General Video Game Discussion

[SMW-VIKINGS]

Just to try and organize things I suppose this is a thread to discus on your favorite (or least favorite for that matter). I'll go ahead and get the discussion started. How do you feel about the new halo ODST game and how do you feel it will compare to the others.

[Swish]

Isn't there already a thread about ODST?

Doesn't matter anyway.

I think it looks the business, and I think the people complaining about it being a full-price retail game are being completely ridiculous. That complaint is based on the fact it's a new campaign that is apparently very slightly shorter than Halo 3's. This seems to ignore the fact it also contains all of Halo 3's multiplayer, Forge and Theater features, every piece of premium Halo 3 DLC released so far, a bunch of new multiplayer maps on top of that, a handful of new weapons, an entirely new multiplayer game mode, and a couple of new singleplayer features and mechanics. So all in all it has masses more content than Halo 3 did. What the hell are you complaining about?

The only thing that is perhaps a little unfortunate is that downloading the separate components of ODST isn't an available option. It'd be nice since there are a lot of people who already have a large proportion of this content.

I have no tolerance for all that crazy sense of entitlement and general contrariness that typifies vocal gamers on the internet, so I wanted to get that out the way before anyone commits it.

[SMW-VIKINGS]

Oh...well i could change the subject to the new Kingdom Hearts games and yeah i think bungie is just milking halo for as much as money as possible although i would like a halo 4 with masterchief meeting up with some of his other lost spartan's and find a new threat or even encounter live forerunners!

[Swish]

Live Forerunners?

So you mean, like, humans?

Was 343 Guilty Spark's dialogue not clear enough for you, with all that "Reclaimer" talk in the first two games regarding Master Chief and Miranda Keyes? Or that incredibly subtle line in the third game in which he says, "You are Forerunner"?

Also that's some nice cynical contrariness you did there regarding Bungie's "milking" of the franchise. Right after I... ah, forget it.

[SMW-VIKINGS]

Sorry I didn't read the whole post I was in kinda in a hurry and I don't pay attention to the dialog i just play halo for shooting the aliens and stuff well i suppose i might wanna go through the halo series again..... in that case how bout ahh i got nothing didn't bungie make it "seem" like halo and this one game that was in like the 1990's were connected. could u help me out here

[zippy]

*throws guitar amp at SMW for stealing my thread* :p

Bungie isn't the one milking the franchise...microsoft and their 343 studios are. Even IF they are just pumping halo for money, you have to admit that some of the merchandise is badass. Like this jacket: (this is SO my costume for VGL, all I need is one of those replica plasma rifles and I'm good! xD)

http://www.myteespot.com/Halo-Costume-Halo-Hooded-Sweatshirt-p-12097.html

[Songbird]

*throws guitar amp at SMW for stealing my thread* :p

Bungie isn't the one milking the franchise...microsoft and their 343 studios are. Even IF they are just pumping halo for money, you have to admit that some of the merchandise is badass. Like this jacket: (this is SO my costume for VGL, all I need is one of those replica plasma rifles and I'm good! xD)

http://www.myteespot.com/Halo-Costume-Halo-Hooded-Sweatshirt-p-12097.html

I could of sworn I've seen that hoodie in either Wal-Mart or Hot Topic.

I feel somewhat guilty though. I've played the main Halo games, but I have yet to touch Halo Wars at all. Not that I'm saying it's a bad game, but I'm not exactly a RTS person; interesting that orignally that was the ideal Halo game.

[SMW-VIKINGS]

Personally I would have liked it if Halo Wars was like Desert Storm were you get to play shoot and control your squad rather than a pure RTS game but i can deal with em not as fun but still killz time

[zippy]

I'm not an RTS person either. I tried command and conquer red alert 3, and I failed because there's so many damn button combos to memorize. Halo wars, on the other hand, is totally noob proof! There's only a couple of button combos to learn. :p

Now, that last level on halo wars is VERY annoying! Anybody else here that's been through that level and knows what I'm talking about? xD

[SMW-VIKINGS]

I'm not an RTS person either. I tried command and conquer red alert 3, and I failed because there's so many damn button combos to memorize. Halo wars, on the other hand, is totally noob proof! There's only a couple of button combos to learn. :p

Now, that last level on halo wars is VERY annoying! Anybody else here that's been through that level and knows what I'm talking about? xD

congratulations on the 100t post welcome to the senior member club email myph ur avatar!

[Macacão Sapão]

Damn, I gotta get my 100th post so I can get an avatar!

But I still have a long way to go.

[SMW-VIKINGS]

Well...you could always just go around on the forums and post your thoughts on all the posts. One on each and you'll get 100 today! Also zippy i have a smoking master cheif helmet avatar if you want it just tell me

[Macacão Sapão]

Well...you could always just go around on the forums and post your thoughts on all the posts. One on each and you'll get 100 today!

Intriguing indeed... I might just do that!:D

[Terraguy]

If you were to do that, I'd see 44 topics in the "New Post" category, which will probably be the most I've seen in a long while.

