sephfire
-
Posts
1,262 -
Joined
-
Last visited
-
Days Won
3
Content Type
Articles
Profiles
Forums
Events
Posts posted by sephfire
-
-
I'm fine with dropping the popular vote system if a better alternative is proposed. I'd love to see further discussion on the virtues or shortcomings of each game, but discussion alone doesn't really give us a way to sure-fire make the pass/fail judgment call. Ideas?
We'll probably have to further discuss some of these games anyway if some only get one vote or end in a tie.
-
I'd say we're off to a great start here. What say we start round two? Don't worry, if you haven't voted on round one yet, you still can. I'm still counting.
************************************************** ****************************
***ROUND TWO***
Capcom vs. SNK
Console: Dreamcast
Publisher: Capcom
Developer: Capcom
Meta Score: 7.9 (23 reviews)
Release: Nov 9, 2000
Project Justice
Console: Dreamcast
Publisher: Capcom
Developer: Capcom
Meta Score: 7.9 (26 reviews)
Release: May 16, 2001
Disgaea: Hour of Darkness
Console: Playstation 2
Publisher: Atlus Co.
Developer: Nippon Ichi Soft.
Meta Score: 8.6 (80 reviews)
Release: Aug 27, 2003
Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec
Console: Playstation 2
Publisher: SCEA
Developer: Polyphony Digital
Meta Score: 9.4 (100 reviews)
Release: Jul 9, 2001
Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny
Console: Playstation 2
Publisher: Capcom
Developer: Capcom
Meta Score: 8.4 (73 reviews)
Release: Aug 28, 2002
Beyond Good and Evil
Console: Xbox, Gamecube, Playstation 2
Publisher: Ubisoft
Developer: Ubisoft
Meta Score: 8.8 (65 reviews)
Release: Dec 2, 2003
Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind
Console: Xbox
Publisher: Bethesda Softworks
Developer: Bethesda Softworks
Meta Score: 8.7 (90 reviews)
Release: Jun 6, 2002
Mario Power Tennis
Console: Gamecube
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Camelot co. Ltd.
Meta Score: 8.2 (59 reviews)
Release: Nov 8, 2004
Wave Race: Blue Storm
Console: Gamecube
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Nintendo
Meta Score: 8.3 (68 reviews)
Release: Nov 17, 2001
Metroid Prime: Hunters
Console: Nintendo DS
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Nintendo
Meta Score: (not available)
Release: Mar 20, 2006
************************************************** ****************************
Remember, we're not pitting these games against each other in competition. These are just ten randomly selected games from our nomination list. We will now discuss the merits of each of these games to decide whether or not each game belongs on the final list. Try to stick with games you've personally played for at least 20 minutes (preferably, more). BE SURE TO INCLUDE SEVERAL SENTENCES OF DISCUSSION AND REASONS FOR YOUR VOTE OR YOUR VOTE WILL *NOT* BE COUNTED.
My votes:
Disgaea: Hour of Darkness -- YES
The Disgaea series is strategy RPG gaming at its finest. The story and characters are fun, and the gameplay is addicting. When it comes to this genre, you'll be hard-pressed to find a better game than this.
Onimusha 2: Samuria's Destiny -- NO
While I do enjoy Onimusha, the first couple of games were not the finest in the series. The directional controls were unnatural at best, and the franchise had yet to perfect its formula. Not quite good enough to be a must-have.
Beyond Good and Evil -- YES
No contest. The game is beautiful and unique. It's always encouraging to see developers risk a financial loss to crank out a game like this.
Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind -- YES
Oblivion may out-shine Morrowind now, but that doesn't make Elder Scrolls III any less of a great game. Although the unbroken drabness of the world always put me off a bit (as did the horrendous character animation *shudder*), it's a great game.
Mario Power Tennis -- YES
I came very close to NO-ing this one just because of the addition of Power Hits. The Mario Tennis 64 gameplay was near perfect, and the Power Shot addition just felt like it broke up the action and added unnecessary complication to a great formula. However, that issue aside, I'll concede that it was still incredibly fun.
-
Just to add, I'll be posting new clumps for us to vote on fairly frequently (we've got a long list to get through). How does one round a day sound?
Also, if I happen to post a new list for voting before you've had a chance to vote for the previous one, don't worry. I'll keep counting votes for the previous rounds if you want to vote late.
-
Returning to resolve my previous indecision...
Devil May Cry -- NO
It was great for its time, but later additions to the genre have surpassed it. It deserves appreciation as a foundation for a solid franchise, though.
