What are you playing?

[fade]

Start bloodlines. Good story. Is Jack voiced by John DiMaggio? Very benderish.

Anyway I started every clan just to play through the tutorial level. Some are definitely more interesting than others. Nothing grabbed me about the Ventrue or Toreador for instance. I started as a Malkavian, so I was sort of disappointed that theNPCs only had unique reactions for the Malkavian dialogue and nobody else. I guess the Nosferatu too but to a lesser degree. Interesting quests. I settled on Tremere for my first play through.

 

[AshburnerX]

Start bloodlines. Good story. Is Jack voiced by John DiMaggio? Very benderish.

Anyway I started every clan just to play through the tutorial level. Some are definitely more interesting than others. Nothing grabbed me about the Ventrue or Toreador for instance. I started as a Malkavian, so I was sort of disappointed that theNPCs only had unique reactions for the Malkavian dialogue and nobody else. I guess the Nosferatu too but to a lesser degree. Interesting quests. I settled on Tremere for my first play through.

Toreador get Celerity, which is COMPLETELY BROKEN against anyone who can't use it against you. Ventrue get Dominate, which has a lot of social utility (like Dementation). They are also fairly hard to take down with Fortitude. Being one will also making dealing with Prince LaCroix much easier (as you are from the same clan). Really though, basically every clan gets an "I Win" button eventually.

Brujah - They guys have Fortitude, Potence, and Celerity I believe. Combining all three will make you unstoppable.
Malkavian - Obfuscate is super handy at higher levels. Dementation is also a good way to deal with some problems.
Toreador - Celerity again. Auspex can be helpful occasionally.
Tremere - Blood Magic is nasty.
Nosferatu - Obfuscate makes most problems go away. Animalism gets some damaging stuff too.
Gangral - Protean will eventually turn you into a melee machine, while the lower levels will help with hacking. Just be careful about using it in public because popping claws is a Masquerade Violation.
Ventrue - Dominate has social utility, but is also great for getting around places without being seen (just put everyone to sleep). It can also be used to kill/harm vampires and mortals.

 

[Ravenpoe]

I love the lore behind Tremere. The other clans don't trust them because they're basically a bunch of mages that stole vampirism away from a different clan.

 

[Hailey Knight]

The Banner Saga: I stopped playing this back in March because my caravan was in such terrible shape that I was sure I'd have to restart. If only I'd known I was practically upon the final battle and the caravan's well-being didn't matter anymore. So, I finished it today. Beautiful ending; curious how different the journey there would be if I did a lot differently (i.e. don't get jerked around at every turn). Great game; I look forward to playing it again, and eventually the next installment, if they're allowed to call it that.

Super Mario 3D Land: "End" of world 8 ... I laughed.

Spoiler

Mario to the rescue! ... of a cardboard cut-out of Peach. Mario then watches Bowser jump off a tower with the real Peach in hand and rocket away. Mario is left behind to take a long look at his life.

 

[Hailey Knight]

Goddamn. That was easily the best Bowser battle in ... decades. The New Super Mario Bros games' battles sucked, as did Galaxy's (despite how good the rest of Galaxy was), and even the Meowser tower wasn't all that much of a finale for 3D World. This was fantastic, and the ending was great too.[DOUBLEPOST=1403377763,1403377696][/DOUBLEPOST]Oh, it's not over yet.

Spoiler

Fucking hell, Luigi.

I am laughing and shaking my head.

 

[AshburnerX]

Spoiler

Fucking hell, Luigi.

Okay, you need to explain that one...

 

[Hailey Knight]

Okay, you need to explain that one...

After rescuing Peach for the 60th time, we sail away on raccoon tails back to the Mushroom Kingdom and all as well, until a photo falls from the sky.

Rescuing Peach is just half the game.

 

[fade]

Oh gee I have no idea where this Jeanette and Therese story is going. /sarcasm

 

[AshburnerX]

Oh gee I have no idea where this Jeanette and Therese story is going. /sarcasm

That it's obvious doesn't mean they don't do it well.

 

[CynicismKills]

Been alternating between Valkyria Chronicles and Dragon's Crown. Both are a lot of fun.

VC is an interesting mix of Fire Emblem and Advance Wars. Very plot-heavy, lots of cutscenes, but still a good time.

DC is just plain fun. Solo is enjoyable and not the usual dick-punching difficulty of other Vanillaware games, and co-op is solid (though it's easy to get lost with how busy the screen can get with a full 4-character party). CPU heroes aren't as dumb as I was expecting, and generally survive pretty well, even against bosses. Enjoying the Dwarf and Amazon.

 

[bhamv3]

In the year 2148, explorers on Mars discovered the remains of an ancient spacefaring civilization. In the decades that followed, these mysterious artifacts revealed startling new technologies, enabling travel to the furthest stars. The basis for this incredible technology was a force that controlled the very fabric of space and time.

They called it the greatest discovery in human history.

The civilizations of the galaxy call it...

MASS EFFECT



Man that opening music brought back nostalgic memories.

 

[Espy]

I'm playing Ni Nu Kuni. It's good but very, VERY slow and combat sucks balls. I think I'll finish it because it's beautiful and cute. But it needs to hurry the hell up.

