GameSpot GameBoy Advance GameCube PC PlayStation2 Xbox |
| Zelda Games *Social* |
| Scientist's Video Game Laboratory |
| Mars (33): Board List | Topic List | Log Out | Help |
| This Topic has been marked closed. No additional messages may be posted. |
| First Page | Previous Page | Page 4 of 10 | Next Page | Last Page |
| From: Blistered Otter | Posted: 11/16/2002 6:03:30 PM | Message Detail |
| Back in the SNES era, I would always play DKC and DKC2 with my brother whenever he would rent one of them. I got DKC3 for Christmas one year, and even with all the practice I had on it over the course of almost a year, I never got past the second world-type thing. Indeed, I sucked at all of these games. But, still, they were great, and still today, are some of my favorites. It's too bad my brother had to sell his SNES... Anyway, DK64 was nothing compared to these three games. It was replaced within a month by OoT as my currently most-played game. (Or something like that) And to think I typed up this whole big thing that took like twenty minutes to type up and then realized it sucked, and then I made this thing. Oh well... --- "I predict a Browns and Dolphins super bowl." BLACKnBLUE ---Blistered Otter--- |
| From: scientist pg | Posted: 11/17/2002 12:08:33 AM | Message Detail |
| Donkey Kong did go largely without notice, with Nintendo not really paying attention to him for a good while. Then of course they gave the character to Rare to use. So he starred in 3 quality SNES platformers. The first had some new spins on 2D platforming, but it was mainly all about the new, "this is not super nintendo graphics" done on SNES. The second and third didn't do much beyond what the first did, though I think the second is the all around best. Plus, we got a lot of cool new characters in the process, such as Diddy and Cranky (or IS cranky the true DK...) Dk64 was a solid game, for the type of game it was. It's just that it probably made it clear to a lot of people just how bad collecting and backtracking can be. And it had a motherload of glitches and signs of being rushed. Now with Rare gone, it seems even more unlikely DK will surface outside of party/racing/tennis/golf games. I'd like to see Nintendo release a new, next gen DK game- a new 3D platformer with some new spin or idea. Just skip over the whole "Rare feeling" of DK, including Diddy, the Kremlings, etc. That was good, but it can't be done right without Rare. Make a new DK platformer that's a throwback to the original Donkey Kong in theme, but with some new gameplay concepts, or unique cooperative play- hey, maybe even some construction-themed game starring DK and Mario for gamecube. That could rock. --- The Scientist knows best... "The beauty of the star made his eyes moist." -Monster Party |
| From: Kiss of the Dragon | Posted: 11/17/2002 12:49:58 AM | Message Detail |
| DKC3 is the only one I can beat completely. It was too easy. --- [>oo]> - Box Boy demands virgins! ~Juggling Joker~ |
| From: scientist pg | Posted: 11/18/2002 11:45:15 AM | Message Detail |
| Impressions... Metroid Fusion demo- From what I played there was WAY too much text, though the play control seemed excellent. I was able to wall jump on my first try. Metroid Prime demo- I played this for maybe...30 seconds, and FORGOT to try the morph ball. Anyway, I tried the lock on and it worked quite well, it's obvious a lot of time and polish went into this, just like how OoT had a very nice Z-targeting system, the 3D Metroid has it's own unique system that suits the game well. Did I feel the metroid feeling? I guess I did, as much as I felt the SAME Mario feeling in mario 64, or zelda feeling in OoT. It isn't the 2D metroid but it doesn't have to be to still be a metroid game, as prime is proving. It's thrown many old Metroid elements in. That of course doesn't make it a Metroid game at all...but the glue that lets those elements stick seems well done, and THAT shows that it is a Metroid game. I doubt it will surpass super metroid but I have no doubts this will be an excellent game. I probably wouldn't mind another 3D Metroid...but I don't want to say bye to the 2D ones either. Ikaruga- just the first level- Best. Game. Ever. Well..... Actually, I can't say that until I get it myself and beat it, but everything I saw was spectacular...my time with it amazed me and this has to be one of the finest shooters ever...the whole feeling and music also are awesome. I didn't mind the black bars on the sides though undoubtedly the game would look so much better on a vertical screen. --- The Scientist knows best... "The beauty of the star made his eyes moist." -Monster Party |
| From: scientist pg | Posted: 11/20/2002 3:35:02 AM | Message Detail |
| Peripheral to play GBA games on GC? Cool- I could buy that for $40 and not even bother with a GBA- BUT I'll still wait to see if this "GBA2" with a better, backlit screen surfaces. --- The Scientist knows best... "That joke sucked about as much as Metroids do!" -IsamuKun |
| From: scientist pg | Posted: 11/21/2002 11:17:44 AM | Message Detail |
| Vee hee hee, This better still hold up: On the future of Ikaruga, Maekawa said, “At the moment we have no plans for any other Dreamcast games. We're working on a translation of Ikaruga for the GameCube. This is mostly for the overseas audience, since the sales of Dreamcast hardware and software isn't supported in most stores anymore. We're confident a full transplant on the GameCube is possible.” --- The Scientist knows best... "That joke sucked about as much as Metroids do!" -IsamuKun |
| From: scientist pg | Posted: 11/23/2002 4:11:16 PM | Message Detail |
| Anyone beaten Siberia in TS2 on hard? I... can't... --- The Scientist knows best... "That joke sucked about as much as Metroids do!" -IsamuKun |
| From: Blistered Otter | Posted: 11/23/2002 6:07:20 PM | Message Detail |
