Gamecube Impressions
 

Well, I've had my Gamecube for 5 days now and I'm ready to spout off my opinions on it.

The System: Very nice. Light, small, qiet and with power to spare. The controllers aren't that great, and the triggers are downright awful, but then again I'm used to the XBox controller. I picked me up a Mad Catz so its ALLLLLLL good. Memory cards suck. I'm so used to the ease of a hard drive that memory cards seem passe.

The Games:

Metroid - I don't see what the big stink is. It looks great, plays pretty good but has virtually no story. The level design is artfully made but with little innovation or originality in layout. Don't get me wrong, it is a fun game, but I wouldn't give it anywhere near the score that IGN did. I'd give it a 8.6.

Wrestlemania X8 - I payed $9 for this game used, and I want my F**KING MONEY BACK and $20 bucks more for tthe time I wasted playing it. THQ needs to take that s**t to the PS2. Awful graphics, awful animations and awful controls. Awful. 0.0

Def Jam - Decent wrestling game with good graphics and animations. Needs improvement but its a solid grappler, even if it falls far short of AKI's previous greatness. 7.9

Eternal Darkness - SWEEEEEEEEET. Great game with a great story. You feel like your playing a H.P. Lovecraft story, and trust me the whole story is a straight rip of Lovecraft, but done so well its more of a homage. Very original with the flashbacks mixed with puzzle solving and detective work. Excellent game and genuinely freaky. 9.2

Overall I'm happy with my purchase. Can anyone recommend a role playing game for the Gamecube besides Skies of Arcadia? I'm jonesing for some turned based tactical goodness.

Get Zelda if you have a Cube. And yes, Skies is an awesome game, but there aren't many great RPG's on the Cube yet...

Umm.... No Skies Of Arcadia or Zelda??

BOOOO!!!

1. Skies Of Arcadia= Best RPG of this gen.
2. Zelda Wind Waker... When it comes to europe I'll tell ya :(

Re: Gamecube Impressions
 

I would have given it a 7.5 or less... fell FAR short of my expectations due to extreme hype.

I agree, I got it for free and I still want my money back. (;))

The only reason it was ok at the begining of the summer is because it's was the first WWE game that I got my hand on this generation. After playing SD4 this game became complete crap.

I stopped playing it as a half decent wrestling game, and now I'm playing it as if it is just a fighting game... and it falls into my favorite fighting game this gen.

GCN isn't really the right console if you were even thinking of looking for RPGS. :D I guess in the future FF:CC will be cool, that's about all I know on the subject.

Re: Re: Gamecube Impressions
 

I have a feeling this will be a more of a multiplayer RPG. Secret Of Mana anbody?? :D

Download the emulation... you'll LOVE IT. Great game.

Yeah I agree, Metroid is good, but not everything it was supposed to be. However, if you scan things you will find some story.

I thought Eternal Darkness was pretty cool, but I never took a real liking to it. I dunno, just not my type of game I guess.

As for RPGs besides SoA? Hmm. There is PSO, but it's not turned based. Theres FF:CC and Tales Of Symphonia coming later this year. That's really it for now (for RPGs that are good, I'll warn you: RPGs like Evolution and Lost Kigndom really suck), GCN lacks in the RPG area.

Well I already played and beat Skies of Arcadia on the Dreamcast, so unless there is a lot of improvements or add ons I don't think I'll get it.

Def Jam really is more of a fighting game. While the engine is wrestling based, the absurd recovery time and psychology do not resemble a wrestling game at all. The finishers are still damn cool, though.

Zelda will be had eventually, but I;m having a hard time getting past the cell shading. Damn I hate cell shading.

There's Lost Kingdom, that's an RPG, I haven't played it, but I've heard mixed reviews for it. Some say its average, some say its cool, some say it sucks. Might as well give it a rent if you're bored one day.

What the hell are you on. Picture this.
Your friend has a xbox and you want to go round his to play, but you remember you have all your data on the #@!?~ hardrive. What are you going to do get a dumper truck to carry your giant xbox to your friends house. And as for the controller it should be a god send considering you've beenplaying with a xbox controller.

:GC: :Nintendo: :link2:

Lost Kingdoms is a low budget BAD RPG.

Giftipia is going to kick ass... but I bet it will suffer the Sega game's fate... rejected because of it's unusual looks

that was down right fanboyish to the max... thats what nintendo fanboys say to xbox fanboys when they call the gamecube a fisher price lunch box...

Anyway... Im not sure why you wouldnt like the controller tho i think its great and i also think the triggers are pretty good too... I played on an xbox controler and I dont really like it :unsure:

Get some friends over and play like smash brothers melee thats fun :p...

