The Energon Pub

[The Happy Locust]

I do remember the first Red Steel. The sword fighting was nowhere near as realistic as they made it look, and the story was really bland, but I did love the gunfights. I always had a soft-spot for how FPS games can be done on Wii. Which reminds me, seeing as you have a Wii now, Metroid Prime Trilogy is a must. At least MP3, but the Trilogy pack if you can get it. (First two games with Corruption's beefed up graphics and gameplay, also Echoes doesn't have that stupid finite ammo anymore)

The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind:
No Elder Scrolls game, or a Bethesda game in general, is complete without massive flaws and we love them despite it all. Morrowind is no exception though in this case it's not entirely Morrowind's fault so much as it's because of Oblivion and Skyrim. In particular, certain facets of gameplay that I might have taken for granted do not exist in Morrowind, and by that, I mean, proper goddamn directions to where I need to go.

I still love this game, though.

Currently playing matchmaker in order to get a tribe to recognize me as the Nerevarine. Killing a Vampire wasn't enough, now the tribe leader wants me to get him a girlfriend. The problem is, he wants a noblewoman, and no that is not happening. So instead we're going to pretty up a slave girl and try to make that work.

I got the first Red Steel as part of a package deal for my Wii (Ebay FTW). I may be very generous, but I thought it was pretty fun. Yeah, not the best game ever but I was enjoying it enough to finish it off.

[1337W422102]

My friend picked up the original Red Steel. I watched him play the first mission or so while we both made snide remarks. Multiplayer was very uninspired. However, the samurai cowboy sequel is well worth checking out and makes very good use of the MotionPlus technology. That being said, the FOV is too damn small, like pretty much every other game of this generation.

Wasn't the Metroid Prime trilogy some kind of special edition, or something? Limited release or whatnot? It never hit general retail up here, and I've only seen a single copy in a specialty "lol wer hardcore gaemerzzz" store for about $80. I'd like to get my hands on the Trilogy, but eff if I'll pay that much for it. Hell, the system cost me less than that.

No More Heroes [Wii]:
Took out the good doctor. Bought a new beam katana from Dat Naomi as well as the treasure piece (it's paying for itself already), and got the 3 abilities from Thunder Ryu's gym.

Anyone else having issues with the drifting on the bike? When I hold B and turn the Remote, the bike drifts in the opposite direction that I turned it. Am I just an idiot and I'm supposed to hold it upright with the B button facing me, or something?

[Shadowman]

Wasn't the Metroid Prime trilogy some kind of special edition, or something? Limited release or whatnot? It never hit general retail up here, and I've only seen a single copy in a specialty "lol wer hardcore gaemerzzz" store for about $80. I'd like to get my hands on the Trilogy, but eff if I'll pay that much for it. Hell, the system cost me less than that.

Ah, you're right. Seems Nintendo discontinued it in North America a couple years ago. If you snoop around, you might be lucky to find a used copy somewhere, it really is worth checking out.

[1337W422102]

Wasn't the Metroid Prime trilogy some kind of special edition, or something? Limited release or whatnot? It never hit general retail up here, and I've only seen a single copy in a specialty "lol wer hardcore gaemerzzz" store for about $80. I'd like to get my hands on the Trilogy, but eff if I'll pay that much for it. Hell, the system cost me less than that.

Ah, you're right. Seems Nintendo discontinued it in North America a couple years ago. If you snoop around, you might be lucky to find a used copy somewhere, it really is worth checking out.

I won't be able to find it in this province unless I really luck out and decide to pay out of an orifice or two, but it's on my "DO WANT" list.

As for the No More Heroes drifting, it seems I was supposed to turn my wrist as if opening a door, not turn the Remote sideways, according this message board post I found. Not that that really clears it up, since there are many ways to open a door, depending on the type of door, knob style, etc. I'll have to experiment.

[Shadowman]

Suda51, before NMH2 came out, mentioned he didn't really like how the overworld came out in the first game. I haven't played Desperate Struggle yet, but it's supposed to have been vastly improved.

EDIT: And in case you didn't know, be sure to buy the final beam katana (Not necessarily the upgrades for it) BEFORE going for the final mission. It'll pay off, trust me.

[1337W422102]

Suda51, before NMH2 came out, mentioned he didn't really like how the overworld came out in the first game. I haven't played Desperate Struggle yet, but it's supposed to have been vastly improved.

EDIT: And in case you didn't know, be sure to buy the final beam katana (Not necessarily the upgrades for it) BEFORE going for the final mission. It'll pay off, trust me.

Yeah, in Desperate Struggle, there isn't an overworld. You look at the map and choose where to go via said map.

