Game Journal

Basically, post here about what games you've been playing lately, and tell us any progress you've recently made in them.

I'll start:

Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate (3DS) - Been playing a lot of this game. Recently just got up to the 4-star quests, which was my goal, since I could never get that far in Tri. I'm surprised by what little difficulty I had with the 3-star quests (though I still have the Royal Pain mission that I'm not gonna bother with). Now that I've done everything I couldn't do in Tri, I think I'm gonna take a break from this game for a while. I've already put 34+ hours into it, and I think I just started it last week. :PAt least until the Wii U version I just bought gets here...

Tales of Graces f - Playing with my brother. Got stuck on a boss in Fendal and now we need to grind.

Shining Force: Sword of Hajya (3DS VC) - Just starting Chapter 3. Had this on hold while I progressed through MH, but I think I'll be playing more soon.

Luigi's Mansion (GCN) - Just got to Area 4. Boolossus or whatever his name is was a pain, yet still quite interesting to fight. Not sure If I'll be finishing this any time soon, but it would be nice.

Lately I've just been playing Smash Bros Brawl.. I'm kinda obsessed about it right now.. :p Before my SSBB frenzy, I was playing Trine 2 (still haven't beaten it after 3 months), CoD BO2, Zelda ALTTP, and Mario Sunshine..

I've been largely replaying through Atelier Totori in preparation for Meruru on the Vita.

Other than that - mostly my review games, of which Time and Eternity is the most notable.

Animal Crossing: New Leaf is taking up most of my time at the moment.

On the side I'm trying to finish Defenders of Oasis (3DSVC) but that last dungeon is impossible to navigate

I also started up Ys Origins the other day and beat a boss that I'd been stuck on for months. Might make some more progress soon, I guess.

Magikarp wrote:Animal Crossing: New Leaf is taking up most of my time at the moment.

On the side I'm trying to finish Defenders of Oasis (3DSVC) but that last dungeon is impossible to navigate

I also started up Ys Origins the other day and beat a boss that I'd been stuck on for months. Might make some more progress soon, I guess.

Haha, Animal Crossing is part of my daily routine now, so I'd completely forgotten about that game for this thread. It's just... part of mah life  

And yeah, that last dungeon in Defenders of Oasis is brutal. Guess they felt the need to try and pad out its length just that little bit more.

Lately? Well, two weeks ago I worked through Super Splatters for PC, I've been playing the snot out of Project X Zone on my 3DS and I got to 100% trophy completion for Magic 2014 - Duels of the Planeswalkers on PSN.

This last weekend I spent a bunch of time on The Last of Us, beating that and sinking some time into the multiplayer, and I played a lot of Tekken Tag Tournament 2 with my son. I've also been playing a fair amount of chess and trying to wrap up Persona 4 Golden on my Vita. I'm in the final two weeks of the game's calendar. Lastly, a co-worker loaned me God of War Ascension last night. I'm hoping to finish that off by this weekend.

Well, I'll go ahead and update my own post from last time I think.

I have been playing Madden 13 with my old college buddy - we're like 8 or 9 seasons in now.

I still haven't finished Persona 4 Golden - haven't really touched my Vita over the last few weeks. I've been neck deep in Magic: The Gathering cards, playing R.I.P.D. and Time & Eternity for PSN and playing Might & Magic Heroes VI for PC. I did beat God of War Ascension in short order though, and have been logging some time with NCAA Football 14 as well.

I should update this too.

The main games I've been playing in the last couple of weeks has been Animal Crossing (those fish don't catch themselves), Mario and Luigi Dream Team Bros, and XCOM on iPad (still).

It's been a good time for games because it's been quiet. I've even had time to start a new run through Ico just because I can. Probably won't finish it because it's going to be busy again soon, I'm sure. But I got to start it!

I ran through the first two episodes of Kentucky Route Zero. It's an absolutely brilliant adventure game, with the best visual direction I've seen for a long time.

I'm also exploring an abridged version of Hong Kong in Sleeping Dogs, which has great gameplay with characters who are believable in one scene and irrational in the next. I'm not sure how to feel quite yet :/

MattS wrote:I should update this too.

The main games I've been playing in the last couple of weeks has been Animal Crossing (those fish don't catch themselves), Mario and Luigi Dream Team Bros, and XCOM on iPad (still).

It's been a good time for games because it's been quiet. I've even had time to start a new run through Ico just because I can. Probably won't finish it because it's going to be busy again soon, I'm sure. But I got to start it!

My son recently beat Ico and Shadows. He said they didn't take too long, so I've been pondering beating them both real quickly. Problem is, I've been making decks of MTG with him most nights this week. I haven't actually played a video game in like 3 days. :p

Magikarp wrote:I ran through the first two episodes of Kentucky Route Zero. It's an absolutely brilliant adventure game, with the best visual direction I've seen for a long time.

I'm also exploring an abridged version of Hong Kong in Sleeping Dogs, which has great gameplay with characters who are believable in one scene and irrational in the next. I'm not sure how to feel quite yet :/

I still haven't played Sleeping Dogs. It's installed, I got it as a PS+, it just hasn't made it into the rotation. yet.

Yeah, I never quite got into Sleeping Dogs. It's fun and all, but I like my Asian open world games more... Yakuza-like.