Not sure I actually want to see that, considering the last time that happened was during the spam days.... :p

[Macacão Sapão]

hehehe, don't worry. I won't actually do that. I don't have the energy/nerve for that much. ;)

[SMW-VIKINGS]

hehehe, don't worry. I won't actually do that. I don't have the energy/nerve for that much. ;)

well not with that attitude u wont! as for energy nothing a couple bottles of gatorade cant do. i would say red bull or monster but thosE r horrible 4 ur body like 10 pounds of sugar in each bottle :O

[Macacão Sapão]

... 10 pounds of sugar in each bottle

Damn, that would charge me up like the star power up for Mario. :D

[Songbird]

Damn, that would charge me up like the star power up for Mario. :D

Hmm... I guess the computer wouldn't die because it's part of the environment, but I wouldn't get too close to anyone because they might... fall of screen? O.o

[SMW-VIKINGS]

Ok back to the subject. Oh here's a question! What do you expect from the multiple upcoming Kingdom Hearts Games. Any ideas of what the plot could be (for the KH3 not the 365 and the one for the psp forgot the name :/ )

[zippy]

Sorry I didn't read the whole post I was in kinda in a hurry and I don't pay attention to the dialog i just play halo for shooting the aliens and stuff well i suppose i might wanna go through the halo series again..... in that case how bout ahh i got nothing didn't bungie make it "seem" like halo and this one game that was in like the 1990's were connected. could u help me out here

I think 'this one game' you are referring to is Marathon. :p M2 Durandual for XBL arcade is pretty fun, but impossible to beat without some kind of walkthrough or guide. But I guess that's how all old video games are like. xD

[Swish]

M2 Durandual for XBL arcade is pretty fun, but impossible to beat without some kind of walkthrough or guide.
... and a sick bag. I don't usually get motion sick, but Durandal is a special case.

[Songbird]

Ok back to the subject. Oh here's a question! What do you expect from the multiple upcoming Kingdom Hearts Games. Any ideas of what the plot could be (for the KH3 not the 365 and the one for the psp forgot the name :/ )

I think that if I tried to figure out the plot of any of them my head would explode. I actually didn't get the first K.H game untill the very month of K.H 2 release date. I'm more or less looking forward to playing Birth By Sleep; it'll give me another reason for me to buy a PSP. Oh, and just for tease, one of the worlds you get to go to involves somthing cute and fluffy.

[Macacão Sapão]

(...) one of the worlds you get to go to involves somthing cute and fluffy.

Angry dog (http://www.natemichals.com/graphics/fluffy-4009.jpg)? :rolleyes:

[SMW-VIKINGS]

Angry dog (http://www.natemichals.com/graphics/fluffy-4009.jpg)? :rolleyes:

CHIHUAHUA!!:D but they're not cute.....or fluffy

[zippy]

... and a sick bag. I don't usually get motion sick, but Durandal is a special case.

How can you get motion sick from M2? xD Unless you deliberately move around in circles over and over. :p

[SMW-VIKINGS]

tru dat yo lawlz what about guitar hero or rock band that can make u somewhat dissy but then again i blame the 5 hour rocking out montage i had with my friends :D

[zippy]

Rock band is awesome, it gives me yet another reason to play video games instead of practicing music for school. :p

[Stranth]

Personally I would have liked it if Halo Wars was like Desert Storm were you get to play shoot and control your squad rather than a pure RTS game but i can deal with em not as fun but still killz time

One of the main reasons I didn't get halo wars is because I could play statecraft for almost the same experience.

[Songbird]

Angry dog (http://www.natemichals.com/graphics/fluffy-4009.jpg)? :rolleyes:

Good grief! Looks like somebody woke up on the worng side of the mattress. Although the image itself doesn't quite match who I am referring to the bottom line would probably match the character in question perfectly.

On the sidenote I'm a little surprised that no Final Fantasy fan has made a new thread in the music suggestions in regards to the new PSP game. I guess they're too busy playing it still?

[zippy]

Speaking of dogs...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHAshi4vdbg

I laugh so hard I cry every time I watch this video. xD

[Brainiac]

On the sidenote I'm a little surprised that no Final Fantasy fan has made a new thread in the music suggestions in regards to the new PSP game. I guess they're too busy playing it still?

Don't forget that Dissidia's soundtrack is mostly composed of remixes of songs from the previous games.

[Songbird]

Don't forget that Dissidia's soundtrack is mostly composed of remixes of songs from the previous games.

I guess that's probably true - I don't own the game so I wouldn't know. Still, I think it would be neat to have a combination of the different numbers of Final Fantasy in one segment so Mr. OWA would have to share the spotlight with the others. :p

[Brainiac]

Still, I think it would be neat to have a combination of the different numbers of Final Fantasy in one segment so Mr. OWA would have to share the spotlight with the others. :p

That's what Martin's for! :p

[Terraguy]

That's what Martin's for! :p

We use him like this? :eek:

[Songbird]

Hey, just saw the new Sonic trailer and decided to post it here...

Project Needlemouse (http://www.gamespot.com/pc/action/projectneedlemouse/news.html?sid=6216990&mode=previews)

What i find strange is the information is under the PC tab; so does that mean it's only going to be for the PC?

[Swish]

Hey, just saw the new Sonic trailer and decided to post it here...

Project Needlemouse (http://www.gamespot.com/pc/action/projectneedlemouse/news.html?sid=6216990&mode=previews)

What i find strange is the information is under the PC tab; so does that mean it's only going to be for the PC?
It'll probably be for everything.

It'll also probably be crap.

Sonic was never about speed. The vertigo of high speed was a reward mechanism for progress - every so often you'd have to opportunity go round a loop or through a winding tube or something, but after a few seconds it was back to the old waiting for moving platforms, collecting rings and finding secrets. The core bread-and-butter gameplay was always far, far slower than Mario.

