VideoGame_Discussion

I was ready to jump in with one of the handheld Guitar Hero games today, but it turns out I don't have an AC adapter for my DS Lite.

I did hook up everything on the PS2 original last night, though. It took me a few minutes to remember how the guitar keys work, but it did come back eventually.

@Frank - I beat Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock on PS3- https://imgur.com/a/a0j9bfP. The end credits were pretty amusing.

I wanted to experience one of these games with an actual guitar controller, so I got one, and borrowed an Xbox 360.

Started Guitar Hero 2 yesterday. The end results of a song are amusing, where your pay has deductions such as "house mics, dented," and "clean up, massive -$750"

I played through the intro of GH Live on PS4 and I'm not liking the new "fret" layout. Hopefully it's something I grow to joy or I will definitely be selling off this game after beating it. The last GH game I played was GH2 on Xbox 360 and I feel like I really enjoyed it. Not sure how I feel about the realism in this game, feels a bit too serious for what it should be.

Guitar Hero Live is the only GH game I no longer own for the exact reason you said--I'm not a fan of the fret layout.

SwiftJAB wrote:

I'm trying to decide which GH game to play. I might do one of the band ones like Van Halen or Metallica.

Metallica was pretty highly praised on release, even though it came out at around the time that instrument games were starting to fade in popularity. As someone who's been a fan of Metallica since high school, it does a really good job of representing the band's aesthetic.

Van Halen, on the other hand, was almost universally panned. I don't know if there's something legitimately terrible about it, or if people were just like "Okay, enough Guitar Hero already" by that point.

I beat both of these this year. GH: Metallica does a decent job of representing Metallica's catalog and GH: Van Halen does the same for Van Halen. I personally like the non-Van Halen songs on GH: Van Halen more than the non-Metallica songs on GH: Metallica, but that's just personal preference. GH: Van Halen has stuff from Yellowcard, Jimmy Eat World, Blink-182, Foo Fighters, Killswitch Engage, etc. GH: Metallica has Motorhead, Diamond Head, Machine Head (lots of heads...), System of a Down, Judas Priest, Foo Fighters (Stacked Actors, whereas the Van Halen one has Best of You), Queen, Thin Lizzy, Mastodon, etc.

Renaissance2K wrote:

Playlist on the Hits version was ok. It had songs from most of the series on one disc.

Bleed_DukeBlue wrote:


I'll probably just go ahead and play both of those.

@Frank For my September redemption, I beat Tetris Effect.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/xoUwhdTBoq1WC8ka9

This game is so amazing. One of the only games I've kept since I got my PS4 almost 3 years ago.

Got some decent time to play Guitar Hero Live. The strum bar was terribly squeaky, which I found out was a common problem with this model guitar, but simple to fix with some lubricant. I had to fix it or I would go crazy. After fixing it, I had a much better time, however the game just isn't grabbing me. Normal mode uses all six frets and after several attempts to get used to it, I just can't. I probably could eventually master it, but it's just not worth the time. This leaves me playing on Basic mode which only uses the lower 3 frets. This mode is too easy to really enjoy, I'm basically getting near perfect on every song.

This game does give me a lot of appreciation for Beat Saber. It's so much more fun to be swinging light sabers around in fluid rhythm. I mean, VR certainly helps too.

Does Sackboy count for the Little Big Planet month? I'm gonna be beating that soon. @Frank

Kommie wrote:

I don't remember if I initially allowed it, but yeah it can count from here on out.

Let me know how you like it. I got to world 2 and stopped. Something about it didn't click with me. Felt too much like 3D world on Wii U.

Frank wrote:

I've never played any modern Mario game, but I started playing it and my kid loves to watch. There's a free Banana costume that I must play in, and it is dubbed "Banana Game". It's fun for what it is, a simple 3D platformer.

Kommie wrote:

It just felt too slow to me. The same issue I had with 3D World. I love platformers, but am very picky when it comes to player speed. Slow speeds to pad out the experience is a no go for me.

It's only a 10 hour or so game, perfect for what it is IMO. Obviously more if you're obsessed with 100% completion and Trophies.

Frank wrote:


Have you tried the Switch version of Super Mario 3D World? Everything moves quicker, you don't even really need to hold the run button anymore. That's actually one change they made that I didn't like.

I like Mario 3D World's speed on Wii U better. The switch version just feels too loose

PizzaTheHutt wrote:

Yes, I did. I wasn't going to initally pick it up, but the Bowser's Fury mode enticed me enough to jump in. I gave myself a rule, I had to replay 3D world before taking on Bowser's Fury.

I did a speed run through the Switch version, and wow! It feels way better! Mario actually feels like controlling Mario. Movement in the Wii U version just felt way too sluggish.

benstylus wrote:
I actually disagree with you there. While Luigi definitely became slipperier to control, everyone else felt leagues and above better than the Wii U version.

Of course, it's all a matter of opinion. That said, the Switch version made me actually like 3D World, as the Wii U version of 3D world sits as one of my least favorite Mario games.

