What are you playing?

[basilmclean]

Ageod's Civil War II, Ultimate General Gettysburg, Frank Hunter's Civil War, Forge of Freedom, and the Dukes of Hazard racing game. Basically, anything that features the Confederate flag. Because that's how I roll. As of yet I haven't installed the Jim Crow Law political Simulator, though that's on the to-do list.

[gusdecker12]

Now, I'm playing Fallout 3 again while dying of waiting for the Fallout 4's release. I've just finished The Witcher 3 and it's pretty cool (not much when comparing to the 2nd versions).

[BogusMeatFactory]

I am currently playing, Her Story, an FMV game where you explore snippets of a series of interrogations of a woman suspect of killing her husband. You use keywords found in the clips to uncover more videos and learn more of the story. It may not sound interesting, but there is a point to it and there are twists and turns that lead you to be absolutely fascinated by what is happening. I can not really go deep into the game's plot and what you do, as it would spoil the game, but I am enamored. I never thought I would feel this way about the game, but it really is something special and it makes me appreciate the nuance of real people talking. CGI can never replace that and I hope it never succeeds in doing so.

[BoringSupreez]

I am currently playing, Her Story, an FMV game where you explore snippets of a series of interrogations of a woman suspect of killing her husband. You use keywords found in the clips to uncover more videos and learn more of the story. It may not sound interesting, but there is a point to it and there are twists and turns that lead you to be absolutely fascinated by what is happening. I can not really go deep into the game's plot and what you do, as it would spoil the game, but I am enamored. I never thought I would feel this way about the game, but it really is something special and it makes me appreciate the nuance of real people talking. CGI can never replace that and I hope it never succeeds in doing so.

Can't say I ever expected an FMV game to come out in 2015. Everyone who wants to do retro-themed stuff always wants to go with the same NES or SNES-esque look.

What's next? 2.5D isometric? Horribad PS1-style 3D? I hope someone uses one of these again.

[dunpeal2064]

I started playing Shenmue

I did all the things: Feeding the cat everyday, collecting figurines, gambled a bit (trip 7 on my first spin!), played some arcade games, and asked people questions. Now I am looking for Sailors. I met some that were playing pool, and wanted me to make the easiest shot ever, which I somehow botched, and now they want nothing to do with me. There are apparently two bars they frequent, but neither of them are on the map. I'm surprised I even found one. Spent a LOT of time looking at that sexy Timex waiting for time to pass. Glad that I found a quick travel from home to any district, had not found this in my previous attempts (Which have all ended at this sailor business), but is there anyway to speed up time?

Even though it might not sound like it, I was quite enjoying the game. When things are moving along, I like it just fine. But failing a one-attempt mini game that I've never played, and then standing outside of the bar for like 8 hours waiting to attempt it again, only to not have that chance... not too thrilling.

It took me until now to realize that this isn't a pre-GTA game, but a point-and-click adventure game that happens to give you the freedom (somewhat) of a 3D open-world game. I think realizing this lead me to enjoy it more, but also makes me realize why I am so awful at it.

[BogusMeatFactory]

I started playing Shenmue

I did all the things: Feeding the cat everyday, collecting figurines, gambled a bit (trip 7 on my first spin!), played some arcade games, and asked people questions. Now I am looking for Sailors. I met some that were playing pool, and wanted me to make the easiest shot ever, which I somehow botched, and now they want nothing to do with me. There are apparently two bars they frequent, but neither of them are on the map. I'm surprised I even found one. Spent a LOT of time looking at that sexy Timex waiting for time to pass. Glad that I found a quick travel from home to any district, had not found this in my previous attempts (Which have all ended at this sailor business), but is there anyway to speed up time?

Even though it might not sound like it, I was quite enjoying the game. When things are moving along, I like it just fine. But failing a one-attempt mini game that I've never played, and then standing outside of the bar for like 8 hours waiting to attempt it again, only to not have that chance... not too thrilling.

It took me until now to realize that this isn't a pre-GTA game, but a point-and-click adventure game that happens to give you the freedom (somewhat) of a 3D open-world game. I think realizing this lead me to enjoy it more, but also makes me realize why I am so awful at it.

