<–The State of the Gamer: 2/7/17 The State of the Gamer: 2/21/17–>
A weekly post updated every Tuesday detailing my current gaming projects. I have quite a backlog of games to either play or watch, and I’m hoping a weekly article will assist with my progress as my other accountable posts have done with reading and writing.
I have an account at Grouvee, which is a essentially Goodreads for gamers, so please feel free to friend me there!
Original source of the banner art is located here.
Title: Journey
Genre: Adventure, Art
Developer: thatgamecompany
Original Platforms: PlayStation 3
Original Release Date: March 13, 2012
Current Platform: PlayStation 4
Current Platform Release Date: July 21, 2015
Date Purchased: January 21, 2017
Date Started: February 11, 2017
I started this last Saturday as part of my Four in February project. Even though I watched one of my friends play it on Twitch, I wanted to go on my own journey. I played for about an hour, but then I ran into the same problem I had with Banjo Kazooie and many other Nintendo 64 games: the camera movement. I’ve never experienced motion sickness for actual movement (or if it has happened, it’s been rare), but when it comes to one of my major passions, if the camera is overly erratic, it causes me to feel nauseated and dizzy. Initially, I was confused. I thought I’d eaten something disagreeable, then I remembered this particular issue. The funny thing is I can watch games that have the spinny camera, probably because I don’t have to focus my sight in one particular place. When playing, though, you need to keep your eyes on your character, and the camera turning around them is what throws me off.
So I only played for an hour, but I did run into a “friend,” which was nice. My scarf is still really short, and I’m hoping to play more tomorrow.
Title: Final Fantasy I & II: Dawn of Souls
Series: Final Fantasy
Genre: RPG – Fantasy
Developer: Square/Tose (GBA)
Original Platform: NES
Original Release Date: December 18, 1987
Current Platform: Gameboy Advance
Current Platform Release Date: July 29, 2004
Date Started: November 20, 2016
Nope!
Title: Final Fantasy IV
Series: Final Fantasy
Genre: RPG – Fantasy
Developer: Square
Original Platform: SNES
Original Release Date: July 19, 1991
Current Platform: Game Boy Advance
Current Platform Release Date: December 12, 2005
Date Started: October 24. 2016
Alas also a nope. I still need to return to Troia to start my adventures in the Tower of Zot.
Title: World of Final Fantasy
Series: Final Fantasy
Genre: RPG – Fantasy
Developer: Square Enix
Platform(s): PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita
Release Date: October 25, 2016
Date Bought: October 21, 2016
Date Started: November 5, 2016
So I sort of finished the game last Wednesday, but I really didn’t. It’s not the real ending, and I started giggling uncontrollably when I realized that Final Fantasy did a false “finale,” because that’s what they’ve been doing for years. The credits roll and everything, but you know there’s no way in hell it’s the end. I’m currently in postscript, which I thought was the only postscript any of the tip videos were mentioning, but there’s another postscript after what I’m assuming will be the real ending, and you can collect even more Mirages and do even more side quests.
I have more thoughts about the first ending, but I’ll leave them for when I review the game, as it’s spoiler city all over the place.
Games Currently Watching
Title: Ys: The Vanished Omens
Series: Ys
Genre: Action RPG – Fantasy
Developer: Nihon Falcon
Original Platform: Multiple
Original Release Date: June 21, 1987
Let’s Player: Hungry Goriya
Date Started: February 13, 2017
Imagine my delight last night as I finished watching an episode of Mass Effect III, and I check my email to find a notification about a new LP by Hungry Goriya! Like Miracle Warriors, this is another game I’ve neither played nor heard of since it was released for the Sega Master System. Another RPG, more familiar in aspect (to me) than Miracle Warriors was, but with some features I haven’t seen before..Ys utilizes the “bump attack” system. It’s not turn-based like Final Fantasy, nor do you swing a sword like Legend of Zelda. Rather, you “bump into” your enemies at an angle in order to defeat them. It makes leveling up quicker and more streamlined, but you still have to avoid foes that are too powerful, otherwise you might be bumped off (nope, I’m not sorry for that).
