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[Alex Connolly]

I agree with the cookie cutter crap but there is a lot of unique content. However, it is definitely skewed towards some consoles and not others. The greatest thing to come this generation is downloadable games. Shatter, SSHD, Flower, and geometry wars come to mind off the top of the head. It really needs to be explored more though. I would absolutely love the PC indie scene to get more involved in this than they already are. In any case its the best thing to come out of this generation. That and Drakes Fortune.

I dunno, I think the console DD market is a tenth of what the PC indie scene is like. You've got all sorts of great puzzlers arriving on the scene, like Tidalis, along with interesting games like Chubigans' The Oil Blue...plus, you've got great throwbacks like Cortex Command, as well as "hardcore" multiplayer games likes Frozen Synapse, Plain Sight etc. I guess the thing in, the PC scene is scattershot across the web, whereas there's only the marketplace. Wiiware and PSN where you get to see titles of the same ilk.

 

[Shurs]

Safari's gif rendering is fucking terrible. Use any other browser and that won't happen; tax your MacBook with any other form of content and that won't happen.

Good to know. I've just started using Firefox, so hopefully that will hep to avoid the freezing issues that happen with Safari and gifs on GAF.

 

[Kilrogg]

So few GB/GBA games have actually maintained value, you're much better off just buying the carts you want and emulating the games on whatever portable you choose; PSP emulates GBA, pretty much everything will emulate the GB. I know that's not exactly productive for the "discovering new games" aspect of the VC, but it does help with the "replaying old classics" aspect.

I know, I know, but I like the convenience of having everything on one system, and I like to buy games when I can (versus emulating them), even if they're just digital copies. At least I'm sure that the emulation is good, although I once read that Commodore 64 games for instance weren't emulated all that well on the VC, for instance. Plus I'm one of those weird people who tend to lose interest fairly quickly when they can just download everything for free and have a massive library in a mere hour. Ideally my handheld system (say, a 3DS) would play games from the previous gen and have a digital library comprised of all the games I've ever had for the GB (never had a GBA) + all the games I wanted at the time but never could buy.

(Also, last time I checked — admittedly a while ago — the GB emulator on the DS tank didn't emulate Link's Awakening perfectly. The framerate was off.)

For those reasons I won't take your advice, Stump, but I appreciate it nonetheless.

 

[Earl Cazone]

I dont buy shooters and I'm still getting tired of them. I got the first resistance with my ps3 i bought some time ago and damn is it shitty and boring.
recently i played modern warfare 2 and it also was: boring.
i just dont get the appeal of running around and shooting stuff anymore.
its always the same. I watch videos of new shooters and think "hell, what are they thinking, its the same like that other game"

i really enjoy games like flower and braid. but retail games are lacking variety this generation. at least on ps3/360.
just give me bg&e2 already

 

[LCfiner]

Good to know. I've just started using Firefox, so hopefully that will hep to avoid the freezing issues that happen with Safari and gifs on GAF.

FYI, Safari on 10.6 on 64 bit systems is fine for gifs. Chrome is still slow and firefox (or camino) will run circles around either of them.

back on topic:

As an older gamer with less free time nowadays, count me in with those happy with the rise of the 10 hour SP campaign for action games.

I can handle long RPG playtimes since there's an ebb and flow of action and dialogue that allows me to play for extended periods without thinking about it.

but action games wear me out after a couple hours and I'm than happy to get through the experience in less than 10-12 hours. Anything more and I know it'll just remain unfinished.

 

[jim-jam bongs]

I dunno, I think the console DD market is a tenth of what the PC indie scene is like. You've got all sorts of great puzzlers arriving on the scene, like Tidalis, along with interesting games like Chubigans' The Oil Blue...plus, you've got great throwbacks like Cortex Command, as well as "hardcore" multiplayer games likes Frozen Synapse, Plain Sight etc. I guess the thing in, the PC scene is scattershot across the web, whereas there's only the marketplace. Wiiware and PSN where you get to see titles of the same ilk.

While it's obviously not exhaustive, Steam is a good place to start:

http://store.steampowered.com/genre/Indie/

 

[Shiggy]

I would love to see some 3D platformers again.

