Badfinger

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Posts posted by Badfinger

  2. Posted

    A friend of mine gifted me a DOTA 2 invite for my birthday on Steam. It was like getting an ugly Christmas sweater, except it takes you six months to learn how to wear the sweater, and the sweater is also racist.

    I left that thing unopened for a week before I worked up the nerve to tell him I'd rather not take it.

    Yeah I had been in the DOTA 2 beta, and was excited to be in it, and the game's just so different from League of Legends (and in my mind, not for the better but man let's not do that here because I think I'm the only one on this forum that plays the OTHER LOMA) that they might as well not be in the same genre. Valve gave me SIX giftable copies of DOTA 2, and the first thing that popped into my head was "why would I want to inflict DOTA 2 on people I like? Do they expect them to thank me for it?"

  5. Posted

    I have now played a good chunk of Mark of the Ninja (4-5 hours or so?). It's a good game! If you are ranking the stealth games of this year, Dishonored is still better so it doesn't shake up my personal list. On the other hand, it does some pretty cool things in a $15 package and that's neat. I have to say, sometimes my ninja man is distinctly NOT doing some of the things I want him to, and that's a bit of a let down. It's not the Super Meat Boy precision people have built it up to be, although I fault the hype more than the game here.

    Mass Effect 3 now gets an honorable mention for its multiplayer alone. I got sucked into that HARD in the last week or so. Best PC Horde mode! It reminds me so much of a UT 2k4 mutator that was an RPG mode where you fought 25 progressively harder waves on a map, but also leveled up your character and gained experience based on damage done. It. Was. Awesome. This scratches that same itch.

  7. Posted

    I can walk you through anything you need to know about Dark Souls, Badfinger, so come to me if you want to experience a great game.

    Also yeah, GiantBomb has a Best Game of This Year From Last Year category and it works just fine.

    That's very thoughtful of you, and I may very well take you up on it!

    Dark Souls was very much a 2012 game for me, I own it on PC. The reason I didn't play Fez and Journey was that I couldn't be bothered to turn on a console this year. Dark Souls was just in a weird spot where it definitely did not fit on any of my lists but for some reason I feel it needed to be mentioned. Maybe one day I'll get back around to it. Just like I've been meaning to get back around to playing more than 40 hours of Skyrim (not enough hours!). My "should I go down this rabbit hole?" game of the moment is definitely Crusader Kings.

    Oh shit I realize I've left off a game:

    Honorable Mention - Game that was not a very good game, but was a great overall considered experience: Spec Ops: The Line

    e: Ugh my posts are always too long. How can I make them more concise? I blame my Senior English teacher. Speaking of sales, if you think playing through it on easy for like $10 would be worth it to you, Spec: Ops is on sale on Steam for $10 right now.

  8. Posted

    For all the talk of it being a "down" year for AAA games or big budget releases or whatever you'd like to call them, of my top five games on the GOTY list, four are of that nature. In order of release they are Day Z, Borderlands 2, Dishonored, X-COM, and Far Cry 3. Just fucking phenomenal games that at the same time are all crucially flawed.

    Honorable Mention - Games I loved playing but have done a disservice of not playing enough: FTL, Planetside 2, Torchlight 2, Endless Space

    Honorable Mention - Games I'm sure I would have loved but haven't played for Reasons: Fez, Journey, The Walking Dead (I own it and want to play it through with someone else and we've not gotten the time to do it yet), Mass Effect 3 (I've only paid about $25 for all of 1, 2 and 3 so far, so I wait for sales. I'll probably get From Ashes and Leviathan and play that shit even though paying for DLC of that nature is loathsome)

    Honorable Mention - Games I would probably love but know I will eventually buy when they go on sale on Steam and then not play them because I'm terrible: Hotline Miami, Mark, The Ninja, Legends of Grimrock

    Honorable Mention - Game I'm incredibly intimidated by and want to play but am glad I got my dad to purchase to eat his retired hours: Crusader Kings II

    Honorable Mention - I can't stop playing this fucking game, it's why I haven't played more games, jesus the community is horrible and it came out in 2009 and I should really stop and where's my wallet?: League of Legends

    Game that I am as surprised as anyone and slightly saddened is not on any of these lists: Assassin's Creed 3

