Garple

Xycle By: Scattle Available: Free: http://gamejolt.com/freeware/games/platformer/xycle/885/ Synopsis: A game where you ride a motorcycle and jump from one rooftop to the next and shoot oil drums. Challenging trial and error gameplay; great music.

Sumotori Dreams By: Peter Sotesz Available: Free: http://www.fun-motion.com/physics-games/sumotori-dreams/ Synopsis: It's, sort of, sumo wrestling with a nifty physics engine.

How about "cloying"?

I just started playing this yesterday, and I really like that the stealth has more context than most other games. There's a war going on (granted it's not technically dynamic but it does a decent job of feeling that way...for example: "oh...there's a couple of guys nearby and I don't want to be seen? Well there's also a lot of artillery fire, I can wait for them to be shelled). In other words, all the dudes who are running around are busy fighting a war and aren't really paying that much attention...which I think is how this would be in real life. So during a skirmish, sneaking around is easier, you just have to not be super obvious and everyone will be too distracted to see you. I like this; it's an interesting contrast to other stealth games in which it feels like every person is just kind of standing around or pacing a small route waiting to catch you up to no good which makes it feel less like the situation its trying to replicate and more like a game of capture the flag (real life Capture-the-Flag, not the FPS mode). I mean, I enjoy Hitman: Blood Money, somewhat, but during what I've played of it, I can't help feeling that the people are just sort of standing around or moving on preassigned routes just to act as obstacles for me. Obviously, this sort of thing is going to be the case in most video games, because sequences in video games are the very definition of contrived, but it makes a world of difference when the game makes an effort to cover these things up with convincing details. I've talked before about suspension of disbelief in games, and I recognize that you need to accept the limitations of the medium in order to enjoy it, but it's also important for games to hold up their end of the bargain and present you something that your imagination can run with. Another thing: This game is extremely linear, I know, but much like Half-Life 2, it doesn't feel that way because of the way that the game is structured. I'm constantly being pushed off the obvious path and end up backtracking or taking odd turns and looking for "secret passageways" because while the game (with the map and the Codec messages) encourages me to go straight, it throws a bunch of soldiers in the way, whom I'd like to avoid. This creates a nice feeling of dynamism, in that I know where I need to go but I often feel like I'm discovering a alternative route...like I'm changing my plans on the fly. I know that's pretty much an illusion, but video games are all about illusions, so it seems ok. So far, I really like this game. I'm glad I finally decided to ignore all the Kojima criticism on the internet and give it a try. I can certainly see why other people don't like it much, but I've yet to encounter something that makes me agree. This game seems like it'd be a great catalyst for discussion, and if IdleThumbs does do a forum member podcast, maybe a Metal Gear episode would be neat. Also: I find it interesting that this AAA game is so divisive (among the 'serious' gaming population if not the general populace). Usually a game of this magnitude can't or won't be bold enough to engender such strong feelings on both sides of the line. And, at least Kojima is trying to push what can be done in games, even if his methods are often misguided.

Did you feel that? I just hugged you.

Or playing a game that uses the microsoft wheel peripheral, no doubt. Damnit, do I need to put two tvs next to each other and buy a second 360 to enjoy this mode? Or should I just install a 360 and tv in my car? Or should I cut off one of my hands and appreciate the fact that there's at least one game I can still play.

I'm playing firefight with a custom soundtrack of Push Barman to Open Old Wounds. I highly recommend this. Edit: It works especially charmingly with "The State I Am In"

such a thing as "up"? I believe there is, sir.