Dun! I am so happy to hear you are giving Shenmue another shot! Let me give you some tips on the time management level. A lot of people have the same issue as you in that they have all this time in the world waiting around for a shop to open or for a person to be around and they don't know what activities they can partake in.

First, you can train. I'm sure you already know this, but the parking lots can be used to practice moves and improve them. Improving them changes how they are performed and can sometimes be comboed into other moves. This also gets you a bit more comfortable with how the Free Combat portions control and play out.

The other thing is gamble! If you go to the fortune teller, she can tell you what your lucky number is, which is the number of the slot machine you can use to earn coins for prizes at the slot house.

The third and most important thing, for me, is to explore. I'm not joking when I say to spend that going through the Hazuki home and opening every drawaer, look at every sign and reflect on every saying. Get lost in there and you may find some interesting things you didn't necessarily know or notice. Go into the shops and look at their pictures, see the people coming and going and absorb the world.

If all else fails, just go into the Abe Store in Sakuragaoka and let the old lady annoy the hell out of Ryo. It is quite entertaining!

Don't give up and keep pushing forward. You are still in the very EARLY portions of the game and you have tons more stuff to do so keep it up and keep me informed! Trust me! You are gonna get through this and you are going to enjoy it!

[dunpeal2064]

Thanks for the pointers meat!

I actually got lost in doing a lot of those things when I knew what to do. Found a nice casette player and a flashlight in my home (Certainly more to find in there, I'll have to give it another rummage). Didn't know about the furtune teller, I just went and gambled the old fashioned way, and won quite a lot of credits (No way to convert these back to real money?), and I hit the training grounds and practiced some moves (Though didn't notice any moves improving, I did notice that I had a couple not yet unlocked. Planned on hitting that as well).

I really don't mind the waiting, its kinda surreal in a way. Its when I'm uncertainly waiting, only to find out that I wasted that whole day. I'm sure the pool shot was optional, or just one way to get the information I need, but hot damn, I feel like I scoured that district entirely, unable to find the... Heartbeats Bar, I think? Waited outside the cigarette store, since they apparently show up there, waited outside the flower shop that my hot lady friend doesn't work at, since they also apparently show up there, but nothing happened!

I know its just me and my lack of experience with this genre. It is very unlike most games I play, which generally have a clear answer, or at least a puzzling, but contained one (I know something in this room must solve the puzzle), but this freedom is... well, its very different.

I'll be gravy once I can get past this one point. 3 times I've played this game, and every time I have been stuck on these damn sailors. I know, those that have played this already must be laughing or scratching you head as to how I could get stuck here, so early on. I am just awful at this stuff!

I'll keep at it! Either with adoration for the surprisingly consistent, absorbing world, or frustration at my lost wanderings.

[BogusMeatFactory]

Don't feel bad! There are moments when things sometimes can seem a bit...uncertain. MY tips for that is to just talk to everyone you see and you will get tidbits here and there on what to do. Remember, not everyone has the answers and sometimes it just takes asking the right person.

As for searching your home, if you just found the tape recorder and flashlight, yeah you definitely need to dig deep. Tons of stuff to find and do. The only thing you can't do, which I want fixed for Shenmue III is for Ryo to be able to pee/poop dag nabbit! You have a toilet...USE IT!!!!

Can't say I ever expected an FMV game to come out in 2015. Everyone who wants to do retro-themed stuff always wants to go with the same NES or SNES-esque look.

What's next? 2.5D isometric? Horribad PS1-style 3D? I hope someone uses one of these again.

Oh man FMV games are still kicking roundabout and they are just as amazing as before!

As for wanting a PS1-style 3D game? YOU GOT IT!. After the announcement of Shenmue III NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE!

[dunpeal2064]

You have a toilet...USE IT!!!!

Considering the amount of soda I drink in the game, this is a serious issue that needs to be addressed. Now I am going to think that Ryo's blunt conversing is due to his extreme urge to pee.

[ExedExes]

I'll be watching your Shenmue playthrough. BMF covered it all, if you need to kill time, you can always fill up your notebook talking to people in Dobuita. Don't forget the arcade!