Is each new katanas better than the previous one? At Naomi's, I didn't see anything about stats; it just showed the model and a little description. That being said, I'll take your word for it. Is the no-need-to-fap-fap-fap-to-recharge add-on worth it?

Also, in Desperate Struggle, you can really see where Naomi invested all the cash you'd given her. And I approve. Also explains why she's sitting down most of the time.

[Shadowman]

Is each new katanas better than the previous one? At Naomi's, I didn't see anything about stats; it just showed the model and a little description.

I think so, but it's been a while since I played the game. All I remember is that the final katana (Green blade, lacks a rail, making it look like a curved lightsaber) does a bit more than hurt people more. It unlocks the actual final boss and real ending.

That being said, I'll take your word for it. Is the no-need-to-fap-fap-fap-to-recharge add-on worth it?

It's really, really expensive, I didn't get it on my first playthrough. But yeah, it's worth it.

[Shadowman]

Hey, guess what's on sale for $10 this weekend on Steam?

Deus Ex: Human Revolution:
Only the best damn remake of The Six Million Dollar Man.

I was...okay with the original. It was good, but it lacked that cyberpunk style I was expecting. Also, I had almost no idea what I was doing, nothing about the game just seemed to fit right. That is not the case with this game. I have every idea what I'm doing. Everything fits right. Sure, I have to use a guide every now and then, but other than that it just works for me.

Got to China, got into a big ol' firefight. Got a Heavy Rifle for their troubles while also showing off my new Double Takedown. Takedowns already involve opening a can of Agent Smith grade whoop ass, now I can open two for the price of one.

[1337W422102]

Was that game on your wishlist? Did you buy it for yourself, or did you ask for it?

Red Steel 2 [Wii]:
Did some more jobs around town. Turned on comm towers, blew up the Jackals' supply trucks, found some hidden collectibles, battled some military hardware, learned some new moves, saved Tamiko (I can see why the Jackals were after her), and most importantly, I sent Payne back to hell and retrieved my katana.

The next mission will send me through a Point of No Return, so I'm going to wrap up some side stuff here before moving on. Still need to find two of those damned trucks for the side mission and I want to buy that boomstick. How groovy would that be? A boomstick-wielding katana-slashing swordslinger? Do want.

I-- I actually like this and recommend it. If you have a MotionPlus or Remote Plus and at least one badass bone in your body, you might enjoy this. Well worth the $5.

No More Heroes [Wii]:
Currently ranked 8th; on my way to Rank Battle 7. Got all of the Ball upgrades except for one.

So if #8 and #6 are any indication, Travis has himself some trouble killing the ladies. Guess he's not a literal ladykiller. Why do I get the feeling this is going to come back and bite him in the ass? Still, given the chance, I'd have wasted #8. Never did like her. Though the "Master" teaser for Desperate Struggle might have Travis thinking otherwise. "I feel like the pervy teacher in a porno..."

[SlyTF1]

Hey, guess what's on sale for $10 this weekend on Steam?

Deus Ex: Human Revolution:
Only the best damn remake of The Six Million Dollar Man.

I was...okay with the original. It was good, but it lacked that cyberpunk style I was expecting. Also, I had almost no idea what I was doing, nothing about the game just seemed to fit right. That is not the case with this game. I have every idea what I'm doing. Everything fits right. Sure, I have to use a guide every now and then, but other than that it just works for me.

Got to China, got into a big ol' firefight. Got a Heavy Rifle for their troubles while also showing off my new Double Takedown. Takedowns already involve opening a can of Agent Smith grade whoop ass, now I can open two for the price of one.

How do you get into a firefight in that game? You die in like 2 shots...

[Shadowman]

How do you get into a firefight in that game? You die in like 2 shots...

I don't see how vulnerability and mortality is the deciding factor in what is and is not a firefight. I shot at them, they shot at me, thus, it was a firefight. In order to get past my mortality, I, like anyone who knows anything about combat, used cover.

Deus Ex: Human Revolution:
Well, Detroit is in the middle of a riot. But what else is new? I'm hitting the point the Deus Ex games hit where everything is just one big conspiracy smoothie: friends turn out to be enemies, enemies turn out to be completely different enemies, there's an AI, the Illuminati are around here somewhere, Adam's past makes no damn sense on purpose, dead people are alive, living people are dead, cats and dogs living together--mass hysteria!

Also, apparently DE:HR is the hidden announcement for Final Fantasy XXVII.

[1337W422102]

That's actually an androgynous guy in that poster, you know.

[Shadowman]

That's actually an androgynous guy in that poster, you know.

