Games Beaten 2016
Re: Games Beaten 2016
Add me to the "FFVIII is the best PSX-era Final Fantasy game" list.
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ElkinFencer10
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Re: Games Beaten 2016
I'm in the Final Fantasy VII camp for that title, I'm afraid, but if I weren't going to name that one, I'd go with Panzer Dragoon Saga. Admittedly I haven't played FF8 or FF9, but they're on my list.Sarge wrote:Add me to the "FFVIII is the best PSX-era Final Fantasy game" list.
Patron Saint of Bitch Mode
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BoneSnapDeez
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Re: Games Beaten 2016
I'm not an audiophile and no nothing about SMS FM sound. I will say that the OST sounds pretty solid on the SMS.ElkinFencer10 wrote: Awesome, thanks man. How does the SMS version compare to the TGCD version aside from the obvious audio inferiority? Also, do you know if it supports FM sound?
Two things that jump out at me about SMS Ys... First, expect to spend a substantial amount of time grinding. This has nothing to do with the amount of XP required to gain a level but more to do with that fact that Adol moves slower and only a small number of enemy sprites can inhabit the screen at one time. Second, some of the dungeon maps in the SMS game are flipped "mirror images" when compared to other versions. No idea why. Some programmer was drunk or decided to troll us. So if you seek maps out on the internet make sure they're unique to the SMS game.
Overall, there are three "types" of Ys Book I & II variants.
First, the old computer and 8-bit console releases. Ys and Ys II were first initially released on the PC-88 and then soon ported to the PC-98, FM-7, X1, X68000 (Ys I only), MSX2, Apple IIGS (Ys I only), DOS (DOS Ys II is heavy reworked... and Korean), SMS (Ys I only), and Famicom. I highly recommend going the console route - controls are improved and the computer versions are impossible to find these days anyway, save the MSX2 games which require really expensive hardware.
Recommendation: Ys I on SMS, Ys II on Famicom
Next, the CD-ROM era. Ys Book I & II on TurboGrafx CD contains the most "definitive" versions of these games. They're combined into one long experience (no other version does this, other compilations separate the games), and showcase the best graphics and artwork by a longshot. The games later appeared on the Saturn via Falcom compilations featuring redone graphics and sound that are both substantially inferior.
Recommendation: TurboDuo
Finally, the Eternal games and all subsequent ports. Ys Eternal and Ys II Eternal are Windows 95/98 games with redone graphics and sound design. They're quite exquisite, and every subsequent version of Ys and Ys II (whether standalone or compiled) is based on these releases. This includes Ys I & II Complete (PC), Ys I & II Eternal Story (PS2), Legacy of Ys: Books I & II (DS - in Japan these were released as standalone games and as a compilation), Ys I & II Chronicles (PSP, PC), and all the various cell phone / tablet versions. Of the bunch Chronicles is your best bet. The art style is great, there's an option to listen to retro variants of the soundtrack, and the controls are smooth and fast as lightning.
Recommendation: The GOG.com and/or PSP variant of Chronicles
Re: Games Beaten 2016
lolwhut. Were you going with a different series? I'm confused!ElkinFencer10 wrote:I'm in the Final Fantasy VII camp for that title, I'm afraid, but if I weren't going to name that one, I'd go with Panzer Dragoon Saga. Admittedly I haven't played FF8 or FF9, but they're on my list.Sarge wrote:Add me to the "FFVIII is the best PSX-era Final Fantasy game" list.
Re: Games Beaten 2016
I'm a bit confused, too, but he might be going off the premise that it's enough like Final Fantasy to "count". Kinda like I think Legend of Dragoon is the best "Final Fantasy" not named Final Fantasy for that generation.
Or maybe he meant to type Legend of Dragoon! Kain would be proud, either way.
Or maybe he meant to type Legend of Dragoon! Kain would be proud, either way.
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ElkinFencer10
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Re: Games Beaten 2016
NOPE, I JUST DIDN'T READ THE WHOLE THING. Teacher at the end of the day equals very careless reading. 
Patron Saint of Bitch Mode
Re: Games Beaten 2016
My first and only complete run of FF8 back in the day was mostly 100% (outside of the cards). But since then, I've counted and have failed to replay the game three times by this point. There is so much I love about it, but...