Man...so it's you and me 'Blix representing the hard-casual paradigm (I love easy modes!) on this forum. Only certain games (and very few of them) make me really gung-ho about being especially challenged. Those have included:Trials HD, Xycle (freeware indie game) and Mighty Jill Off. Toblix, what hard games have you enjoyed (I ask because, like I said, I think we have a similar sensibility on this issue). Also: before anyone thinks poorly of me about not liking an extreme challenge 1. So what? 2. I only played video games occasionally up until 2008 when I started getting really into them; Therefore, I'm not very good at them. Edit: Also, my apologies, Toblix if you're uncomfortable with being addressed about this, but I've noticed that you like easy modes sometimes and don't seem to mind saying so, which is rare among gamers, so without being creepy, I'm just trying to connect with a kindred spirit (I probably shouldn't have said that last thing about the kindred spirit...). I AM NOT STALKING TOBLIX. mostly for geographical reasons

I want to participate in the cast, but I've sworn off grand thumb after my first attempt to join in was a mega-bummer. Can somebody give me a quick PM run-down after y'all discuss it, please? Patters, if you're in on that, I'll catch you on XBL and maybe you can fill me in? I guess, also, I'll have to learn to use skype.

I'm going to get that game now (the first one) the idea of pulling a medieval-fantasy hooverville out of the muck by the skin of it's teeth sounds awesome.

"Video Games are Great...Because of Trine."

Giantbomb recently did a quicklook of this and it's so PS2 (not graphics-wise but just...sensibility) It looks batshit insane in the best possible way.

Ah, well. Fuck computers.

I'm using my dad's computer right now and I just discovered he has a real graphics card! An old one, granted (Radeon 9200) but still. The closest I've ever come to real PC technology. He said he wouldn't mind if I installed a game or two. Any recommendations for great older games that I probably wouldn't have been able to play on my integrated card?

Yeah, I realized that too after I made my post.

I just noticed, apparently, no one (in the history of the world) has played "Cathy's Clown" by the Everly Brothers on Mono Pro. I'm all, Say Whaaaa? In fact, the only songs so far that I've played which had other people on the leaderboard were from Michael Jackson's Off the Wall (granted I've only just started playing).

I just thought the quote was funny, not representative of my opinion. What I was agreeing with was the content of the whole video. I guess I wasn't really clear on that. edit: Then again, most of the problems I have with it are the same problems I had with Fallout 3 which took me a long time to really "get into" but then ended up being a truly great game. Maybe Dragon Age just hasn't clicked with me properly. I've probably not done more than scratch the surface in terms of the content being offered, but it seems like it would be sort of a chore to go back to it. I went into it optimistic, but the more I played the more and more I had to admit to myself that this game wasn't doing anything for me. If someone could list a couple spoiler-free reasons why I should stick with it, I'd be appreciative. edit 2: Also, Chris, I didn't say the game was bad, just that I don't really like it, which I think is a significant distinction. I don't consider my opinion to be representative of some kind of gold standard of taste, so I'm not trying to suggest that other people shouldn't like the game. My reasons for not liking it are probably kind of idiosyncratically based on the way my brain responds to certain things in games. Also, the even the dude who did that video review is really into the game. He was just listing its shortcomings in the beginning. I'm writing a lot in response to your statement not to argue with you, but because I want to make clear that I don't want to discourage other people from playing the game. Most people will probably love it and they're not wrong to do so. I've only been seriously into games for about 1 year so my perspective is different. I have a hard time with suspension of disbelief, I think because I'm not used to understanding the limits on what is practically possible in games. There are other issues, probably, in my head that make me think about games in weird ways. I was bummed out when I saw that I had made Cigol feel bad about buying the game because I had not intended to do anything like that .

Ok...well that still sounds like bliss.

Never heard of that, but it sounds like bliss. Also, does anyone know if it's possible to digitally purchase Grim Fandango somewhere?

I'm trying to find a great deal on a PSP. Please let me know if you see one. All the games for it mock me every time I go on PSN.

But, the disclaimer!

Not to be condescending, but I find the story adorable in this game. The people responsible for it are obviously a little out of their comfort zone (as they've said in interviews), but the whole thing is so earnest and lovingly made. It's so awesome when the little boy says "can I use your armor when you're done with it?" Also: the town has some nice little quirky details. I hope soon they get to make a game where that sort of stuff is more fleshed out. It even looks damn pretty in netbook mode (like it's a hot girl who doesn't need to wear makeup). Everything about this shit is delightful; God damn.

Now look at the camera; let me see those pretty eyes.

All I can say is its a tropical fruit. (hint) sounds like s*********