@benstylus have you given the original Super Lucky's Tale on Xbox One a try? That one seemed ambitious, but the controls felt slow to me. Perhaps it's something you'd enjoy, as other aspects of the game look amazing.

@Frank and @benstylus I beat Super Lucky's Tale and the 'New' version both on X1 via GP. Both were actually pretty fun and challenging at times. Good titles especially to play with or around children.

Slickriven wrote:

I don't think they have kids, they just prefer games made for kids, it seems.

Slickriven wrote:

Did you find the last boss of New Super Lucky's Tale to be a serious difficulty spike? My partner and I blew through that entire game with no issues but the last boss stopped us dead in our tracks.

Nope no kids, I just don't judge a game based on its ESRB rating.

If a game is fun, I have no problem playing it.

@Kommie I concur with @Frank - having kids or not, SLT and NSLT were both pretty solid 3D platformers. Sure some of the encouragement dialog at times was a little annoying, but the gameplay was solid.

@bumsplikity I didn't even remember the final boss, but looked him up and no I didn't find him all that difficult. I don't clearly remember, obviously, but I also don't remember being annoyed so I likely either beat him on my first or maybe second attempt. After watching part of a clip of that fight on YT I recall his shifting of the platform you stand on was a challenge, but he still followed a pattern that didn't seem too hard. To be fair, I don't think any boss fight in either game was difficult and I don't recall failing any of the fights, but it's fully possible that I did against him.

Not saying it's a bad thing, if it's fun, it's fun.

I actually couldn't get into either SLT or NSLT. I tried both of them on Game Pass. I only recommended them, because @benstylus mentioned preferring the characters on the Wii U version's slower speed.

Maybe I'll give one of them another try. I wonder if I can play it on GamePass for PC, and somehow speed up the game?

I think I picked up a physical PS4 copy of NSLT a while back. Not sure why tbh

@Frank I just checked and both games (a little surprised that the first is still there) are on GP and PC as well. I didn't notice that they were slow, but recall that they weren't fast. I know that 1 thing that they improved for the New title was auto coin pickup, first game didn't have that and that was annoying, not the I really cared about the coins since all they did was buy you cosmetic items for Lucky and that was meh overall.

Is anybody planning on playing one of the DS games for the Game of the Month and needs a grip? I have one or two extras.

Love how there's more talk about platformers than there are about this months game. Who's all participating (or planning on it) in the GH series? I think I'm nearly complete with GH Live.

I beat Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock at the beginning of the month.

SwiftJAB wrote:

Unfortunately I don't own a copy so I won't be participating. Trying to figure out which, if any older title I might try for.

Sackboy

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@frank like the trophy says, it was "a piece of cake"

@Bleed_DukeBlue and @SwiftJAB got your GH badges

@Kommie got his LBP one.

If I'm missing anyone, let me know!

I'm halfway through Guitar Hero: Aerosmith. I'm enjoying it, but I'm hoping that I didn't make a mistake in choosing hard mode. If I get stuck on a song, I'll have to replay everything on normal mode in order to progress. I've had one close call so far, so we shall see.

I finished the original Guitar Hero today on PS2.

The timing isn't anywhere near as tight as I remember. At first, I thought it was just me sucking or being out of practice, but later games on Xbox didn't feel as sloppy. I don't know if the issue with this game was a timing incompatibility with Open PS2 Loader, or if Harmonix just didn't have the timing right until the later games. There's no lag calibration in the original, but playing on an analog set, that shouldn't have been a problem.

Either way, it's done now. Even on Medium, the last set of five tracks was pretty tricky.

Jumping ahead a decade, Guitar Hero Live is next in the queue...

I'm partially through Guitar Hero 2. Enjoying the experience of playing a game with a guitar controller.

Just got hit with some super nostalgia. I'm up to a round of songs that includes "Message in a Bottle." I remember that one from this game back on the PS2 some years ago. Currently about to play "Carry on Wayward Son." Good stuff.

Glad you guys are having fun. @Renaissance2K I'll add your badge here in a minute.

Ironically, I acquired a wired PS3 Drum Kit, and a Wired 360 Xplorer over the weekend. I'm keeping the drum kit, but if anyone needs a guitar let me know. These work on Xbox and PC

Frank wrote:

Nice of you to offer that guitar. Can you hop in your time machine and post the message three weeks ago? Would appreciate it.

nonamesleft wrote:

Sorry buddy, I'm charging up the Time Machine now, so I can head back to the late 90s and pick up some cheap retro games.

Frank wrote:

Ha! Pick me up a new Chrono Trigger while you're there.

And don't forget to get yourself a few copies of Stadium Events.

Already had my badge, but I finished Guitar Hero Live tonight.

I tolerated the set list a whole lot more and the new grip style a whole lot less than I expected to. Those split chords where you're playing one black and one white note always seemed to kill me, but the game itself was still fun. I'm really bummed I missed out on GHTV now.

I'm glad we started allowing additional makeup badges, as I fully intended to play GH this month, but don't know that I'll find the time.