| You must play it constantly for the next 24 hours. If you still have not beaten it by then... Well, my friend, this seems to be a hard game. --- "I predict a Browns and Dolphins super bowl." BLACKnBLUE ---Blistered Otter--- |
| From: scientist pg | Posted: 11/25/2002 2:10:01 PM | Message Detail |
| As good as the news that Ikaruga could very well come overseas is, this is almost as good: ...a Game Boy Advance version of the Saturn classic Radiant SilverGun is under consideration at cult developer Treasure. According to our reliable sources, a remake of the game, currently trading second hand on the defunct Sega Saturn system for over £100 a copy, has been discussed at length at Treasure, following the success and acclaim enjoyed by its last 2D shooter Ikaruga. It is known that several larger publishers have looked at releasing a GBA version over the past few months, following Infogrames signing Ikaruga for the GameCube. It is believed that Infogrames spoke to the team about the possibility of linking GC Ikaruga with a possible portable version of Radiant SilverGun. WHOOO!! Well, if this IS true, I will DEFINITELY buy a GBA. I've been putting it off- Fusion hasn't quite convinced me to buy one (though I would get Fusion when I do get a GBA)- but if RS- widely considered the best shooter ever, and Treasure's best game besides Gunstar Heroes- comes to GBA... whee hee. --- The Scientist knows best... "That joke sucked about as much as Metroids do!" -IsamuKun |
| From: jman009 | Posted: 11/25/2002 2:28:49 PM | Message Detail |
| Has Nintendo got it right? The way I see it is a hell of a lot of Retro titles being shown in ports and "new" technologies, looking at the GBA ports and GBA E-reader cards. Along with such titles as Super Mario Sunshine, Metriod Prime and the soon to be released Legend of Zelda. There is another point i'd like to raise, 6 years had past since a REAL Super Mario Game had been released. So much had been said about it then it came Super Mario Sunshine. Then it went.. but seriously who talks about it? i certainly haven't heard anyone talk about it. What went wrong? I think this is all due to the new stuff revalutionary thingy. But maybe if they game Waluigi, Wart and Daisy the starring parts maybe the plot would of made more sense. Instead of a FLUDD why not give Waluigi a spoon? it would of done as much damage. hehehe. Thinking out loud: I think in the next Game and Watch Gallery Waluigi and Wario should be in an Ice climbers style game, where they must compete against Mario and Luigi inorder to collect coins when are dropped by Toad. Instead of ice there should be Towers and then a cloud themed level which would then go up into space. If you need a reason to get a GBA Sci, that would be the it. --- Jamie knows Waluigi is #1! |
| From: Blistered Otter | Posted: 11/28/2002 2:45:39 PM | Message Detail |
| Do you know what Nintendo should do? They should give me my Super Mario World 3 I still haven't gotten. And put it on GBA so Sci will have a good reason to buy it. --- ScientistPG and Blistered Otter fuse to become the... Science of Genitalia!!!!!!!!!! |
| From: red dwarf | Posted: 11/28/2002 2:46:50 PM | Message Detail |
| lets talk.. Grim Fandango... glottis.. is that a german name? --- Till i collapse ill keep on bouncing Till i collapse ill keep on trying |
| From: Blistered Otter | Posted: 11/28/2002 2:51:30 PM | Message Detail |
| Please exit the sophisticated video game discussion topic immediately with your unwanted gibberish. --- ScientistPG and Blistered Otter fuse to become the... Science of Genitalia!!!!!!!!!! |
| From: scientist pg | Posted: 12/2/2002 11:09:36 AM | Message Detail |
| The day a brand new sidescrolling Mario hits the GBA is the day that a brand new, *good* Zelda does. --- The Scientist knows best... When people describe Link's age...It always seems to go lower. What's next? "Link looks like a fetus!" -MSimm62385 |
| From: jman009 | Posted: 12/2/2002 11:46:07 AM | Message Detail |
| And so the new Kirby game enters the GBA arena. first impression: Good it combines a good range of abilities. However the "bosses" are pityfully easy and won't take more than 5 kills to kill most don't give retaliation which is sad. Appart from the graphics are beautiful placed and give an "up beat gameboy style". which is how Kirby should be. --- Jamie knows Waluigi is #1! |
| From: scientist pg | Posted: 12/2/2002 12:40:07 PM | Message Detail |
| the "new" Kirby is actually just an update/remake of Kirby's Adventure for NES. And while it's fairly easy, I thought it was big for an NES game, and some of the secrets DID take me a while to find. Among other things, Zelda GC gets an English subtitle, finally: The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker There you go folks. Here's what they had to say over on NOE's site: The waiting and wondering is over! The official name for Link's Nintendo GameCube debut is (cue drum roll)... The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker. Cool, that name rocks. Sounds a lot better than some of the names I had been hearing, like "melody of the wind" "baton of the wind" "Cycle of the wind" etc. Those sound too bland, and too much like "Ocarina of Time". "Wind Waker" immediately has you wondering what it is. It gives more of a sense of something new. --- The Scientist knows best... When people describe Link's age...It always seems to go lower. What's next? "Link looks like a fetus!" -MSimm62385 |
| From: Blistered Otter | Posted: 12/2/2002 4:25:48 PM | Message Detail |
| "The day a brand new sidescrolling Mario hits the GBA is the day that a brand new, *good* Zelda does." No, Nintendo's not that stupid. They wouldn't dare release two games of that caliber on the same day, unless it's like a Metroid Prime/Fusion deal where they're all connective and stuff, but Mario and Zelda have practically nothing in common besides the fact that they were both created by Shigeru Miyamoto, so they won't have that whole connectivity deal going... --- ScientistPG and Blistered Otter fuse to become the... Science of Genitalia!!!!!!!!!! |
