VideoGame_Discussion

Heads-up, everyone: I'll update tonight since I'm gonna be out of town tomorrow. I'd like to update the OP every Saturday to keep you guys up-to-date, but that won't work this weekend.

OP's been updated! I also changed the Gamer's Day image since the original was a larger image shrunken down to 16x16--that made it too fuzzy for my taste. It's better now!
Fun fact: Gamer's Day is based on the Mega Man 9 achievement of the same name, which required you to beat MM9 five times in one day. I'm a bit more generous, thankfully.

[imgt]https://i.imgur.io/O7GjslQ_d.webp?maxwidth=640&sha...[/imgt]
And so am I.

Mega Man Xtreme 2 suffers from Mega Man 7 syndrome by having a charming, pleasant adventure get kneecapped in the 11th hour. Sigma’s two final battles are the pits, and they weren’t needed—there were new villains this time around that could have served as fitting final bosses, but Sigma had to wreck everything at the end. Most of the game is fun, but the only thing you’re likely to remember is grinding lives and finding/buying every upgrade so you stand even a sliver of a chance against that terrible antagonist. He extends the game by a good four hours on his own. Way to ruin an otherwise good game.

If you play this, avoid Extreme Mode. It’s just the other two good modes stuck together with this abysmal finale tacked on. Beating Berkana and Gareth on their own and seeing the credits roll should be enough for any rational players.

Just finised Super Kiwi 64 on Nintendo Switch.

I enjoyed it, but it wasn't as good as the devs' Toree line of games.

I think this + Super Mario Land 2 qualifies me for the Hop 'n' Bop badge as well

Also please remove Neo Geo from my list

My #5 is Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart.

https://ibb.co/TcL7gYt

I started playing this last year and dropped off it 2-3 levels before the end. Picked it back up and remembered that, while pretty, it's just another Ratchet and Clank game.

DemonAlcohol wrote:

I honestly thought it was the best Ratchet & Clank game to date.

Frank wrote:

Story didn't do it for me. But I agree it's the best one.

DemonAlcohol wrote:

On a story front I agree. Gameplay though... definitely the smoothest and most fun to play yet. And Ratchet & Clank was why I got my PS2 back in the day.

@Frank I think that'd count better as Bear & Bird, since it's a 3D platformer.

SupremeSarna wrote:

Fair enough! I'm sure there will be many 2D and 3D

I beat Jetpac (originally image) with a score of over 12,000. I blasted aliens, fueled up the rocket a few times, and got my Rareware Coin. Given that I beat both this and Donkey Kong, hardcore fans should know what other game I've been playing...

EDIT: Updated the OP again to add a total of four games. I wanted to see how my custom ZX Spectrum logo would turn out, and I think it looks darn spiffy.

I beat Popeye 2 in two days. $20 well spent.
[imgt]https://i.imgur.io/vvGOsSh_d.webp?maxwidth=640&sha...[/imgt]

Game is only about 40 minutes long and has a few problems. It lags sometimes, rope-jumping is frequent and difficult, hitboxes can be off, and some of the bosses are hard enough to drain your life pool if you don't bring more health and a spinach projectile into the battle. Those gripes aside, I liked it! It's a pleasant little platformer with some decent music, an amusing sense of humor, and enough challenge to keep you amped. Were it a little better, I'd call it the Wellington Burger of Popeye games.

I beat Destroy all Humans on the xbox

Number: 4
Full Title: Metroid: Zero Mission
Platform Played:
Collection: N/A
Native Platform:
Original Platform:
Applicable Badge: Metroidvania (1/2)

image

I wish it were feasible for every 8-bit game to receive this type of 16-bit remake. Improve the graphics, respect the source material, add some quality-of-life improvements, and hold the "modern sensibilities". The only detractor was the stealth section, which I exacerbated by missing a save room or two.

I think @sailorneorune and @Yoshi have the right idea. Since my write-ups are being posted elsewhere, I'm going to use their format for announcing new playthroughs.

Number: 2
Full Title: Cake Bash
Platform Played: Stadia
Collection: N/A
Native Platform: Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Stadia
Original Platforms: Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Stadia
Applicable Badge: Chance Time (1/2)

The game takes only around 30 minutes to finish, so I played through it three times to gather screenshots and footage. Sounds like this qualified me for the badge as well.

