Messages

926

TalkBack / Re: Is the Name Really That Bad?

« on: June 09, 2011, 08:41:06 PM »

I am still holding out hope that Nintendo revealed this name just to test the audience and the real name is something more seriuous that will encourage hardcore gamers to buy the system like "Super Wii." When I hear that I think Super Saiyan Goku or something.

Eff the """hardcore""" gamers, a new name would make many of US happy pandas.

927

TalkBack / Re: Nintendo Shares Lowest in Over Five Years

« on: June 09, 2011, 08:38:54 PM »

I can't speak for investors but I think the Wii was the last Nintendo system I plan on buying for a while.  They abandoned it quickly and never made a good motion control game beyond Wii Sports.  Nintendo didn't make good on the Wii, I doubt the WiiU is going to be any different.

A slew of Halo, Uncharted and G__ of War games await you, my good lad.  May their rainbow of experiences fulfill you like Kart, Galaxy, Metroid, Zelda, etc, etc, etc, etc, etc, never could.

928

TalkBack / Re: Nintendo Shares Lowest in Over Five Years

« on: June 09, 2011, 06:49:07 PM »

The Wii has been running on vapors ...

since January?

...for years.

Oh noes! Not six whole months without a notable release! It's almost as if I have time to play all the games I got at Christmas!

929

TalkBack / Re: Super Mario Impressions

« on: June 09, 2011, 06:43:20 PM »

I can see the cramped screen being an issue.  But, that happened sometimes in Mario64 and I got used to it.

@roykoopa64

I had this thought before ... the complexity of the landscape in the Galaxy/NSMBW level designs doesn't allow enough runway for tanooki take-offs.

Seems like they would have to go back to the SM64 and earlier stage designs which had long stretches of flat land to make the flying work.  That wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing, but, does everyone see the pickle they are in?

I know I was itching for racoon/tanooki suit because it is my favorite Mario power-up of all time.  But it's either this flutter thing, go back to old level design philosophies, or enable some kind of insta-flight which might over-power the suit and relegate it to a timed power-up.

Thoughts?

930

TalkBack / Re: Is the Name Really That Bad?

« on: June 09, 2011, 05:57:08 PM »

@Chozo Ghost

Actually, I think nearly every single about that conference EXCEPT the name shows they very much want to appease the """hardcore""".

Which one were you watching? Microsoft's? =P

I actually think it is awkward to pronounce.  "Whee-yoo" does not really roll off the tongue... unless you're Japanese which kind of reveals the likely source of the name to begin with.

Agreed 100%.

Out of laziness, The Wii U - The U

The U sounds fine to me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1zTpPEXNGQ

931

TalkBack / Re: Iwata Talks About Wii U Pricing

« on: June 09, 2011, 05:53:32 PM »

aww, that's sad.  I kept seeing different translations and one said Fire Red.  oh well =\

932

TalkBack / Re: Nintendo Shares Lowest in Over Five Years

« on: June 09, 2011, 05:52:37 PM »

@Ceric

Linky?

@Ian Sane & Chozo Ghost

I'm sure you're both very smart folks, in fact, I think I've seen you both say good things in other threads.

But let's see here, ah yes, it was alllllllllllll the way back in 2010 when we got No More Heroes 2, Metroid Other M, Kirby's Epic Yarn, Red Steel 2, Super Mario Galaxy 2, Monster Huntri Tri, DKCR, Epic Mickey, Sonic Colors, Tatsunoko VS. Capcom and GoldenEye007.

And if you didn't care about content, but ONLY game sales, Just Dance 2 says "hello!"

So let's see ... all this was when? Oh yea, LAST YEAR!  As in, the most recent possible year that isn't now.

Running on vapors? This is why we don't have Xenoblade??  shhhheeesh.

933

TalkBack / Re: Is the Name Really That Bad?

« on: June 09, 2011, 04:49:15 PM »

My simple thoughts...

They could have/should have had something much better.

