What are you playing?

[michaelmyers156]

I've only played the first nightmare on MP2, but it's a huge improvement over the old ones. It was really freaky, actually. And the distortion of the view was awesome.
However, it's crashing for me on Chapter 7. Apparently there's a Windows ME specific bug problem. They said that they're working on a patch, and I really hope they release it soon. I can only play the first six chapters so many times!

[Head Mutant]

Yeah I was kinda spooked by the first nightmare.

And I have to say -- without spoiling anything for anyone -- that the funhouse level is one of the most inspired and cool shooter levels I've ever played.

[michaelmyers156]

Has anyone made it past the seventh Chapter on Part I on MP2 yet? That chapter, as I've mentioned, won't load for me because of some bug that they're trying to fix. Is there anyway anyone who has MP2 that could email me a savegame from, say Chapter 8 of Part I so I can keep playing ([e-mail])? If anyone could do that, I'd really, really appreciate it. Thanks.

[michaelmyers156]

Actually, er, I fixed the bug and now I've beaten the game. It's too short! Only about as long as the last one, if even that. Mind you, it's worth it despite the meager length (Especially Part 2, which had some amazing Chapters. Chap. 5 was amazing!). And the Dead Man Walking mode is a lot of fun.

[DarthToad]

Just rented Kirby Air Ride for GCN. It's a whole lot harder than I expected. Really, a lot harder.

[Der Germ]

Just started Jak and Daxter. This game is fairly easy, but it's annoying because you have to redo a lot of parts over and over again to get it right.

[Head Mutant]

I know I have a track record for being in love with a game fiercely for a week and then not saying anything about it thereafter, and I know I'm gonna get really mocked for this, but I have to admit:

I'm absolutely *hooked* on Magic the Gathering: Online. Hooked.

Sure, video gamers even call Magic players geeks, but so what. Honestly, I was never into Magic before now (I played it for about a month in 1994 in college when my friends picked it up, but they kept beating me too much, so I left it alone after that), and I probably would not play this in person anywhere. But the other night I somehow came across the site for this, and it promised as many free games (using one of five standard decks) as you like, with no subscription fee, so I gave it a whirl. Nothing fancy, just a little program that lets two or more people hook up to play, but it's sublime.

I think, for me, I'm a strategy gamer. I like to think, I've long ago left behind consoles and platformers and twitch gaming (27 years old ain't twitchy no more). But the opportunity to just play an infinitely replayable game (high replay value is big with me) that requires tons of strategy yet is accessible to new beginners, that's great. Plus the aspect of collecting cards that are useful is fun -- and they'll mail you the real versions of the cards if you decide you don't want them online anymore.

So tenatively, I jumped it. You pay $10 for a permanant account, but you get $10 in credit at the card store. I spent maybe 35-40 total (including the 10 buck startup) buying some theme decks and booster packs, then traded for everything else I needed. Day three, I've got a couple solid decks and I'm having a blast. It's really fun to play, and soooo addictive. And compared to most multiplayer online games that require a monthly fee and give you endless treadmilling and time sinks, this is way better. Instant play, instant gratification, and endless possibilities.

It's not for everyone, I'm sure, but I really do think highly enough of it to recommend Magic Online to you guys. If anyone plays or is thinking about it, look me up (mvorkosigan is my user name), and if you need help setting up or learning the ropes, I'd love to help.

Here's the link to their page, scroll down and click on the free trial:

www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=magic/magiconline

[Der Germ]

I just bought a new game. In fact, it's a PC game. I never buy PC games unless they're roller coaster simulater builder things (Sim Theme Park, Roller Coaster Tycoon and the expansions, and some no-name company ones). The one I bought is from the evil devil corperation Disney's ride-development-come-game-development companies, y'know, Imagineering.

I'm really surprised at how cool this game is. So many nifty toys, props you can use to spruce things up (if you've ever been to Disney land/world/paris/timbuktu, you have an idea of what kind of props. And you'd be WRONG! HAHAHA!), and even something called an Imagineers mode where you have to build rides to certain specifications.

Best of all, when you're done building a ride, you can "ride" it. And it doesn't look half bad, even on my not-updated-in-six-years computer. Which is saying something.

If you like coaster sims, check it out for sure.

END TRANSMISSION!

[Head Mutant]

Finally got a copy of Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic for PC... wow. Absolutely terrific. I didn't realize how much I've missed Bioware (the developer) until a whole year of sub-par RPGs for the computer (Lionheart, ToEE) were released. This is a *very* fun game, and I'm enjoying all of the combat and dialogue so far.

And be proud of me Pooly -- my goal is to go through it without a strat guide or FAQ... at least the first time around.

[PoolMan]

Head said:

Pooly -- my goal is to go through it without a strat guide or FAQ... at least the first time around.

I REFUSE TO BELIEVE IT.

I mean, what if you miss the tangerine lightsaber crystal?

I'm probably going to have to hold off on KOTOR till February. I can't see myself dedicating a whole pile of time to an RPG when I'm supposed to be studying my lines for the play I'm doing. Or at least, I'd feel guilty about it.

[Head Mutant]

You poor man.

[jamus34]

Head said:

Finally got a copy of Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic for PC... wow. Absolutely terrific. I didn't realize how much I've missed Bioware (the developer) until a whole year of sub-par RPGs for the computer (Lionheart, ToEE) were released. This is a *very* fun game, and I'm enjoying all of the combat and dialogue so far.

And be proud of me Pooly -- my goal is to go through it without a strat guide or FAQ... at least the first time around.

I actually only used FAQs when I was stuck...maybe twice...The game was that engrossing...I used strat guide for FFVIII just cause I wanted to beat the damn thing...by the time I got to the end I got sick of 15 minute random battles.

[Head Mutant]

Well, my main reason (particularly for RPGs) is that if I'm putting in 50+ hours into a game, I absolutely hate the idea that I'm missing stuff along the way -- plot points, extras, weapons. I also hate to spend that much time and end up building a character who's wimpy in the end. But since KOTOR is the kind of game you have to play at least twice (I'm going the "good" route now, but I can't wait to unleash evil and be Darth Jerkwad on the universe), I'm content that what I miss this time I'll catch next time.

[DARTHMADLER]

Just finished playing Homeworld 2. Rather an odd learning curve, the game difficulty peaks at mission 12 and then the last two are pretty much a cake walk.

[Head Mutant]

You *beat* it? Color me impressed, sir, with a big fat Impressed Crayon.