Video Games - The Big Ones

[Mutatis-Mutandis]

It's that time of year again. Christmas is nearing, and that means all the good games are coming out. Christmas is a veritable orgasm of awesome games that all come out at the same time, and then we return to the barren rest-of-the-year, when we're lucky if even three worthwhile games come out.

I have four games on my list (do you italicize video game titles? I'll be lazy and not): Batman: Arkham City (already bought), Uncharted 3, Modern Warfare 3, and Skyrim. Batman was an awesome game. So awesome to fly through the city and grapple up buildings. Plus, the amount of villains they packed in is awesome. If you're a Batman fan like me, definitely worth your time.

I'm looking forward to Uncharted 3 and Modern Warfare 3. Uncharted 2 is still one of the greatest games ever made. I rarely play a game through more than once, and I've played it through 3 and a half times. I think it'll be near impossible for it to be topped by 3, but I have little doubt that 3 will be another game-of-the-year contender. As for Modern Warfare 3, what can I say? After I play everything else, MW3 multiplayer will be the extent of my gaming until next Christmas. People are giving it bad ratings because it's a lot like MW1 and MW2, but that's okay with me. Don't mess with a thing that works. Infinity Ward is smart, because they didn't, and it'll probably be the best selling video game of all time, just like MW1 and 2 were.

But my real excitement is for Skyrim. It. Looks. ****ing. Incredible. I don't like using the word "epic," but here it's apt. Huge map (16 square miles), armor and swords, shooting magic out of both hands at the same time, gorgeous graphics, what will surely be an awesome story, and tons of dragons, and possibly 300+ hours of gameplay. If this game is as awesome as I anticipate, Uncharted 3 and MW3 will be waiting a while to be unwrapped. Whereas I'm waiting for Christmas and asking for MW3 and Uncharted 3 as gifts, I'm going out and buying Skyrim. My grades and social life may suffer, but it's a risk I'm willing to take.

So, what games are you looking forward to?

[Charles Darnay]

I am also eagerly awaiting Skyrim. I loved Oblivion, despite its few obvious flaws which I'm hoping are resolved in this sequel. I'm also hoping my poor little laptop is ready for it without me having to invest too my extra money in external drivers.

Other that - I don't know, I'm not much of a gamer because I am not a fan of FPSs, which dominates most of the gaming market.

[Hurricane]

Half-Life 2: Episode 3. That's coming out soon, right?

Oh, wait...

[OrphanPip]

I don't often play video games either, I'm anticipating Skyrim too though, Oblivion was awesome, and Bethesda as a studio rarely disappoints me. Blizzard also has a tentative release date for Diablo III in Q1 of 2012, maybe as soon as January, I want it bad, so much of high school was eaten up by Diablo 2.

[Vonny]

I'm a Batman fan! Maybe there's a game for me. :blush5:

[JuniperWoolf]

I'm an RPGer, so my games all came out last Christmas (especially Fable III and Dragon Age II). I've actually never been addicted to a single FPS, not even Bioshock which is right up my ally, so this year I'm not looking forward to much. I always love WoW Christmas though (for the Horde!).

[OrphanPip]

I'm an RPGer, so my games all came out last Christmas (especially Fable III and Dragon Age II). I've actually never been addicted to a single FPS, not even Bioshock which is right up my ally, so this year I'm not looking forward to much. I always love WoW Christmas though (for the Horde!).

I should renew my account, I got cataclysm but I never bothered to play it. I just could never play WoW compulsively enough to be good at it, you seriously can't have a life and play that game well.

[JuniperWoolf]

I should renew my account, I got cataclysm but I never bothered to play it. I just could never play WoW compulsively enough to be good at it, you seriously can't have a life and play that game well.

I know, people who play WoW like a normal person are always so self-conscious, and for good reason. If you don't play brilliantly and know all of the terminology, you'll get your *** handed to you by the other players. I was almost completely silent for an entire year when I first started playing that game.

[Mutatis-Mutandis]

I am also eagerly awaiting Skyrim. I loved Oblivion, despite its few obvious flaws which I'm hoping are resolved in this sequel. I'm also hoping my poor little laptop is ready for it without me having to invest too my extra money in external drivers.
I'd love it play it on a super-powered PC. People always say that gives you the best graphics. Definitely don't have the money for it, though, and I love using an actual controller.

I don't often play video games either, I'm anticipating Skyrim too though, Oblivion was awesome, and Bethesda as a studio rarely disappoints me. Blizzard also has a tentative release date for Diablo III in Q1 of 2012, maybe as soon as January, I want it bad, so much of high school was eaten up by Diablo 2.
I've heard it's a lot like Fallout with the gameplay, which is just fine with me, because those games were brilliant.

I'm a Batman fan! Maybe there's a game for me. :blush5:
I think you'd like it. It's a total nostalgia trip for fans of the brilliant 90s cartoon, as all the characters are voiced by the same people. That voice is always how Batman will sound to me . . . not Bale's death metal growl.

