Together Retro 2011: Year In Review

[Ivo]

I liked Zoop most. Really liked the design of that one. At a certain point during that month, I had occasions where I closed my eyes and "saw" the game (with the characteristic shapes) being played in my eyelids...

Riviera was a pretty cool RPG that deviates quite a bit from the norm.

I liked Shining Force a lot, I'm a big fan of SRPGs. Probably my 2nd favorite from this year.

I had 100% completed Rayman before and did not replay it, great platformer.

I am a bit sad I didn't get to play more months - in particular I want to play Dark Forces (want to finish it) and I want to try Populous. I wish I had more free time for gaming, it's not that I don't play a bunch it is more that there are so many games I want to play (and other non-gaming stuff to do that is quality time). That is a pretty decent complaint to have I guess

Ivo.

[alienjesus]

Despite my intention to play most months this year, that didn't really work out. Here's the ones I joined in on.

Jan: Riviera - This was probably my favourite game of the year that I joined in on. I enjoyed the battle mechanics, the story (as cheesy and lacking as it may have been) and it's unusual streamlined gameplay. I definitely want to play Yggdra Union and KitN now.

Feb: King of Fighters '98 - I played the NGPC game King of Fighters R2 this month, and whilst I enjoyed it well enough, it paled in comparison to Gals Fighters. Whilst it was more technically advanced, I preferred Gals Fighters hectic, speedy and incredibly responsive gameplay.

Apr: Deja Vu - I beat both this game and it's sequel, but I'm not totally sure why. I found there were too many flaws to enjoy it. I hope Maniac Mansion is an improvement next year. If not, we should start thinking about playing slightly more modern adventure games.

Jun: Gradius III & Parodius - I played Nemesis and Parodius this month on Game Boy. Nemesis I beat recently, it's pretty fun. I still haven't got far in Parodius, it's fun, but really hard. Fun enough games overall.

Jul: Rayman - I didn't like this at all. The way extra lives never come back really sucks, the difficulty seems cheap with lots of times where I had to drop down to platforms I couldnt see, and the way you need to find every electoon (?) to beat the game was crappy.



So I ended up playing 5 of the 12 games this year. I'd rate them:

1. Riviera
2. Gradius 3 & Parodius
3. King of Fighters
4. Rayman
Also 4. Deja Vu.


I hope I enjoy next years games more.

[noiseredux]

Apr: Deja Vu - I beat both this game and it's sequel, but I'm not totally sure why. I found there were too many flaws to enjoy it. I hope Maniac Mansion is an improvement next year. If not, we should start thinking about playing slightly more modern adventure games.

MM is a far better game.

[alienjesus]

Aug: Populous - it took me 5 minutes to remember why I don't like this genre. i'm sure the game is good if you do...

I like the genre and I don't like Populous

I have played some Populous: The Beginning though, and quite enjoyed that one.

[noiseredux]

I have played some Populous: The Beginning though, and quite enjoyed that one.

I tried Populous The Beginning for about 15 mins and had no idea what was going on.

[Jmustang1968]

Really enjoyed sf of course, didn't participate until then though... I wish I was around for riviera, I've had it for awhile but haven't played it yet. Defnitely some next year I am looking forward to trying.

[Ivo]

I have played some Populous: The Beginning though, and quite enjoyed that one.

I tried Populous The Beginning for about 15 mins and had no idea what was going on.

Really? It's fairly streamlined. I would say it is much more obvious than the older ones (I played Populous II and I know enough of Pop I to feel confident in that statement). I think there was an in-game tutorial as well...

Ivo.