    Dark Souls: This game came out in 2011 why is it on lists!

    vvv Yeah, I know. :) It's funny that it feels like it's getting more recognition the year after its release! A lot of people think it's the best game ever, and I put about 6 hours into it. The time when I killed the first gargoyle but it didn't die and so I thought you had to kill both to kill either but then someone told me that you didn't is the time when it put the "harsh but fair, perfect fidelity" to a lie and I got too frustrated and put it down and never picked it up again. It just keeps getting mentioned too often for me to ignore. I had the choice between this and Endless Space as a gift from a friend, and I chose this because I was ready for the experience. Turns out I was not ready for the experience.

  9. Posted

    Far Cry 1 was what people claim Halo to be - a way to set up a completely open approach to combat situations. Then there were mutants and I became disgusted with it.

    So, I hit a really low point with FC3. The mounted turret escape scene was awful, and made me really annoyed with it. Then I did a couple more missions that were not bad/good, and really dug in to disposing of camps and exploring the island and now I'm fully reinvested. I've secured almost all the camps on the (first) island, and done with most of the incidentals there. I booted up the game one day with a single goal - find boars, and kill enough to make a new ammo pouch. I'd played over 10 hours with the intro ammo pouch. And it took me three more hours to get to the boars. That is an amazingly good thing.

    By the by, it really helps to understand that the tooltips were written in-character by Willis. He's a guy that thinks he's pretty clever, but also still uses cassette tapes.

  10. Posted

    So, I feel a little bit guilty for making Sean possibly suspect he was being a baby in last week's thread! I am sorry, I do not think you are a baby! I do think we continue to have different viewpoints on how that scene could/should play out. The way you defined your position (what actions could I take if this was a point'n'click?) made sense. I just think an extra 5-10 seconds of exposition would have been enough to clearly define what you can and can't do. In an FPS, your only interactive options are "deplete health points of mans", but in this situation just a couple of lines will suggest attempting to deplete the health would be suicide. If your brother had said something like "come on, we have to go!" or "what are you doing, get back here?" or even "what good will that do", anything like that, it has made the expectations to me "if you keep doing that something bad will happen". If at that point you go bumble into that guy and he shoots you it is both 1) a valid outcome to your actions and 2) exactly what should have happened. It's something that's only crystallized for me in maybe the last 6 months or so, but I am willing to accept that death/failure as a legitimate option in games. If you put your hand on the stove, it's going to get burnt and I'm ok with that.

    I had the EXACT reaction to the turret sequence that Chris did. They were yelling about doing/not doing things that did not match up in the slightest with things I was actually doing. Both the above and this I think are failures of the scripting team to put hooks in the right places. Don't just yell random shit at 9 second intervals, and don't stare lifelessly at me when I'm doing something dumb and about to get killed. I'm starting to really dig into the story, and I don't think I like it very much at all.

    With that said, I still REALLY like Far Cry 3. I see all these direct parallels to FC2. It feels so, so incredibly similar. It is somewhat confusing to not hear those parallels being noticed immediately. Once I got going, it was "FUCK YES FC 2 BUT WITH WATER NOW." I had also honestly forgotten that Chris's opinion on Assassin's Creed and mine differ so much. AC2 and AC:Bro are two of my favorite games of all time. Certainly my favorite open world games. I definitely spent a lot (lot) of time collecting shit out of treasure chests in AC2, and I spent a lot (LOT) of time collecting all the diamond caches in FC2. I am about the opposite of a completionist/achievement seeker, too.

    The crafting in Far Cry is so much fun. The idea that you aren't ARTIFICIALLY limited to a certain weapon loadout, but that you have a real world limitation and literally do not have the gear needed to carry more than one weapon until you make yourself a holster is completely awesome and the Far Cry-est. Ok now you can holster 3 weapons, but you still don't have the ammo pouches and bandoliers to carry more than 30-50 rounds. But you CAN be self-sufficient and go make yourself new gear. The restrictions on what kinds of leather make what is totally video gamey, but I accept it the same way you need specific crafting materials to have someone make you shit in Dragon Age, or the Big Game Hunter quests in World of Warcraft. What's that? Oh no, not Young Tigers, Stranglethorn Tigers. Well... ok fine.

