What games are you currently playing?

[Dart]

I'm playing Fire Emblem Heroes, it's surprisingly really fun. If anyone wants to friend me my player ID is :2767637292

[Droolie]

I just 100%ed Kingdom Hearts 0.2: Birth by Sleep -A fragmentary passage- which is included in Kingdom Hearts II.8: Final Chapter Prologue. The game is short but fantastic - much, much better than its crazy title(s). I've found the story bad for a while now but classic Kingdom Hearts combat is still so much fun! I especially enjoyed the secret boss fight. Plus, this game also nails the atmosphere, art style and graphical fidelity. Even though it involves light, darkness, heartless, nobodies, something called Kingdom Hearts that I still don't quite understand what it is exactly, strange men in black coats and multiple copies of the same person created by time travel, I am still very excited for the future of this franchise!

One game I'm currently playing through Skyward Sword, and wow, people shit on the motion controls way too much. Sure, they're a little clunky sometimes, but given what it is and what you have to work with, they work pretty dang well. It took a couple hours to get used to the combat, but I'm pretty good at it now. I actually find the combat extremely fun.

I love the combat in this game and I really can't see why so many people don't like the motion controls. Maybe something went wrong tech-wise for them, because they really do work great. Or maybe they prefer mashing buttons to carefully choosing the direction of your sword slashes.
One of the only things I didn't like about the game is that it forces you to revisit a lot of places later in the game. That feels a lot like filler, which the game could do without, but I found the rest of the game fantastic.

[Rayfist]

I'm going to start playing Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga on PS2 soon.

Let me know how that is! That's one of the few SMT ps2 titles I haven't started yet so I'm interested.

@Drol
I've mentioned this on twitter before, I really want to get into Kingdom Hearts at some point but I fear it will be a long time before I ever reach the motivation to care. I know the story is incredibly convoluted. Now I've played Metal Gear Solid 2, which in itself had a convoluted story, and I still appreciated it, so I have no clue how I'll feel about Kingdom Hearts story. And the fact that I need to play 9 games in total (2 of which are cinematics in the HD remixes) just to get the FULL scoop of the story seems really unnecessary imo. Also can I ask, how the hell are you playing through these RPGs so fast? I work a part time job, and I'm a full time college student, and I can rarely find time to finish these! I usually have to set them aside until Summer break.

[Droolie]

I've mentioned this on twitter before, I really want to get into Kingdom Hearts at some point but I fear it will be a long time before I ever reach the motivation to care. I know the story is incredibly convoluted. Now I've played Metal Gear Solid 2, which in itself had a convoluted story, and I still appreciated it, so I have no clue how I'll feel about Kingdom Hearts story. And the fact that I need to play 9 games in total (2 of which are cinematics in the HD remixes) just to get the FULL scoop of the story seems really unnecessary imo.

All of the KH games except the ones included in 2.8 are coming out on one disc for PS4 (and in 60fps!) at the end of March. So basically 1, 2, two "relevant" side-stories and two movies that aren't that relevant. If you want to try it out but don't know if you'll want to play everything, I suggest this order:

1. KH1
2. Watch/read a rough summary of the events of Re:Chain of Memories (it's a rehash of KH1 but it has some "important" story details). One or two paragraphs is really enough to explain what happens in that game.
3. KH2
4. Decide whether you like KH enough to play the rest and maybe go back to Chain of Memories to play that. The story doesn't get convoluted until you play these other games, but if you like KH enough to play them, chances are you'll like those other games too, convoluted story and all.

KH1 and 2 are by far the most enjoyable titles in the series, so if you don't enjoy those, you won't enjoy the rest. But I think if you liked FFXV's combat and music, you'll like KH since it does both of those things better. If you're familiar with the old Disney classics (and you don't hate them), you'll love it.

It's also worth mentioning that I feel like I know the full story even though I only finished 1/3 of KH:Birth by Sleep and only vaguely know what happens in two of the movies (though I plan to rectify that once the PS4 collection comes out).

Also can I ask, how the hell are you playing through these RPGs so fast? I work a part time job, and I'm a full time college student, and I can rarely find time to finish these! I usually have to set them aside until Summer break.

