What Game Are You Playing At The Moment?

[coalmine]

Originally Posted by standardman

It depends what you're after really. Heavy Rain looks to be an emotionally engaging and unusual game that (should) allow to make decisions. Dragon Age is a huge RPG where your choices effect a lot of the game but I hear the console versions have graphical and interface issues that go way beyond the usual pc/console differences. Uncharted 2 is a terrific action game but very much linear thanks to the cinematic thing.



I listen to 4 Guys 1 Up, The Giant Bomb cast, Rebel FM and One Life Left (more funny than informative, that one). Co-Op is a very well produced video podcast and the Totally RAD Show covers videogames often too.

perfect. thanks!

[Junkenstein]

If the decision making in Heavy Rain is anyuthing like the one in Fahrenheit, a lot of the stuff is very scripted. The choices in that game were a lot like "You can do this or you can do that. But if you do that, the game ends". Not even remotely the size of the Bioware style of choice making.

Last note on HL2. I'm surprise how much i forgot on the game. The cool stuff comes later (i probably didnt even reach those levels the first time). The whole "befriending the insectoid enemies and using them as a troop to disembowel the bad guys" is dream stuff. It's not even an FPS anymore. I spend more time planning weird stuff to do. That's exactly how perfect gvames should be. As cool as Bioshock 2 was, in terms of atmosphere, i concur with Standardman on how constricted you felt later in the game. And that happens more and more in recent games. Everything is more set to make you do what the designer feels it's cool than letting YOu do it.

The simple genius of sendin flyin bugs ona heavily armed tower and watch them throw snipers off it is something that no "cinematics" will ever substitute.

[standardman]

Originally Posted by Junkenstein

If the decision making in Heavy Rain is anyuthing like the one in Fahrenheit, a lot of the stuff is very scripted. The choices in that game were a lot like "You can do this or you can do that. But if you do that, the game ends". Not even remotely the size of the Bioware style of choice making.

Last note on HL2. I'm surprise how much i forgot on the game. The cool stuff comes later (i probably didnt even reach those levels the first time). The whole "befriending the insectoid enemies and using them as a troop to disembowel the bad guys" is dream stuff. It's not even an FPS anymore. I spend more time planning weird stuff to do. That's exactly how perfect gvames should be. As cool as Bioshock 2 was, in terms of atmosphere, i concur with Standardman on how constricted you felt later in the game. And that happens more and more in recent games. Everything is more set to make you do what the designer feels it's cool than letting YOu do it.

The simple genius of sendin flyin bugs ona heavily armed tower and watch them throw snipers off it is something that no "cinematics" will ever substitute.

Yeah, it's more like a choose your own adventure book than, say, Mass Effect.

Good lord, I couldn't agree more. Even though Half-Life 2 has heavy scripting, it leaves you lots of room to play and create you own experiences. I detest the Modern Warefare way of design - the games play themselves and the least important component is the player.

On Bioshock 2, the patch i've been waiting for is coming tomorrow so i'll start again and play it through.

[rhesusattack]

I completed Assassin's Creed 2 earlier today. I wasn't really into that game, but the last 10 or 15 minutes of it is pretty awesome.

[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!