- The magic draw system ticks my OCD way too hard. Whenever new magic pops up I have to get 100 for every character again before moving on. This probably adds hours of needless time to the clock.
- The Junction system is horrible, namely because the game frequently switches from Squall to Laguna, and if your Junction setup does not perfectly transfer over to someone of Laguna's party? You have to reconfigure your entire Junction setup. Last time I remember, this just got more and more taxing as the game went as your Junction's could get more complex. It was a damn headache. The game seriously needed a "Save Junction Setup" feature. I don't really care for how the summons themselves work in this one either.
I'm glad FF15 went for the aesthetics of FF7/FF8 though. I dig that weird urban fantasy.
- The magic draw system ticks my OCD way too hard. Whenever new magic pops up I have to get 100 for every character again before moving on. This probably adds hours of needless time to the clock.
- The Junction system is horrible, namely because the game frequently switches from Squall to Laguna, and if your Junction setup does not perfectly transfer over to someone of Laguna's party? You have to reconfigure your entire Junction setup. Last time I remember, this just got more and more taxing as the game went as your Junction's could get more complex. It was a damn headache. The game seriously needed a "Save Junction Setup" feature. I don't really care for how the summons themselves work in this one either.
I'm glad FF15 went for the aesthetics of FF7/FF8 though. I dig that weird urban fantasy.
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PartridgeSenpai
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Re: Games Beaten 2016
Partridge Senpai's 2016 Beaten List
1-50
51. Axiom Verge
52. Otomedius Excellent
53. JUMP Ultimate Stars
54. Dynasty Warriors 3
55. Fire Emblem if: Byakuya (Birthright)
56. Fire Emblem if: Anya (Conquest)
57. Fire Emblem if: Invisible Kingdom (Revelations)
58. Stubbs the Zombie
59. Mori Mori Slime
60. Metal Slug 7
60. Dream Mix TV: World Fighters
61. Youkai Watch
62. Legacy of Ys: Book 1
63. Legacy of Ys: Book II (DS)
As I said earlier in the RPG Progress thread, this is an old-school sequel through and through. It doesn't rapidly change the formula at all, and could even, to an extent, be mistaken for its predecessor at first glance. However, like from Doom to Doom 2, there are many subtle changes that make this game distinct from its predecessor, and in many ways objetively better. It's similar to the last game, but they took everything good about the last game and made it better.
Music is much better, graphics are a little better and noticeably different (far less reused sprites and resources than I would've imagined for a games so often bundled together on one disc/card), combat is totally revamped (on an engine level) to make bumping more intuitive and allows for combos as well as much of the game being geared towards utilizing your new offensive magic powers to great effect. This in turn leads to MUCH better boss battles. The boss battles in this game were SOOOO great, and some were very legitimately challenging (although the barrier spell is a bit too broken, imo, and kinda makes the final boss pointless, but whatever (you don't GOTTA use it after all (even though I did ))). My only warning about the port though comes from the boss battles. Some of the bosses REALLY make the framerate struggle, and although it isn't gamebreaking by any means (just like it isn't in most old shmups or Metal Slug-type ventures), it still can interfere with the bump system and make things harder than they should be at time, though they were few and far between.
Verdict: Very Recommended. A fantastic action RPG! Probably one of the best old-school ones out there, and definitely one of my favorite I've played. I actually own Oath in Felghana and Memories of Celceta for PSP and Vita respectively, so they're very tempting on my "next to play" list :3
1-50
52. Otomedius Excellent
53. JUMP Ultimate Stars
54. Dynasty Warriors 3
55. Fire Emblem if: Byakuya (Birthright)
56. Fire Emblem if: Anya (Conquest)
57. Fire Emblem if: Invisible Kingdom (Revelations)
58. Stubbs the Zombie
59. Mori Mori Slime
60. Metal Slug 7
60. Dream Mix TV: World Fighters
61. Youkai Watch
62. Legacy of Ys: Book 1
63. Legacy of Ys: Book II (DS)
As I said earlier in the RPG Progress thread, this is an old-school sequel through and through. It doesn't rapidly change the formula at all, and could even, to an extent, be mistaken for its predecessor at first glance. However, like from Doom to Doom 2, there are many subtle changes that make this game distinct from its predecessor, and in many ways objetively better. It's similar to the last game, but they took everything good about the last game and made it better.
