What are you playing?

[BogusMeatFactory]

Speaking of genesis rpgs, I think it has some of the best pc ports at the time. Kings Bounty, Buck Rogers.... so good! Y'all should honestly give these a try!

[yaktaur]

Hey BogusMeatFactory, I recognize your name from VGM Jukebox. I'm "Shoryukenny" on there sometimes.

Really getting into Terranigma, which is really one of the weirdest games I've ever played. To start with the sort of drab and ugly 5 towers is so weird when it expands into such a colorful and weird text. The localization is really great too, it's a real shame this never came out in America, it would be a real favorite.

[BogusMeatFactory]

Hey BogusMeatFactory, I recognize your name from VGM Jukebox. I'm "Shoryukenny" on there sometimes.

Really getting into Terranigma, which is really one of the weirdest games I've ever played. To start with the sort of drab and ugly 5 towers is so weird when it expands into such a colorful and weird text. The localization is really great too, it's a real shame this never came out in America, it would be a real favorite.

WOOHOOO!!! Hey man! Welcome to the site! It is an absolute pleasure to have you! Jukebox patrons Unite!!!

[ElkinFencer10]

I think I'm about done with Cosmic Star Heroine. I should finish it tonight. I've beaten all six optional bosses (Cthulhu was a BITCH to beat), and I'm fairly certain that I'm at the final dungeon. JUST IN TIME FOR METROID TOMORROW.

[Exhuminator]

JUST IN TIME FOR METROID TOMORROW.

You're getting your copy Friday? My Amazon status says my copy arrives Monday. I pre-ordered this forever ago! I am confused and feel bad inside.

[marurun]

I am confused and feel bad inside.

What does your outside feel like?

[Markies]

I started Soul Calibur II on the Nintendo GameCube!

Slowly, I have been playing the Soul Calibur series. I started with Soul Blade on the PS1, then Soul Calibur on the DreamCast and now it is onto Soul Calibur II on the Nintendo GameCube. I chose the GameCube version for Link as he is the much better choice.

I've dabbled a little in the game thanks to a friend owning it. I'll be playing through the Weapon Master Mode, so I'll be playing for a while. I'm really excited and looking forward to playing it. I've loved the series and this looks like one of the better entries!

[Exhuminator]

Soul Calibur II is fanastic, and you're playing the best version of it. Weapon Master Mode should keep you busy for a good while.

Since you seem to really enjoy GameCube lately, I want to suggest these to you:

My original review:

Lost Kingdoms was From Software's first foray into the virtual collectable card game genre. In doing so they crafted an action-RPG that is quite a unique experience. Honestly calling this game an RPG is a bit of a stretch. It's simply a real time action CCG + dungeon crawl with a super simple plot. What makes Lost Kingdoms shine though is its awesome strategic battle system. The more cards you collect, the more complex your deck, and the more strategy you can bring to the dungeons. Just throwing your cards around randomly will get you nowhere. You have to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em, and know when to unleash a four star black dragon of death on an upstart witch. The dungeons themselves are a treat to explore thanks to excellent layout design and a unique puzzle aspect to each area. As you explore the dungeons you'll continuously find new cards to insert into your deck. And that's a good thing because without a properly managed deck you won't get very far, especially against the final boss.

Graphics unfortunately are a bit quaint even for their time, and the music overall isn't much to get excited about. The interface layout could have used some optimizations as well. And the threadbare plot doesn't do much to get the player invested in the story. You'll probably easily look past these issues though, as you eagerly battle your way through this game constantly looking for better and better cards to collect. You'll find plenty of joy in strategizing your cards and dealing your throws on bosses. The kingdoms in this game may be lost indeed, but the fun factor certainly isn't. It's pretty amazing how much From Software got right in their first game in this genre. So pick a card, any card, you'll likely have a good time.


My original review:

A young woman with a mysterious past must use her sacred rune stone to uncover her history and save a kingdom. To do so, she will need to recruit the aid of hundreds of different monsters fused into cards. Yes, Lost Kingdoms II continues the action-RPG/dungeon crawler/collectable card game hybridization of its predecessor. While the learning curve may be higher than typical games of this genre due to the CCG aspect, the strategic advantage and variety of battle tactics is worth the effort. Lost Kingdoms II, like Lost Kingdoms before it, is a very unique experience and a joy. Figuring out which monsters to summon, and in which combinations, is a fun game in and of itself.

Lost Kingdoms II's key evolution over the first Lost Kingdoms, is that battles now happen on the main map, rather than on a separate battle screen. This keeps the pace more fluid, and aids in immersion. It also means the player can run away from battles now if need be, lowering the difficulty significantly. Lost Kingdoms II is overall a far easier game than the original Lost Kingdoms, but it's no less fun or interesting despite the decreased challenge. Actually after you beat the game, the Proving Grounds area opens up. The Proving Grounds is a huge dungeon that is focused on being far more difficult than the main game. So you can find your challenge fix there.

Graphics have improved marginally, but cutscenes and voice acting improved dramatically. However, the OST is a step down from the first Lost Kingdoms, as is the loss of atmospheric dread. Lost Kingdoms II is simply a more cheery, less moody experience than the original. Lost Kingdoms II does however boost up the puzzle aspect, utilizing key cards for solving those in entertaining ways. One of the most interesting additions is the ability to morph in actual monsters yourself, and use the monster's ability to access areas you previously could not before.