Well, I'm in a weird situation currently where I've graduated but I'm still a college student studying some additional courses that will e.g. finally allow me to learn OpenGL. I combine that with a small job that involves gamifying a training application, which I can do mostly at home. Basically, I'm getting paid for getting more programming/game dev experience while I figure out what I'll do afterwards (I kind of want to get into game development, but to do so I will probably have to move to another country, which I'm not sure I want to do just for a job... I've been keeping an eye on other jobs in Belgium to see if anything interesting pops up, but everything so far has been way too far from where I live, so I will probably have to move either way...)
And since I'm rather good at not going to classes and still passing with flying colors, I can spend the rest of my time working on my own projects and playing RPGs

[Master]

Hmm, I might actually be tempted to try out Kingdom Hearts as well. I've been slowly getting drawn in ever since I watched the SGB LP of KH2. I don't have a PS3, so I thought I was out of luck. My brother does have a PS4, so if there is another HD collection coming to it, I might be tempted. Is this collection going to contain the original titles or the remix versions?

[Droolie]

It's the two remixes on one disc. So that's basically everything that released prior to 2017, except the 3DS title (which is included in 2.8, which came out on PS4 2 weeks ago). I don't think it's even full price, so that's a pretty good deal, I think.

[Master]

Interesting, I might see if I can get it then. It's been a while since I've bought a console title, but this isn't the only PS4 game I'm interested in at present, there's also the Crash collection. Then there's other titles I'm interested in, such as Yooka-Laylee, and Universim, but I'm not sure if that comes out this year.

It's been a while since I've been interested in so many titles early on in the year, then there's also the Switch to look at. I'm still reserved on some of its aspects, but if they ever did drop a new Metroid (heck, a HD Prime Trilogy or remade original quadrilogy might even do the trick), it'll be much more enticing.

[Bzzit]

I think I'll get the KH collection too, because I've never played Birth by Sleep, but have always wanted to! Anyone played this one?

[Master]

Nope, but reading it up, it seems the original came out on PSP. I still have mine, and I could try finding a copy of it.

[Adsolution]

finally allow me to learn OpenGL.

You weren't allowed to learn OpenGL? You were disallowed from learning OpenGL in any and all capacity?

OpenGL is very easy. The real nightmare is DirectX - what the fuck is a swapchain?

[Droolie]

finally allow me to learn OpenGL.

You weren't allowed to learn OpenGL? You were disallowed from learning OpenGL in any and all capacity?

I know some of the basics, but with my studies the past 5 years I didn't have enough time to (want to) look at it further. Since time isn't really an issue this year, I can do so now.

[Dart]

I think I'll get the KH collection too, because I've never played Birth by Sleep, but have always wanted to! Anyone played this one?

I've played the franchise in it's entirety, so I guess yes I have. It's a pretty good entry point for people new to the franchise, since it starts off 10 years before the first game, so I'd recommend starting off with either this or KH1!

I just 100%ed Kingdom Hearts 0.2: Birth by Sleep -A fragmentary passage- which is included in Kingdom Hearts II.8: Final Chapter Prologue. The game is short but fantastic - much, much better than its crazy title(s). I've found the story bad for a while now but classic Kingdom Hearts combat is still so much fun! I especially enjoyed the secret boss fight. Plus, this game also nails the atmosphere, art style and graphical fidelity. Even though it involves light, darkness, heartless, nobodies, something called Kingdom Hearts that I still don't quite understand what it is exactly, strange men in black coats and multiple copies of the same person created by time travel, I am still very excited for the future of this franchise!

A fragmentary Passage has easily got to be my favorite game play so far, it just melds all the previous games so perfectly, I feel like I could get lost in it for days if it weren't so short!


@Rayfist The only games you really need to play to know the lore are Kingdom Hearts (0): Birth By Sleep, Kingdom Hearts 1, Kingdom Hearts 2, and Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance.

Chain of Memories, 358/2 days, Re:Coded, 0.2 -A Fragmentary Passage-, and Unchained X don't need to be played, in fact it might be better to do as Drolpiraat says and just find a summary of these games online (or just ask me since I'm a walking KH Encyclopedia... ).

[Droolie]

<about BBS> It's a pretty good entry point for people new to the franchise, since it starts off 10 years before the first game, so I'd recommend starting off with either this or KH1!

Yeah, no. The starting point should definitely be KH1, not because BBS would be a terrible starting point, but because the knowledge gained about the lore in BBS would ruin KH1's storytelling, and likewise a lot of references to KH1 characters in BBS would be completely lost otherwise. (Also, KH1 is a much better game)

A fragmentary Passage has easily got to be my favorite game play so far

It was really good, but Aqua still controls a little too stiff for my tastes. KH2FM on Critical was definitely the best for me - that probably had my favorite gameplay mechanics in any game ever.
After I finished the regular KH2 back in the day, I modded my PS2 just to be able to play KH1FM, KH2FM and Re:Com. That was all in Japanese, so I used printed translation guides. And it was great. The additions in 2FM were all perfect: the platforming needed to get those crowns scattered everywhere, the Cave of Remembrance and all of those secret bosses. I 100%ed it and still pop in the disc from time to time to redo some of those extra bosses. That did make 0.2 a lot harder for me than it should have been though, since I was so used to the Japanese control scheme...