I'm an RPGer, so my games all came out last Christmas (especially Fable III and Dragon Age II). I've actually never been addicted to a single FPS, not even Bioshock which is right up my ally, so this year I'm not looking forward to much. I always love WoW Christmas though (for the Horde!).
You're not looking forward to Skyrim? It looks like an RPGer's wet dream.

I can't go back to playing WoW. I can say I truly had an addiction in my life, and that was WoW. When I started dreaming that I was playing it nightly, I knew there was a problem. Every time I see the new stuff the next expansion gives, I feel this twinge, a longing to play.

If I ever do get off the wagon, I'll have no choice but to start fresh, as a few months back I was informed that my account was deleted because I bought an epic mount (that's how bad it got). Probably a good thing.

[Big Dante]

Indeed Skyrim and I have been drooling for years in anticipation of Diablo 3, luckily Diablo 2 still kicks booty after all these years.

[Lokasenna]

Damn you Bethesda, you would have to set the new Elder Scrolls game in Viking country...

I might wait a bit on Skyrim, actually. I loved Oblivion and Morrowind, but Bethesda does have a habit of releasing their games too early, meaning the first release is always a bit buggy. I'd prefer to get the game on PC as well, which will probably mean I'll need to do a bit of an overhaul on my old PC...

[Big Dante]

Damn you Bethesda, you would have to set the new Elder Scrolls game in Viking country...

I might wait a bit on Skyrim, actually. I loved Oblivion and Morrowind, but Bethesda does have a habit of releasing their games too early, meaning the first release is always a bit buggy. I'd prefer to get the game on PC as well, which will probably mean I'll need to do a bit of an overhaul on my old PC...

PC sure is the way to go :banana:

[jhampton002]

I can't wait for Skyrim. I went out yesterday and put the pre-order in. I played 1100+ hours of Oblivion. Now with Skyrim coming out, my social life is going to take a drop. Major drop now that I think of it, but I also think that the new Assassin's Creed is coming out and I may have to check that out down the road. I played Brotherhood and I loved it, hell I still play it all the time. I hope Revelations doesn't disappoint.

[Mutatis-Mutandis]

I loved the first Assassin's Creed. Was super stoked for the second, but then super disappointed when they changed the controls around so I couldn't play. I have to use my legs for the triggers since I can't hold the controller, and since you need to hold R1 to run, and R2 brings up your weapons menu, I couldn't hold down R1 without also hitting R2. If the new one has a customizable or different controls, I'll probably get it.

I don't get why they don't let you customize the controls any way you want on every game. It would make tons of games I can't play playable.

[JuniperWoolf]

You're not looking forward to Skyrim? It looks like an RPGer's wet dream.

The thing is, I've never played any other Elder Scrolls games so I'm not as excited for this one since I'm not a fan yet (not like Fable/FF/DA). I'll buy it and see how it goes.

[MystyrMystyry]

Five hours into Skyrim and it is definitely The Big One. It should keep me going all next year with replays, dlc, and mods.

the atmosphere feels a lot closer to Morrowind than Oblivion, but the overall effect - it exudes quality and a sense of depth that's been missing in games lately, perhaps owing to the history of the afore-mentioned, but I'm preparing for immersion all over again.

And I've already killed my first dragon, which was how I kept wanting Dragon Age to be in the big battles - first person that is. Haven't had any luck with the mammoths and giants yet though; they're ridiculously difficult and when they team up even worse. Need to level up my magic spells. All in good time...

There are a couple of niggles, but relatively minor, and having waited five years I don't want to let myself think that there's anything wrong with it.

The Q key is now a quick use button, which is a great idea for when the fights start raging (C is now the autowalk/run).


Time to get back there!

[Mutatis-Mutandis]

The thing is, I've never played any other Elder Scrolls games so I'm not as excited for this one since I'm not a fan yet (not like Fable/FF/DA). I'll buy it and see how it goes.
I've actually never played an Elder Scrolls game, either. Skyrim just looks great, and Fallout 3 was amazing.

Five hours into Skyrim and it is definitely The Big One. It should keep me going all next year with replays, dlc, and mods.

the atmosphere feels a lot closer to Morrowind than Oblivion, but the overall effect - it exudes quality and a sense of depth that's been missing in games lately, perhaps owing to the history of the afore-mentioned, but I'm preparing for immersion all over again.

And I've already killed my first dragon, which was how I kept wanting Dragon Age to be in the big battles - first person that is. Haven't had any luck with the mammoths and giants yet though; they're ridiculously difficult and when they team up even worse. Need to level up my magic spells. All in good time...

There are a couple of niggles, but relatively minor, and having waited five years I don't want to let myself think that there's anything wrong with it.

The Q key is now a quick use button, which is a great idea for when the fights start raging (C is now the autowalk/run).