Nintendo will have 2 problems with this name:

1. As stated above, the expanded audience may not even HEAR the difference in a conversation.  "Oh, the Wii U? I have one of those."  The expanded audience, contrary to popular belief, is not stupid, but it would just be such an honest mistake to make if you weren't thinking about it.

2. Nintendo wants to win back the """hardcore"""? The """hardcore""" are extremely image conscious.  They would have a hard time playing their favorite game of all time on something called the Wii.  The "Wii U" only compounds that problem.

~

As for my opinion?  Not only is it awkward to say ("weeoooweeoooweeooo"), but it doesn't even make sense to me!

Wii = We.
u = You.

"We you"? Who are we even talking about here!?

Ultimately, I'll get over it, and in hindsight, PlayStation would have gotten a bad rap if the internet were bigger at the time.  ("Is it for toddlers? Is it made of plastic? Don't I have one of those in my back yard?") But, at the same time I would jump for joy if Nintendo announced a new name next E3 or something.

934

TalkBack / Re: Iwata Talks About Wii U Pricing

« on: June 09, 2011, 04:35:36 PM »

@Adrock

If ya play Defender I could be your hypaspace!

Well it sounds to me like you have a very sound adoption strategy.

I'm also currently in the "holding off" phase on the 3DS.  The games I really want aren't out yet and I do fear possible future regret if they have a new model next year.  I think it was silly of Nintendo to release the DSi and the XL separately.  It has made their consumers wary.

However, if they make a "Leaf Green" color that accompanies the new "Fire Red"? I may have to snag it by Holiday season.  I think that would like purty.

935

TalkBack / Re: Nintendo Shares Lowest in Over Five Years

« on: June 09, 2011, 04:30:21 PM »

I'm just curious, is anyone reporting the stock prices for MS after their Kinect, er XBox, conference or Sony after their... so-so... conference?

By the way, I hate that modern gaming discussion treads into flappin' STOCK PRICES!!

Play.
fun.
games.
Period!

936

Podcast Discussion / Re: E3 2011 - Day One (Wii U Hands-On Impressions)

« on: June 09, 2011, 12:04:40 PM »

clearly =P

937

TalkBack / Re: Iwata Talks About Wii U Pricing

« on: June 09, 2011, 12:03:09 PM »

I'd be willing to pay $350 at the most for WiiU. Still, they'd better have one hell of a launch because I don't particularly enjoy spending that amount of money. As cliche as it sounds, it depends on the games.

First of all, like the Beastie Boy? That's cool.

Secondly, platform launches are never filled with great software.  That's why people can later excuse the shortcomings of a game by simply saying: "well, it was a launch title."

Save your money, wait a few months for better games, maybe a price drop, and then be happy.  Simple. No griping required.

938

TalkBack / Re: Nintendo Shares Lowest in Over Five Years

« on: June 09, 2011, 12:00:18 PM »

Well surely THIS time Nintendo truly is doomed.

I mean, sure, it's been said about 500 times in the last 5 years but... THIS time.  Hella doomed.

@ UncleBob

I heard the same exact 5% dip happened after the Wii was shown.  And we all know that thing didn't make anyone a dime.

939

Podcast Discussion / Re: E3 2011 - Day One (Wii U Hands-On Impressions)

« on: June 08, 2011, 10:37:51 PM »

Well, I will say Rayman Origins did look very, very good and very fun.

Looooove 2D hand-drawn visuals.

Only one hiccup: that second character looks too much like a reject Strong Bad character.  ... are there any others? I'd take a gray-scale 8 bit Toad with no face over that monstrosity =P

940

TalkBack / Re: Nintendo E3 2011 Roundtable #2 Liveblog

« on: June 08, 2011, 10:35:18 PM »

Tell that douche Geoff Keighley that if he is going to play jerk face hardball with Reggie, he shouldn't be a hypocrite lobbing softballs at the other game company executives.

thank god somebody else noticed this.

he was even joking about it afterwards with the whole sparring match remark.

he was *** *** ***** with his ** ** * ****** over Jack Tretton's *** ***** ** ***.  but with Reggie? he was like interrupting him and kept pressing and just being difficult.

