PS2 Survival Horror Roundup & Help Needed

[Atreides]

Unfortunately the SH collection won't include SH1, you don't really need to play it to understand the series but I would definitely give it a try if you like scary games. It's one of the best in the series even with the PS1 graphics.

[Atreides]

huzzah, just got this in the mail:
http://i52.tinypic.com/eaqli8.jpg

Dunno why it's not available on disc in the US, but I'm happy that I'll finally get a chance to play it. Btw the greatest hits packaging for asia is fucking ugly...

So what should I play after I finish Darkside Chronicles? Fatal Frame 1, Silent Hill 4, or should I start on the Parasite Eve series?

[Gokulo]

Do FF1 first, then PE, leave SH4 for sometime later since it's a pretty hit and miss game for most

[Atreides]

I'm sad that my RE marathon is over Well not officially over, but on hold until RE4 HD comes out. Really happy I caught up on the whole series though, that was pretty great... especially the REmake and Darkside Chronicles.

Fatal Frame 1 is alright story-wise, but it's definitely starting to show its age. Not to mention it's missing some of the gameplay features that were added to later games in the series, so far it's definitely my least favorite in the series. FF2 is so phenomenal though that I wasn't really expecting it to live up to that. Unless FF1 pulls a rabbit out of its hat later I'd say that from best to worst it's FF2 > FF4 > FF3 > FF1.

I'm really excited to finally play parasite eve too. I think I even have an original ps1 copy in pretty good condition.

[Gokulo]

I'm surprised you're giving FF1 such a low score, but I guess it must have ages. I played it long ago, though still after 2. And I never played 4 :< For me it's 2 > 1 > 3

[Atreides]

oh man, you should really play 4 if you've got dolphin or a modded wii. It's almost as good as 2 IMO, not quite as scary but the setting/story is really great, and the wiimote works great to control your flashlight and camera. There's actually one character who doesn't even use a camera, but a special flashlight that's a nice change of pace from the camera obscura.

And yeah, I guess FF3 has the weakest characters but for whatever reason I'm liking FF1 the least, the story isn't really grabbing me (especially considering how good the story in FF2 and FF4 is)... I guess it's just a bit too simple. It feels like they were holding back making FF1 until they saw if people would actually respond to the series, and as such the later games seem a lot better in comparison.

[Gokulo]

Someday ;< No Wii and my current CPU sucks for Dolphin. But as soon as I get a new PC it's one of the first things I wanna play :D

[Atreides]

Finally beat Fatal Frame 1 and man, that game's combat has not aged well. Some of the enemies and bosses in the 2nd half of the game are infuriatingly difficult and annoying. I really couldn't recommend this game to people who aren't fans of the series/genre. FF2 and FF4 are must-plays though!

Now on to Parasite Eve. Any tips for this game?

[Gokulo]

Hmm, so long I played it that can't remember much of anything specific... One thing: during the gameplay you'll get drops of "Junk" > seems worthless at first but store that shit in the storage, you'll get something nifty for obtaining 300 of these.
Completing a day w/o saving nets you more Battle Points but I don't know if you want to do that on your first playthrough.
In the Weapon Storage of NYPD 17th Precinct where Wayne often stands, you can find a chest on his desk which contains Ammo every time you get back from New York Map. In the bottom right of the room there is a similar chest with Infinite Medicine 2 or 3.
Also make sure to play the EX mode after completing the game and do Chrysler Building for extra ending.

[Hushigoshi]

Finally beat Fatal Frame 1 and man, that game's combat has not aged well. Some of the enemies and bosses in the 2nd half of the game are infuriatingly difficult and annoying. I really couldn't recommend this game to people who aren't fans of the series/genre. FF2 and FF4 are must-plays though!

Now on to Parasite Eve. Any tips for this game?

On Day 4 in the Hospital, there's a part when you can get an unlimited amount of trading cards that are used to add slots to your weapons and armor, but you only have one chance to get it, once you leave the room the trick never works again. I forgot exactly where it is, but check gamefaqs!

Turning in junk also carries over in playthroughs so they'll never go to waste as long as you keep turning them in to Wayne. Also, that "don't save during a day (act) for more points" is a bogus rumor. Bonus points you get when you level up are determined by all the monsters you killed during that exp level and how much damage you take during all the battles from your prior level up. You won't receive Bonus points for completing Days (or Acts) until your second playthrough, and those are set amounts that will never change.

[Gokulo]

Ah, thanks for clearing that up, I actually just looked at gamefaqs to see if there's anything I don't know/remember and just copied that bit.

