Games Beaten 2014

[Stark]

Games Beaten in 2012 = 32
Games Beaten in 2013 = 34
1/1 The Walking Dead S2 - Episode 1: All That Remains

Games Beaten = 5

1/3 The Gold Factory (WEB)
Don't play this, it sucks. In fact, I'm not even posting the URL, Google it if you really want.

1/14 Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon (3DS)
This game is excellent! Every little detail in this game is cute, charming, and fun. I absolutely love Luigi's personality in this one and it's just a real gem. I never played the original, so I can't compare the gameplay, but it's a ghost hunter game. You shock the ghost with a light and vaccuum them up or you have to use something to make them appear and then shock and vaccuum. Lots of ingenuity to the level design and hiding the collectibles (gems and boos.) My only gripe would be the second to last boss fight, which is just terrible. Lots of luck involved and not much skill, controls are a bit imprecise when you need precision, very frustrating and almost made me rage quit, otherwise pretty much perfect. Still hard for me to believe this was third-party (Nintendo recently acquired them.)

1/15 Proteus (Vita)
Not sure how to describe this one, I guess environmental explorer? Serene, beautiful, and a little haunting. I loved it, but I can see how it might not be for everyone, gameplay is light, just experiencing the environment, it does tell a tale through events. If the above sounds interesting try it out, you may like it!

1/26 Gone Home (PC)
Another one I would probably call an environmental explorer, but it feels very different from Proteus. Take a house and model it down to the nth detail and then scatter diary entries throughout the house and tie those entries to specific objects which have meaning to the diary entry. Then make it so the house will have a natural flow to it so that a lot of those entries will be found in a certain order and make one of the entries the last one that will finish out the game. Give each diary entry it's own musical score and give the house an atmosphere quite unlike most games. Amazing game, loved it, every minute.

2/1 Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D (3DS)
The latter half of this game is an exercise in frustration. A port of the original Wii game that removes the waggle controls (obviously) for the 3DS, the controls are certainly a relief after playing the original some. You can choose to control DK with either the analog nub or the D-PAD and I ended up with the D-PAD. My problem is neither of these options have the precision I'd like for a tight platformer like this. Consistently pulling off a roll-jump (direction+Right Trigger and then B to jump) isn't there and that leads to some frustrating sequences later on that require it. Then add an annoying pig with a flag that is telling you that it will play the game for you since you're having trouble that you can't turn off.

IMO, they could do a couple of things to help out. Work on the precision of the controls. Make it so you can spend coins to buy more DKJR barrels mid-level. Spend more time on level design to help the player get in a rhythm. I'm hoping that Retro learned a lot from Returns for Tropical Freeze.

2/2 Broken Sword 5 - The Serpent's Curse: Act I (PC)
Old school adventure with a streamlined UI. Another mystery with George and Nico, same voice actors. It's pretty much everything a Broken Sword fan could want from a new game in the series. Puzzles are often challenging, but always made sense to me, no random trying various nonsensical combinations until something works. Act I wraps up nicely, while still having a clear path for the finale. Can't wait!

[Xeogred]

1. Dead Space 3* + Awakened (PS3)
2. Legend of Zelda Wind Waker HD (WiiU)
3. Super Metroid* (WiiU)
4. Binary Domain (PS3)
5. New Super Mario Bros U (WiiU)
6. Silent Hill 4 The Room (PS2)

* = replay

Silent Hill 4 The Room

This game was amazing, but flawed in a few ways too.

The second half is somewhat of a glorified escort mission. Nobody ever likes those and so yeah, wasn't too fun here either. RUN... but your friendly AI has to stop and hit things. Or gets stuck. Wasn't bad, but is literally like half the game so it does get old and one thing I loved about the Silent Hill games prior to this, was being alone! (unlike RE which seemed plagued by buddy system syndrome).

The "apartment room" idea was really awesome, but having to go back to save the game every single time was kind of tedious. I think this would have been better if the levels were more traditionally done like the first three, with normal save points, but when you complete a level... then the game puts you back in the apartment automatically to observe and notice things.

These are the usual issues and they're kind of big, so it's hard to say the game is an absolute must play. But if these were fixed and all I think this could have seriously been the best one next to SH2. I never had an issue with the combat either and liked the new enemy types (ghosts aside), which seems like a complaint I see around sometimes and I'm not sure why.

