Summer Games Challenge 2016

[Ack]

Eternal Ring

You know, I always was curious about this one. For some reason I always mentally associated it with Summoner though and not the other FromSoftware games, even though I know they're in no way related.

[Exhuminator]

If you mixed these two games together:

You'd basically have Eternal Ring.

ER is an easier, less dire affair than FromSoftware's other first person dungeon crawlers. I really enjoyed exploring its world, its vivid OST, and creating all sorts of magical rings. But ER was clearly rushed out the door, and feels kind of empty at times. I'd recommend it to someone who really enjoys the genre, but it's not in the same league as KF4 or STA.

[laurenhiya21]

Did I mention Shadow Tower Abyss actually lets you use DUAL ANALOG CONTROLS?

When I first read that, I thought you meant that you could play the game with two controllers at once. I was really confused until I realized that I missed that you said "analog" in there... I'm incredibly tired right now. Reading is hard.

And while I'm not really participating, I am reading pretty much everything people post here, and I definitely don't want to miss the Shadow Tower write ups

[isiolia]

We have to keep in mind that some of King's Field IV's difficulty comes from its key puzzles and confusing navigation, rather than mere combat encounters. IIRC you said you used a walkthrough to get through certain parts of KFIV right? So that mitigated some of the inherent challenge.

A few things, yes, but I found the majority on my own. Either way, it does serve to illustrate the point that there's a different challenge present, if peeking at a FAQ is all that it takes.

Souls games do have tons to find, including entirely optional areas. Without consulting a FAQ, it's very likely you'll miss at least some NPC questlines (or have them end early), a la getting a true ending in Valkyrie Profile. There's a fair bit of being at the right place, at the right time, and possibly in the right state to trigger them.
'course, the games are also designed for repeated play (even the stories are designed to be cyclical), so finding everything the first time around isn't necessarily the point either.

However, the primary challenge to actually rolling the credits is being able to down bosses, which tend to be at least a little demanding. Not something I (at least) could just look at a FAQ and go do. I watched a number of videos on how to beat Ornstein and Smough, read tips, went back and leveled/upgraded weapons, and still had to attempt the fight tens of times over a few days to finally beat it. Information wasn't enough. There are a few things where an odd tip or trick did work to make something easy, but not for that.

I'm sure other players rolled through the fight first time. Not many, as it seems to be a common boss for people to get stuck on...but there are a lot of skilled gamers out there. So, for all I know, you may have little issue with the Souls games. Either way, I still think you'll like 'em.

[Stark]

I'm sure other players rolled through the fight first time. Not many, as it seems to be a common boss for people to get stuck on...but there are a lot of skilled gamers out there. So, for all I know, you may have little issue with the Souls games. Either way, I still think you'll like 'em.

I didn't find them easy, but I had more challenge with The Four Kings personally and if you add in the DLC, Artorias and Manus are far more difficult IMO.

[Exhuminator]

Either way, it does serve to illustrate the point that there's a different challenge present, if peeking at a FAQ is all that it takes.

I totally agree it's a different challenge in that regard. One being cerebral, the other dexterity based.

Ornstein and Smough

I've heard often those two are the worst. I knew a guy years back who said he cheesed them by making their AI get hung up on pillars or something like that. Maybe he just got lucky.

Either way, I still think you'll like 'em.

No doubt there. I plan to hit up Demon's Souls this winter. Really looking forward to it.

[prfsnl_gmr]

Ornstein and Smough

I've heard often those two are the worst. I knew a guy years back who said he cheesed them by making their AI get hung up on pillars or something like that. Maybe he just got lucky.

I did that to the Flamelurker in Demon's Souls. Even with that strategy, he was still pretty difficult.

Also, I think you will find Demon's Souls a much more cerebral experience than you anticipate. The puzzles aren't:

"Where do I go to find the purple key?"

They are more:

"How do I approach this series of enemies, obstacles, and traps to minimize its effect on my resources?"

EDIT: Also, I never, ever summoned anyone to help me. Doing so probably would have really helped with some of the boss fights.

DOUBLE EDIT: I also felt like I was pretty awesome by the end of the game, and I defeated many of the late-game bosses on my first attempt. IMO, the late-game stages are much, much harder than the late game bosses. (I walked right up to Garl Vinland, and despite his pleas, demolished him in short order. Getting to him, however, was an ordeal.) In other words, once you get the hang of it, long stretches of the game are not really that hard. (The few minutes I spent with NG+ reminded me who was boss, however. )

[Stark]

I did that to the Flamelurker in Demon's Souls. Even with that strategy, he was still pretty difficult.

Hey, that's where I'm stuck! He is difficult, I agree!

[BoneSnapDeez]

So, Kid Icarus.

I tried it on FDS and NES.
I tried going slow with point-grinding and then tried just blazing right through.
I tried it with and without save states.

And I just ain't feelin' it. It feels like a weird combination of Metroid (which rules) and, uh, I dunno, Ice Climber or some other janky old black label game (not good). There are just too many elements that annoy me. The omnipresent pit at the bottom of the vertical levels, the loss of points upon death, the damn maze sections...

And yet, there are still some promising elements. The graphics and music are solid. Control is alright. Definitely feels like "old Nintendo." I just don't know if I'll get to finishing it this summer. I'm burned out. Fire Emblem ain't happening either. Whatevs, 8/10 ain't bad.

[Key-Glyph]

It's awful lonely up in this thread lately. Has everyone else dropped out now?

I'm still here! I was just away for a week. But even so, I beat Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins on the plane ride -- so I continue to progress!

Thoughts to follow when I'm not half-dead from convention fallout, airline delays, and a redeye flight.