Stadia has only three days left on this mortal coil. I've had my fill of trying new Stadia Pro games on the platform, so I've been playing through Final Fantasy XV, taking advantage of the "play anywhere" nature of the platform to work through the story at home and take on sidequests on my phone. I'll likely only make it to Chapter 3 before Wednesday, at which point I'll try to transfer my save to the Steam version.

I have three other Stadia playthroughs under my belt from the era before native streaming was possible, so I'm considering playing through them again so I have footage to work with. After that, I'll be starting Doom 64. I'm still wishing I had picked up the Stadia version of that game when it was on sale for $2.50; I'd probably be playing through that version right now if I had.

Last year I challenged myself to beat one game from The Legend of Zelda series every month. It was grueling (but fun) to do since every game is fairly long. So this year I?m doing something much tamer?beating every Pikmin game before Pikmin 4 releases.

So here?s New Play Control! Pikmin .
[imgt]https://i.imgur.io/5dEJog9_d.webp?maxwidth=640&sha...[/imgt]
[imgt]https://i.imgur.io/ccabLl5_d.webp?maxwidth=640&sha...[/imgt]

Pikmin is a fun RTS game where you control an army of colorful alien plants to kill giant wildlife and retrieve the bits of your broken spaceship? before you run out of air! It?s quite difficult for a GameCube game by Nintendo?the 30 days speed by, you need a minimum of 25 parts to escape the atmosphere, and the Pikmin are often at the mercy of the horrifying predators that stalk them. Spotty Bulborbs, Beady Longlegs, Burrowing Snagrets, and Fiery Blowhogs! There?s no way to slow time, so if the day you?re on goes poorly, your best bet is to just restart the software and try again. I did that a little too often in the final days, but at least I 100%?d it. This game would do well with various difficulty levels, whether you?re intimidated by the challenge or you want a harder version for a new playthrough.

Fantastic game, but the pressure was real every step of the way. Now if only it contained a Luigi?s Mansion video?

I finished The Diofield Chronicle on Switch. Not a bad game, but definitely a lot more interesting SRPGs out there. Speaking of which, now I'm just waiting for my copy of Fire Emblem Engage to ship!

While it doesn't really count, today I finally beat Zelda for the Nelsonic Game Watch. I got this watch several years ago and the buttons are meant for a child, so it is kind of difficult to play, and the 2 keese 2 iron balls in the fourth dungeon are BRUTAL. This is a pretty fun little gadget and finally after replacing the battery last night and playing a few times I beat it this morning!

Pic for those who don't know what I'm talking about:
image

That's really cool!

Scott wrote:

yeah these things are great! They are way cheaper than an actual Zelda Game&Watch, which means they're more accessible to us commoners! They were made in the 80s by Nelsonic and there are a few different versions like a StarFox one. I only have a few of the Zelda ones though

I kinda want to get one. Gotta beat every Zelda game, after all!

Wait, these things are expensive! Like $100+! I thought you said they were the cheaper option to the Zelda Game&Watch? I finally picked up the Game&Watch from Walmart the other day for $25, but even the regular price was $50. Guess I won't be playing this one after all.

Guess he meant they're cheaper than the original Game & Watch Zelda.

Ohhh....I didn't know there was an older one. Was it different from the one that came out recently?

Scott wrote:

Yes, there was an actual Zelda Game & Watch title. (Dual screen.) It's playable on G & W Gallery 4 on GBA.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=GkTD_JTxUKw

cool!

SupremeSarna wrote:

So it's still worth me tracking down a copy?

BloodPuppetX wrote:

Did not know this was playable on G&W Gallery 4. Thanks for the info!

Scott wrote:

I've got 3 of em, but 2 do not work properly. If I can get another one to function I would propose a trade for some of your good stuff! I will get back to you if and when this is the case if you are interested

Another one down. Portal: Still Alive on

Playing this was fun. Especially since the visuals were upped to 4K. Doesn't look as good as PC's RTX, but still pretty good.

#2 Bayonetta 3
As much as I enjoyed this 3rd installment I couldn’t help but feel it wasn’t better than the last game. Although I did rather enjoy the final chapter and that one moment in the final boss fight where something cool happened that recalled the prior 2 games. The Kaiju like fights were neat at first but got repetitious towards the end and I’m not sure if it was just me but the controls felt a little too loosey goosey for my tastes this time around and not as buttoned up as the last 2 games. Some platforming sections got a little annoying when time wasn’t on your side. The music was great as always as was the high octane combat. I liked how you got to control various demons this time around too and incorporated them into the core gameplay mechanic. The story was all over the place and didn’t really hook me in until the very final chapter when I went OHHHHH so that’s what they were trying to convey! But again, who really plays Bayonetta games for its intricately woven story?