It's Silent Hill, but a fresh take compared to the previous 3, and although the game does an amazing job at not explaining the unexplained (one of the many awesome uneasy elements to these games), it was neat how this one was a bit more detective, mystery/thriller, with pieces to the puzzle falling into place as you progress. The story was fantastic, the art direction is once again amazing, and the music was awesome. The atmosphere is absolutely top notch. I also could not believe how good this looked too, looks better than early 360/PS3 gen stuff.

So I did have to take a break (but this could be due to play the first three back to back almost prior to this one), and it has some flaws, but if you're a fan of the first few games or interested in this one, definitely check it out as the experience was totally worth it and it's pretty out there. Give it a chance.

[BoneSnapDeez]

1. Bad Dudes vs. DragonNinja (Wii - Data East Arcade Classics)
2. Caveman Ninja (Wii - Data East Arcade Classics)
3. Crude Buster (Wii - Data East Arcade Classics)
4. Heavy Barrel (Wii - Data East Arcade Classics)
5. Secret Agent (Wii - Data East Arcade Classics)
6. Wizard Fire (Wii - Data East Arcade Classics)
7. Super Mario Land (Game Boy)
8. Burning Fight (PlayStation 2 - SNK Arcade Classics Vol. 1)
9. Magician Lord (PlayStation 2 - SNK Arcade Classics Vol. 1)
10. Metal Slug (PlayStation 2 - SNK Arcade Classics Vol. 1)
11. Sengoku (PlayStation 2 - SNK Arcade Classics Vol. 1)
12. Top Hunter: Roddy & Cathy (PlayStation 2 - SNK Arcade Classics Vol. 1)
13. Metal Slug 4 (PlayStation 2 - Metal Slug 4 & 5)
14. Metal Slug 5 (PlayStation 2 - Metal Slug 4 & 5)
15. Metal Slug XX (PSP)
16. Phantasy Star Online (Dreamcast)
17. Smash TV (PlayStation 2 - Midway Arcade Treasures)
18. Total Carnage (Xbox - Midway Arcade Treasures 2)
19. Skyblazer (SNES)
20. Mega Man II (Game Boy)
21. The Monkey King: The Legend Begins (Wii)
22. Ys (Saturn - Falcom Classics)

Proof of completion.

This is one of my favorite games of all time, but I honestly don't know what the actual title is. The instruction booklet calls it Ys, while the title screen says Ancient Ys Vanished Omen with a huge イース logo underneath. I guess you can call it whatever you want, as long as you don't call it Y's.

For those unfamiliar, Ys was an early 8-bit action-RPG developed by the Japanese company Falcom. It was ported to about a million systems, which is how I'm playing it on a Saturn. Previously, I had completed the game on the Master System, Turbo CD, DS, and PSP. And I hope to one day tackle the Famicom, PC, and PS2 versions. Yes, I am a bit obsessed.

Aesthetically, Ys appears similar to The Legend of Zelda or Crystalis. You control the red-haired swordsman, Adol, searching the land to recover the ancient books of Ys. The game is surprisingly compact, with just three dungeons (one of which comprises about half of the game's play time), two towns, and a small overworld. I completed it in 3.5 hours.

The most defining characteristic of Ys is the combat. There's no attack button. None. Instead you strategically "bump" into bad guys - from the side or behind. It sounds awful on paper, but it works incredibly well. Adol's movements are smooth and fluid, fighting bosses in this fashion is an absolute blast.

Also of note is Yuzo Koshiro's musical score. Simply put, it rules. It may be my most-listened-to OST of all time.

Compared to other ports, this one feels a lot like the Turbo CD version. The graphics are greatly improved, as is Adol's range of movement. Unfortunately, the soundtrack is downgraded some. It's hard to pinpoint, but it just lacks the same punch. The amazing 90s voice acting is also (sadly) missing.

This is one game every retro gamer needs to try. And since you can find it on most every console generation (3 through 7) there's really no excuse not to give it a shot.