I wish I could offer more votes this time around, but I've only played two of these games. Seems I've got some gaming to do.
-
Okay, we've had time to make our nominations. Let us get down to discussion! It's time for ...
******************************************************************************
***THE FIRST ROUND***
Bangai-O
Console: Dreamcast
Publisher: Conspiracy Entertainment
Developer: Treasure
Meta Score: 8.5 (27 reviews)
Release: Mar 21, 2001
Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War
Console: Playstation 2
Publisher: Namco
Developer: Namco
Meta Score: 8.5 (68 reviews)
Release: Oct 25, 2004
Devil May Cry
Console: Playstation 2
Publisher: Capcom
Developer: Capcom
Meta Score: 9.2 (89 reviews)
Release: Oct 16, 2001
Shenmue II
Console: Xbox
Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios
Developer: Sega-AM2
Meta Score: 8.2 (78 reviews)
Release: Oct 28, 2002
F-Zero GX
Console: Gamecube
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Amusement Vision
Meta Score: 8.9 (101 reviews)
Release: Aug 26, 2003
Advance Wars: Dual Strike
Console: Nintendo DS
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Intelligent Systems
Meta Score: 9.1 (67 reviews)
Release: Aug 22, 2005
LocoRoco
Console: PSP
Publisher: SCEA
Developer: SCEJ
Meta Score: 8.5 (82 reviews)
Release: Sep 5, 2006
Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future
Console: Dreamcast
Publisher: Sega
Developer: Appaloosa Int.
Meta Score: 8.1 (42 reviews)
Release: Sep 10, 2000
Silent Hill 2
Console: Playstation 2
Publisher: Konami
Developer: KCET
Meta Score: 8.6 (72 reviews)
Release: Sep 24, 2001
Xenosaga Episode I: Der Wille zur Macht
Console: Playstation 2
Publisher: Namco
Developer: Monolith Soft
Meta Score: 8.3 (80 reviews)
Release: Feb 26, 2003
******************************************************************************
There are your first ten contestants. Remeber, we're not pitting these games against each other in competition. These are just ten randomly selected games from our nomination list. We will now discuss the merits of each of these games to decide whether or not each game belongs on the final list. Try to stick with games you've personally played for at least 20 minutes (preferably, more). BE SURE TO INCLUDE SEVERAL SENTENCES OF DISCUSSION AND REASONS FOR YOUR VOTE OR YOUR VOTE WILL *NOT* BE COUNTED.
Let's get started, shall we?
Devil May Cry -- UNDECIDED
I'm torn. The game was a great start to a great franchise, but it felt like the third installment improved on the formula so much that I have a harder time recommending either of the first two now. I really don't want to pit equally-deserving games from the same franchise against each other, so I'll refrain from voting on this one for the time being.
Xenosaga Episode 1 -- NO
There are a LOT of japanese RPGs available to the general public these days, and there are definitely superiors to this. While it offered a passable storyline and fun sci-fi aesthetic, the pacing was tedious, particularly when it came to the battle system. The game was decent enough to trick me into playing the sequel, but not nearly good enough to qualify as a must-play.
Get to it, OCR.
-
You will be thoroughly pleased by VGmix whenever it returns.
-
I've listened to it a few times through and it's definitely grown on me.
Even though I still favor their original sound, it's usually a good thing to see an artist mix things up a bit. With the experience and new ideas this album has given them, I have even higher hopes for their next one. Hopefully they won't completely abandon the original style that made them big.
edit:
Here's hoping for another Reanimation-style album in the next couple years to appease the old fans who need their classic Linkin Park fix.
-
Ok, Arek has helped me readjust the rules of this thing.
First off, the 2-nomination rule is gone. One nomination is all it will take to put a game in the initial list. After a couple more days for nominations, the real work will begin.
1. I will divide the entire list into clumps of 8-12 games. The grouping will be more-or-less random.
2. I will list the first group of games along with reviewer scores of each and any other pertinent info I can find.
3. We will all debate and discuss why each game should or should not be included in the final list. REAL DEBATE AND DISCUSSION.
4. Once we've sorted through that clump, I will lay the next group out for you guys and we will continue in that fashion, narrowing the initial list down as we go.
With this new system, hopefully the risk of flame wars, favorites threads and the ensuing LOCKED-ing can be avioded. Special thanks to Arek for helping me refine the system.
Keep the nominations coming, you've only got a couple days left.
-
Minus the comments I left on the bottom of each post, I left pretty good ideas.