Somewhere along the line, SEGA has completely forgotten this, so Advance and Rush can be easily finished by simply holding right on the D-pad, and Unleashed is so quick it's virtually unplayable (not that there's much to play).

[Songbird]

It'll probably be for everything.

It'll also probably be crap.

Sonic was never about speed. The vertigo of high speed was a reward mechanism for progress - every so often you'd have to opportunity go round a loop or through a winding tube or something, but after a few seconds it was back to the old waiting for moving platforms, collecting rings and finding secrets. The core bread-and-butter gameplay was always far, far slower than Mario.

Somewhere along the line, SEGA has completely forgotten this, so Advance and Rush can be easily finished by simply holding right on the D-pad, and Unleashed is so quick it's virtually unplayable (not that there's much to play).

Awww now come on Swish. Lets not be too quick to make judgement before the game's release; although I'm not going to hold my breath either. ;)

Honestly I can't have a say what true Sonic games are about because I've never owned one untill Sonic Adventure 2 Battle. Sure there were some camera issues and the lip sync never matched the English dialogue -I laughed really hard when I heard Eggman's/Dr. Robotnik's laugh in japanese for the first time. :p

Overall I thought it was a great game and it also helped that I had someone to play with in versus mode; seriouly the hours that I put in that game is ridiculous, but then raising those Chaos was probably the reason why. As much effort as I put in those things I wish they would do something with them.

Getting back to what you said. So would you say that Sonic is essentially Mario with a different atmosphere and control? Please correct me if I'm getting the wrong message.

[Myrph]

Getting back to what you said. So would you say that Sonic is essentially Mario with a different atmosphere and control? Please correct me if I'm getting the wrong message.

In essence, I guess, thats exactly what Sonic is. Sure Sonic has rings where Mario has coins, the power-up boxes are on the floor instead of floating in the air and there are loop-the-loops instead of pipes, but to be honest I wouldn't be surprised if the whole idea behind Sonic was to have a recognisable platformer character for the Sega consoles that would rival Mario.

And apart from the cosmetic differences, one is an Italian plumber, the other a blue hedgehog, both are incredibly similar. Robotnic = Bowser, cute fluffy critters = the princess in each castle, Miles "Tails" Prowler = Luigi, Amy = Peach, etc. Sure Sonic has Knuckles, which isn't totally comparable, but then Mario has Toad so maybe there is something there.

Sonic is Sega's mascot, Mario is Nintendo's, stop me if I'm repeating myself, but the two, at least at their roots, are essentially the same. Its just Mario is still running around platforming, and is being successful at it, but Sonic, unfortunately, is losing touch with his platforming roots and is suffering for it.

But then that's all just my opinion, I could just be clutching at straws. Maybe though....

[zippy]

No, you're right. Sonic IS losing touch with it's platforming roots...that's exactly why I don't play it anymore. I remember playing sonic and the secret rings for the first time, and being shocked that it was crap! Seriously, the controls were always nonresponsive...not to mention a weird plot for a sonic game.

[Songbird]

No, you're right. Sonic IS losing touch with it's platforming roots...that's exactly why I don't play it anymore. I remember playing sonic and the secret rings for the first time, and being shocked that it was crap! Seriously, the controls were always nonresponsive...not to mention a weird plot for a sonic game.

That's exactlly how I felt Zippy. Trying to control sonic in that game with the wiimote got me so mad and then you have to do those tutorial things; it just didn't feel right so I stoped playing it. The same goes to Sonic Riders Zero Gravity.

[zippy]

Seriously, sonic just keeps getting more and more retarded with every new game. I mean, COME ON! Sega needs to make a new game that's like SA2B, with the chao and everything. The chao garden was the only reason I bothered to keep playing SA2B after beating it...:p

[Stranth]

I enjoyed Sonic right up to the version they made for the 360 (which is the first one I played after Sonic Adventure 1) and found it to be absolute crap and at that point I decided to not play any sonic games that came after the Dreamcast.

Companies need to stop messing with something that's already good because it usually ends up worse. but if companies didn't tamper then better things could not come to fruition.

but I'm failing to think of something that was changed for the better anyone wanna help me? and changing from 2-D to 3-D doesn't count.

[Swish]

Why doesn't 2D to 3D count? You're not seriously suggesting that Metroid Prime and Super Metroid, or Super Mario Bros. and Super Mario 64 are essentially the same thing are you?

Anyway:

Toejam & Earl is a quirky and interesting game. Toejam & Earl in Panic on Funkotron is an entirely different game, but no worse off for it.

Xenosaga Episode III was an enormous improvement on both of its predecessors.

Metal Gear Solid 3 is the strongest of the series I've played by a wide margin (not played 4 yet), and the camera system in Subsistence improved it yet further.

I could go on.

[Macacão Sapão]

Xenosaga Episode III was an enormous improvement on both of its predecessors.

Metal Gear Solid 3 is the strongest of the series I've played by a wide margin (not played 4 yet), and the camera system in Subsistence improved it yet further.

Second those.

I also believe that God of War II improved what was already good in God of War. (Really anxious to God of War III).

Devil May Cry is interesting here since the first is good, the second is crap and the third is way more ass-kicking. (haven't played 4 yet)

Zone of the Enders was a good game, but Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner is really a masterpiece.