 

[Majmun]

So again, when someone intimates that they own consoles and they're not satisfied with the lineup of the consoles they own, it makes more sense to suggest different platforms than it is to assume they were just too dumb to check out the platform they own

I think the OP's post and many of the posts in this thread are best responded to by telling them to check out the PC, because of the nature of the complaints. Again, that's not to say there aren't problems with PC gaming, but it's to say that the sort of problems brought up in this thread are pretty much ripe for pointing out the existence of PC gaming.

Yeah, the OP can check out the PC for the creative games. There are tons of those. He doesn't even need to upgrade his pc to play most of those games. But when people recommend to check out the PC for true HD, then it's a bit strange. Considering the true HD games on the PC are often the "generic" games that are also available on the consoles. And the OP seems to dislike those game, apparently. So he should upgrade to the PC to play the games he hates, but now in true HD?

But I'm never going to stop him. PC gaming is amazing if you want to get the most out of a game technically. When it comes to creativity, the PC is also never a bad choice. And I'd fully recommed the OP to check it out. But the PC is also flooded with fps games and other "generic" stuff that's also available on the consoles. But in true HD

 

[Stumpokapow]

I know, I know, but I like the convenience of having everything on one system, and I like to buy games when I can (versus emulating them), even if they're just digital copies. At least I'm sure that the emulation is good, although I once read that Commodore 64 games for instance weren't emulated all that well on the VC, for instance. Plus I'm one of those weird people who tend to lose interest fairly quickly when they can just download everything for free and have a massive library in a mere hour. Ideally my handheld system (say, a 3DS) would play games from the previous gen and have a digital library comprised of all the games I've ever had for the GB (never had a GBA) + all the games I wanted at the time but never could buy.

I wasn't suggesting piracy. I was suggesting buying the carts for around the same price that they'd cost on a virtual handheld and then emulating them. Certainly the emulation quality might be a little iffy, so that reason definitely holds up, but I just want to make it clear that I wasn't suggesting piracy

 

[the nightman cometh]

I am thoroughly enjoying this gen, yes there is a surplus of shooters but I love HD and there are plenty of unique games out there if you look hard enough.

 

[Gravijah]

Buy a wii. Thank me later.

Now that I have one, do you have any non-obvious/niche games to recommend? Stuff other than NMH, SMG, etc etc

 

[Stumpokapow]

Now that I have one, do you have any non-obvious/niche games to recommend? Stuff other than NMH, SMG, etc etc

Non-obvious?

 

[inner-G]

This gen needs more traditional jrpgs.

Playing DQIX really showed me what ive been missing. Last great console rpg was persona 4, imo.

 

[Alex Connolly]

While it's obviously not exhaustive, Steam is a good place to start:

http://store.steampowered.com/genre/Indie/

Indeed, but I guess that's the thing...you can't throw a virtual stone on the net without hitting a little corner where an indie or small dev is peddling their wares. Some handle it by themselves, others hit steam, others Gamersgate, Direct2Drive, Impulse, etc. etc. Spoiled for choice!

 

[Sipowicz]

This gen needs more traditional jrpgs.

Playing DQIX really showed me what ive been missing. Last great console rpg was persona 4, imo.

valyria chronicles and last remnant are very good

demon souls is supposed to be really good too

 

[Stumpokapow]

This gen needs more traditional jrpgs.

Playing DQIX really showed me what ive been missing. Last great console rpg was persona 4, imo.

I really feel like Lost Odyssey is an alternate reality sequel to the PS1 FF games / FFX. Some people didn't like it as much as I did, but I really loved it.

valyria chronicles and last remnant are very good

demon souls is supposed to be really good too

"Valyria" Chronicles isn't a jRPG, and Demon's Souls definitely isn't.

 

[Calcaneus]

I actually think this gen has finally started to get really good in the past year or so. Better games are coming out and I can get cool games like Stranglehold or Mirror's Edge for super cheap.

I can't believe people actually want a new gen to start, do you wanna go through this all over again?

