What Game Are You Playing At The Moment?

[rhesusattack]

Originally Posted by coalmine

and while i'm here, if anyone could recommend a good video game podcast, i'd be very interested to hear it.

I listened to Idle Thumbs before they stopped doing the show last fall, but they've recently put out a couple of new episodes this month. It's a funny show, but they're also big nerds and talk a lot about pc gaming.

[Sheepy]

Originally Posted by standardman

Heavy Rain looks to be an emotionally engaging and unusual game that (should) allow to make decisions. .

I remember playing Indigo Prophecy (same developer) and hating the "make the right choice or game over" thing. The reviews I've read so far about Heavy Rain though seem to all say that is not at all the case. How you choose to respond and react affects, if only in a very slight way, one of many (I didn't catch a number) outcomes. I honestly like the idea and love the idea of a visual "Choose Your Own Adventure" and might be looking at purchasing it (haven't decided yet... may just rent it). I can't wait to play it nonetheless!

Edit: Should mention that one of the reviews I read, the guy actually attempted to kill one of the main characters you play as. Still no game over, just clues you will miss and a different ending.

[standardman]

Originally Posted by rhesusattack

but they're also big nerds and talk a lot about pc gaming.

Fuck yeah!

Originally Posted by Sheepy

I remember playing Indigo Prophecy (same developer) and hating the "make the right choice or game over" thing. The reviews I've read so far about Heavy Rain though seem to all say that is not at all the case. How you choose to respond and react affects, if only in a very slight way, one of many (I didn't catch a number) outcomes. I honestly like the idea and love the idea of a visual "Choose Your Own Adventure" and might be looking at purchasing it (haven't decided yet... may just rent it). I can't wait to play it nonetheless!

Edit: Should mention that one of the reviews I read, the guy actually attempted to kill one of the main characters you play as. Still no game over, just clues you will miss and a different ending.

Farenheit/Indigo Prophecy felt like a prototype in a lot ways. i loved it but it was a first attempt at something bigger.

[Junkenstein]

Originally Posted by standardman

Farenheit/Indigo Prophecy felt like a prototype in a lot ways. i loved it but it was a first attempt at something bigger.

The first, most mature and best attempt at an open ended, cinematic, game was "Blade Runner - The Game".

A lot of Indigo Prophecy, Mass Effect and later attempts at that style reminded me of that (awesome) game.

[standardman]

Just in case you didn't get it with the THQ pack or a preorder, Saint's Row 2 is on sale direct from THQ for £2.50. No Earthly clue if that's regional.

Originally Posted by Junkenstein

The first, most mature and best attempt at an open ended, cinematic, game was "Blade Runner - The Game".

A lot of Indigo Prophecy, Mass Effect and later attempts at that style reminded me of that (awesome) game.

Fuck yes, what a great game! I remember a good few months in high school where it's pretty much all we talked about. GOG.com need to put that up.

[standardman]

Anyone with steam should turn on the beta in the settings, they're testing out a new UI and it looks great!

Store front with new who-bought-what list:


Game page with who-owns-this list:


Game Library page, you can also view in list or grid:


It's a big improvement, I'd still like playlists for games (EDIT: turns out you can do that!) but this is a great step forward.

EDIT: also Serious Sam HD is on sale, half price (£5.99) until March 2nd. It's a fun game and it supports 16 player co-op too!

[evadwolrab]

I just switched the beta on. Mmmmm... webby.

[Junkenstein]

Hey S., do you knoe if there are any books, animations or art collections, or whatsoever abou the Half Life unvierse.

After re-watching the Citadel Level i want to have to see more of that. Now that's mind boggling visuals. Avatar, kiss my hairy ass.

On a (very) minor note, i borrowed Alien Vs Predator redux from an eager friend. If it's decent i might even buy it.

[standardman]

Originally Posted by Junkenstein

Hey S., do you knoe if there are any books, animations or art collections, or whatsoever abou the Half Life unvierse.

After re-watching the Citadel Level i want to have to see more of that. Now that's mind boggling visuals. Avatar, kiss my hairy ass.

On a (very) minor note, i borrowed Alien Vs Predator redux from an eager friend. If it's decent i might even buy it.

Sadly there's a great lack of them. Valve released an excellent book called 'Raising the Bar' which was a making of but it's very hard to find. Unofficially, they've inspired quite a bit. I'm guessing you've already seen these but they're worth posting:





If you're looking for more gameplay, there's a mod called Minerva that has some of the best level design I've ever seen in a mod. Valve were so impressed that they hired the guy to work on Episode 3.

[Junkenstein]

I saw the "Raising the bar" book, but it's sold at 100 dollars minimum. I would have loved to see the artwork behind the ones in the "Our benefactors" level. The visuals on that level gave me goosebumps.