[zippy]

I enjoyed Sonic right up to the version they made for the 360 (which is the first one I played after Sonic Adventure 1) and found it to be absolute crap and at that point I decided to not play any sonic games that came after the Dreamcast.

Owning that xbox game should be illegal. THAT is how bad it was...:eek:

[Stranth]

Why doesn't 2D to 3D count? You're not seriously suggesting that Metroid Prime and Super Metroid, or Super Mario Bros. and Super Mario 64 are essentially the same thing are you?

Because no game series has stayed at 2D because they thought it would be better than switching to 3D, and switching from 2D to 3D changed the gameplay enormously just by itself and generally turned out better for the game. and I find it a little unfair to try to compare two games that are almost entirely separate games within the same series.

and also I see now how I blatantly looked over the improved games.

[Swish]

Because no game series has stayed at 2D because they thought it would be better than switching to 3D, and switching from 2D to 3D changed the gameplay enormously just by itself and generally turned out better for the game. and I find it a little unfair to try to compare two games that are almost entirely separate games within the same series.

and also I see now how I blatantly looked over the improved games.
I thought the point you were making was that you couldn't think of any dramatic departures from established series conventions that turned out well. If you were simply referring to small incremental improvements the list is even longer (including as it does roughly 90% of games with a number "2" at the end of their titles).

As for your first statement:

Any fighting game series that started out 2D, apart from Mortal Kombat, but that's always been awful.

Similarly, any arcade-style shooters, from Gradius to Metal Slug.

[RetroVortex]

To be honest, SEGA should look less at Rush and more at the underrated Sonic Advance on the GBA.
That game had some speed, but it was a platformer at heart like the Genisis games.
It had quite a few flaws, (the ridiculous bonus game, a crippilingly slow pace at some points in a level are examples that sping to mind), but if SEGA were to improve on the fundementals of that game, then the next Sonic game would be a hit.

And bring back Sonic 2's bonus game! It is the best in the whole series! (fun, co-operative, and has awesome music)

[Macacão Sapão]

And bring back Sonic 2's bonus game! It is the best in the whole series! (fun, co-operative, and has awesome music)

Hell yeah!!

[Stranth]

I thought the point you were making was that you couldn't think of any dramatic departures from established series conventions that turned out well. If you were simply referring to small incremental improvements the list is even longer (including as it does roughly 90% of games with a number "2" at the end of their titles)

well yes but if the best we can find is incremental ones that made a large difference over time, I guess I will need to settle for it. but yes I was looking for drastic changes. and I remembered that a persons idea about improvement is completely biased.

[Songbird]

It's time for another gaming question! It made more scene to have it here than the other thread, but if rather have them there just say so.

How many times do you think the last boss should be fought before completing the task?

I feel bad because after finishing KH2 for example I'm expecting every other final boss to have some big epic fight that last more than ten minutes. Another one would be Infamous's last boss; sure I was killed a couple of times, but I was expecting so much more from that confrontation.

[Macacão Sapão]

It's time for another gaming question! It made more scene to have it here than the other thread, but if rather have them there just say so.

How many times do you think the last boss should be fought before completing the task?

I feel bad because after finishing KH2 for example I'm expecting every other final boss to have some big epic fight that last more than ten minutes. Another one would be Infamous's last boss; sure I was killed a couple of times, but I was expecting so much more from that confrontation.

I think it depends on the challenge you're looking for. After completing God of War and God of War II I felt compelled to complete them again in the most difficult mode (Man... some traumas are still kicking) which makes the last boss fight quite difficult and, therefore, long.

It also depends if you play RPG games, where the boss battles usually last long. Xenosaga I for example had 2 final bosses in a row with a truckload of HP, so they took a while.

And some boss fights are just so freaking cool you want them to last really long. Which actually leads me to ask you guys another question (Sorry for barging in your question like this, Songbird.)

Can you name some memorable boss fights? Not necessarily the last one, but a really cool boss fight. I would say Naked Snake vs. The End in MGS3: Snake Eater. The sniper battle there was fantastic!

[Terraguy]

For Songbird: It really depends on the game. Some games make sense to have a final boss that is cool to fight, but doesn't need three hundred bajillion different forms to beat (read: one), while some other games need a final boss with a couple of different forms that helps draw out the battle (such as Kingdom Hearts). That's not to say that final bosses with multiple forms are terrible; in fact, forms kind of help break the monotony of a boss with lots and lots of HP or something like that.

Still, it's enjoyable if the final boss is fun to beat.

At macacaosapao: Basically, almost every boss in Shadow of the Colossus was memorable.
And I loved the final boss at the Gerudo Temple in Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess.

[Myrph]

That's not to say that final bosses with multiple forms are terrible; in fact, forms kind of help break the monotony of a boss with lots and lots of HP or something like that.

My favourite multi-element final boss has to be God of Magic Kefka from FF6. That battle was epic, I loved how you could replace characters after they died and who could forget the amazing score that went with it? In my opinion, there is no better end boss music than Dancing Mad!

[Swish]

As with all your questions, it depends on both the game and its intended players.

Some people have a high tolerance for failure and feel as though winning first time indicates a game is too easy. Others prefer to remain in a state of flow, and would rather have bosses be a quirky but not strictly difficult one-off application of in-game tools (such as in Zelda) if they have them at all.