I have to mention the awesome music, because music is such an important aspect of any media that will allow it. It’s interesting how music is a medium all on its own, but it’s also used to enhance and enrich other media. I thought the music in town and store was good, but the field music is just epic. Not only that, this game predates Final Fantasy (the first game in the series) by half a year.
This would make some epic horse riding music #truestory
Title: Mass Effect III
Series: Mass Effect
Genre: Action RPG – Sci-Fi
Developer: BioWare
Original Platform(s): Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3
Original Release Date: March 6, 2012
Let’s Player: Olizandri
Date Started: January 23, 2017
Shepherd ran into Thane, the drell assassin and her former companion in Huerta Memorial Hospital (the story behind the name is extra creepy btw). Sadly, the terminal disease he mentioned in ME II has caught up with him, and to be honest some of his symptoms sound a lot like what I’ve been experiencing o.O Either way, I have a feeling his death scene is going to be heartbreaking ;_;
Games Added to Playlist: 1
- Tales of Berseria – I have to thank the Evil Wizard, Esq. for this RPG addition to my backlog. I already have the first Tales game on my list, but I’m going to go out on a limb and assume that each of the games is standalone (like Final Fantasy), but still interconnected (also like Final Fantasy). Berseria is available for the PS4, which makes it very accessible.
What are you currently playing and/or watching? Is it something new or old? Is it a first time run or a replay? What’s the genre? Would you recommend it? What’s on your radar to play next?
<–The State of the Gamer: 2/7/17 The State of the Gamer: 2/21/17–>
The Shameful Narcissist Speaks 
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Oof, I have been there before with the nausea-inducing movement in certain games. It sucks too, because they’re normally games I really want to continue playing when it happens. Spyro, Team Fortress 2, and I know there was another one that I can’t think of at this moment. So frustrating. lol
Journey looks really cool though so I hope the same problem doesn’t occur when you start playing it again next time. Good luck! 🙂
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I’m going to play it in hour intervals or so. Since it’s not that long a game, I still think I should be able to finish it within the month 🙂
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I tried playing Journey once; I didn’t really enjoy it. I got stuck at one point and wasn’t interested in continuing. Between it and Limbo, I fully admit these artsy games probably just aren’t for me; it’s a reason I wasn’t drawn to the indie scene until very recently when developers started putting more of an emphasis on delivering fun experiences.
The only Ys game I’ve played is Ys: Book I & II, which I did like. Its plot is fairly standard, but for a 1990 effort, the presentation was really good, and there is a bit more strategy to bumping into enemies than one would think.
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It is quite an artsy game, so if that’s not your thing, I could understand why you’d be reluctant to return to it! Have you played Limbo or Inside? I’ve played the former and want to play the latter. They’re both Indie games, but more puzzle platformers than artsy (though Limbo has a definite macabre aesthetic to it).
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I did play Limbo, and I can’t say I enjoyed it. I didn’t like the controls, and I’m not a fan of its trial-and-error level design where you just go through the motions until you find the right button inputs that will allow you to advance. Granted, there are some good games like that, but they’re usually a bit more merciful. One of my friends put it best when he said that it feels like a string of random ideas thrown together. Along those lines, I felt it wasn’t a game that really built on itself, and it was a weak experience because of that.
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Yay, Journey! I still want to play it and I’m sure I’ll get around to it at some point.
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It’s so gorgeous and a quick play. I love my little scarf :p
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Glad you’ll be watching the LP! I adore the music in Ys and hate going out of the fields area where that awesome tune you posted plays. It’s so questy!
Also, World of Final Fantasy looks and sounds like so much fun! I will have to get around to playing that one someday!
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Oh you reminded me that another video is up! I love the music and I can’t wait to see where the game goes.
WOFF Is so much fun. I’m telling myself not to play tonight, because it’s late and I have to get to work earlier than normal tomorrow since I have to leave early, but the temptation is so great 🙂
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Sorry to read about your motion sickness issues 😦 Banjo-Kazooie is such an awesome game but those early N64 games really had horrible camera spinning. I guess developers were still learning how to use that fancy new 3D technology.
