2017 - One of the most insane years in the history of gaming

[prfsnl_gmr]

Four words:

ARKANOID vs. Space Invaders

(Easily GOTY if not for BOTW.)

[Gunstar Green]

Hmm we agree a lot, especially on mecha anime... I wonder what you'll think of it by the time you wrap up ending C. It's the closest thing to Xenogears/Xenosaga to me in the greatest ways ever. Probably my GOTY, somehow defeating Breath of the Wild.

I'm absolutely loving the story and the setting so far, I'm just not as sold on the gameplay. I have similar problems with Bayonetta in that the combat looks cooler than it actually is. It's alright in a game that's only a couple hours long (i.e. Bayonetta) but in a game like this I'm starting to feel fatigued. However the developers seemed aware of it since there's stuff like the shmup segments at least which break up the monotony and I appreciate that.

Four words:

ARKANOID vs. Space Invaders

(Easily GOTY if not for BOTW.)

I did not know this existed and now I need it in my life.

[PartridgeSenpai]

Hmm we agree a lot, especially on mecha anime... I wonder what you'll think of it by the time you wrap up ending C. It's the closest thing to Xenogears/Xenosaga to me in the greatest ways ever. Probably my GOTY, somehow defeating Breath of the Wild.

I'm absolutely loving the story and the setting so far, I'm just not as sold on the gameplay. I have similar problems with Bayonetta in that the combat looks cooler than it actually is. It's alright in a game that's only a couple hours long (i.e. Bayonetta) but in a game like this I'm starting to feel fatigued. However the developers seemed aware of it since there's stuff like the shmup segments at least which break up the monotony and I appreciate that.

Honestly that's one of the biggest things I'm scared of for when I eventually get into Nier Automata. I very often get quite bored by most character action games because all action all the time just really bores me in its pacing. That's one of the reasons I really like Yakuza, because you can run about and talk to folks or do side quests if you wanna, and then when you wanna go thrash mans viciously you can just head on over to the story arrow. One of the reasons I got on so well with Nier's combat was that it was that older 3D Zelda-style of "fairly simple but not idiot-proof," because that's like exactly my speed in terms of 3D combat stuff. Automata's more Bayoetta-y combat is something that may well drive me away, but I'm hoping the narrative will draw me in enough for me to not care so much.

I should point out I was being a little objective in my first post too, not everything listed there resonates with my personally... but the point is ultimately that this year is a home run for us all. It's a win for everyone and the best time to be gaming.

Except Sarge, apparently

[Gunstar Green]

Honestly that's one of the biggest things I'm scared of for when I eventually get into Nier Automata. I very often get quite bored by most character action games because all action all the time just really bores me in its pacing. That's one of the reasons I really like Yakuza, because you can run about and talk to folks or do side quests if you wanna, and then when you wanna go thrash mans viciously you can just head on over to the story arrow. One of the reasons I got on so well with Nier's combat was that it was that older 3D Zelda-style of "fairly simple but not idiot-proof," because that's like exactly my speed in terms of 3D combat stuff. Automata's more Bayoetta-y combat is something that may well drive me away, but I'm hoping the narrative will draw me in enough for me to not care so much.

Don't get me wrong there's lots to see and do and the game is packed with side quests. The narrative has been more than enough to keep me going too.

When I was first playing the introductory level I was really worried I wasn't going to get into it but once the world started opening up I was hooked.

[noiseredux]

I did buy two consoles this year. So insane for me haha.

[Xeogred]

Hmm we agree a lot, especially on mecha anime... I wonder what you'll think of it by the time you wrap up ending C. It's the closest thing to Xenogears/Xenosaga to me in the greatest ways ever. Probably my GOTY, somehow defeating Breath of the Wild.

I'm absolutely loving the story and the setting so far, I'm just not as sold on the gameplay. I have similar problems with Bayonetta in that the combat looks cooler than it actually is. It's alright in a game that's only a couple hours long (i.e. Bayonetta) but in a game like this I'm starting to feel fatigued. However the developers seemed aware of it since there's stuff like the shmup segments at least which break up the monotony and I appreciate that.