Apologies for the exaggeration on your troll/contribute ratio. I would still like to know about these favorites threads I made, though. I honestly don't recall them.
-
Sorry for disappearing. Thunderstorm screwed my internet provider for a few days. Updating the main page now.
Some changes:
-Rather than removing an entry entirely over disputes, I will simply add "(disputed)" to draw attention to it so people may discuss it further.
-The thread is getting a lot of attention and many entries. This is good. But given the number of nominations we're receiving, the list is obviously growing lengthy and it's clear not everyone agrees with every entry that has made the list so far. I'll be "(disputing)" a few entries myself and also investigating some reviews for some games I've not played personally, but I'm not the only person with veto power here. The more disputes we get, the more we can narrow down the list and try to weed out the personal favorites that can easily creep into lists such as these.
-Since there's been some confusion, I'll explain the purpose of this thread again.
This is not a thread for rattling off your personal favorite games (though it is unavoidable that many will treat it as such). Our goal here is to compile a list of games that every serious gamer should try or own. Games that are each a shining example of quality for their genre.. You don't even have to personally enjoy these games to appreciate their quality. For example, I'm not much of a Halo fan but I still know it belongs on this list. If anyone needs further explanation of this thread's purpose, please say so.
I'll spend some time today browsing some reviews for the games I've not personally played and will likely have a list of disputes to post be the end of it. Thanks for all the nominations guys. Keep 'em coming.
sephire pay attention to your own thread kthxFor all the posts you've made in this thread, you haven't contributed anything worthwhile. Our very capable mods can handle this thread as they see fit. If you would like to make yourself useful with nominations or disputes over a nomination, please stick around and help out. Otherwise, stop cluttering the thread.
And for the record, what are all these favorites threads I've "gotten away with?" You've mentioned them enough times that I'm seriously wondering if I've been creating them in my sleep or something.
-
Updating the main list again. I'll eventually open up the nominations to older generations, taking all of the existing posts into account. I've already found some new games I need to check out.
-
Dhsu has made many good points. There are dozens of other sites and communities that could provide this sort of information.
As a community revolving around common interests, I thought a list created by this group would include games that would be more likely to appeal to OCR people. Of course, topics like these can easily reduce any forum into a cesspit of stupidity and irritation. If this thread starts to steer OCR in that direction, please lock and burn it before it causes any problems.
If this has turned out to be a common favorites thread, I apologize profusely.
-
Similar as this is to a favorites thread in concept, I was hoping for something better to come from it. We all have our favorite games, but that doesn't mean they belong on this list.
I was hoping to compile a list of games that includes the finest each console has to offer. This isn't a list for all those games that we "knew had their problems, but they're fun anyway, damnit." Similarly, I don't have to personally enjoy a game to know it's top notch.
If this whole thread does degrade into a common favorites thread, please lock it up.
Updating the main post now.
-
Sorry for the double post, but I don't want to clutter the main post with my nominations.
Playstation 2:
Disgaea 2
Final Fantasy XII
Metal Gear Solid 3
Okami
Shadow of the Colossus
God of War
Prince of Persia: Sands of Time
We Love Katamari
Guitar Hero
Xbox:
Halo
Ninja Gaiden Black
Psychonauts
Gamecube:
Smash Brothers Melee
Super Mario Sunshine
Metroid Prime
Resident Evil 4
Animal Crossing
-
Like many gamers, I'm the type who likes to try a wide variety of games. I can appreciate a good game from any genre, and I try to collect the best games for every console. This thread was meant to help gamers such as myself find the great games that are somehow missing from their collection. And now, after a month of nominations, votes and the occasional bickering match, we are proud to present ...
