You not liking it doesn't translate to "suck".

I have a Hori protector for my PSP..not sure if this is an indicator of their quality overall, but mine is very nice and inexpensive. Most importantly, it is crystal clear, unlike the others I tried (such as Pelican).

Again, this may or may not be relevant, but my only complaint about it is that it doesn't seem to fit the screen just right...it overlaps a bit and air bubbles form around the outside of the screen area. This doesn't affect gameplay, but has to shorten the life of the screen/allow crud underneath over time.

Do yourself a favor. Quit playing now. Seriously.

If you think the early levels are a "grind" then this is not a game you're going to enjoy.

Hey Misguided, I'm on a business trip currently, but if I can swing it past the wife, will be signing back on for a 3 month tour of duty.  Still got a few spots open in GG for Sacastica (lvl 27 Scrapper Spines/DA) and Black Frances (lvl 2 'Troller Ill/Kin)?

NMN

You bet.

Next question. Is it possible for a level 9 Blaster to solo anywhere?

Yes, in those missions you said you don't want to do. Why? Because you will have groups of controlled size at the correct level and won't waste time looking for stuff to fight, plus you'll get the mission bonuses.

Also, 6-slot hover is not such a terrible idea. It won't ever be very fast, but more people are going this route because of PvP I think.

If you teamed a lot and got credit for every one else's missions, you could run out of missions to do in a a hurry.

Hey guys, I can't find this in the manual, but stumbled across it by accident.

Try hitting Start during the setup for any shot. I'm finding this quite useful at times.

Hehehe...training in the weee hours of the morning right before bed is a baaad idea

I love mine, but then, it's the only console I have. Took the kids to their tutoring class this morning and sat in the car playing Hot Shots...the first time I've actually used it away from home.

I guess it depends on what you want out of it. Hardware-wise, I think it's hard to argue with. The screen is just amazing.

Not exactly Mechwarrior, but I do believe that some of the vehicles in Auto Assault have a walking mode.

You get to choose one power. They aren't for sale and there's no issue of affording it or not. You get one and only one at a time. You clicked on one power, then the other, then hit continue, so you got the latter.

The TF's are one of the absolute worst ways to experience CoH, IMO.
The Striga Hess TF is a notable exception, as are several of the trials (which I don't really think of as task forces i the same sense anyway).

You can use the mouse only to move, but most don't because it was just implemented. The option is in options>controls>Forward(mouse control). You have to set a key to the option then turn it on I think.

I take that back...I just tried it and it worked fine.
I'd never want that, personally.

On your tee shot push down on the dpad and you will throw grass into the air and it will blow in the direction and force of the wind.  This acutally makes more sense than giving you just a number.

Seriously?! I had no idea! Thanks for the tip.

Oh...Don...on the camera reset issue...no, it isn't a problem, until you forget the camera has moved and double tap the X on a critical putt, then instead of not touching the button again, frantically hit it once more. Not that I've done that. Nope. Not me. Uh uh. Noooo way.

Yeah, I've only unlocked one new golfer, but I think I'm doing better with Rio. haven't had a chance to play in several days.

Wonderful game. Simply wonderful.

It is, though I do have some complaints that mar an otherwise fantastic game.

1) It seems the game has no interface for dealing with multiple save files.  This strikes me as completely absurd.

2) There are a number of times where I can't see the little pyramidal icon that shows where you are aiming because it is behind an embankment. It would have been great if it had showed a triangle outline or something similar in cases like that.

3) Why in the heck can't we tell how hard the wind is blowing until after we've made the tee shot? This can be really, really frustrating.

4) I sure do wish the button to reset the camera had been something other than X.

5) This is minor, but it sure would be nice to get clubs/irons that actually help rather than hurt. Most of the stuff I've found so far reduces control or impact, which hinders my game rather than helps.

In the scheme of things, none of these is traumatic...I'd still rate HSG as good as Lumines/MGA (i.e 9ish) and it certainly has an addictive quality (just one more 9 hole tournament...)

When do we get more caddy choices?

I"m tempted.  Anyone else?  I seem to remember a good GG team in the CoH world.

NMN
aka Sacastica, Iris Pumpkin

That was the Wanderers. We're still here. Send a tell to Inspectre, Senior Oscuro, or Ice Princess

Funny I know nothing about why the Metal Gear games are so popular.  Why is that?

Never played one before MGA, so I couldn't tell you, but I really like what I've played of MGA.

