The Gaming Thread

[gunsage]

Speaking of D&D, did anyone ever try Dungeons & Dragons Tactics for the PSP? I thought it looked kinda interesting and really enjoyed Metal Gear Acid 1 & 2, but I don't bring the PSP to work right now, so I never bothered grabbing that one. And while we're on the subject of tactics, anybody try the new Advance Wars yet? I've played them all except the new one and it looks awesome. Just wondering.

So, is NWN online only or is it one of those that you really only get something out of it online? I ask because anymore it's either a developer strictly designs a game for single player and multiplayer is an afterthought (F.E.A.R. comes to mind) or it's obviously designed for multiplayer and single player is really only there because...well, I don't know, but it is and it's not all that great (the Halo series DEFINITELY comes to mind).

The point of that little rant is what happened to games like Perfect Dark, Goldeneye, Quake 2, and countless others from the 90s? There were so many games that had such a solid foundation when it came to single player, but offered multiplayer, and both were GREAT. Not anymore, though. And don't get me wrong...games like F.E.A.R. and No One Lives Forever ARE fun to play online, but clearly they weren't designed with multiplayer in mind, therefore, they aren't quite as popular because multiplayer gaming has really caught on.

And really, the only other reason I ask about NWN's take is I'm not a MMORPGer. I'm just not. I mean, I'm even one of the most loyal FF followers you'll find and I really have no desire to try out FF11. dot.Hack is a fun concept, but again, it's a single player game. Yes, it relies on your imagination a tick, but the point is that it's still a single player game monikered as a MMORPG.

I know this might start a debate of standard RPGs vs. MMORPGs and maybe even tabletop will be included, so I'll start with my stance...just in case.

Single player RPGs

I grew up with them. My first was Final Fantasy 1. When I learned we had missed a few of them shortly after FF7 came out, I felt cheated, immediately researched, and got trans'd versions of the "missing" FFs. The bottom line is I'm an RPG addict. I don't often have time to fully complete RPGs, but I enjoy grinding, character development, and often, these games have AWESOME attention catchers for their intros so as to throw you right into it.

Massively multiplayer online RPGs

About the only MMORPG I'm "familiar" with, if you want to call it that, is Asheron's Call, which I saw one of my friends play for about 5 minutes on his 56k AOL connection. Yeah, it sucked. And yes, I know they're a LOT better now, but I can't justify paying that kind of money up front, then monthly, then the expansions, and dedicating that kind of time to it either. Yes, I realize I'd be spending about the same amount buying standard RPGs, but with that, I have SEVERAL RPGs as opposed to just one.

Further, I can get on and talk to my friends online just as easily as I could in a friggin' game. I really see no point to getting into MMORPGs. Yes, the draw is there and clearly they're VERY popular, but sorry, not for me. And yes, I realize I'm biased because I've never really played/got into one. Sorry.

Tabletop RPGs

I only tried one: Warhammer. I just don't have the imagination for it. I really don't. Hey, I can think up games on the spot, write all kinds of intricate details about them, features, etc. And yes, that's another reason I'd like to get into game development. My brother was the DM and he would always get frustrated with me because often instead of just saying "Oh, there's nothing more I can do, I'll just wait," I would respond with things like...

Me: "Well, there's nothing more I can do, so uh, I lick the wall!"
Bro: "...It tastes like a wall."
Me: "Oh, cool!"

Except I started doing that about every round, even when there were monsters until he finally threw up his hands and went "FINE, IT TASTES LIKE POISON AND YOU DIE!"

Me: "Blarg! No...! Such a short...life...gghghhhhhhaarrrrraaabuughhhhh...ugh ..."

Yeah, I more enjoyed painting all the little figurines than playing the actual game. Him and his friends really got into it and good for them because they really bonded over games like that. Me, though...nah.

[Shangri-laschild]

So, is NWN online only or is it one of those that you really only get something out of it online? I ask because anymore it's either a developer strictly designs a game for single player and multiplayer is an afterthought (F.E.A.R. comes to mind) or it's obviously designed for multiplayer and single player is really only there because...well, I don't know, but it is and it's not all that great (the Halo series DEFINITELY comes to mind).

I only ever play it on my own offline. Never played it online so either it's ofline geared or it's an equal thing. If my friend and I try it online sometime I'll let you know how it is.

[gunsage]

My query hath been answered.

[Chanlin]

Think of NWN as a glorified version of Diablo Well maybe not really.

