LTTP: Playstation Gaming

[Bobbler]

I'm going to enter some anti-suggestions.

I think GOW is one of the most overrated games I've played. There's lots wrong with that game IMO. It looks nice and is fluid in action etc., but there's some definite gameplay no-no's. Having fixed save-points and then stupid jumping platform bits with a dodgy camera angle and multiple 'instant death - try again' situations isn't fun in any game.

ICO was atmospheric but way too short. It's good as an experience, great atmosphere, but not too great as a game IMO (in that games are fun, and this was more art, if that makes sense). ICO too suffered from save-point syndrome. I think there wasn't a save-point for the last hour and a half for that game, so I ended up playing it long after I was wishing for a save-point and then *poof* it was ended. Has very little replay value to, in terms of gameplay. If you're really into the atmosphere then it's something you might enjoy revisiting.

SOTC is better IMO, combining more gameplay with that atmosphere. DQVIII is good for a JRPG from what I've seen (got it for a friend). I love the rendering and the monsters! But it's a long game.

You're GoW complaints seem a bit unjustified to me. The camera system is quite possibly the best around -- if he loved NG, then he can definitely handle GoW's camera (you're actually the first person I've heard say anything negative about the camera in GoW). Fixed point saving isn't really an issue, seeing as the save points aren't several hours apart. It seems you've not played NG, or missed the part where he said it was his favorite game, Shifty!

Ico and SoTC are a different style of game... if someone is playing them just for gameplay then they've missed most of what they are about, so I can see someone maybe not liking them. I'd suggest he try out SoTC (it's a GH title now, so it wouldn't be a huge money sink if he bought it and didn't like it). If he liked that and found it enjoyable for more than just the idea of taking down big giants, then he can try out Ico.

 

[avaya]

Ace Combat 4 & Zero.

 

[London Geezer]

FWIW i also didn't really like dq8. Got it, started it, but couldn't force myself to get past the second hour or so, it was just so boring! Very strange for me cause i'm usually quite good with these games, but with this one i just had no patience!

 

[Bobbler]

I'm only early in and not playing it myself, though i can see how that may be the case. But I think a lot depends on how many JRPGs you've played. If you're new to the genre, DQVIII is great. If you've played lots, it's a lot of the same stuff you've seen before I think.

The only "fault" I can think of about DQ8 is that it's very classical in how it plays. It's very reminiscint of DW1 and FF1 and stuff like that... just in 3d and with beautiful graphics. It's not all that complicated and the story is mildly entertaining -- there's lots to do and there's more than a few secrets to keep yourself busy. I'd say it's a worthy purchase if you're looking for something that isn't so weird as the stuff we see today -- it's nice to have a JRPG that goes back to its roots.

@Everyone: I'd also suggest we don't turn this thread into a "lets poo-poo on people's game suggestions!" That'll turn into a mess and we'll end up with a thread that is next to useless. It's better that people suggest games they like and he pick from there (depending on how many people say a given title, or whatever) -- a single person's opinion is generally useless in stuff like this.

 

[mrboo]

Ico, Sotc

 

[Shifty Geezer]

It seems you've not played NG, or missed the part where he said it was his favorite game, Shifty!

Both!

@Everyone: I'd also suggest we don't turn this thread into a "lets poo-poo on people's game suggestions!"

The reason I put my input in is because I think it's important to get balanced perspectives. If 100 people say they love a game and 3 don't, you take it as a safe bet. If 10 people say they loved a game and 100 hated it but didn't say anything, you'd get the wrong idea and perhaps buy something you regret. Had I have bought GOW on the grounds of people giving it high praise (I actually borrowed it) I'd have been disappointed, perhaps because the points generally glossed over are major detractors for me and my tastes. So I'm all for hearing the negatives for a title as well as the positives.

As long as complaints are explained, and of course they're all just POVs, I can't see a problem myself. Still, as it's Hardknock's thread I guess it's his choice whether he wants just the suggestions or the mini reviews, good and bad, too!

 

[ban25]

- Virtua Fighter 4 Evolution
- Devil May Cry 3 SE
- God of War
- Dragon Quest VIII
- Final Fantasy XII (not out yet, but getting great reviews)
- ICO
- Shadow of the Collossus
- Champions of Norrath / Return to Arms
- Ratchet & Clank Series

 

[pipo]

The first reply in this thread got it right.