@Sakilla: but memorable, though.
@Sakilla: LAVOS NOT MEMORABLE?!?
Come on, man.
Ouch.
Come on, man.
Ouch.
@the7k: I'm completely with you. Zelda is an adventure game, and though I may never, ever be able to clearly define what separates it from what is generally considered to be an RPG (though you're doing a pretty good job), it doesn't act like one or play like one.
@ghost4: Strange - can't say I necessarily disagree with your quote, since I often feel that's the case.
However, nothing about what was written above seemed "pretentious" to me - in fact, it doesn't seem like he's trying to apply meaning to games at all! What he's written is merely an analysis about the method of storytelling used within games and how that differs from those of other mediums. And why shouldn't we be interested?
Don't answer that last question - perhaps I just find this interesting as a linguist myself. But anyway, I still don't see this as pretentious drivel - rather more of a very specific analysis of something that will probably only be considered worthwhile to people like me who are preoccupied with the way language is used.
However, nothing about what was written above seemed "pretentious" to me - in fact, it doesn't seem like he's trying to apply meaning to games at all! What he's written is merely an analysis about the method of storytelling used within games and how that differs from those of other mediums. And why shouldn't we be interested?
Don't answer that last question - perhaps I just find this interesting as a linguist myself. But anyway, I still don't see this as pretentious drivel - rather more of a very specific analysis of something that will probably only be considered worthwhile to people like me who are preoccupied with the way language is used.
@twinturbo2: did you play MK64?
I still think "It has buttons" shoulda got an extra point for the DSiXL.
@Nawara_Ven: Yes.
Dwarf Fortress.
How did you know?
I think this guy fails to realize that the greatest game of all time had a voiceless character.
To me, a list like this shows the beauty of a (good) Megaman game.
The first playthrough is going to take 8-10 hours, maybe more. Then, as you find out what weapons work where and what bosses are easy to start off at with just your default weapon, you play through the game another 3, 4 times until you can get the pattern down. This whole time you're discovering the secrets and rotely memorizing each level so you begin to know what's coming at you next. And with the next set of playthroughs, the difficult bits (like a miniboss or an annoying set of enemies) all of a sudden become second nature. At this time, you're still having to use Energy tanks to get through the game, but you've started to use A LOT less continues. AND the game can now be taken down in no more than 2 hours, and probably quite less.
This is where the hardcore players start to ramp up, because now that the game has become easy enough to run through that it's almost like putting together a puzzle, these challenges above come into play.
When I first started playing MM9 and saw those challenges, I was like "no way I'll EVER be able to do half of those". But then you get to this point and you start to concentrate on the ones you know you can do.
Pretty soon, you're surprising yourself. You've memorized the boss' patterns so well you can skip around for an hour without dying - so the buster cannon challenge becomes a lot easier. And more memorization means less energy tanks - that one starts to come into reach.
Unfortunately, I never played long enough to achieve some of the "impossible" ones - but I know that had I put in the time, it would all unfold before me until I began to see the Matrix through this game.
So anyway, THAT is why I think a well-crafted Megaman game still ranks up there with the best 3D 1st-person shooters or any other game from any other genre in terms of challenge and game design and learning curve.
Cannot wait to do it all over again with 10.
@GhostWhoWalks: That's the fun of the internet, I suppose. Sorry I didn't add a "!" or a ":)" at the end of my post to convey its real meaning as a light-hearted statement. Because now we're angry at each other and we have absolutely no reason to be.
In my defense, though, it was kinda hard to tell that you were joking. The comment by That mop mutant should hopefully back me up a bit.
:)
@GhostWhoWalks: It's possible that may have been edited by the creator of the video. Don't take everything you see/hear at face value - otherwise you might be sitting in that particular church one day.
@Lemming: I have a friend who will always try to make it out like anyone buy Microsoft is the badguy in this. It's actually quite hilarious to see him in action as I can guess his kneejerk response every time.
Microsoft are most likely thanking their lucky stars for Peter Moore who decided to sign off on the extended warranty thing which, even though it cost money, saved them a ton of money from doing a recall. Any other product with such a horrible failure rate would have most certainly been recalled.
It irks me, frankly.
Evony's creators are goin' crazy now that they've made it to Kotaku's front page. #evony
I've been there. Super Potato in Akihabara, Tokyo. #nes
@dethklokso: I'm just going to acknowledge that this is an asinine argument from the start, since we're talking about personal preference here.
BUT! ...I find the terms "asymmetrical joke" rather unfounded.
#1: the color scheme is the weakest point of your argument, so let's get that out of the way. It is possible to buy controllers of all different types of colors - Black, of course, being the most acceptable, certified hardcore color amongst the players of the top tier, is in high quantity. But it also comes in banana, strawberry, and kiwi flavors.
#2: symmetrically placed sticks = superior? Okay, so again this comes down to preference, but I think even the 360 (and I hate that controller) has much more comfortable finger placement. Something about it feels natural.
#3: "feels like a toy" in your hands. ie, it feels like you're holding something fun.
#4: "d-pad was underutilized" - not a problem with the controller, but the games.
I will agree that the button layout is strange. Personally, I like having the different shaped buttons (I can literally feel a spark of delight when I consider how pleasing it was to slide my finger across the a-button and press the joyously-shaped "x" or "y" button), and I also liked their placement (apart from the "z" button).
Okay, now some positives for the GC controller that often go unmentioned.
#1: the c-stick and the analog stick both have a perfect amount of resistance. I hate to bag on the dualshock, but you forced me - that thing is no joy to push at all. It's either all or nothing - any game that requires an in-between push creates a tiny frustration in my mind b/c the controller doesn't seem to like being pushed only a little.
#2: the heft of the controller. It feels like I'm holding something. Perfect weight for me.
#3: the plastics Nintendo uses are unique. The outer shell is smooth, not smudgy - ergonomic, not forced on the hands - and the c-stick has (man, I don't even know what kind of material is used) a great feel to it. It grips your finger whenever you apply even the slightest pressure. Delightful.
So that's my story and I'm sticking to it. I, too, call myself a gamer.
By no means do I hate the dualshock either - but I feel like with this last generational leap, Sony had a chance to 1-up that design and really were unable to come up with anything substantial. And I owned a PS3 for awhile, so I consider myself knowledgeable. #art
@Dijkie1337: The gamecube controller pwns the 360 controller. #art
I wonder if that cool dude who got the proofreading/editing job is still goin' strong. I met him at the Kotaku party around TGS time, was happy for him. #business
@krushjudgement: QFT
Perfectly stated. #chronotrigger
