Every time this thread gets bumped, I feel guilty and/or irritated that I have a Vita collecting dust on my desk. 

Well, today you can brush off the dust and go download Guacmelee! 

That actually looks pretty cool, except for this part (from the GT review):

Underneath this hilarious and brilliantly stylized exterior lies a beast of a game, one that will test your mettle more than most other games of its ilk.

I have zero interest in something controller-throwing right now.

[Spoiler]

more on the post-credits bit

Spoiler for Hiden:

after reading this and watching a youtube vid on it, I think the ending is a lot more uplifting than either or.  basically, the theory is that since Elizabeth kills Booker before he becomes Comstock, therefore erasing every thing that Comstock or the alternate Bookers did.  it also erases Elizabeth as in every universe she exists in at that point in her life is a product of Comstock's doing.  with that loop closed, no one is there to trade Booker for Anna and in the end, while you don't hear Anna crying, only her music box, she's lying there in the crib and Booker goes on to be a better father and doesn't fall into the heavy drinking and gambling lifestyle.  (hopefully)

Spoiler for Hiden:

Why didn't the main Elizabeth wink out of existence when the others did?  All the others disappeared except for her and it has gotten me confused, because if Comstock is no more, Elizabeth should also be no more since Comstock never gets Anna and makes her become Elizabeth.

Spoiler for Hiden:

That last "wink" is when it fades to black though so you don't really know if she did continue to exist or did not.  I think it could very well be interpreted that the fade to black means none of this came to pass and once he died they all vanished.

Spoiler for Hiden:

I thought she did wink out at the very end (the last piano note before the credit roll).  Didn't she?

[Spoiler]

One other small touch that I just remembered and wanted to mention.

Spoiler for Hiden:

Throughout the game, you come across Kinetoscopes that are beautiful set shot images captured by a photographer (the name is mentioned, but escapes me right now).  There were a number of these sort of shots:  hummingbirds, pedestrians in the plaza, flowers, buildings, etc.  No subtitles, no music, just video capturing about 30 seconds of life in Columbia.

In one of the final areas, you come across one that is a beautiful shot of Battleship Falls.  The camera pans across the waterfall and shows the buildings...then you can tell the operator slowly climbs over the railing and jumps to his death, filming the whole time.  Once it hits, an RIP for the photographer flashes across the screen.

It's made me wonder about the backstory involved there.  This man who was so intent on shooting simple, beautiful, peaceful, serene shots of Columbia suddenly decides to commit suicide and record it on the way down.  It's a very small piece of the overall game, but really gave me a nasty jolt when I watched it.

about that bit:

Spoiler for Hiden:

I thought it was supposed to be humorous, like the photographer was so intent on getting the best image he didn't pay attention to what he was doing and ended up falling.

Interesting...I hadn't really considered that.  Guess I was just so tied up in the bleak story that it came across differently to me.

[Spoiler]

Here's the other part that was gnawing at me last night.  I'm sure there's an logical explanation that I'm just missing:

Spoiler for Hiden:

Booker kills Comstock by bashing his head against the fountain.  In doing so, he's basically killing...himself.  Seems that would cause at least a minor paradox/ripple/confusion, but they seemed to jump right on past it.  The only thing I can figure is that since the Booker that kills Comstock is from a alternate reality, it doesn't have any effect in this one.  But that just seems...off, somehow.  With all the dimension jumping, wouldn't killing yourself have at least some sort of an effect?

Maybe I'm just overthinking it...

I thought you might be right about this, but thinking a bit further...

Spoiler for Hiden:

The soldiers and such that were killed in the game were normal when Booker and Elizabeth met them in the next dimension, but were in a twisted state when they returned to them, IIRC.  This might be how Booker avoided being affected by the prophet's death.  Also, storytelling.

EDIT:

Spoiler for Hiden:

Actually, AA's great summary above points out another likely reason, if Elizabeth is really meshing the two worlds together. That didn't happen at the point where Comstock got his head bashed in.  OTOH, wouldn't that lead to the various DeWitts having issues each time she brought worlds together in the story?

So, I went back and watched that scene again.  Noticed something I didn't see the first time:

Spoiler for Hiden:

Immediately after Booker kills Comstock, his nose starts bleeding and his vision gets fuzzy (2:45 mark).  This is an indication that two realities/memories are colliding or have been merged, but leads to the question:  Which realities and/or which memories?  Is there somehow a reality where Booker doesn't kill Comstock at the fountain?  Or one where Comstock kills Booker?  Or one where their roles are reversed?  So many questions...

Don't think I've ever thought about a game this much after completing it.  

[Spoiler]

One other small touch that I just remembered and wanted to mention.