 

[Far]

In the year 2148, explorers on Mars discovered the remains of an ancient spacefaring civilization. In the decades that followed, these mysterious artifacts revealed startling new technologies, enabling travel to the furthest stars. The basis for this incredible technology was a force that controlled the very fabric of space and time.

They called it the greatest discovery in human history.

The civilizations of the galaxy call it...

MASS EFFECT



Man that opening music brought back nostalgic memories.

Funny, of all the things I've bought from the sale I just started replaying this old favorite again too this weekend.

Also burned through the first 3 episodes of The Wolf Among Us. That's some engaging storytelling.

I'm playing Ni Nu Kuni. It's good but very, VERY slow and combat sucks balls. I think I'll finish it because it's beautiful and cute. But it needs to hurry the hell up.

I love everything about that game except the game play.

 

[GasBandit]

Prison Architect was a gateway to get me back into Gnomoria in a big way. I'm starting to manufacture steel weapons and armor now (a major turning point in the game, and one you have to race to, because if the goblins start coming in steel before you have it you're pretty fuxx0red), and this is an especially grand moment because it's the first game where I've never locked in, not once. There has always been an open (but heavily guarded) pathway straight into my fortress. A lot of good gnomes died to get me to where I am now.

But all the same, I've now also built a fake entrance trap that drops would-be attackers into a 2 story pit from which my brand new squad of blunderbusquers (what do you call someone who wields a blunderbuss?) can fire down on them with impunity for target practice, then open a side wall with windmill power to collect the bodies and loot when they're all dead. These two buggers in full steel plate were real fighters... they struggled on getting pelted constantly with bronze shot for 2 days until they died of thirst.

 

[CynicismKills]

I'm playing Ni Nu Kuni. It's good but very, VERY slow and combat sucks balls. I think I'll finish it because it's beautiful and cute. But it needs to hurry the hell up.

Yeah, combat is boring at first and then too easy once you have your full party. The first monster you start with turns into an invincible powerhouse, and if you back him up with a couple casters/healers, you can't lose. The puss in boots monster is also crazy good and just as broken.

 

[Espy]

Yeah, combat is boring at first and then too easy once you have your full party. The first monster you start with turns into an invincible powerhouse, and if you back him up with a couple casters/healers, you can't lose. The puss in boots monster is also crazy good and just as broken.

I actually don't think combat is boring, it's just awkward. I wish they had gone turn based instead of stupid based.

The game itself is great, do not get me wrong, it's just slower and full of handholding so far. I don't need 30000000 dialog screens to tell me how to equip a sword but OHMYGODHERETHEYARE.[DOUBLEPOST=1403554800,1403554757][/DOUBLEPOST]Really, I just want a good, new Final Fantasy to play.

I've heard such conflicting things about 13 and it's sequels that I can't bring myself to play them. I fear I will just hate it.

 

[fade]

Oh gee I have no idea where this Jeanette and Therese story is going. /sarcasm

Yep. On the other hand I've never been so turned on by 10 year old computer art.

 

[Ravenpoe]

On the other hand I've never been so turned on by 10 year old computer art.

Well, it's very mature for its age.

 

[fade]

Well, it's very mature for its age.

 

[LordRendar]

I am actually enjoying SMITE. Thought that LoL would keep my MOBA urges quelled, but the community has become too toxic.

 

[Far]

With league I've found it only tolerable to play with people you know and will almost only play summoner's rift with friends. Love aram and it's short enough to not matter if someone is being a chode but the game proper is far too vitriolic anymore. There needs to be actual ramifications to behaving the way some people do in that game otherwise no one will change.

 

[GasBandit]

I think that's one of the reasons I liked Demigod better than LoL... yes it had less "champions," but it was perfectly possible to play with one or two other people vs AI opponents of varying numbers/difficulty. Pauline hated LoL, loved Demigod.

 

[Bowielee]

I am actually enjoying SMITE. Thought that LoL would keep my MOBA urges quelled, but the community has become too toxic.

Smite is fun as hell. I bought the all gods pack for, like, twenty four bucks, I thought it was worth it.[DOUBLEPOST=1403560653,1403560614][/DOUBLEPOST]

I think that's one of the reasons I liked Demigod better than LoL... yes it had less "champions," but it was perfectly possible to play with one or two other people vs AI opponents of varying numbers/difficulty. Pauline hated LoL, loved Demigod.

I think you guys may really enjoy Heroes of the Storm when it comes out, then.

 

[GasBandit]

I think you guys may really enjoy Heroes of the Storm when it comes out, then.

... I'm sure we would have.

 

[Bowielee]

... I'm sure we would have.

Oh, shit, sorry GB, slipped my mind.

 

[Tinwhistler]

I cried like a baby. Tears of sorrow. Tears of anger. Tears of joy. Truly a beautiful experience, wonderful storytelling, great characters, and a great representation of games as art.

And there will supposedly be a sequel! Hopefully... maybe...

