Games Beaten 2013

[graffix_13]

1. Borderlands 2- PS3 (Platinum Trophy)
2. God of War: Ascension- PS3 (Platinum Trophy)
3. Actraiser- SNES
4. Borderlands- PS3 (Platinum Trophy)
5. Super Castlevania IV- SNES
6. Final Fantasy VII- PS1/PSN
7. Super Metroid- SNES
8. The Last of Us- PS3 (Platinum Trophy)
9. Far Cry 3- PS3 (Platinum Trophy)
10. Bioshock- PS3 (Platinum Trophy)

Bioshock...this great game still holds up 5 years after it's initial release. Actually it was better this playthrough than my first one years ago. The story is top notch, LOVE the art direction of the game, that atmosphere is creepy. Gameplay is great. I am going to be playing Infinite here soon, but wanted to finish up my plat on the first one before I started that one.

I know the "Game of the Generation" phrase gets thrown around a lot (I'm guilty) but this is definitely a contender. Not my GOTG personally, but Top 5 for sure.

[BoneSnapDeez]

Which version of Lost Vikings 2 have you played? The games look very much the same layout wise and all, but the difference between the SNES and PSX/PC versions is pretty crazy with the graphics/music.

I've just played in on SNES.

As I recall the PSX/Saturn versions had the subtitle "Norse by Norsewest." So cheesy.

[Xeogred]

And so fitting, haha. I've only played the PSX/PC version myself, but the SNES looks worth going through sometime too.

1. Bare Knuckle III (Genesis)
2. Megaman 5* (PS2)
3. Final Fight 2 (SNES)
4. Final Fight 3 (SNES)
5. Bloody Roar (PSX)
6. Bloody Roar 2 (PSX)
7. Megaman 6* (PS2)
8. Nier (PS3)
9. Final Fight Double Impact (Guy)
10. Devil May Cry HD (PS3)
11. Dead Space 3 (360)
12. Devil May Cry 2 HD (PS3)
13. Dead Space* (360)
14. Dead Space 2 (360)
15. Bioshock Infinite (360)
16. Doom 3* BFG Edition + RoE + Lost Mission (360)
17. Lost Odyssey (360)
18. FEAR 2* (360)
19. Sonic CD* (PS3)
20. Resident Evil 4* HD (PS3)
21. The Darkness II (360)
22. Far Cry 3 Blood Dragon (360)
23. Skyrim (360)
24. Metal Gear Solid 2* HD (PS3)
25. Metal Gear Solid Peace Walker HD (PS3)
26. Metal Gear Solid 3* HD (PS3)
27. Metal Gear Solid 4 (PS3)
28. Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance (PS3)
29. Zone of the Enders HD (PS3)
30. Devil May Cry 3 HD (PS3)
31. Devil May Cry 3 HD [PLATINUM] (PS3)
32. Onimusha Warlords (PS2)
33. Asura's Wrath (PS3)
34. Ratchet & Clank HD (PS3)
35. Sly Cooper HD (PS3)
36. Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny* (PS2)

* = replay

"Best left in the past?..."

Well here's one I played back when it was new and if I remember right (a serious question) I loved it at the time, and didn't own it again until just a few weeks ago when I finally ordered it. I almost wonder if the first game was a better experience since it was "new", but the second one here arguably improves upon everything... but that isn't saying too much.

Some hidden emotions came back when I was near the final stretch that makes me think, I'm pretty sure back when I first played it I was glad to get it over with at that point and rushed through. Didn't finish the Purple Demon Realm, but I did this time.

Like the first game, this is Capcom cheese to the max. The charm is more awkward and not always in a fun way. Most of the villain characters were just straight up utterly awful, so cue of course one of the most annoying ones coming back 3x or something to be killed off again and again... and this guy isn't Gilgamesh, so it wasn't amusing at all.

The weird hub/item trading early on is a real drag, but I guess this boosts some replay value since doing this stuff builds up your relationship with the other side characters and makes them playable at some points. I think it might alter the ending too. I did as much trading as a could and still only got 63% for the scenario. Either you're expected to grind a lot for gold early on, or I didn't trade the right items very well.

The combat can be just as frustrating as the first game, since nothing was overhauled for the most part. Weapons are far more diverse, but it's still D-Pad only, auto locking on never makes sense (you want to take out that huge tough enemy ahead right... but oh you're facing cannon fodder around him!), and even worse is that the manual lock-on button was the charge up for your weapons... so let go to lock onto someone else, and you usually lose that charge. Which is a crucial thing to use later in the game especially. I don't think I got a single game over on my normal run here, but it was definitely annoying at parts and throughout most of the bosses there were dozens of moments where you just have to take tons of hits. There's no rolling or dodge mechanics and all you've got is the clunky "turn turn turn turn ... go forward!" going for you. Some kind of rolling or side jump would have been incredible. A no hit run for this game has to be impossible.