This isn't a strict rule - most people fall somewhere in between those camps, and people have different moods now and then too. From a design perspective, games should at least be consistent in this so players know what to expect, so that they can pick the kind of experience they want at the time.

[Myrph]

This isn't a strict rule - most people fall somewhere in between those camps, and people have different moods now and then too. From a design perspective, games should at least be consistent in this so players know what to expect, so that they can pick the kind of experience they want at the time.

Yeah, although I do enjoy the occasional drawn out boss battle, or the battle where I have to figure out which pixel I need to hit with the device I just picked up, sometimes I just like to simply burn the rope (http://www.kongregate.com/games/Mazapan/you-have-to-burn-the-rope).

[Macacão Sapão]

sometimes I just like to simply burn the rope (http://www.kongregate.com/games/Mazapan/you-have-to-burn-the-rope).

Oh, that rope...

[Terraguy]

I remember that game. It also reminds me of the mini-bosses in Braid (now that's a great game).

[Songbird]

And some boss fights are just so freaking cool you want them to last really long. Which actually leads me to ask you guys another question (Sorry for barging in your question like this, Songbird.)

Can you name some memorable boss fights? Not necessarily the last one, but a really cool boss fight. I would say Naked Snake vs. The End in MGS3: Snake Eater. The sniper battle there was fantastic!

No worries macacaosapao!

To answer your question is a character that needs no introduction. People who have played the game which the character is in are scarred for life. When you first lay your eyes on the absolutely horrifying blood lusting menace you go into a state of shock - full of fear - as its eyes burn into your soul. Then the demonic foul creature begins to speak the haunting ominous vocabulary it blast out its atrocious mouth which can break the screen itself.

Click here if you dare........ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FV-XTe7z-q8)

[Myrph]

To answer your question is a character that needs no introduction. People who have played the game which the character is in are scarred for life. When you first lay your eyes on the absolutely horrifying blood lusting menace you go into a state of shock - full of fear - as its eyes burn into your soul. Then the demonic foul creature begins to speak the haunting ominous vocabulary it blast out its atrocious mouth which can break the screen itself.

Click here if you dare........ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FV-XTe7z-q8)

For a while there I thought you were referencing the screeching bombers from the Serious Sam games. Now those are terrifying creatures, the sound of their screams burned forever into my skull.

[Leontendo]

I found it awesome beating Bowser, then again, and again, and again, and again, and again, and again, and again. Okay, so the other ones were all fakes, but it was still interesting how they got more difficult each time.

[Songbird]

For a while there I thought you were referencing the screeching bombers from the Serious Sam games. Now those are terrifying creatures, the sound of their screams burned forever into my skull.

Oh! That makes me think of another question! What in game character's voice, it can be anything from the game, annoys you the most?

Mine would have to be the Wretches from the first Gears of War - I don't think their quite as loud in the second one for some reason.

That and Crying Baby Mario From Yoshi's Island - the Super Nintendo Version.

[Terraguy]

Oh! That makes me think of another question! What in game character's voice, it can be anything from the game, annoys you the most?

Voice. Actors. Who. Talk. In. Halting. Tones. Like. They're. Reading. From. A. Script. And. Have. No. Emotion.

[Swish]

Fuuka's English voice in Persona 3. It's ear poison.

[Brainiac]

Fuuko's English voice in Persona 3. It's ear poison.

Fuuka was voiced by Mela Lee; you complaint is quite common for her roles. You mentioned you're playing Ar tonelico: Melody of Elemia, so be aware she voices Shurelia in that game.

[Myrph]

Fuuko's English voice in Persona 3. It's ear poison.

I'm not sure I've got far enough for that yet. I'll make sure I have volume control at the ready for when I do!

[Swish]

Fuuka was voiced by Mela Lee; you complaint is quite common for her roles. You mentioned you're playing Ar tonelico: Melody of Elemia, so be aware she voices Shurelia in that game.

Oh I know. I'm dreading the moment when she inevitably joins my team properly.

It takes something special to stand out as bad among that ropey cast.

[Songbird]

Voice. Actors. Who. Talk. In. Halting. Tones. Like. They're. Reading. From. A. Script. And. Have. No. Emotion.

Maybe. They. Are. Out. Of. Breath. So. That. Is. Why. They. Talk. Like. That.

[Terraguy]

What, they run laps before voice acting? :D

[Songbird]

What, they run laps before voice acting? :D

Well of course! Before deciding which person is best suitable for a character they go through a physical test, competing against one another. The person who is victorious gets the job and is swiftly taken to the "Voice Chamber" for their voice acting performance! ;)

[Leontendo]

What, they run laps before voice acting? :D
Okay, so this isn't completely related to video games, but apparently the voice actors for the anime Final Fantasy: Unlimited had to run up and down a spiral staircase, 'cause there's this really long one in the anime.

[Terraguy]

I'm not really surprised by that. If the scene requires the actors to be out of breath, they better well be out of breath. :)

It's the normal scenes that bother me, in regards to some terrible voice acting.

[Leontendo]

I'm not really surprised by that. If the scene requires the actors to be out of breath, they better well be out of breath. :)

It's the normal scenes that bother me, in regards to some terrible voice acting.

I didn't think it was so bad (I'm more concerned that one of my disc has audio that sounds somewhat warped). I like the way they used music from the games, though.

Back on topic, I can't think of any game I've played that involves massive amounts of voice acting. Most of the time it's just the odd word or two and a variety of grunts and yells. I thought the voice acting for Time Gal was pretty bad, but it makes me enjoy it all the more, for some perculiar reason.