The single player allows you to get an NPC follower, but only 1. You initially go through a tutorial area at the start that teaches you about combat, and how to buy and sell items etc. The premise is you are at an academy for adventurers. Toward the end of the tutorial all hell breaks lose and you are thrust into a plot as there is an attempt on the lives of everyone at the academy and you find out you (or you and your friends) if you are on multi player were the targets of the attack.

The online play is really not worthwhile because the game takes so damned long to complete. If you have a good friend the multi player online or over a lan is very much worth it, otherwise its geared more toward the single player game.

[Shangri-laschild]

Think of NWN as a glorified version of Diablo Well maybe not really.

The single player allows you to get an NPC follower, but only 1. You initially go through a tutorial area at the start that teaches you about combat, and how to buy and sell items etc. The premise is you are at an academy for adventurers. Toward the end of the tutorial all hell breaks lose and you are thrust into a plot as there is an attempt on the lives of everyone at the academy and you find out you (or you and your friends) if you are on multi player were the targets of the attack.

The online play is really not worthwhile because the game takes so damned long to complete. If you have a good friend the multi player online or over a lan is very much worth it, otherwise its geared more toward the single player game.

the nice thing about the second one is that you can have up to 4 other NPC followers.
Edit: but they argue with eachother all the time!

[Gravekeeper]

Neverwinter Nights 2 is epic failure to be bluntly honest. Its not made by Bioware. It was a bug ridden horribly coded mess when it was first released and isn't much better currently. The engine requires far more system resources then it should. Tons of stuff was left unfinished ( This will become painfully obvious when you try to follow character subplots ).

As for the game itself the story is awful, you'll end up wanting to kill half the characters and the ending ( If you can call it an ending. Feels more like the budget ran out. ) will make you want to choke the writers with a pillow case. Its not even an ending. Its like a cruel joke on the players because the writers hate you. ;p

The only upside to the whole game was the stronghold part. Other then that...<wince>

You have been warned.

The entire game is a running joke among my friends. ><

Go find yourself a copy of Baldur's Gate 2 if you want a fantastic rpg ;p

[Lingering Grin]

Neverwinter Nights 2 is epic failure to be bluntly honest.

My biggest problem with it is that, for some reason, it is WAY TOO HARD.

I have no idea why either... everything was fine, and then WHAM, I couldn't get into a fight without someone dieing. There was a boss fight I couldn't win, even on EASY (I was playing on D&D Hardcore until this point).

Plus, the henchmen characters -sucked-, having to use certain characters at certain points is cool and all, but having to switch them out constantly is annoying. The first NWN series was great. You could go into any situation with any set of characters and be fine. You weren't forced to repeatedly go back and forth between town in order to get a different henchmen because some stupid portal needs that annoying ass Gnome to sing for it...


It's a shame, both of the games that Bioware gave to Obsidian (NWN and KOTOR), they ended up rushing and ruining. Both games start out fine, but then they just start feeling like the plot is being skipped... such as at the end of KOTOR 2 right before the last planet (Malachor V), is it just me or does it feel like there is an entire cutscene missing?

[Gravekeeper]

It's a shame, both of the games that Bioware gave to Obsidian (NWN and KOTOR), they ended up rushing and ruining. Both games start out fine, but then they just start feeling like the plot is being skipped... such as at the end of KOTOR 2 right before the last planet (Malachor V), is it just me or does it feel like there is an entire cutscene missing?

Yep. Actually, there was:

http://www.team-gizka.org/

Fan group thats been trying to finish the KOTOR2 by using all the voice recordings, scripts, etc that were unfinished but left in the game's resource files.

Its sad when fans have to finish your game for you. -.-

NWN2 wasn't much better off. The ending is a complete cop out and half the character subplots weren't finished ( There's pieces of them in the game files you can reactive with some creative tinkering, but they arent' done so they end up going no where. )

[gunsage]

If Bioware's involved, count me in. Now, it's ironic I say that because I didn't have the attention span for games like KOTR 1 & 2 or Morrowind. Yes, I know Morrowind isn't Bioware, but Bethesda, but it kinda reminded me of the same "issues" I have with most PC RPGs. In any case, NWN sounds cool, so I'll be checking it out. And yes, I'm very much interested in Mass Effect, but I'd need a next gen console first, wouldn't I?

Haven't tried any of the Baldur's Gate stuffs either, but yes, I'd like to check that out at some point. And I also personally enjoyed Diablo, finished it, but never quite finished Diablo 2 despite LOVING it. While we're at these kinds of RPGs, anyone tried Bard's Tale? And of course, I mean the most recent (2006?) version, not the old (Forgotten Realms?) version.

