So, what you playing at the mo? Retro Edition

The Nal

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123113522#Comment_123113522

Trick Track Trek, Tanked Up Trouble and the Mine cart levels are as good as platformers get/have ever gotten.

Inviere

Half Life 2 is done now. I'd genuinely forgotten how massive an improvement it was, over the already incredible first installment. Amazing, amazing game, loved every single bit of it….a 'modern' masterpiece.

Mr.Saturn

Currently on my 7th Yakuza game and haven't learned to stop trying to squeeze a couple hours in before work — trying to clear up before endgame and am currently on my third 15+ minute cutscene. I wouldn't mind, but you do get invested in twists so never quite feel like skipping them.

unky chop chop

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123149146#Comment_123149146

Ahh tis really a classic...20 odd years old now .

Think I'll revisit it tomorrow as it's been a long time . Just thinking of some classic moments in that game, there are so many that take your breath away. Forgot about the gman . Freaky mother fecker. Just a class game on every level and aspect

Did you go through episode one and two also .

Inviere

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123149510#Comment_123149510

I'll kick off with episode 1 tomorrow. The HL2 Update and Mmod combination work great for the episodes too

unky chop chop

Im finally giving the Yakuza series a go. I love shemue , Sega and the gameplay , collectibles, mini games and the fighting style combos ala VF but for some reason or another just never got into Yakuza.

Whats the best title to begin with. I'm starting with kimami . Is that a good starting point ?

johnny_ultimate

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123198508#Comment_123198508

I’d say Yakuza 0 is pretty widely regarded as the best entry point (and arguably a series peak), though Kiwami is perfectly fine too. 0 just gets the tone perfect - that mix of serious and ultra goofy that really defines the series. Plus obviously it’s the first main narrative game chronologically too (outside the samurai spin offs) so isn’t weighed down by the insanely convoluted story that develops over the course of the series.

Personally I prefer the new, turn-based iteration of the series which begins with Like a Dragon - just because the new protagonist Ichiban is an all-timer character. While it still has a lot of narrative and lore baggage (especially in its sequel), that’s also be a good entry point as it’s a fresh start of sorts. But mileage will vary, depending on what you prefer combat wise - brawling or turn based JRPG combat.

unky chop chop

Ohhh I thought kiwami was a remake of 0. Ove not a breeze about the series . I've started so I'll finish anyway .cheers

Scrap that ...I see kimami has no arcade cab games in the arcade !!! Feck that . I want a Sega arcade rammed with old school titles

unky chop chop

Like a dragon it is . QTE scene at the start . And I spy a sega arcade on the map as soon as I start .

Now we are talking 😀

unky chop chop

That's the ticket , row of blast city's with vf2 , Astros with fantasy zone, space harrier cab and a Lindbergh with vf5.

Maybe I should just find an racer instead of living vicariously through a game to play another game😂

Retr0gamer

I played a little of the Yakuza games but like a dragon was the first I put serious time into and finished and it's an absolute gem. They basically just copied the dragon quest 3 battle system and ichiban is fantastic. The only issue is it's a little easy until near the end when it ramps up and the boss fights are incredible. Ended up finishing it and all the side quests and had an absolute ball doing it.

unky chop chop

Yeah played a bit earlier and I'm liking it. The combat system is actually very good and your bang on, it's exactly like Dragon quest .

I can see myself sinking some time into it !

A nice little diamond I've unearthed that I've never played before . I love when that happens ...which is very rare this day and age

Mr.Saturn

Playing Like a Dragon myself at the minute. 30 hours in and having hardly moved critical path, it’s just an everything game. There’s everything in there to grind away, even the fetch nonsense has a good framing around to keep it plodding along.

PS2Collector

Non Retro : Last of Us 2

Retro : Cannon Fodder 2 (Amiga) , Dune Battle for Arrakis (Megadrive)

unky chop chop

Ahhh dune . I rented that out for the megadrive when we went to Wexford for a week's holiday .