Music is much better, graphics are a little better and noticeably different (far less reused sprites and resources than I would've imagined for a games so often bundled together on one disc/card), combat is totally revamped (on an engine level) to make bumping more intuitive and allows for combos as well as much of the game being geared towards utilizing your new offensive magic powers to great effect. This in turn leads to MUCH better boss battles. The boss battles in this game were SOOOO great, and some were very legitimately challenging (although the barrier spell is a bit too broken, imo, and kinda makes the final boss pointless, but whatever (you don't GOTTA use it after all (even though I did
))). My only warning about the port though comes from the boss battles. Some of the bosses REALLY make the framerate struggle, and although it isn't gamebreaking by any means (just like it isn't in most old shmups or Metal Slug-type ventures), it still can interfere with the bump system and make things harder than they should be at time, though they were few and far between.Verdict: Very Recommended. A fantastic action RPG! Probably one of the best old-school ones out there, and definitely one of my favorite I've played. I actually own Oath in Felghana and Memories of Celceta for PSP and Vita respectively, so they're very tempting on my "next to play" list :3
Last edited by PartridgeSenpai on Fri Dec 09, 2016 11:03 am, edited 1 time in total.
I identify everyone via avatar, so if you change your avatar, I genuinely might completely forget who you are. -- Me
Re: Games Beaten 2016
Axiom Verge is down. Final stats the first time were around 10:05, 76% items, 90% map. Final stats after collecting a bit more were 12:11, 81-82%, and 96% map. Still got a lot I need to find, not sure if I'm going to or not yet.
My general impressions are that it's very, very good. Definitely one of the best Metroid clones out there. It does interesting things with traversal methods. At the same time, I'm not sure it's quite worthy of the lavish praise on the game, but I know I wanted to get back to it every time I got in from work, so that's a good sign.
I'd probably say it's 9/10 territory. Very, very good, definitely in the running for best game played this year. Strangely enough, I actually liked another game I played a tiny bit more overall, Rex Rocket, and it seems like no one knows about that one!
I will try to expound a bit more tomorrow; I'm not up to typing all that I want to right now.
My general impressions are that it's very, very good. Definitely one of the best Metroid clones out there. It does interesting things with traversal methods. At the same time, I'm not sure it's quite worthy of the lavish praise on the game, but I know I wanted to get back to it every time I got in from work, so that's a good sign.
I'd probably say it's 9/10 territory. Very, very good, definitely in the running for best game played this year. Strangely enough, I actually liked another game I played a tiny bit more overall, Rex Rocket, and it seems like no one knows about that one!
I will try to expound a bit more tomorrow; I'm not up to typing all that I want to right now.
Re: Games Beaten 2016
Games Beaten 2016
First 50:
Battleborn - PC
140 - PC
Last Duel - Arcade (PSP)
Alien on the Run - 3DS
Undead Bowling - 3DS
Chain Blaster - 3DS
Runny Egg - 3DS
Bound - PS4
Parasite Eve - PS1
Destiny - PS4
Destiny: The Dark Below - PS4
Destiny: The House of Wolves - PS4
Destiny: The Taken King - PS4
Otomedius Excellent - 360
Crimsonland - PC
Planet of the Eyes - PC
Destiny: Rise of Iron - PS4
The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing: Final Cut - PC
Eve Valkyrie: Gunjack - PSVR
Elegy for a Dead World - PC
SOMA - PC
The Typing of the Dead: Overkill - PC
Until Dawn: Rush of Blood - PSVR
Actual Sunlight - Vita
Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare - Jackal Assault VR - PSVR
Letter Quest: Grimm's Journey Remastered - Vita
Thumper - PSVR
Burrito Bison: Launcha Libre - iOS
Trackmania Turbo (VR Campaign) - PSVR
Gears of War 4 - Xbox One
Caladrius Blaze - PS4 *new*
Dariusburst Chronicles - - PC *new*
Assault Suit Leynos - PS4 *new*
Touhou Genso Rondo: Bullet Ballet - PS4 *new*
Total: 84
Previously: 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010
The update in which I play recent Japanese 2D games...