PS - I didn't really edit out a bunch of words, that was me being silly =D

941

TalkBack / Re: Kid Icarus: Uprising Impressions

« on: June 08, 2011, 07:30:45 PM »

So is it really a steep "learning curve" or just poor controls?  Because it seems a steep "learning curve" would simply disappear gradually as you play through the game, no?

942

Podcast Discussion / Re: E3 2011 - Day One (Wii U Hands-On Impressions)

« on: June 08, 2011, 07:23:07 PM »

Yea, like I said, it definitely makes more sense for him to have been comparing to PS3/60, but I just want to eliminate all other explinations before I get my hopes up, y'know? =)

And yes, people just like to complain no matter what.

Nintendo seduces a whole new audience and makes investors happy? "Booo!!! Where's the hardcore!?"
Nintendo announces third party support of "hardcore" games? "Nintendo stock drops 5% from Wii U announcement! Bad move Nintendo!"

... it's silly =)

943

Podcast Discussion / Re: E3 2011 - Day One (Wii U Hands-On Impressions)

« on: June 08, 2011, 05:44:36 PM »

Mmm, yea, I saw that.

I think it is logical to assume he means "more powerful than PS3/60."  However, there's a chance he might just have been saying "the game will be good because WiiU *shudder* is more powerful than Wii."

EDIT: I'm listening to this podcast right now, I don't flappin' care if Kirby Wii is "breaking new ground" or anything.  I only have one 4-player co-op platformer (NSMBWii... were there others??) and all I know is every time people played it there were tears of laughter.  I can not WAIT for another such experience with one of my favorite other Nintendo characters, Kirby.

My wife has already called dibs on Kirby but that's ok cuz I'm psyched to play as MetaKinight!!!

944

Podcast Discussion / Re: E3 2011 - Day One (Wii U Hands-On Impressions)

« on: June 08, 2011, 05:04:15 PM »

I keep seeing people saying that THQ confirmed the Wii U being more powerful than the PS3, but I cannot find any actual sources for this.

People talking rumors: http://www.gamefaqs.com/boards/631516-wii-u/59365624

Does anyone have a link to the actual sources??

945

Podcast Discussion / Re: Episode 246: Wherefore Art Thou, Lindeo?

« on: June 08, 2011, 02:27:24 AM »

Not sure how many people will are paying attention to anything but E3 news at this point but I finally got around to finishing listening to this episode so ....
 
 RESPONSES!!
 
 1. Never understood the hype on DQ5.  The entire DQ franchise is one of my favorite of all time, so clearly I really did enjoy DQ5, but it is probably 2nd to last if I were to rank the games in my favor (DQ7 is dead last, bw).  And for me, I rank story above all else, but you're right Jonny, DQ5 was not great storytelling.  DQ4 and 8? Quite good.
 
 2. Thank you guys so much for the Bayonetta bashing.  I feel like so many gamers and reviewers just got blinded by the nudity and the "smart" glasses and just mumbled "goty" as drool slipped out their mouths.  I already really respected you guys, but hearing you all rise above the video game cheesecake that is Bayonetta just tripled my opinion of you all.  Kudos!
 
 3. Impossible to nail down one game as "the" representation of the art form.  But, yea, there's a lot of great work going on in the gaming space these days.  In my opinion, certainly more so than movies and television which have started to become way too formulaic.  I know I sound like a snob saying that, and I hate snobbery, but that's just how I feel at the moment. 
 
 There are some game genres (shooters) that are well on their way to becoming just as formulaic... but, that's their problem.
 
 4. If I'm not mistaken the term "killer app" came from computer software, like MS Word, just as you guys started saying. During my one year as an IT major, I remember having to learn about that.  The term translates to gaming just as you guys said.
 
