tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4946916641850178817.post4368573620613979265..comments2024-01-29T18:11:40.469-08:00Comments on The RPG Consoler: Game 19: Swords and Serpents (NES) - And Creepy Old MenZenic Reveriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16441583549326102945noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4946916641850178817.post-24511893661868234412013-09-14T23:59:33.641-07:002013-09-14T23:59:33.641-07:00I remember finding all sorts of junk in Xenogears....I remember finding all sorts of junk in Xenogears. My sister was later telling me about how they're collectibles to unlock better equipment. I beat the game in any case, and the RPS badge nor the cobweb were of any help. I won't worry about it too much. Most of those hidden items are either useless or make the game too easy anyway.Zenic Reveriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16441583549326102945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4946916641850178817.post-4520853855232833362013-09-14T22:09:23.394-07:002013-09-14T22:09:23.394-07:00It's a Japanese RPG; all the modern ones seen ...It's a Japanese RPG; all the modern ones seen to have that type of stuff.<br /><br />That said I sure didn't bother with anything but the constellations and didn't suffer at all. The hard part is getting photos of bosses.Canageekhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03770924810559440307noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4946916641850178817.post-22762395463609248612013-09-14T22:01:51.580-07:002013-09-14T22:01:51.580-07:00That kind of rare completion always turns me off. ...That kind of rare completion always turns me off. I'll probably just play through the game then and won't worry about collecting everything.Zenic Reveriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16441583549326102945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4946916641850178817.post-68485495609643596992013-09-14T08:00:06.159-07:002013-09-14T08:00:06.159-07:00I doubt it was an inspiration. Short version: ki...I doubt it was an inspiration. Short version: killias is actually an amalgamation of my first and last name, one of which is represented above.killias2https://www.blogger.com/profile/00398131197947456691noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4946916641850178817.post-43272111076692619742013-09-14T01:01:27.993-07:002013-09-14T01:01:27.993-07:00Oh man, it is so awesome. I'll see if I can ha...Oh man, it is so awesome. I'll see if I can have my parents bring me my old gamecube and games at Christmas so I can finish it. I co-own it with my brother, but he mostly just plays current gen games. <br /><br />The one downside for you is that it requires really fast thinking AND good reflexes. There is one character I don't use as her animations are just too fast, and I can't pick cards quickly enough. This is one case you NEED to use the gamecube controller; it has game mechanics based on the stick layout. <br /><br />I hated building decks. I wish I could have had someone else do that for me, so I could get on with tracking down rare monsters. <br /><br />Also: One bad thing: Very little/no backtracking at will. So if you miss a rare card (and some are damn impossible) then you are SOL. Even using a guide I was missing stuff left, right and centre, since a lot of them you have to have carried a rare item in a limited slot since early in the game. v.v Canageekhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03770924810559440307noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4946916641850178817.post-14885057447307006112013-09-13T12:32:27.271-07:002013-09-13T12:32:27.271-07:00I'm really looking forward to getting to Baten...I'm really looking forward to getting to Baten Kaitos. Of all the series, it's the one I've heard the highest praise for compared to next to no negative comments. Plus I'm a sucker for card based mechanics, especially when they let me build decks. It's the sole reason I never completely Final Fantasy VIII or Xenosaga. We'll see how much I can stay away from them when I play through them again.<br /><br />Zenic Reveriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16441583549326102945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4946916641850178817.post-92134637821881405492013-09-13T01:10:28.656-07:002013-09-13T01:10:28.656-07:00You have good taste in games: I've beaten two ...You have good taste in games: I've beaten two of those, and Baten Kaitos is one of my all time favourite games, even if I never beat it. Canageekhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03770924810559440307noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4946916641850178817.post-85720377440759756542013-09-12T20:22:59.028-07:002013-09-12T20:22:59.028-07:00I'm not too worried about Ultima 4. I'm lo...I'm not too worried about Ultima 4. I'm looking forward to watching all the great RPG speedruns I've been holding off on watching: Dragon Warrior, Baten Kaitos, Skies of Arcadia.<br /><br />Musashi on the NES looks interesting, and I probably would have missed it since I can't seem to find it on Wikipedia. What would we do without the Internet?Zenic Reveriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16441583549326102945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4946916641850178817.post-20537515852937676762013-09-12T20:09:05.625-07:002013-09-12T20:09:05.625-07:00I'm glad? I can't say for certain that you...I'm glad? I can't say for certain that yours was an inspiration, but it have been in my mind for some reason.Zenic Reveriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16441583549326102945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4946916641850178817.post-48389383304887409982013-09-11T16:44:56.482-07:002013-09-11T16:44:56.482-07:00I've not played Ultima 4, at least not 'se...I've not played Ultima 4, at least not 'seriously'. I'm sure I've glanced at it heh.<br /><br />Feasel's done some speed runs of it, Bulleta's played through a good bit of it but didn't finish it (she'll come back to it soon, and yes she's beaten it before). From what I've seen it's similar to Ultima 3 in that 'once ya know where to go its not such a big deal'. There appears to be an ass load of more stuff to collect but she mentioned that the game does hint / tell ya everything ya really do need to know AFAIK. Might be cryptic like U3, dunno. It's a similar game engine (at least from what i saw), but upgraded nicely.