Yeah you cant beat a good multiplayer sesh on SSBM or TS2. The controller is the best. Even the Edge magazine thought it was and they dont like nintendo. Sorry about the other comment.

:GC: :Nintendo: :link2:

1) The XBox has memory units just for taking info over to a friend house, and they're a whole lot bigger than the Gamecube's.

2) I don't like the controller and the triggers have too much play in them for me. Live with it, Goofus.

3) Who the Hell are you again?:confused:

Xbox does have memory cards, y'know...

As for the controller, I don't think NGC's controller is that great either... *shrugs*... People were going crazy about it and the (pretty much useless) digital clicks and crap like that, but I think PS2's controller is much better suited for gaming, and still comfortable... As for Xbox's, I hear the Controller-S or whatever it's called is quite good... or at least a nice improvement over the normal Xbox controllers...

Uhh yeah...

I agree with Strangler on Metroid... Good game, but not as good as people say... I disagree with ED though because I think it's the same as Metroid with the overhyping and all :p

Wuteva...

You should still get Zelda... Or I'll destroy you...

Get Super Monkey Ball 1 or (AND) 2. Trust me. You might not think it'll be that great, but it is. Gekko could tell you about it as well.

How far are you in Metroid Prime? It gets a hell of a lot better (graphically and in the gameplay department) than what's in the space station, and gets better all the way through to the end for me. The game really comes into it's own once you're around 4-6 hours in.

(And get TWW!!!).

Re: Gamecube Impressions
 

interesting impressions, but

what the hell does that mean?

Ive said it once, and I'll say it again: Just buy the interact mega memory card 16x. Over 1000 blocks of data, I use mine all the time, and I havent had any problems. Any seirous Cube owner that dosent have one must be on crack. And its only 30$, possibly less.

NAHHHH

Get SMB1 definatly that game absolutly rocks. SMB2 blows chunks. 40-50% of the leves (the difficult levels at least, the meat of the game) are really really lame. Unlike SMB they don't rely on skill so much as they do on dumb luck. Like that one underwater level with the guy walking on the 5 wheels, all I could do was play that level over and over and over again until I got luckey and fell through the goal.

SMB 2 might be worth a purchase for the minigames only but don't pay more than 20$ for it.

Yeh I got more and more into it. Nearly every review I've seen has given it an awesome score.

Hype can kill games, but for Metroid I think that it lives up to the high reviews it has been given. I have read nothing but high reviews for this game. And I agree with many of them.

One of the best games I've ever played

Re: Gamecube Impressions
 

Isn't that how the whole series is?

Re: Re: Gamecube Impressions
 

Possibly...what's your point?

Might I suggest getting Super Smash Bros. Melee and Super Mario Sunshine. Those are fun, worthwhile games.

As for RPGs, you're going to have to wait, but I have a hankering that Nintendo is going to release an out-of-this-world Pokémon RPG for Gamecube sometime in the future...

Definately. It's my second best game of all time.

As for the story, well, the story comes together quite nicely, just as long as you scan the important bits. It's rather like some sort of log or documentation of events that have been occuring, and I may probably be in the minoroty, but it really engrossed me. It just got better as time elapsed. It may not be handed on a plate to you like in Metroid Fusion (and other games ofcourse), but its good enough for me. There's just something about scanning lores, and the computers screens in dark, metroid and spice pirate infested labs that just immerses you.

You know you can wait about 15 seconds and the goal will be straight across from you, right? I can beat that level every time, it's not really based off luck at all...

Re: Gamecube Impressions
 

Don't forget that playcube adapter-thingy that lets you use PS2 or Xbox controllers on your GCN. Great for fighting games and whatnot, though I prefer my third party joystick alot more...;)"No originality in layout"?? What other game has a seamless, contiuous world with no loading screens? I guess it was simple for you to find every item in the game too, due to this "lack of originality in layout"...:rolleyes:

Only reason why I'm pissed about that remark is that MP DIFFERS SO MUCH from your run-of-the-mill FPS or action game. Not living up to your hype I can understand, but lack of orginality? Please. Name another game that allows you to change form on the fly to solve puzzles in first and third person. I'd love to see some good examples of wall/bomb jumping on another console too (not to be confused with UT's rocket jumping).

Also the story in Metroid Prime is just as flat as Splinter Cell's...you find out the bulk of the story by reading tidbits along the way (log scans and data sticks, respectively). So yeah, I can agree that the FORCED STORY (if one), is kinda bland, but the plot is there, and is very deep if you just LOOK.

