Topic: Episode 222: Faux Badassery

[Yoshidious]

After an epic live event last weekend, you'd think we might take it easy with a short follow-up show. But if you'd think that, you don't know us very well.

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/rfn/24531

Though we only recorded this episode a few days after RFN Live, there was still plenty to discuss. James didn't get to his own New Business on the live show, so he kicks off that segment with Golden Sun: Dark Dawn and Donkey Kong Country Returns. Greg also shares some final thoughts on DKCR and tells horror stories about Ghosts 'n Goblins on Virtual Console Arcade. Jon looks back at an early Wii game, SSX Blur, and also shares his thoughts on the controversial Gran Turismo 5. Jonny offers raving impressions of Fluidity, Nintendo's latest WiiWare release, and his first real Halo experience with the recent Halo: Reach (it's a little bro-ey).

In Listener Mail, we look for a cure for "Lindemann Syndrome" -- when you buy more games than you have time to play. We also jump into the heady topic of whether kids should play M-rated games, whether people should get married on very important podcast dates, and whether Dragon Quest X will really come to Wii.

RetroActive will conclude soon -- if you've played The World Ends With You and haven't yet posted your thoughts in the official forum thread, please do so!

[KDR_11k]

I already implemented my first step against Lindemann syndrome, I only buy games if I find I have sufficient motivation to play them. Just because a game is objectively great doesn't mean I'll be motivated to play it (as my mostly ignored copy of Fallout 3 attests to) so I check my gut feeling first now. And if the gut demands a game that's objectively bad I'll obey, too (turns out Ninetynine Nights 2 isn't as bad as a look on Metacritic would suggest).


When it comes to something as subjective as videogames it's evidently a bad idea to let logic overrule feelings.

[Killer_Man_Jaro]

Right now is actually the first time I've been under the spell of 'Lindemann syndrome', largely thanks to my rediscovery of Steam and its frequent deals. I just don't have time - I've a 10,000 word dissertation to get started on - so it might be a long time before I even get around to installing some of those games, let alone play through them. But I can almost guarantee that if I see one of those universally acclaimed games that I missed for between £3 and £10, I won't be able to stop myself from buying it, despite the likelihood that I won't play it for months.

[NWR_insanolord]

I have full-on Lindemann Syndrome, mainly because I bought over 70 games in 2009. I work under the principle that if I want to play a game I should buy it right away so I have it whenever I want to start. This has the unfortunate side effect of me paying way more than I need to.

As for the Dragon Quest X talk, I'd considered whether it might get pushed to 3DS, but I came up with another theory while listening to this: a DS release, but with special enhancements when played on a 3DS. That lets Square Enix put it on the system with the highest install base, while giving Nintendo a boost because of the moneyhat alluded to in the discussion.

[NWR_Karl]

My uncle got a bad case of Lindemann Syndrome during his tour in Saigon. They just gave him penicillin.

[Shaymin]

I've got Lindemann Syndrome pretty bad - I still have 20 DS RPGs I need to play through + 10 Wii games I've bought this year.

[Kytim89]

It appears that we have a Lindeman Sydrome epidemic on this forum. We had better quarantine the forum for the time being. 

[NWR_Neal]

I have the Lindys real bad, but I blame Goozex a little bit. I keep on getting games like Just Cause 2, the newest Ratchet and Clank, and MotorStorm Pacific Rift without even really thinking about it.

Thank god the review rush season is ending so I can start playing games I choose to play instead ones I'm forced to (not always bad, but sometimes it is).

[happyastoria]

Am I the only one who can't play more than one game at a time? In other words, I can't buy or attempt to even play another game knowing I have an unfinished game on my hands.

[Retro Deckades]

Before I dive into the discussion of my Lindemann Syndrome, I feel I must respond to Greg's statement qualifying statement, "if you like old-school auto-scrolling levels in old platformers, you'll like DKCR". I loved DKCR but HATE old-school auto-scrolling levels, primarily because I was someone who also enjoys playing through such games as Mario with my finger glued to the run button, and old-school auto-scrolling levels just went far too slow for me. However, when there is much greater sense of speed or urgency in auto-scrolling levels, I tend to love them (re: Bit.Trip Runner and DKCR).

As for my Lindemann Syndrome, I know exactly how I developed it. It was during the Gamecube and GBA era when I would see a game in the wild that I was interested in but instead of purchasing it right then and there, I thought "I can pick it up later". After thinking this on several different occasions and returning each time only to find that that game was no where to be found, I decided to begin purchasing my games immediately upon release and play through them later, whenever I found the time. And now, between purchasing all the excellent games to have been released within the last two years and scouring eBay for NES and SNES gems that I missed back in the day, I easily have over 50 games in my backlog to play. My Wii and DS backlog reflects Shaymin's, and to compound the problem, I am often a completionist, and like happyastoria, I will usually only play one game until it is finished (although the DS has changed that since those games are not always epic quests that require your undivided attention).