Spoiler for Hiden:

Throughout the game, you come across Kinetoscopes that are beautiful set shot images captured by a photographer (the name is mentioned, but escapes me right now).  There were a number of these sort of shots:  hummingbirds, pedestrians in the plaza, flowers, buildings, etc.  No subtitles, no music, just video capturing about 30 seconds of life in Columbia.

In one of the final areas, you come across one that is a beautiful shot of Battleship Falls.  The camera pans across the waterfall and shows the buildings...then you can tell the operator slowly climbs over the railing and jumps to his death, filming the whole time.  Once it hits, an RIP for the photographer flashes across the screen.

It's made me wonder about the backstory involved there.  This man who was so intent on shooting simple, beautiful, peaceful, serene shots of Columbia suddenly decides to commit suicide and record it on the way down.  It's a very small piece of the overall game, but really gave me a nasty jolt when I watched it.

[Ni No Kuni]

I haven't played a ton of games, but would have to go with Bioshock Infinite at this point.

Biggest disappointment would go to Ni No Kuni.  Man, I really wanted to like that game.

[Spoiler]

A few additional thoughts after having a day to digest it (crossposted from OO).

I finished Bioshock Infinite last night, and I can't get that damn ending out of my head.  Been mulling it over all day, and it even kept me up most of the night last night. I'm still not entirely sure I understand it all, but boy does it make you think.

The game took a while to click with me, but once it did...hoo boy.  There were a few amazing moments for me:

Spoiler for Hiden:

-  When 'Old Elizabeth' reaches out and pulls you up on the ledge to see modern day New York burning.
-  Jumping through the tear and ending up in Rapture.  Maybe I'm just thick, but I did not see that coming at all.  My jaw about hit the floor.
- The Booker/Comstock connection.
-  The entire sequence at Comstock House where you are trying to save Elizabeth from being tortured.  YK mentioned turning around to see the sentry standing behind you...I also jumped out of my seat.
-  The first time I heard CCR through a tear.  Also, I had been pretty much ignoring the olde-timey music coming from the phonographs until I hit Shantytown.  Then I stopped for a second and thought, "Wait, isn't that 'Tainted Love'?"

As a shooter, I didn't think BI was particularly special (although I don't play many FPS games, so there's not a big frame of reference there).  However, the environment, the atmosphere, the character, and the incredible story made up for any shortcomings in the shooty department.  They did an amazing job crafting a world you actually felt immersed in and characters that you truly cared about, Elizabeth in particular.  When I:

Spoiler for Hiden:

heard her being tortured at Comstock House, there was a true sense of urgency in figuring out how to get there and save her because I didn't want to see anything bad happen to her.

Most escort characters are simply annoyances, but the way they handled Elizabeth was amazing.  The pacing, the tension, the head-scratching moments (especially involving music)...all of it was brilliantly executed.

Regarding weapons & vigors:

Spoiler for Hiden:

I was preferential to the Carbine and Burst gun.  I didn't use Vigors overmuch, but was partial to either Shock Jockey or Murder of Crows.  It's fascinating to me to read how we all chose very different paths in regards to weapon and vigor combinations.  I think it speaks to how well crafted the game was.

I wasn't crazy about the fact that I always felt like I was low on ammo, and was practically required to search out every trash can and desk drawer to find more.  That got somewhat annoying after a while, but I recognize it partially as a function of how awful I am at FPS games.  I imagine I used double the amount of ammo as most of you, seeing as how I can't hit the broad side of a barn.    I also really disliked the skyhooks, as I would get totally disoriented whenever I latched on to one.

Other than those minor gripes, I thought it was an excellent game.  I think I still like the original Bioshock best, but this one comes awfully close.

[Spoiler]

So I have been thinking about the ending, and while I get what is supposed to be happening in the end, I don't understand how the actions in the end accomplish this.

Spoiler for Hiden:

What benefit is there to killing the Booker whose point of view we have? He has already passed the decision point. Killing him changes nothing with regards to Comstock. You would have to kill the 20-something-year old Booker.

Spoiler for Hiden:

Using a Tear, Elizabeth brought him back to his 20-something self just before the baptism and drowned him there. They establish that when Elizabeth creates tears, she doesn't just go through, she changes everything and combines worlds, as evidenced by the people you killed going crazy after you go through a tear.

Also evidenced by Booker gaining dead Rebel Booker's memories in the alternate timeline.

Because you just killed comstock, this has a similar effect.

Anyone else really like how they just let the final airship battle be the final battle, and didn't try to spoil everything with a cheesy final boss like Bioshock 1, and so many other shooters?

After such an intense fight, you basically get a have a wonderful endgame sequence.

Here's the other part that was gnawing at me last night.  I'm sure there's an logical explanation that I'm just missing:

Spoiler for Hiden:

Booker kills Comstock by bashing his head against the fountain.  In doing so, he's basically killing...himself.  Seems that would cause at least a minor paradox/ripple/confusion, but they seemed to jump right on past it.  The only thing I can figure is that since the Booker that kills Comstock is from a alternate reality, it doesn't have any effect in this one.  But that just seems...off, somehow.  With all the dimension jumping, wouldn't killing yourself have at least some sort of an effect?