| From: AdmiralViscen IV | Posted: 12/2/2002 5:53:42 PM | Message Detail |
| *Zoom* That's the sound of Sci's point going right over BO's head. --- Blaming guns for Columbine is like blaming spoons for Rosie O'Donnell being fat. Better to have a gun and not need it than to need a gun and not have it. |
| From: Blistered Otter | Posted: 12/2/2002 6:09:44 PM | Message Detail |
| What makes you think I didn't understand what his point was? --- ScientistPG and Blistered Otter fuse to become the... Science of Genitalia!!!!!!!!!! |
| From: scientist pg | Posted: 12/5/2002 3:03:12 PM | Message Detail |
| http://s3.cgi.gamefaqs.com/boards/genmessage.asp?board=3447&topic=5406481 Now with UraZelda, return of the Triforce rumors!!! ... --- The Scientist knows best... When people describe Link's age...It always seems to go lower. What's next? "Link looks like a fetus!" -MSimm62385 |
| From: Sapphire | Posted: 12/5/2002 3:13:39 PM | Message Detail |
| Egad, and I thought they hit the bottom of the title barrel when they called it "Wand of Gameleon." --- If ignorance is bliss, then the ZSB is paradise. |
| From: scientist pg | Posted: 12/7/2002 3:07:36 AM | Message Detail |
| http://www.ikaruga-atari.net/ one small step... --- The Scientist knows best... "I'm staying in here nursing my karma until things are cool again." -Gimlet, Jet Force Gemini |
| From: scientist pg | Posted: 12/9/2002 2:12:48 PM | Message Detail |
| bah, it's just a rankings page...but better than nothing. --- The Scientist knows best... "I'm staying in here nursing my karma until things are cool again." -Gimlet, Jet Force Gemini |
| From: scientist pg | Posted: 12/10/2002 1:39:15 PM | Message Detail |
| IGN: December 10, 2002 - Two of Nintendo's big franchises have new games in development, according to a recent interview in Japan's Weekly Playboy magazine (they have a small black and white games section). In the interview, when asked about what's next from the company, producer Shigeru Miyamoto comments, "'Pikmin 2' and the 'Mario 128' game that was shown at the [Gamecube] unveiling are both in development." Miyamoto elaborates a bit about the latter title, stating "I believe that with this game you'll be able to feel the "newness" that was missing from Mario Sunshine." We already had a good idea that both games were in development, but it's nice to hear Miyamoto himself actually confirm them. This was already basically known, but it shows up again. Pikmin 2 is probably quite far along by now, and I expect we'll see more of it at E3 next year, and it'll follow for the fall. If Nintendo DOES have some online plans cooking, I wouldn't be surprised if that game is part of them. Another possiblilty for an online title is this 100 Marios game (they said Mario 128 here, but that was changed to 100 Marios later, according to Miyamoto during SpaceWorld 2001...and I think that's the more feasible title). Anyway, Miyamoto suggests it'll be more revolutionary than SMS. This is good. Sunshine is my favorite 3D platformer and I think it was excellent that it didn't revolutionize too much- and simply capitalized on Mario 64 to the extreme. Super Mario World also did this on Mario 3. But anyway, it looks like we will get another Mario title for GC after all, and won't have to wait for the *next* console for a "Revolutionary" one. But yet, will this even be a "normal" Mario title? I'm not exactly sure here...but I'd guess it'll be some more unique idea and may not have much to do with the standard Mario exploration/platforming feel of the 3D games at all. --- The Scientist knows best... "I'm staying in here nursing my karma until things are cool again." -Gimlet, Jet Force Gemini |
| From: MGSFan2 | Posted: 12/10/2002 2:00:36 PM | Message Detail |
| Maybe you have to rescue an ass load of Marios.... dear God I hope Miyamoto doesn't screw up a Mario title... --- It feels good to be back |
| From: Alissa | Posted: 12/10/2002 2:03:08 PM | Message Detail |
| Maybe you get a little backpack that shoots out little Marios at enemies. --- Alissa knows best... Being lazy is good for the soul - My math teacher |
| From: scientist pg | Posted: 12/10/2002 3:12:26 PM | Message Detail |
| Based on the brief tech demo (which 100 Marios is built off of, apparently), the game may involve controlling many marios at once. BUT it is well known this idea eventually became Pikmin. So how's this different? Well- with a pikmin sequel coming out- we KNOW 100 Marios has got to be somewhat different- perhaps something with controlling a multilude of Marios at once...for something... The designers hinted that they wanted to push the "job" aspect of Mario further (for example in Luigi's Mansion, Luigi uses a vacuum, in SMS, Mario uses a water gun...think cleaner for Luigi and plumber for Mario....) Maybe another game will be based off that sort of thing- but in a grander scale- with power-ups. Control a series of fireflower Marios, Tanooki Marios, or Carpenter Marios... most likely whatever the game ends up being will be completely different from this, but it's just an idea I'd been thinking of... --- The Scientist knows best... "I'm staying in here nursing my karma until things are cool again." -Gimlet, Jet Force Gemini |
| From: Alissa | Posted: 12/10/2002 3:18:32 PM | Message Detail |
| That does sound cool. The idea of shooting out little Marios still makes me giggle though. --- Alissa knows best... Being lazy is good for the soul - My math teacher |
| From: jman009 | Posted: 12/10/2002 3:47:25 PM | Message Detail |
