Random Gaming Thoughts

[FerretGamer]

Random Gaming Thought: Not sure how I feel about the current state of games.

On one hand, I LOVE seeing Indie titles becoming more mainstream. I've played more indies on my PS4 than AAA. I love the new ideas and chances some of those games take. Not to mention they are cheaper (but shorter) and I don't have to spend $60 on a game I may or may not like. I am more than ok spending $15-20 on a 10 hour game.

The other side of the equation: AAA titles. The production costs of these games keeps going up. So that means we'll see less risk from these publishers as the ROI may not be worth it. So less innovation and fewer new IPs. We'll see more and more sequels and continue with the current rehash of games every year like the CoD's, Battlefields, Assassin Creed's, etc. Publishers love it because they sell, but I just feel that my options are more limited when it comes to AAA games.

But maybe that's a good thing? The market will become polarized, with the indie developers putting out the new IPs and then if they are good/popular enough, eventually they 'evolve' into the AAA titles and the circle continues.

There are still some unique experiences out there on the retail side. You also have to know where to look. For example, 3DS and Vita definitely have games you won't find on the home consoles.

[BoneSnapDeez]

I have the Sonic collection, so revisit it I must.

Hope you like Flicky, you need to decent score in that game to unlock Fantasy Zone.

I still need to unlock Phantasy Star, Space Harrier, and Zaxxon.

[graffix_13]

Random Gaming Thought: Not sure how I feel about the current state of games.

On one hand, I LOVE seeing Indie titles becoming more mainstream. I've played more indies on my PS4 than AAA. I love the new ideas and chances some of those games take. Not to mention they are cheaper (but shorter) and I don't have to spend $60 on a game I may or may not like. I am more than ok spending $15-20 on a 10 hour game.

The other side of the equation: AAA titles. The production costs of these games keeps going up. So that means we'll see less risk from these publishers as the ROI may not be worth it. So less innovation and fewer new IPs. We'll see more and more sequels and continue with the current rehash of games every year like the CoD's, Battlefields, Assassin Creed's, etc. Publishers love it because they sell, but I just feel that my options are more limited when it comes to AAA games.

But maybe that's a good thing? The market will become polarized, with the indie developers putting out the new IPs and then if they are good/popular enough, eventually they 'evolve' into the AAA titles and the circle continues.

There are still some unique experiences out there on the retail side. You also have to know where to look. For example, 3DS and Vita definitely have games you won't find on the home consoles.

Yep. I have a Vita. Tearaway was pretty good. Unfortuntely I don't think it sold very good. Which is a shame.

I like my Vita but I wish there were more games for it. Borderlands 2 will hopefully move some units. If not, I don't know what that means long term for Vita.

[BoneSnapDeez]

I had no idea Borderlands 2 was coming to Vita. I've been meaning to check those games out.

As for "the state of current gaming" I've said about 100 times that handhelds are where it's at these days. Most of my 7th gen gaming was done on the DS and PSP and the 3DS and Vita are shaping up to be strong as well.

[alienjesus]

I have the Sonic collection, so revisit it I must.

Hope you like Flicky, you need to decent score in that game to unlock Fantasy Zone.

I still need to unlock Phantasy Star, Space Harrier, and Zaxxon.

Phantasy Star is the one you need two controllers for right? It's easy enough to get it if you do (Tails only needs to hit the first boss once for it to count!).

If I recall correctly, Space Harrier requires you to get a certain number of points in Super Thunder Blade? I highly recommend using the cheesetastic method for that one, the less time playing Super Thunder Blade the better

Can't remember how you unlock Zaxxon. It's not really worth it imo

[BoneSnapDeez]

Phantasy Star is the one you need two controllers for right? It's easy enough to get it if you do (Tails only needs to hit the first boss once for it to count!).

If I recall correctly, Space Harrier requires you to get a certain number of points in Super Thunder Blade? I highly recommend using the cheesetastic method for that one, the less time playing Super Thunder Blade the better

Can't remember how you unlock Zaxxon. It's not really worth it imo

Yeah I don't have a second controller unfortunately.

I remember us talking about the "cheesetastic" way of unlocking Space Harrier. I'll have to do that before Together Retro.

Zaxxon requires "five bonus coins" in Decap Attack, which isn't a game I've ever enjoyed particularly.

[Retrogamer0001]

Random Gaming Thought: Not sure how I feel about the current state of games.

On one hand, I LOVE seeing Indie titles becoming more mainstream. I've played more indies on my PS4 than AAA. I love the new ideas and chances some of those games take. Not to mention they are cheaper (but shorter) and I don't have to spend $60 on a game I may or may not like. I am more than ok spending $15-20 on a 10 hour game.

The other side of the equation: AAA titles. The production costs of these games keeps going up. So that means we'll see less risk from these publishers as the ROI may not be worth it. So less innovation and fewer new IPs. We'll see more and more sequels and continue with the current rehash of games every year like the CoD's, Battlefields, Assassin Creed's, etc. Publishers love it because they sell, but I just feel that my options are more limited when it comes to AAA games.

But maybe that's a good thing? The market will become polarized, with the indie developers putting out the new IPs and then if they are good/popular enough, eventually they 'evolve' into the AAA titles and the circle continues.

While I agree with you, in the big picture, think of all the thousands upon thousands of games that we, as gamers, have access to. Realistically, we have all the games one person would ever need and could probably ever play in their lifetime. My backlog right now is shameful - I have around 1100 games and have only beaten around 100 of them, many of them being lengthy RPGs. It's very unlikely I'll ever, ever complete my entire collection, so I'm really not concerned about the way gaming is going or has gone. I think we have all we'll ever need right now

[prfsnl_gmr]

might have to try that nervous brickdown

I hope someone else tries it so I can discuss how its greatness. I have been very, very surprised by its quality, and IMO, it is not only one of the very best retro-gaming mashups, but one of the very best games on the Nintendo DS. Some things I have really enjoyed about it:

* The boss battles are difficult and extremely intense. One had me moving my paddle between wire-frame obstacles while bouncing a laser at a face reminiscent of the final boss in Star Fox (SNES). Another had me dodging falling pieces of tape while squirting paint at a stop-motion animated piece of paper.

*The "water" levels are a great tribute to Nintendo's classic Game & Watch series:

* There is an overhead, pseudo-"bullet hell" shooter where you must not only keep the ball in play with your space ship, but dodge bullets and lasers as well.

Nervous Brickdown is really, really good, and I am actually excited that I have not yet opened up the entire game. I really can't wait to see what else it has in store for me.

[FerretGamer]

I'm glad to see Nervous Brickdown is actually really solid. I picked it up a few weeks ago because it looked interesting and it was dirt cheap ($5.00 in mint condition). I also happen to enjoy Breakout style games so it was an obvious purchase for me.

[prfsnl_gmr]

I'm glad to see Nervous Brickdown is actually really solid. I picked it up a few weeks ago because it looked interesting and it was dirt cheap ($5.00 in mint condition). I also happen to enjoy Breakout style games so it was an obvious purchase for me.

Spend some time with it and let me know what you think. I have - obviously - been very surprised by its quality, and I am looking forward to playing through the developer's other Nintendo DS title, Big Bang Mini.