So, what you playing at the mo? Retro Edition

Myrddin

Retr0gamer wrote: »

Make sure you pick up Mass Effect 2 and 3 new. You'll miss out on content otherwise and the difference between the price of new and used copies is usually way more than the price of the online pass.

As in if I bought a used one, then having to buy a pass would cost more than buying it new?

Retr0gamer

EnterNow wrote: »

As in if I bought a used one, then having to buy a pass would cost more than buying it new?

Yep. TBH you should be able to get the second game for less than the price of the online pass. It should be in the sub 10 euro zone so you might as well buy it new. Mass Effect 1 has no such online pass.

johnny_ultimate

EnterNow wrote: »

As in if I bought a used one, then having to buy a pass would cost more than buying it new?

Well it costs nearly fifteen euro for the online pass, so add that to the pre-owned cost if you want the full package. It's not necessarily vital for the second game - the content is very obviously tacked on, especially the extra character, to the point where it almost felt like a waste of time - but the online features definitely enhance the third. But yeah, if there's only a few euro in the difference, splash out on the new copy.

Retr0gamer

Ah Zaeed. When he died in the last mission (not a spoiler since it's based on how you did) it felt like a victory.

johnny_ultimate

Retr0gamer wrote: »

Ah Zaeed. When he died in the last mission (not a spoiler since it's based on how you did) it felt like a victory.

"Are you sure you would like to send Zaeed into the noxious pipe? Thalia is immune to the gas."

"You sent Zaeed into the noxious pipe"

Retr0gamer

Was kind of annoyed at the end of his sub mission when he was acting like a spoiled little baby and whining that I got renegade points for telling him he was a dick and to stop acting like an idiot. He guy tried to kill innocent civilians so he could get his revenge and the nice thing to do was side with him? Thankfully I was ignoring the paragon/renegade system which is totally stupid so it was still satisfying.

johnny_ultimate

He showed up in ME3 at one point. Completely forget why (something about a smuggler?)

That's what annoyed me about the third, actually. Many of the great characters reduced to mere cameos. Replaced by generic crewmate no. 3

CiDeRmAn

The original Mass Effect reeked of Star Wars: The Old Republic, sharing much DNA with the established franchise.
In fact I can remember it coming in for some flak as it was felt by many reviewers to be a Star Wars game but with a weaker IP supporting the familiar mechanics.
The follow ups distanced themselves from the KOTOR template, introducing proper realtime battles, to the extent that it did become a 3rd person cover shooter in part, losing something in the process.

CiDeRmAn

Had a good gaming session last night,
Started with some Super Mario Bros 3, Super Mario Bros, Parodius and Balloon Fight on the Famicom, then moved to Super's Empire and Jedi on the Snes.
Later then a couple of hours of RAGE on the PS3.
Topped off with Binary Domain before dozing off at 2:30am.... the lightweight that I am!

BrookieD

Hi All,
Looking for a bit of gaming retro advice. I have a Lenovo Alp top running Windows 8 - using it to play some MAME stuff at the moment with a USB connected PS3 non duleshock controller. Connection is a bit hit an mis with motioninjoy application i have. Any recommendations on a better piece of software to have a reliable avenue to connect the PS3 controller as my joystick of choice.


Looking to get into PSX, SNES, Mega Drive(to lesser extent), Neo Geo any recommendtaions on best emulators to work on windows?

Cheers
Darren

Retr0gamer

You really should not be using motioninjoy software on your PC. The software sends back information on your PC back to chinese servers, whatever they are using.

There's information about it here as well as a recommendation for drivers you should be using:

http://blog.hardcoregaming101.net/2011/08/ps3-sixaxis-on-x64-windows-pc.html

TBH your best bet is to get a wired 360 pad or better yet a 360 fightstick.

Steve X2

Wireless 360 pad and wireless adapter on the pc works great for me.
You can hook up pretty much any 360 pad or accessories to the pc, including the wireless headset if that's your sort of thing.

MrVestek

Steve SI wrote: »

Wireless 360 pad and wireless adapter on the pc works great for me.
You can hook up pretty much any 360 pad or accessories to the pc, including the wireless headset if that's your sort of thing.

Used it on Skype once before... the results were not pretty.

seanmacc

Achilles wrote: »

Used it on Skype once before... the results were not pretty.

Used an old PS2 eyetoy as a webcam on Skype at one point. It actually wasn't that bad once the rooms was bright enough.

MrVestek

Right but the mic that comes with the Xbox is pants. I used the older Xbox Vision camera as a webcam for a while and it's quite competent.

BrookieD

BrookieD wrote: »

Any recommendations on a better piece of software to have a reliable avenue to connect the PS3 controller as my joystick of choice.

Have you thought about using a PS2 pad instead? They're virtually identical to PS3 ones apart from the cable, and I think the triggers are actually better and more responsive on them than the big spongey triggers on the PS3 pads. Anyway, the point is, you can get ps2 pad to USB adapters fairly cheap on shamazon or fleabay which make them connect to your PC.

