Messages

10076

Podcast Discussion / Re: RFN RetroActive Game Nominations

« on: October 20, 2009, 03:30:46 AM »

What about the two Lost Kingdom games on Gamecube, since we are talking about the GC poll (not sure why, isn't N64 next in line?). I recall those got a fair amount of praise but both ended up being overlooked sleepers.

Definitely Lost Kingdoms 2.  Don't know about nominating the first game.

10077

Nintendo Gaming / Re: Epic Mickey - Wii Exclusive

« on: October 20, 2009, 02:24:19 AM »

Check out the the animation in the game! It is great.

http://gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2009/10/19/Inside-the-Game_3A00_-An-In_2D00_Depth-Look-at-Epic-Mickey_1920_s-Art-and-Animation.aspx

Whatever shortcomings that MAY be in the visuals I think this animation will bring it to life.

In general I agree with you, but judging by those videos they need to put a lot more working into the swinging animation.  Observe how Mickey just seems to float backwards when swinging off that vine.  There needs to be more "snap" in that transition.

10078

Nintendo Gaming / Re: Official Club Nintendo Thread

« on: October 20, 2009, 12:43:47 AM »

Anyone gotten their Zelda calenders yet (at least, I think they were supposed to be Zelda calenders)?

10079

General Gaming / Re: Modern Warfare 2: Activision is full of itself

« on: October 20, 2009, 12:41:58 AM »

http://games.on.net/article/7188/Modern_Warfare_2_shock_No_servers_or_mods_for_PC_version

Basically the PC version of MW2 will be a console port with ****ty matchmaking and no mods.  Which means wonderful improvements like $15 map packs, no custom rotations, no server-based community, higher ping, waiting forever for a match, more dropped connections, and worst of all no multiplayer at all once IW says so since no independent servers will be around to keep it alive.  Look how long that sentence was! Disgraceful.

Welcome to the Wonderful World of Irrelevance, PC gaming! It's been waiting for you for quite some time now, especially with all the pirating on that platform.

*says that knowing full well that StarCraft 2 and Command & Conquer 4 are still on his docket of interesting PC games, and he really wants a PC that can run the upcoming Mechwarrior game.*

10080

General Gaming / Re: Uncharted 2: Among Thieves Official Best Single-Player Game Ever Thread

« on: October 20, 2009, 12:39:48 AM »

I assume by "slow motion tracer effect" you mean the ripple effect you see when you fire bullets in Zoom Mode?  It's a neat effect, but I've never seen it really effect gameplay by boosting my aiming ability.  In the end, the shots are still going where I fired the reticule.

As for Uncharted 2's gameplay, as I noted in the podcast talkback thread I think it's dramatically improved over its predecessor through 3 distinct changes:

1.  Stealth and melee attacking are actually viable options now.  It was almost pointless to use either in the first game, because you'd only kill maybe one guard before the alarm would sound and the tedious arena shootout would begin.  In Uncharted 2, if you're good you can easily clear entire rooms with stealth and sidestep the shootouts altogether (and towards the end of the game this is actually quite preferable since you sidestep having to take out RPG and Dragon Sniper-carrying snipers).

2.  There are several minor tweaks to the gunplay, such as having a reticule for blind firing so you have some idea where your shots are going to go.  I'm playing through Uncharted 1 again right now, and the only weapon worth blind firing is the shotgun and only if your target is at extreme close range.  You can also aim and throw grenades without leaving cover and when you jump into cover while running you "slide" into it rather than that snap-on rolling move that felt like your usual roll so you were never sure if you'd land in cover.

3.  The enemy AI is dramatically better now.  In Uncharted 1, the goons have this seemingly "hive" mentality, where the moment one of them sees you the entire mob knows exactly where you are at all times regardless of if they can actually see you.  This meant that flanking is pretty much impossible, though quite common for the CPU.  As a result, especially on my current "Crushing" run on Uncharted 1, I'm finding that 90% of the combat is falling back to further and further cover and just trying to bait the AI into exploits.  I'm sorry, but that is not fun.  In Uncharted 2, once you're spotted the enemy AI knows for a little while where you are.  However, if you remain hidden for a period of time they lose that "AI lock-on" status and have to go look for you, and they can also be distracted by your AI teammates.  This allows you to flank them as they can you and take them out any way you please.  This means that unlike Uncharted 1, you're often pushing the offensive.

These are seemingly all minor tweaks, but in my opinion they vastly improve the gameplay experience.

That said, though, I also thought the "clock" ruins were absurd.  They're pretty blatantly Prince of Persia, as throughout the level I often muttered to myself "who in their right minds would build a temple like this?!"  I'm not fond of this game's supernatural element, either, and Shamballa isn't terribly interesting.