Nah, as far as androgyny goes in Final Fantasy, Kuja is the only real example of "dude looks like a lady."

Deus Ex: Human Revolution:
BEATEN! 25 hours! Pretty impressive for a non-RPG. Went with the "Tell everyone the truth" ending. In the end, doesn't really matter. Ban augmentation, don't ban it. Either way, one Bob Page is working on nanotechnology, which leads to the Super Denton Bros.

Also, after that, there was the totally awesome theme to the original game.

[The Happy Locust]

Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks
Remembered that I still had a DS so powered it up. After restoring the tracks from the Snow temple, returned to the spirit tower and found the ocean rail map. On the way, found that an important bridge is in bad shape. Hired a bridge builder but was conned into paying 5000 rupees. Had to go on a treasure quest to find something that could pay it off. Luckily, the con man got screwed over too. Yay Karma!

The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim
In Solitude, went to the haunted castle wing and found myself surprisingly transported to the mind of a madman (literally) and a cameo by the hero from Oblivion (if you believe some of the wikis).
Ran south to a new hold. Solved a murder mystery in Morthal and found a vampiric plot. No more blood to be spilled there.
Cleared a bandit hideout south of Solitude and turned in a lot of treasure for sale. Tracked down a beacon for the Deadric Prince Meridia, but this also led to a vampire nest. Still not able to contract the disease yet though.
Returned to Whiterun and found a new set of armor for sale. Bought it purely for just to have it in my inventory.

[Shadowman]

Still not able to contract the disease yet though.

You need to get the Vampire in question to use the ability Vampiric Drain on you...basically, when a Vampire sucks your blood, you become a Vampire. It seems obvious in retrospect.

On the flip side, there's only a 10% chance of the happening, compounded by Argonians (Which, going by your sig, I assume you're playing) having 50% resistance to all disease. And if you did the Companions questline long enough to become a Werewolf, then you're just immune to Vampirism entirely.

Finally, my extreme nerdiness in the realm of both Vampires and Elder Scrolls has combined.

[The Happy Locust]

Still not able to contract the disease yet though.

You need to get the Vampire in question to use the ability Vampiric Drain on you...basically, when a Vampire sucks your blood, you become a Vampire. It seems obvious in retrospect.

On the flip side, there's only a 10% chance of the happening, compounded by Argonians (Which, going by your sig, I assume you're playing) having 50% resistance to all disease. And if you did the Companions questline long enough to become a Werewolf, then you're just immune to Vampirism entirely.

Finally, my extreme nerdiness in the realm of both Vampires and Elder Scrolls has combined.

You're correct on the Argonian bit. Waterbreathing seemed to be the most useful racial ability and I really like playing as a lizardman. I'm holding off on the werewolf quest just because I want to try being a vampire first. I can re-contract Vampirism but only get Lycan-ized once, if I understand this right.

[Shadowman]

You're correct on the Argonian bit. Waterbreathing seemed to be the most useful racial ability and I really like playing as a lizardman.

All the races have some innate ability that's very useful. Dark Elves, for instance, can set people on fire if they get to close.

I'm holding off on the werewolf quest just because I want to try being a vampire first. I can re-contract Vampirism but only get Lycan-ized once, if I understand this right.

Yep. You can cure Vampirism and still become a Vampire, but once you cure being a Werewolf, you're cured forever.

[The Happy Locust]

I'm holding off on the werewolf quest just because I want to try being a vampire first. I can re-contract Vampirism but only get Lycan-ized once, if I understand this right.

Yep. You can cure Vampirism and still become a Vampire, but once you cure being a Werewolf, you're cured forever.

Too bad, that limits the options quite a bit.
The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim
Retrieved King Olaf's verse for the bard's college. It wasn't in good shape but the bardmaster and I respectfully forged the missing bits to get what we wanted.
Still trying to decide if I want to join the stormcloaks or imperials. My travels so far are in primarily imperial territory with Whiterun being neutral-ish.

[1337W422102]

Red Steel 2 [Wii]:
Man, the lack of world map is really annoying me. I'm only missing one truck for the Truck Stop II side quest and I can't seem to find it. I got the one in the garage near the Payne fight, so I'm guessing it's out in the open somewhere I haven't been.

NBA Jam [Wii]:
Finished Jam Camp and played a Play Now match, earning me 4 Jam Challenges, which I assume are like Achievements, only they seem to actually make a difference and unlock stuff.

Really not digging the motion gimmickry. It keeps mistaking my dunks for jump shots. Back to the Classic Controller, I guess.