Time to get back there!

Glad to hear positive feedback.

I heard, for console version, the main complaint is long load time and glitches. I can live with the load times if the game is good enough (which I'm sure it will be), and I can live with glitches as long as they're not horrible. Bethesda does have a habit of releasing glitchy games, though, but they usually get patched out pretty quick.

Getting it this afternoon. So stoked.

[Lokasenna]

The thing is, I've never played any other Elder Scrolls games so I'm not as excited for this one since I'm not a fan yet (not like Fable/FF/DA). I'll buy it and see how it goes.

Even as older games, they're well worth playing - I still go back to both Morrowind and Oblivion for enjoyment. And you can pick up the complete Morrowind (both expansions and extra DLC) for less than a tenner now.

[Vonny]

Since games are the wave of the future, hopefully someone will eventually create a game that renders the mythology correctly rather than being an abomination of the source material. A beautiful and accurate (and gory) rendering of mythology could be done that would inspire an interest for further study.

[MystyrMystyry]

You're going to love this Loki. Up in the mountains there's Borealis at night - done particularly realisticly) - and you can catch salmon in the river, fight a few Grendels with weapons and spells of your choice, and gather a small army to assist in bigger battles. The new caves and dungeons are great fun, and the general detail is amazing - it's just like being a mythological Viking (if you choose).

The new histories, literature and poetry fill in the world, while the old ones are still there for re-reading, and it all adds to the magic. Many times already I've been taken aback with the visuals and new scenery, the look and behavior of the monsters, completely forgetting it's a game.

At times it's breathtaking. I want to tell you everything I've discovered so far, but don't want to spoil it for you. There are things in it that just make you go @%#$! Did that just happen! I can't believe that just happened! I can't believe it's still happening!


Mutatis - load times on PC are invisible :)

Vonny - It has been tried, but usually it doesn't work well because the exposition of the plot doesn't translate, for the same reason it doesn't work in film either, no matter how expensive the effects and stunts - though maybe an actual scholar could submit a decent script.

300 was a start actually because it wasn't 'real' like The Iliad tried to be (which felt small and boring as a result). There was something about the chunky animations in Jason and the Argonauts that looked otherworldly when I was young.

I don't think digital animation (at least as it's been used so far) is the answer. A number of things have to come together really, like a good, visionary director who knows how to create believable tension and striking cinematic sequences - ah but perhaps that's another thread for another day...

[Mutatis-Mutandis]

Played about 6 or 7 hours (rough estimate) and can honestly say this is one of the best games I've played in a long, long time. I play on the PS3, and the load times aren't that bad.

[Lokasenna]

You're going to love this Loki. Up in the mountains there's Borealis at night - done particularly realisticly) - and you can catch salmon in the river, fight a few Grendels with weapons and spells of your choice, and gather a small army to assist in bigger battles. The new caves and dungeons are great fun, and the general detail is amazing - it's just like being a mythological Viking (if you choose).

The new histories, literature and poetry fill in the world, while the old ones are still there for re-reading, and it all adds to the magic. Many times already I've been taken aback with the visuals and new scenery, the look and behavior of the monsters, completely forgetting it's a game.

At times it's breathtaking. I want to tell you everything I've discovered so far, but don't want to spoil it for you. There are things in it that just make you go @%#$! Did that just happen! I can't believe that just happened! I can't believe it's still happening!


I'm really envious! I've been looking at the minimum specs required to run it though, and my PC falls laughably short. I'll do some upgrading, but my techno-savy friend who I rely on for anything computerised is currently in New Zealand - perhaps when he's home for Christmas I might be able to persuade him to work some magic on my clunky old thing...

It does look awesome though, and the reviews have all been positive.

[MystyrMystyry]

Crysis spoilt me for immediacy on reload. Now anything that takes longer than two seconds can really destroy the mood. Bulletstorm which is one of the best FPS's of all time can take longer than fifteen seconds to load, which, added to putting checkpoint saves just before having to do something tedious and/or a sit through a boring cutscene all over again before you finally get to the action was a bad design choice.

From quicksave to quickload is less than a second, so you feel you're still where you were without a gap - love it! This is especially good owing to the amount of dumb demises I've suffered from misjudging the jump distance by an inch. I suspect that was a design consideration being up there in the rocky icy mountains and everything. I got pushed off a cliff by a grizzly which felt particularly nasty, like it had cheated :(

[Calidore]

The kid's playing Skyrim and enjoying it, despite the bugs, but I'll wait for at least one more patch, maybe two. At least it doesn't hit the low standards of Fallout: New Vegas, which should never have been released in that condition. Serves them right that it's selling for only $12.99 barely more than a year later.

[Idril]

The kid's playing Skyrim and enjoying it, despite the bugs, but I'll wait for at least one more patch, maybe two. At least it doesn't hit the low standards of Fallout: New Vegas, which should never have been released in that condition. Serves them right that it's selling for only $12.99 barely more than a year later.

