What are you Playing?

[usamimi]

Traded in a bunch of old stuff I had to get a copy of Ni No Kuni today! I'll probably start playing it sometime this weekend. I loved the demo, so I'm excited to get started!

[greg]

Now I'm juggling Megaman 8, Megaman Zero 2 and Shaman King Master of Spirits 2. I've come to the conclusion that while I love 2d action platformers and probably always will, I am really not great at them at all, with the exception of Metroidvania type games where you can simply level up and overpower opponents in the last half of the game. Incidentally, the action platformer I died the most while playing--Astro Boy Omega Factor-- is also one of the games I found most rewarding to beat. What an ending. Makes up for the 50-100 times I died trying to beat Pluto. And you gotta fight him TWICE!

I've been trying to complete Dracula's Castle in Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia for a year or so now. It's too challenging for me. I think I have to do some side quests before I can defeat Dracula. I am just way too stumped. With Super Metroid, I was able to figure it out.

I played Astro Boy too. I have to play it through a second time though, because after you think you've beaten the game, you have to go through all the levels again. I kinda forgot about completing this one.

[llj]

If you have the time, you should absolutely try to persevere through Astro Boy. It's a tough game if you're playing on Normal and up but it's beatable if you're determined enough. You could say the second time around is just an excuse to extend the game a la Ghouls and Ghosts, but the story really carries the momentum through it well, and when all these other famous Tezuka characters start figuring into the plot in the second quest, it's enough of a difference to make a Tezuka fanboy geek out. I have to admit, the final battle against Atlas while Blackjack is furiously operating on a girl (Prime Rose, actually, another Tezuka character that had her own manga) during the battle is a Tezuka fan's dream come scenario true. The game is really a celebration of Tezuka's creations by putting them all in the same universe.

[Animusubi]

If you have the time, you should absolutely try to persevere through Astro Boy. It's a tough game if you're playing on Normal and up but it's beatable if you're determined enough. You could say the second time around is just an excuse to extend the game a la Ghouls and Ghosts, but the story really carries the momentum through it well, and when all these other famous Tezuka characters start figuring into the plot in the second quest, it's enough of a difference to make a Tezuka fanboy geek out. I have to admit, the final battle against Atlas while Blackjack is furiously operating on a girl (Prime Rose, actually, another Tezuka character that had her own manga) during the battle is a Tezuka fan's dream come scenario true. The game is really a celebration of Tezuka's creations by putting them all in the same universe.

Are you talking about the one for the GBA? Because that game was awesome, I played through it on Normal twice. I'm kinda sad I don't own it anymore, I should really re-buy it. I loved seeing the little cameo of Unico! <3

[llj]

Yup, the GBA Astro Boy is the Astro Boy game to own. I'm glad I got it when I did; it's pretty hard to find now. Of course, this makes up for the times I passed up on two other GBA games I should have got when I got the chance--Double Dragon Advance and Ninja 5-0. Those games are impossible to find now.

[greg]

There was an Astro Boy game for the Super Famicom (SNES in Japan) that was only so-so, and mostly played like a standard platformer. The one for the GBA is spectacular because it was developed by Treasure, the company who made Gunstar Heroes, Radiant Silvergun, Silhouette Mirage, Ikaruga, Gradius V, etc.

[llj]

There were TWO PS2 Astro Boy games as well, one of which was based on the recent CGI film. Both are nothing special. There was also a DS Astro Boy game that tried to use elements of the GBA game, but to underwhelming results.

[danth]

I just got Sonic's Ultimate Sega Collection for $20. It has Phantasy Start 1 - 4, which alone is worth the price, plus the first three Shining Force games and a bunch of other games. Loving it so far!

[greg]

I just got Sonic's Ultimate Sega Collection for $20. It has Phantasy Start 1 - 4, which alone is worth the price, plus the first three Shining Force games and a bunch of other games. Loving it so far!

Is that for the PS2? I have Phantasy Star 1-3 for my GBA, but unfortunatly no 4.

First 3 Shining Force games... Do you mean that includes Shining Force 3 originally for the Saturn? Or does that include Shining Force CD?

[danth]

For XBOX 360 and PS3. I was including Shining in the Darkness, along with Shining Force 1 and 2. Sorry about the mix up.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonic's_Ul ... Collection