    I would also point out that the "unlock guns, ps there are gun spewing machines everywhere" was in Far Cry 2. They were just your Safe Houses, instead of a Coke machine that has ammo. How did all of your safe houses become identically stocked, everywhere? How did you keep them from being raided? How could you clear out a new safe area, wander around outside for 30 seconds, and then return to find it fully stocked with all the guns and ammo? How do you pay for all of it? The conceit that "it is a video game" is just as acceptable in that instance to me as this one, because they are literally the same. The difference is in one shit is lying on a table, and the other you might have to pay for ammo and they didn't model all the guns every time.

  11. Posted

    Spoilers up to the first act, not that it matters because this game is shit.

    I know that we didnt expect the same awesome narrative as Far Cry 2... but holy shit. I dont think I have ever hated playing a game more.

    I don't disagree with your overall criticism of the game's story, but at the same time I would place FC 3's narrative PRECISELY at the level of FC 2's narrative, which is to say the thing that drives you forward is really, really dumb and not particularly connected to the game you're actually playing.

  12. Posted

    I've gotten a bit further in the story, and eugh did they bungle some of it. The last story mission I completed of note was a bog-standard turret sequence. Are there three difficulties or four? I'm playing on one of the middle ones. Regardless, it actually turned out to be one of the more scenic drives around the island I've had, because the NPCs are apparently much better drivers than I am. Jeeps would appear and then they would instantly disappear, because the game had given me a grenade launcher that exploded jeeps in a single hit. Unfortunately my character and the NPC did not react to THAT, instead yelling back and forth about how bumpy it was and holding it steady because I couldn't get an accurate shot off, when I hadn't been challenged by an enemy in over 10 seconds. It was really bad, I really didn't like it. They've done some crappy stuff with the story.

  14. Posted

    I disagree slightly. I think they should have taken maybe 10 extra seconds and heavily reinforced that you're actually in no position to subdue a man with a knife and a gun, even with his back turned. If they'd put say a fence between you and him, something you could easily see through like chain link or a post fence, I think that lowers the tension. He's right there. If he turns and stretches, that knife is only about 10 feet from stabbing you.

    It will be interesting to see how Tomb Raider addresses that once it's actually released. They have a similar task but presented differently, because they've been up front with the character arc.

    e: wrote and posted that before I saw your reply Sean. Would what I proposed work for you, building just a bit more characterization into Jason and his brother? Or would you have not approached having an open space without the application of the appropriate action "kill man" at all?

    I've also noticed I have a fundamental difference of opinion when it comes to dying/killing as a valid outcome from games. I have no problem with being a scared tourist who gets killed when he bumps a pirate instead of sneaking, just like (I remembered) I had no problem with the Dissolved Conspiracy screen in Dishonored if you stabbed one of your housemates. I do agree with you that SOMETHING needs to be there w/r/t feedback besides just bumping into the character model and then getting shot.

  15. Posted

    Actually, my first reaction to Sean saying "Why can't I strangle a man?" is "Would you, Sean Vanaman, strangle a man moments after you recoil in horror when your brother attacks a different man to allow you to escape from pirates that captured you after you went off course while skydiving on vacation?" The game attempts to establish that you have no business handling a weapon in those first moments, it's only after you have rad mysticism done to you that things like that happen. I don't want to make too fine a parallel because Jason Brody is a rich dick, but it's "suburban white man from the west coast attempts to escape from kidnapping pirates". I, suburban white man from the east coast, would be terrified and want the madness to stop at almost any cost. Perhaps I shouldn't project on to you Sean, you may have strangled many a man in your spare time and I don't wish to insult you. In those early moments you are a vulnerable kitten, and only later do you become Far Cry.

  16. Posted

    Literally spent 50 straight minutes attempting to get into a car to drive to a place so I could hunt a certain type of animal, only to see a goat and try and grab a quick skin, hunt a komodo dragon, get distracted by a loot pickup, get jumped by pirates, attempt to stalk another set of pirates 100 meters down the road only to have them attacked by a komodo dragon, clean up the mess, see another goat, and then get stuck in a loop of continuosly shifting goats, pirates, and komodo dragons arriving and battling until the in-game sun set.