[Songbird]

Oh! Here's another one!

When playing a game were you ever surprised when you unlocked an achievement or trophy? "Try to keep it spoiler free as much as possible."

My best example comes from Bioshock. At one point of the game you have to do some errands by killing people then take their picture afterwards. The first time I let the one who gave the errands live, but I didn't feel good about it so I restarted it and did it again. Going after him he kills me and that ticks me off so after defeating him I mockingly took his picture. Thus unlocking Irony... serves him right.

[Terraguy]

Never. I achievement farm. :p

Actually, I'm usually not surprised by achievements, because I usually check the list before I play, because sometimes I might come across something that seems to have no basis in the game, but actually has to do with the achievement instead.

[Swish]

There were a couple of neat secret Achievements for discovering certain peripheral abilities in Mirror's Edge, me being one of about 30 people who liked that game.

The first was "Hey, it's-a-me!", triggered by landing directly on top of an enemy from a reasonable height for an instant knockout. Kind of a shame that it was a secret one really, because once you know that ability exists dealing with enemies in more open areas becomes a great deal easier, and the combat was by far the weakest part of the game.

The second was "Sweet goodbye", triggered by attempting to perform an attack while falling backwards after doing a 180 spin in mid air. Basically you flip off whatever was behind you with the old two-fingered salute. Damn satisfying when you break a pursuit like that.

[Terraguy]

The second was "Sweet goodbye", triggered by attempting to perform an attack while falling backwards after doing a 180 spin in mid air. Basically you flip off whatever was behind you with the old two-fingered salute. Damn satisfying when you break a pursuit like that.

I remember that achievement. And for the record, I enjoyed Mirror's Edge.

[Songbird]

I ran into this on the web today and figured I should share it!

Tetris and Skateboards? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fwvc6fmXmuY)

Oooohhh..... da colors are pretty.....

(Not to get in trouble or anything - This is not my video.)

[Myrph]

I ran into this on the web today and figured I should share it!

Tetris and Skateboards? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fwvc6fmXmuY)

Oooohhh..... da colors are pretty.....

(Not to get in trouble or anything - This is not my video.)

Oh, I saw that video a few days ago. And you call yourself a video game fan! I am outraged! Anyone can see that those are not Tetris shapes as they are made of 5 square blocks (pentominoes) instead of the Tetris 4 square blocks (tetronimoes). Its why nowhere on the video does it make any reference to Tetris. That and the fact that its actually easier to tessellate pentominoes than it is tetronimoes!

[Songbird]

That and the fact that its actually easier to tessellate pentominoes than it is tetronimoes!

The wha?

Sorry for my incompetence Myrph. I don't play Tetris that much; I was only assuming. Thus proving my ignorance because 'supposedly' people who play tetris are smarter than people who don't.

[Brainiac]

Allow me to translate.

A tetromino is composed of four individual squares. This is particularly obvious in verious forms of Tetris when each individual square is indicated on the overall structure (the various Nintendo versions come to mind). Pentominoes are formed by five individual squares rather than four. This leads to more possible shapes (12 for pentominoes relative to 7 for tetronimoes). A larger amount of shapes leads to greater simplicity for creating repeating patterns that fill an entire plane, also known as tesellations. The Fool's Errand is an old computer game that had several polyomino puzzles involving pentominoes as well as triominoes and tetronimoes, both individually and in combination.

[Myrph]

Allow me to translate.

A tetromino is composed of four individual squares. This is particularly obvious in verious forms of Tetris when each individual square is indicated on the overall structure (the various Nintendo versions come to mind). Pentominoes are formed by five individual squares rather than four. This leads to more possible shapes (12 for pentominoes relative to 7 for tetronimoes). A larger amount of shapes leads to greater simplicity for creating repeating patterns that fill an entire plane, also known as tesellations. The Fool's Errand is an old computer game that had several polyomino puzzles involving pentominoes as well as triominoes and tetronimoes, both individually and in combination.

Yup, what he said! :D

[SMW-VIKINGS]

Seeing as you guys are talking about Tetris I would like to see how your scores compare to mine. You can go to tetrisfriends.com if you don't have scores. My scores are as followed: Sprint= 1:24:02 Ultra= 18892 Marathon= 688725. I have more but those seem to be the general ones that most people play.

[Myrph]

Wow that's quite impressive!! I've a friend who's mental about Tetris and her scores are close to (but not quite as good as) those! Except for the sprint time, hers is 1:05.78 ;pp

I can't remember what mine are, but they're nowhere near that!

[Leontendo]

I think Tetris was ruined with the release of Tetris 2 on the NES. Disconnected blocks; what were they thinking?!

[Terraguy]

Heh, my friend at school here got 0:44.94 for sprint time.

[Songbird]

Another video game question! "Sorry for changing the topic Tetris lovers..."

Name a game, or more if you want to, that you wish would get a sequel, but knowingly, deep down inside, that it will never happen.

As silly as it sounds, I wish that there could be a sequel to Amazing Island; sure the story was meh and the game play was repetitive, but I really enjoyed the monster creation part of the game.

[Macacão Sapão]

Name a game, or more if you want to, that you wish would get a sequel, but knowingly, deep down inside, that it will never happen.


Oh, I have mine: The Maximo series for PS2. There were 2 games. Silly games, I know, but I just loved them.