Saints Row: The Third [PC]:
Decided, grudgingly, to do the Genki DLC crap. This is yet another excuse of how NOT to make a worthwhile content pack. It's essentially just re-made Activities that you already got tired of during the base game, with useless unlockables and the forced meme of Genki, which is laughable rather than amusing. Finished the entire pack in about 2 hours with a friend, earning 6 Achievements by accident in the process (I guess most of them were due to story progression).

Don't waste your money on this crap.

[The Happy Locust]

The Elder scrolls: Skyrim
Did a personal favor for the Jarl of solitude. She offered me Thane status, but I'll need to own property. Currently saving up to 25,000 gold. Trying for Thane status in Morthal, but can't find anyone currently needing assistance.
As an aside, was asked to free a captive woman from bandits at the behest of her husband. Got to the top, but found an honestly unexpected plot twist. SKipped the final fight and told the man his wife was dead.
Returned Meridia's beacon and was granted access to her temple to drive out the necromancers. Currently in the second part of Kilreath temple on this task.

[1337W422102]

Y'all been quiet or just busy?

Renegade Ops [PC]:
Playing co-op with a friend. That's the only reason I'm not dying as much as I should be, playing as dat Roxy and all. Got her to Level 22. We haven't fought our way Out Of Africa just yet, and Inferno's planning something BIG here. I'm guessing complete global saturation big. I hope my friend's character has a boulder-punching ability unlocked, or we're going to be a couple of Renegade Sandwiches.

No More Heroes [Wii]:
Took down Destroyman and best of all, the amount of quidbucks I earned during his Ranking battle was more than enough to pay for the next one.

Saved at the washrooms at the beach (after grabbing the card hidden behind it, of course). Next time, I'm off to face Holly. Well, after her bit with the 'nade, maybe I shouldn't use the words "Holly," "face," and "off" so close to each other.

Monster Hunter Tri [Wii]:
Someone I know bought the $40 pack that comes with the Classic Controller Pro just for the gamepad, so I bought the game off him, shrink-wrapped and brand-new, for $10. Not a bad deal, yes? Going to play online with a friend and... do my best to understand what this game's about.

Started my first playthrough. About 3 hours in. Current mission is the tutorial one that has me learning how to swim and fight underwater. Spent some time exploring, mining, crafting. Made some new equipment out of the Iron Ore I found. Now I'll have to build a house of wood, maybe add some Redstone circuitry, a few pressure plate traps...

This game has a very steep learning curve. It reminds me of Phantasy Star Online, but not necessarily in a good way. Elements of PSO's terrible gameplay and combat system are present in Tri. You can control the camera in Tri, which you inexcusably couldn't do decently in PSO, but not really, since the vertical movement cycles between pre-set zoom and angle levels. Lack of a targeting system and overly-long animations makes combat even more tedious than PSO. Taking down monsters isn't "rewarding" as some reviews have claimed. It's a smegging chore.

[The Happy Locust]

Y'all been quiet or just busy?

I take the 3 day rule very seriously. And busy...

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Finally moved on from Solitude and got myself declared a Thane of Morthal. 4 Thane-ships so far (whiterun, markarth, solitude, morthal). Just moved to Dawnstar and helped destroy an artifact that was giving everyone nightmares. Got a quest to retrieve items for a museum dedicated to an evil cult.
Also, I'm a vampire now. Whee!

[Shadowman]

Star Wars: The Old Republic:
I'm beginning to think my Inquisitor is bipolar. But she's a Sith so what can you do? With her it often comes of more as funny though. (Sudden bursts of gleeful enthusiasm on a character otherwise marked by intense ennui or homicidal arrogance)

Just finished Tatooine, picking up Space Pirate Steve Blum on the way. Next up, Alderaan, a planet where nothing bad will ever happen...I think I used that one already...

[SlyTF1]

Mass Effect 3:
Saving the galaxy one planet at a time... I kind of almost liberated the Pavilion (Turian homeworld)'s moon. Now I'm doing a bunch of missions on Tuchunka. I think the next one is the last one.

Well damn... Mordin just died to save the Krogan from the genophage. It actually almost made me kind of...sad. Almost.

[Shadowman]

Star Wars: The Old Republic:
I started a new character on another server, because I gave one of my 7-day trial passes to a friend of mine. He went Sith Inquisitor (He has a thing for Togruta, and I let slip that the Inquisitor gets a Togruta Jedi chick) so I went Sith Warrior. Turns out, you can do a lot in only a few hours when two people are putting effort into one quest; the game is moderately difficult solo, but with two people, and then two companions on top of that, it's a breeze. Cleared Korriban, next up: Dromund Kaas...no, wait, no, Black Talon. Yeah.