The Gamer's Quarter

[Lestrade]

Yeeeeeeaaaaaaaaah, so I was wondering why I was so jittery and ornery earlier today. It's the shakes caused by not having a game I really want to play. Don't get me wrong, technically I do have games to play, namely:

• Layer Section
• Nights
• Contra III (just bought it for Wii)

But the problem for me is, all these games are skill-based arcade games—the type of game I enjoy in controlled doses between sessions of a larger, meatier, story-based game.

Well, having just completed Super Paper Mario a couple of weeks, I am stuck within that terrible void known as The Summer Drought. I literally can't find on any release list, nor think of, any game to play right now. And like books, if I don't have a long-term game to keep me going, I start to go craaaaazeeeeeeeee.

What are you playing during the dry summer months? Is anyone else like me—i.e. constantly in need of a long-term adventure?

[JasonMoses]

There are so many games out there that I can't remember the last time I was in your position, Lestrade.

Surely there's some well-known classic that you've never played before?

Also I should totally start a Layer Section thread. My TV's already in tate mode and everything.

[Lestrade]

Oh yeah, do that!

Possible missed games: Beyond Good & Evil? I often find it hard to go back to certain older titles once the "moment" has passed.

[JasonMoses]

Have you played Star Control II yet?

[Lestrade]

That is so not up my alley, there isn't even an alley to begin with.

To be honest, my taste in games is pretty focused—or limited, if you prefer. I'm very picky without meaning to be.

[Cycle]

well then what kind of thing are you looking for!
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[JasonMoses]

Yeah what

How can Star Control II not be up your alley?

[Cycle]

i didn't like the battles in star control 2! do they suck or do i just need to get the hang of them
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[dessgeega]

they suck. star control II is just starflight with scottish pterodactyls.

layer section has an amazing narrative, and i'll take narrative over story any day.

which is probably why i don't really have anything to contribute to this thread. sorry.

right now i want a game which is like noctis but on a rainy beach with a lighthouse.
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[Mister Toups]

[JasonMoses]

Yeah, I've played a lot of Star Control II Super Melee netplay with friends and once you get the hang of it the combat is really fun. The problem is that the ship you're stuck with at the beginning of Starcon II is basically a space dump truck. Give it time.

[Lestrade]

I cured my gaming blues by heading to my favourite café with my wife, downing a beer, studying Japanese and drawing a bunch of cool shit for my portfolio.

I am certainly a story person as opposed to a narrative person, if I have to choose. But of course, having both is best. Admittedly, what I really want is more story-heavy action and/or adventure games. I want Half-Life Episode 1, Halo 3, MGS4, Metroid, etc. I want games that wow me and games that have emotional impact. I want games that are, yeah, like movies sometimes. Sorry if that makes me uncool.

I enjoy games like the ones I listed in my original post but if anything, I was put on this planet to absorb and create stories (hence why I draw comics), so this is naturally what I look for.

But let me open the question again: what do you folks do when you feel you're in a drought? Do you go back through your catalogue—if so, do you find this ill-advised or not? Do you go rent/buy old games you missed the first time around or do you just drop this crazy hobby until the next big thing that piques your interest comes around?

[JasonMoses]

[helicopterp]

[Intentionally Wrong]

I hear you. I'm unemployed at the moment, and I'm housesitting at my parents' place for three weeks. I only have an SNES and a PS1 over here; I guess I could bring one of my other systems over. And this old and cruddy PC, of course.

Somehow I've never gotten past the opening of Final Fantasy Tactics, so I think I might try that. When I'm not working on my IF-WIP.

[Swimmy]

When I'm in a drought, I go back to old games I haven't completed. But! I try to emulate them rather than play them on whatever console. Save-stating is usually enough to get me over whatever was keeping me from beating them in the first place. There are a lot of Playstation games like this--how did anyone ever play Vagrant Story without cheating?
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"Ayn Rand fans are the old school version of Xenogears fanboys."
-seryogin

[Joe]

FORZA MOTORSPORT 2
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[SuperWes]

Hey Lestrade, it sounds like you might really like The Darkness. It's sort of short, but it's highly focused on storytelling and atmosphere. More impressions here.

-Wes
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[D-A-I-S]

[dessgeega]

i don't actually need it to be raining, just overcast and deserted.
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[dhex]

lestrade should play fear. or stalker. too bad no console stalker.
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[Intentionally Wrong]

This thread is hitting me with pretty severe deja vu, particularly D-A-I-S with his tidepool business. Are you sure you haven't discussed this idea before?

[simplicio]

Dess how long has it been since your last Riven session?

Lestrade, given what you've said about your tastes, I think Beyond Good & Evil is exactly where you should go next.
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"Worlds turn the new machine to thee. To thee. Though, thine the new machine space."
-Kurt Schwitters, 1919

[Shapermc]

[dessgeega]