Maybe I'm just overthinking it...

Every time this thread gets bumped, I feel guilty and/or irritated that I have a Vita collecting dust on my desk. 

*GONE, TRADED IN*

Just finished it, great game.  Perfect condition, manual and case.  Includes the original Bioshock on the disc as well.  $45 shipped.

I'll also throw in a freebie, either Mass Effect 3 (PS3) or the new SSX (360)

Just finished.  Trying to wrap my brain around that ending...it isn't working too well.  Looking forward to reading the spoilers in this thread.

As a shooter, I thought it was pretty 'meh'.  However, the atmosphere and narrative (baffling as it was at times) were incredibly well done.  Liked the first Bioshock better, but this one was still pretty damn good.

Now that it's had some time to fester (for lack of a better term), has there been a real sequester impact, or was Obama crying wolf?

If you've been enjoying the retro RPG vibe of Nimble Quest, be sure to check out Slayin'.  A pretty damn awesome little game.

Now going to try and go after IRA's?

Please tell me you all at least disagree with this bullshit.

Of course I realize it.  Where will he draw the line?

Just so I'm clear, you think we should all have preemptive rage for an as-of-now undefinable "something" that Obama may or may not do in the future?

Got into the Phase 2 beta for the Final Fantasy XIV reboot, so I'll be spending most of the weekend there.

Only one album purchased in March, Finntroll's Bloodsvept.  If you liked Finntroll before, you'll love this album.  If you didn't, Bloodsvept won't do anything to change your mind.


It's not metal, but I also picked up the new David Bowie album, which is absolutely brilliant.  Except for the cover, which blows.  I honestly thought it was just placeholder art and that there was no way it could actually be the cover:


April looks to be a better month with both new Beastwars and new Amorphis on the horizon.  Heard a few tracks from Amorphis' Circle album, which have been really good.

Side note:  I also had to share what might be the most insane album cover I've seen in a while.  It's from a Dallas-based band called Cleric for their Gratum Inferno album.  Behold...


 

Do you have your treasure chest and magnet upgrades maxxed?  And did you buy the red gems unlock?

I bought the red gem unlock.  Treasure chest is maxed, magnet is 4 out of 5 (as are all the other upgrades)

[combined]

I've gotten to Forest 2 no less than half a dozen times, as well as 20+ runs that ended somewhere in those first 7 levels.  Been playing it with a single character (Uther) and in all those runs combined, he's only about 2/3 of the way towards his level 2 star.

I'd love to know what you're doing to level so much more quickly!

So I don't know if I missed something but what is the bar for under each character in the character select menu?  Is that some sort of xp bar?  If so, seems like you need to kill a ton of monsters to get it to move. I've purchased the 1 star upgrade for all the characters unlocked thus far.

Yes, it's the XP needed for the next star level.  1-star is easy, anything past that takes a TON of grinding or paying for gems.

Actually, getting the second level only takes 3-4 runs per character once you get a little better (you can get past Depths I).

Really?  I'm apparently doing something very wrong then.

I bought the Plants Vs Zombies table yesterday(its on sale for 120 points),i quite liked it,and it was easy enough to unlock the achievement

PvZ table?  I'm assuming that is an XBLA only thing?

So I've been slowly coming around to the Zen Pinball tables.  They're typically cheaper ($2/table instead of $4 or $5 for Pinball Arcade), and while the ball physics aren't nearly as good, some of the crazy things they do with them are a blast.   My just wish they would get some licenses other than Marvel, as I'm not really much of a huge superhero fan.  Many of the tables are very good (the "Fear Itself" table is my current favorite), but I'd love to see more of either the generic Excalibur/Epic Quest-ish tables, or another big license.   How cool would a LOTR table be?

Since January, my iPad gaming has become 90% pinball, 10% everything else. 

So I don't know if I missed something but what is the bar for under each character in the character select menu?  Is that some sort of xp bar?  If so, seems like you need to kill a ton of monsters to get it to move. I've purchased the 1 star upgrade for all the characters unlocked thus far.

Yes, it's the XP needed for the next star level.  1-star is easy, anything past that takes a TON of grinding or paying for gems.

In very general terms, a lukewarm yes on both counts.  I see incredible progress, success, and innovation in some areas...and some epic failures in others.

I'd also make the obervation that question 1 is not always directly correlated to question 2.

His personality made the game just as much as the stealthy game play did. 

I agree that Garrett's personality was a big positive for the Thief games (although I'd rank it far below the actual gameplay), but don't think that switching voice actors somehow invalidates him as a character.  Additionally, I'm simply not seeing anything in these previews that is that massive of a departure from the already established mythos.  It still looks plenty Thief-y to me.