My son wants Skyrim but right now both sons are busy with Modern Warfare 3. My youngest is also a huge fan of Fallout and he seemed to be pleased with New Vegas but he is quite easy to please.

Me, I'm old school. I'm anxiously awaiting the new Zelda game for the Wii. :D

[Mutatis-Mutandis]

I couldn't get into New Vegas at all. It was just a glorified DLC package.

[Big Dante]

Me, I'm old school. I'm anxiously awaiting the new Zelda game for the Wii. :D

Skyward Sword is going to be :banana: :banana:

The review I saw gave it a perfect 10, same as Ocarina. I must say my expectations aren't nearly that high but any Zelda game results in a minor amount of drooling on my behalf.

[JuniperWoolf]

I haven't played a Zelda game that wasn't brilliant.

[Mutatis-Mutandis]

I wish Nintendo would man-up and make an actual, powerful system so Zelda could get the epic game it deserves. The Wii is so weak, it can't even begin to do what the 360 and PS3 can.

[Big Dante]

I wish Nintendo would man-up and make an actual, powerful system so Zelda could get the epic game it deserves. The Wii is so weak, it can't even begin to do what the 360 and PS3 can.

I think the main issue is having to use the Wii remote. It's not like there's anything wrong with a controller.

[LadyLuck]

Does anyone have any good suggestions for DS games for boys that are not entirely mind rot? I know my boy loves Mario and all, but when it is ALL he'll play, video game time is seriously limited. I'm wondering if there are any good puzzle games or word games that he might actually enjoy.

[Charles Darnay]

I wish Nintendo would man-up and make an actual, powerful system so Zelda could get the epic game it deserves. The Wii is so weak, it can't even begin to do what the 360 and PS3 can.

I think there is something to be said about the cartoony feel of Zelda - one reason why I preferred Windwaker to Twilight Princess. I would hate to see Zelda start mimicking God of War styles.

[Mutatis-Mutandis]

A powerful system and a large, epic game doesn't equal adult and gory.

[RobinHood3000]

Does anyone have any good suggestions for DS games for boys that are not entirely mind rot? I know my boy loves Mario and all, but when it is ALL he'll play, video game time is seriously limited. I'm wondering if there are any good puzzle games or word games that he might actually enjoy.I'm told that the Ace Attorney games are extremely good. If I understand correctly, gameplay is puzzle-oriented, but there's also a narrative attached, so it's not just busy-work.

[Pensive]

Anybody having any RPG suggestions? GTA/SIMS style?

[RobinHood3000]

For what console/platform?

[Mutatis-Mutandis]

Anybody having any RPG suggestions? GTA/SIMS style?
If you like GTA, Saints Row The Third (came out yesterday) might be right up your alley.

[LadyLuck]

I'm told that the Ace Attorney games are extremely good. If I understand correctly, gameplay is puzzle-oriented, but there's also a narrative attached, so it's not just busy-work.

Thanks! Call it horrible, but I'm all about tricking my children into learning something. I've thought about seeing if I could find one based on Sherlock Holmes, but I haven't found anything like that.

[Idril]

I haven't played a Zelda game that wasn't brilliant.

Majora's Mask was not a favorite of mine. It has some brilliant moments but it was so tedious to play. And those temples were just excruciating, they took such a commitment of time to finish. I prefer having more temples that are a wee bit shorter.

[Chris1991]

Im upgrading my pc for Skyrim and AC Revelations this Christmas

[Big Dante]

Majora's Mask was not a favorite of mine. It has some brilliant moments but it was so tedious to play. And those temples were just excruciating, they took such a commitment of time to finish. I prefer having more temples that are a wee bit shorter.

I'm currently playing through it and am loving it. You're right though, it requires a great deal of commitment. The second temple took me so long to get through. Playing as a Zora however makes the entire game worthwhile.

[Lokasenna]

I have ordered Skyward Sword now, and I'm looking forward to it. I had decided not to play another Zelda game on the basis that in previous versions you had to do every dungeon in one go, and I simply cannot bookmark that much time for one block of relaxation. However, I have discovered that Skyward Sword has liberal savepoints, a long overdue gameplay mechanic.

[Vonny]

My... social life may suffer, but it's a risk I'm willing to take.


:mad:

We've not seen you in several days Mutatis

[Mutatis-Mutandis]

I've taken a two-day break from computers and gaming both. This is the first time I've been online since Friday, which was also the last time I played video games.

[Vonny]

Oh, Look... it's Mutatis!!



I've taken a two-day break from computers and gaming both. This is the first time I've been online since Friday, which was also the last time I played video games.


uh huh, Sure :nod:

[JuniperWoolf]

I'm at work right now with my DSi and I'm not going to lie, I'm pretty bored with Kingdom Hearts.