10081

TalkBack / Re: NPD Sales Data for September

« on: October 19, 2009, 11:43:59 PM »

Well, a lot of what's going on with these NPD numbers for the console sales is that the PS3 is just enjoying a really good software period right now along with its price cut, whereas the Wii is not.  We'll obviously see the Wii retake the #1 spot when New Super Mario Bros. Wii comes out, and if that game has the legs its predecessor had I wouldn't be surprised if that alone was enough to keep it there for a while.

10082

Podcast Discussion / Re: RetroActive Poll: Genesis Edition

« on: October 19, 2009, 12:10:42 PM »

I'm not particularly fond of the game but I do own it on VC, so I voted for Comix Zone.  Besides, I'm morbidly curious what the RFN crew would have to say about the game so sadistically difficult that getting past the first level could be considered an accomplishment.

10083

NWR Forums Discord / Re: Random LOL of the day thread

« on: October 19, 2009, 06:16:43 AM »

A youtube video of a Home Shopping network person throwing his cheap Wiimote accessory through his expensive HD display TV (5 minutes into the video):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a07W2t2wcRA&feature=player_embedded#

Video comes courtesy of Destructoid.com, who originally posted a story about this.

10084

Podcast Discussion / Re: Radio Free Nintendo: Episode 166

« on: October 19, 2009, 01:25:50 AM »

Lindy, you severely underestimate just how much the real game of Uncharted is like the demo.  I'm replaying the game now, and I'm finding it just as aggravating a game as when I originally played it.  Just room after room of guys capable of killing you in 2-3 shots, all ganging up on you at least 6-8:1.  And then you toss in the Snipers carrying Sniper Rifles, Grenade Launchers, and Desert Eagles in the second half of the game as well to make it a constant game of Trial & Error as you try to find the one path to take out all the guys in the area before they reach you and annihilate you.

Besides the removal of the vast majority of those "goon arenas" as I call them, I think the single biggest change that Uncharted 2 did was make stealth not only a viable option but a preferred one.  You could maybe stealth kill 3 goons in the entire game, because as soon as you got within 5 feet of any of them the alarm would sound off an the goon arena would begin.  In Uncharted 2, there are whole sections of the game where if you don't want to get into a huge firefight, all you have to do is watch the enemy patterns and systematically kill them with stealth kills.  If you get them all, you just avoided a huge shootout, and even if you fail to get them all the number of reinforcements is not dramatically greater than the force you started with in that room.  There's also a problem with the AI in Uncharted 1: the moment any enemy sees you, every enemy in that area knows exactly where you are at all times until you've killed them all.  From that point onward, the goons will be on one side and you will be on the other, and you will never successfully flank them.  In Uncharted 2, the AI is designed so that once you're "seen", the AI will know where you are for a while but will eventually have to look for you if you're out of sight too long.  This allows you to flank them just as they can flank you, as the AI no longer knows where you currently are.  The pacing is just dramatically better in this respect. 

Whereas in Uncharted 1 I'm finding myself repeatedly pulling back to cover further and further from the enemies to try to draw them out and take them down one at at time where it's safer, in Uncharted 2 I was continually pressing forward to closer cover to take them out easier.  It's all in enemy placement and level design, something where Uncharted 1 is weak.

10085

Podcast Discussion / Re: RFN RetroActive Game Nominations

« on: October 18, 2009, 09:31:40 PM »

I think we've sufficiently covered that Jonny hates the game and I'd rather not sit through two more weeks of how much he hates it, thanks.

Jonny hasn't played the game for more than an hour.  Greg's never played it and from the lack of any Lindy input I'm willing to guess he hasn't played it either.  Only the great Mr. Jones has prior experience with the game.  Besides, it would be a good excuse to have Karl on as a guest so he can gush about the game for an hour.

Let's see some real lost gems like one of the two Baten Kaitos games

No one wants to play your ****ty games.  They didn't want to play them when they came out and they don't want to play them now.

No one wants to play my "****ty games", but they want to play your "****ty game"?  LOL...At least mine got good review scores and could be legitimately called "good games".  And by the way, no one played your game either.

10086

General Gaming / Re: Sony bad-mouths Nintendo yet again

« on: October 18, 2009, 07:43:07 PM »

A game like Duck Hunt is too controversial nowadays because hunting isn't a mainstream sport anymore like it was in the 80s, and nowadays you'd piss off a lot of yuppies and animal rights activists. That's why Nintendo gave a nod to it in Wii Play with the shooting gallery game, but there are no live animals you shoot at this time.

You do realize that there are DUCKS* in WiiPlay, hence my comment about using the dog to retrieve the ducks when you shoot them.