I played this through yesterday. I started out cringing at some of the dialog, and I'm usually Texas Tough™ and all that, but it had me all weepy at the end. Gah

 

[CynicismKills]

I actually don't think combat is boring, it's just awkward. I wish they had gone turn based instead of stupid based.

The game itself is great, do not get me wrong, it's just slower and full of handholding so far. I don't need 30000000 dialog screens to tell me how to equip a sword but OHMYGODHERETHEYARE.[DOUBLEPOST=1403554800,1403554757][/DOUBLEPOST]Really, I just want a good, new Final Fantasy to play.

I've heard such conflicting things about 13 and it's sequels that I can't bring myself to play them. I fear I will just hate it.

Okay, I've beaten XIII a couple times, and here's my opinion.

It's not as terrible as people make it out to be. It is definitely a step back compared to previous entries in terms of the railroaded story and progression of it, and the biggest issue I have is the tutorial is essentially the first 10-15 hours of the game. Your party is constantly breaking apart and coming back together, you don't have access to all the classes on every character, and generally can't form the group of characters you want to use.

Once you get to the point you're allowed free reign, the game's more fun. Anyone can be any class, and some characters, for whatever reason, are great at classes you weren't allowed to have till then. For the most part, everyone has strengths and weaknesses so you don't feel like you've got one big homogenized group. The combat itself isn't as autoplay as some say, especially when you get to enemies with severe bonuses to certain defense types and weaknesses you have to take advantage of to keep the fight short. Debuffs and buffs are very worthwhile, and the "combo" system allows for ridiculous amounts of damage to be poured on monsters. In the end, it's not anywhere near the best in the FF series, and I can't really recommend FFXIII-2 (I haven't played LR). However, if you've got time to kill and think you can get past the slow start, it's a decently fun ride.

 

[Ravenpoe]

Okay, I've beaten XIII a couple times, and here's my opinion.

It's not as terrible as people make it out to be. It is definitely a step back compared to previous entries in terms of the railroaded story and progression of it, and the biggest issue I have is the tutorial is essentially the first 10-15 hours of the game. Your party is constantly breaking apart and coming back together, you don't have access to all the classes on every character, and generally can't form the group of characters you want to use.

Once you get to the point you're allowed free reign, the game's more fun. Anyone can be any class, and some characters, for whatever reason, are great at classes you weren't allowed to have till then. For the most part, everyone has strengths and weaknesses so you don't feel like you've got one big homogenized group. The combat itself isn't as autoplay as some say, especially when you get to enemies with severe bonuses to certain defense types and weaknesses you have to take advantage of to keep the fight short. Debuffs and buffs are very worthwhile, and the "combo" system allows for ridiculous amounts of damage to be poured on monsters. In the end, it's not anywhere near the best in the FF series, and I can't really recommend FFXIII-2 (I haven't played LR). However, if you've got time to kill and think you can get past the slow start, it's a decently fun ride.

This is pretty much why most people hate the game, and claim that it's as bad as they do (and I personally agree.) If I have to play 15 hours of shitty gameplay to get to anything good, then I'll just play something else. I could play two or three short games that are -good from the beginning- for what it takes to get to anything good in FFXIII

 

[Hailey Knight]

I got to the supposed "good" part of FFXIII and it still sucked. It really doesn't turn into a good game; it's just a different kind of bad that isn't as restrictive as the previous hours. I quit after 30 hours. I know I was almost to the end; I just didn't care. Saw the ending online. Guess what? It sucked too!

Really, I just want a good, new Final Fantasy to play.

The game you're looking for is Bravely Default.

But you've probably already played that.

 

[Espy]

Yeah, I don't really have 15 hours to waste so it's probably out for me. Le Sigh.

And no, I haven't played Brevely Default, that's a 3DS game correct? Unless they have a port for the PS3 I'm probably not going to unfortunately.

 

[Hailey Knight]

Yeah, I don't really have 15 hours to waste so it's probably out for me. Le Sigh.

And no, I haven't played Brevely Default, that's a 3DS game correct? Unless they have a port for the PS3 I'm probably not going to unfortunately.

Hey, it's what you want, just not where you want it.

They're probably not going to port it; seems it's going to be an annual 3DS release. I don't think Square-Enix is even acknowledging the PS3 anymore. Their big projects are set for PS4.

 

[Espy]

Yeah, that's how it goes. I'll get a ps4 eventually so maybe someday they will put out a good ff game again.

 

[AshburnerX]

I think the last thing we're getting for PS3 is the HD port of Final Fantasy Type-0. Everything else is planned for PS4, 3DS, or mobile (for whatever reason they keep doing mobile).

 

[CynicismKills]

Honestly, at this point your safest bet might be the Tales series. Tales of Graces F and Tales of Xillia, while not turn based, are huge amounts of fun and the Tales series in general has managed to stay at a pretty good pace of solid gameplay, compared to FF. Tales games in general have one of my favorite combat systems, and it is constantly being tweaked and streamlined to be a great real-time battle system.

 

[Hailey Knight]

Yeah, there are plenty of great RPGs that are better than the Final Fantasy series. Don't pidgeon-hole yourself to that franchise out of nostalgia; it's not half of what it once was, and there are RPGs that have surpassed it.