The "General Games Chat" forum, which includes Retro Game Reviews, has been archived and is now read-only. You cannot post here or create a new thread or review on this forum.
With the wave of new consoles upon us, and a desire to taste the delights of Halo, GT3 and Smash Bros et al I broke my piggy bank to see how much I had. Unfortunately, it consisted of a Christmas list (uncompleted), £4.23 and ah yes, a hefty wad of…IOU’s. Ahem. Faced with the realisation that I might actually have to work to get some money, I broke out in a cold sweat and was forced to look towards my current games collection for solace. (Rumours that this is what forced me towards joining Special Reserve are completely unfounded). As much as it pains my game playing ego to say it, I found that there were some games that I had left unfinished and uncompleted (out of choice, of course), just collecting dust in a corner.
As you’ve probably realised by now, I don’t have a bottomless pit or money tree with which to buy all the latest games, so the games that I do have in my collections are probably the finest that console has to offer. If resources are scarce then naturally you go towards the very best. Right? Right. Shenmue, Sonic Adventure, Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Mario 64, classics, every one of ‘em. But all uncompleted. (I was later to find out that the reason I couldn’t complete Shenmue was because of the infamous Disc 3 glitch that prevents you seeing the next cut scene to progress).
Be honest, I think it might have happened to a good number of you as well. When your half way through your current fave it’s always difficult not to be tempted by the latest triple A title, with its mindblowing graphics and innovative new gameplay. The only problem is, what was suddenly the best thing ever becomes decidedly old hat, and you find yourself putting the other game in the ‘to be completed’ pile along with Clayfighter 63 1/3 and Rise of the Robots (remember them?)
So I picked up Mario 64 and continued playing. I already had 70-odd stars because I had beaten Bowser but for some strange reason decided not to play on. Oh what a fool I was. This time I had the avowed intention of actually completing the thing and getting my money’s worth out of what I now think is the finest 3D platforming game in existence. I was astounded. I knew Mario was good, very good in fact, but I didn’t know that collecting the last few stars provided you with the most visceral, challenging, thought provoking experience ever. Suddenly, I was a changed video gamer.
I subsequently went through my old games with vigour, playing each one to the end and getting hours of enjoyment out of the best Sega and Nintendo, in my opinion the best developers in the world, had to offer. I rediscovered the delights of Shenmue (avoiding that pesky glitch) and became so immersed in the story (a rarity these days) that I made Shenmue 2 top of my shopping list. I also relived other gaming landmarks such as Zelda and Sonic Adventure, and even went through games I had completed, each one providing hours of enjoyment and plenty of ‘I don’t remember this, this is brilliant’ moments.
But this new approach to all my old games has also enhanced my all round knowledge of games and has changed how I approach a new game as well. I certainly understand what is meant by ‘replay value’. Replay value isn’t about completing a game over and over again just to unlock an extra weapon or a change of costume. Even with a game the calibre of Metal Gear Solid it just becomes boring and ultimately ruins what great memories you might have of a game.
Replay value is about rewarding the player no matter how long or how often the player chooses to play it. Games like the aforementioned Mario and Zelda certainly do this. Other games, such as Crazy Taxi and Virtua Tennis, offer instant gaming gratification and because of that they justify their inclusion in my collection.
My current plight could well be the situation you are facing this very moment. With all the new consoles out or coming out, each tempting you with hard drives, DVD playback and whatnot, there is certainly a lot to choose from. But in the meantime dust the cobwebs of your old favourites, play them through again and remember why you got into videogames in the first place.
Thanks for reading
As you’ve probably realised by now, I don’t have a bottomless pit or money tree with which to buy all the latest games, so the games that I do have in my collections are probably the finest that console has to offer. If resources are scarce then naturally you go towards the very best. Right? Right. Shenmue, Sonic Adventure, Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Mario 64, classics, every one of ‘em. But all uncompleted. (I was later to find out that the reason I couldn’t complete Shenmue was because of the infamous Disc 3 glitch that prevents you seeing the next cut scene to progress).
