Random Gaming Thoughts

[prfsnl_gmr]

I got dsx86 up and running on my Nintendo DS today, and I am currently running Alone in the Dark, Civilization, and Dune 2. Excluding all of the LucasArts adventure games - which I have running in SCUMMVM, what other compatible games should I get?

[Ack]

Shadow of the Comet, Solar Winds, Mechwarrior, and a whole slew of RPGs. Also, try Neuromancer and tell me if it is any good!

[MrPopo]

Why do old school FPS bosses with a ton of health and deadly attacks feel boring, while Mega Man uses the same style of boss but it's a lot of fun? It feels like FPS's switched away from "use all your best guns on this guy" bosses to puzzle bosses, and I'm not sure I approve.

[Gunstar Green]

Why do old school FPS bosses with a ton of health and deadly attacks feel boring, while Mega Man uses the same style of boss but it's a lot of fun? It feels like FPS's switched away from "use all your best guns on this guy" bosses to puzzle bosses, and I'm not sure I approve.

I don't know if they're necessarily the same style. Platforming bosses like in Mega Man have a set pattern you learn and take advantage of with timing. They're sort of a test of the platforming skills you used to get through the level.

In the specific case of Mega Man if you have their weakness weapon they also don't live very long.

Old-school FPS bosses generally just march towards you, guns blazing with zero tactics and a million health. Strafe around in a circle while firing until you win.

I think a happy medium can probably be struck between puzzle bosses and all out brawling, and it probably already has I just can't think of an example off of the top of my head.

[Erik_Twice]

Why do old school FPS bosses with a ton of health and deadly attacks feel boring, while Mega Man uses the same style of boss but it's a lot of fun? It feels like FPS's switched away from "use all your best guns on this guy" bosses to puzzle bosses, and I'm not sure I approve.

Because Mega Man has engaging patterns, while most FPS bosses are just bullet sponges that you beat by running around in circles

[marurun]

Mega Man bosses almost have more in common (if you're not using the "right weapon") with pre-bullet hell shooters.

[BogusMeatFactory]

Why do old school FPS bosses with a ton of health and deadly attacks feel boring, while Mega Man uses the same style of boss but it's a lot of fun? It feels like FPS's switched away from "use all your best guns on this guy" bosses to puzzle bosses, and I'm not sure I approve.

Old school FPS bosses used very simplistic techniques to convey their lethality to the player. The move faster, have huge amounts of health and fire weapons that are both fast and do a lot of damage. With that in mind, there are no real decisive patterns to the boss. A strong boss is one that has patterns that you can learn and predict, but still make them challenging.

I point to a game I currently playing as an example of modern gaming doing that right and that is Dark Souls.

In old school, 2D gaming, the comparisons to Dark Souls are there. You usually have understandable patterns and behaviors that you can identify and exploit to victory.

I feel that late 80's early 90's PC gaming was a really rough era with a lot of strange archaic trappings in game design that don't stand the test of time in a lot of genres.

[Erik_Twice]

I just saw a video game history documentary while taking notes to review it and such but...man, I barely have time to write anything much less about a movie that spends more time showing clips from Rapelay than from all Nintendo games put together.

[casterofdreams]

I have a random gaming thought: do MMOs with a single player story really have to be rendered unplayable after servers go under?

It's a dumb thought I know but hear me out: first hand experience with a game like Star Wars The Old Republic seems like it can be done. I've logged in a hundred hours without speaking to a single soul. Just doing the single player story arc.

Newer games like The Elder Scrolls Online (I have not played but have watched footage at launch) and Elite Dangerous (has a single player instance but still online dependant due to "economy") are some other examples.

[BoringSupreez]

I have a random gaming thought: do MMOs with a single player story really have to be rendered unplayable after servers go under?

It's a dumb thought I know but hear me out: first hand experience with a game like Star Wars The Old Republic seems like it can be done. I've logged in a hundred hours without speaking to a single soul. Just doing the single player story arc.

Newer games like The Elder Scrolls Online (I have not played but have watched footage at launch) and Elite Dangerous (has a single player instance but still online dependant due to "economy") are some other examples.

I've played single-player versions of online games, like Star Wars Battlefront's offline mode, or Borderlands' single-player mode. They work, but they have a tendency to feel empty and lifeless.