Finally finished Guitar Hero: Aerosmith. Pretty good, but not that great, to be honest. I feel like there should have been more songs available. I wasn't sure I'd be able to finish a couple of times, but I managed. I got hung up on a few songs and had to replay them a couple of times.

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I might fire up the Metallica GH tomorrow.

Are we starting 20 Questions today?

Beat Guitar Hero: World Tour last night. I started it back at release but jumped into bed with Rock Band a little before halfway through and never got around to finishing it. The last set made my already-shaky 360 guitar nearly fall apart, even on Medium.

I probably have time for one more, so I'm queuing up Warriors of Rock next.

EB wrote:

We can start today

Is it a spooky horror-themed game?

Was it published by Konami or Capcom?

Frank wrote:
I had similar thoughts. I'm in middle of Guitar Hero II, but unless I rush through it, I don't think I'll beat the game at the end of this month. I'd rather savor the game than rush it.

Kommie wrote:

1. Yes

SwiftJAB wrote:
2. No

I will give a hint (that doesn't help much really):
The game chosen was from my list of user suggestions.

If you want more diversity in the games, and you have suggestions continue PMing them my way!!

3. Was the game first released on or after January 1, 2015?

Is there a recently announced sequel eventually coming out?

Is it exclusive to Sony consoles?

Renaissance2K wrote:

3. Yes

Kommie wrote:

4. Not that I'm aware of

SwiftJAB wrote:

5. Yes

I contemplates making this next month's game, but decided not to pick games for selfish reasons...


https://youtu.be/82gJREu1zgc

Is it this?

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Kommie wrote:

That was gonna be my first guess too. I hope it is, because I've been looking for a reason to replay that.

That's the game where you get the moral victory by letting everyone die because they're all douche-canoes, right?

Kommie wrote:

Damn that was fast.

Yes next month will be Until Dawn, recommended by our own @sinnie

Frank wrote:

Sony exclusive, released after January 1 2015, a spooky horror themed game. It's pretty much the only one that fits the bill

Sweet, been wanting to replay that.

My slow ass is still working on finishing up Tetris Effect's Journey mode. I'm on the final level and I've gotta clear 90 lines, but the most I've been able to do before everything speeds up too quick for me is 77. The entire game was awesome up until this level.

I take that back, that was just sour grapes because I spent almost an hour getting my ass kicked on that level. I gave it another attempt last night before bed and beat it on my first try. The game is good from start to finish. I wore headphones like the game always recommends, I don't know if that really made a difference or not, but I do recommend it anyway because the soundtrack is pretty damn good.

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Way to go. I definitely felt the last level had a bigger difficulty jump than the rest of the levels. IIRC, part way through the level the speed jumps from 7 to 13.

SwiftJAB wrote:

Yeah I think it was once you clear the 59th line, all hell breaks loose.

Guitar Hero month is over. Before my fingers fall off, here's my final kill list:

Guitar Hero
Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks the 80s
Guitar Hero: World Tour
Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock
Guitar Hero Live
Guitar Hero: On Tour
Guitar Hero: On Tour: Decades
Guitar Hero: On Tour: Modern HIts

Awesome idea for a GOTM. What a throwback.

Renaissance2K wrote:

Wow. Impressive. Which did you enjoy the most?

nonamesleft wrote:

World Tour's setlist is my favorite in the series, even if it was old news back when it was originally released, so that's going to be my pick. Live is probably next in line after that; the FMV career mode was a whole lot more enjoyable than I initially expected, even with the new guitar layout.

Renaissance2K wrote:

Major props to you. It's efforts like this that make me want to give you something besides the standard badge.

Frank wrote:

Ha! Please don't!

Seriously, though - and this goes for my LittleBigPlanet binge earlier in the year as well - these are all games that were on my backlog somewhere. Deep in my backlog, for sure, but all I need is an excuse or a nudge to get it to jump the line.

If you were to do a month of, I dunno... Civilization or Hello Kitty or The Sims or something else I'm not really that into, I'd probably take my badge and go home.

Renaissance2K wrote:

I dusted off the guitar and played GH 3. I got stuck on the last tier on expert and called it quits. Couldn't beat them back then, and I still can't. lol. Its still my favorite game of the series.

Songs are entirely too long as well. Masochistic.

Did anyone start Until Dawn yet? I'm trying to finish a playthrough of Tomb Raider Definitive Edition first (I'll be done in a day or two I think), but when I start Until Dawn I will try to keep notes of who lives and who dies after each chapter and then post here so we can compare (assuming anyone else is interested in doing it too). That's what my friend and I do when we play these types of games.

PizzaTheHutt wrote:

I played through it. Its a short game. I went through and got all the endings. The game keeps a log of all your decisions and the resulting outcome. So you really don't need to keep notes. this way on your next playthrough you can see which decisions impact what and choose to change them.

A minor spoiler regarding collectibles

My first play through I only missed 1 collectible because I failed to keep someone alive I think. But I got everyone else. I think there's another to get everyone killed (went back for that one.) But it's been years since I played this one, so I'm gonna try to get everyone this time. This game is spooky and fun as hell once you get past the campy 80s horror beginning.