FromSoftware crafted addictive and compelling adventures in both Lost Kingdoms. These are short plays for their genre, and would be an excellent experience played back to back. If you're looking for overwrought exposition, cheesy melodrama, and padded length, you won't find that stuff in Lost Kingdoms II. The focus here is on actual gameplay and interactivity. Thus RPG lovers with a GameCube would be foolish to pass up Lost Kingdoms II, as well as its predecessor. If you want a fast paced dungeon crawler with a collectable cards twist, you'll find yourself gleefully lost in this kingdom in no time.

Very underrated and fun experiences that too few played.

[Markies]

Soul Calibur II is fanastic, and you're playing the best version of it. Weapon Master Mode should keep you busy for a good while.

Since you seem to really enjoy GameCube lately, I want to suggest these to you:

My original review:

Lost Kingdoms was From Software's first foray into the virtual collectable card game genre. In doing so they crafted an action-RPG that is quite a unique experience. Honestly calling this game an RPG is a bit of a stretch. It's simply a real time action CCG + dungeon crawl with a super simple plot. What makes Lost Kingdoms shine though is its awesome strategic battle system. The more cards you collect, the more complex your deck, and the more strategy you can bring to the dungeons. Just throwing your cards around randomly will get you nowhere. You have to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em, and know when to unleash a four star black dragon of death on an upstart witch. The dungeons themselves are a treat to explore thanks to excellent layout design and a unique puzzle aspect to each area. As you explore the dungeons you'll continuously find new cards to insert into your deck. And that's a good thing because without a properly managed deck you won't get very far, especially against the final boss.

Graphics unfortunately are a bit quaint even for their time, and the music overall isn't much to get excited about. The interface layout could have used some optimizations as well. And the threadbare plot doesn't do much to get the player invested in the story. You'll probably easily look past these issues though, as you eagerly battle your way through this game constantly looking for better and better cards to collect. You'll find plenty of joy in strategizing your cards and dealing your throws on bosses. The kingdoms in this game may be lost indeed, but the fun factor certainly isn't. It's pretty amazing how much From Software got right in their first game in this genre. So pick a card, any card, you'll likely have a good time.


My original review:

A young woman with a mysterious past must use her sacred rune stone to uncover her history and save a kingdom. To do so, she will need to recruit the aid of hundreds of different monsters fused into cards. Yes, Lost Kingdoms II continues the action-RPG/dungeon crawler/collectable card game hybridization of its predecessor. While the learning curve may be higher than typical games of this genre due to the CCG aspect, the strategic advantage and variety of battle tactics is worth the effort. Lost Kingdoms II, like Lost Kingdoms before it, is a very unique experience and a joy. Figuring out which monsters to summon, and in which combinations, is a fun game in and of itself.

Lost Kingdoms II's key evolution over the first Lost Kingdoms, is that battles now happen on the main map, rather than on a separate battle screen. This keeps the pace more fluid, and aids in immersion. It also means the player can run away from battles now if need be, lowering the difficulty significantly. Lost Kingdoms II is overall a far easier game than the original Lost Kingdoms, but it's no less fun or interesting despite the decreased challenge. Actually after you beat the game, the Proving Grounds area opens up. The Proving Grounds is a huge dungeon that is focused on being far more difficult than the main game. So you can find your challenge fix there.

Graphics have improved marginally, but cutscenes and voice acting improved dramatically. However, the OST is a step down from the first Lost Kingdoms, as is the loss of atmospheric dread. Lost Kingdoms II is simply a more cheery, less moody experience than the original. Lost Kingdoms II does however boost up the puzzle aspect, utilizing key cards for solving those in entertaining ways. One of the most interesting additions is the ability to morph in actual monsters yourself, and use the monster's ability to access areas you previously could not before.

FromSoftware crafted addictive and compelling adventures in both Lost Kingdoms. These are short plays for their genre, and would be an excellent experience played back to back. If you're looking for overwrought exposition, cheesy melodrama, and padded length, you won't find that stuff in Lost Kingdoms II. The focus here is on actual gameplay and interactivity. Thus RPG lovers with a GameCube would be foolish to pass up Lost Kingdoms II, as well as its predecessor. If you want a fast paced dungeon crawler with a collectable cards twist, you'll find yourself gleefully lost in this kingdom in no time.

Very underrated and fun experiences that too few played.

I have been very much enjoying the GameCube. I feel like when I initially bought the GameCube, I bought 13 games to go along with it and I was lucky to find some of the most well known games with it.

I bought:
- Super Smash Brothers Melee
- Soul Calibur II
- The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
- Pikmin
- Animal Crossing
- Ikaruga
- Resident Evil 4
- Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
- Mario Kart: Double Dash!!
- Metroid Prime

Those are some of the systems best games and I have been going through them. I still have a LONG list of games I want to play as I did not find all the heavy hitters. But, there are some hidden gems in there as well.

Lost Kingdoms I & II are VERY high on my list to buy. There is a version at my local game store, but the case is in rough shape and it's missing the manual. However, every time I see it, I'm very tempted. The original Lost Kingdoms is one of those games that I would buy in a heart beat if I ever saw a good copy out in the wild.

But, thank you for the tip! I found it enjoyable that you picked a series that I was highly interested in already, so I'm glad to see other people enjoy it as well.

[ElkinFencer10]

JUST IN TIME FOR METROID TOMORROW.

You're getting your copy Friday? My Amazon status says my copy arrives Monday. I pre-ordered this forever ago! I am confused and feel bad inside.

They did that to me with Lego Worlds; I pre-ordered several weeks before it released on the 5th, but I didn't get mine until the 10th.