[Atreides]

Ah ok, thanks guys. I'm on day 2 now, I'm wondering if I should just farm up a whole bunch of junk from these birds in Central Park and get it out of the way, while grinding up for more inventory slots. Will that make the rest of the game too easy?

Also what weapon should I be using? I have a really powerful rifle now but it's slow, as well as a 3x pistol. Should I just pick 1 pistol and stick with it, or what's the general weapon progression people usually do?

[knight_kirby]

I grinded for Junk Handgun or SMG and I destroyed the rest of the game along with EX mode easily. Almost takes the fun away if you ask me.

[Atreides]

Can you only get one junk item period, or can you get a 2nd in ex mode?

I've heard the ak47 is the way to go but is the handgun better?

[knight_kirby]

I believe you can get any amount of Junk weapon in any game, you can only carry 1 weapon and 1 Armor to Ex game though and the amount of Junk required usually means no more than 2 cause it's tedious. I think you move significantly faster and ATB refills faster as well using Handguns and SMGs which is why people like those over Rifles and lawlchers. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, been such a long time since I played PE.
If you do go with SMG I recommend dropping Attack All ASAP and drop ROF to +5

EDIT: Whoops remembered the stuff you leave with Wayne also carries over to New Game+. So you can get all the stuff if you want

[Hushigoshi]

Ah ok, thanks guys. I'm on day 2 now, I'm wondering if I should just farm up a whole bunch of junk from these birds in Central Park and get it out of the way, while grinding up for more inventory slots. Will that make the rest of the game too easy?

Also what weapon should I be using? I have a really powerful rifle now but it's slow, as well as a 3x pistol. Should I just pick 1 pistol and stick with it, or what's the general weapon progression people usually do?

Honestly, there's no reason to grind for Junk your first playthrough. All of the weapons you can get from junk get outclassed by weapons you find in the Chrysler Building during your 2nd playthrough.

The best weapon you can get in your first playthrough is not until Day 5, after you kill the T-Rex boss. I forgot the name of the weapon, but it's unique because it's one of three weapons that allows you to take multiple actions in a single turn. Up until that point, it's really personal preference as to what type of weapon you want to use. Being able to shoot, and use PE in the same turn is a godsend.

I remember reading a couple things to help you out. ROF x 10 will give you the biggest amount of damage you can deal in a single turn to one target (130%). ROF x 3/5/7 all deal the same total damage (126%), but obviously ROF x 3 has you standing around shooting at things for far less time compared to x5 and x7. ROF x 2 will deal 120% damage. The Burst effect on shotguns is pretty handy to tool onto your main weapon, allowing you to hit multiple enemies in your line of fire. Spread is a shitty effect found on SMG, you will just randomize which targets you shoot. Tranquilizer will cause mobs to move very sluggish, or even sleep, making fights easier for you. Cyanide has a chance to instantly kill normal mobs, doesn't work on any bosses except for the Alligator in Day 1. Heat and Ice DMG are horrible choices to have on your weapon, very few mobs will take extra damage, and all other mobs will take half of your normal damage while you have either of these effects on your gun.

Also, the Charms that Japanese guy gives you? All pointless and you can't even throw them away. Gotta give them to Wayne to store them. All items, weapons, and armor you store with Wayne will carry over on extra playthroughs. There is NEVER a reason to throw out weapons. Once you go to the Chrysler Building and you can get a toolbox or the supertool box by collecting the EX Trading Cards, all of those weapons you amassed, you can now use them to power your main weapon like crazy!

edit: movement speed and ATB Guage fill up with different guns is all placebo. Aya will ALWAYS move like she's walking in molasses lol

[knight_kirby]

I could've sworn that my ATB was like slow as fuck with a rifle and it was fine with Handgun since when I fired 2 Rifle shots I could of fired the Handgun 5 times. Also it's going to be a long time til Chrysler anyhow so by then, assuming you used tools to upgrade, any weapon can be made up to par. Junk weapons just starts with high stats is all.

[Atreides]

ok that's very helpful, thanks!

[Hushigoshi]

ok that's very helpful, thanks!

Oh, two other things! Permits you get from the police chief do NOT have to be used right away. You can store them, and use them later on a weapon or armor that you WANT to keep and upgrade. The ammo you have on Aya will not carry over when you do another playthrough. Make sure to store all that ammo you collect with Wayne so that you won't have to worry about running out of ammo.

ugh, now I wanna play this game again. good thing i got it on my psp somewhere haha.

[Glacont]

I am not sure if this fallls under 'horror' but Parasite Evil and Devil May Cry are good ones.