I dunno about the 0.0, but I too bought this game and I still think it stinks. However, reversals and specials are cool; nothing like an over-exaggerated Rock Bottom or Stunner to give you a good laugh, lol...Def Jam isn't without it's quirks, that's for sure, but on terms of pure gameplay and execution, it truly is the best next-gen wrestler by far, IMO.To agree, this is the best M-rated game I've ever played, and for once the game is mature through and through, not some slap-together violence or swearing to nab the rating. This game truly cannot be understood, nor appreciated by kids/teens as well as adults, period.Summoner: A Goddess Reborn is actually quite good, and while I've only played it on the DC, Evolution Worlds is OK if you're just looking for some good turn-based action with an above-average story. I also recommend Baulder's Gate for those needing a semi-D&D fix.

And for those hating on Rune (Lost Kingdoms), this game is really for niche, hardcore players- since the first game was nothing about story. Instead the game was based on it's battle engine, which is insanely addictive. I wouldn't call the game cheap either, because for some reason From Software decided to hide the GCN's true abilities in bonus stages/sidequests, where you find bumpmapped sanddunes, surreal waterfall graphics, and even more hidden cards with monsters that consume more than 2/3 of the screen in battle.

While I don't recommend Rune to the mainstream gamer, those looking for a change of pace should at least rent it. Rune II supposedly has a much better graphics engine, and a deep storyline full of spoken dialogue, so Lost Kingdoms II is also a good bet for GCN-owners, along with the obvious Tales of Symphonia, Golden Sun, and Final Fantasy games.

And just to join the ranks of everyone else here- BUY THE DAMN ZELDA GAME ALREADY!!!;)

-Official Ninja of [coming soon]...

Sorry Shadow, I didn't find much of anything original about MP's layout. Seamless is nice, but it doesn't affect gameplay in the least. As for finding all the crap, thats nice too, but it just looks and plays like a FPS platformer, and some of the areas are downright simplistic. It was very true to Metroid and p;ayed like Metroid 3D, which is fun but FAR from original, IMO.

Re: Re: Re: Gamecube Impressions
 

My point is Metroid may be the best 2D to 3D conversion of all time, but if he's not a fan of the series, he can't expect to like it.

It will be like me thinking Silent Hill 3 is pure crap, which I will. But I didn't like Silent Hill 1 or 2 either. Unless the series faces a major change, it may be a great game in the series, but I still won't like it. Same thing applies with Final Fantasy games, I can't stand them.

Now I haven't played Metroid Prime, but I have heard a lot of Metroid fans who loved it. However, they liked the Metroid series itself. No matter how hyped a game is, if he doesn't like the series, it would be no surprise he didn't enjoy the game.

Well I for one have never played a "FPS platformer", never on PC/Mac, or any console to-date. I guess to you that isn't original, but then again, you probably weren't too excited about the Metroid series as a whole anyways. Gekko is right.

Sorry I wasted your time responding.

-Official Ninja of [coming soon]...

Re: Re: Re: Re: Gamecube Impressions
 

A agree with you...but that doesn't mean Strangler has to say "my opinion is that it lacks variety/originality in level design blah blah, but I've never been a fan of the series so that's irrelevant"

You can say Silent Hill 3 is pure crap...and that opinion would be, vaguely, just as credible as Deathshands' (a hardcore fan of the series, and will more than likely love SH3).

I never said his opinion was worthless. But the things he was describing seemed to be characteristics of the Metroid series itself. The hype for Metroid Prime came in large part from Metroid fans. He wasn't impressed with Metroid Prime, I was just wondering if he's a fan of the series or not.

oh ok

Re: Gamecube Impressions
 

Metroid is a cool game, and I agree on the story issue, while the story is there, you basically got to find it yourself, but I enjoyed scanning...

I'm in like this very very small minority of folks who actually enjoyed this game, it sucks as a single player affiar, but it's pretty cool for multi, still think it has the best HIAC yet.

I really do need to get this game...

The story is cool and all, but the combat system is kind of..

haha I think you picked up the wrong system if you are looking for RPG games, some of the ones coming out look cool, but Skies of the best RPG on the system which doesn't say a lot...

Well, I don't know if there is much new material to warrant a purchase as much of the new stuff is actually just sidequests and stuff.

Now that's a gaming series, I mean who would have ever thought the concept of Monkeys in a ball could go so far.

I think he equates PSX with some crappy wrestling games, I mean there was In Your House, WrestleMania: The Arcade Game, Attitude, Warzone, Hardcore Revolution, BackStage Assulat, theSmackDown series, Thunder, Nitro, Mayhem and the list goes on...

Well, some of the animations are based on real life selling, I believe the Stunner is from the Rock's sell job.