I would also like to see the Alex Kidd series resurrected, who knows what might come of it?


And I'd also like a third Zone of the Enders game. But I don't see that happening.


PS: 3 posts away from my avatar! YAY! :D

[Myrph]

Another video game question! "Sorry for changing the topic Tetris lovers..."

Ya know, Songbird, we've now got an ENTIRE SUB-FORUM dedicated to video game chat! You are more than welcome to start a new thread for each question you want to ask ;p

I might even close this thread later to remove the temptation of posting here ;p

[Brainiac]

Locking this might be fine, but there should perhaps be some sort of "Random Thoughts" thread left open in the Community Forums.

[Myrph]

Locking this might be fine, but there should perhaps be some sort of "Random Thoughts" thread left open in the Community Forums.

I thought that was the point of the 'Community Chat' board, or did you mean something more specifically VG related?

[Brainiac]

I thought that was the point of the 'Community Chat' board, or did you mean something more specifically VG related?

Either/or. I frequent the forum of a game developer that has what they call a "Random Rants" thread for anything at all and a "Gamers Thread" for discussions of games/systems/etc. not involving their group. However, with a whole forum for Video Game Chat, a generalist thread may be unnecessary.

[Songbird]

Hey guys! I just found this site I figured I should share with you. They have some pretty funny comics over video games such as "If classic videogames had Achievements" (http://gamerpaper.com/viewarticle.php?id=35)- The Mario Kart is my personal favorite. I would encourage to browse to look for other comics, because I too lazy to post them all here.

Not exactly the home page, but has what I'm talking about... (http://gamerpaper.com/articles.php)



Note: Some of these comics can be teen to mature rated.

[Songbird]

Soooo I was reading some game news and I saw this... Sony Officially Releases PlayStation 2 In Brazil. (http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3177009)

I know the article tells why, but how did people get them before this? Did they go to another country to buy it or use the internet? Is it like this in other places around the world? Sorry if I sound like a moron asking these questions, but this is strange.

[Macacão Sapão]

Soooo I was reading some game news and I saw this... Sony Officially Releases PlayStation 2 In Brazil. (http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3177009)

I know the article tells why, but how did people get them before this? Did they go to another country to buy it or use the internet? Is it like this in other places around the world? Sorry if I sound like a moron asking these questions, but this is strange.

Well, that can give you an idea of how much video game piracy goes on here.

In my case, my father traveled to the US on business and I gave him money to bring one for me. But what usually happens is: most people bought their PS2s in stores that "imported" them from Paraguay or some other country. Usually these places already sold them modified so you could run games you can download from the internet. Some stores imported the real thing and sold them, but it was just so unbelievably more expensive that few people actually bought those.

And I can't really blame those people who had the pirated version, I mean, the price difference is ridiculous! Even today, to buy an original game here, you have to spend something like R$150,00-R$200,00. The imported consoles were easily over a thousand. The modified ones you could buy for R$400,00 - R$500,00 WITH 20 or so pirate games. And then you could download your games and all you needed to do was spend R$1,50 in a DVD so you can record your game.

Everything game-related here in Brazil has a gigantic tax behind it, that's why it's all so expensive. Now that it's being officially released here, the price should drop somewhat, but it's still more expensve then the modified ones.

And just so you can have an idea of how much taxes we have here: It's actually cheaper to buy anything related to games on the internet (amazon.com and such), and have it delivered here in Brazil. Even paying overseas shipping taxes and a possible importation fee, it's STILL cheaper than buying anything here in a legal store. (Ex: Any PS3 game here is R$200,00-R$250,00. In amazon.com I can find these games for US$25,00-US$50,00. Add US$20,00 or so for shipping taxes and you have US$70,00 for the most expensive games. That's R$120,00 or so; importation fees would add another R$50,00 there, so, it would be around R$170,00 total).

Well, sorry I got worked up and wrote so much. But I hope I was able to give you an idea of what goes on here.

In the end: We have a TON of people with PS2s, but very, very few of them are unmodified.

[Songbird]

Well, that can give you an idea of how much video game piracy goes on here.

In my case, my father traveled to the US on business and I gave him money to bring one for me. But what usually happens is: most people bought their PS2s in stores that "imported" them from Paraguay or some other country. Usually these places already sold them modified so you could run games you can download from the internet. Some stores imported the real thing and sold them, but it was just so unbelievably more expensive that few people actually bought those.

And I can't really blame those people who had the pirated version, I mean, the price difference is ridiculous! Even today, to buy an original game here, you have to spend something like R$150,00-R$200,00. The imported consoles were easily over a thousand. The modified ones you could buy for R$400,00 - R$500,00 WITH 20 or so pirate games. And then you could download your games and all you needed to do was spend R$1,50 in a DVD so you can record your game.

Everything game-related here in Brazil has a gigantic tax behind it, that's why it's all so expensive. Now that it's being officially released here, the price should drop somewhat, but it's still more expensve then the modified ones.

And just so you can have an idea of how much taxes we have here: It's actually cheaper to buy anything related to games on the internet (amazon.com and such), and have it delivered here in Brazil. Even paying overseas shipping taxes and a possible importation fee, it's STILL cheaper than buying anything here in a legal store. (Ex: Any PS3 game here is R$200,00-R$250,00. In amazon.com I can find these games for US$25,00-US$50,00. Add US$20,00 or so for shipping taxes and you have US$70,00 for the most expensive games. That's R$120,00 or so; importation fees would add another R$50,00 there, so, it would be around R$170,00 total).

