Ron Simmons

Seems like we have stark contrasts on what we enjoy in a game, what with Pirates! Gold being dull as fuck to me, and you not liking Skweek at all.

 

I doubt we'll ever get a game all three of us score well.

 

And I still count Skweek in my top 10 games of all time, so there

We will eventually!

I'm actually really surprised you scored it so low, Pat. But even if Simon The Sorcerer 2 doesn't work out for me then if we eventually play Rodlands I think we'll all enjoy that. Sonic Triple Trouble has potential, but I could see some people scoring it with an average mark. We'll see...

It's such a stark contrast - two of us really enjoyed it, the other hated it. I can understand why someone would dislike it based on your issues with the game, I really can, but to not score it at all? I think that's the lowest score any game has received since we started this thread. I'm genuinely stunned.

Don't want to dig my own grave here, but get playing Simon the Sorcerer 2 guys, I'm feeling pretty confident about it...

0/10?! You had a bad day or something?! I mean, I guess it was inevitable someone wasn't going to like it, but 0/10 seems incredibly harsh

And two versions of it would be great... also, if pat likes this one, could this wind up being the one game we all like? Would be funny in that we had to go way back to the Amstrad for the first one .

Yeah, I was gonna say! I'm semi-confident about my next two choices though, ditto if I ever go for Rodland.

In fact, most of the time I've found the Amstrad ports of games to be far superior to every other version, including stuff like Rainbow Islands, Bubble Bobble and New Zealand Story.

Really? They're all Taito games though, aren't they? So maybe that developer really made an effort on the system. I'll need to check them out, I found the Amiga ports of those games the best, but I have to admit I haven't played their Amstrad counterparts. The Amstrad ports I have played were pretty weak, although I was a child at the time so maybe the bells and whistles of the technically superior versions masked the gameplay differences to me.

Tell you what else it reminds me of in so much as the basics of it... Mario Sunshine. You're going round cleaning up the place, which is what you did in Sunshine biggrin.gif

I suppose you're right, but I absolutely hated Sunshine. It was a major letdown. Maybe if I'd gone into it knowing the kind of game it was I'd have enjoyed it more, but alas...

I'll agree, partially with the fact you can't see what's coming, you'll hop onto screen 2, only to find that an enemy was just on his way to screen 1. Or you'll find what you thought would be a safe square was actually nothing at all. Plus the levels where you're either waiting for the enemy to clear your path for you, or they're erasing what you've done, and it can be frustratingly unfair. But I feel that's part of it's charm. You spend the levels before that doing as best you can to save up lives for the unfair bits.

You're right, the screen thing is a right pain in the arse. However, to the game's credit you ARE compelled to keep trying, even when it all goes wrong through no fault of your own.

How awesome would an up-to-date version be? It wouldn't even need any real changes, except perhaps some additional graphic tidying to suit the modern day market. (Though knowing todays way of doing things, we'd have the screen scrolling, and have larger levels that scroll from left to right as well as up and down).

You mentioned Bubble Bobble earlier, and the iPhone port of that does a lot of things right in terms of how it handles the update. You have a "new" version, but you also have the classic version to play. I'd like to see them handle it in that way. The iPhone has led to up to date conversions of a few relatively unknown games (such as the Great Giana Sisters) that probably won't sell bucketloads, but this is the kind of game that could actually do quite well. Simple, addictive fun. It's success would depend greatly on luck of course, but it's perfect for "on the go gaming" - you could have a tweaked version for that very purpose, and the classic version bundled in too.

You know, I actually thought this game was all right.

I kind of surprised myself with this one. Perhaps wrongly I went into the game expecting to dislike it. For one it's an Amstrad game. My experience of Amstrad games to date had mainly consisted of loading times. On top of this I'd already played a version of the game on the Amiga. It was absolutely diabolical. Irritatingly bad. One of those games which you knew could have been fun, but developers cocked up along the way. Bizarrely I've since read several positive reviews for the Amiga game, so maybe it was just the fact I was young and unable to play it, I dunno.

Anyway, I don't want to spend a review of the Amstrad version ranting about another system so onto the game...

Firstly, upon loading I was really surprised at how good the graphics were. My experiences of Amstrad games previous to this were (while admitedly limited) of indecipherable squiggles at worst, shoddy conversion graphics at best.

Like this...

I kind of loathe to describe the graphics as "cheerful", but that's exactly what they were. The game is colourful and fun, and remind me of LittleBigPlanet in the sense that you can't possibly play through the game without smiling. Musically the game matches up, I'd compare it to LittleBigPlanet again in this sense, if you've had a shitty day I could honestly see Skweek cheer you up.

Now, all that would count for nothing if the game was no good. Fortunately though, it's really fun. The premise is simple, you walk on blue tiles to turn them pink. It's a little bit like Qix I suppose, but cuter and with a bit more to it. Like the fact you can capture teddy bears to finish the level early. Awwwww.

I'm not actually sure what this game merits score wise. It's certainly addictive, and while it does make you feel all warm inside it can also turn you in a second as you get into what I assume are the later levels (I didn't complete the game so I don't really know...) as it's frustrating as hell. There's a thin line between challenging and unfair, and at times I'm afraid it crosses that. At the same time the game is really good fun. It's a simple, repetetive concept yet never feels that way. I'd absolutely recommend it, and I'd love to see an iPhone conversion at some point, it's that kind of game that could make the hours fly by when you're on a journey.

As for that score...

8/10

Absolutely, I'd be up for that if it's an option.

I think sports games are the kind of thing that can turn people off, I can appreciate that view. I wouldn't care for a rugby or boxing game, for example. I'm looking forward to the Amstrad game though.

Similar content?