Might be worth a shot.

Also, for SNES games on PC, i can recommend this bit of kit.

kitakyushu

Playing a lot of puzznic atm. Honestly you still get a great buzz when you clear a level.

It looks like nothing in that video but I think it's one of the best designed games I've ever played in terms of correctly tuning the increasing levels of difficulty.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMAEaB7fG5o

o1s1n

Just to reiterate, anyone who hasn't played through Phantasy Star IV, do so now.

Myrddin

Test Drive - Ferrari Legends. The control input system feels 'off', there's about a 1/2 second lag or something at times which is a racing/sim type game...ruins it. Feels a lot more 'sim' like than Forza 4/Horizon, & as such the controller really needs to be replaced with a wheel.

Retr0gamer

o1s1n wrote: »

Just to reiterate, anyone who hasn't played through Phantasy Star IV, do so now.

I agree. You noticing a lot of FFVII is there like I did?

CiDeRmAn

A new Test Drive game?
Sounds interesting, might invest, single marque racers can be interesting and great, Outrun 2006, or interesting but flawed, Alfa Romeo SCAR and Mercedes with World Racer. However they are almost always interesting!

Myrddin

CiDeRmAn wrote: »

A new Test Drive game?
Sounds interesting, might invest

I wouldn't go splashing any sort of double digit coin on this title man, it lacks polish. Wait for a used copy for €8 or something

murphyebass

I dont know if its considered "Retro". Probably not in fairness as it was only one console ago but seen as my flat screen broke and I had an old CRT hooked up I thought I'd hook it up.

Time Crisis 2 for PS2. Just some great arcade action fun. Loved every second of it. Pity you cant get this series for the xbox. The only exclusive on the Playstation that I miss.

Also gave Devil May Cry a go. Didnt play this when it came out for some reason but picked it up recently for next to nothing second hand. Having started it last night I'll definately keep at it. Was at a spider boss last night fairly early on and I had to give up for the evening as it was annoying me too much. Hope all the bosses arent this tough. Other than that I like how theres not too much puzzle to it though just hack and slash. Fairly linear stuff which I quite like if I'm honest.

Retr0gamer

murphyebass wrote: »

Hope all the bosses arent this tough.

Spoiler: They get worse.

Tough. Tough but fair.

DBK

Just installed the original command and conquer on my laptop to see if it still works. Clearing out my attic and found a load of pc games and my ps2 with about 30 games. Have all the MOHAA for pc, BF1942 and a star trek armada jobbie that's like command and conquer. Gonna have some fun over the weekend. Also found Simon the sourcer on floppy disk..WTF?

murphyebass

Retr0gamer wrote: »

Spoiler: They get worse.

Tough. Tough but fair.

Ok looks like I wont be finishing it so.

I just dont have the patience for gaming that I once had not that I had much in the beginning to be fair.

Its a shame cause it does seem like a decent game.

o1s1n

Retr0gamer wrote: »

I agree. You noticing a lot of FFVII is there like I did?

Exactly this! Certain 'moments' (without wanting to ruin any surprises) are very very similar.

Not to mention the whole sci fi/fantasy look to the game.

Dare I say it, it's a better game than FF VII.

Retr0gamer

I get the feeling FFVII was a reaction to both Dragon Quest V and Phantasy Star 4. Both of those games absolutely wipe the floor with Squares output on the SNES in terms of storytelling. Squaresoft just didn't have the writers to pull off anything near as good and a lot of scenes in FFVII that emulate moments in those games come across as poor attempts to copy them. FFVII's rough development is a big factor as well.

I never thought Square would see Phantasy Star as a competitor since it was on the Megadrive which was hardly popular in Japan but they were obviously scoping the competition which I find interesting.

As for it being better than FFVII? It definitely is. It looks better, some of the monster pixel art in PS4 is glorious. The story is way better. The macros based battle system is wonderful compared to the ponderous battles of FFVII and there's a lot more strategy than FFVII which was way too easy. Soundtracks are about equivalent.

Now is it better than Chrono Trigger I think is the big question that is harder to answer.

o1s1n

Well for one, the battle system in PS IV is far better than Chrono Trigger. It really is a joy. I find myself being caught off guard by many random battles and really having to strategize to keep everyone alive. Chrono Trigger on the other hand can fall victim to just pressing 'attack' for everyone each turn.

As for storytelling, I'll come back to you when I'm finished the game So far though I'd put that well on par with Chrono Trigger. The anime cut scenes are really something else. A lot of the in battle monster sprites have me doing a duble take to make sure I'm still playing a MD game. They look amazing.

Retr0gamer

Played a bit of Secret of Mana today with Sera. Such a great game especially in co-op. Then we played Panel de Pon on the SNES in vs. It's one of the very best puzzle games. Sera absolutely thrashed me