By the way, anyone ever try RPG Maker? For a while I was using RPG Maker 2000 because it felt like the games I was creating were sorta like FF6, but then for some reason, the XP version seemed to sort of abolish the side view battles and went back to DQ-like battles. I mean, don't get me wrong, it's not THAT big of a deal and there's quite a bit of the source you can modify so I suppose you could set it back up with a little time and persistence, but I digress.

For a while, I was making a ninja RPG and also trying to model the various environments, story, basic development ideas, etc. I had for Gun Sage. Anymore I don't use it much, but I figured it'd be an interesting topic. And I'm a bit pissed with Rune Factory. Yeah...tornado ripped through my field for two days when I really didn't have anything I could do inside the house, my funds were limited, the feed low, and JUST got access to the summer cave.

Fortunately, I didn't save, but I'm not sure whether it's a random occurrence or a preset one, so I may end up being screwed anyway. I mean, it's no biggie because I'll have plenty of wood after clearing away all the crap, but at the same time, I was constantly trying to make better and better crops with the supplements or whatever they are and THAT gets expensive. It's worth it, but DAMN it's expensive.

Aaaaaaand one more thing, then I'm out. Went to the Game Crazy/Hollywood Video last night in hopes of renting a few movies and buying some cheap games. Yeah...I understand the cashier was a little overwhelmed by how many people were in there, but I know this guy. He was slow since day one and has never really gotten any faster. It's his overall demeanor, really. Further, it seemed like he was the only one working...soooo...yeah, I just got some movies and GTFO.

The sad part is I was in there for 15 minutes browsing and his line didn't move once. I decided NOT to get into line, went to get some movies, and I was out in less than 5. Perhaps some cross-training is necessary? I don't know. I know they have the whole spiel of trying to get you to sign up for warranty, card, etc. I know that often (if not in all circumstances) they have to get the game from behind the counter, put it in the case, etc.

But come on...his line didn't move an inch. He's been there a while, too. I decided I'd probably go back either today or tomorrow and see if it's any better. What I was PLANNING on buying and are hopefully still there (buy 2 get 1 free)...

- Onimusha 2 - PS2. Or what I like to call "Samurai Karaoke." If you've played through the intro, you know.
- Deus Ex: Invisible War - XBox. Or what I like to call "Lagging Even On the PC." Yeah, they described some way you could SLIGHTLY fix it, but personally I think something's screwed in the engine itself.
- Shenmue 2 - XBox. I sold this at Buybacks without having beaten it. Honestly, it feels both better AND worse than the original. The story's okay, there are more fights, but personally, there just aren't enough opportunities for fights in my opinion and you don't exactly get paid for them either. Having to do crappy jobs to earn money is, well...crappy.

Doing the wrestling bouts in the game is fun, but it's still betting. It's not like in God Hand where you enter the arena and if you win you get a prize, but otherwise, no biggie, just try again. Plus, I've always felt they needed more stats for the game to make it a more dedicated RPG hybrid, but that's just me. And yes, I'm highly saddened that the idea of a Shenmue 3 is more or less dead. And Shenmue Online? Great idea, poor follow through...but then, that would NEVER happen with anything else, right?!

[Chanlin]

The Bard's Tale remake is actually fairly decent. Lots of good humor, and the narrator is Tony Jay (aka the voice of Megabyte from Reboot) and the Bard is voice by the much well known Cary Elwes. Those two alone make the game worth playing IMO.

If you've played any of the Baldurs Gate games for PS2 then you have a fair idea of what to expect in terms of game play as the engine was simply copied for The Bard's Tale.

Whats best about it all is the Bard though. Hes not out to save the world because he wants to. He's out to do it to get everyone to leave him the hell alone about his destiny etc.

Almost every conversation has a (Be Nice) - (Be a Dick/Jerk/AssHole etc) response. And while its fun to go with the latter response there are times when the former response is needed to advance the story.

Best line ever though:

Bar Maid: We have some rats in the cellar, if you would go and clean them out we... I would be most greatful (said in a sultry voice)

Bard: Why... how cliche of you love.

After

Narrator: All Hail the Bard... rat's bane and rodent slayer....

Bard: Hey hey.... you just tell the story and leave the sarcastic comments to me alright.

In any case I think its worth the play just for the humor of the game if nothing else.

[Ducky Dew]

A chuckle for the Guild Wars players:

Was just in Vasburg Armory, Int Dis 1, and there was a group of Kurzick soldiers, chasing a group of Luxon soldiers, chasing Kurzicks, chasing Luxons, around and around a single tree.

