This is topic Video Games of Summer Vacation in forum Books, Films, Food and Culture at Hatrack River Forum.


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Posted by 0Megabyte (Member # 8624) on :
 
Ahh, the joys of summer vacation. School's out, and that means I have the time to get things done!

I need to knuckle down. Roll up my sleeves. Get crackin'.

...on completing some sorely neglected video games.

Ahh, yes, the grand summer tradition of trying to clear out one's stable of video games. The time has come, and I have decided to begin with Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3 FES for the PS2.

I played it before, but never beat it. Corrupted save files tend to do that. Now, however, I'm deep into the game!

Yet afterwards, and perhaps after I complete Persona 4... well, what then?

Does anyone have and recommendations for how best I should waste my time?

Also, for the real reason for this discussion thread:

What video games is everyone playing, now that summer's here?
 

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Posted by BlackBlade (Member # 8376) on :
 
Though I won't be playing it until almost the end of summer, Starcraft 2 is unabashedly the best game that will come out this year. Of this I am certain.
 

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Posted by 0Megabyte (Member # 8624) on :
 
While I understand and share your enthusiasm, let's actually let it come out first before we judge?

Or have you been in the beta?
 

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Posted by BlackBlade (Member # 8376) on :
 
I've been in the beta. I played it a truck load, I just couldn't get enough of it, and that's just the multiplayer section which has been mostly just tweaked and upgraded a bit.

The single player apparently is where they've have poured most of their energies.
 

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Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
 
I played the beta, and if you liked the first SC you'll like this one.
 

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Posted by umberhulk (Member # 11788) on :
 
Playing No More Heroes 2 and Mario Galaxy. Awesoma stuff.

Going to get Red Dead Redemption, Starcraft 2, and a new ps2 (for FF12, ZoE2, and MGS3 and Megaman collection.)

Got a bunch of other stuff to finish: Bowser's Inside Story, FF13 (is solid), Twilight Princess, Mario Sunshine, Prince of PersiaL Sands of Time, etc.
 

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Posted by Jenos (Member # 12168) on :
 
I've been working my way through RPGs I missed of the last decade, with Kotor/Kotor 2 and Oblivion, and I'm on Jade Empire right now. I tried out Neverwinter Nights but I couldn't get into it.
 

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Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
 
I just bought my first gaming system since Nintendo 64, and it came with Killzone 2. I'll let you know how it is.

I'm looking forward to SC2. I'm just not sure I have a computer that will play it.
 

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Posted by Sterling (Member # 8096) on :
 
When I'm done with my current project (sigh) I have a big stack o' games waiting for me; I'm hoping I'll have enough time that I can take a week off and give them the attention they deserve. GTA 4, Mass Effect 2, Batman: Arkham Asylum, No More Heroes 2, Okami...

(It's no longer about the financial compensation for finishing this particular project. It's just about having the @#%$ thing done so I can do something else without feeling guilty!)
 

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Posted by krynn (Member # 524) on :
 
1. Team Fortress 2 - what can't this game do? so much fun.

2. Mario Galaxy 2

3. Red Dead Redemption

4. Mass Effect 2
 

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Posted by PSI Teleport (Member # 5545) on :
 
0Meg: Persona 3 is also in my "to finish" list. I've had it for two or three years and I got so caught up in the mechanics of leveling up that I never actually finished the story. I need to remedy that.
 

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Posted by LargeTuna (Member # 10512) on :
 
I've picked up halo 3 for xbox live multiplayer again.

I don't remember how it happened, but when I end up playing a different game my friends complain.

Still fun, but I'm a take an entire month of of videogames this summer. I managed to do it last year
 

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Posted by 0Megabyte (Member # 8624) on :
 
PSI: Did you get PErsona 3, or the expansion Persona 3: FES? Anyway, it's a fun game. I was spoiled at the ending, however, and that made me want to complete all the social links for the character with my second attempt. You know, he deserves it.

Lyr: I'm afraid of the same thing. I hope it can... I definitely want to see what they've done with the game. I do own Starcraft, and I was pretty impressed with the story mode, though I didn't get very deep into the multiplayer.

Also, how is that PS3 going for you? What kind of games do you like? That might help with giving recommendations if you want any.
 