[Opa Opa]

The second half is somewhat of a glorified escort mission. Nobody ever likes those and so yeah, wasn't too fun here either. RUN... but your friendly AI has to stop and hit things. Or gets stuck. Wasn't bad, but is literally like half the game so it does get old and one thing I loved about the Silent Hill games prior to this, was being alone! (unlike RE which seemed plagued by buddy system syndrome).

The AI really wasn't too bad in SH 4. I only had one trouble spot I had to replay once or twice, but for the most part what's-her-name stayed with you... Unless you foolishly gave her a weapon.

[Xeogred]

The second half is somewhat of a glorified escort mission. Nobody ever likes those and so yeah, wasn't too fun here either. RUN... but your friendly AI has to stop and hit things. Or gets stuck. Wasn't bad, but is literally like half the game so it does get old and one thing I loved about the Silent Hill games prior to this, was being alone! (unlike RE which seemed plagued by buddy system syndrome).

The AI really wasn't too bad in SH 4. I only had one trouble spot I had to replay once or twice, but for the most part what's-her-name stayed with you... Unless you foolishly gave her a weapon.

http://oi59.tinypic.com/2cxhwjm.jpg

Why oh why did I give her a weapon?

It seriously wasn't that bad, yeah.

[Opa Opa]

One more thing, what is with all the golf clubs in that game? Seriously, you get like 10 golf clubs.

Silent Hill 4 is a strange one that's for sure.

[dsheinem]

Games Beaten 2014
Primal Rage - 32X
Golden Axe - Genesis
To the Moon: Holiday Special - PC
Need for Speed: Rivals - PS4
Halo: Spartan Assault - Xbox One
Kolibri - 32X
Motocross Championship - 32X
Shank 2 - PS3
Colassatron: Massive World Threat - iOS
Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons - PS3 *new*

Total: 10

Games Beaten: 2013 2012 2011 2010


This is a beautiful (if short) game that everyone here who enjoys seeing new design ideas and/or a lovingly crafted, wonder-inspiring world owes it to themselves to seek out. It's not hyperbole to call it easily one of the best digital releases of the last generation, which places it in some fine company amongst some tough competition. That said, the ending...

WTF! I didn't buy a ticket for this sad train! I was thoroughly shocked it ended as it did. Having to drag the body and pull the piles of dirt into the grave was likely the most depressing thing I've ever been forced to do in a game - I resisted doing so and kept waiting for the medicine to kick in (e.g. just before the last pile of dirt went on) but nooooo: "fuck your closure, gamer!" was the mantra that governed the last 15 minutes of this one. Even the epilogue failed to offer much substantive closure. I loved this game and would recommend it to anyone, but that ending was a goddamn kick in the gut that all the charm and splendor did a nice job of camouflaging

[Wispmage]

This is a beautiful (if short) game that everyone here who enjoys seeing new design ideas and/or a lovingly crafted, wonder-inspiring world owes it to themselves to seek out. It's not hyperbole to call it easily one of the best digital releases of the last generation, which places it in some fine company amongst some tough competition.

This was more or less my reaction when I played through it a couple months ago. Such a fantastic game.

And yeah, the ending is pretty brutal

[isiolia]

This is a beautiful (if short) game that everyone here who enjoys seeing new design ideas and/or a lovingly crafted, wonder-inspiring world owes it to themselves to seek out. It's not hyperbole to call it easily one of the best digital releases of the last generation, which places it in some fine company amongst some tough competition. That said, the ending...

WTF! I didn't buy a ticket for this sad train! I was thoroughly shocked it ended as it did. Having to drag the body and pull the piles of dirt into the grave was likely the most depressing thing I've ever been forced to do in a game - I resisted doing so and kept waiting for the medicine to kick in (e.g. just before the last pile of dirt went on) but nooooo: "fuck your closure, gamer!" was the mantra that governed the last 15 minutes of this one. Even the epilogue failed to offer much substantive closure. I loved this game and would recommend it to anyone, but that ending was a goddamn kick in the gut that all the charm and splendor did a nice job of camouflaging

I felt like the ending is what the rest of the game was made that way for. It was set up to actually communicate the feeling of loss. Very effectively turning what would otherwise have been a gimmick into a narrative tool.

[Jagosaurus]

Two down off my 2014 to play list!

Urban Chaos (PS2)
Lock's Quest (DS)