So What Are YOU Playing?

[Sol-Blackguy]

Spent the past few days playing Shadowrun Returns. A lot of the reviews totally missed the mark, most likely since this is one of the first highly anticipated kickstarter projects that would be used to define crowdfunding's legitimacy. In a way, Shadowrun Returns isn't really a game but an engine similar to RPG maker. It comes with the extensive, and often cumbersome Shadowrun Editor and the Dead Man's Switch story pack which is pretty much your standard murder mystery noir fare. If you base the work that went into SR Returns solely on this one story pack you can blow through in 10-12 hours then you're gonna have a bad time. The user generated content (or UGC) is where it's at.

There's the Shadowrun Unlimited UGC which is a callback to the Genesis game with repeatable missions peppered around a quest to avenge your brother. There's no real ending in sight yet since the author is still adding more content, but having that MMORPG is an interesting experience. If you remember the Genesis version, Unlimited ups it to the eleven with more micromanagement like funding your own safehouse, factions, street cred, and the heat system where you gain "popularity" with the police and federal agents after doing dangerous runs and need to either lay low, bribe the cops, hire a fixer to expunge your record, or you can even clean your own record if you have the decking skills. So far, there doesn't seem to be much in the form of a main story, but it's great for if you want to experiment with different races/classes or need to build a character to import into the more beefier story packs.

My personal favorite right now is Jacked Up, a story about a down on his luck pencil pusher that gets sucked into the Shadowrunner life. Unlike a lot of established content, this pack is very matrix heavy and great for anyone who likes the decker class. Still haven't seen situations where decking seamlessly weaves into combat like in Dead Man's Switch which actually stopped me from remaking a street samurai after wasting so much time on a decker but I'm not that far in yet.

Spoiler: show

There's a boss fight near the halfway point involving some of the dealers, and a pretty competent decker that uses innocent addicts against you, controlling them via the matrix from across the room. If you have a character that can jack in, you can hack a nearby terminal and fight him in the matrix while your allies are combating the dealers. Once you fry the decker, you can render the addicts unconscious without hurting them for a bonus reward at the end of the fight.

With as well put together this story pack is, I wouldn't be surprised if combat decking popped up later on. If not, I'll blame it on the fact that it's a bitch to code Matrix runs.
There's more UGC out there, but I'm still experimenting with what I've tried now and playing around with the different class archetypes. But so far I have to say it was 20$ well spent since the experience will only get better as the modding community gets more experienced.

[sb]

Spent the past few days playing Shadowrun Returns...

I liked SR, and liked how faithful it was to the tabletop/books. I spent a little time checking out the user content a few months ago, back when it came out, but at the time there wasn't much as it was still new. Given some free time, I want to go back and see what's new.

I haven't been fallowing it recently, but they were going to (or have, or will be in the near future) release a second official campaign, I think based in Berlin this time around?. I'm not sure but I also think they have patched in quick-saving (or will be), instead of only saving on map change.

[Sol-Blackguy]

From what I've seen people are getting more and more familiar with the engine. I'd say in another year, we might see some content that could rival Torchlight 2 Synergies, or at least a completion of the SNES/Genesis remakes. There's a surprising number of people dedicated to such a niche IP.

Last I heard, the Berlin expansion got pushed back a year. Supposedly, they're working on a more open world experience with repeatable runs and better puzzle solving that lends itself to more than just charisma etiquettes or decking skill. (without having to jack in) For all intents and purposes, Dead Man's Switch was a great story pack, but it sucks when the more highly specialized classes are near useless to any of the objective based elements or get phased out due to how the endgame battles play out. If you thought Deckers had it bad, Shaman should be on suicide watch. At least Mages get to use leylines and there's a mod to put Adepts on par with Samurai after a few implants.

[Brill Weave]

Been playing Diablo III on PS3. Went with the Monk. Just got started on Nightmare Mode.

[Corrderio]

Hopped back into The Last of Us this weekend and got through the sewers. Story is starting to kick off it feels like.

Also been playing P4: Golden during the night and up to the point where I have to rescue Naoto.

