What are you Playing?

[Char Aznable]

I've just started playing Catherine on the PS3 and Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War for the PS2.

I've been wanting to play Catherine ever since it was released back in 2011 and, only now, have finally caught up to it (my backlog seems never-ending). It's an incredibly unique game but also very bizarre. The gameplay is mostly puzzle-based and has you climbing--and constantly moving--various blocks to clear a level. There's even some life-sim elements tossed in, taking place in a bar where you can talk to friends and bar patrons. The game has anime-style CG cinematics, along with some very well done traditional anime cutscenes.

One of my favorite aspects of the game is that it follows a character in his early 30s. So many current game titles that have an anime-style often feature teenagers or younger kids. Nice to see an older age demographic being represented. Also, the in-game music is great and the English voice acting is top-notch.

As for Ace Combat Zero, it's extremely fun and far easier than many of the earlier AC games...which isn't a bad thing by any stretch. Ace Combat used to be notorious for its difficult missions, so much so that I played most on 'Easy Mode'. This particular one, however, I'm able to play on normal without the desire to bash my controller against the floor.

After I beat these I may finally try Yaiba: Ninja Gaiden Z (which I heard was horrible, but I'm a NG fan) for the PS3 and Indigo Prophecy for the PS2.

[greg]

Yeah, Catherine is certainly a unique game. No wonder it's by Atlus. It has a more mature theme too, I've read. I've never played an Ace Combat game, but Konami made Air Force Delta on the Dreamcast, which is pretty much the same type of game. I really enjoyed it.

[llj]

I'm playing an old Ultima game, Savage Empire, that's available for free on GOG. Savage Empire and its companion game, Martian Dreams (also free on GOG), were sort of "side games" which took place in completely different worlds from the main series but featuring the same "Avatar" character. They are based on the Ultima 6 game engine.

[Char Aznable]

Just got a PS4 last week so I've started Batman Arkham Knight. The game is everything I could have ever hoped it would be. It takes the best from the previous Arkham games, amps up every aspect of them, and never lets up. Plus, one word: Batmobile.

[greg]

Last night I went to one of the "nerd paradise, open 'til 2am" stores and bought a new DS game: Futari wa Precure Max Heart Danzen DS. It's like a Final Fight beat-em-up game, but with Precure characters. As I've mentioned before, the only Precure that interests me is the original Futari wa Precure shows. It has a lot more fists-and-feet action than the subsequent Precure shows, which focuses on crap like makeup and such. So it makes sense that there's a Final Fight-style brawler Futari wa Precure game.

It is a 1 player game, but you can select another character to be an NPC assistant. It gives you the feeling of playing a 2P game. You can choose between Cure Black, Cure White, or Cure Luminous. Cure Black is all about using her fists, and she unleashes a fast and furious punching combo as you keep hitting the attack button. She has a strong jump kick and when you jump and press down and attack, she clobbers enemies. Cure White's attacks are more deliberate and have more finesse, but her jump kick is a flurry of kicks. Her jump, down+attack is a power drive. Cure Luminous, the girl with yellow hair, is way too overpowered, IMHO. Her attack uses force fields, and with continued button-pressing, she launches it as a projectile.

There's no need to worry about who eats the ice cream laying on the ground to regain health, since when you pick it up, it recharges you and your assistant's health. (Although didn't Mom tell you not to eat food off the ground?) Attacks don't hurt each other, and what is nice is that if an enemy knocks you or your partner back, if the other catches her instead of her falling to the ground, then she can recover her health slightly. There is also the "bomb" type of attack in which you use teamwork to deal mega damage. At the end boss of each level, the girls launch a jibungus energy beam at the enemy, and you have ten seconds to button mash to charge the beam to destroy the badguy. It's neat.

It's not extremely challenging, so don't play it on the easy level, lest you get bored. It's a fun little game, I think.

[yusaku]

I have been playing LIFE IS STRANGE a new game for the PS3/PS4/XBOX. You play as the main character a female student at a art school. The main character Maxine, max for short, has the special ability to rewind time and she can see into the future. unlike most games, i find the game very relaxing. There are a lot of parts of the game where you can sit down and listen to guitar laced vocals while the camera views shifts around. The game has multiple endings for the five episodes. There are only three episodes out right now. The game is a pleasant and a welcome offering for this years games. There are no hectic moments and you have all the time you need to explore and enjoy the game. If you are looking for a challenge you do NOT want to play this game.

By the way, I totally enjoyed playing Catherine. i have beat the game several times. You should also play Alice the Madness Returns. I play that game over and over. i do not know why i like playing female characters, but you might want to give LOLLIPOP CHAINSAW a whirl also. i have all of these games. They are a lot of fun. you can find play through of all these games on youtube.

[Char Aznable]

i do not know why i like playing female characters, but you might want to give LOLLIPOP CHAINSAW a whirl also. i have all of these games. They are a lot of fun. you can find play through of all these games on youtube.

Lollipop Chainsaw is an incredible game, easily in my 'Top 10' for recent games that came out in the last decade. I don't often replay many modern games with the exception of the Metal Gear and Batman titles, but I've played through Lollipop Chainsaw countless times. All of the unlockable anime-inspired costumes are fun too.

[yusaku]

i just got MAX PAYNE 3, DUKE NUKEM FOREVER, AND DANTES INFERNO all for twenty five dollars! Also, i found that a new episode of LIFE IS STRANGE came out on the 29th of last month. i got me some gaming to do!

[llj]

Been quite busy lately with a variety of things I'm juggling in my life but I've managed to spend an hour or so a night this week playing Ultra Street Fighter IV on the 360. The SNK influence here is very pronounced--almost all the 'new' characters play like SNK fighters. I wonder if they had some former SNK programmers working on this game.

I really need to get a fight pad or fight stick on the 360.

[_D_]

Might start playing Divinity. It was only $10 for both the PS4 and XB1, so I picked up copies or both units...