[Teritus]

I'm thinking of getting Skyrim. Anyone else who's played it, is it good?

[Mutatis-Mutandis]

I will admit that my two day abstainment was due more to a rather nasty cold rather than willpower on my part.

I'm at work right now with my DSi and I'm not going to lie, I'm pretty bored with Kingdom Hearts.
I could never get into a game where the weapon is a giant key.

I'm thinking of getting Skyrim. Anyone else who's played it, is it good?
It's AMAZING. Seriously one of the best games I've ever played. If you value a social life, stay away.

[Calidore]

I'm thinking of getting Skyrim. Anyone else who's played it, is it good?

The kid's been playing it, and it looks pretty good, but definitely glitchy. I'll probably start it after the next patch comes out.

The cow flying by overhead was a cool visual, though.

[RobinHood3000]

I really wanna get Skyrim, it's just a matter of getting over spending the money. Hmm.

[JuniperWoolf]

I asked for Oblivion and Skyrim for Christmas (I try to avoid spending my own money whenever possible, which I like to call being "minimalistic"). Since I've been reading this thread, I've gotten all impatient and excited to play and implied that instead of waiting until Christmas I would just go out and buy them for myself ASAP, but I was stopped because now someone's already bought them for me. *grumble grumble*

Lately a lot of games have been tremendously glitchy. I guess it comes with the complexity. The more detailed and realistic a game is, the more glitchy it is.

re. Kingdom Hearts: I think it's cute. :p The Disney thing is very nostalgia inducing.

[Mutatis-Mutandis]

Well, Skyrim is glitchy, but it hasn't been as bad for me as others claim. You're right, though, that the bigger and more complex a game is, and Skyrim definitely tops that list, the glitchier it will be.

I tried playing Oblivion a while back and couldn't get in to it. You also don't need to know anything about Oblivion to play Skyrim. It's kind of dated, now. Still enjoyable though.

[Calidore]

One should expect glitches with big, complex games, but also with Bethesda games. Put the two together, and the initial release is only for the hardcore.

[Teritus]

When is this new patch coming out by the way?

[Calidore]

When is this new patch coming out by the way?

No announcement yet, just "We're working on it."

[Charles Darnay]

Well, Skyrim is glitchy, but it hasn't been as bad for me as others claim. You're right, though, that the bigger and more complex a game is, and Skyrim definitely tops that list, the glitchier it will be.

I tried playing Oblivion a while back and couldn't get in to it. You also don't need to know anything about Oblivion to play Skyrim. It's kind of dated, now. Still enjoyable though.

I really liked Oblivion....probably more than Skyrim actually (not that Skyrim isn't great) - I think I just prefer the culture of late Medieval England over Norway!

Although I will admit that Skyrim made some major improvements that were lacking in Oblivion (and did away with that awful conversation wheel...what was that?)

[Varenne Rodin]

What type of game is skyrim? Shooter, rpg, sim, free roaming? What could it be compared to?

[Mutatis-Mutandis]

Skyrim is an free-roaming, large open world RPG, that can be played as first person or third person (I switch back and forth depending on situations). It's very similar to Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas. It's complete fantasy--swords, shooting magic from your hands, dragons; the whole bit.

Also, Bethesda has stated that the patch will be out next week.

[Varenne Rodin]

Nice! Thanks, Mutatis!

[MystyrMystyry]

Yep. It's a shooter with arrows, an RPG with swords and spells, a Grand Theft Auto with horses, and also a free roamer - there's a main quest, and untold side quests, but also caves, mines, and dungeons to clear of demons and loot.

It's a 3D first person Dungeons and Dragons without the dice throws, but bigger and better. At every turn there's a new story, and you're the hero/heroine (if you're good enough - and you improve throughout the game)

You'd have to compare it to lots of other games because it's a hotchpotch, but also a synergy. Every dungeon is a game in its own right, sometimes you get more by sneaking and pickpocketing your way though it, sometimes more by storming. Both are fun, just depends on the mood you're in - and that's one of the great qualities: the way it adapts to your mood is quite unique. (Some other games have sneak skills, but usually levels have been designed specifically for it).

Basically it's great.

[Varenne Rodin]

That sounds really fantastic. I will be adding it to my wishlist. You know which game is surprisingly fun and well developed on a large scale? Toy Story 3 for 360. I know, I know, it must be a baby game, but it's good. It doesn't follow the story, really. It's like an imaginary land of toys. Lots and lots and lots of things to do and various modes of play. I compare it mostly to the Simpsons Game for 360, only the three player mode is really awesome on TS3. Better than for most 360 games.

I haven't gotten a Wii or kinect at this point because I've heard mixed things. Reviews?

[Mutatis-Mutandis]

Haha, I remember playing a couple Toy Story games on the PS2. They were fun.

MM is completely right in his description of Skyrim, too. I've never played a game that gets the feel of exploration done so well. It's easy to see how one can sink hundreds of hours into it and still have not done everything.