Stoked about MGA2.
I like puzzle games, so Frantix looks really good. Gripshift looks good in a Trackmania vibe. Burnout Legends sounds like it'll be good.

There are some games that look cool that I'm not liable to get...stuff like Pursuit Force, Ghost in the Shell, Harry Potter, Infected.

I was really hoping there'd be some big "OMGWTFBBQ" type announcements at the show, but there really wasn't anything like that, with perhaps the closest thing to that being the announcement of a Lemmings game (not a big interest for me, really).

Yeah, the Motor Storm trailer was h-o-t.
Personally, I'm probably most excited about Metal Gear Acid 2.

Note that while I have not had the chance to do this myself, my understanding is that the number of shots fired is always taken from the card used as ammo, even if that number is higher that the weapon that is actually equipped.

Dimmona, what size is the download for Wipeout? nevermind, I see it is about 3.5 MB.

Ok, so I did end up getting this because I wanted a more kid-friendly turn-based game.

Is there any way to have multiple profiles short of swapping out memory sticks?

500 for a XBox 360....No Way....why do I want a PC that plugs into my TV, when I have a PC.

I'm hoping we'll see more of a convergence between consoles and PCs. I use Macs for most of my computer stuff, then a PC for games. My lone console is a new PSP. I have no interest in plugging a console into the tv. But if they, say, came out with a keyboard for PS3 or XBOX and I could plug in my Nostromo n52 (or something similar) so we could play MMO games, etc, then I could easily see my next "PC" being a console.

I may have to pick this up. I was really looking forward to Smart Bomb, but the only reviews I've been able to find say it should pretty much be avoided at all cost. That, and I'm having trouble with my eyes while playing Lumines. The blood vessels in my right eye get enlarged so it feels like there's a hair in it, even though there isn't. I think it is a combo of staring intently/not blinking enough.

I'm not exactly dying to have something else to play (still having a blast with other stuff), so I'll keep an eye out on the store by work and hope I can snatch up a used copy.

But with this gen, Sony had the less powerful system

But didn't the XBox come out well after the PS2? If I'm correct on that, then it should have been more powerful. This time the PS2 will be later and the burden will be on Sony to convince people their machine is better.

You guys are making this sound good.
Does the game suggest a club to you for each shot?
How often do you use something else?
I'm trying to get a sense of how difficult it is.

I've been playing MGA all afternoon (hooray for days off!) and I'm REALLY interested in Smart Bomb, but I used to have some fun with golf games. I think I'll try to get a used one at Gamestop, though...I'd be in no mad rush for it. The unlocking courses bit concerns me, though.

I kind of figured that at this point, but thanks for confirming it for me.
I'm heading toward the C4 now, as a matter of fact.

Have I mentioned I'm having a blast?

Right now if I had to, I might just rank the three games I have:
1) MGA
2) Lumines
3) Wipeout

Even Wipeout is a good game, but I'm finidng that winning races is extremely difficult for me, even in the easiest league.

Yes, I meant the level card key.
I was just buying card packs trying to get that or the C4. I didn't come up with either of those, but managed to snag my first 4+ and 5+ cards (psycho mantis and liquid snake, respectively).

The game is designed to support you replaying the mission areas.  First- there are several card packs that you will be unable to get the first time through due to not having the correct card key or technique to get it.  Also, you will find that upon returning to areas the game will generate different mission objectives than before.  Story missions typically just focus on getting from Point A to Point B but replaying missions often produces objectives like "kill everyone," "remain undetected," "steal a key from a guard", etc.

I've actually replayed the office area once, but I still don't have a key to get in some of the doors. If I replay it again, might I get a new objective, or the same one I just had (when I replayed it the first time)?

As an example of how you might use that technique, in this most recent mission, I was at 3 actions per turn. I ended my turn early, standing next to a corner. Just around the corner were two guards. On my next turn I was able to move past the corner, toss a grenade, then shoot the grenade.

Deck building isn't real clear yet. I have a bunch of cards I can't use, because I have no weapons that can be equipped (and there don't really appear to be any in the MGS1 packs).

I've looked at some walkthroughs, not for the walkthroughs themselves, but just for general tips. They don't seem to mention the equipment level cards in their decks, so I'm wondering if the effects of those last beyond a particular mission, but I haven't tried yet.

I got to the office part also but have not made much progress there. Something is just not clicking yet. It seems like I am not doing something I should be as it seems like I have to kill everyone (and usually fail at doing that).

