Well preorderererererers get early access and an achievement for preorderererering. The campaign works, the graphics no longer change to LSD levels and I had only one crash so far (changing campaigns in the menue fast) but none during gameplay. Finished my favourite campaign (William Wallace) but only got the achievement after my first online game.
Played against a friend and we both completely forgot how to play this. I wanted to build a house with the Hunns. Really now...
Be warned that multiplayer is really laggy right now (was for both of us) but I, personally, had no issues in Single Player & vs AI matches, the main reason I got this game was the Wallace campaign anyway. Hope they fix the multiplayerlags until the official release on the 9th.
If you own the game and want to see a replay of it (why would you do this?)
click here. This file goes to the save folder of the game. Chat is only available on the "Florida Man" side and is in German most of the time, what a shame.
Also: Only the host can change settings so if you want to record your game like I did there you have to ask the host to check the box which is a complete pain in the ass.
The Ben Jordan Case Files (Indie Adventure Game Series)
I'm sure quite a few of you have already played this series of games (made using 'Adventure Game Studio'). I remember hearing great things about them years ago but I'd never actually got around to playing them... until now.
The game is spread across eight chapters (or 'case files') with each one starring paranormal investigator and enthusiast, Ben Jordan. As the chapters progress Ben meets and becomes friends with fellow investigators and those relationships then carry across to the remaining chapters.
It's this episodic approach that allows for a wonderful emulation of watching a great TV series such as the X-Files, with events occurring in one case file affecting the progression of the story in the next (albeit in a linear fashion - though there a couple of chapters which allow for multiple paths, there is only ever one "true ending" in terms of continuity).
Another great thing about the game being presented across multiple case files is that you get to deal with a different spook or monster with each chapter. For example, one case file sees you uncovering the truth behind a cult of witches in Scotland, whilst another finds Ben investigating a haunted house in London.
There seems little doubt that Sierra's 'Gabriel Knight' was a big influence for the game's designer Francisco Gonzalez when he created the world and gameplay of 'Ben Jordan'. From the dark, gothic horror elements; through to the light touches of humour; the love letter to Jane Jensen's creation is clear for all to see.
'Gabriel Knight: Sins of the Fathers'
The puzzles throughout are fantastic. They're just the right side of challenging. They're not insultingly easy and they're not frustratingly difficult. I was never stuck on a puzzle for longer than 10 minutes and I never once had to refer to GameFAQs. This is how adventure game puzzles should be done.
Graphically, the games are rather simple to say the least. Whilst the visuals do improve as the case files themselves progress (due to the separation of time between developing each chapter), they never truly elevate themselves beyond being merely functional or at best "somewhat pretty". At other times the art is just downright crude. However, strangely there's an undeniable charm to the primitive graphics that's rather appealing.
Musically, this game shines. Some tracks are taken from other sources (for example, films) but the majority are original compositions. I can't speak highly enough of the soundtrack contained within these games. The tracks are easily worthy enough to have appeared in the mainstream titles of yesteryear. The music in the 'Ben Jordan' series doesn't fuck your ears; it gently caresses and makes sweet love to them.
The final thing to mention about the 'Ben Jordan' series is the atmosphere! Each case file is dripping in atmosphere. A dark, ominous and thoroughly engrossing atmosphere.
If you've yet to play the 'Ben Jordan' series, then I heartily recommend that you do. I can honestly say that it's been years since I've enjoyed an adventure game series as much as I have with 'Ben Jordan'.
With a higher budget and therefore more polished production values and a wider release, these titles would have been rightfully hailed as classics alongside the 'Gabriel Knight' series itself. The biggest crime of all is that they are not held in this regard by most adventure fans. If you've yet to do so, I suggest you do your part to remedy that situation by playing 'Ben Jordan' today!
If you have played the games already, then be sure to check out the 'Ben Jordan' fan film (still a work-in-progress) here.
Ben Jordan are the B-movies of the adventure game genre, but they each get better as you go. I hate 2, though. And the background art is fugly ass shit in all of them.