| If you aven't looked at Nintendos VIP site i strongly advice you do you'll find stuff there you won't else where. However there is a catch don't visit this site unless you buy a few nintendo games or keep those card thingys. If you don't have the cards you don't get the stuff. As you may of red in many places with 4500 points you can get a Wavebird. A nice bonus but other than that you can get Clipart/wallpaper/screensavers and with games like Pikmin, Smash Bros. Melee and Mario Sunshine you can get pretty guides. every game you register is 250 points as for a Gamecube that'll get you a hefty 500 points. and various points throught out the site. --- Jamie knows Waluigi is #1! |
| From: MGSFan2 | Posted: 12/10/2002 4:33:05 PM | Message Detail |
| Mario RTS! --- "How is a raven like a writing desk?" |
| From: scientist pg | Posted: 12/12/2002 2:41:21 AM | Message Detail |
| --- R-Type3: Third Lightning (snes) --- After much perseverance, I've finally been able to get the hang of this game. It turns out the R-Type series isn't as bad as I thought- the first r-type I played was Super R-Type, which in fact is the skunk of the series. Apparently IREM realized this as well, since although Super R-Type WAS the third, they named the FOURTH game in the series with a "3". Goes to show Super...sucked. In 3 the gameplay is tough, but manageable. Enemies won't come from easy spots- ever. It's always around the corner, at a strange angle, or in a uncomfortable pattern. With all your ship's power, decked out with upgrades and the "invincibility" pod, it's amazing how much you still have to work to win. And the memorization isn't too bad either- it's fun to do, and doesn't seem like a chore. Of course, the game isn't just about patience and practice. It's persistence. Not that anyone actually cared, but isn't that the way 2D shooters go... --- The Scientist knows best... "I'm staying in here nursing my karma until things are cool again." -Gimlet, Jet Force Gemini |
| From: scientist pg | Posted: 12/15/2002 8:13:27 PM | Message Detail |
| Beat it...that was one nice final boss. Advanced mode however, seems to be impossible. This serves as a bump as well. --- The Scientist knows best... "I'm staying in here nursing my karma until things are cool again." -Gimlet, Jet Force Gemini |
| From: scientist pg | Posted: 12/16/2002 12:08:01 PM | Message Detail |
| Zelda Wind Waker Map Details- NOTE: minor *spoilers* about the world. What I just found out about this game last night is GREAT. Basically, we all knew that the game takes place on the sea- and that it serves as the "hyrule field" that connects all the areas, which are the islands (so apparently, this game doesn't really have one central mainland). What we didn't know, is how the actual sea map worked. Whether it was rather circular, with little "tabs" at the edges that "lead" to a smaller sea portion which contains an island, or what. Well, we know now. According to PGC, the map is a GRID, JUST like the 2D Zeldas (Zelda 1, LttP, LA...) The entire overworld consists of a 7 by 7 grid- that's 49 squares of ocean. And each one is huge- PGC says each would be about the size of hyrule field, although I think that's an understatement- considering that, for example, the first island of the game is located on just ONE of those grid squares. Now, it's always been thought that the "grid" idea wouldn't really work in 3D. And it's true- exploring with a grid system for the map works very well with an overhead view, and I felt has always been one of the navigational strengths of the series that many other adventure games lacked. When Zelda became 3D, it became necessary to remove that grid- after all, it just isn't ideal in a 3D world- how would the transition from one grid square to another even work, as you're walking? It's a hard/messy picture to visualize. So instead OoT creates the idea of one big whopping field in the middle, linking all the smaller regions along the sides. MM follows this as well, although it puts a city in the center, and builds the outer areas in a more structural way. BUT NOW it's back to the grid again! And that's right...it's thanks to the ocean. Although traversing a grid isn't feasible on foot, it most certainly seems to have worked for traveling by the sea. Since each square is a sea slice, and from there areas are built onto the square (some squares would contain a large island, others maybe nothing but blue sea and a sandbar with a shop, for example), this creates a feel resemblant of the 2D Zelda games. Not only is much of the LOOK, and STORY, and ENEMIES, and STYLE familiar to the 2D games, but even the MAP and navigation actually REALLY DOES work in much the same way. Because. Of. The. Ocean. While we might now say they could do this with land...just string several "hyrule fields" together- that really is beyond the scale of what they're capable of in time/space/technology here, without creating a mediocre/overly ambitious game. The idea of the sea probably conserves on disc space as well...obviously, with 49 map squares, not every one will house an island or some huge significant thing- but would you WANT them all to? No, we'd want some just to be huge chunks of sea we must cross...and maybe find a few secrets out on the ocean. But still, I think this is not only easier and more structurally coherant to make, but saves on space. |
| From: scientist pg | Posted: 12/16/2002 12:12:05 PM | Message Detail |