*****************************************************************************************************
The OCR Must-Have Games List
Dreamcast
Bangai-O
Crazy Taxi
Daytona USA
Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of Earth
Fatal Fury: Mark of the Wolves
Grandia II
Ikaruga
Jet Grind Radio
Last Blade 2
Marvel vs. Capcom
Marvel vs. Capcom 2
Metropolis Street Racer
Powerstone 2
Project Justice
Skies of Arcadia
Soul Calibur
Street Fighter III: Double Impact
Street Fighter III: Third Strike
Street Fighter Alpha III
Playstation 2
Ace Combat 5
Amplitude
Beatmania IIDX 8th Style
Beyond Good and Evil
Breath of Fire 5: Dragon Quarter
Burnout 3: Takedown
Castlevania: Lament of Innocence
Devil May Cry
Devil May Cry 3: Dante’s Awakening
Disgaea: Hour of Darkness
Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King
Fatal Fury: Mark of the Wolves
Final Fantasy XII
God of War
God of War II
Grand Theft Auto III
Guilty Gear X2
Guitar Hero
Guitar Hero 2
ICO
Jak II
Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy
Katamari Damacy
Kingdom Hearts
MegaMan Anniversery Collection
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty
Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence
Okami
Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny
Prince of Persia: Sands of Time
Rez
Shadow of the Colossus
Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne
Silent Hill 2
Soul Calibur 2
Soul Calibur 3
Street Fighter Anniversary Collection
Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria
Viewtiful Joe
We Love Katamari
Xbox
Beyond Good and Evil
Burnout 3: Takedown
Capcom Classics Collection 2
Capcom vs. SNK 2 EO
Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge
Dead or Alive Ultimate
Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind
Halo
Halo 2
Marvel vs. Capcom 2
Ninja Gaiden Black
Oddworld: Stranger’s Wrath
OutRun2
Panzer Dragoon Orta
Prince of Persia: Sands of Time
Project Gotham Racing 2
Psychonauts
Shenmue II
Soul Calibur 2
SSX 3
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
Gamecube
Animal Crossing
Eternal Darkness: Sanity’s Requiem
F-Zero GX
Ikaruga
Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker
Mario Kart: Double Dash!!
Mario Power Tennis
Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes
Metroid Prime
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
Pikmin 2
Resident Evil 4
Skies of Arcadia Legends
Soul Calibur 2
Super Mario Sunshine
Super Smash Bros. Melee
Viewtiful Joe
Wario Ware Inc.: Mega Party Game$
Nintendo DS
Advance Wars: Dual Strike
Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow
Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin
Dragon Quest Heroes: Rocket Slime
Elite Beat Agents
Metroid Prime: Hunters
NEW Super Mario Bros.
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney
Phoenix Wright 2: Justice for All
Tetris DS
PSP
Lumines
Tekken: Dark Resurrection
Whether you were able to participate in this thread or not, I hope you find a few gems on this list that you haven't taken the time to try out before. They're worth the effort.
-
It's confirmed. Co-op mode makes this game even better. If you don't believe me, ask Tweek. I've shown him Gears of War, Crackdown and Oblivion, and EDF 2017 has him wanting a 360 more than any of those.
-
You people are missing the point. Regardless of price, this game is awesome.
Go. Rent. Play.
-
Games have been more expensive. And given it's a new release, it's a full 1/3 off the standard price.
-
Seriously. Everyone here with a 360 needs to go rent this immediately (or buy it, given its bargain $40 price tag).
This game is like a modern day vision of an old-school campy B-movie. Aliens invade earth, sedning UFOs to drop hordes of enormous insects, robots and such all over earth. Armed with over 170 different unlockable weapons, you fight this threat.
What makes this game awesome:
-Tons of unlockable weapons. Burst-fire sniper rifles, guided missle launchers with automatic fire (awesome), gun turrets, flamethrowers, land mines ... the list goes on.
-50 levels with 6 difficulty settings. And I'm not talking half-assed difficulty changes either. The harder the setting, the faster the bugs move, the more acid they shoot at you (yes, acid), the more bugs there are, etc. The difficulty changes more than enough to make replaying levels fun. And you'll have to replay levels to beef up your HP for the harder difficulties. The highest difficulty is pure masochism.
-Destructable environments. Car in the way? Building blocking your path? Tree blocking visibility? Dozens of giant ants crawling over that skyscraper? That's what rocket launchers are for.
-Split-screen Co-op play. Haven't gotten to try it yet, but I'll be getting Tweek over this week to check it out. I've heard nothing but good things.
It's made by a small studio, so it may not look like Gears of War, but damn is it fun. I challenge anyone to play 10 levels of this game and tell me they aren't enjoying themselves by the end.
-
The fact that this game doesn't work on pre-Intel Macs pains me deeply.
-
My wife and I are considering going. I've been wanting to make one of these meet-ups for a while and VGL has sounded awesome.
The more I think of this idea, the more I like it.
-
That's overall problem, I think. It SOUNDS like you just singing over some music, your voice does not work as an instrument in the song.
That's actually the problem I've been trying to put my finger on ever since I heard it first. Thank you, Snapple, for finally putting it into words.