I booted up the third game to jump right in and see some of the changes back to back, I played this one back in the day but don't remember liking it as much. It definitely fixes things right off the bat though:
- Joystick! Controls way better and more fluid.
- Locking on no longer seems to be the charge up for attacks.
- You can now use R1+X to shoot arrows, instead of having to manually go into the menu and equip the bow/arrow (while losing the ability to block) like in the first two games. Archers were damn annoying.

It's safe to say even playing these games back to back, I have no idea what the hell the storyline is altogether. Completely lost.

The weird thing is how 2 didn't feel incomplete or really rushed. But the end throws out a riddle and bam, the very logo for Onimusha 3 slashes across the screen. So the game was in production before 2 was even on the streets. Weird, not rare to see "To be continued" or whatever, but that was blatant stuff. It's also interesting how these games have more CGI cutscenes than the DMC games did, and from what I remember this series was very popular last gen (but maybe I just somehow ignored DMC for some reason?)... so I almost think it's odd to wonder if Capcom were pushing this a lot harder than DMC. DMC2 aside, it's completely obvious which series has stood the test of time though.

Don't think I have it in me to go through 3 again, for now at least. Going to hit up DMC4 for a replay or check out Genji Dawn of the Samurai, which I've never played... and looks like it could blow Onimusha away. Guess I'll find out.

All in all, I'd probably give Onimusha 1-2 a flat 7/10 or so. It'd be hard to recommend these to casual fans, but for those who really enjoy PSX era Capcom stuff and such they're definitely worth a quick look. But the classic RE control scheme was definitely better with guns.

Perhaps the hit or miss Dawn of Dreams stands the test of time better than the original trilogy. I remember enjoying that one but never finished it. But yeah, the combat was a lot more modernized, and with a new cast, no Jean Reno and time travel, it just might make some sense... some?

[BogusMeatFactory]

Just finished the most recent Tomb Raider on PC and I enjoyed it immensely. Having played games in similar styles i.e. Uncharted 1 and 2, it is really interesting to compare them.

First off, I found Tomb Raider to be the better game of the three for a variety of reasons. I felt that the plot and charicterization was far better then the Uncharted series. There were defined characters that, although sometimes stereotypical, filled roles and helped flesh out the other cast members from their presence. Also, I felt that they set the tone from the start and was consistant with that tone, not breaking it up odd one-liners that land right after intense drama, ala the Uncharted series. I also felt that you continued to guess on what was happening. They left clues and information to help you understand what was going on, but it always left you guessing throughout.

The use of journals and letters also worked in its favor to give insight to character sand their motivations, helping you understand the cult and their ways, which was a brilliant stroke. It helped humanize the other side and make them seem more three dimensional, with opinions and motivations that at times clashed with others in their ranks.

The game was just a blast. The journal collectibles were worth searching for, the levelling system adding extra depth to the combat system. With the survivor's insight helped guide you in the paths you can take and aid you in the stealth aspects as well, without holding your hand.

I felt a want to explore its environments and complete the small challenges. I felt compelled to move forward because I was interested and excited to see what would happen next, to know what was going on. It left you in the dark at just the right amount to keep you guessing what was happening, something I felt was greatly lacking in the Uncharted games. Yes, you can see that a lot of the game is borrowed from that series, but it was able to craft a much more enjoyable story.

[Luke]

Only an observation:

For a retro-game community, not many people seem to be beating retro games. Or playing them outside of TR.

[alienjesus]

1. Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions PSP
2. Pokémon: Dream Radar 3DS eShop
3. New Super Mario Bros. U Wii U
4. Paper Mario: Sticker Star 3DS
5. New Super Mario Bros. 2 3DS
6. Mario Tennis Open 3DS
7. Wario Land 3 GBC
8. Hana Samurai: Art of the Sword 3DS eShop
9. The "Denpa" Men: They Came By Wave 3DS eShop
10. Pokémon White Version 2 DS
11. Kirby Mass Attack DS
12. F-Zero Wii U VC
13. Jeanne d'Arc PSP
14. DoDonPachi Resurrection 360
15. Patapon PSP
16. F-Zero X N64
17. Cave Story WiiWare
18. Parodius GBC
19. Shock Troopers Wii VC
20. 1080: TenEighty Snowboarding N64
21. Donkey Kong Land III Game Boy
22. Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble GBC
23. Little Inferno Wii U eShop
24. HarmoKnight 3DS eShop
25. Liberation Maiden 3DS eShop
26. Fire Emblem: Awakening 3DS
27. Patchwork Heroes PSN
28. Crimson Shroud 3DS eShop
29. To The Moon PC
30. Wild Arms PS1 Classics
31. Fantastic Dizzy Mega Drive
32. Diddy Kong Racing N64
33. Pulseman Wii VC
34. Bubble Bobble Master System
35. Loco Roco PSP
36. StreetPass Squad 3DS eShop
37. Metroid Prime 3 Corruption Wii
38. StreetPass Battle 3DS eShop
39. Attack of the Friday Monsters: A Tokyo Tale 3DS eShop
40. Earthbound Wii U VC
41. Tomb Raider PS1 *NEW*
42. Streetpass Garden 3DS eShop *NEW*

I'm under the impression you dont regard anything after 16 bit era as retro Luke, so I guess this update won't solve your lack of retro woes. I've played a good few reteo games this year though. Also, I don't list games I've beaten previously, so obviously the older games in my collection dont get on the list much, because I've beaten them dozens of times over before

Tomb Raider is an interesting and historically important games that has at once aged better than people say it has, yet still aged pretty badly. I kinda(?) liked it. Sort of. I wrote a lot more about it in the Summer Game thread, like many of my recent beaten games.