[Hitoshura]

Just breezed through Final Fantasy VIII Steam edition in about less than a few days, I installed a mod called Roses and Wine that replaced the shitty MIDI quality music with higher quality files and even options to use some orchestrated tracks. Needless to say, it's been a good 12 years since I touched the game and I forgot how much I enjoyed it. Magic Booster this time around takes out the time needed to draw 100 of each low tier spell, the higher tier spells you still must draw all on your own, but the function definitely did NOT dumb down the experience in anyway, or make it feel overpowered, just thank god no unnecessary drawing spells from the start. I still got my ass handed to me a few times as soon as I stepped a foot on the island closest to hell and the deep sea research center without encounter half or none.

All around despite the bat shit crazy story involving students that go to a special school/university's that can fly and battle each other, all to learn how to kill sorceress' (that was formed by said sorc lol). It has a fun cast of characters, the guardian forces playing a twist into it was very cool too, as well as Boosting, limit breaks, the good amount of sidequests. Also I think the Ragnarok is the undisputed king of airships. It was a great revisit, definitely a 5 star FF title, I don't understand all the hate towards it.

[Ayn]

Well let's see..

Tried playing Bioshock Infinite. I can definitely see where people love this game, but I think the series is just not for me (the controls are just ugh to me, but I haven't played shooters in forever, so..); definitely like the atmosphere and story, and thankful that PS+ prevented me from spending money on it.

Been playing the new Zelda on 3DS from time to time. Liking it. May try to finish it sometime soon.

The one that's really hooked me lately? The Last Remnant. I don't know what it is, but just about any RPG that came out for Xbox 360 has a way of getting me hooked from start to finish. I'm really enjoying this one. ..I am playing the PC version, though.

Really wish we had more games like this on console this gen.

I'll try to write about it on the neglected blog David and I have.

[Brill Weave]

Just breezed through Final Fantasy VIII Steam edition in about less than a few days, I installed a mod called Roses and Wine that replaced the shitty MIDI quality music with higher quality files and even options to use some orchestrated tracks. Needless to say, it's been a good 12 years since I touched the game and I forgot how much I enjoyed it. Magic Booster this time around takes out the time needed to draw 100 of each low tier spell, the higher tier spells you still must draw all on your own, but the function definitely did NOT dumb down the experience in anyway, or make it feel overpowered, just thank god no unnecessary drawing spells from the start. I still got my ass handed to me a few times as soon as I stepped a foot on the island closest to hell and the deep sea research center without encounter half or none.

All around despite the bat shit crazy story involving students that go to a special school/university's that can fly and battle each other, all to learn how to kill sorceress' (that was formed by said sorc lol). It has a fun cast of characters, the guardian forces playing a twist into it was very cool too, as well as Boosting, limit breaks, the good amount of sidequests. Also I think the Ragnarok is the undisputed king of airships. It was a great revisit, definitely a 5 star FF title, I don't understand all the hate towards it.

I loved VIII for the most part. But that ending was all kinds of wtf.

[Brill Weave]

Well let's see..

Tried playing Bioshock Infinite. I can definitely see where people love this game, but I think the series is just not for me (the controls are just ugh to me, but I haven't played shooters in forever, so..); definitely like the atmosphere and story, and thankful that PS+ prevented me from spending money on it.

Been playing the new Zelda on 3DS from time to time. Liking it. May try to finish it sometime soon.

The one that's really hooked me lately? The Last Remnant. I don't know what it is, but just about any RPG that came out for Xbox 360 has a way of getting me hooked from start to finish. I'm really enjoying this one. ..I am playing the PC version, though.

Really wish we had more games like this on console this gen.

I'll try to write about it on the neglected blog David and I have.

PC version of TLR is the only way to play. The graphical issues/slow down on 360 were fucking terrible. But the game was so entertaining I suffered through it multiple times before getting it on PC.

[Ayn]

Yeah, I'm really digging it.

Part of it might be because I haven't fully figured out the game or am doing something wrong, but I feel like the challenge is just right for me: There've been a few fights that I've died a few times on, but not to the point of table flipping.

I've been trying to avoid FAQs for the most part aside from explaining a few of the more obscure mechanics. I did figure out you want to keep battle rank low. The stat/level up system's kinda like SaGa..but at least it seems to have more rhyme and reasons into your stat ups.

I really wanna see another game like it. Maybe it's a bit early to say, but I feel like it did a ton of things right. Not perfect, and a few 'oh Japan' moments, but still.

