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Post by Anon Mous on Jun 16, 2014 23:17:51 GMT -5
I've caught a bit of the collection bug as of late. I have my lists of games and consoles, what makes them complete and what is the norm, what's collectable and what's good. The thing is that while I'm proud of my collection, the fun can be sucked out of games. I have already noticed a change in the way I play games. I used to play a game over and over, exploring the world, learning patterns, and playing through for the fun. As games got more complex I used strat guides for maps, so that I could get all of the treasure wherever it may be. Now I find that whenever I play a game I fire up a faq.
The problem is I'm a completest. In order to get the most out of my game I want to get everything in it. Simply beating it isn't enough. The other problem is that sometimes you need those secret items to stand a chance. I've been playing Ni No Kuni, trying to get the trophy for 250 different familiar types. I'm tired. I need a game that is simple enough that you don't need the hidden stuff to stand a chance or to level grind just to survive. I need a game to help me rediscover the fun of gaming.
Anyone have any ideas?
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Post by Rune Lai on Jun 17, 2014 2:06:51 GMT -5
That's exactly why I opened my copy Golden Sun: The Lost Age. It's old enough that I probably don't need a FAQ to get everything done. The first game I logged in just under 30 hours, which used to be a decent length for an RPG!
I'm a little tired of using a FAQ for everything.
For a more modern game, I like the two Dragon Ages if you haven't already played them. I didn't use a FAQ for either of them. You'll find just about everything with diligent (not crazy) exploration, and when it comes to dialogue choices there's no wrong answer. Sometimes things will happen differently depending on class, alignment, previous choices, etc. but they aren't things you can change on a single playthrough to see everything, so I just roll with them and RP it up.
I've also played Diablo III and more recently it's Reaper of Souls expansion. The maps are randomized and so is the loot, so just play through the story however you want. Find a gameplay style you like, play with the skills, slaughter the undead, etc. There's no point in trying to collect everything, because you can't.
Unfortunately the only JRPG stuff I've picked up of late is all Megaten related, and though I am a freakishly loyal purchaser of just about anything that some stateside with the label Shin Megami Tensei, it's a series ill-advised for completionists.
The two Devil Survivor games for DS and 3DS aren't too bad though if you only intend on doing one playthrough and they were designed to be casual-friendly (for being Megaten). DeSu1 in particular does an amazing job of impending doom. Both games I played the first time through FAQ-free and did not regret it (if someone dies, it just means you get different dialogue!). If you want to collect everything you have to replay to get every ending and spend a lot of time fusing monsters, but you can always save the tedious stuff for later. In fact, you'll have to since the game prevents you from level grinding until New Game+. The setup makes the first playthrough stress-free.
Oh, and I thought of the latest Ace Attorney game, Duel Destinies. No FAQ required! It's not an RPG and the clues may be a little obtuse at times, but it's not the kind of game where you need to have a FAQ next to you. Most hints can be figured out after a few tries, and the ones that you can't are infrequent.
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Post by Anon Mous on Jun 17, 2014 11:04:17 GMT -5
That's exactly why I opened my copy Golden Sun: The Lost Age. It's old enough that I probably don't need a FAQ to get everything done. The first game I logged in just under 30 hours, which used to be a decent length for an RPG! Actually, I have Dark Dawn for DS. Played it a while back. It was good but there was so much backstory I missed that I decided to put it down until I can play the earlier ones. You know, there is just something about working toward something that is so far off that is just tiring at this point. Maybe I need something that's not so much part of a series, but that is just a good stand alone. For a more modern game, I like the two Dragon Ages if you haven't already played them. I didn't use a FAQ for either of them. You'll find just about everything with diligent (not crazy) exploration, and when it comes to dialogue choices there's no wrong answer. Sometimes things will happen differently depending on class, alignment, previous choices, etc. but they aren't things you can change on a single playthrough to see everything, so I just roll with them and RP it up. Done multiple times. Looking forward to the 3rd. I've also played Diablo III and more recently it's Reaper of Souls expansion. The maps are randomized and so is the loot, so just play through the story however you want. Find a gameplay style you like, play with the skills, slaughter the undead, etc. There's no point in trying to collect everything, because you can't. Interesting thought, but I always thought the Diablo's were nothing more than a grind fest. Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with that, but I feel that I already kind of have that type of game with Gauntlet Dark Legacy and Champions of Norrath. Unfortunately the only JRPG stuff I've picked up of late is all Megaten related, and though I am a freakishly loyal purchaser of just about anything that some stateside with the label Shin Megami Tensei, it's a series ill-advised for completionists. The two Devil Survivor games for DS and 3DS aren't too bad though if you only intend on doing one playthrough and they were designed to be casual-friendly (for being Megaten). DeSu1 in particular does an amazing job of impending doom. Both games I played the first time through FAQ-free and did not regret it (if someone dies, it just means you get different dialogue!). If you want to collect everything you have to replay to get every ending and spend a lot of time fusing monsters, but you can always save the tedious stuff for later. In fact, you'll have to since the game prevents you from level grinding until New Game+. The setup makes the first playthrough stress-free. Yeah, that's really what I kind of want to stay away from. (At the risk of sounding old) I kind of miss the days when the minigames in game were just that, and had little effect on the main game. When there weren't thousands of combinations. I'm almost thinking I don't want an RPG because of how often that stuff comes up, or at the very least an old school classic (non Square) RPG before that stuff became the standard. Oh, and I thought of the latest Ace Attorney game, Duel Destinies. No FAQ required! It's not an RPG and the clues may be a little obtuse at times, but it's not the kind of game where you need to have a FAQ next to you. Most hints can be figured out after a few tries, and the ones that you can't are infrequent. You know I still have not played an Ace Attorney game. I hear good things, I see how excited the fans get, I just don't know if I could get into it. Plus, they're kind of rare and have held their price pretty well. But it's an option. I was hoping for something more console based, but beggars can't be choosers. |
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Post by Ambrienne on Jun 17, 2014 13:55:44 GMT -5
If you had a tablet that could access the Amazon Appstore I would have recommended Devil's Attorney. I can tell it was inspired by the AA series, but it also spoofs a certain era of 80s/90s American culture. There are also a few Get Smart-like situations thrown in for giggles (the whole game is full of laughs, but you get the idea). It has three different endings, but all can be reached from the same point, so there's no brain strain when it comes to making decisions.