[JuniperWoolf]

I saw a clip from Skyrim yesterday and got all worried because it was first person. I HATE first person. Oh yeah, because when I walk I just float my hands up into my field of vision and hold them there like a dork, that wouldn't look stupid at all.

[OrphanPip]

I saw a clip from Skyrim yesterday and got all worried because it was first person. I HATE first person. Oh yeah, because when I walk I just float my hands up into my field of vision and hold them there like a dork, that wouldn't look stupid at all.

For Oblivion, I haven't gotten Skyrim yet, I found it impossible to manage the fights without first person though.

[Big Dante]

Ah, I remember playing the Toy Story games on playstation 1 or 2 when I was about 7 and when there was a bit I couldn't do I had to get my mother to help me. While that helped then I don't see her helping me on Deus Ex or other games now.

[Lokasenna]

I saw a clip from Skyrim yesterday and got all worried because it was first person. I HATE first person. Oh yeah, because when I walk I just float my hands up into my field of vision and hold them there like a dork, that wouldn't look stupid at all.

Both Morrowind and Oblivion included a third-person option, but to be honest it was rather unwieldly. At first, I was a bit put off by the first-person perspective, but you get used to it. I usually prefer to be a long-range fireball-lobbing, arrow-flinging sneak, and being able to aim in first-person is very helpful.

Also, your hands are only visible when you have your weapon up and out, or in the actual moment you lob a spell - it's quite realistic in that sense. No bad zombie impressions to be had.

[Charles Darnay]

The third person in Skyrim is much better than in Oblivion, but still not ideal for combat (unless you are surrounded). I get the point that first person floating hands are really annoying, that is why I only keep my weapons out when I know there are enemies nearby (plus you move slower)

[Teritus]

http://skyrimforums.org/threads/skyrim-patch-coming-2nd-december-latest.872/

If that's to be believed, the new patch is coming 2nd December then at the latest.

[Vonny]

My...social life may suffer, but it's a risk I'm willing to take.



:mad:

[Mutatis-Mutandis]

You can play third or first person. It's up to you. Both seem equally effective.

[RobinHood3000]

I would argue that Skyrim is, in design and story, the best of the Elder Scrolls games (in recent memory). I would argue that it improves on Oblivion in almost every conceivable way.

[JuniperWoolf]

I get to play Skyrim in two more sleeps (at least I hope so, or I'm going to kill Steve - knowing that dufus he might have got me something from EA Sports).

[Mutatis-Mutandis]

I get to play Skyrim in two more sleeps (at least I hope so, or I'm going to kill Steve - knowing that dufus he might have got me something from EA Sports).
Juniper, I can honestly say that made me literally lol. :lol:

[Paulclem]

Me and the lad have been contemplating Oblivion. You can buy a disk second hand with two add ons - The Shivering Isles and another one I can't recall. It looks good value. I had Oblivion way back when before my - sob - x-box displayed the 4 rings of death after the warranty had run out. I was ever so **!!**??**!-ed.

[JuniperWoolf]

*lament!*
*mourn!*
*fall-on-bed-in-prostrate-depression!*

I knew it! He got me Oblivion! Que badly-faked enthusiasm!

I ordered it from Amazon. T minus one week, as long as there aren't any more disasters.

[Alexander III]

For all those who may have doubts about Skyrim, it is one of the best games I have ever played. The attention to detail is spectacular, and the random encounters are fascinating. The whole world just feels alive.

For instance. While randomly exploring. I ran into an orc. HE said he was old and it was customary for old orcs to leave and go seek an honorable death. It way their way. I had the option to offer him an honorable death. We fought and I killed him. It was close.

Something as small and random as that is amazing. I love this game.

[Mutatis-Mutandis]

Yeah, I killed that Orc, too. Those little things are really what makes Skyrim a cut above 99% of other games out there.

[togre]

This makes me wish I was back in college. I still play games way too much, but I am horrible at anything approaching real time. I play Dwarf Fortress and strategy games by Paradox that allow me to pause a ton. Turn-based RPG's are my favorite.

But I loved having nerds cooler than I as roommates so I could watch them play these really awesome games.

[SilentMute]

Tombraider fan here. I believe we are due for a new game in 2012.

Also: Lego Star Wars, Lego Harry Potter, and Lego Indiana Jones serie

Star Wars Force Unleashed I and II, Star Wars Revenge of the Sith, Monopoly Streets too.

But I am a horror game fan most of all--particularly Japanese horror. Silent Hill: Shattered Memories, Ju-on: Haunted House Simulator, Calling, and Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly.

[Paulclem]

I got Arkham Asylum for Christmas from my two kids. I had asked for it - as they never know what to get me. I had a quick go and it was really good. I was interested as it had a really good rating. Yee haa

[MystyrMystyry]

Arkham Asylum is great fun. Your comment about Oblivion got me thinking about Morrowind, and I was wondering what mods were available to modernise it. I found Morroblivion.com which updates the graphics, though you need both games to install the mod, and it's not going to be Morrorim (perhaps fortunately), though Oblivion itself could do with some Skyrim enhancements.