*a duck is a live animal

There may be ducks, but you don't shoot at them... or if you do they don't die. That's kinda my point... Nintendo will not release a game where you shoot and kill animals. 25 years ago people didn't care or were okay with it, but most people nowadays have never went hunting or even touched a shotgun in their entire life. I know its weird, but even though most people are okay with eating meat many of them are not okay with killing animals for food or sport. They'll eat steak and hamburgers, but they are not willing to do what it takes to put that stuff on the table.

Nintendo wants to make stuff that appeals to all ages, and groups, and shooting ducks would go against that and probably get them in hot water. Its not hard to see where there hasn't been a proper duck hunt sequel, and why there probably never will be one.

For the record, I don't have any problem with hunting so long as it's for the purpose of providing food.  That's the way of nature.  It's hunting for sheer sport, killing animals just for the purpose of killing that bothers me.  The way Duck Hunt presents it as a game is why I don't think we'll ever see a true Duck Hunt sequel.

10087

Podcast Discussion / Re: RFN RetroActive Game Nominations

« on: October 18, 2009, 06:16:52 PM »

I nominate Killer7 for an upcoming GCN RetroActive.  3 of the 4 of you haven't played it (much) so it's perfect! 

I think we've sufficiently covered that Jonny hates the game and I'd rather not sit through two more weeks of how much he hates it, thanks.  Let's see some real lost gems like one of the two Baten Kaitos games; Prince of Persia: Sands of Time (or Two Thrones, my personal favorite of the trilogy); or Skies of Arcadia Legends.

10088

General Gaming / Re: Uncharted 2: Among Thieves Official Best Single-Player Game Ever Thread

« on: October 18, 2009, 06:12:36 PM »

Damn.  Looks like I shouldn't be enjoying the game so much.  Apparently the story is terrible this time around, weird:

http://www.crispygamer.com/gamereviews/2009-10-13/uncharted-2-among-thieves-ps3.aspx

Wow, someone's actually nuts enough to think the first Uncharted was a better game.  I do have problems with the second game's story, but it's still better than the first's by a large margin.  And for how "automatic" the platforming is supposed to be, I had a fair bit of trouble with it throughout the second half of the game (especially in Chapter 18).

Incidentally, Lindy, the topic title may have been in jest, but as an experience it may be a fair contender as far as "summer popcorn movie" experiences go.

And btw, I'm now replaying the original Uncharted, now that I've finally finished installing all the updates I need to replay it.  -_-'

10089

Nintendo Gaming / Re: Epic Mickey - Wii Exclusive

« on: October 18, 2009, 06:05:54 PM »

I guess it's the same sort of snobbery that has fans of System Shock "disappointed" with Bioshock.

Because disliking the utter dumbing down of the sequel, both in terms of gameplay AND storytelling, is snobbery.

Bioshock is allegedly a "dumbed down" version of System Shock, and yet Bioshock is an awesome game on its own merits.  So why should I give a damn if it's "dumbed down" when I still had a lot of fun with it (and fun is what's ultimately important in the end)?  Ditto for Invisible War.

10090

Reader Reviews / Re: Rate The Last Game You Played

« on: October 17, 2009, 10:20:10 PM »

What about MW:2? Looks like that **** to me.

I have absolutely no interest whatsoever in Modern Warfare 2, just as I had absolutely no interest in Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare.  So from my vantage point, my personal GoTY comes down to either Batman: Arkham Asylum or Uncharted 2...and after all these repeated playthroughs of Uncharted 2 I actually have to lean towards Batman on this one.  Just too many small issues that bug me about Uncharted 2, where Batman is practically flawless in its execution.

Here's a question to anyone who's played Batman.  Its obviously a great game, but my question is, do you think it would it receive the same praise if 95% of all other super hero games didn't suck?

I'd like to say it wouldn't because I'm predisposed to be cynical, but I think the game can stand on its own merits.  I think we'd be seeing the same praise if weren't a rare case of a good licensed superhero game, but perhaps less enthusiastic?

10091

Nintendo Gaming / Re: Epic Mickey - Wii Exclusive

« on: October 17, 2009, 10:06:02 PM »

That shopping cart is called "Disney" and "Mickey" and "being on Wii."

No point in spending any extra on a game that is already destined for success.

You know, I'd like to think that and it's probably true.  I wonder, though, if Mickey's popularity hasn't waned to the point where he could use a little extra boost.  For instance, I remember Mickey's Philarmagic at Disney World, which is actually a 3D movie that revolves entirely around Donald with the Mouse only making a brief cameo at the end.  Same thing at Disneyland Paris with the stage show Animagic (I'm too lazy to spell it the correct French way right now), which is also a stage show dedicated entirely to Donald with Mickey only making a brief appearance to bookend the show.  I also can't remember the last time Mickey was featured prominently in a non-Direct to Video animation project.  In any case, it certainly wouldn't be a bad thing for Nintendo to step in and make sure that such a potentially huge project got a little assistance for the sake of the greater good overall.