I just started playing KH DDD HD, by the way. The 60fps makes it such a huge improvement over the 3DS version. Can't wait to see what it does to KH2FM!

[Ambidextroid]

Playing Ratchet and Clank 2, this is the most nostalgia I have experienced in a long while.
Wait, I just remembered I'm half way through playing Wind Waker... Damn, I've left it too long and now I forgot what was happening
This always happens to me with anything remotely RPGish. I was half way through Twilight Princess and somehow totally forgot about it. Now if I continue I won't know what I'm doing and if I start over it will seem tedious since I can still almost remember. I'll just have to wait until it's completely gone from my mind and play it from the beginning in a few years time

[Tomazo]

Playing Ratchet and Clank 2, this is the most nostalgia I have experienced in a long while.
Wait, I just remembered I'm half way through playing Wind Waker... Damn, I've left it too long and now I forgot what was happening
This always happens to me with anything remotely RPGish. I was half way through Twilight Princess and somehow totally forgot about it. Now if I continue I won't know what I'm doing and if I start over it will seem tedious since I can still almost remember. I'll just have to wait until it's completely gone from my mind and play it from the beginning in a few years time

Ah, that's a really bad thing. The same goes for books, I hate that when I am reading a great book, and meanwhile I have to read one for homework. Homework is homework, so I must stop reading the one I wanted, and it totally fades. Maybe if you watch some videos about the game, you can get back into it and remember.

[Dart]

(Also, KH1 is a much better game)

Agreed

A fragmentary Passage has easily got to be my favorite game play so far

It was really good, but Aqua still controls a little too stiff for my tastes. KH2FM on Critical was definitely the best for me - that probably had my favorite gameplay mechanics in any game ever.
After I finished the regular KH2 back in the day, I modded my PS2 just to be able to play KH1FM, KH2FM and Re:Com. That was all in Japanese, so I used printed translation guides. And it was great. The additions in 2FM were all perfect: the platforming needed to get those crowns scattered everywhere, the Cave of Remembrance and all of those secret bosses. I 100%ed it and still pop in the disc from time to time to redo some of those extra bosses. That did make 0.2 a lot harder for me than it should have been though, since I was so used to the Japanese control scheme...

I loved all the additions in KH2FM, although I'm more than happy to play it on the ps3 with the western control scheme. In fact this reminds me that I never beat any of the secret bosses yet, I should totally do that some day!

I just started playing KH DDD HD, by the way. The 60fps makes it such a huge improvement over the 3DS version. Can't wait to see what it does to KH2FM!

I havent played much of this one either, although the camera control feels really weird in 60 fps, but visually speaking it definitely a step up.

[Ambidextroid]

Ah, that's a really bad thing. The same goes for books, I hate that when I am reading a great book, and meanwhile I have to read one for homework. Homework is homework, so I must stop reading the one I wanted, and it totally fades. Maybe if you watch some videos about the game, you can get back into it and remember.

I have tried this before but I end up getting really bored and wanting to play the game myself, then when I do I feel like I'm treading over old ground. It's alright though, I'm pretty close to not remembering anything about Twilight Princess (this happened about a year ago) so I think I'll push on and play when it's been completely wiped from my mind.
The sad thing with me is I don't lose track of the game because of some other responsibility, I just start too many games without finishing the ones I'm already playing

[Tomazo]

I have tried this before but I end up getting really bored and wanting to play the game myself, then when I do I feel like I'm treading over old ground. It's alright though, I'm pretty close to not remembering anything about Twilight Princess (this happened about a year ago) so I think I'll push on and play when it's been completely wiped from my mind.
The sad thing with me is I don't lose track of the game because of some other responsibility, I just start too many games without finishing the ones I'm already playing

I actually don't remember if I have ever finished a game, I just simply get bored of playing them. For example, I haven't finished any Rayman game, however I know the series for several years. But I will change this, now I'm playing through Origins, and I plan to finish the other titles too. I think I missed out a lot of things, while daring to call myself a Rayman fan.

[PluMGMK]

Gasp! Off with his head!

[Master]

Hm, Rayman 1 I can understand, but Rayman 2 and 3 are pretty simple to complete, the former isn't too hard, and the latter doesn't have that many levels.