If you have either access to Steam or Gamersgate on PC, Recettear is worth taking a look at. It's an item shop/adventuring sim where you're supposed to pay off a gigantic debt that the lead character's father left behind after his death. You don't die in it (even if your adventurer is defeated, but you can lose most of the items you were collecting during that dungeon run), and if you fail to make a debt payment in time, the game will start over on day one (after a comically sad screen about losing your house) with your existing item inventory/adventurer levels intact, but with your cash level down to the dregs again. There are some funny asides where they vaguely reference other games (the writer must be a fan of Nippon Ichi and Tower of Druaga). The adventuring part of the gameplay is like a light version of Ys or Zelda.
I wish I could recommend game system based stuff, but I've been out of that sector for quite a while.
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Post by Anon Mous on Jun 17, 2014 17:21:49 GMT -5
If you had a tablet that could access the Amazon Appstore I would have recommended Devil's Attorney. I can tell it was inspired by the AA series, but it also spoofs a certain era of 80s/90s American culture. There are also a few Get Smart-like situations thrown in for giggles (the whole game is full of laughs, but you get the idea). It has three different endings, but all can be reached from the same point, so there's no brain strain when it comes to making decisions. If you have either access to Steam or Gamersgate on PC, Recettear is worth taking a look at. It's an item shop/adventuring sim where you're supposed to pay off a gigantic debt that the lead character's father left behind after his death. You don't die in it (even if your adventurer is defeated, but you can lose most of the items you were collecting during that dungeon run), and if you fail to make a debt payment in time, the game will start over on day one (after a comically sad screen about losing your house) with your existing item inventory/adventurer levels intact, but with your cash level down to the dregs again. There are some funny asides where they vaguely reference other games (the writer must be a fan of Nippon Ichi and Tower of Druaga). The adventuring part of the gameplay is like a light version of Ys or Zelda. I wish I could recommend game system based stuff, but I've been out of that sector for quite a while. Unfortunately, that's a three striker. I don't have a smart phone, let alone a tablet. I also don't like PC gaming without a mouse, and my main mouse computer needs a new hard drive. I also don't do the Steam thing. I know a lot of people swear by it, but I like physical copies and don't like when games are removed at a whim and cannot be reached anymore. This is also why I don't like netflix. Too many things disappearing for no reason. |
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Post by Solana on Jun 17, 2014 21:20:58 GMT -5
Quick question first- are all Square Enix games off the table, or mainly Final Fantasy?
I like going back to replay Dragon Quest IV when I need something like that. The chapters feel like different smaller games, there's still some humor, and Taloon's chapter can be fun for something different. (As long as you can ignore the heavy accents.)
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Post by Anon Mous on Jun 17, 2014 22:31:56 GMT -5
Quick question first- are all Square Enix games off the table, or mainly Final Fantasy? I like going back to replay Dragon Quest IV when I need something like that. The chapters feel like different smaller games, there's still some humor, and Taloon's chapter can be fun for something different. (As long as you can ignore the heavy accents.) Square games are off the table. Enix I never had a problem with. I have the first Dragon Warrior. DQIV saw a North American release after the merger. Dragon Warrior IV, however, is an option . . . if I were able to find it . . . and were willing to spend the $40+ for it. |
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Post by Rune Lai on Jun 18, 2014 1:48:16 GMT -5
Dungeon crawling isn't for everyone, but Etrian Odyssey from the DS era was something I played FAQ free. It's pretty straightforward and bare bones. I can't speak for the sequels, but for bells and whistles the first game had at most a bonus dungeon at the end. There is actually a story, though it's very sparse (cool twist at the end though).
Oh! And if you haven't tried the Ys I&II remakes, those are pretty true to the spirit of the 8-bit originals. The one on DS is in 3D, but it's 90% old 8-bit content I remember from my SMS days with only one extra dungeon introduced. No collectibles or bonus content. And I did not need a FAQ.
That reminds me I have more Ys games sitting in my own backlog... >.>
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Post by Anon Mous on Jun 18, 2014 10:41:17 GMT -5
Dungeon crawling isn't for everyone, but Etrian Odyssey from the DS era was something I played FAQ free. It's pretty straightforward and bare bones. I can't speak for the sequels, but for bells and whistles the first game had at most a bonus dungeon at the end. There is actually a story, though it's very sparse (cool twist at the end though). Now there's an idea. I remember looking at it a few times when it came out, but never picked it up. From what I can tell though, it is decently rare. My challenge would be finding it. It also is a handheld game again, so my other challenge will be staying with it. Oh! And if you haven't tried the Ys I&II remakes, those are pretty true to the spirit of the 8-bit originals. The one on DS is in 3D, but it's 90% old 8-bit content I remember from my SMS days with only one extra dungeon introduced. No collectibles or bonus content. And I did not need a FAQ. That reminds me I have more Ys games sitting in my own backlog... >.> Actually I don't need the remakes. I have the original on tg-16. It is a good game, if a bit short. I typically don't go for remakes unless there is some major differences (Lunar). |
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