Spent the whole week locked In my room harvesting spice :)

A great c&c type game

Inviere

Half Life 2: Episodes 1, 2, & Lost Coast all now completed. Thoroughly, thoroughly, enjoyed all of them. All that's left for me now is Alyx, which I need to borrow a VR set to play. Such a shame we never got EP3 to close out the story.

Not sure what to play now! I need a retro game to go go back to (still don't see HL2 as any way retro)

The Nal

I have the Orange box here - have had for 10 years - unopened.

Maybe today is the day.

unky chop chop

Cracking games you never know, there may be halflife 3. Just stick on the old tinfoil hat and listen to all the propaganda spouted every second day ...leaks ..confirmations . It's been going on for years , there are actually new fresh leaks and propaganda released in recent weeks that seem plausible, however I I think we will be flying around in daloreans and hover skateboards before we see it

Retr0gamer

I'm a good bit into Dragon Quest 3 remake and it's a fascinating game. You can really see why it's so beloved in Japan. It just nails everything.

Of course the first two games were quite successful but Dragon Quest 3 blew up due to Toriyama's involvement in the art and Dragonball being huge at the time. However if the game was awful things would have been very different and thankfully it's fantastic.

The first two games are quite simple, the first is pretty short and linear and the second disguises it's linearity by opening up the world map to the player but frustrates by having the player constantly search for the next progression trigger.

Dragon Quest 3 on the other hand is brilliantly structured in terms of player progression. The game starts you on a small island with a mini quest to complete which leads to a corridor under the sea with branching paths hinting at the non linearity later on. This then opens up the world map but progress is still fairly linear although you can explore and discover some optional stuff off the beaten path. Then you start gaining keys which let you open locked doors, many of which you have already passed.

After a bit more questing you unlock a ship and the whole world map opens up. However instead of there being one linear path like DQ2 or even other modern RPGs, you are given 6 macguffins to find, which means your exploration is far from aimless and you are progressing 6 separate quest threads.

The story as well starts off pretty simple and while it's not amazing it's a big step up from every other 8bit JRPG of the time. Not every town has a subplot but many of them do and some are surprisingly dark. The game will also surprise you with some quite touching moments at points.

As a result it's a game that keeps escalating its scope as you play and constantly surprises you. It's just a heap of fun.

CiDeRmAn

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123222820#Comment_123222820

You can download the NOVR patch for Alyx and play it that way, no need for the fancy headwear!

DaveyDave

Is the original Half Life a must? Found it hard to get into, but hate that I haven't played either of the games!

Retr0gamer

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123370732#Comment_123370732

It's a bit wonky like old PC fps games but work sticking with and short enough. There's a great game there once you get used to it and adapt to how old PC fps games play. Basically, make use of quick saves.

I'd highly recommend the black mesa source remake as well which is the resi 2 remake to the original game.

Inviere

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123370642#Comment_123370642

Nah I'd rather play it as intended, then maybe afterwards the novr patch. I have a lend of a Quest 3 whenever I want it so just need to find a stretch of time to give it!

johnny_ultimate

Unless you physically can’t experience VR (a genuine problem for plenty of people!) or absolutely will never have access to a VR headset, it’d be a real shame to play Alyx in a non-VR mod. Its special sauce is what the VR adds to it - truly a one-of-a-kind experience in that sense, as seems increasingly unlikely anyone else will put out another AAA blockbuster like it for VR.

I’m glad there is an avenue for people who won’t experience the VR version, for whatever legitimate reasons. And increasingly it’s hard to justify outright buying a VR headset - given the medium has an increasingly uncertain future when it comes to software support. But yeah, in VR the thing is transcendent in a way a flat screen mod and traditional controllers will fail to capture.

unky chop chop

Playing Oblivion remastered at the mo.

I don't really consider it retro but it's 20 plus years old I've just read. Ahh great game, I've decided to pick a woman for my journey and doe some reason shes turned out like angelena jolie and Is wearing next to nothing !

Bloody random character generation 😀