

Thanks for everything, and hope to see you around NWR in the future!

74

TalkBack / Re: Is Retro Working on Star Fox Wii U?

« on: May 05, 2012, 05:07:25 PM »

Yeah, remember that amazing retro game Raven Blade, which they were working on BEFORE Metroid Prime (and was eventually canceled)?  Dude, it's just a name.

Ok, point taken, the name ultimately doesn't dictate what they do. But all of those new IPs they were tinkering with prior to Metroid were all cancelled, so obviously Nintendo thinks (or at least thought at the time) that Retro's efforts are better spent revitalizing old franchises. And I'm glad that they're working on different series now, because the Prime games got pretty stale by 3. If Metroid Prime 4 were announced for Wii U, my reaction would pretty much be "meh."

But anyway, point being, people should be happy that a) Retro is working on something b) That it could very well bring back a beloved franchise and c) that based on their track record it will probably be good. Rather than bitching about what they're NOT making.

75

TalkBack / Re: Is Retro Working on Star Fox Wii U?

« on: May 05, 2012, 01:01:16 PM »

Man, I thought people would be all for this. People have been clamoring for a new Star Fox game since the Wii launched. Now, as soon as it's rumored that it's Retro working on it, everyone is skeptical/disappointed. Why?

I think Retro has the chops to return Star Fox to its former glory. And as they proved with Metroid Prime, it doesn't need to just be Star Fox 64 with better graphics. They know how to capture the feel of a series while still adding plenty of innovation.

As far as Retro working on a new IP.... there's a reason they're called RETRO studios. They have their role to fill, and they are very good at that role. I'm glad SOMEONE is revitalizing these old franchises, because you know EAD sure as hell won't dedicate their time to a new Star Fox/F-Zero game.

Just my two cents.