[Doombear]

Already somewhat addicted and/or swearing at OlliOlli. Kinda love it. Also played a bit of the Toukiden demo that released today and loving that as well. It is clicking like other recent Monhun-likes (yep) just haven't for me. Gods Eater, Soul Sacrifice, Lord of Arcana. None of those held my interest for long. This is much slower, ala Monster Hunter, and so far it is probably the most gorgeous game I have seen on a Vita. February is looking good.

[Anoat]

Been playing Sleeping Dogs since it was free for Xbox Live Gold members, and other than the driving being pants on the head retarded (especially after playing GTAV), I've found it to be pretty enjoyable.

[Kalmado]

Just breezed through Final Fantasy VIII Steam edition in about less than a few days, I installed a mod called Roses and Wine that replaced the shitty MIDI quality music with higher quality files and even options to use some orchestrated tracks. Needless to say, it's been a good 12 years since I touched the game and I forgot how much I enjoyed it. Magic Booster this time around takes out the time needed to draw 100 of each low tier spell, the higher tier spells you still must draw all on your own, but the function definitely did NOT dumb down the experience in anyway, or make it feel overpowered, just thank god no unnecessary drawing spells from the start. I still got my ass handed to me a few times as soon as I stepped a foot on the island closest to hell and the deep sea research center without encounter half or none.

All around despite the bat shit crazy story involving students that go to a special school/university's that can fly and battle each other, all to learn how to kill sorceress' (that was formed by said sorc lol). It has a fun cast of characters, the guardian forces playing a twist into it was very cool too, as well as Boosting, limit breaks, the good amount of sidequests. Also I think the Ragnarok is the undisputed king of airships. It was a great revisit, definitely a 5 star FF title, I don't understand all the hate towards it.

I'm resisting so hard buying this on gamefly (for $6!) right now because I've bought too many games that I haven't even looked at. Hands down my favorite FF.

[Kuishen]

About to start The Last Remnant on pc.

English or Japanese voice overs?

I normally always go japanese unless told otherwise.

[Krandor]

The English ones are alright, but it doesn't make a difference cause either way you still have to look at that ridiculous running amination for the main character (can't remember his name atm).

[Hitoshura]

I loved VIII for the most part. But that ending was all kinds of wtf.

Definitely with you there. Like I said.. insanely crazy story, but still a great game nonetheless. The characters if anything made it worth going through all of the confusion, funny enough I found Rinoa more annoying than anybody else this time around.

>>leads a resistance that definitely involves fighting
>>suddenly doesn't want to fight, criticizes you constantly
>>thinks about it for a long time, changes her mind, decides to fight after all
>>falls off cliff after her decision and needs to be saved
>>after being saved, she immediately goes unconscious for unknown reasons (at the time) after fighting Edea leaving you to have to care for her
>>go into outer fucking space for her to save her..

I could just go on, easily the worst supporting lead female role I have ever seen in FF

[Kuishen]

Cause obviously she wasn't the supporting lead female, it was Selphie.

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w...briefing_9.jpg

Bat. Shit.

Unfortunately it looks like the Leovinus Let's Play of FFVIII is forever lost in the ethers... That shit was goddamn hilarious. The site that had it cached isn't working anymore.

EDIT: Oh shit I found it.

https://web.archive.org/web/20111005...-Fantasy-VIII/

Read it if you'd like a chuckle. Sans the introduction because that was done by somebody else who isn't at all funny.

A little taste:

Spoiler: show

This bitch better not be talking about the scar. That's not even fucking funny.

[Kaelan?]

Started playing the Banner Saga. Was really looking forward to this game, thought I would love it, but it's really disappointing. I want to like it so bad, but it just has so many goddamn terrible mechanics.

Don't know what possessed people to think a comeback factor in an SRPG was a good idea.

[Koul]

Started playing the Banner Saga. Was really looking forward to this game, thought I would love it, but it's really disappointing. I want to like it so bad, but it just has so many goddamn terrible mechanics.

Don't know what possessed people to think a comeback factor in an SRPG was a good idea.

Yup, I feel the same way. Watched the trailer, read reviews and thought I'd really enjoy it but the game annoys me. I don't connect with any of the characters and the combat is tedious to me.

[Chrius]

Recently finished A Link Between Worlds and thoroughly enjoyed it.
About 12 hours of playtime into Bioshock Infinite and feeling really good about it. Am I a bad person for playing it on PC, but with XBox controller?