Funniest glitch I've seen in a long time.

[gunsage]

Yeah, I absolutely love the voice overs and story of Bard's Tale. What I don't like, however, is the main reason my wife won't play it...crap camera. And yeah, I get it, it's going for a more classic style view. It's the same one that's done in Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel, which, much like Final Fantasy Mystic Quest or Crystal Chronicles, is an abortion of a series on a GRAND scale...and yet, isn't absolutely terrible.

And notice I didn't include X-2 or one of the Legend titles. Here's why. Legend 1 was kinda crappy, but I really enjoyed Legend 2 and actually completed Legend 3. MQ wasn't TOO bad, but still not quite on par with most FF games. Kind of a FF Lite, if you will. CC...ugh...what a failure. Think Gauntlet, but really really...uh...worse. That, and much like Unlimited SaGa, you don't actually "level up," but rather, you select from ONE upgrade after a level and that's assuming you found them in the level. Screw that.

Now, in concerns to X-2, let's think about this one thing at a time...

+ Nice active battle system with all kinds of awesome features.
- ZOMG GIRL POWER, LIKE OMG, SRSLY.
+ Take FFX world, add missions, add chapters. It's a system that works, admittedly.
- Voice overs get annoying. QUICK.
+ Dress spheres are an awesome touch. Kind of a futuristic version of jobs.
- Almost any side game was crap.
+ Good music. Great sound effects (minus uber-annoying voice overs).

Admittedly, it's not the best in the FF series. But at least it's not...this. So yeah...there are worse things you could play. Speaking of Fallout...anyone interested in the upcoming Fallout 3? You know, I never beat ANY of the Fallout titles, but I really loved them all the same. Honestly, what I end up doing, like in most sandbox titles is going "Oh, never seen you before" to random NPCs, saving, then attempting to steal everything off of them.

If I fail, no biggie...I load. And I keep doing it until either I figure it's not going to happen...or it does. This is how I got a submachine gun without paying for it relatively quickly. Aaaaaaand speaking of sandbox. Have any of you tried either Metal Saga or Steambot Chronicles? Metal Saga's pretty fun...it's actually a remake of Metal Max Returns, which is ALSO a remake. Can't really recommend SB unless you can tolerate crappy controls, but it's okay. Well, that's about it.

[Gravekeeper]

I'm cautiously optimistic about Fallout 3. I loved 1 & 2 but to be honest, and I seem to be a minority here, I'm not really a fan of Bethesda's work. They create a seemingly fabulous world then drop you in the middle of it and say "Here, go find your own entertainment". Then the world itself, while amazingly large, tends to be rather shallow once you pick away at the surface.

So while I'd love a Fallout 3, I'm really worried its going to be Oblivion all over again. Oblivion looked fantastic....and thats kind of all it did. -.-

[Broomjockey]

I seem to be a minority here, I'm not really a fan of Bethesda's work. They create a seemingly fabulous world then drop you in the middle of it and say "Here, go find your own entertainment". Then the world itself, while amazingly large, tends to be rather shallow once you pick away at the surface.

So while I'd love a Fallout 3, I'm really worried its going to be Oblivion all over again. Oblivion looked fantastic....and thats kind of all it did. -.-

...

...

>_>
<_<

GET OUT OF MY HEAD! Geez. Seriously. Same thoughts going on over here. Plus a few choice words about the "radiant AI" and the scaling of EVER SINGLE MONSTER to your power level. What the hell is the point of leveling if you're never going to be able to go back and one-shot that bastage monster that killed you a dozen times when you're level 3?

Of course, I sorta cheated by making what I dubbed "The Ultimate Spell of UberDoom" as it did every type of damage, and gave 100% weakness to every type of damage. Cast that 2 or 3 times and nothing really survives. It was their spellcrafting utility, I just made the stupidly powerful spell.

[Gravekeeper]

GET OUT OF MY HEAD! Geez. Seriously. Same thoughts going on over here. Plus a few choice words about the "radiant AI" and the scaling of EVER SINGLE MONSTER to your power level. What the hell is the point of leveling if you're never going to be able to go back and one-shot that bastage monster that killed you a dozen times when you're level 3?

Ah yes, the scaling monster spawning. You could spent months playing and finally obtain some legendary death sword of lore that took <insert fantasy race here> a 100 years to forge using the finest craftsman in the world out of a metal so rare even an ounce of it is worth an entire kingdom.......and the game will respond by handing said sword out on every street corner to every drunkard, beggar, petty thief, rat, crab and elk in the entire game world.