| Plus (a spoiler about the world) - - - - - the game takes place in hyrule, and it's flooded. So basically, the old world of OoT is along the sea floor, submerged and destroyed with time and water. This is a great idea, and further increases the strength and scope of the series. Ever wonder why the "hyrule" of LttP is so different from the "hyrule" of OoT? Well, the answer has always been, "it's for gameplay and variety; we wouldn't want to explore the same layout to hyrule in every zelda game." And that is true and that's the main reason. But it becomes a better/stronger/more believable reason when it actually does perfectly match the story. And that's what this does. OoT seems further in the past than ever now...indeed, a great flood has come, changing the world. Whoa, that's drastic. In a series like Zelda where games take place centuries and centuries apart from each other, this is the perfect way to create a transition between games. LttP's world takes place in the future, in a new hyrule, one that has been drained of its waters. The world is different. Also, the whole idea of an old legend flooded away and a new one born further strengthens the mythology and scope of the series. Just walking around in WindWaker in some sort of shrine, and looking and seeing a statue of an older link, the hero of time (really, I hope they do this...) would ultimately create this incredible feeling. Here we are, this new Link, looking up at the person he must live up to, the person who imprisoned Ganon and then disappeared forever in time, creating a legend. The one that also wore the green garments. Old legends are truely, truely legends now...submerged beneath the sea- races dead, creatures changed, and new people and a new world reborn...this is one of the greatest ideas they've done for the Zelda series yet. This is going to be an absoulutely intense game. Where I found that Super Mario Sunshine is the best 3D Mario game and on more equal grounds with the great Super Mario World, I have little doubt that WW will be truely refined and the aesthetically pleasing 3D Zelda, parallel to the greatest 2D Zelda, A Link to the Past. --- The Scientist knows best... "I'm staying in here nursing my karma until things are cool again." -Gimlet, Jet Force Gemini |
| From: scientist pg | Posted: 12/20/2002 12:34:16 AM | Message Detail |
| In the Hunt... yet another psx game I want. --- The Scientist knows best... "Samus doesn't want a boy like Link, she wants a man like Karnov." -Polas |
| From: jman009 | Posted: 12/20/2002 8:57:13 AM | Message Detail |
| This has got me thinking, This is solely fiction and will probably not be in the Wind Waker. But it would be good if one of the dungeons was the dungeon of Legends/The past. Featuring sub bosses like Mirror link or even Ganondorf in which The Legendary Link and Ganondorf are shown fighting in a Wind created Time Portal(See Pokémon Stantler for ideas of Wind illusions) they then leap out of the illusion and Link and Legendary Link fight Ganondorf/Ganon. When Illusion Ganon is defeated The cycle is complete and Link has proven himself only to find that the bird creature reveals a further more discomforting enemy, ????. --- Jamie knows Waluigi is #1! |
| From: scientist pg | Posted: 12/20/2002 10:15:11 AM | Message Detail |
| Well, I know that some areas you re-explore from OoT...so there is a definite concept of reliving the old legends and seeing the old places again, 100 years later. I'm not too keen on that ganondorf/link from OoT idea though, as I don't see how it would have much story relevance or be that exciting either. --- The Scientist knows best... "Samus doesn't want a boy like Link, she wants a man like Karnov." -Polas |
| From: jman009 | Posted: 12/20/2002 2:32:39 PM | Message Detail |
| Wah! It has every relavance, THAT's my reasoning. --- Jamie knows Waluigi is #1! |
| From: AdmiralViscen IV | Posted: 12/20/2002 2:41:56 PM | Message Detail |
| That is a stupid idea. --- Blaming guns for Columbine is like blaming spoons for Rosie O'Donnell being fat. Better to have a gun and not need it than to need a gun and not have it. |
| From: jman009 | Posted: 12/20/2002 2:50:09 PM | Message Detail |
| I'll tell you a funny idea! Wario Land 5! Wario has taken a year out(2002) so it's time for a come back. This will probably be released just before Wario World or at the same time as Wario World. --- Jamie knows Waluigi is #1! |
| From: scientist pg | Posted: 12/24/2002 2:01:56 AM | Message Detail |
| No "mega-ton" announcement. Who would have guessed... <_< --- The Scientist knows best... "Samus doesn't want a boy like Link, she wants a man like Karnov." -Polas |
| From: Blistered Otter | Posted: 12/24/2002 12:30:34 PM | Message Detail |
| My watch-type thing on my left wrist still like all says "12-24" for the date and stuff, so doesn't that mean it's still December? --- "I predict a Browns and Dolphins super bowl." BLACKnBLUE ---Blistered Otter--- |
| From: scientist pg | Posted: 12/26/2002 10:32:32 PM | Message Detail |
| Metroid Prime first Impressions Following I'll talk about Metroid Prime from my playing experience so far; take note that I've played the game for 3 hours (the clock shows a bit less than that, obviously), and I've left off at the chozo ruins. If I'm not mistaken, many people had problems with their game freezing as or while they were on the elevator to the ruins. I haven't had a problem with it, and hopefully I won't. HOWEVER, the second time I switched on my gamecube with the game inside, I was on the memory card management screen- and it froze TWICE. The first time it froze was as I clicked on the metroid prime data (which should normally bring up the copy, erase, move menu...) The second time it froze I was back on that memory card screen and I had left the room for a moment. When I got back, it was frozen. Hopefully I'll have no further problems, though it's interesting to note that the only other time the system screens froze up on me was once over a year ago when Rogue Leader was in the cube. PRIME Graphics- undoubtedly the best graphics technically that I've seen on the gamecube. So far it seems the framerate only dropped on me ONCE, and that was for roughly 1 second (I keep close track of this type of thing), and otherwise has been 60fps. This is also true of Timesplitters2, Eternal Darkness, and SSBM- a steady 60. However, Prime seems to throw more on the screen (as far as enemies, polygons, blah