Summer Games Challenge 2015

[Sload Soap]

Started Super Mario Bros 2 (US). Don't like it. Feels like what it kind of is: a rom hack of an inferior game. It's not terrible but I just can't get into it and lose interest around world 3.

[Sarge]

Aw, man, I love SMB2. It's so weird and awesome.

Now, if you're wanting traditional Mario, then yeah, I can totally see where it won't work. Of course, much like Zelda II, what the series was wasn't exactly set in stone by that point, so I rolled with it back in the day.

EDIT: Oh, do I gotta bust out my like-dislike on FF? Is it that time? Alright!

Greatness incarnate: VI
Great: VIII, I, III, IV, X
Good: VII, XIII
Okay: V, IX, XII
Ehhh: II (upgrade if DoS version)

[MrPopo]

Shining Force is definitely a series that's less complicated and less difficult than its contemporaries, especially Fire Emblem. But at the same time it's got a charm of its own because of that. The story has the sharp corners rounded off and it's just a fun experience to play through. Now, if your primary draw for strategy games is trying to pull victory from the jaws of defeat (where the jaws of defeat is where you start off) then it definitely won't scratch that itch (try Military Madness).

[laurenhiya21]

Finally, I beat Klonoa!

This time 6-2 took a lot less time to do, which I thought helped with the boss fight as I was less annoyed on finally getting to the boss ha. The final boss was a lot easier, although I barely scraped by with only one small heard and no lives left. The ending was incredibly sad though... kind of teared up a bit But I'm really glad I played this in the end. I didn't really like the huge difficulty spike near the end, and how it's sometimes hard to tell if some things are on the same platform as you are behind you, but that was a small portion of an otherwise really fun game.

And I'm glad I finally beat that but... now the only classic game I can really play is Silent Hill (unless Wild Arms is a classic? I've seen quite a few posts about it but not sure). I'm kind of waffling over it since I do want to play it, but I get kind of nervous since I always get nervous over playing scary/creepy games... Hate how I do that ugh .___.

[Exhuminator]

The first Wild Arms is absolutely a classic. Whether or not it`s a good game is a matter of debate though (no opinion here).

[Ack]

The first Wild Arms is absolutely a classic. Whether or not it`s a good game is a matter of debate though (no opinion here).

Personally I absolutely love the first Wild Arms, and I appreciate that it has a radically different setting from most video games. We need more Western-themed games.

And I'm glad I finally beat that but... now the only classic game I can really play is Silent Hill (unless Wild Arms is a classic? I've seen quite a few posts about it but not sure). I'm kind of waffling over it since I do want to play it, but I get kind of nervous since I always get nervous over playing scary/creepy games... Hate how I do that ugh .___.

You can do this, champ. I believe in you. Just remember that you're hunting them, not the other way around.

[prfsnl_gmr]

Now, if your primary draw for strategy games is trying to pull victory from the jaws of defeat (where the jaws of defeat is where you start off) then it definitely won't scratch that itch (try Military Madness).

Military Madness and its PS1 remake/sequel are the last strategy games I played, and I suspect that is why I am having such an easy time with Shining Force II. (I am about to enter Moun, BTW. I hope to beat the game this weekend.)

[BogusMeatFactory]

Now, if your primary draw for strategy games is trying to pull victory from the jaws of defeat (where the jaws of defeat is where you start off) then it definitely won't scratch that itch (try Military Madness).

Military Madness and its PS1 remake/sequel are the last strategy games I played, and I suspect that is why I am having such an easy time with Shining Force II. (I am about to enter Moun, BTW. I hope to beat the game this weekend.)

Shining Force II may be simpler in comparison to other more intense Strategy titles, but I feel it makes up for it with colorful character design, hidden secrets and an emphasis on exploration to unlock new characters and items. If you enjoy the game and want a challenge, there is a cheat code that allows you to control the enemies in combat. Give that control to a friend and the difficulty ramps up a LOT!

Also, I would suggest Shining Force III for more of a challenge. There is a nice relationship mechanic that adds a fun layer of depth, as well as there being secondary objectives that can appear in mid-battle that add some extra challenge. Love the series!

[prfsnl_gmr]

Shining Force II may be simpler in comparison to other more intense Strategy titles, but I feel it makes up for it with colorful character design, hidden secrets and an emphasis on exploration to unlock new characters and items. If you enjoy the game and want a challenge, there is a cheat code that allows you to control the enemies in combat. Give that control to a friend and the difficulty ramps up a LOT!

Undoubtedly. Despite the low difficulty, the game is a lot of fun (and it still looks great in that 16-bit-RPG-everyone-is-walking-in-place-sort-of-way). I went with "normal" difficulty since I have not played many SRPGs, and I had heard that it was a very difficult genre. I kind-of regret that decision now, and I think that it I play another game in the series I will turn up the difficulty a bit.

[Ack]

Shining Force II may be simpler in comparison to other more intense Strategy titles, but I feel it makes up for it with colorful character design, hidden secrets and an emphasis on exploration to unlock new characters and items. If you enjoy the game and want a challenge, there is a cheat code that allows you to control the enemies in combat. Give that control to a friend and the difficulty ramps up a LOT!

Undoubtedly. Despite the low difficulty, the game is a lot of fun (and it still looks great in that 16-bit-RPG-everyone-is-walking-in-place-sort-of-way). I went with "normal" difficulty since I have not played many SRPGs, and I had heard that it was a very difficult genre. I kind-of regret that decision now, and I think that it I play another game in the series I will turn up the difficulty a bit.

If you're into the import scene, you might also consider Bahamut Lagoon for the Super Famicom. It's another Strategy RPG I found really easy to play, especially once the training maps open up to you and you can grind on them.

And then there is Final Fantasy Tactics, which throws you into the middle of things but ends up quite easy once you understand what you are doing.

At this point, I think Ogre Battle: March of the Black Queen is the hardest strategy RPG I've played, and that's because the system is so complex and a bit unwieldy on certain points, particularly the morality system and its influence on job progression.