In the meantime Skyrim is already the best bits of Mo and Ob, and much improved, and with much more. My advice would be to hold out for it - I mean you realise that both games take up a lot of time, and having both running would kill your social life for decades.


Oblivion is merely great. Skyrim is greatest.

[Mutatis-Mutandis]

I got Arkham Asylum for Christmas from my two kids. I had asked for it - as they never know what to get me. I had a quick go and it was really good. I was interested as it had a really good rating. Yee haa

Don't ignore the side quests. Lots of famous (or not so famous, and hence even more fun for Batman nerds) villains to square off against from those.

[MystyrMystyry]

Absolutely - the Riddler was a personal favorite/obsession.

I've been playing Human Revolution again, and I must say that the sneak aspect is much better implemented than in any other game I've played, always with consequences for being detected. If it's pure sneak you're after, Human Revolution is the one.

Silent - you may want to investigate a game called Amnesia - really scary!

[Calidore]

I just picked up Human Revolution, but haven't started it yet. I've been replaying The Darkness. It's an early X360 game, so the graphics are no great shakes, but the writing is good (a credible romance and a genuinely saddening character death), the demon powers are fun, and the in-game television is awesome. You can actually sit with your girlfriend in the game and watch the entirety of To Kill a Mockingbird if you want. Other TVs you come across show a Frank Sinatra movie, a Sonny Chiba movie (names escape me), a Flash Gordon chapter, music videos, and Popeye cartoons.

[Dark Star]

I'm working my way through the Metal Gear Solid HD Collection currently. Made my way from 2 (played before) to 3 (never played) and will work on Peace Walker later. But for now MGS3 has me completely addicted. I'd say I'm about 2/3rds of the way through the game (I've defeated The Fury and found Sokolov in the base), and as far as I'm concerned it's the best in the series thus far (I haven't played 4 or Peace Walker). The environments are beautiful and the boss battles are great. I also love the camouflage, medicine, and stamina stuff. I was concerned about them, but I can't help but feel that they add to the immersion, in particular camouflage. The fight with The End is my favorite boss battle in recent memory. I also like the idea of having one game in the MGS series where the plot is reigned in to an extent. I definitely see myself replaying this to perfect my technique and get plenty of trophies. I can't believe I missed this game back in the day when it came out. I even had the MGS 1/2/3 collection and managed to never get to this game.

[JuniperWoolf]

I've been playing Silent Hill lately. I can't believe I haven't played one before, they're great. You've got to wear headphones though, or the sounds in the background just sound like muffled random noises instead of creepy as hell.

[Mutatis-Mutandis]

I don't like creepy games, mostly because I'm a pussy. Though, I loved Dead Space, but I couldn't play it in the dark. No ****ing way.

[Monamy]

Silent - you may want to investigate a game called Amnesia - really scary!

I second that, it was one of the best mental thrills I've seen in the world of video games. I really wish for a sequel.

[Dark Star]

I don't like creepy games, mostly because I'm a pussy.

I'm mostly the same way. I was concerned about trying out Demon's Souls or Dark Souls (difficult action RPGs) because they were likened to survival horror games, but I've found that I'm alright because the sense of tension and fear comes from knowing that you're going to die if you're stupid because the game is intended to be played methodically rather than in a hack 'n' slash fashion, rather than from creepy **** jumping out at you.

[Mutatis-Mutandis]

I played Demon's Souls. Didn't get very far. That game is hard as ****.

[Dark Star]

I haven't found the game as difficult as it's made out to be. You just have to take your time and be cautious, and do the occasional grinding.

[Calidore]

I didn't care much for Dead Space or Condemned just because they're so relentlessly unpleasant that there wasn't any actual fun happening. Horror games like F.E.A.R. and The Darkness are fun, and I'm happy to pick them up again occasionally.

[Mutatis-Mutandis]

Dead Space not fun? You tactically shoot limbs off zombie aliens. That's a lot of fun in my book. :nod:

[Calidore]

Dead Space not fun? You tactically shoot limbs off zombie aliens. That's a lot of fun in my book. :nod:

No disagreement there; I was talking about the whole experience. You like dark and grim a lot more than I do, even if you :yikes: easier. :D

[Idril]

I was having such a great time playing the new Zelda game, Skyward Sword by I got carpel tunnel, not because of the game, just 'cause apparently, so I had to quit. I finally got the surgery about a month ago and now it's not healing well and the controller sits in exactly the wrong place in my hand so I still can't play it. I think at this point, if I can ever play the dang thing again, I'm going to have to start at the beginning because I have no idea what I was doing. :p

[JuniperWoolf]

I was considering buying The Darkness on my last trip to GP, but it looked a bit more like an action-ey shooting type game whereas Silent Hill is more of a creepy puzzle game, so I picked Silent Hill. Is The Darkness any good?