It's not an intrinsic HUMAN right.

You and I agree on that...lots of others don't.  

Then again, I live in a state that is seriously considering making it legal to carry a concealed weapon without any sort of permit, training, or registration.  So I'm not exactly dealing with the most rational individuals on the topic.  

Stupid excuse from Eidos, but I still don't think it's that big of a deal.  The amount of internet handwringing and "OMG they've RUINED the Thief series!" seems awfully silly to me, but to each their own.

yet they fail to recognize that our government is working exactly as planned when a majority votes for something...and it passes.

To play devil's advocate, couldn't the same thing be said about existing bans on gay marriage?  They were passed by majority vote, after all.

To play devil's advocate, couldn't the same thing be said about segregation?  Slavery?

Some things aren't intrinsic human rights that should be afforded any other human being in a society of equals, some things are.  Unless you believe that gays and minorities are lesser human beings, I don't think you can use that analogy.

Most ardent gun supporters that I know feel that the 2nd amendment is proof that bearing arms is an intrinsic right determined by the founding fathers.  

Not that I agree, mind you, but it's definitely out there as a prevailing school of thought.

yet they fail to recognize that our government is working exactly as planned when a majority votes for something...and it passes.

To play devil's advocate, couldn't the same thing be said about existing bans on gay marriage?  They were passed by majority vote, after all.

Sad to see them come to an end.  There's lots of great gaming memories that all started with the Lucasarts logo.

That said, I'm hoping this ends up leading to some quality Star Wars games by other studios.

I just signed up for the PS3 beta

I think only PC has the beta at the moment,and signing up anyway does not mean i will get in,but here's hoping



If anybody is in the PC beta,can you tell me how large the download is?(if you are allowed)..i know it will be different for the PS3 version,but it may give me an idea

A friend told me 6.6 GB total space used.  No idea on actual download size (compression, etc).

This.

Client Partner for the Government Services team at FranklinCovey.  I sell leader development, organizational execution, time management, and individual effectiveness training courses to federal civilian agencies.

Which should explain why I've been so testy in the politics forum lately. 

Not horrible…but not Thief. 

I thought it looked pretty "thief" to me.   

Same here.  Thought that was pretty bad-ass, honestly.

A beta tester is me.   

Due to the continuing health and legal woes of both bands, Slayer and Anthrax have made the decision to become...Slanthrax!!

 

The Venture Bros seems, to me, to be along the same vein as Seinfeld.  

That explains a lot, seeing as how I hate Seinfeld with the fiery passion of a thousand suns.  

Also, I have to second Venture Bros. as one of the best things Cartoon Network has ever put on.  And that it stands in the pantheon of comedy without even mentioning the animation side of it.  But maybe we built it up too much?

It may be that I'm not remembering it as a slow build.  One of the best thing about it are the recurring characters that you know well enough to enjoy when they react to a given situation just as you'd expect, but the show is well written enough that they often surprise you.

Also it helps if you've seen Johnny Quest (also not available).

That may be part of the problem.  I vaguely remember Johnny Quest, but was never really a fan.  Hence, some of the humor may be lost on me.

It's odd though, as I can totally see the setup for funny stuff in there, it just doesn't really seem to deliver.  I'll give it another couple episodes before writing it off...maybe I was just in a bad mood last night.

WTF is this?  Anti-violinist propaganda?

Got through two more boards this morning, now I'm stuck on "Forest 2".  A couple random thoughts:

1.  Upgrading the drops (more coins on chests, longer shields, bigger bomb radius, etc.) is HUGE.  They make a massive difference at the higher levels.
2.  Chest + magnet + red gems = WIN!
3.  I'm an idiot...just figured out that killing the lead monster in a group knocks out the rest as well.  Completely changes my strategy.
4.  Haven't upgraded anyone to the second star level yet, but have everyone at least at the 1-star level.  Makes a pretty big difference.

Still absolutely loving this game, easily my favorite mobile title this year.

The Venture Brothers: Season 1, just added to Netflix this week.    One of my favorites.

It's in my top 10 for best comedies ever made.  It's so damn genius I don't even break it off into cartoon comedy.

Watched the first two episodes and don't think I even chuckled once.  When does it get funny?

[Bioshock Infinite]

I've played a few hours of Bioshock Infinite and tons of Nimble Quest.  Had a friend recommend Runes of Magic yesterday...downloading that to give it a shot this afternoon as well.

Book of Unwritten Tales (PC)

Great game, beware the bugs though. I got hit with a gamekiller about 4 hours in.  It's a known one, but the devs didn't seem terribly interested about doing anything about it.  Would have liked to have finished it, but didn't feel like replaying the first 4 hours again.