Anyhow, I personally recommend Mystic Heroes, it's not a mainstream game and nothing you should pay full price for, but it's a fun little game all on it's own, even better if you got some friends. If you want to know, it's similar in fashion to Dynasty Warriors.
Also, don't know if you enjoy boxing or not, but Rocky is also a cool game, even though you can also get that on the Box.

You know that even with that tactic it's still more a matter of luck than skill right?

And that's just ONE stage out of many many more. That entire game is a blueprint in bad level design.

How bout the level where theres like 100 different switches, and if you pick the wrong one, you die, the true definition of trial and error gameplay.

Oh, and then theres that one with the goal on top of the giant column and the 4 little sliders on the bottom that rocket you foreward and up, how many times did it take you to beat that POS level?

Or the ones where there's a switch at the beginning that slows the level down? They're impossible without that switch but way too easy with the switch. Once you "find" it the first time (because the developers are clever see, they "hide" the switch behind the camera at the start) you look for it on every level.

OH! what about that other level, the one set on the level with the washing machine background where you have to go to the top of that one platform and fling yourself off towards the goal?

Believe it or not there are even MORE moronic stages that are more "challenging" than that, and I only made it though about 65 of them before I gave up, that's 35 pieces of **** still to go.

Super Monkey Ball 1 is brilliance personified on a disc, SMB2 is lazy, ****ty developers cashing in on a hot product.

Again, the mini games are brilliant and if you can find the game for 20$ or less it's worth picking up for that alone, just don't expect much from one player in SMB2

I have to agree with Stonecutter to a certain extent. There are far more levels in SMB2 that require pure luck than in SMB1. That's not to say though that skill isn't required to complete SMB2.

But anyway...

I still reckon that Metroid Prime deserves every single bit of praise it gets. And most definately deserves that 2nd spot at GameRankings.com out of all the games I've played throughout my gaming 'career'.

If anyone's planning to buy one, they must do it fast as I've heard that the company went out of business. Anyways, better yet, they could get one of those USB memorycards from Lik-Sang.com. They let you make a back up of your saves on your pc's hard drive. So, if you don't have more space (which I don't think will happend because it has 1,019 blocks of memory) you can just upload the file to your pc and then delete that file on the memory card. Even better for games like PSO, since the Sega servers seem to be waiting for you to be able to play Ultimat (get to level 80 that is) to then send all of your files straight to hell. On that case you just download the files back to your Memorycard and problem solved. ;)

Guys, I happen to b a big fan of the original Metroid. Just making Metroid 3D doesn't make it original, it makes it a 3D version of a 10 year old game (probably older). My opinion is my opinion. Don't make silly assumptions about what I like or don't like simply because I disagree with you.

As for FPS Platformers, please see Turok.

Little to no story was acceptable when I played the origanal Metriod on NES... but times have changed, story and presentation have to drive gameplay (for me at least). That's why I couldn't get attached to it.

Great gameplay just isn't enough anymore, especially in a game with no human vs human competition, and in a very unrealistic environment.

But that's enough of my mindless metriod bashing... let's not change the subject of the thread at hand ;)

Well I'd hate to turn Strangler's thread into a Monkey Ball discussion ;) but...

Um not it isn't... If it was more luck, than I must be REALLY lucky to be able to beat it 95% of the time. :rolleyes:



I think there is a way to find out what switch to hit by watching for the one that doesn't light up or something, but once you find it out you never need to worry about that level. It's the one on the last row on the right, the third going down.

Quote:

Oh, and then theres that one with the goal on top of the giant column and the 4 little sliders on the bottom that rocket you foreward and up, how many times did it take you to beat that POS level?

About three tries. You have to hold back when you're getting shot up, then you use the little mini camera to see where you're landing. Land on top of the big cylinder and use the camera again to see when to fall into the goal. There's an even easier method if you want to get the warp goal.



Yeah I don't like this either.

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OH! what about that other level, the one set on the level with the washing machine background where you have to go to the top of that one platform and fling yourself off towards the goal?

Yeah, what ABOUT that level? I find it okay, and I don't know if you're trying to say it's hard or something, but you just hold back when you drop and then you'll bounce off the bottom of that platform, then roll forward up the platform where the goal is and you go straight through. Unless you're talking about another level...



So you suck at the game, what's the point? You missed out on some awesome levels in the Master Mode.



SMB 1 may have a better one player mode, but that doesn't mean SMB 2's isn't good. If you never played SMB 2 then you couldn't make the comparison between the two and you'd probably have enjoyed the SMB 2 levels.

It seems to me that you just can't beat a lot of the levels. How can most of the levels be based off luck when I beat beat almost every level on my first try? And a lot of other people can too. Must be a lot of lucky people.

I agree about Wrestlemania. I rented it and wanted my money back.