 

[Nickiepoo]

What has kept that series away from the PS3, by the way?

No clue I'm afraid, google doesn't seem to turn anything up about a forthcoming release for PSN or some kind of exclusivity deal so I can only conclude that Sony wasn't interested. Maybe Hori didn't want to do another run of Twinsticks and Sony didn't think it worthwhile without them.

With the deluge of crap flowing from devs/pubs this gen, those game have been acceptions to the rule.

As far as I can see, every gen has had a deluge of crap. Though perhaps you're talking about what you see to be low quality mainstream games rather than the flood of shovel-ware that exists in every generation.

In which case there is a sense in which I agree with you when a fun, but 'didn't interest me for long' game like MW2 can destroy the charts I can't help feel a little bitter when looking at 'better' games going relatively ignored.

 

[APZonerunner]

I really feel like Lost Odyssey is an alternate reality sequel to the PS1 FF games / FFX. Some people didn't like it as much as I did, but I really loved it.

I loved it too. When I explain it, I always say "this is Sakaguchi's FF12." It really is. It even has the airship owning Cid... kind of. And other slight, but deliberate FF nods.

 

[demosthenes]

Even though I hate the trend of some types of DLC and online stuff. This gen gave me LBP, Rock Band & Uncharted.

 

[Deleted member 30609]

Now that I have one, do you have any non-obvious/niche games to recommend? Stuff other than NMH, SMG, etc etc

Zak and Wiki is a must if you have any interest in puzzle/adventure games. The limited number of continues is offensive, but if you can get passed it, there's a whole lot of good there. Good luck finding it!

World of Goo on Wiiware, if you haven't played it, was one of my favourite games of 2008 (or was it 09?).

 

[Stumpokapow]

Even though I hate the trend of some types of DLC and online stuff. This gen gave me LBP, Rock Band & Uncharted.

two out of the three of which are DLC-driven online-driven games. hahaahah

 

[Gravijah]

Non-obvious?

Exactly what I was talking about, thanks.

Zak and Wiki is a must if you have any interest in puzzle/adventure games. The limited number of continues is offensive, but if you can get passed it, there's a whole lot of good there. Good luck finding it!

World of Goo on Wiiware, if you haven't played it, was one of my favourite games of 2008 (or was it 09?).

Zak And Wiki! I remember when that was 10 dollars around here... Wonder if I can still find it.

 

[Kilrogg]

I wasn't suggesting piracy. I was suggesting buying the carts for around the same price that they'd cost on a virtual handheld and then emulating them. Certainly the emulation quality might be a little iffy, so that reason definitely holds up, but I just want to make it clear that I wasn't suggesting piracy

No you did, you filthy pirate. In all seriousness, I wasn't suggesting that either. If we take Link's Awakening as an example again, I own it on the GB. In fact, I owned it twice (original, then DX on the GBC). But simply emulating it on my DS wouldn't feel right. The biggest reason is of course that the emulation won't be 99-100% accurate, but even if it were, it just isn't the same as being able to get the official pixel-perfect emulated version on an official service on my system. Of course the best solution would be to be able to download the games you own on cartridge for free on the VC, but since that will never realistically happen, all I'm hoping for is transferrable downloads from Wii to Wii 2... And a VC service for the 3DS, damn it! I'm not holding my breath.

And, come on, you gotta love the Wii and DS shops tunes. Really feels like you're doing some video games shopping .

 

[Alex Connolly]

No clue I'm afraid, google doesn't seem to turn anything up about a forthcoming release for PSN or some kind of exclusivity deal so I can only conclude that Sony wasn't interested. Maybe Hori didn't want to do another run of Twinsticks and Sony didn't think it worthwhile without them.

Makes me cry big metal tears. You'd think there'd be a large section of the Japanese market they could snag with a PSN release of VOOT.

Still, land a few clanging melee smashes for me. I'll be cheering on from afar.

 

[Gravijah]

And, come on, you gotta love the Wii and DS shops tunes. Really feels like you're doing some video games shopping .

The Wii having music everywhere is so awesome. So much better than the eerie silence of the PS3 and 360!