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Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
 
I haven't taken it out of the box yet. Partially because I'm moving in two weeks and I kind of want to just leave it there rather than unpack it and then pack it back up again, and partially because in the back of my head, I still haven't totally justified to myself the price of the machine yet, so I'm considering taking it back. I'll probably end up unpacking it later this week.

Well, in the past my favorite games have always been RPGs. But I've spent a lot of time in the last year playing Modern Warfare 2 at my brother's house, and I absolutely love it. So I guess I'm going to have to take a look at first person shooters, which is a category that until now I was never really enamored with.
 

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Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
 
I love Modern Warfare 2, it is a cool game. I am at the point now where I don't completely suck, but I am not great.

I plan on playing the original BioShock, as it looks great, got great reviews, and I have never played it. Then, if I like it, maybe BioShock2.
 

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Posted by Geraine (Member # 9913) on :
 
I'm currently playing:

Heavy Rain (Again)

Lost Planet 2

Monster Hunter 3...Lots and lots of Monster Hunter 3.

Its hands down the best game of this generation. Sure, teaming up against alien races is cool. Shooting ships out of the sky is cool.

Teaming up with 3 friends and taking on a dragon the size of a skyscraper? Bloody awesome.
 

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Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
 
How does everyone feel about the news coming out about the Kinect and Move coming out in a few months?
 

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Posted by Blayne Bradley (Member # 8565) on :
 
Monster Hunt Tri didn't try hard enough.

Seriously, ten hour tutorial apparently? Does it get good after that?
 

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Posted by krynn (Member # 524) on :
 
oh and i forgot about the PS3 Ratchet & Clank games. Both are awesome. I love that series.
 

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Posted by 0Megabyte (Member # 8624) on :
 
Oh, the Kinect and Move?

I dunno, there are a couple games I have that will support Move... but for just a couple games I own, and possibly one or two more I would buy? Honestly, the lineup of games didn't appeal to me very greatly.

It wouldn't really be worth it for me, anyway.

Update: Persona 3 is long! I'd have played through three or four average length PS3 games like Assassin's Creed or InFamous by this point.
 

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Posted by Geraine (Member # 9913) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Blayne Bradley:
Monster Hunt Tri didn't try hard enough.

Seriously, ten hour tutorial apparently? Does it get good after that?

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quote:

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PSI: Did you get PErsona 3, or the expansion Persona 3: FES? Anyway, it's a fun game. I was spoiled at the ending, however, and that made me want to complete all the social links for the character with my second attempt. You know, he deserves it.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Lyrhawn:
I haven't taken it out of the box yet. Partially because I'm moving in two weeks and I kind of want to just leave it there rather than unpack it and then pack it back up again, and partially because in the back of my head, I still haven't totally justified to myself the price of the machine yet, so I'm considering taking it back. I'll probably end up unpacking it later this week.

Well, in the past my favorite games have always been RPGs. But I've spent a lot of time in the last year playing Modern Warfare 2 at my brother's house, and I absolutely love it. So I guess I'm going to have to take a look at first person shooters, which is a category that until now I was never really enamored with.

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quote:

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Lyr: Yeah, the PS3 can be pretty fun. Which version do you have again?

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Originally posted by lobo:
Are any of you married?

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Originally posted by lobo:
Are any of you married?

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Originally posted by lobo:
Are any of you married?

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quote:

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Originally posted by umberhulk:
Plenty of people here spend just as much time reading.

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Yep, I do that too. I usually try to read two books a week. Sometimes more if there is a lull in good game releases.
 

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Posted by umberhulk (Member # 11788) on :
 
Jak 3

Great mix of platforming and vehicular mayhem. It doesn't age as well as I assumed it would, but it's still really fun, and I remember loving the endgame challenges to death. At the time of it's release, no other game had blended the lines between cinematic story and gameplay. It transitions really well.

Jak 1 is very good but short.

Jak 2 is okay but annoying. I like difficulty, but when you have trouble getting from one mission to another, shit man.

Also, Geraine, do you post on Destructoid?
 

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Posted by umberhulk (Member # 11788) on :
 
Great mix of platforming and vehicular mayhem. It doesn't age as well as I assumed it would, but it's still really fun, and I remember loving the endgame challenges to death. At the time of it's release, no other game had blended the lines between cinematic story and gameplay. It transitions really well.

Jak 1 is very good but short.

Jak 2 is okay but annoying. I like difficulty, but when you have trouble getting from one mission to another, shit man.