<br /><br />I'd say Zenic's assessment of S&S is prolly fair.<br /><br />I've been playing through translated Mushashi on NES. It's lacking but prolly targeting a younger audience.unfyhttp://twitch.tv/unfynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4946916641850178817.post-60290235509399478052013-09-11T07:20:19.758-07:002013-09-11T07:20:19.758-07:00I like the name selections...I like the name selections...killias2https://www.blogger.com/profile/00398131197947456691noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4946916641850178817.post-58164570364478019352013-09-09T21:15:35.648-07:002013-09-09T21:15:35.648-07:00Well, I played over the weekend and was going to g...Well, I played over the weekend and was going to get a post out either last night or tonight, but really can't think of much to talk about. It's mostly collecting random hints, treasure, and reporting on yes progress was made. I'll see how far I get tonight before making a full post.<br /><br />As for whether it's worth a playthrough, probably not unless you enjoy dungeon crawlers. Then it's a pretty average, yet solid, one to play through. So far it's been well balanced with new equipment, spells, and obvious progress. All that could level out at some point though.<br /><br />Ultima 3 was definitely worse than this. I'm not looking forward to Ultima 4 if it's anything similar to it. Although, I'm secretly hoping for the pilgrim (I think I heard that's the weakest) for the lols. DW2 I've played many times before, but don't remember a bunch. I'm not expecting any major road blocks. Double Dungeons I beat just a couple years ago; there's definitely more story in Swords and Serpents than that entire game. I'll have to figure out a way to make that one even remotely interesting. Either that or make a post on each dungeon and bore the readership away completely. ;)Zenic Reveriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16441583549326102945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4946916641850178817.post-2019328955913294332013-09-09T21:10:13.772-07:002013-09-09T21:10:13.772-07:00I haven't bothered with directed attacks, but ...I haven't bothered with directed attacks, but I might once the enemies start taking more hits to kill. I can see the multitap aspect being tacked on, not sure if it was or not though. It's interesting that they put some thought into it beyond just controlling the guys in combat. Access to the store and inventory are also locked to a particular controller.Zenic Reveriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16441583549326102945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4946916641850178817.post-15514833503950118772013-09-09T21:08:03.567-07:002013-09-09T21:08:03.567-07:00I'm sticking to console for the more authentic...I'm sticking to console for the more authentic experience. I won't ever fault someone for using emulator to get around such an obtuse password system, but I'd like to comment on my dislike for the passwords. I think they're getting longer in fact.Zenic Reveriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16441583549326102945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4946916641850178817.post-72010564971988159772013-09-09T18:27:37.932-07:002013-09-09T18:27:37.932-07:00Victar said:
"... but it does expect the pla...Victar said:<br /><br />"... but it does expect the player to write down or memorize its cryptic in-game hints ..."<br /><br />See, I don't see this as a bad thing. I know there are folks who absolutely loathe having to talk to NPC's in RPG's - but that kind of thing is how a story or the majority of hinting is supposed to be done via a setting that has other people walking around. <br /><br />-----------<br /><br />As far as the complaints about 4 person multiplayer - ya don't get to individually wander around the screen - no. But, each player having their own means to input commands without having to pass a controller around is handy. While it might be possible to split the screen up until quadrants and have 4 individual screens so folks can wander around themselves - such a thing wouldn't be that feasible on the NES, let alone the more complicated mechanics of joining a fight etc. SFX on walking would also get confusing (unless each person had their own 'tone').<br /><br />---------<br /><br />I'll agree the game isn't overly difficult. Dungeon Magic he played earlier is prolly more difficult. At least it's more complex with it's magic system.<br /><br />I'll also agree on basically no plot / story development stuff. But - dragon warrior didn't get character development until DW4. FF2J had some charachter development, but FF1 and FF3 was basically no development. And "go kill bad guy" is fairly standard unadulterated plot.<br /><br />Is it worth playing ? Given that it's not terribly long, has some creepy graphics / large characters for an NES title, and the fact that I kinda like the wandering around music (non-combat) - sure. I could see wasting a few evenings on the game... easily so if on an emulator, and perhaps so if via a $1-$5 find.<br /><br />Alternatively - he went through Ultima 3 a while back - that game is rage worthy (go beat it blind with no internet help). Ultima 4 is coming up and it's not quite as rage worthy but still.... grrr. And DW2 should be entertaining to watch once he gets the ship ;).<br /><br />I believe Double Dungeons coming up eventually is similar to this game.<br />unfyhttp://twitch.tv/unfynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4946916641850178817.post-7983066870217822332013-09-09T00:36:34.916-07:002013-09-09T00:36:34.916-07:00Oh, I have been waiting for this one. I played and...Oh, I have been waiting for this one. I played and beat it years ago. I was not impressed.<br /><br />"Pretty decent"? Not so much. Maybe if all you care about is dungeon delving & mapping for its own sake. There is almost no story, no characterization, the graphics are blah, the music is meh, and the only good thing I can say about the save system is that you can steal someone else's passwords to instantly get a party at max level.