[adadad]

Before I dive into the discussion of my Lindemann Syndrome, I feel I must respond to Greg's statement qualifying statement, "if you like old-school auto-scrolling levels in old platformers, you'll like DKCR". I loved DKCR but HATE old-school auto-scrolling levels, primarily because I was someone who also enjoys playing through such games as Mario with my finger glued to the run button, and old-school auto-scrolling levels just went far too slow for me. However, when there is much greater sense of speed or urgency in auto-scrolling levels, I tend to love them (re: Bit.Trip Runner and DKCR).

Thanks for that, that clinches it then - I'm getting DKCR. I'm the exact way with Super Mario Bros, I love just speeding through at top speed not slowing down for anything. Especially love how a well timed jump in SMB allows you to jump over the tall pipes even with the fire flowers sticking out. And most old autoscrolling levels I agree are far too slow.

[PogueSquadron]

I have a hard time suffering from Lindermann syndrome...usually if enough time passes and I lose interest in a game, I pretty much say "You know what, I haven't played this game in months, and I'm not going to miss it if it's gone."  Then I wind up selling it and moving on.


(Also, and I think it was this podcast, but I always kind of smile when the crew mentions their dislike for Red Steel 2.  I was really disappointed with it.  It gets way too much love on message boards as far as I'm concerned.  I was really frustrated with the game's progression style, the loading, the repetitive combat, the uninteresting story, the repetitive environments, and other things.  The game just got old for me, very quickly.  I know it's a brawler, I really just couldn't get into it.)

[TheYoungerPlumber]

Am I the only one who can't play more than one game at a time? In other words, I can't buy or attempt to even play another game knowing I have an unfinished game on my hands.

I'm the same way. I tend to work serially through my games. I got Goldeneye and Sonic Colors in their shrink wrap, but I'm still chewing on the evil, but oh-so-delicious, DKCR bonus levels and those I skipped over on my first playthrough.

[greybrick]

 Especially love how a well timed jump in SMB allows you to jump over the tall pipes even with the fire flowers sticking out.

I love that we live in an internet where this is a valid thing to be excited about.

[Sundoulos]

I've been suffering from Lindemann Syndrome ever since 2005, when I got married.  The condition only worsened when we had children.  It's primarily the reason I've stuck with just one console; I don't even have time to play all the games I've bought for the Wii.  You can tell it's a full-blown case of Lindemann Syndrome because I've only played through the first two worlds of Mario Galaxy 2. 

There's some hope, though.  My oldest is quickly approaching the age where he might start playing games, though, so I'll probably be able to put a little more time in with some games.  I still have fond memories of playing games with my dad (Donkey Kong, Mario Bros., SMB, and helping each other through the original Zelda.)

I still hold out hope that Dragon Quest X will remain on the Wii as a late-system game.  I have to admit that I'm decidedly 'meh' on the generic character approach of IX.  I wouldn't mind a 3DS release, but I don't really want a special DS cartridge.

[Kytim89]

I do not see DQ X being on either the 3DS or even the DS, it is going to be a late in its life Wii title. I would not be surprised if DQ 7 and 8 made its way to the 3DS though. Nintendo is most like;y the one who will decide whether Dragon Quest 10 makes it to the Wii because keep in mind that they want to sell more consoles and what better way to sell systems then to have a new Dragon Quest title available for that system.

[NWR_Lindy]

Ah, Lindemann Syndrome.  I remember back in the 80's it used to be a death sentence.  Nowadays, with the right mixture of drugs, I'm proof that you can live a normal life for years after diagnosis.

[Sundoulos]

Ah, Lindemann Syndrome.  I remember back in the 80's it used to be a death sentence.  Nowadays, with the right mixture of drugs, I'm proof that you can live a normal life for years after diagnosis.

Thanks, Lindy.  You're a beacon of hope and an inspiration to all of us.

[Pale]

I will never understand why people enjoy hating on games like Gran Turismo and FF 13 for the sole reason of the amount of time they took to develop.

It's one thing if you aren't into ultra sim driving experiences, but it seems like most people just want to whine about how long it took to develop.  The game is out, let's look at it for what it is.

I'm seriously enjoying Gran Turismo 5.  Playing it with the driving force wheel.  I'll admit that there are many features that are rough around the edges which is a little upsetting, but the core driving experience is still amazing.

They are also patching in more content regularly.  I wish I had more people on my friends list who were playing it.  All I've got right now is Bloodworth, who is way ahead of me, and Lindy, who has barely played. =P

[NWR_Lindy]

Hey man, I've played a bit.  More regularly than I can say about most games. :-)

[Crimm]

Well yes, most games are still wrapped.

I'm not sure they're super upset with GT5, so much as it is an easy punchline.