Have I lost interest in console gaming, or...

[hnishida]

I've been trying to get back into console gaming for some time now, but it seems that whenever I get a new game I think I will love playing, it always ends up to be just another average game for me. I just can't get into them. I don't play them till the end. I usually get bored mid-game.

I still enjoy playing games on the PC side, but my PC is now too slow to run any recent games. I enjoy fantasy themed RPGs and its varieties, and some action RPGs like MGS (though I haven't played any MGS game either--more on this later). I rarely enjoy fighter/shooter games though Ikaruga was very nice. Perhaps I should expand my scope?

I used to love games on my SNES or early PSX, but that overwhelming, special feeling of enjoyment seems to be dwindling.
The last game I truly enjoyed playing was Castlevania: SoTN on the PS.
And that was a mere 2 years ago (the game was out earlier). I should also add that I love all Dragon Quest games, Metroid GC, Fuurai no Shiren SNES/N64.

Here are some games I've purchased in the past and ended up being an average experience:

Genso Suikoden III (boring gameplay, lengthy story)
Front Mission 4 (boring story; just another square game IMO--top graphics, bad gameplay)
All Castlevania games on GBA (the latest one was better, but still... too short?)
Shinyaku Seiken Densetsu on GBA (plain boring, butchered story)
Super Robot Wars whatever on GBA (stupid money-maker)
Super Robot Wars Alpha on PS2 (was quite enjoyable, but not spectacular... senarios being too repetetive)
Fire Emblem on GBA (battle is simplified compared to SNES ones)
FFTA on GBA (don't like the setting)
Xenogears (Good story, awesome music, I just didn't like the interface and battle gameplay)

Here are some games I am willing to give a try:

Metal Gear Solid 1 & 2
Torneko's Adventure 3 on PS2
Castlevania Lament of Innocence (despite bad feedback)
Final Fantasy Chrystal Chronicles (looks like a good Seiken game?)


The fact that I still love playing Enix' Dragon Quest games shows that I still have interest in gaming. But rather than risking good money, I thought I'd ask here... you guys seem to know the good games and the bad games.

If you have any recommendations, let me know!

[kuran]

Rez
Gregory Horror Show
ICO

These are the games that I have previously recommended to you.. and I still stand by those!

[nips]

I Console Gaming!

I can't get away from games I love.

MKDD!!, F-Zero GX, Skies of Arcadia Legends, Prince of Persia, Halo (still), Project Gotham Racing, FFTA, Mario and Luigi and they are games that I got recently over Christmas and stuff. I've got loads of games to complete after my exams, this week I'm so happy!

There are loads of games that I'm looking forward to playing soon aswell, although I'm not going to go into those here.

At the moment I'm getting worringly excited about finished High School in July, I'm going to get a Eurorail ticket and go traveling with a few mates for a month. Then I'm going to buy a PS2, FFX, FFX-2 and Disgaea then play so much RPG I die. Please suggest some others as well because I'll probably be done with those after 400 hours so I'll need some more.

I've never been so gamingly happy!

[Sketcz]

Dont worry man, I too have felt recently like Ive lost interest.

Personally I wouldnt go for rez or ico unless you have been feeling really stoked to begin with, its not for everyone, and if you dont like them like i didnt, you may fall harder.

Its too easy to say try some retro, since while it makes me feel better, what we all want is a new game to feel good about.

Ive actually been getting into GTAVC, which is action based, but rpg-ish in places, except without stats. Might be worth trying.
I agree with you on suikoden 3, it was terrible compared to 1 and 2.

Other games?
SkyGunner USA release on PS2, free roaming arthouse shooter, but just really wonderful in design. Its a bit oldish now, but great fun if you find a copy. It feels like old french characatures, and the AI is top notch.
Great "feel" to it.

WarioWare on GBA.
I have just recieved this, and I must say, whenever I feel down, I give this a pop, in some ways it has reinvigorated my interest in gaming. It might depend on how many games youve played in your life, but it has some magical little moments where you realise it is secretly mocking some other game or genre, the rpg boss made me laugh, and the NES game section brought back more memories than I can remember. Sweet like the candy you used to eat as a kid, and great for short bursts.

If your into PC games, I highly recomend "Star Control 2"
Either the old SC2 DOS game, or the remake. Should work on most PC's, theres links in a topic in the retro forum.
Great fun, great story, and a new freeware version has been released. PC version was so good I spent over a ?100 jsut to get and play the 3DO port.



There, those are 3 games, that maybe not many others would recomend, dont get disheartened, and stay strong. I dont wanna hear that in a moment of madness you went off to become a monk and gave up on gaming for good. Sure it may be bleak now, but there are some gems out there.
Stick with it dude.