Also, Geraine, do you post on Destructoid?
 

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Posted by Fitz (Member # 4803) on :
 
I've been playing and enjoying Dragon Age: Awakenings, the DLC/expansion for Dragon Age: Origins. Yes yes, I know the PC version of DA is superior, but I didn't have a good PC at the time. I like the console version a lot, regardless, and I especially enjoy the expansion. At first I was semi-annoyed that I wouldn't have access to my original character (old save went bye-bye), but now I'm somewhat happy. It's really cool to be able to start any class with all of its level 18 abilities already in place, being able to re-roll right away if you're not happy with your build.

I've also been playing a bit of Bayonetta, which is a fun beat 'em up on XBox, and some SC2 and L4D2 on PC with friends.

I'm Seandor on XBox Live if anyone wants to add me.
 

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Posted by Sa'eed (Member # 12368) on :
 
I bought a PS3 back in February along with "Modern Warfare 2" and "Metal Gear Solid 4." I played MW2 multilayer intensely for several weeks (until I was regularly winning.) Then I lost interest in it and completed the campaign pretty quickly (it was lackluster and too movie-inspired.) I also made to Act 3 of Metal Gear Solid 4. I made the mistake of making the difficulty "Big Boss Hard" and by that point I was getting fed up with the game's endless cinematic sequences so I gave up on it too.

So I still felt the need to justify my PS3 purchase and bought a bunch of used games back in June. Supposedly these were some of the best regarded ps3 games:

Resistence: Fall of Man
Uncharted: Drake's Fortune.
Red Faction: Guerilla
Killzone 2
Katamari
Super Street Fighter IV
Little Big Planet
Bioshock
Saint's Row 2
Dead Space
Elder Scrolls: Oblivion: Game of the Year edition
Civilization Revolution
God of War Collection
Fallout 3

And from the PS Network:

Super Stardust HD
Flower
PixelJunk Monsters
PixelJunk Shooter

From all those games, I have so far only beat "Resistence," "Uncharted" and "Super Stardust HD." I only completed the latter on the Planet mode, I'm still occasionally trying the arcade mode. It's my favorite ps3 game so far. I haven't even played most of the others yet. I put 10 hours into Elder Scrolls and every time I start it up I become daunted by its immensity and just switch back to SSHD, and I've played a few rounds of "Civilization Revolution" (my first Civilization game) and I love it.

So there most of my PS3 games sit, unplayed. I won't be able to justify buying another game for about four years at the rate I'm getting through the ones I already own. I also have Steam on my computer and under it "Torchlight" (80% complete) "Mass Effect" (1 Hour) and Civilization 3 Complete (it was five bucks.)

My favorite thing about the PS3 so far is Netflix Instant Watch. Also, Super Stardust HD.
 

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Posted by Fitz (Member # 4803) on :
 
Play some Dead Space at night before you go to bed. Or just play nothing but Fallout 3 for the next few months. I put an embarrassing number of hours into that game. I can't wait for Fallout: New Vegas.
 

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Posted by Dan_Frank (Member # 8488) on :
 
How can Uncharted be on your list but not Uncharted 2?

Uncharted 2 plays much the same way, but the setpieces are far more interesting, cinematic, and exciting.

Get it!
 

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Posted by umberhulk (Member # 11788) on :
 
Anyone here play machinarium. It's a really awesome point and click adventure in robot wasteland town.
 

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Posted by umberhulk (Member # 11788) on :
 
This is now the videogames of the holidays thread.
 

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Posted by Raymond Arnold (Member # 11712) on :
 
I tried playing Machinarium. I loved the art style and was really excited for it... but honestly point and click adventures where the puzzles are solved mostly by random guessing just didn't do it for me. I like games like Portal and Braid, where the puzzles build off a particular skillset. I don't care much for games where the puzzles are combining random heretofore unknown inventory items together.
 

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Posted by umberhulk (Member # 11788) on :
 
They're not all random guesses. Sometimes if/when your stumped you'll just click everything and see what works, true, but there's still plenty of logical positioning and solving the puzzles that are built in to devices that you operate or logically noticing something in the environment(the glow in the dark clock hands). But yes some of them are for more unpredictability (and I dig that) but a lot of them are pretty cognitive.

Like that one part in the beginning, where your trying to get the crane to move in the right pattern, so you can activate it and move there in the right time so it drops you on a platform. Thats one the easier ones .