Well if possible I'd say maybe change your perspective. I went in thinking Secret of Mana or Souls or something... admittedly yeah it *looks* like a character action game, but it's really an ARPG to me.

Not to rag on you, but the gameplay complaint is the biggest one I see thrown at Automata. Outside of some confused people that went in wanting "another Platinum action game", I'm not sure what other people were expecting? The first Nier is more like an adventure Zelda kind of thing and I'd say Automata fits that comparison. I definitely wouldn't compare it to Ninja Gaiden, Devil May Cry, Bayonetta, etc, even though it has that flare.

Honestly that's one of the biggest things I'm scared of for when I eventually get into Nier Automata. I very often get quite bored by most character action games because all action all the time just really bores me in its pacing. That's one of the reasons I really like Yakuza, because you can run about and talk to folks or do side quests if you wanna, and then when you wanna go thrash mans viciously you can just head on over to the story arrow. One of the reasons I got on so well with Nier's combat was that it was that older 3D Zelda-style of "fairly simple but not idiot-proof," because that's like exactly my speed in terms of 3D combat stuff. Automata's more Bayoetta-y combat is something that may well drive me away, but I'm hoping the narrative will draw me in enough for me to not care so much.

Well in that case don't worry at all (I think some stuff I wrote above emphasis some reasons). It has a balanced pace like Yakuza or ARPG's so you're not always in combat. The combat is fairly simple too which is maybe why other people going in expecting Bayonetta get disappointed. The weapon system is just like Nier's, IE... you can easily beat the game not ever having to worry about changing weapons. It's a Yoko Taro game first and Platinum game second. I don't think anyone on this planet would say they like Nier's combat over Automata's, haha. So if you were fine with Nier's you should absolutely be fine with Automata.

[KayJay]

I was just talking about this on a Facebook group.

This year has been amazing so far! So many games for so many different types of gamers. There's truly something for everyone this gen, whether you play more casual games, Open World titles, Fighting Games, Retro games, or Indies, there have been a lot of great games in all of those categories.

Also, heads-up to Capcom for trying. Even if MvC Infinite doesn't turn out to be great, I still applaud them for caring about Mega Man again and making a great Resident Evil that does a lot to change things up and innovate.

[Gunstar Green]

Well if possible I'd say maybe change your perspective. I went in thinking Secret of Mana or Souls or something... admittedly yeah it *looks* like a character action game, but it's really an ARPG to me.

Not to rag on you, but the gameplay complaint is the biggest one I see thrown at Automata. Outside of some confused people that went in wanting "another Platinum action game", I'm not sure what other people were expecting? The first Nier is more like an adventure Zelda kind of thing and I'd say Automata fits that comparison. I definitely wouldn't compare it to Ninja Gaiden, Devil May Cry, Bayonetta, etc, even though it has that flare.

I still find myself just wanting to rush to the next story segment because I get tired of just button mashing through the enemies. It's a bad thing because it puts me off of wanting to complete the side quests so I can't give it a free pass.

Anyway, I'm fully aware it's an ARPG first and foremost. What I was saying is the gameplay has the same flaws that those games have always had for me. This is especially apparent during the boss fights which are just exercises in mashing the dodge button. A lot of times it's, "wow this is cool," at first followed by, "ugh, this is still going?"

This is all personal preference though. If you love the gameplay I can totally see this as game of the year material because even with the elements I find weak I still genuinely like the game so far and am not trying to rain on anyone's parade.

[Xeogred]

Yeah I'll just have to accept there's three camps:

1. Those that enjoy the combat
2. Those that expected Bayonetta/Platinum action character stuff and are disappointed
3. Those that think it's boring

lol, I guess bumping it down to Easy won't help either, since I've heard some others try that. Anyways I'm glad you're liking everything else the game has to offer and hope you run up through ending C, that whole route gets insane and the ending left me speechless. You can get through route B pretty fast.

[Gunstar Green]

I'm planning on getting the five main endings, don't worry. I already got A and started on B.

I was actually considering bumping the difficulty up instead of down to see if that made it more interesting but I imagine it'd just exacerbate my issues.