[TheShend]

Funnily enough, i'm about to start Castlevania SotN after the exams. I picked up a PAL version, i'm curious to see what the story is compared to the lack of understanding all jap on an imported saturn version i once owned. Great game.

Maybe should step back with a game that isn't too demanding, a slower pace and quite therapeutic.
Animal Crossing isn't for everyone, but it is a great game which, for most people, ends up as their most played game. It's a brilliant step back from all the fighting, shooting and stealthing about. Just take it at your own pace and slowly think about what furniture to collect and how to organise it. Which become very addictive.

There's a trading thread on this forum as well, i'll gladly set you up with some cool furniture, a starfox Airwing for one. Looks mint.

I find that when i return to other games, like metroid prime to complete it on hard. I'm not rushing, just taking my time and soaking it all in. Makes for a more enjoyable experience.
Before animal crossing i didn't think i'd bother at all with it. But it's altered my perspective a bit.

Failing that....erm...get yourself some old skool saturn 2D platformer. Guardian Heroes is boss and affordable.

[hnishida]

Thanks for the replies. After giving it some thought I decided to try Gregory Horror Show and MGS1/2. GHS looks like a really fun game (gameplay focused). Animal Crossing sounds like a fun game as well, with that genuine trading system. Trading "offline" is just ingenius, I wonder how it works. More games should use this kind of system.

[Sketcz]

be careful with Animal crossing, its good with the trading, but it can be annoying at times, and Im not sure if it will re-invigorate your faith in gaming.

still, stick with it.

(oh, and if you end up liking mgs1+2, check out Metal Gear2:Solid Snake on MSX2 emulator from 1994, you can thank me later )

[Ady]

You didn't like Xenogears? What's wrong wit you, man?

Seriously though, it sounds as if you need to cast your net a bit wider. Most of the games in your list are RPGs, a genre that's been stale (and very conservative) for a while.

I recommend Gitaroo Man and P.N03.

And you owe it to yourself as a gamer to get Wario Ware for the GBA.

[Ex_mosquito]

same here, i find console games boring and very unrewarding these days, thats why i only play arcade games now - fighters /shooters/ metal slug games etc... Arcade games make you work for results and get you thinking more creatively to get that 1-credit clear.

[3rdnode]

I kinds feel the same. I remember being so excited and having so much fun when I was younger. Now I can live without it quite easily. Mabey gaming has changed or more likely it is just me. Nowadays I seem to find a lot of pleasure in watching people play. I sound like such an old man!

[Saurian]

Yeah DEFINETLY sounds like you need to expand your scope or just go for a genre you dont normally deal with. I suggest you get yourself some decent shoot em ups and learn some beat em ups - cos you have to work at these games people ignore them and they usually end up at bargain prices soon after release.

Gamecube:
PN03
Shikigami No Shiro 2
Viewtiful Joe
Star Soldier

PS2:
Psyvariar Revision
VF4 Evo
Bujingai
Kunoichi
Hyper Streetfighter 2 Anniversary
Dodonpachi Dai Ou Jou

DC:
Jojo's Bizarre Adventure
SFIII 3rd Strike or W-Impact
Rival Schools
Bangaio
Zero Gunner
Gigawing
Ikaruga

[darkangel]

PS2:
Psyvariar Revision

Damm right!

[bangaio]

I was feeling liek this but now after waiting this long, on Friday I bought a chipped V6 PS2 from top bloke Will 2003. What can I say, it has truly rekindled my faith in videogames. I didn?t buy a ps2 on launch because it had no games that interested me, unlike its predecessor. So I have been mixing my time with some great DC games, SNES retro fun (and a spot of MD playing) and finishing (or trying to) some old N64 games but I got bored so easily of all of these unable to finish games, constantly swapping consoles around. Now I have a new black box under my tv and the others are packed away. My whole weekend has been spent playing GT4 prologue, secret weapons over Normandy, VF4 Evo, WE7, and disgea, with GTAVC, ICO and more waiting to be played and I cant wait to play them mort and more. My ?new? toy has really got me back into and excited about playing games which was beginning to feel like chore, you know, I ?must? play this game to the end because it is supposed to be good?..So I have a wardrobe full of games and machines and one ps2 and a handful of games out and I love it!

Your, former ps2 abstainer, bangaio

[RINGO]

i think the solution could be either.........

STOP playing games for a long while (3-6 months)

Stop buying games caz this just stacks them up and can be daunting (i know this v well) take a break give some ones youve bought some of our exclusive time.

okay bottom line take a breather ...... learn to play guitar?

RINGO 8)

[Kamatari]

I use to play consoles all the time......havent really played them much now i even brought a PS2 boxing day and have hardly touched it, more than likely because i havent got a memory card and got bored of having to restart PoP oh well, im gona go play some SMB3 on the nes and AC on teh GC now

- Kamatari