Summer Games Challenge 2014

[prfsnl_gmr]

1. Strider (Arcade/PS2)
2. Thief Gold (PC)
3. Ys II (PC)
4. System Shock 2 (PC)
5. The Typing of the Dead (DC)
6. Marvel vs. Capcom (Arcade/PS3/DC)
7. Bushido Blade (PS1)
8. Wario Land (Virtual Boy)
9. Spyro the Dragon (PS1)
10. Eye of the Beholder (Sega CD)

What a delightful little game, and one that really impressed me throughout. It had some challenging components, but on the whole was very forgiving and just *fun*. I really want to check out the sequels at some point, though now it is on to the next game in my challenge: Ys II!

This is a great list. I can personally vouch for Strider, Ys II, Marvel vs. Capcom, and Bushido Blade (and I hope to vouch for Virtual Boy Wario Land before the end of the summer). I'm not sure about Spyro or The Typing of the Dead...but the rest appear to be confirmed classics.

[Retrogamer0001]

I always found fighting games to be poor choices for something that involves "beating" them. How do you classify beating a fighter? Are you going through the game once with one character, or beating the game with every character at least once?

[prfsnl_gmr]

I always found fighting games to be poor choices for something that involves "beating" them. How do you classify beating a fighter? Are you going through the game once with one character, or beating the game with every character at least once?

Either one counts. You probably get a better experience completing a fighting game with every character, but one time through the arcade mode is good enough for the "basic" experience.

[Retrogamer0001]

I always found fighting games to be poor choices for something that involves "beating" them. How do you classify beating a fighter? Are you going through the game once with one character, or beating the game with every character at least once?

Either one counts. You probably get a better experience completing a fighting game with every character, but one time through the arcade mode is good enough for the "basic" experience.

Ahh, that's too easy for the SGC - what does that take on average, 15 minutes?

Anyway, I now "prossess" Dracula's Heart.

[Ack]

I always found fighting games to be poor choices for something that involves "beating" them. How do you classify beating a fighter? Are you going through the game once with one character, or beating the game with every character at least once?

I think it depends on the fighting game. With the original Bushido Blade, the character is not nearly as important as the weapon choice in my opinion, so beating it with every character isn't as important as getting through it with each blade. Gundam Battle Assault on the PS1 is similar, where the character doesn't matter nearly as much as the mobile suit chosen to play through the game. Games like Battle Blaze or Power Moves on the SNES can only be played from the perspective of a single character, so once you have beaten the game with them, it's done. And a game like Tuff E Nuff doesn't really matter, as there are only four playable characters, two of which are just palatte swaps.

Also, there is a difference between simply beating a game and completing it. I've beaten a lot of fighting games but have then gone back through and beaten it with every character, seeing all of the endings and leading me to consider it completed. Getting through to the true credits is beating a game, but seeing all it has to offer is a much better goal, especially for a fighter(as this usually will lead to getting better at the game overall and lengthen the time spent with it).

[noiseredux]

You can also go for 1cc.

[CFFJR]

I'm debating about making a list.

I always enjoy this challenge, but I've spent so little time with games in general lately (I've beaten maybe 2 in the past couple of months, purchased... 3 or 4?) that I don't know if I'd put the time in to play.

It has at least been fun reading the thread though, as always. Dave's enthusiasm for Spyro is just great.

[Retrogamer0001]

1. Mega Man 2 (NES) Beaten
2. The Legend of Zelda (NES)
3. Star Tropics (NES)
4. Castlevania 2: Simon's Quest (NES) Beaten
5. Earthbound (SNES)
6. Panzer Dragoon Saga (Saturn)
7. Metroid: Other M (Wii)
8. Silent Hill 3 (PS3 HD Re-release)
9. Shadow of the Colossus (PS2)
10. Final Fantasy 9 (PS1) Now Playing

Finished Simon's Quest tonight, and like Mega Man 2, it was quite short. I had to use a guide for one or two parts, but overall, I knew much of the game already just from word of mouth. The biggest flaw in the game has to be the lack of a map, and finding where you have to go next is a huge pain in the ass. The graphics were great, very classic, and it has an amazing soundtrack. I decided against using the "cheesy" method of using the flames against Dracula and instead killed him with my whip, but it was pretty easy anyway. The game is fun, but not challenging, and I can see why some people don't like it compared to Castlevania 1 and 3.

I'll be playing Final Fantasy 9 on PS1 next, a game I have traditionally hated with a passion, but I've decided to play through it and see if I can find some love for it after more than twelve years (I last played it at launch).

[BoneSnapDeez]

FF IX is cool. I enjoyed it quite a bit. Probably not sure as good as VII, but vastly superior to VIII.

[Retrogamer0001]

FF IX is cool. I enjoyed it quite a bit. Probably not sure as good as VII, but vastly superior to VIII.

I have a few issues with the game, one of the main ones being the style. After the darker tones of VII and VIII (which I consider a masterpiece, actually) we get this goofy story full of talking animals, a monkey for a main character, and a collection of goofballs for party members. To me, they're uninteresting, and Garnet is a poor third to Tifa and Rinoa. Only two characters can use summons, which boggled my teenage mind back in 2000 when it was released, and I find a lot of the special skills underwhelming. Square also butchered the card game in IX, which was a major disappointment for me. I'm really hoping the game will grow on me now though, but we'll see.