I just played through the SCI remake of King's Quest 1. I've never actually played through this one before (I've started playing quite a few times, but the only one I've ever completed [until now] was the AGI version). Although a lot of the annoyances from the AGI are still here (like the annoying vine climbing part where you have to move inch by inch like so many stairs and cliffs in Sierra's early games), I think I actually like this one better than the original.
Just beat this one, and I must say, it was amazing. if any of you guys haven't had a chance to check it out yet do yourself a favor and get it. you wont be dissapointed!
Next on my list is:
Tomb Raider
I've been wanting to get my hands on this game since release and I've finally got some free time to play it.
Injustice
Huge comic book nerd here so im thrilled to get a new DC fighting game. one of my favorite sega games was a Justice League fighting game, so nostalgia inbound. Plus, I feel NetherRealm Studios does a great job with their story modes. Additionally, I love kicking my friends butts in fighters [:
Pid is full of charm and interesting platforming elements. I haven't gotten really far yet, and there's probably tons of hidden stuff I haven't found yet. It's a game that's easy to pick up for short gaming sessions. I love the art style.
Replaying AoEII now it's not difficult to understand how I spent so many, many hours on this before. The campaigns are just a lot of fun and it controls so damn well compared to most other RTS games I've played over the years. I'm really bad at balancing my resources now though, so I'm spending a lot of time even on the starting missions.
On the 3DS I'm playing Pullblox and Fallblox. They are some pretty unique puzzle games with very limited platforming elements. I originally got them because I'm too cheap to pay for full price retail games, but these games are really good value for the cost. I played them a lot during my easter vacation.
The trick with the AoE II campaign? Offensive turtling. It's really the only way. I beat every single mission with that strategy. Well, except for the ones where you don't get any villagers and La Noche Triste, which always almost kicks my ass.
You block in all the enemy's gates with walls and build castles right outside. Keep some paladins or other cavalry nearby to scare off any siege weapons. Mangudai are my favorite for this because they've got it all: range, speed, and power.
When you've starved them enough, send in the cavalry with maybe a few trebuchets as backup to take care of any nasty castles or bombard towers.
You block in all the enemy's gates with walls and build castles right outside. Keep some paladins or other cavalry nearby to scare off any siege weapons.
Do you punch a hole through their walls and make your own gate to get your cavalry through to their siege weapons then? I'm guessing this strategy means you focus on gathering large amounts of resources and only create relatively few soldiers initially and then ramp up production when you've safely established base outside your enemy's camp?
I don't punch the hole in the wall until I've starved them out. Part of the reason I prefer the Mangudai is that you can garrison them in the castle and they'll greatly increase its firepower to deal with most siege equipment and then can also heal while they're in there. This works for nearly all siege except trebuchets, but there, the best defense is usually another trebuchet. Which, can also be used to take out their siege workshops and, if applicable, castles and/or wonders.
And yeah. The beginning of the game is basically getting as much resources as possible and only making enough troops for defense while getting up some walls, towers, and castles as well as a few monks for healing so that I don't have to train new soldiers. I usually like to have as much cavalry as possible because I'm a fan of a mobile army so I don't really make many footsoldiers unless they're archers. That and most of my cavalry will inevitably end up being archers because of their versatility with cheap light cavalry for defense and maybe some knights/cavaliers/paladins for backup. Double walls for the home base are a must if I can afford the stone and usually I try to find lots of natural barriers to help keep the number of walls I have to build to a minimum.
If worst comes to worst and there's very little stone, I spend what gold I have or sell food (because I always end up with way more food than anything else) to buy stone and build walls and then just train a bunch of monks to convert anyone who gets near my walls. That's how I beat the final Saladin scenario. I just converted the infidels' elephants and sent them back with a strongly worded letter until I had enough money to extend my wall to the stone deposits.