10092

Reader Reviews / Re: Rate The Last Game You Played

« on: October 17, 2009, 09:49:37 PM »

What about MW:2? Looks like that **** to me.

I have absolutely no interest whatsoever in Modern Warfare 2, just as I had absolutely no interest in Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare.  So from my vantage point, my personal GoTY comes down to either Batman: Arkham Asylum or Uncharted 2...and after all these repeated playthroughs of Uncharted 2 I actually have to lean towards Batman on this one.  Just too many small issues that bug me about Uncharted 2, where Batman is practically flawless in its execution.

10093

General Gaming / Re: Uncharted 2: Among Thieves Official Best Single-Player Game Ever Thread

« on: October 17, 2009, 08:00:36 PM »

Just finished the single-player campaign once and for all on Crushing Difficulty and earned my 7th Platinum in the process.  Damn that final boss is a monster, as I must have died 2-3 dozen times before I finally hit him with a lucky shot and finished him off.  *sighs with relief*  Well, I guess that just leaves multiplayer now.

10094

Nintendo Gaming / Re: Epic Mickey - Wii Exclusive

« on: October 17, 2009, 05:42:08 PM »

I believe in Warren Spector, even if he failed me with Deus Ex: Invisible War.

You know, I hear fans of the original Deus Ex constantly say that, but I played Invisible War a while back and found it pretty ok.  I guess it's the same sort of snobbery that has fans of System Shock "disappointed" with Bioshock.

10095

General Gaming / Re: Sony bad-mouths Nintendo yet again

« on: October 17, 2009, 05:37:33 PM »

Yeah, those look like ducks to me.

Hey, you guys are the ones who mentioned that they weren't "real" ducks.  I have better things to do with my time than play shitty Wii minigame collections, so the hell if I'd know if it was true or not.

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General Gaming / Re: What game do you instinctively associate with each system you own?

« on: October 17, 2009, 09:35:27 AM »

NES - Super Mario Bros.
SNES - Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past.
Genesis (I never owned one, but...) - "Seeeeegaaaaaaa!" (that old sound clip that Sega used to use before all its games...I miss that)
N64 - Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
GameCube - Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker
Wii - Collecting Dust.
PS3 - Valkyria Chronicles.

10097

NWR Forums Discord / Re: The Magical Thread of Disney

« on: October 17, 2009, 06:40:52 AM »

I love Beauty and the Beast. That and Hunchback of Notre Dame are my two favorite Disney movies.

You know, I've been meaning to see Hunchback again after all these years.  The last time I saw it was when it opened in theaters, and I was maybe too young for the kind of things that movie does and didn't really get into it.  I still don't think I'll like the gargoyles, but maybe I'll appreciate the movie now.  As for Beauty and the Beast, as a member of the holy trinity that is B&B, Aladdin, and especially Lion King there's little I don't like about that movie.

10098

General Gaming / Re: Sony bad-mouths Nintendo yet again

« on: October 17, 2009, 06:37:18 AM »

A game like Duck Hunt is too controversial nowadays because hunting isn't a mainstream sport anymore like it was in the 80s, and nowadays you'd piss off a lot of yuppies and animal rights activists. That's why Nintendo gave a nod to it in Wii Play with the shooting gallery game, but there are no live animals you shoot at this time.

You do realize that there are DUCKS* in WiiPlay, hence my comment about using the dog to retrieve the ducks when you shoot them.

*a duck is a live animal

You do realize that we will probably never see a Duck Hunt sequel with actual ducks, right?  It's barbaric and definitely not considered family friendly anymore to go out and use "live animals" as target practice.  Maybe those redneck hunting games can get away with it because no one really gives a damn about them, but the moment Nintendo does it again you'll see outrage.

10099

Nintendo Gaming / Re: FF Crystal Bearers -- Harmonica/WTF Trailer

« on: October 17, 2009, 01:10:40 AM »

Well, it seems Square-Enix is up to their old tricks, as those screenshots are gorgeous (almost of the same caliber as FF 12, which itself looked like an early 360 game).  It's hard to believe they're Wii screenshots, though I doubt they'll look that good on my HD TV.  They never do...

10100

General Gaming / Re: Final Fantasy

« on: October 16, 2009, 04:28:55 AM »

Are the load times bearable considering the console and era? I really hate long load screens.

I was afraid it was going to be a grind fest. I'll still try and make a run through it but we'll see. He seemed to prefer it over VII.

I don't remember having any problem with the load times, as they're fairly typical of Square-Enix RPGs of the time.  Hell, I'd say they're fairly typical of Square-Enix RPGs now, now that I think about it.