blah goes...) and still keep the smoothness. Some of it is perhaps clever drawing and loading of areas (not to mention how architecture is done...) and perhaps "worse" textures, but it still seems very impressive. I have no doubt this is largely due to a very competant programming effort. Indeed, as a side note, the memory card space alone shows that this is true. The game remembers scads of info...items you have, logbook and scan info, AND all sorts of map information- for three save slots. It does ALL this with 1 block of memory, it seems. Mario Sunshine retains what seems like the same amount of stuff (actually less...) and uses SEVEN blocks. Why? They were lazy at programming. Retro simply used an "on or off" for everything that needed to be remembered. A 1 or a 0, and put that in one list, that could easily fit in 1 block on the card. Now, while everything is converted to 1's and 0's with all other games obviously, they don't do it as efficiently. A 1 or a 0 probably corresponds directly to something in Prime, and in other games it's much less efficent, taking much more space to remember a single thing. Basically, Prime pretty much proves to us that the majority of our other GC games could all be saved using 1 block, if they really put effort into it. Mario's 7 could be made into 1. Rogue Leader takes THREE! For...what? A freaking joke! I hope other programmers would take note of this from Retro, and start working on a more direct assembly level of programming with their games. I think I heard once that Treasure works extensively in assembly or a low level language- and what do we get from it? Games that almost seem to defy what's possible on a system, due to efficent programming that maximizes performance. The "bad" textures are not an issue. Approaching and examining some closely, and they don't seem as detailed as some games. But that's just the thing. You have to go up and study them to say that. When you look back at a whole room, with polygons jutting all over forming amazing structures and pipe networks from the floors to the ceilings (and beyond!) it's a very good tradeoff. TS2 for example has some "better" textures, but rather last-generation-ish environments, as far as the construction of the levels is concerned. As a PGC review said, in games with "good" textures you'd be up examining to "see" them all the time- not taking in the full environment- something Prime seems to be very good at. |
| From: scientist pg | Posted: 12/26/2002 10:35:52 PM | Message Detail |
| Special effects seem very nice and perhaps my favorite part of the graphics in this game- I do like "little touches" a lot but even some of the bigger and more obvious effects I was impressed by. Now, beyond a technical level comes the much more important one- does it fit the Metroid series? Does this "look" like a Metroid game should? In my opinion, only partway. The design of the spacestation at the beginning, for sheer architecture and detail, I'd give an A+ to. But, for fitting the series as a whole- it's less. Yes, environments might make you feel alone, or be "spooky", or look "alien" or "deserted" or "dilapidated" or whatnot. But does that alone make it Metroid? No. And anyone who's played the earlier Metroids would likely see that this is noticably different. But- some don't mind and some do. I DO mind. Now, Prime can be forgiven somewhat. As I discussed with Scumbag before, it IS afterall a new design team and artists, a new gameplay perspective, and doesn't have palette limitations (which I'll get to in a moment). Heck, it's a NEW planet! It should look different!!! And indeed, I DON'T want it to look like Zebes! BUT I think it could do that, and still maintain more of a Metroid look than this. About the palette thing- Metroid games to me anyway, have been very colorful and had bright colors. Obviously, much of this with Metroid 1 was palette limitation. And being Super Metroid added nostalgia to 1 heavily during the game, we'd see some of the same again. However, it's become part of the series now. I visualize in my mind a 3D Metroid that looks different, that looks MORE like the old Metroids. Some of the architecture in MP seems wrong, on this overall level. By itself, superb. Compared to the mindset and visualset of the series before this game, not as close. The colors in particular are too dark and dull. Browns, dim oranges, dark blues...it's dark and deep...too much so. True, I haven't seen the majority of the environments myself, but from screenshots and movies I've witnessed, things don't change much. On the whole the game is full of these very drab browns and oranges that are disappointing to me. I think a bit more effort, more inspiration, and more focused and comparitive work by the art team would have been better overall. I do like the graphics in this game, but I don't feel they "perfectly" resemble Metroid like they should. I should point out I feel this problem was present in another major nintendo series when it became 3D. Ocarina of Time I have similar criticisms about too, and don't feel it was a "perfect" transition as far as art/graphics go. (Zelda Wind Waker seems to be much more on track, however, and lets hope a 3D Metroid sequel would as well). Still, they did do a good job, and after all, "graphics don't make a game"... Sound---- Sound effects...Hmm, I forgot to really take note of these, as usual. I doubt I noticed any problems or things that really felt out of place. Luckily, there is no voice acting!! Ohh, bombs exploding sounds distinctly different than in previous Metroids, but it didn't seem out of place or bad at all- I liked the sound effects. If one thing needed to be changed, there is this sense of "softness" in some of the sounds in other Metroid games- I didn't really feel that here- sharp is good, but it seemed steadily, continually sharp. But this is a hard issue to assess or convey, and I haven't really put a lot of time into paying attention to the sound effects. |