    This happened with one weapon slot unlocked, 90 minutes or less after the game let itself be itself. I know the first impression was a little lackluster, but this game is Far Cry as hell.

    PS: Holy shit play spaceteam.

  17. Posted

    I loved the discussion about the creative process, and how helpful and inspiring it is to listen others talk about theirs. I find it amazingly refreshing to hear others' struggles with the creative process, and welcome any more links to things people find inspiring.

    1. I found the Stephen King book "On Writing" (which is, amazingly, about writing) incredibly helpful. He goes to great lengths to demystify the writing process. One of my favorite quotes: There's a lot more in there that's wonderful.
    2. Also, in the link below, writers talking about their writing process. Maya Angelou says hilarious stuff, and there's a great link to Vonnegut's process in there, too. http://www.brainpick...utines-writers/
    3. New Year's resolution time! List of books to make you a better reader and writer.
    4. Elizabeth Gilbert's
      on the importance of just showing up for creative work. Just keep coming; that is honorable all by itself.

    On Writing is an excellent book, even if like me you haven't written anything longer than about 1000 words since it was assigned work. Insightful and funny.

  18. Posted

    It is similar to FTL in that you think everything is completely fine and then suddenly everything is on fire and there's no oxygen (from laughing), yes.

    Besides being intuitive, and the fact that yelling is fun, some of the interactions are straight out hilarious. Some of them are general babble like ACTIVATE SPACE CRANE, but there's also stuff like "Eulogize the departed" and "Buy Insurance". It can be harder to bark that out than to set the flange bobber to 4.

    Plus if you get far enough, there are levels that are PICTOGRAM ONLY. No words, just symbols. Good luck.

    Play this game. Hopefully it comes to non-iOS devices soon.

  19. Posted

    I can proudly state that I've never contributed to this forum.

    This seems like a sincere question with a somewhat strange phrasing, so I'll contribute a sincere answer.

    1) Understand what the forum is, and how to be a member of it.

    2) Have a conversation. A natural one. Post about a thing you like. Bring a counterpoint to a thing that you have an interest in but maybe don't like. If there's a salient point buried in a discussion about something else, derail that sucker! Back up your observations. Sometimes don't back up your observations but at least be clever about it.

    3) I have a feeling devs might be speaking about getting recognition on forums on or about a specific game. Example: theorycrafting with a conclusion, relevant contributions to bug/hotfix discussions. If you are having conversations with subjects that will involve game devs/GMs responding, guess what? Those guys are going to be talking with you. If you repeatedly make positive contributions, they're going to recognize you.

    4) Welcome to the internet, snark is all around you. It's your job as curator of your brain to spin it or disregard it.

  20. Posted

    Fallout 3 is Oblivion with guns.

    Skyrim is Fallout 3 without guns.

    Far Cry 3 is Skyrim with guns.

    THE ELDER SCROLLS V IS FAR CRY 3 WITHOUT GUNS.

    THE ELDER SCROLLS V: IGN REVELATIONS

    Skyrim is Elder Scrolls V

    v ^_^ v

  21. Posted

    There is one other ending available too.

    Mind sharing what it is? I actually have a guess as to what it might be.

    vvv That's what my guess was, yeah.

    I also wonder if

    they eventually shoot you/resolve it in some way if you never hand over the gun.

  25. Posted

    I guess as my real/first ending I chose:

    Doing nothing. If you take no actions (pressing no buttons, you can move from target to target), Walker shoots himself regardless of where you've pointed the gun. You die, and the game ends the same as if you'd shot yourself. You must take an action to get anything different.

    Here are all the endings that I know of. Just gonna list 'em:

    Do nothing. Walker shoots himself.

    Shoot yourself. Same ending, with an action taken.

    Shoot Konrad's reflection. Here the interstitial dialogue changes to reflect your choice. You also get one more option and a last segment of gameplay:

    Surrender your weapon to the soldiers who've come to find you. They pack you into a humvee and there is some dialogue where Walker answers a question that suggests he's raised more questions for himself.

    Shoot everyone that's come to rescue you. Become the Sand Baron. See JonCole's spoiler above.