What are you currently playing? 4.0

[Kiddington]

Yeah, Super Paper Mario isn't really a Paper Mario title at all. It's got cardboard flat character designs, and the writing is as witty as ever... but as far as gameplay goes, Paper Mario this ain't. It's a true, blue platformer through and through.

IMO, the battle system also sucked, while we're on the subject. Overly complicated, and very out of place in a game of this ilk. Despite that, I enjoyed the 3rd one for what it was... but still though, it was by far the weakest of the brood, and doesn't hold a candle to the best of what the M&L series (or Thousand Year Door, for that matter) has to offer.

So a game staring a paper Mario isn't Paper Mario? News to me?

And don't forget the story, guys. It easily has the best in the RPG series, and probably one of the best game stories ever.

Oh, Jesus; you know what I mean. 

It isn't an RPG; therefore, it doesn't play like a Paper Mario title, by definition of what we've come to expect from the franchise. It has RPG elements (story, battle system, etc.), but still heavily relies on platforming gameplay... and thus, it is not a true Paper Mario title, in terms of gameplay.

...but that's just my opinion.

[talonmalon333]

Yeah, Super Paper Mario isn't really a Paper Mario title at all. It's got cardboard flat character designs, and the writing is as witty as ever... but as far as gameplay goes, Paper Mario this ain't. It's a true, blue platformer through and through.

IMO, the battle system also sucked, while we're on the subject. Overly complicated, and very out of place in a game of this ilk. Despite that, I enjoyed the 3rd one for what it was... but still though, it was by far the weakest of the brood, and doesn't hold a candle to the best of what the M&L series (or Thousand Year Door, for that matter) has to offer.

So a game staring a paper Mario isn't Paper Mario? News to me?

And don't forget the story, guys. It easily has the best in the RPG series, and probably one of the best game stories ever.

Oh, Jesus; you know what I mean. 

It isn't an RPG; therefore, it doesn't play like a Paper Mario title, by definition of what we've come to expect from the franchise. It has RPG elements (story, battle system, etc.), but still heavily relies on platforming gameplay... and thus, it is not a true Paper Mario title, in terms of gameplay.

...but that's just my opinion.

But it IS an RPG. Turn-based combat isn't the only type of RPG.

[gunswordfist]

I got a bit higher on the area on Bayonetta I am on. Jesus Christ, this game easily gets the Award For Best Level Design in a Hack n Slash.

[Foggle]

Apparently LA Noire is rated Z in Japan. That's the rating they give porn games like RapeLay and Battle Raper 2 and OH GOD WHY CAN I PRODUCE THE NAMES OF JAPANESE PORN GAMES OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD?

Anyway, yeah; didn't see that coming. There's no explicit tentacle loli or guro incest anywhere in LA Noire, so I'm not really sure why they'd do that. This means it won't be sold in stores, not that anyone in Japan would buy it in the first place.

[gunswordfist]

On Tuesday night I tried to beat Streets Of Rage 2 on Hard mode. I think that was the first time I tried. Hard mode is a great motivator for me. I got up to the Baseball stadium with 8 lives without dying. Then that damned G. Signal killed me. I got up to the beach and got Game Overed by the bosses there. Will try again later today

[gunswordfist]

Yesterday I finally beat Bayonetta. This gen needs more long hack n slash games

[Spark Of Spirit]

DOOM II.

Which I don't think I ever played as a kid. I don't remember much of anything other than the Chainsaw in the first level, but I think everyone knows about that. Either way, IMO it's the better game of the two.

[gunswordfist]

I started playing Arkham Asylum again. I haven't played it since the one day at the end of last month where I got to the last area in the demo. I got up to the medical area this time.

[Dr. Ensatsu-ken]

I've been alternating between BioShock 2 and Halo 3: ODST. I'll post my thoughts on BioShock 2 when I play some more of it over the next few days, in the BioShock thread. As for ODST, I'm actually really liking it. I think the game got some understandable hate from people in terms of being over-priced at its launch (it is most certainly not a game worth its full-price), however the single-player mode is certainly quite fun. Its very different from other Halo games since you have to take way more cover, even on Normal mode, and you have to vary your tactics since ODST troopers are far weaker than Spartans, but its still retains its fun gameplay mechanics. Also its easily the most challenging Halo game, which I kind of like because other Halo games can get too easy, even on Legendary, once you really learn the intricacies of the game's mechanics and the enemies AI (the same may prove true for this game, of course, but its worth mentioning that even on Normal mode you still have to play carefully).

This game definitely isn't as good or well-designed as Reach, though. I have a feeling that I would have liked this game more than I do now if I had played it before Reach, but Reach really just feels like the pinnacle of the Halo series in terms of its single-player campaign mode. By comparison ODST feels a bit underwhelming, but its still fun, overall. I think its certainly worth the price at $10, so I'm glad that I waited for it to come down this much in price (of course I bought a used copy on top of that, which I would have done regardless of whether I bought it when it was new or not).

[Foggle]

With the releases of Deus Ex: Human Revolution, Project 2027, Hard Reset, and E.Y.E. nearly upon us, I feel it is time for me to begin my journey through the history of cyberpunk video games in honor of the bonanza that is about to unfold. As of right now, this expedition shall include:

Snatcher
Cyber-Lip
Shadowrun (SNES)
Shadowrun (Genesis)
Policenauts
BioForge
Hybrid Heaven
System Shock 2
Perfect Dark
Deus Ex
Fear Effect
Fear Effect 2
Anachronox
Oni

If there's time:
SiN Episode 1: Emergence (I really like this game, but its cyberpunk influences are barely there)
Deus Ex: Invisible War (it's not a terrible game, but it's certainly a mediocre one)
Beneath A Steel Sky

Anyone have any recommendations for games that I might have missed? Mods are acceptable too. Also, I'm curious as to which Shadowrun game people prefer and why, so any comments regarding that would be great!

[Spark Of Spirit]

DOOM II has such magnificent level design. It's tricky and clever without being too obtuse (though I had to check a FAQ for the Citadel since you actually HAVE to find a secret to progress, which was lame) and manages to have just enough tense moments without feeling tedious. Definitely one of the best FPS games I've ever played. It's also refreshing to play an FPS and actually wonder over which weapon to use.

You gonna play Policenauts with the fan translation patch, Foggle?

[Foggle]

Doom 2 is great! Can't say I prefer it to the original, as they're both equally awesome in my book. Are you playing the Xbox 360 port or are you going hardcore old-school running it on DOS and using only the keyboard?

There's a Policenauts English patch?
*checks*
Holy shit, there is! Thanks for the tip, I'll definitely be playing that one, too.

[Spark Of Spirit]

I'm playing it on the 360 since I had the points and wanted something fast and brutal. It's essentially DOOM 1 only beefier with more going on, but I like the idea of it being one long game instead of broken up into episodes like the first one. Starting over with the pistol was kind of annoying and some of tricks are really clever in this one. I laughed quite a bit. Good show, Id!

I think I'm nearing the end, but it's been pretty fun so far with a surprising variety in level design.

[Foggle]

Yeah, id were fucking gods back in the day. They haven't done much this century, but Rage certainly looks awesome.

Adding the Fear Effect games to my list. Can't believe I forgot about those.

[Spark Of Spirit]

Hybrid Heaven? Nearomancer?  BioForge? Beneath A Steel Sky? There were quite a few of these games in the 90s and early 00s... But not so much anymore.