MattS wrote:Yeah, I never quite got into Sleeping Dogs. It's fun and all, but I like my Asian open world games more... Yakuza-like.

This was what I was thinking about as well. Sleeping Dogs is visceral, but at the end of the day the plot and characters really pale while the gameplay stays solid. There's nothing wrong with that, but the game misses so many opportunities to really shine. Coming from an Asian background myself, I know that the real life syndicates are complex and operate with a certain deliberation and class. Sleeping Dogs meanwhile is just about using lots of brute force.

Adding to the games I've been playing lately, Magic 2014 is taking up all of my PC time. On the 3DS, I'm playing through River City Ransom (known awkwardly as Street Gangs here)

Magikarp wrote:

MattS wrote:Yeah, I never quite got into Sleeping Dogs. It's fun and all, but I like my Asian open world games more... Yakuza-like.

This was what I was thinking about as well. Sleeping Dogs is visceral, but at the end of the day the plot and characters really pale while the gameplay stays solid. There's nothing wrong with that, but the game misses so many opportunities to really shine. Coming from an Asian background myself, I know that the real life syndicates are complex and operate with a certain deliberation and class. Sleeping Dogs meanwhile is just about using lots of brute force.

Adding to the games I've been playing lately, Magic 2014 is taking up all of my PC time. On the 3DS, I'm playing through River City Ransom (known awkwardly as Street Gangs here)

Haha, if you love Magic, be sure to try out Duel of Champions. I started playing again after interviewing the guy and I'm hooked all over again. Drains my iPad like nothing else.

RE: Sleeping Dogs, it's funny you mention that because with the Yakuza games I always felt took the Yakuza and gamified the whole concept of them without necessarily butchering what they do in the really real world. Perhaps it's the RPG elements that are worked into the game that present a more thoughtful interpretation of a mafia?

I'll have to think on this one some more. What is your background? Hong Kong Chinese? If you don't mind my asking.  

Only managed to make it through the 4th Gym in Platinum before Pokemon X came out, so now Platinum's shelved and I've been playing X. I got the second badge not too long ago...about 20 hours into the game. There's a ton to do even early in, I love it! <3

CanisWolfred wrote:Only managed to make it through the 4th Gym in Platinum before Pokemon X came out, so now Platinum's shelved and I've been playing X. I got the second badge not too long ago...about 20 hours into the game. There's a ton to do even early in, I love it! <3

Which starter 'mon you using?

I still haven't got around to picking up a copy. Been waaaay too busy with Guided Fate Paradox. Hopefully this weekend!

MattS wrote:

CanisWolfred wrote:Only managed to make it through the 4th Gym in Platinum before Pokemon X came out, so now Platinum's shelved and I've been playing X. I got the second badge not too long ago...about 20 hours into the game. There's a ton to do even early in, I love it! <3

Which starter 'mon you using?

Fenniken. He's been pretty boss so far, too.

Been playing a ton of X as well. Went with Froakie and she's been a bit underwhelming thus far but hey, black Mega Charizard makes up for anything. Loving the sheer diversity of Pokemon and the different pacing.

We'll have to have a Pokechampionship or something.

My son is ridiculously stoked about that game. He's been asking for it since before it released. i finally gave him a big ol' list of chores to do around the house, which are nearly done now, so I'll be buying him that probably Saturday. He's played like 90% of those Pokemon games so far.

My own gaming journal has been console-centric, for the most part. Lots (LOTS) of time with Space Rangers HD on PC (There's just a ton to do there), plus Beyond and Madden on PS3 and The Wolf Among us on 360.

I've mostly been Pokemoning it up, I'm now 45 hours in, and I'm working towards my 4th badge. I could get it right now if I wanted to - it's a grass gym and I have two high-level fire types and high-level Bug & flying. Amd Two other high-level flying types. But I can't...stop...training!!!

Although I did make time for some Puzzle & Dagons earlier today.

I got Jukebeat for the iPad because I was in the mood for a Bemani game. I'm now having equal parts of fun and suffering  

Seriously, I'm amazed at the degree of rhythm and precision that some of these Japanese players must have.

Meanwhile I'm being bitter and not getting Pokemon X/Y, even though I can't leave the house anymore without hearing about it. The other day my hour long bus ride was set to the tune of people arguing over which hold item was better. I'd dive in and all, but I never end up having as much fun with Pokemon as I used to :/

This Pokemon is worth trying out, because I was much the same as you, but I've been really hooked on this one. It feels like Nintendo is finally making some progress with the series and its balance.

I've been getting back into International Cricket 2010, as flawed as it is, becasue I'm still waiting for a new cricket game to get into. Sigh.

My son wound up doing his boatload of extra chores and I got this for him on Saturday - I've hardly seen him since. He is absolutely loving the game and wants me to buy it so we can play and trade. He was incredibly excited about an 'Evey?" he got this morning? Not sure I spelled that right.

My weekend went the way of The Wolf Among us, Beyond: Two Souls (both of which I beat), several games of Madden 25 and I'm nearing the end of generation 1 in Agarest War 2.

That would be Eevee, a Pokemon your son is quite justified in getting excited for. You'll see why if you decide to play it as well.

Still can't put the game down. It's to the point where X is the only thing I'm playing anymore. Just passed 350 in the 'dex.