<br /><br />I really doubt it's worth anyone's time to play anymore, but it sure is fun to watch Zenic experience it.<br /><br />Oh and the "4-person multiplayer"? Ya, right. It just let you plug multiple controllers in, and each player could use the controller to input the turn-based combat commands for a different party member in combat. Woohoo.<br /><br />It's a fairly short & easy game, but it does expect the player to write down or memorize its cryptic in-game hints. In addition to the ridiculous password system, of course.Victarhttp://www.victarfanfics.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4946916641850178817.post-14597264767034309922013-09-08T19:16:25.548-07:002013-09-08T19:16:25.548-07:00The game isn't terribly difficult. Annoying, ...The game isn't terribly difficult. Annoying, possibly.... and does require blind exploration to a degree (which is a good thing IMHO).<br /><br />I'm not sure if monster animation / position on screen matters for which direction arrow you press for attacking. Headshots can indeed do astronomical amounts of damage.<br /><br />I second the use of some kind of phone/tablet to capture passwords. Do it all the time myself :).<br /><br />--------------<br /><br />Several folks have streamed internet coop of secret of mana & SD3. Looks like decent fun. They only do two player btw.<br /><br />As a kid, I picked up the multitap and a couple games. S&S being one of them. Sorry. SaS :P. Cousins and I played it. Worked out decently - although a flashing green name in combat for who's turn it is to act is kinda hard to see. Also, stepping away from the game to go to the bathroom yielded one of my counsins stealing my controller to transfer some gear heh.<br /><br /><br />unfyhttp://twitch.tv/unfynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4946916641850178817.post-27864152551996961522013-09-07T21:32:13.393-07:002013-09-07T21:32:13.393-07:00Or use an emulator with save states. Or if that is...Or use an emulator with save states. Or if that is too much temptation, an emulator without them (or with them, but don't use them), but run it in a virtual machine and then suspend the VM at then end of each session without turning the emulator off.Canageekhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03770924810559440307noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4946916641850178817.post-89371246378116514962013-09-07T20:19:40.447-07:002013-09-07T20:19:40.447-07:00Haha... this reminds me of trying to take Polaroid...Haha... this reminds me of trying to take Polaroids of my screen to capture the password, but it was so blurry I would have been better off trying to copy it down.Zenic Reveriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16441583549326102945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4946916641850178817.post-73972649851410890912013-09-07T20:17:53.489-07:002013-09-07T20:17:53.489-07:00So far, it's a bit like an easy Wizardry. I pl...So far, it's a bit like an easy Wizardry. I plan to stream tonight. Hope you can check it out or catch the VODs, which are usually available for up to a week after.Zenic Reveriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16441583549326102945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4946916641850178817.post-53649046630301281912013-09-07T20:16:49.664-07:002013-09-07T20:16:49.664-07:00Not including a battery save was a cost reduction ...Not including a battery save was a cost reduction technique. I agree that it wouldn't have hurt the game any. I can agree with your parents about the music, especially the title.Zenic Reveriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16441583549326102945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4946916641850178817.post-13953129029897541842013-09-07T18:16:40.382-07:002013-09-07T18:16:40.382-07:00I will say in this day and age recent games I'...I will say in this day and age recent games I've played with passwords are easier. Just use your smartphone or tablet or whatever and snap a picture of the password screen. At least you don't have to write it down and there is no worry about transcribing errors or symbol ambiguity. You can save a bunch of snapshots or just delete your old pic when you take a new one. I did this this year with passwords for Slaterhpuse 3 and Tommy Lasorda Baseball on the Sega Genesis. (A fan website has a competition to beat every Sega Genesis game collectively in one year that I was participating in.)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11560711373831583403noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4946916641850178817.post-681888887278512522013-09-07T17:58:08.716-07:002013-09-07T17:58:08.716-07:00Yeah, probably easier to dedicate a weekend, map o...Yeah, probably easier to dedicate a weekend, map out the entire game, and try to beat it in a day than deal with passwords. I just don't have that kind of time.<br /><br />I only have a vague memory of my brother playing it for a bit.Zenic Reveriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16441583549326102945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4946916641850178817.post-24730771403760819312013-09-06T21:21:58.827-07:002013-09-06T21:21:58.827-07:00This game looks actually pretty decent. I'm ki...This game looks actually pretty decent. I'm kind of seeing similarities to Wizardry but this looks better. Ill have to catch a live stream on this one. I've honestly never heard of this game till now. There weren't any earlier games that let you look at or examine items for a short description? I could have sworn there were.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11560711373831583403noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4946916641850178817.post-90763214808560580862013-09-06T09:55:24.361-07:002013-09-06T09:55:24.361-07:00Hmm seems like it's screaming for battery save...Hmm seems like it's screaming for battery saves, or save states on an emu. I *think* I've played this one and liked it, though had to stop because the music was driving my parents crazy...sarah penguinnoreply@blogger.com