Been feeling tired all day, quickly getting bored with the few games I'm currently replaying (Dragon Age: Origins, The Walking Dead, The Longest Journey) then I remembered that I picked up Planescape: Torment a few days ago so I stuck that on and saw the next 5 hours or so go in a flash.
Beat story mode of LEGO Lord of the Rings. Now, I'm unlocking all the extra stuff.
It occurs to me that the reason why I like LEGO Star Wars II:OT so much is because I like the characters and settings of the Star Wars OOT so much. After I beat the story mode on LEGO Star Wars II, I was ready and willing to wander around and collect everything else because Star Wars is fun.
The same can not be said for LEGO Harry Potter or LEGO Batman. I love the Harry Potter books, but I love the story. I don't really have the same feeling for the movies' characters or settings that I have for those of the Star Wars OT, so I have little incentive to complete the other LEGO games beyond beating the story mode.
Now, that all being said, my wife loves LOTR, and she enjoys watching me play the LEGO LOTR game, so I continue to play it, and it's really very fun.
Poker Night 2 made me get Borderlands 2 on discount. People hate on Claptrap too much. I actually like the little guy and I'm sure he'll do fine. Anyway, the game is a lot of fun, though the reinforcement-based combats make a sniper approach a lot more tedious than it ought to be.
Because I think he was a tad less annoying in B2. I think. Haven't picked it up yet.
Currently playing Duke Nukem Forever: The Doctor Who Cloned Me (I'll get those achievements if it kills me) and Duke Nukem 3D: Megaton Edition (to get around the crashes, I have to save at the start of each level, quit, restart the game and then load the savegame. It's tedious, but does let me get loads of stuff done in the background)
Also Borderlands had a Kill Claptrap DLC that was so satisfying.
And I personally think ScankRat was far more annoying in BL2 than he was in the first one.
On a different note: How the hell is anyone supposed to play La Mulana with those controls?
Edit: 360 pad, I love you.
No, it's worse than Bioshock Infinite in terms of gameplay. Maybe not at the beginning, but it certainly is at the end. Also, the absence of skyhooks is really detrimental.
No, it's worse than Bioshock Infinite in terms of gameplay. Maybe not at the beginning, but it certainly is at the end. Also, the absence of skyhooks is really detrimental.
I'm still finishing up the collectibles in Sonic Generations. This is one of the few games that I've bothered trying to get everything on, because I really enjoy the Sonic series music (and the game is actually fun to play too, that never hurts ).
I'm still finishing up the collectibles in Sonic Generations. This is one of the few games that I've bothered trying to get everything on, because I really enjoy the Sonic series music (and the game is actually fun to play too, that never hurts ).
I need to get that game sometime.
Beat the story mode of Injustice yesterday, really loving this game. First fighting game I've played where I enjoy playing as almost all the characters, and the ones I don't I just need a bit more practice with(lookin at you Harley and Joker). Despite the lack of Mark Hammil, the voice acting in this has been pretty top notch.
At the moment I am Attempting to play FTL and Surgeon Simulator as well as Day of the
Tentacle
All very good games but the only one I'm not failing at is Day of the Tentacle...
Comments
Great game, have fun
Well preorderererererers get early access and an achievement for preorderererering. The campaign works, the graphics no longer change to LSD levels and I had only one crash so far (changing campaigns in the menue fast) but none during gameplay. Finished my favourite campaign (William Wallace) but only got the achievement after my first online game.
Played against a friend and we both completely forgot how to play this. I wanted to build a house with the Hunns. Really now...
Be warned that multiplayer is really laggy right now (was for both of us) but I, personally, had no issues in Single Player & vs AI matches, the main reason I got this game was the Wallace campaign anyway. Hope they fix the multiplayerlags until the official release on the 9th.
If you own the game and want to see a replay of it (why would you do this?)
click here. This file goes to the save folder of the game. Chat is only available on the "Florida Man" side and is in German most of the time, what a shame.
Also: Only the host can change settings so if you want to record your game like I did there you have to ask the host to check the box which is a complete pain in the ass.
I can't get the hang of the bloody rhythm system.