 

[Stumpokapow]

The Wii having music everywhere is so awesome. So much better than the eerie silence of the PS3 and 360!

360's got custom soundtracks, though, so you could just get mp3s of the Wii music and play them while buying stuff on the 360. IIRC the Japanese Club Nintendo sells a Wii system music soundtrack.

 

[Q8D3vil]

My gen has no beginning. It has no end. Step into infinity. Play PC games.

that's your answer op.
1080p and 60 fps

 

[Deleted member 30609]

Silent Hill: Shattered Memories is another Wii game worth playing. It has some problems, but I really admired what they did with it.

 

[Gravijah]

360's got custom soundtracks, though, so you could just get mp3s of the Wii music and play them while buying stuff on the 360. IIRC the Japanese Club Nintendo sells a Wii system music soundtrack.

Oh man, that would be awesome.

Silent Hill: Shattered Memories is another Wii game worth playing. It has some problems, but I really admired what they did with it.

That's high on my list. I need a good "horror" game, and it seems like it would be fun.

Ah yeah, and RE:UC and such! And RE4 Wii!

Man, I just can't shake this awesome feeling. I now have every single current gen console, and I feel so complete.

 

[Kilrogg]

360's got custom soundtracks, though, so you could just get mp3s of the Wii music and play them while buying stuff on the 360. IIRC the Japanese Club Nintendo sells a Wii system music soundtrack.

Wii system music on a 360? Eeeeww, that's the kind of porn that's too weird for my tastes.

[EDIT] Then again there's an New XBox Experience theme on USB Loader.

 

[Vinci]

I pretty much started disliking this gen when the whole $599! fiasco happened. That's when I had this premonition that told me we were all going to be royally screwed in some way, shape, or form. And it's been bittersweet to see my predictions about DLC from five to six years ago being proven more and more true with each passing year.

But hey, whatever... Handhelds are good, PC is awesome... I'm okay.

 

[genjiZERO]

every time this thread comes up I've bitched about how this is the worst gen I can remember since the Atari (which I disliked as a child) ruing the decline of JRPGs and quirky Japanese games and the bombardment of FPSs and market tested focus-ware - all of which have completely marginalized me and for the most part have pushed me out of gaming. Although I'm getting older too . . . But looking back now there are some great games that wouldn't have been possible in previous generations and have provided me with tremendous joy. Twilight Princess is how a 3D action game should play, and dare I say it's better than LttP. RockBand is (was?) the best social game I think I've ever played. And Lumines is the best puzzle game since Tetris, and I've probably played it more than any game this generation. But the thing these games all have in common is the use of contemporary technology to deliver their experiences. So while I agree with the sentiment that your average games are worse this generation there still have been enough novel gems to make it quite interesting.

 

[Deleted member 30609]

Man, I just can't shake this awesome feeling. I now have every single current gen console, and I feel so complete.

I had a similar feeling back in early 2008 when I bought my PS3. Except I just played Uncharted 1 a million times until GTA4 and MGS4 were released.

In hindsight, that was a weird period.

 

[Stumpokapow]

I don't see why not.

Valkyria is an srpg that happens to be made in Japan.

Demon's Souls is an action rpg made in Japan.

I'm sure that when the person I originally quoted said "traditional jrpgs", he was not intending for "jrpg" to mean "an rpg made in Japan", he was intending to refer to the category of games traditionally referred to as "jrpgs".

 

[Gravijah]

I had a similar feeling back in early 2008 when I bought my PS3. Except I just played Uncharted 1 a million times until GTA4 and MGS4 were released.

In hindsight, that was a weird period.

Hah, early/mid 2008 was when I bought my PS3 and it was my first of the 3 home consoles. Had to get the 80GB BC before it was killed off. Also had to play MGS4. Absolutely had to.

 

[LCfiner]

I don't see why not.

Valkyria is an srpg that happens to be made in Japan.

Demon's Souls is an action rpg made in Japan.

but in context of the post it was in response to, they're not "traditional jrpgs" and aren't good recommendations.

if inner-G wants more games like DQIX, then those two games are not the ones I'd recommend.