The way I'm seeing it, there's a roadblock in the way of this track. Either the vocals or the arrangement underneath them have to be the focus of this mix, and neither of them are ready to do it. As you've said, you're only a hobbiest singer and no one can fault you for that. We're all novices trying to improve and have fun. Unfortunately, nice as your voice may be and as much potential as it may have, it can't carry a mix the way a trained voice can.
Again, I can't fault you much on the voice because improving it would be costly and time-consuming. However, the arrangement underneath is still weak, and that is much easier to fix. If the original composer isn't interested in reworking it, I advise you find another remixer who is. The dynamics are weak, the percussion is flat and the synths are boring. I think the instrumentals beneath your voice are holding this mix back more than anything else, and I strongly suggest you consider changing or replacing it however possible. Otherwise, this is definitely destined for a NO.
Edit:
Escariot, he has offered many suggestions for improvement in this thread so far, as well, as offering additional help via PM. Harsh, blunt critiques aren't fun, but they tend to be the most helpful. Honestly, it would be nice to see more bluntness in this forum sometimes.
-
Pretty cool arrangement, but yeah. Once you've finished writing it out, I'd try to find a guitarist to perform it. Fake guitars just can't get this job done right.
-
Regardless of voice quality, his analysis of the arrangment is right on.
Must-Have Games: The OCR List
in General Discussion
Posted
And now, time for a new daily round. Remeber, you can still vote on the previous two if you haven't yet.
************************************************** ****************************
***ROUND THREE***
Third Round:
Crazy Taxi
Console: Dreamcast
Publisher: Sega
Developer: Hitmaker
Meta Score: 9.0 (55 reviews)
Release: Jan 24, 2000
Elemental Gimmick Gear
Console: Dreamcast
Publisher: Vatical Entertainment
Developer: Birthday
Meta Score: 7.1 (17 reviews)
Release: Dec 31, 1999
Guitar Hero
Console: Playstation 2
Publisher: RedOctane
Developer: Harmonix Music
Meta Score: 9.2 (91 reviews)
Release: Nov 7, 2005
Twisted Metal: Black
Console: Playstation 2
Publisher: SCEA
Developer: Incognito
Meta Score: 8.8 (82 reviews)
Release: Jun 18, 2001
Conker: Live and Reloaded
Console: Xbox
Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios
Developer: Rare Ltd.
Meta Score: 7.9 (107 reviews)
Release: Jun 21, 2005
Marvel vs. Capcom 2
Console: Xbox
Publisher: Capcom
Developer: Capcom
Meta Score: 6.7 (42 reviews)
Release: Mar 27, 2003
Metroid Prime
Console: Gamecube
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Retro Studios
Meta Score: 9.6 (125 reviews)
Release: Nov 17, 2002
Skies of Arcadia Legends
Console: Gamecube
Publisher: Sega
Developer: Overworks
Meta Score: 8.6 (72 reviews)
Release: Jan 27, 2003
Giga Wing
Console: Dreamcast
Publisher: Capcom
Developer: Takumi
Meta Score: 5.1 (20 reviews)
Release: Jul 19, 2000
MegaMan Anniversery Collection
Console: Playstation 2
Publisher: Capcom
Developer: Atomic Planet Ent.
Meta Score: 8.2 (37 reviews)
Release: Jun 22, 2004
************************************************** ****************************
Remember, we're not pitting these games against each other in competition. These are just ten randomly selected games from our nomination list. We will now discuss the merits of each of these games to decide whether or not each game belongs on the final list. Try to stick with games you've personally played for at least 20 minutes (preferably, more). BE SURE TO INCLUDE SEVERAL SENTENCES OF DISCUSSION AND REASONS FOR YOUR VOTE OR YOUR VOTE WILL *NOT* BE COUNTED.
My votes:
Crazy Taxi -- YES
Sure, it's light on content, but the pick-up-and-play value this game has is huge. The frenzied, arcade-style gameplay is still fun, even from the couch at home.
Guitar Hero -- YES
No-brainer. Music and gaming in orgasmic cohesion. It's pure, rhythmic bliss.
Conker: Live and Reloaded -- NO
Though pretty, there are plenty of better platformers out there. The juvenile humor is good for a few shallow laughs, but beyond that, it doesn't offer anything particularly special. Additionally, certain sections of the game needed quite a bit more polish (Lava-Surfing, I'm looking at you, buddy). These sections could cause a frustrating amount of cheap deaths.
Metroid Prime -- YES
Beautifully atmospheric. The perfect marraige of the 1st-person shooter to classic Metroid gameplay. It's hard to find many flaws with this game.
Carry on, lads.