I'm sure quite a few of you have already played this series of games (made using 'Adventure Game Studio'). I remember hearing great things about them years ago but I'd never actually got around to playing them... until now.
The game is spread across eight chapters (or 'case files') with each one starring paranormal investigator and enthusiast, Ben Jordan. As the chapters progress Ben meets and becomes friends with fellow investigators and those relationships then carry across to the remaining chapters.
It's this episodic approach that allows for a wonderful emulation of watching a great TV series such as the X-Files, with events occurring in one case file affecting the progression of the story in the next (albeit in a linear fashion - though there a couple of chapters which allow for multiple paths, there is only ever one "true ending" in terms of continuity).
Another great thing about the game being presented across multiple case files is that you get to deal with a different spook or monster with each chapter. For example, one case file sees you uncovering the truth behind a cult of witches in Scotland, whilst another finds Ben investigating a haunted house in London.
There seems little doubt that Sierra's 'Gabriel Knight' was a big influence for the game's designer Francisco Gonzalez when he created the world and gameplay of 'Ben Jordan'. From the dark, gothic horror elements; through to the light touches of humour; the love letter to Jane Jensen's creation is clear for all to see.
'Gabriel Knight: Sins of the Fathers'
The puzzles throughout are fantastic. They're just the right side of challenging. They're not insultingly easy and they're not frustratingly difficult. I was never stuck on a puzzle for longer than 10 minutes and I never once had to refer to GameFAQs. This is how adventure game puzzles should be done.
Graphically, the games are rather simple to say the least. Whilst the visuals do improve as the case files themselves progress (due to the separation of time between developing each chapter), they never truly elevate themselves beyond being merely functional or at best "somewhat pretty". At other times the art is just downright crude. However, strangely there's an undeniable charm to the primitive graphics that's rather appealing.
Musically, this game shines. Some tracks are taken from other sources (for example, films) but the majority are original compositions. I can't speak highly enough of the soundtrack contained within these games. The tracks are easily worthy enough to have appeared in the mainstream titles of yesteryear. The music in the 'Ben Jordan' series doesn't fuck your ears; it gently caresses and makes sweet love to them.
The final thing to mention about the 'Ben Jordan' series is the atmosphere! Each case file is dripping in atmosphere. A dark, ominous and thoroughly engrossing atmosphere.
If you've yet to play the 'Ben Jordan' series, then I heartily recommend that you do. I can honestly say that it's been years since I've enjoyed an adventure game series as much as I have with 'Ben Jordan'.
With a higher budget and therefore more polished production values and a wider release, these titles would have been rightfully hailed as classics alongside the 'Gabriel Knight' series itself. The biggest crime of all is that they are not held in this regard by most adventure fans. If you've yet to do so, I suggest you do your part to remedy that situation by playing 'Ben Jordan' today!
If you have played the games already, then be sure to check out the 'Ben Jordan' fan film (still a work-in-progress) here.
But they're fun and worth playing.
I see that it had a complete graphic overhaul a few years ago. I haven't played that version yet. I'll have to give it a try.
Just beat this one, and I must say, it was amazing. if any of you guys haven't had a chance to check it out yet do yourself a favor and get it. you wont be dissapointed!
Next on my list is:
Tomb Raider
I've been wanting to get my hands on this game since release and I've finally got some free time to play it.
Injustice
Huge comic book nerd here so im thrilled to get a new DC fighting game. one of my favorite sega games was a Justice League fighting game, so nostalgia inbound. Plus, I feel NetherRealm Studios does a great job with their story modes. Additionally, I love kicking my friends butts in fighters [:
Pid is full of charm and interesting platforming elements. I haven't gotten really far yet, and there's probably tons of hidden stuff I haven't found yet. It's a game that's easy to pick up for short gaming sessions. I love the art style.
Replaying AoEII now it's not difficult to understand how I spent so many, many hours on this before. The campaigns are just a lot of fun and it controls so damn well compared to most other RTS games I've played over the years. I'm really bad at balancing my resources now though, so I'm spending a lot of time even on the starting missions.