Streetpass Garden is by far the weakest of the new Mii Plaza games on 3DS. The pace is slow, the gameplay is boring and overly simple, whilst still managing to be annoyingly convoluted. The characters in the game talk FAR too much, and it can be annoying when you just want to play quickly to clear out your streetpasses. I'd only recommend getting this one if you buy all 4 in a bundle, because doing so is cheaper than buying the other 3 (much better) games seperately. I may have saved the best til last on these games though, because Streetpass Mansion, my last remaining Mii Plaza game, is really quite good.

Next: I've mostly been playing Pokémon lately, trying to fill my pokédex (less than 100 to go!), so beating games has been slow. However, I'm workign through Super Princess Peach, and I also plan to get back into Shantae and start up Metal Gear Solid, so hopefully one of those is next for my list.

[Luke]

I'm under the impression you dont regard anything after 16 bit era as retro Luke, so I guess this update won't solve your lack of retro woes.

Oh, no woes. Again, just an observation.

I really am surprised when I see lists of only PS3 and 360 games, which are the majority excluding handhelds. Just like with the screenshot and what are you playing threads not much retro gaming seems to be going on (besides TR of course).

I'mma go play Splatterhouse 2.

[Stark]

Just finished the most recent Tomb Raider on PC and I enjoyed it immensely. Having played games in similar styles i.e. Uncharted 1 and 2, it is really interesting to compare them.

First off, I found Tomb Raider to be the better game of the three for a variety of reasons. I felt that the plot and charicterization was far better then the Uncharted series. There were defined characters that, although sometimes stereotypical, filled roles and helped flesh out the other cast members from their presence. Also, I felt that they set the tone from the start and was consistant with that tone, not breaking it up odd one-liners that land right after intense drama, ala the Uncharted series. I also felt that you continued to guess on what was happening. They left clues and information to help you understand what was going on, but it always left you guessing throughout.

The use of journals and letters also worked in its favor to give insight to character sand their motivations, helping you understand the cult and their ways, which was a brilliant stroke. It helped humanize the other side and make them seem more three dimensional, with opinions and motivations that at times clashed with others in their ranks.

The game was just a blast. The journal collectibles were worth searching for, the levelling system adding extra depth to the combat system. With the survivor's insight helped guide you in the paths you can take and aid you in the stealth aspects as well, without holding your hand.

I felt a want to explore its environments and complete the small challenges. I felt compelled to move forward because I was interested and excited to see what would happen next, to know what was going on. It left you in the dark at just the right amount to keep you guessing what was happening, something I felt was greatly lacking in the Uncharted games. Yes, you can see that a lot of the game is borrowed from that series, but it was able to craft a much more enjoyable story.

I agree with you that TR is a better game than Uncharted 1 and 2, but not for the same reasons. Mostly for me it was the gunplay and scrapping you do in TR is significantly better than Uncharted. I also like the way your weapons evolve over the game. You are right about tone and I like that it is consistent, but overall I think that the characters in Uncharted are less one dimensional than the ones in TR. Can't wait for a sequel!

[BoneSnapDeez]

Only an observation:

For a retro-game community, not many people seem to be beating retro games. Or playing them outside of TR.

I've played retro games almost exclusively this year. Hell most current gen stuff I play is really just ports or compilations of retro stuff (I play Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection more than any other Xbox 360 game).

I've just done a crappy job updating my progress in this thread. I'll put in a better effort next year and make a real list.

[BogusMeatFactory]

Only an observation:

For a retro-game community, not many people seem to be beating retro games. Or playing them outside of TR.

I think with the transition to another generation of systems, the systems passing the torch are becoming more inexpensive and a lot of games are dropping in price. I know I am working through a lot of great PS3 games because of the transition and a lot of my PC games are because of the recent Summer Steam Sale.

@Stark

I don't agree with the dimensionality of the Uncharted characters. There are no motivations. In Uncharted 1, why is the bad guy doing what he was doing? It wasn't clearly world domination. It was just because he was a badguy. In 2 the bad guy was bad because he was a war criminal and that he was really really bad. There was no motivation behind his doings besides world domination, which is one of the worst motivations you can give an antagonist.

I always call it the "Just Because," method of storytelling. Why does the good guy do what he is doing? Just because he is the good guy. Why is there a love interest? Just because. There wasn't any depth and there wasn't a journey. the characters were stagnant throughout the games and never came to a realization. Even in 2 with the love interest arc, it wasn't really a journey because his behavior was in line with the start of the game.

I really felt that characters had motivation and went through a personal journey throughout Tomb Raider that made it a great differentiation between it and Uncharted.