Well, sorry I got worked up and wrote so much. But I hope I was able to give you an idea of what goes on here.

In the end: We have a TON of people with PS2s, but very, very few of them are unmodified.

Good Grief! The whole thing sounds like one big mess! (Not your writing, but the situation in general.) I wonder why they have such ridiculous taxes on gaming items? One would think that it would be better to lower the taxes so there wouldn't be so much piracy. Are there many gaming stores or regular stores in Brazil that sells gaming things because how would they stay open?! Wouldn't it make sense for owners of such places to complain that because of the tax their business can be put in jeopardy?

[Macacão Sapão]

Good Grief! The whole thing sounds like one big mess! (Not your writing, but the situation in general.) I wonder why they have such ridiculous taxes on gaming items? One would think that it would be better to lower the taxes so there wouldn't be so much piracy. Are there many gaming stores or regular stores in Brazil that sells gaming things because how would they stay open?! Wouldn't it make sense for owners of such places to complain that because of the tax their business can be put in jeopardy?

Songbird, I wonder that too. There aren't many gaming stores, but the ones that do hold on are usually very good in service, maintenance and know how to negotiate good prices.

And they might complain... but they know it won't do any good. 95% of people older than 40 here in Brazil still think video games (and any think with some kind of animation in it) is for kids. So, to go to a politician and try to even get him to talk about it is just impossible.

Some of us send e-mails, post on some politicians' websites, but nothing has ever changed. I keep my hope alive though... that one day I will be able to buy original games, consoles and accessories here in a fair price.

And we have a HUGE potential market (You guys know how VGL here is successful, everybody knows games and game music). But I guarantee that 99% of VGL attendees here have a modified console.

[Swish]

That's a real shame.

But you know, eventually gaming generations will be in a position of political dominance. It's just the slow burn of time that's in the way.

[Terraguy]

That's a real shame.

But you know, eventually gaming generations will be in a position of political dominance. It's just the slow burn of time that's in the way.

That, and a lack of money right now. :p

[Macacão Sapão]

I really hope so. There's hope, they haven't been able to modify the PS3 yet and I don't know if they will. So all PS3 stuff anyone in Brazil has is original. That's a start....

[Songbird]

But you know, eventually gaming generations will be in a position of political dominance. It's just the slow burn of time that's in the way.

WORLD DOMINATION!


Just joking, but seriously, would it not be more beneficial to Brazil's economy to lower the taxes to increase sales in the market? It would be neat if when the next time VGL back to Brazil to address this issue at the concert like when the TV people interview them and stuff.

[Macacão Sapão]

but seriously, would it not be more beneficial to Brazil's economy to lower the taxes to increase sales in the market?

I agree with you, it would be. But people in power are short-sighted and don't care about videogames and can't see the potential market and money it would bring to the country.

I do hope this changes, I keep looking for a politician who is willing to make some changes in electronic stuff taxes.

[garavello]

Just a little more of info...

It's not that there are heavy taxes in gaming itens... There are heavy taxes in EVERYTHING as far as it costs more than US$50.

There's a law that says that everyhting that is declared more than US$50 must be taxed 60% of it's price.

Some years ago I bought two PS2 games via a site. Each costed U$19,99 (the Transformers' game before the movies and the ATV Off Road Fury 3 if I'm not wrong). Both came without problem and no taxes. I even bought stuff from e-bay under the $50 limit (including shipping costs) without problem. The problem is when what you buy online that excedes the US$50 limit.

But there are talkings that Sony is planning to estabilish a factory in Brazil (Manaus), so it may be a way to drop the prices (as there won't be custom fees)

[Macacão Sapão]

Just a little more of info...

It's not that there are heavy taxes in gaming itens... There are heavy taxes in EVERYTHING as far as it costs more than US$50.

There's a law that says that everyhting that is declared more than US$50 must be taxed 60% of it's price.

Some years ago I bought two PS2 games via a site. Each costed U$19,99 (the Transformers' game before the movies and the ATV Off Road Fury 3 if I'm not wrong). Both came without problem and no taxes. I even bought stuff from e-bay under the $50 limit (including shipping costs) without problem. The problem is when what you buy online that excedes the US$50 limit.

But there are talkings that Sony is planning to estabilish a factory in Brazil (Manaus), so it may be a way to drop the prices (as there won't be custom fees)

Thanks man, I never knew the details. So this US$50,00 limit includes shipping fees?

[garavello]

Yes, it's a $50 limit with the shipping fees. And if you buy something in e-bay, they don't consider the price you paid in e-bay, they assume the price of the item in regular shops.

[Macacão Sapão]

And if you buy something in e-bay, they don't consider the price you paid in e-bay, they assume the price of the item in regular shops.

WHAT??????

It's even worse than I thought...

[garavello]

Our Customs are terrible... :(

[garavello]

A nice tidbit of info: the Brazilian Gizmodo site compared the difference of price between US/Brazil in Apple and Sony products.

An Apple product sold in Brazil by the official Brazilian Apple Store costs (average) twice the same product in US.

The Sony difference is (average) 3.1.

The link with the info (in Portuguese): http://www.gizmodo.com.br/conteudo/made-brazil-voce-acha-que-apple-cobra-caro-no-brasil-sony-cobra-bem-mais