Summer Games Challenge 2014

[ExedExes]

OK, played the first level of Tomb Raider Anniversary. When it comes to Summer Games Challenge, I like to juggle a couple at a time. Man... Crystal Dymanics knew what they were doing even then.

CD made Tomb Raider Legend too. You bet they did.

[Ack]

Well, I'm currently in Wyndrax Tower, in Chapter 3 of Daikatana(Norway around 560 AD). I'm nearly through this area, and while I love the aesthetics of it, I'm ready to move onto San Francisco, 2030. There are some nifty design quirks with the weapons in both the Greece and Norway levels, such as the sunflares in Greece working as makeshift flashlights, while the silver claws are the only weapons that can kill werewolves in Norway(you will most likely die if you don't butcher their corpses). The AI is still a problem, but a little while ago I turned the corner of a spiraling staircase on the side of the castle, and a dragon perched on a distant tower started spitting fireballs at me, and I realized that there really are some incredible things in Daikatana, even if there is a lot of bad too. I am hoping that the game can continue to offer such "wow" moments, even if they don't necessarily make up for the many problems it suffers.

[CFFJR]

OK, I have 9 out of 10 here so far. Any suggestions to fill the last spot? I think I'd like a racing game.

1. Metroid Prime - GC
2. Resident Evil 2 - PS1
3. Earthbound - SNES
4. Crash Bandicoot - PS1
5. X-men Vs. Street Fighter - Saturn
6. Wonder Boy in Monster World - Genesis
7. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night - PS1
8. The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall - PC
9. Journey to Silius - NES
10.

Regarding the additions:

I've had Wonder Boy since I was a kid and never got close to beating it. Back then I would get lost and start over repeatedly, and I never put more time into it as I got older. Since a couple of folks have/are tackling this one, I will too. Also gives me an excuse to play the 360 version that I bought and never touched.

Symphony, I've tried to play it a few times, and always grow bored fairly quickly and put it down. I even attempted it on this challenge a few years back. I want to finish the damn thing just so I can finally put it behind me.

Daggerfall, I'm a big Elder Scrolls fan and yet have never done more than screw around with this one for a few minutes at a time. Its huge and I may not complete it, but I'll try.

Journey to Silius just seems like an awesome classic action game that deserves more of my attention.

[dunpeal2064]

1. R-Type
2. F-Zero GX
3. Half Life
4. Ikaruga
5. Portal
6. Mega Man 3
7. Metal Gear Solid 3

Its a start. Willing to take suggestions!

[dsheinem]

8. The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall - PC
9. Journey to Silius - NES

Not so sure I can get behind these. Both are certainly "good + old" but I don't think either of them are really considered to be one of the best representations of their genre, era, etc. Silius is too obscure, and I don't think Daggerfall was the kind of game that was liked the year it came out but didn't go on to make stuff like EGM top 200 lists, 1001 Games to Play before You Die, or other lists that have been oft-cited here.

EDIT: an extra "don't" in there...

[CFFJR]

8. The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall - PC
9. Journey to Silius - NES

Not so sure I can get behind these. Both are certainly "good + old" but I don't think either of them are really considered to be one of the best representations of their genre, era, etc. Silius is too obscure, and I don't think Daggerfall was the kind of game that was liked the year it came out but didn't go on to make stuff like EGM top 200 lists, 1001 Games to Play before You Die, or other lists that have been oft-cited here.

Errrmm, those are good points. Damn. Daggerfall is well loved by fans, but it honestly wasn't until Morrowind that the series really took off. And Silius is indeed very obscure...

Yeah, I agree they can wait.

1. Metroid Prime - GC
2. Resident Evil 2 - PS1
3. Earthbound - SNES
4. Crash Bandicoot - PS1
5. X-men Vs. Street Fighter - Saturn
6. Wonder Boy in Monster World - Genesis
7. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night - PS1
8.
9.
10.

Well, I'm not sure where to go next. I'll keep thinking about it. I'm open to suggestions.

On another note, I played a bit of Wonder Boy. Got to Purapril.

[noiseredux]

Carlo, I'm playing Monster World now too - so we can compare notes. I'm not good w/ town names... have you gotten the ocarina yet? Fought any bosses?

Also, SOTM = incredible once you get sucked in. I *used* to say that I only was a fan of the linear 'Vanias. Same as you, I would dabble w/ Symphony and get bored. Until I put it on my Summer list 2 years ago and forced myself through it, at which point I was blown away and loved every moment.

Racing games... Outrun? Micro Machines? Wipeout? Star Wars Episode I Racer? Daytona USA? Ridge Racer?

[alienjesus]

I'm playign Wave Race 64 as my racing game this year if that's one you've not done.

I'm also playing through Symphony this year. Was planning on it being one of my first ones to start actually (along with Double Dragon as my first console game).

I need to finish Gravity Rush first, then I was planning to play through Rondo of Blood before starting symphony. I've kinda played it before (beat Dracula X Chronicles last year) so it shouldn't be too long?

[prfsnl_gmr]

Here is my list for summer 2014:

1. Dragon's Lair
2. Final Fantasy Tactics
3. Flashback: The Quest for Identity
4. Halo 2
5. Jumping Flash! 2
6. Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake
7. Military Madness
8. R-Type Delta
9. Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
10. Virtual Boy Wario Land

Three down!

I completed Jumping Flash! 2 last night. It was very easy and very short, but it was nonetheless enjoyable. (The game does have "trophies" and extra modes to extend its length and increase its challenge, but I only completed the main portion of the game.) Moreover, the game's simple, colorful graphics have aged better than most "3D" games of its era, and Jumping Flash! 2, like its predecessor, provides a dizzying sensation of both height and gravity. By the end of the game, your "robbit" is leaping into the stratosphere, and most of the fun in the game comes from exploring its varied levels and seeing just how high you can get before plummeting back to the lowest sections. Finally, the game offers incredibly intense - but nonetheless incredibly easy - boss fights. (In other words, the boss fights are very exciting and fast-paced, but I never had to repeat any of them more than a few times.)

Despite my praise, Jumping Flash! 2 does not improve upon Jumping Flash! very much. It is marginally better than the original, and I suspect it was included in the EGM 100 "greatest games of all time" list because the editors only wanted one game from the series. Accordingly - and consistent with DSH's evaluation - Jumping Flash! is probably more of a "classic" than Jumping Flash! 2.

I do enjoy the "first person 3D platforming" genre, however, and I am glad I finally played through the game. I am also not sure that there are any other games like Jumping Flash! and Jumping Flash! 2, and I think it is very unlikely we will get a HD sequel or update. (It would be awesome if we did.) Accordingly, please let me know if you know of any other "first person 3D platformers". (Mirror's Edge and the Metroid Prime trilogy are the only other games that come to mind.)

.....

I am undecided on my next game. Should it be: (1) Halo 2; (2) Metal Gear 2; (3) R-Type Delta; or (4) Virtual Boy Wario Land?

[AppleQueso]

It's Silius really *that* obscure? Maybe I've been hanging around retro forums too long...

@prfsnl_gmr: my vote goes into Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake. I was VERY impressed when I played that one for the first time.