[Dark Star]

I'm working my way through Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker (HD Collection version) right now. The enemies are dumb as rocks, but I'm greatly enjoying the boss battles and the army building elements. I also have it on PSP and I'm pretty sure the army building elements will lend some excellent replay value to it.

[Calidore]

I was considering buying The Darkness on my last trip to GP, but it looked a bit more like an action-ey shooting type game whereas Silent Hill is more of a creepy puzzle game, so I picked Silent Hill. Is The Darkness any good?

I like The Darkness a lot. I talked about it a bit in post #84 above, but I'll add that while it is primarily an "action-ey shooting type game", it does have horror aspects (your character has two extraneous demon arms which can scout ahead (including up and over walls and through vents), pick up objects, and most important, eat the hearts of your enemies (living or dead), which confers darkness-powered abilities like the excellent Black Hole. There's also an otherworld you spend some time in, which is kind of an unreal-nightmarish World War I-ish setting.

Here's a link to the Metacritic review collection page:

http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-360/the-darkness

[JuniperWoolf]

Ooo, that sounds like Devil May Cry (except the WWI nightmare-land bit, that sounds more like Silent Hill or the film Jacob's Ladder - I love nightmare-land games). I think I'll give it a try, but I'll wait until I'm in a city where I can rent it first.

[Dark Star]

That does sound fascinating, in particular the idea of the nightmare world and sending the arms out ahead of you to detect stuff.

[Dark Star]

I've finally moved away from the Metal Gear Solid collection after getting the platinum trophy for 2 (HINT: It is ridiculously hard), and decided to move onto other things. I'm currently playing the Shadow of the Colossus and Ico collection. Ico was fun the first time through. Beautiful game, interesting puzzles. It's a bit tedious now that I'm trophy hunting, but once that's done (and it shouldn't take too long), I can move onto The Shadow of the Colossus and then Okami HD.

[Calidore]

I'm currently playing the Shadow of the Colossus and Ico collection.

The kid recently beat Shadow of the Colossus and intends to go back to it again once he plays Ico, which will be sometime in the future after he's tired of Dark Souls. Colossus is a gorgeous looking and sounding game with a well-executed story to boot; it's one of the few that has made me sorry I don't like action/fighting games. Definitely a good argument for video games as Art.

[Mutatis-Mutandis]

Yes, Shadow of the Colossus definitely he,ps the video games as art argument. It's such a beautiful game, and so much fun to play. It's brilliant in it's simplicity and minimalism (minimalism in the sense that there're no thousands of grunt monsters to hack and slash your way through--the Colossi are definitely not minimalist). The story is actually quite poignant, one of the few stories I've really emotionally connected to in terms of video games. SPOILER: when the horse died, I literally had tears in my eyes. And it's always sad when you kill a colossu--that you can work for hours to I'll this one thing and then feel a bit bad when the deed is done is a testament to how well made the game is. Add to that that there is nearly no dialogue whatsoever and the story is almost wholly interpretive, and yes, you have a great piece of art on your hands.

Plus, I don't even consider it an action game. There are elements of action there, sure, but it definitely plays more like a puzzle game with a heavy emphasis on exploration (you'll spend just as much, if not more, time tracking down each colossus than actually fighting it) and platforming. Any video bam enthusiast should play it.

I've never played Ico. Is it worth picking up? I'd love to replay SotC, anyways.

[Jack of Hearts]

I played Demon's Souls. Didn't get very far. That game is hard as ****.

Loved this game. Loved it. After sitting through a 3 hour class on The Critique of Pure Reason twice a week, no other game would do.

Too old for video games now, but 'Demon's Souls' was the only way this reader survived Kant.







J




EDIT: Well, that and Johnny Walker Black.

EDIT EDIT: Used to play 'Ico' during those times, too. It was really good. Didn't like the ending, though.

[Mutatis-Mutandis]

I gues Kant can really bring out one's inner masochist. :lol:

[Jack of Hearts]

Spoilerish

In one bossfight, you have to kill a nun who's gone insane/depressed in a swamp because she's discovered conclusively that there is no god in the game's universe (not to mention the plague babies). That's kind of what it feels like when you're reading and talking about Kant for about 3-5 hours a day, five days a week.

It also makes you want to either kill a lot or die a lot, it no longer matters which. So 'Demons' Souls' is a perfect fit.

Those were dark times :'-(

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9wJVpldUPU

[Dark Star]

I've never played Ico. Is it worth picking up? I'd love to replay SotC, anyways.

Ico is definitely worth playing. Not as good as Shadow of the Colossus, but a beautiful, interesting minimalist work. Not to mention, as you said, Shadow of the Colossus is worth replaying.