Nope to FF IV again?! Cecil needs your help! You can’t just forget about him 🙂 That being said, I’m not any further than the last time I rambled to you about the game (That Cave of Trials place)… On a side note, did you find that secret Developer’s Office in the Dwarven Castle (I think it’s only in the DS and PSP versions)? I thought that was a really entertaining Easter egg, haha.
I love it when you “finish” a game, but not really. I’m excited to play WoFF once I’m done with the other numbered FF Games this year.
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I have DoS on my schedule to play tonight, but as usual I’m playing catch up. I haven’t been sleeping well which is irritating, because I LOVE to sleep. I’ve gotten a few suggestions on what to do. I took a nap when I came home, so it’s a bit later for me to be checking email and comments. I am going to the doctor tomorrow for what I really hope isn’t pneumonia *grumpy*
I’m going to play IV this weekend I swear! I did find the developer’s office. It was so adorable. Did you find the dirty magazine? Lol. If you select it, Cecil will say something about “Ah I’m going to go blind.” It’s fantastic.
I’m excited because I was able to make a trade to get a Mirage I’d never be able to obtain on my own!
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I hope you find something that works for you! I’ve been shoveling and climbing snowbanks so much lately that sleep hasn’t been an issue for me. I usually collapse into sleep around 9pm, haha. I get up for work at 6am though. I also hope your doctor appointment went well! Pneumonia sucks! 😦
I believe you! 🙂 Yes, I found the dirty magazine, lol.
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That dirty magazine cracks me up every time. Cecil just doesn’t seem the type lol.
It’s not pneumonia thank goodness, and logically that didn’t make sense. I’ve been coughing, but not pneumonia coughing. My doctor switched up my medicine, and I can already feel the positive effects. Unfortunately, the inhaled one I was taking messes up your throat, which is why my voice was suffering. It’s always something.
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I’m so glad it’s not pneumonia! I’m sorry to hear about your voice issues, but at least your new meds are helping a bit. Stay strong! 🙂
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The voice is getting better! I’m trying to stay hydrated and the pill type medicine is actually better at helping my breathing than the inhaled one lol. It’s a steroid that you take on a schedule, and I love telling people I’m on steroids :p I think the inhaled medicine is a steroid, too. They bring down swelling, which is where the abuse comes from, because you can work out harder without having to deal with the swollen/sore muscles, but medically, they’re often used to treat asthma.
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I would love telling people that too, lol. I hope you continue to improve 🙂
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So excited you’re playing Journey! It’s such a beautiful game! Hopefully, your motion sickness doesn’t ruin your perception of it. Also, congratulations on finishing World of Final Fantasy, even if it’s a false finale! Good luck on getting the true ending! I finally finished Dragon Quest VIII and pretty much did all I could with Fire Emblem Heroes! Also, I’m replaying through Super Mario 64 for a super-special thing I’m working on! Lots of fun games!
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I’m going to give it another go this weekend! It think I can play it in short increments, and since it’s not a very long game, I don’t think that’s too farfetched.
I’m going to try to “really” finish WOFF this weekend. I’m pretty excited because I was able to procure a trade for a Mirage I couldn’t have gotten any other way (the prerequisites were too difficult and random).
I just saw your review for FEH, and I definitely want to play the DQ series (I did, but it was many years ago). Oooh project!
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I hope you enjoy Journey! And good luck on “really” finishing WOFF! I still have to fake finish and then real finish WOFF too, haha. Thanks for checking out my review for FEH! And I think you would enjoy the DQ series, at least VIII, which is more similar to the Final Fantasy series than any other entry, due to its rich story and characters. I actually wrote up a review for DQVIII ahead of my FEH review but have to wait for that one to post.
And yay, project! I’m so excited to share it with you! I’ve been working on it for at least a month and am finally on the preparation phase. It still won’t be ready until about next month, but I hope you check it out when it’s ready! 🙂 I’m so excited about it!
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I can’t wait to hear more about this project!
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Thanks! 🙂 I’m a bit nervous about it. It’s something that I’m not used to, but I hope it goes well.
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You know we’ll all love it!!
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Aw you’re so sweet! Thanks! I appreciate it so much! ❤
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Ugh, motion sickness! I just wrote about my experience with VR games, and motion sickness was a bit of a problem for me. I hate it! Hope you are able to finish Journey!
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