| From: scientist pg | Posted: 12/26/2002 10:41:16 PM | Message Detail |
| (minor spoilers may be present) Music---- Right to the point, I don't really like the title screen music. It's too whiny and whistly. The theme to me isn't that cool. I could just be too used to it though, from hearing it in the videos. But luckily this theme doesn't seem to be present during the actual gameplay (as McGray was actually hoping for!! augh!!) When I hit start and go to the file select screen, this tune is pretty good. I like the drums or whatnot in it, and it feels suitable in the sense of the story especially- tracking down the space pirates in this side story game. It gets me in the mood to play and I don't have a problem with this track at all. Okay, then we get a good tune when we see the planet and spacestation, and what sounds like some vocals when Samus' ship zooms up. I found this to be very good. Then, we hear the "elevator arrival" theme- a bit flat and "dumbed down" perhaps, with an awkward extra note placed at the end (I think). But anyway, so far it's pretty good other than the title screen... Inside the frigate the music is largely atmospheric, but it fits like this. We're only starting out anyway. The boss music for the queen was good...I can't recall it though to memory. The escape theme seemed rather discordant to me, but I guess it fits like that. Now, a word about "remixes". A lot of people have said that this game sporting remixes of previous Metroid tunes is a good thing, and something fans of the series would love, that it makes this game even MORE like super metroid, blah blah... Well, I disagree here. It makes it LESS like Super Metroid. Super Metroid used basically all new music. The elevator arrival, item fanfare, and bleep-bloop item room tune were old, but those were the only ones. We were treated to AWESOME new tunes. Catchy, memorable, but just as fitting with the environments and really atmospheric too...all of this...a non-stop rush of great new music, many of the tracks destined to be classics in the opinion of many people's ears...and then cap it all off with the best final boss music ever made for a videogame, and you've got one GOOD soundtrack, that DIDN'T need to rely on "remixes" to be good. They didn't USE the old brinstar tune from Metroid 1. They made two BETTER ones! Now Metroid Prime comes along, with several remixes, less memorable (but generally more atmospheric) music, and steal's Super's musical crown? I don't think so... The music seems to FIT the areas, but it doesn't fit "Metroid" quite so much (the graphics also have this same problem). I mean, looking at an area and listening to this atmospheric music might FIT, but doesn't go beyond that. It doesn't seem memorable or hummable to me, and super metroid proved that could be done and still have it fit areas very, very well. So it's a so-so issue again. Okay on its own, but holds up not as well in comparison to super metroid (the game many say has 'beaten' Prime). I must say though, when I stepped out onto the Tallon Overworld for the first time, I DID enjoy the music. Really atmospheric? Yes, it fits the area really well... A remix? Yes, of brinstar in Metroid 1. Crap...I hate remixes...right? Well, I didn't really hate this. It's not going to go down as a classic, brilliant new theme (after all, it's a take off on an old theme!) But I felt it was very adequate for the game...it was a sweeping, misty sounding theme, with vocalizations and a hint of old that seemed to give to some sort of higher magnificance...something unseen. This I like, and boosted my opinion on the music up a bit. Of course, later I'll be able to hear the rehashed Lower Norfair music in Magmoor (and from the video I saw of it, it's terribly disappointing and improperly used). But I haven't really been all put off by the music as I was worried I might be. That overworld theme is cool, and once I accept the fact that the music isn't going to be nonstop brand new, killer, memorable themes like super metroid offered, it seems all right. |
| From: Bananasaurus Rex | Posted: 12/26/2002 10:41:18 PM | Message Detail |
| the game takes place in hyrule, and it's flooded. So basically, the old world of OoT is along the sea floor, submerged and destroyed with time and water. This is a great idea, and further increases the strength and scope of the series. Ever wonder why the "hyrule" of LttP is so different from the "hyrule" of OoT? Well, the answer has always been, "it's for gameplay and variety; we wouldn't want to explore the same layout to hyrule in every zelda game." And that is true and that's the main reason. SO, if Hyrule is flooded, then that further proves my theory about LttP taking place several hundred years after OoT. Which means LttP takes place at least about 500 years after OoT. WW is said to take place at least 100 years after. So after WW, the water must drain, and thus that explains the difference of Hyrule's map in LttP and OoT. *Sizzle* Go me! --- ~Duel~ |
| From: scientist pg | Posted: 12/26/2002 10:44:12 PM | Message Detail |