 5. A real quick take on Comic Book movies: I feel they have reached an awkward stage where they escalated to a new escalon very quickly and, like a rock star who can't handle new-found fame, is starting to show up drunk for performances =P
 
 Note: I have yet to see X-Men First Class or Green Lantern.
 
 6. The Prince of Persia movie ABSOLUTELY pleasantly surprised me.  It wasn't great, but it was really good and that says a lot for a video game movie.
 
 I've never seen 5 seconds of the Mario movie and I should probably keep it that way =)
 
 7.  As for game hype, I never (ok, rarely) get too high or too low before a game comes out.  But I always find that when you go into a game/movie/TV show not expecting a lot, people are usually pleasantly surprised (as Jonny just said!).  It's when people go in to something EXPECTING a perfect masterpiece that they truly are let down... and always will be.
 
 Right now? I think I'm gonna enjoy the hell out of Kid Icarus: Uprising.  In fact, I've said several times that is my "KILLER APP" for the 3DS.  Other than that? I was really psyched for Red Steel 2 and that didn't quite live up to my hopes - still good though.  I thought I would HATE Monster Hunter Tri but purchased it to play with my brother-in-law online aaaaand now I'm close to 600 hrs.  crazy.
 
 A time when I was psyched ahead of time and that was fulfilled? mmmm, Muramasa probably comes closest in recent memory.  Of course, the Layton games get me buzzing with each new one and have also never let me down. good times.
 
 I agree most with what you guys said about being "excited" but not caught in the hype machine.  It's a fine line, but worth walking if you can.
 
 8. Since you started talking about the name of the new console? geez... "Wii U"... is there any way NWR can start a petition or something to change that!? please?!! I would take anything else.  "Wii 2," "WiiTu," "Super Wii," "ohWiimaway ohWiimaway" ... anything!!
 
 I already feel like a weirdo saying the word "Wii" out loud during in-person gaming discussions.  I'm going to have to wear a paper bag on my head if I have to say "Wii U" in a GameStop or when hanging with friends.
 
 ~
 
 Great show! Though, needs more Lindy. =P
 
 

946

TalkBack / Re: Conduit 2 Review

« on: June 01, 2011, 08:51:19 PM »

So, I'm not sure if it is simply that my expectations have had time to recover since crashing back down to Earth, but I'm somewhat more interested in this game now.

As many may know, I loved the first game (primarily for its 1P campaign) and was really looking forward to the sequel, but was turned off by the fact that HVS apparently made the plot of this game intentionally stupid - along with the protagonist's character (Duke Nukem and one-liners!? come on.)

Also, a female soldier whose armor covers everything but her cleavage? That's got dude-bro written all over it.

But, after spoiling the ending for myself (I had to see just how far HVS dropped their baby), I think I've come to terms with the more horrible choices made in this game.

I may be able to recollect my spirits and purchase the game when it inevitably hits $20 in a month or so =\

I'll give HVS one more chance with whatever Conduit 3DS game they are apparently working on.

Don't eff it up, HVS! I want to like you!

PS - The video review is part of why I think I may be able to overcome the downsides and enjoy the good bits.

PPS - The voice over DOES sound like Tom Bodet (sp?).  "The Conduit 2 is a decent experience... and we'll leave the light on for ya." =P

947

Podcast Discussion / Re: Episode 245: Most Dishonorable

« on: June 01, 2011, 08:24:35 PM »

Seems like in Japan the idea of local wireless multiplayer is not a problem.  But doesn't it seem like they entirely ignore the fact that in America it IS a problem?

I mean, there are so many DS (and now 3DS) games where I read about some awesome multiplayer feature, only to be disappointed when I notice the word "local" in the sentence. =\

~

As for Crono Trigger, things are going much better.  The different timelines are starting to have connective narrative threads.  Most of the characters are still flat.  But Ayla got a tiny bit and it's looking like Magus will have plenty.

Also, worth mentioning: the buy/sell/equip system in this game is the best in any game I've ever played.  It's so damn convenient and future games should realize it renders lesser system obsolete!