I just redid that mission, because I'd left 2 or 3 card packs behind (including one you can get for blowing up the guard bot). This time I wanted to focus on taking everyone out, just to get a handle on the strategies...did a better job this time, as while I was spotted before taking people out, no one actually got a shot off at me.

One thing I'm figuring out is that you shouldn't hesitate to end your turn early. Keep an eye on your cost and the turn order of nearby foes. Often, ending a turn early will set you up better for the following turn (which you may get immediately). This works real well with a plus action card sometimes. Maybe you use only one of your three actions, then end the turn, then get three more immediately. Ending turns eary is also important when using +action so you don't use all your cards up just moving around.

I know it is early in the game, so it will probably get harder, and there are some mechanics I haven't seen yet (no equippable weapons) but I'm getting the hang of things, I think.

Question, though: Is it possible to load a save without quitting the game entirely? Nevermind..just found it on the options menu.

I haven't had the chance to try it yet. Went to work after I made the post yesterday and didn't get home til late.

I'm going to give it a go today, though.

I'm not getting why you'd want to play gameboy games...I mean, yes, I understand there's a huge library there, but you can buy a GBASP for way less. After playing some of the PSP releases, I can't imagine wanting to look at GB quality images on "my precious".

Now MAME...that could be interesting. Even better, virtual pinball....just turn it sideways and it would be about right.

(Cross posted from OO because no one replied there)

Hey all. I'm really enjoying MGA so far. I've just gotten through the first "real" mission (the office) and have gained access to the card store, so was hoping for a bit of advice:

Should I drop all of my available funds on card packs or save some money for later?

Also, I know I left some cards behind in the last mission. Should I start the mission over? Not start over but do the map again for the supplemental objective? Not worry about it?

I've got a card that changes Equipment level to 2. Does this increase the available equip slots? If not, what does it do and how do you get more slots?

How are other people enjoying the game?

I haven't noticed any dead or stuck pixels here, but you can't have mine
BTW, Wipeout Pure is probably a good game to check with, because you can change the menu screen to white (default) or black.

As much as it looks really cool,  I think the PSP library is a litle race heavy right now.

I'm hoping we'll get the announcement of Gran Turismo Mobile at E3. Maybe Colin McRae too.

Not sure what to tell you...I'm not a console gamer at all, yet I was drawn to the PSP and ending up buying one. I got Lumines, Metal Gear Acid, and Wipeout Pure. Lumines is a sublime puzzle game where your gameplay sort of helps make the music as you go. I've only scratched the surface of MGA, but aside from some minor things, the presentation is stunning. Wipeout has pretty to look at and a good bit of fun so far, thought (for me at least) it takes some time to get a feel for the controls.

I think the future is going to be bright for this device. The screen is just amazing. I find it hard to believe how good it looks. I'm hoping there will be some exciting announcements at E3 that will give a better sense of whhat the future holds. As it is, I already have a great deal of interest in some other puzzle games (Smart Bomb, Mercury, Sticky Balls) and Hot Shots seems like it ought to be worth a look. If/When Gran Turismo PSP gets officially announced, I'll probably be in heaven.

I guess my thought is for you to take a look at the games that are out or on the near horizon. If there are several that look good to you, it might be wrth your while.

I just fired this up for the fiirst time tonight and...WOW.
Maybe I'm easy to please, but to me, the presentation of MGA is simply stunning. I like the music I've heard so far and just love the graphics.

I haven't figured out what the heck I'm doing yet (my first attempt to get through the gate was a miserable failure as when I used the "knock" on the wall, the guy came right to me....suppose I should do that BEFORE I move, eh?

Really looks like this will be fun.

Nah, I'm no pro, but I've played dozens of racing games on PC. I think I'll get used to it, but it has a different feel from anything else I've ever done (and if you think about it, it OUGHT to...I'm just surprised by how challenging it is).

I'm really looking forward to Smart Bomb. I'm also hoping the Euro release of Mercury will include a bunch of the stuff that was left off (motion sensor, maybe?). Also interested in Sticky Balls and Death Jr looks like it could be fun.

I have the Hori screen protector and it works like a charm.  Easy to apply, doesn't "move around" like some complaints I've heard about other screen protectors, and still maintains great viewing quality.

There's no graininess in it at all?
I've yet to see this one in stores.

The Logi case IS out. I am very pleased with it.

Where can you buy it?  I can't find it on bestbuy.com, and the logitech website still says it'll notify me when the product is released.

I've seen it at Gamestop and EB (bought it here because Gamestop had sold out since I saw it the first time). Availability seems to be spotty so snatch one if you see it.