| Play Control---- I actually don't have much to say here. It behaves pretty much just like I thought it would (and how I remembered from my 1 minute of playing the demo a month ago). I'm one of those that thinks that their play control decisions were for the best. I feel third person would have been a disaster, and traditional FPS controls would have been bad as well. The only "thing" about FPS controls which may have seemed appropriate here is the issue of freely looking around. In timesplitters 2 I'm constantly looking all over and up and down while running, panning my head freely around and taking in the sites. In Metroid, it's a bit slower, stopping and then looking around. This isn't bad and completely fits the pace and exploratory nature of Metroid. The only thing is, there was so much TO see (especially in the space station), that I had to keep stopping and looking. In every room, although not forced, I WANTED to check out the ceiling architecture. So in a way, stopping, looking around, walking again, stopping, looking around, could become a bit tedious, but the transition is pretty seamless between walking and looking, and doesn't seem too strict (you can look around with R while jumping, for example), so I say they did a real good job with the controls. I also liked their visor options for things like opacity- those are at least nice to have and know you can mess with. Some people have complained scanning takes too long- I enjoyed it so far, and doubt I'll have gripes with it. The only problem there seemed to be I couldn't aquire my scanning target quite fast enough...sometimes I'd see one (with no other one in sight), but it wasn't lined up closely enough, so it wouldn't "snap" to it when I hit L. But, overall I'd say most of the scanning was handled very well. If I had any control problems, heh heh, it was actually trying to move the map around on the map screen to my liking. I'm sure I'll get the hang of it, but the controls function differently than what I'm used to in games where you do this type of thing...such as SSBM's trophies. Story/Pacing---- Obviously I'm just getting started so my experience here is fairly limited. The story so far I like- I think it fits into the series very well. It's not a prequel to all the games (which might not really work), but it DOES feel early on, and I think it fits like that. Some have complained that it doesn't follow after SM or MF, saying it doesn't feel as "grandoise" or "epic" to them. I say bah! Samus I'm sure has tons of cool sidestories and adventures, and this is one of them! It fits snugly into the timeline of the series, but at the same time doesn't throw off or upset things in the other games (so far anyway). It seems COOL that Samus took off after the space pirates and Ridley, in a "side story" game, hunting down the stragglers after the 1st adventure at Zebes. This works. Naturally the 3D nature of the game and scanning lends itself well to adding bits of info that fans like, increasing the mythology of the series. Space Pirates seem to be conveyed as being VERY smart. They weren't before- but does this seem wrong exactly? I don't think so. This is how I imagined them anyway. Enemy names seem a bit bland compared to before. Shriek bat? War Wasp? Not exactly to my liking, but a minimal gripe. I assure you, my pickiness only shows my intense love for the series. |
| From: scientist pg | Posted: 12/26/2002 10:45:13 PM | Message Detail |
| Pacing is very, very, very, very, very important to me. Super Metroid achieves a pacing and flow that's amazingly well executed and virtually flawless. The best I have EVER seen in a videogame. While Prime so far doesn't seem to be as good in this sense, it seems better than I thought it would be as far as this goes...and even if it isn't, Metroid 1, 2, and Fusion don't exactly seem to reach Super's level anyway, so it's not an issue series-wise, at least. But I won't and can't properly assess the pacing of the game until I've seen it all really, and playing through the game a second or third time may be necessary for that as well. Admiral Viscen told me Magmoor is too short and how it flows and links to other areas...well, "sucks". It's this type of thing I can't evaluate yet, and will have to get a feel for the whole game first. Also, item balance and placement also factors into this, most definitely. This pacing is also the one thing the game needs to absolutely excel at for me to consider "one of my favorite games" though. Because, of course, I feel all my other favorite games do that. If you actually read all that, by all means post something (so that the time you spent reading it won't go unnoticed!!). Go ahead and scream at me for the parts I didn't like as much if you want- saying I'm wrong because I haven't seen and experienced the whole game yet could be a very valid thing to do, actually! And I realize that...these aren't final impressions, they're first impressions. So far, I think it's a very good game- seriously. This kind of game is the type of game I tend to like just about best. I will say, Mario Sunshine and Timesplitters 2 both seem to be a notch above this game as far as sheer flexibility and fun goes, but those two games hit very hard in those two areas as a main focus to begin with. And that's a wrap! --- The Scientist knows best... "Samus doesn't want a boy like Link, she wants a man like Karnov." -Polas |
| From: Bananasaurus Rex | Posted: 12/26/2002 10:47:59 PM | Message Detail |
| Scientist, I like Metroid Prime better than Super Metroid. The controls are a bit tedious, but you get used to them. Like sidestepping. I'm used to that in first person, and MP doesn't give you full control of it. But it's still a GREAT game! --- ~Duel~ |
| From: Sapphire | Posted: 12/27/2002 12:57:48 AM | Message Detail |
| Three hours is plenty of time to experience the game if you ask me. I had to play eight hours in, 50% through, until I got the approval of people. But, let us get on to MP. I must ask you, what did you think of the fact that you fight in virtually every room, over and over and over again? Also, what did you think of the sluggish controls (which are totaly unneccesary, regardless if thi game is a first-person adventure [shooter],) and the fact that the camera moves in ridiculous ways when trying to jump over an opponent? --- If ignorance is bliss, then the ZSB is paradise. |
| Jump to Page: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
Copyright 1995-2003 GameFAQs
Feel free to link to this page, but not directly to the FAQs.