948

Podcast Discussion / Re: Episode 245: Most Dishonorable

« on: May 31, 2011, 11:13:46 PM »

I'd like to once again draw attention to Greg's amazing editing skills.

I literally stopped listening to a Pokémon podcast that had good content, but was surrounded with just minutes and minutes of empty rambling and constant hiccups related to cross-talk.

RFN is just so sleek and professional by comparison.  Keep it up!

949

Podcast Discussion / Re: Episode 245: Most Dishonorable

« on: May 31, 2011, 07:36:36 PM »

Yea... I think you are correct on the co-op even though it saddens me.  Think it will ever change?  Any idea how it could?

As for the side-quests in CT, I don't feel like I have even come across one.  Do they only become available later in the game?

It is also possible that I'm just not sure what is side-quest and what is main-quest.  I like the freedom in this game, but I feel that came at the sacrifice of a strong sense of purpose.

I just finished assembling the Masamune and am about to bring it to Frog.  I assume that is the main quest, right?

UPDATE: Frog has officially been given a backstory and it's awesome! ^_^  One down, most everything else in the game to go!

Btw, I don't trust this bat following me.  No, sir, I do not.

950

Podcast Discussion / Re: Episode 245: Most Dishonorable

« on: May 31, 2011, 06:33:41 PM »

James' mood in this ep did not need this much attention.  I'm sorry I contributed to it!  The RFN crew are the best in the biz and even at his most cantankerous James is more level-headed than most game journalists.

@ broodwars

I really wonder why co-op gaming has, thus far, not gotten more attention.  Do developers really find the human nature to compete that much more lucrative than the desire to cooperate?

@ everyone

I gotta say, when I was younger and had more time but less money, I loved when a big RPG took up dozens and dozens of hours.  I also liked how those experiences were on the TV because I felt the details in the setting really helped set the mood.  I also do not have an "in transit" life style, so the idea of RPGs on-the-go doesn't really sweeten that deal for me.

PS - I'm playing Chrono Trigger DS now.  I just got Ayla.  All I will say is: not every game can be for every one.  I think ChronoTrigger is "ok" ... but I think there is a reason why I tried starting it in '99, '02, '03, and '05 but never finished it.  It really is so rare for me to do that, but something about this game just doesn't hook me.

And this game should have several unfair advantages: I like anime, I like Akira Toriyama, I love frogs!, I like katana, and I like diverse casts.  But, I dunno, something just never clicks for me.

If I were to try and guess why this game never hooked me, I think it is because though the characters and settings are very diverse on the surface, they don't actually have much backstory to flesh them out and make them interesting.  I mean, maybe more will be revealed later ... but aside from Frog, I don't think anyone in the cast even has much motivation to be on this quest.

Crono was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Marle just wants to have adventures outside royalty.
Lucca invented the thing for fun.
Robo could have been reprogrammed as anything.
Ayla fights and "is tough" and fends off evil lizards.

At least Frog has a sense-of-duty/failure thing to make his character interesting.

Also, the different locations (so far) just don't have much personality.  Much like the characters that originate from them, the lands are given very flat personalities.  This is "the future" so everything is futuristic and post-apocalyptic.  This is "the distant past" so there are dinosaurs and loin-clothes.

Lastly, it would probably help if the enemies felt like even they were on the same side.  But it's mostly just like "we're in the mountains and here's some birds... let's kill them!"  Like, are these birds supposed to be under the control of Magus or something?  I've only felt like I've actually fought "the bad guys" a small handful of times so far.  Everything else is like "oops, sorry I stepped in to your domain... I guess now we have to kill each other." =P

Perhaps a game with such diversity does not have time to flesh out so many backstories? But a little more would have gone a long way!

On the plus side: This is one of the few times when I have truly found a soundtrack to be memorable (and in a good way!). So, there's that!

But who knows, maybe the best is yet to come and my opinion will totally change by the end of the game!

And remember, just because this game isn't blowing my mind, it doesn't mean I'm saying you are any less awesome if you love it.