Lost Odyssey makes more sense.

 

[Stink]

well yes, but The Last Guardian.

waitforblackboard.gif

 

[BattleMonkey]

Seeing as most games don't run at 1080p, it really doesn't bother me. Even the games that do run at 1080p don't magically make me hate the games at 720p. Without someone telling you, most of the people here would not be able to tell 720p from 1080p in a game they were playing.

 

[BlueTsunami]

I got Demon Souls, Fallout 3 and Oblivion out of this gen so its been good. Need more RPGs like that instead of overly cinematic driven ones like Final Fantasy XIII.

 

[LCfiner]

Ah, traditional rpgs.

Yeah, those games are dead on consoles, sorry.

quiet, you.

/still waiting for Lost Odyssey 2

 

[Tenks]

Bad ass PC + PS3 = Cruise control to a great gen


-edit-

Oh yeah and DS + iPhone incase I need an old school RPG fix. <3 DQIX

 

[demosthenes]

two out of the three of which are DLC-driven online-driven games. hahaahah

Yea but I can understand the DLC in Rock Band. I can't expect more music for free when THEY have to pay for it. I think that would be silly to expect and endless stream of music for free.

LBP did online right. Yea they have costumes, some free and some pay.

I don't feel either of these games is ripping me off but you may feel differently.

I'm sick of the pre-order DLC. Or the unlocking multiplayer with a 5kb download code that costs $10. Or how map packs now cost $15 for 3 maps, but then again these may be worth it to other people and feel they're not getting ripped off. On the whole I don't like how the gaming industry is shifting towards micro transactions but a few games I think do it properly.

 

[Shurs]

I love this generation. Online play has added value to games that I would have set down months before had they not had it. Digital distribution has provided me with a bunch of excellent value-priced games, that either wouldn't have made it to consoles in previous generations, or would have been much more expensive.

 

[Tiduz]

i like the games this gen, i dont like the dlc scams this gen.

 

[Gravijah]

I got Demon Souls, Fallout 3 and Oblivion out of this gen so its been good. Need more RPGs like that instead of overly cinematic driven ones like Final Fantasy XII.

There's room for both.

 

[Nickiepoo]

Makes me cry big metal tears. You'd think there'd be a large section of the Japanese market they could snag with a PSN release of VOOT.

Still, land a few clanging melee smashes for me. I'll be cheering on from afar.

Will do mang, though Cypher isn't the best at that it never stops me trying (more so when my Bal-Bados playing buddy has already left his arms strewn around the battlefield, guffaw).

But you're right, most of the Japanese people I've played against (read: been destroyed by) generally have only VOOT, Tales of Vesperia and Ace Combat 6 as their played games which does make me think that it might be exclusivity at work.

If you ever do manage to put together the cash for the hardware, let us know and good times will be had.

 

[RockmanWhore]

I'm ok with the fact that most game don't run at 1080p, but what piss me off is all these games with low IQ and sub 30fps gameplay. Last gen on GC and PS2, 60fps was the norm I used to troll the XBox because most of its big games were running onlt at 30fps, and now, only small downloadable games are 30fps, even Insomniac Games don't like 60fps anymore :'(

Well, as long as there are PC version that's not too bad, and a solid 30fps is better than a shaky 60fps, but this gen, we get unstable 30fps, what will it be next? Unstable 20fps?

That said, I'm pretty happy with this gen when it comes to games, I always liked console shooter, and the genre is king now :lol Nintendo and Sony's first party are one fire, they've never been this good. Well, maybe Nintendo could have been even better with a true next gen hardware, but at least the Wii don't make RRoD or YLOD and they're not selling the shit at loss, as much as I like HD graphics, the PS360 business model is nasty.

 

[inner-G]

I really feel like Lost Odyssey is an alternate reality sequel to the PS1 FF games / FFX. Some people didn't like it as much as I did, but I really loved it.

It was pretty good, but not what i expect of a top-tier game. It was a really good B-tier game.

 

[Alucrid]

I dislike this gen for its lack of JRPGs and mecha games. At least here in the states.