On the 3DS I'm playing Pullblox and Fallblox. They are some pretty unique puzzle games with very limited platforming elements. I originally got them because I'm too cheap to pay for full price retail games, but these games are really good value for the cost. I played them a lot during my easter vacation.
As in building walls from your camp and up to the enemy? Or the box formation monk strategy?
When you've starved them enough, send in the cavalry with maybe a few trebuchets as backup to take care of any nasty castles or bombard towers.
Do you punch a hole through their walls and make your own gate to get your cavalry through to their siege weapons then? I'm guessing this strategy means you focus on gathering large amounts of resources and only create relatively few soldiers initially and then ramp up production when you've safely established base outside your enemy's camp?
And yeah. The beginning of the game is basically getting as much resources as possible and only making enough troops for defense while getting up some walls, towers, and castles as well as a few monks for healing so that I don't have to train new soldiers. I usually like to have as much cavalry as possible because I'm a fan of a mobile army so I don't really make many footsoldiers unless they're archers. That and most of my cavalry will inevitably end up being archers because of their versatility with cheap light cavalry for defense and maybe some knights/cavaliers/paladins for backup. Double walls for the home base are a must if I can afford the stone and usually I try to find lots of natural barriers to help keep the number of walls I have to build to a minimum.
If worst comes to worst and there's very little stone, I spend what gold I have or sell food (because I always end up with way more food than anything else) to buy stone and build walls and then just train a bunch of monks to convert anyone who gets near my walls. That's how I beat the final Saladin scenario. I just converted the infidels' elephants and sent them back with a strongly worded letter until I had enough money to extend my wall to the stone deposits.
Now for a different game.
I'm loving the game, everything about it is flawless, the graphics even look awesome too.
Definitely the best Burnout of the series for me.
It occurs to me that the reason why I like LEGO Star Wars II:OT so much is because I like the characters and settings of the Star Wars OOT so much. After I beat the story mode on LEGO Star Wars II, I was ready and willing to wander around and collect everything else because Star Wars is fun.
The same can not be said for LEGO Harry Potter or LEGO Batman. I love the Harry Potter books, but I love the story. I don't really have the same feeling for the movies' characters or settings that I have for those of the Star Wars OT, so I have little incentive to complete the other LEGO games beyond beating the story mode.
Now, that all being said, my wife loves LOTR, and she enjoys watching me play the LEGO LOTR game, so I continue to play it, and it's really very fun.
Currently playing Duke Nukem Forever: The Doctor Who Cloned Me (I'll get those achievements if it kills me) and Duke Nukem 3D: Megaton Edition (to get around the crashes, I have to save at the start of each level, quit, restart the game and then load the savegame. It's tedious, but does let me get loads of stuff done in the background)
Because Claptrap was a brand of robots in Borderlands and was not one character it was loads of different robots
Claptrap as a proper character is only in Borderlands 2
And I personally think ScankRat was far more annoying in BL2 than he was in the first one.
On a different note: How the hell is anyone supposed to play La Mulana with those controls?
Edit: 360 pad, I love you.
If we ignore the fact that it completely craps over the first game in the series by being almost nothing like it.
Welcome to world of opinions.
I need to get that game sometime.
Beat the story mode of Injustice yesterday, really loving this game. First fighting game I've played where I enjoy playing as almost all the characters, and the ones I don't I just need a bit more practice with(lookin at you Harley and Joker). Despite the lack of Mark Hammil, the voice acting in this has been pretty top notch.
I suppose if you really like escort missions and hallways, it would be better.
Tentacle
All very good games but the only one I'm not failing at is Day of the Tentacle...
I finally... FINALLY beat the first campaign level! After HOURS of playing.
On easy.... O_o
http://bmo.fuckthisjam.com/submissions/89-dear-esteban
And I'm really enjoying it!
My parents particularly love the "Lord of War" map. They say it's really massive.