And yes, Portal and Braid both rule.
 

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Posted by scifibum (Member # 7625) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Raymond Arnold:
I tried playing Machinarium. I loved the art style and was really excited for it... but honestly point and click adventures where the puzzles are solved mostly by random guessing just didn't do it for me. I like games like Portal and Braid, where the puzzles build off a particular skillset. I don't care much for games where the puzzles are combining random heretofore unknown inventory items together.

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I cope by reading walkthroughs whenever I start to get frustrated with a puzzle. It makes it less fun overall, but for me, still better than endless random poking at things to see what will happen. So when the puzzles are accessible or sensible enough for me personally, I play as intended, and otherwise skip ahead.
 

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Posted by umberhulk (Member # 11788) on :
 
Man, entering the town in Machinarium made me smile like a peeping Tom.

I had to gamefaq for the bird puzzle, but I might have gotten that if I wasnt so distracted with a couple items I wasn't using (was supposed to use one of them long before that room) and toying around with that clocktower.

And i spent a lot of time thinking I had to do something with that clocktower. ****ing clocktower.
 

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Posted by Raymond Arnold (Member # 11712) on :
 
For the record, I DO like things like Myst (in particular the later ones), where the puzzles are mostly logic based. There's a bit of random clicking, but the knowledge you gain from those clicks builds on itself. By the end of the first game, you know that Myst is primarily (at least 55%) about figuring out whatever power source drives a particular island and following pipes to figure out how to manipulate it. You develop an intuition about which things to click on based on previous experience.

Maybe if I had played more of Machinarium it'd have looked more like Myst. Also may have helped if I had a friend to play it with (I never finished Myst until I played through with a friend, having two brains instead of one made a huge difference, plus witty banter).
 

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Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :
 
The only bit of Machinarium that I found unnecessarily cryptic was the cat puzzle.
 

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Posted by twinky (Member # 693) on :
 
That's because your brain has been trained to solve arcane and obscure adventure game puzzles.

I liked the aesthetic of Machinarium, but even in the demo I found the puzzles didn't fit my brain.
 

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Posted by umberhulk (Member # 11788) on :
 
Trying to get a gaming podcast started--anyone wanna come on basically for mock-podcasting. We're just gonna strike up a whatcha been plain'-excited for convo and edit out the boring.
 

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Posted by umberhulk (Member # 11788) on :
 
Myst rules. Is Myst 4/5 good?
 

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Posted by Raymond Arnold (Member # 11712) on :
 
Myst IV was excellent, except that there was a bug that prevented me from progressing to the final stages. (Couldn't complete the Jungle age, so I couldn't get a key necessary to progress through the Hippie Age). I assume if you got the game today that'll be fixed, or there's a patch or something.

Myst V seemed thoroughly terrible. The whole point of Myst, IMO, is to NOT be in realtime because there is no reason for Myst to be in realtime. Keeping it point and click allows it to have amazing prerendered graphics that I can't get anywhere else. Someday we will real a point where realtime and prerendered graphics look identically flawless, but we are not there yet and until then, if I wanted to play a realtime game with pretty graphics, I'd play Bioshock or something.

Myst V's storyline is also very disconnected from the others. From what I gather it follows the story from the Myst MMO that they tried a while back, and they just stuck "Myst V" on the box to sell more copies.
 

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Posted by umberhulk (Member # 11788) on :
 
Speaking of the podcast, can anyone get on skype so I can make sure that i can record a call?
 

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Posted by umberhulk (Member # 11788) on :
 
Also, the time based puzzle levels in Ratchet & Clank: A Crack in time are really great.
 

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Posted by Sean Monahan (Member # 9334) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by umberhulk:
Also, the time based puzzle levels in Ratchet & Clank: A Crack in time are really great.

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Originally posted by umberhulk:
gog.com

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Originally posted by Sterling:
I've been enjoying Super Scribblenauts on the Nintendo DS, but I'm occasionally a little annoyed when I'm balked on a puzzle because of the creators' lack of imagination rather than my own. (Yes, I could get to the head of a line by bribing everyone with something they want. Or I could just fly over their heads to get to the front, or shoot them all with a tranquilizer gun, or frighten them away with a monster... except I can't.) Still, the glossary is quite expansive, and the huge number of things you can "create" is amazing given the perceived limits of the hardware.

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