Alas it was a long wait and worth it for the most part. I look forward to future entries although I must say I wish they would change up the formula a bit or perhaps release future entries on better hardware like the successor to the Switch since it’s now a Nintendo exclusive. The frame drops in here we’re a bit too frequent for my liking.

Played through Aperture Desk Job this evening on (perhaps replace with ?)

This was really enjoyable, albeit very short. It really makes me wish there was a Portal 3.

Frank wrote:

Yes, I'd say so. Though tracking down a Wellington Burger at Wimpy's burger shop in Universal's Islands of Adventure (shameless plug) is more worthwhile. Though you should keep your eyes peeled for one below $30--it's extremely short. Maybe watch an LP and see if it floats your boat before going all in.

Stadia sent its final bits last night. As an impromptu "Goodbye Tour" of sorts, I replayed two games I picked up in the service's early days and recorded the playthroughs.

Number: 3
Full Title: Samurai Shodown
Platform Played: Stadia
Collection: N/A
Native Platform: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series, Arcade, Stadia, Switch, Windows
Original Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Applicable Badge: Street Fightin' (1/2)

I played through the game with the two free DLC characters: Shizumaru Hisame and Gongsun Li. Both of them use umbrellas as weapons. That wasn't planned.

Number: 4
Full Title: Panzer Dragoon
Platform Played: Stadia
Collection: N/A
Native Platform: Switch, Stadia, Windows, PlayStation 4, Luna, Xbox One
Original Platforms: Saturn
Applicable Badge: Destroy the Core (1/2)

R.I.P. Stadia. Time to start Doom 64 and Crisis Core.

Nice job on Panzer Dragoon. I don't know why, but, for some reason, there was a stage near the end that I could never get past when I was playing that on Stadia awhile back. I died every time and eventually gave up.

Renaissance2K wrote:

Bleed_DukeBlue wrote:

I had a hard time with the last stage the first time I played through the game. The only reason I didn't this time around is because I learned to be extremely vigilante and proactive with enemy targeting during all my failed attempts the first time.

The tunnel level is rough too. Lots of hazards, and damaging the boss is more difficult than it needs to be.

As much as a cheerleader as I am for Stadia, I booted up the Steam version today to see if the save games can be copied over (they can't, at least not without additional effort), and it controls a lot more smoothly and with less lag than the Stadia version. Nothing I really noticed without playing the games back to back, though.

I beat Resident Evil 5 on the xbox1

Feel like I was on a roll to start the month/year but now I've bogged down, but I'm actively playing at least 5 games right now and making progress on them all.
Focusing on a smaller set of consoles but trying to cycle through them vs just playing a bunch of XSX games changes things up for me. I like the change, but part of it is my console setup changed and I have less access to that XSX but more access really to all my other stuff.
XSX got the focus in the past lately due to GP and quick resume helped. But I felt like I was neglecting too many other consoles and games I had purchased.

I started another Pikmin playthrough. I'm doing so much better this time! I guess it's a Zelda II phenomenon--hard, stressful game becomes excellent once you've been through it before!

I only got 2 games down this year myself so far and am currently working on chipping away at these:

Gotham Knights
Mario+Rabbids Sparks of Hope
Sonic Frontiers

It's a slow churn. If only I had as much time as I did back in like 2020-2021 I would be almost at 10 games down within the first month of a new year.

#6 down: Marvel’s Midnight Suns on PS5. I would like to count this toward the Days Gone By badge. It took me 103 hours to finish everything. Proof here:

https://imgur.com/a/n9rsYqV

This was a fun one. Turn-based tactical battling with card mechanics, a huge script with tons of dialogue and interactions between characters, opportunities to go dark or light based on how you respond to teammates and how you fight, and much more. I had a lot of fun tweaking decks and building new strategies. There’s a lot to do but also constant rewards (new cards, new stats, new costumes and variations on those costumes, decorations and furniture for your room, etc.). It lived up to my high expectations.

Minor gripes: Some of the dialogue is pretty cringy, as it’s a superhero game. Also, this game looks great, but some of the character models are weird. Tony Stark has this oddly smooth face that looks plasticy like a Ken doll.