Be honest, I think it might have happened to a good number of you as well. When your half way through your current fave it’s always difficult not to be tempted by the latest triple A title, with its mindblowing graphics and innovative new gameplay. The only problem is, what was suddenly the best thing ever becomes decidedly old hat, and you find yourself putting the other game in the ‘to be completed’ pile along with Clayfighter 63 1/3 and Rise of the Robots (remember them?)
So I picked up Mario 64 and continued playing. I already had 70-odd stars because I had beaten Bowser but for some strange reason decided not to play on. Oh what a fool I was. This time I had the avowed intention of actually completing the thing and getting my money’s worth out of what I now think is the finest 3D platforming game in existence. I was astounded. I knew Mario was good, very good in fact, but I didn’t know that collecting the last few stars provided you with the most visceral, challenging, thought provoking experience ever. Suddenly, I was a changed video gamer.
I subsequently went through my old games with vigour, playing each one to the end and getting hours of enjoyment out of the best Sega and Nintendo, in my opinion the best developers in the world, had to offer. I rediscovered the delights of Shenmue (avoiding that pesky glitch) and became so immersed in the story (a rarity these days) that I made Shenmue 2 top of my shopping list. I also relived other gaming landmarks such as Zelda and Sonic Adventure, and even went through games I had completed, each one providing hours of enjoyment and plenty of ‘I don’t remember this, this is brilliant’ moments.
But this new approach to all my old games has also enhanced my all round knowledge of games and has changed how I approach a new game as well. I certainly understand what is meant by ‘replay value’. Replay value isn’t about completing a game over and over again just to unlock an extra weapon or a change of costume. Even with a game the calibre of Metal Gear Solid it just becomes boring and ultimately ruins what great memories you might have of a game.
Replay value is about rewarding the player no matter how long or how often the player chooses to play it. Games like the aforementioned Mario and Zelda certainly do this. Other games, such as Crazy Taxi and Virtua Tennis, offer instant gaming gratification and because of that they justify their inclusion in my collection.
My current plight could well be the situation you are facing this very moment. With all the new consoles out or coming out, each tempting you with hard drives, DVD playback and whatnot, there is certainly a lot to choose from. But in the meantime dust the cobwebs of your old favourites, play them through again and remember why you got into videogames in the first place.
Thanks for reading
Page:
My problem with the game is that some classes just seem to not be worth it. I haven't played the other classes since before they were buffed, but I still think that the Amazoness is still the best class. A big problem is that it can take half an hour to complete a single floor, and then you realize that you have four more. Another is that you seem to get dealt a bad hand often. I was on They Dwell Beneath, a level I had already completed like 5 times, and I kept getting poison and fire weaknesses on the level whose biggest problems are poison, and then fire on the bosses. The only reason I was trying to beat it again was to get a relic that randomly drops on that level. Another problem: relics that randomly drop. I would much rather relics that are good and drop from completing challenges, like the pharaoh mask thing, which was a challenge to get.
The point is, this game has problems, and they can be fixed. This reply has relevancy, as I hope that this game does keep getting updates. The reason it doesn't get recommendations because, as of now, I would not recommend this game to my friends. I wouldn't ask them to spend money on a game, that I think, frankly isn't yet good enough to spend that much money on. I mean they could spend the money on better games. I know this game has potential, and I want it to become popular. But for that to happen, they have to actively update the game, and keep the little cult following they have for the community still alive. Basically, I am asking them to not let this game die. It needs more content.
The point is, this game has problems, and they can be fixed. This reply has relevancy, as I hope that this game does keep getting updates. The reason it doesn't get recommendations because, as of now, I would not recommend this game to my friends. I wouldn't ask them to spend money on a game, that I think, frankly isn't yet good enough to spend that much money on. I mean they could spend the money on better games. I know this game has potential, and I want it to become popular. But for that to happen, they have to actively update the game, and keep the little cult following they have for the community still alive. Basically, I am asking them to not let this game die. It needs more content.