If I remember rightly I got the first one for

Cheers, Pat.

Managed to get Tombi 2 for the Playstation for just

Fever Pitch Soccer

I'd never played, or even heard of this game until this thread. The game style reminds me a little of Sensible Soccer minus the humour and charm. It's perfectly playable but in a "dated" sort of way. You can sit down and kind of enjoy it for a short spell, but only in a "mess around" kind of way. We've become accustomed to more in-depth and realistic football sims, and whilst something a bit less so could be a welcome breath of fresh air, this isn't. I can't really put my finger on why to be quite honest. The play style was dated, but not to the extent it felt unplayable. The game is fast-paced and the controls feel fairly natural for such a game. I just didn't enjoy it all that much.

I'll admit that I had quite a few enjoyable multi-player games on Fever Pitch, but I think that was more down to the company than the actual game.

5/10

I don't particularly mind, I actually thought you updated the thread on Sundays so it was my mistake!

So, planning on updating the game, Pat?

I've an original copy of Fever Pitch that I managed to pick up for 50p at Cash Converters so I'm raring to go!

 

Enjoy... or not XD (No, I wont seriously put you all through that abomination of a game, you actually get a glimpse at the main screen after he dies the first time... just look at that god awful control set-up!)

 

That was one of the games packaged with the Amstrad (Not one of them was any good), and it was pretty much a crap shoot as to where you would land each time you jumped, and that fucking bird always followed you around.

What were you actually supposed to do?

After Skweek I may go for an even older Amstrad game... Roland In The Caves.

 

Hey, if I had to put up with that shit as a kid, you lot can put up with it now .

Skweek I'd heard of, but what's Roland In The Caves all about?

The shoehorned in motion controls for DKC returns are disheartening. I was really hoping to just play it on my Classic Controller or a Gamecube pad. I still want to play it, but enforced waggle when it isn't necessary shouldn't be happening now that the Wii has been around for a bit. Use it when it enhances the game, leave it out when it doesn't. Jeez.

Developers have to sign a deal promising to use motion controls. That was maybe necessary at the start, but I don't think it is so much any more.

Anyway, I automatically assumed DK would have a "classic controller"/GC pad option much like Smash Bros. I'm a little cynical, but not enough to stop me from giving the game a chance.

Elder Scrolls 5 (Oblivion sequel).... I know this is bound to get some peeps excited.

Fucking Yes!!! Thanks Chest.

 

Running off a new engine too, Very interesting.

Whatever the case I hope they sort out the terrible loading times from the last game. It's something I know I probably would have enjoyed had that not been an issue.

Chuck Rock II...and so can you if you visit the Retro Gaming thread!! [/plug]

Also, Game Dev Studio on the iPhone. A great little game that simulates the world of Game Development. I'll get that perfect 10 score yet!!

OK, well I'll go for the less risky option.

Add Sonic Triple Trouble (Game Gear) to the list of upcoming games...As with Simon, you can work other people's choices around it.

Our big challenge, I think, is finding a game we all enjoy. I'm contemplating nominating Sonic Triple Trouble as it's a lesser known Sonic game that's fun, but it'd be nice to find something a bit less franchised that's good fun for all of us!

Fixed

Hahaha!

I think I might be onto a winner with Simon The Sorcerer II actually, and if I nominate Rodlands at some point I think people will enjoy that too.

My nomination after that will either be Mcdonaldland (or MC Kids) for the Amiga and NES, or Sonic Triple Trouble for the Game Gear. Anyone have any preferences?

Will see if it works in Lemon, then.. What was wrong with the first game, Ive got Snes, Amiga, Megadrive and Mega CD versions all of which I really enjoy

I played the second game first, and when I eventually did get to try the original I found it almost unplayable. Musically it was inferior, the "belly attack" made enemy killing tough, Chuck Rock was pretty sluggish, graphically it wasn't as fun...

I just didn't like it. It shows how much of a difference the nostalgia factor can make to both of us, perhaps!

Our big challenge, I think, is finding a platformer we all enjoy. I'm contemplating nominating Sonic Triple Trouble as it's a lesser known Sonic game that's fun, but it'd be nice to find something a bit less franchised that's good fun for all of us!

I try not to get disappointed with the games presented and there have been some ace choices. I will d/l the masters system and megadrive versions to see if there are any differences, but this is yet another platformer in the long list of platformers we have played that is shit

Try the Amiga version, I think it's excellent.

Overall, If you have the choice, play the Mega CD version of Chuck Rock over this the intro is more in keeping with the game despite crappy voice over

and Chuck is much much better than his son to play as a character

See, I always thought the first game was terrible, a major step down from the sequel.

You could maybe PM a few people who were interested in the thread initially if you want. Triple A might be a good bet, I've always thought his reviews were entertaining.

 

Anyway, I'll post my review shortly!

 

Already done last week, him, CVD and a few others who'd shown interest when setting up were PM'd nowt thus far

 

Sorry man!

 

I'll give this one a shot.

Ah, good stuff. Great to have you back - your reviews are always highlights of the forum.

Though don't let that put you off, I feel I'm trying to nip your ideas in the bud before they've come up XD.

Hahaha, I think we probably have a completely different taste in games...

I'm going to try and go for a genre we haven't encountered yet, so I may actually wind up with an RPG of some sort. Maybe Final Fantasy V (which always seems to slip under the 'great games' radar) or even something like Paper Mario on the N64, though that's a little bit more recent. I shall mull things over Mike, find something to meet your high standards!

Im also tempted to nominate one of the older Championship Manager games. It'd be nice to play a Sport's Interactive game that they actually tried to release bug free. It might be fun to get nostalgic about both the game and construction of a league.