Caladrius Blaze is a pretty competent bullet hell shmup that gave me more than a few headaches on my way to what I considered to be a reasonable clear. There are a nice assortment of characters/ships (too many, probably) - but the graphics are very nice, the sense of speed is well done, and the little in-between stages (I played Arcade mode) are neat ideas. I really liked the powerup system and the various weapons each ship had, and would recommend it to folks who like more recent Cave games.
Dariusburst Chronicles I am counting as beaten since I played through Arcade mode, but there's a lot more here that I can spend time with before I am ready to really pronounce judgment on the game. I tend to gravitate toward verts instead of horis, but this one is fairly compelling in its own right. I look forward to more time with this.
Assault Suit Leynos was the standout in this bunch of games for me. I had only played around with Target Earth previously (and with Cybernator), but I don't remember it being nearly as good as this. The updated graphics are very well done, the health system makes it seem very modern, and the story is far better than most in the genre. This one is currently on sale for $12 on the PSN, and I think pretty much anyone here would dig it.
Touhou Genso Rondo: Bullet Ballet was not what I expected, but for that I am actually glad. I didn't know, going in, that this was a shmup-fighter along the lines of an old Suguri ("Perfect Edition") game I played and enjoyed some years ago. It is better than that game, if a quite a bit easier (I was able to clear story mode with a few characters with very little difficulty). In any case, it is nice fan service and a great title that I would also suggest people look into.
First 50:
140 - PC
Last Duel - Arcade (PSP)
Alien on the Run - 3DS
Undead Bowling - 3DS
Chain Blaster - 3DS
Runny Egg - 3DS
Bound - PS4
Parasite Eve - PS1
Destiny - PS4
Destiny: The Dark Below - PS4
Destiny: The House of Wolves - PS4
Destiny: The Taken King - PS4
Otomedius Excellent - 360
Crimsonland - PC
Planet of the Eyes - PC
Destiny: Rise of Iron - PS4
The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing: Final Cut - PC
Eve Valkyrie: Gunjack - PSVR
Elegy for a Dead World - PC
SOMA - PC
The Typing of the Dead: Overkill - PC
Until Dawn: Rush of Blood - PSVR
Actual Sunlight - Vita
Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare - Jackal Assault VR - PSVR
Letter Quest: Grimm's Journey Remastered - Vita
Thumper - PSVR
Burrito Bison: Launcha Libre - iOS
Trackmania Turbo (VR Campaign) - PSVR
Gears of War 4 - Xbox One
Caladrius Blaze - PS4 *new*
Dariusburst Chronicles - - PC *new*
Assault Suit Leynos - PS4 *new*
Touhou Genso Rondo: Bullet Ballet - PS4 *new*
Total: 84
Previously: 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010
The update in which I play recent Japanese 2D games...
Caladrius Blaze is a pretty competent bullet hell shmup that gave me more than a few headaches on my way to what I considered to be a reasonable clear. There are a nice assortment of characters/ships (too many, probably) - but the graphics are very nice, the sense of speed is well done, and the little in-between stages (I played Arcade mode) are neat ideas. I really liked the powerup system and the various weapons each ship had, and would recommend it to folks who like more recent Cave games.
Dariusburst Chronicles I am counting as beaten since I played through Arcade mode, but there's a lot more here that I can spend time with before I am ready to really pronounce judgment on the game. I tend to gravitate toward verts instead of horis, but this one is fairly compelling in its own right. I look forward to more time with this.
Assault Suit Leynos was the standout in this bunch of games for me. I had only played around with Target Earth previously (and with Cybernator), but I don't remember it being nearly as good as this. The updated graphics are very well done, the health system makes it seem very modern, and the story is far better than most in the genre. This one is currently on sale for $12 on the PSN, and I think pretty much anyone here would dig it.
Touhou Genso Rondo: Bullet Ballet was not what I expected, but for that I am actually glad. I didn't know, going in, that this was a shmup-fighter along the lines of an old Suguri ("Perfect Edition") game I played and enjoyed some years ago. It is better than that game, if a quite a bit easier (I was able to clear story mode with a few characters with very little difficulty). In any case, it is nice fan service and a great title that I would also suggest people look into.