RPG Progress Report

[Markies]

I put 4 hours into Valkyrie Profile 2 yesterday. I am in love with the game so far.

First off the graphics are insane, this almost looks like a PS3 game. The story is actually interesting and easier to follow than the first VP. The combat system kicks ass and is a nice mix of real time and turn based. Music's fantastic. Level traversal is still entertaining thanks to its platforming elements. I don't know why I never hear anyone talk about this game, so far I've been blown away.

Valkyrie Profile is amazing! Valkyrie Profile 2 is just as amazing!!

Valkyrie Profile 2 ties with Final Fantasy XII for having the best graphics on the PS2. Some of those scenery pieces are just drop dead beautiful! The combat system is really addicting and the story is actually very enjoyable.

There is a TON of grinding in the game and some of the platforming can get insanely difficult along with the puzzles. It doesn't have much of a time constraint as the first game and I like how your weapons don't break like in the first game.

I played it at the beginning of 2013 and I thoroughly enjoyed the game. It's fantastic and a great sequel to the first game. Both of them are amazing and some of the most enjoyable RPG experiences out there.

Great Choice!

[BoneSnapDeez]

That's actually one of the first PS2 games I ever purchased.

I don't know when it was released. I got a PS2 in 2009 or 2010.

Looks cool. Been collecting dust on my shelf since I got it.

[Daria]

Looks cool. Been collecting dust on my shelf since I got it.

Mine too. Sooo many games.

[darsparx]

And so many long games XD at least that's what HLTB is telling me on most of mine

[Sload Soap]

Had my eye on Valkyrie Profile 2 for a while so it's good to hear some love for it. It's surprisingly affordable too.

I started up Alpha Protocol. It's okay so far but if I had had to use one word to describe it, that word would be doofy. The controls are doofy, the graphics are doofy and, as seems standard for an Obsidian game, the transitions from cut-scene to gameplay are doofy. But, it's pretty intriguing so I'll stick it out. Going for a stealth build with pistols and karate chops.

I've also sat and thought on Panzer Dragoon Saga some more and come to the conclusion that it doesn't really need more stuff to do as that wouldn't mesh well with the world building. It's a serious game about a desolate world and I don't think a coolia-racing mini-game would really alleviate that.

[Exhuminator]

Valkyrie Profile 2 was released on September 26th, 2006. This game's graphics are phenomenal and its gameplay is complex enough to hit my tactics spot just right. (Feels good to be in love with a PS2 JRPG again, this system is always muh dreamboat.) I'm really surprised over the years on gaming forums I've never read anyone talking about this. Maybe VP2 takes a shit dive somewhere along the way, and that's why, we'll see.

Valkyrie Profile 2 ties with Final Fantasy XII for having the best graphics on the PS2. Some of those scenery pieces are just drop dead beautiful!

I agree wholeheartedly, there's been many times I just stopped moving to admire the scenery and lighting effects. VP2's graphics are crazy good. Also this game supports widescreen, which I was surprised to see.

[Ack]

Shadowrun: Dragonfall

I didn't get much time to play this weekend due to my birthday and my mom being in town. When I did finally get the chance, I hopped in and ran the shadows a bit more. Beefstick is turning into the formidable tank I need her to be and now packs a grenade launcher and some nice cyberware. Typically in these games I don't go heavy into cyberware until late game since it's usually expensive and gets replaced eventually by upgraded types. But I started running a few duo missions with certain members of the team, so I figured it would be a good idea to go ahead and gain an advantage. I've also picked up enough Karma to max out my quickness, so I'm doing pretty well even with the firearms I haven't put any points into.

I'm curious though: is earning the ¥50,000 the meat of the game? I'm actually getting pretty close to reaching this goal, and I'm wondering if the "open-ended" section will converge back into a linear series of jobs leading me right to the finish when I do. I've done duo jobs with three of my four teammates, and I'm saved at the start of Glory's job raiding a farm with a Satanic cult. Glory goes last, because Glory is...well, she's my least favorite team member to use. I hope this job is short. After this, I've got to blow up a building to take out the Aztechnology Bloodline program, and then I should have all the needed nuyen.

[MrPopo]

Once you get the 50,000 you open up Pandora's Box and get stuck into the end game path. And as much as I hate to admit it, I have to agree with your assessment of Glory's combat utility. I always ran her because I liked her character, but I always felt like she was doing the least for me in combat.

[Xeogred]

I figure VP2 was just a bit too late to the party, like a lot of those awesome SNES JRPG's that we never got. At least we got VP2. I'll probably play that one someday since it's affordable, unlike the first game (and I don't want to play the PSP version).

[Ack]

Once you get the 50,000 you open up Pandora's Box and get stuck into the end game path. And as much as I hate to admit it, I have to agree with your assessment of Glory's combat utility. I always ran her because I liked her character, but I always felt like she was doing the least for me in combat.

Yeah, Eiger's ability to fight completely blows Glory's away, Dietrich can pull some duty as party healer while also dispensing vital buffs and backing up with his own offensive capabilities, and I need Blitz to deck. Glory...there just isn't room for her. She might be a great healer, but I'd rather focus on a powerful enough offense that I don't need a person dedicated to healing.

Sounds like I'm nearing the end though, as at this point I only have Glory's run and then Bloodline to go for the 50,000 nuyen. Hopefully I'll wrap this up soon...and then I have no idea what game I'll be playing next.