.
Just wait a week.
Come on! I extra made this account so i can reply, just started out playing this and must say this game really has potential. You could make so much more out of this with a few updates which would make this game so much more playable and worth more too.
At least build in a custom map creator or something to give the players a possibility to have new levels without having to click around in the files.
Why have you lost interest to this fascinating game?
Greetz Buderus
At least build in a custom map creator or something to give the players a possibility to have new levels without having to click around in the files.
Why have you lost interest to this fascinating game?
Greetz Buderus
It was hardly even alive. There are not enough features, nobody even goes on the forums, and people don't recommend it on steam. This game has great potential, so please do not give up on it.
dont i remember seeing this post yesterday or the day before that too?????
it was a good post but spoiled by the amount of times you've posted it.
It will get seen so if its a GAD attempt then im sure you'll have just as much luck in winning by doing it once then if you do it about 10 times.
it was a good post but spoiled by the amount of times you've posted it.
It will get seen so if its a GAD attempt then im sure you'll have just as much luck in winning by doing it once then if you do it about 10 times.
Hey, thanks for all the good feedback.
ps. Unknown Kernel, cool tagline!
ps. Unknown Kernel, cool tagline!
Well that clears up everything, actually it does not I just wanted to sound like Quincy. Good post by the way.
I thought this was a really good post: normally I find it impossible to read anything longer than a few lines on a computer screen, but this kept me interested, well done!
It's true that people tend to chuck games away too quickly, usually in favour of something that's graphically superior but has half the gameplay value. Those games that I find myself playing over and over are the ones that feel 'right' as soon as you pick them up: MarioKart on the SNES, Sensible Soccer, the Civ series, all the Grand Theft Auto games, Zelda (none of which I've ever finished), Monkey Island 1 and 2 (even if I know them off by heart). But still I get excited about the succession of next big things, trumpeted by the gaming press one week and forgotten just as quickly.
Maybe we're all like middle-aged men with mid-life crises: easily seduced by youthful good looks when we hardly the know the good woman we were once in love with.
It's true that people tend to chuck games away too quickly, usually in favour of something that's graphically superior but has half the gameplay value. Those games that I find myself playing over and over are the ones that feel 'right' as soon as you pick them up: MarioKart on the SNES, Sensible Soccer, the Civ series, all the Grand Theft Auto games, Zelda (none of which I've ever finished), Monkey Island 1 and 2 (even if I know them off by heart). But still I get excited about the succession of next big things, trumpeted by the gaming press one week and forgotten just as quickly.
Maybe we're all like middle-aged men with mid-life crises: easily seduced by youthful good looks when we hardly the know the good woman we were once in love with.
AmirM wrote:
> AliBoy wrote:
> Just one point to make. Please don't post your topics in
> multiple forums. You
> posted this in prime (where i replied), in here in
> chat, in the sony forum,
> maybe even more. It just gets a bit annoying and
> hard to reply too.
Sorry, its just that at first no one replied and I thought
> there might be more people in other forums. Point taken
Sorry! I made a monumental mistake. I accidently wrote that under my brothers name AmirM, and I would like to clarify I have no affiliation with anything he writes, spam or otherwise, and what he does is nothing to do with me as we have completely contrasting views.
Sorry for the confusion
> AliBoy wrote:
> Just one point to make. Please don't post your topics in
> multiple forums. You
> posted this in prime (where i replied), in here in
> chat, in the sony forum,
> maybe even more. It just gets a bit annoying and
> hard to reply too.
Sorry, its just that at first no one replied and I thought
> there might be more people in other forums. Point taken
Sorry! I made a monumental mistake. I accidently wrote that under my brothers name AmirM, and I would like to clarify I have no affiliation with anything he writes, spam or otherwise, and what he does is nothing to do with me as we have completely contrasting views.
Sorry for the confusion
Page: