What have I been playing lately?

Sega Ages 2500 Vol 9: Gain Ground - JPS2 - Played through to the last epoch and gave up. I don't wanna talk about the number of lives lost or continues used. Still, it's immensely fun and I think whoever did the work did right by the game. It's a little tough to determine the exact hit location of projectiles in 3D but it's not a bother most of the time. I'm not sure if I'll keep the game or not, I mean, I have the old school version in Sega Collection and it seems a waste for a whole PS2 disc to be occupied with this one not-so-mindless excursion. I would like to unlock Extra Mode eventually too. I just need to learn to keep Cyborg alive over the course of the game though he does pop up more than once.

Penny Racers - EUGBA - Thought I'd give Choro Q for GBA a run for it's money on emulator and it is definitely neat. I love the Choro Q games and this one lives up to the moniker. I breezed through the first circuit and changed my car around a bit in doing so. I think I'm going to enjoy this. Actually ordered the Euro version of Road Trip for PS2 because I know my son will get a real kick out of it. My completed game save is for the NA version of the game but I won't mind playing it all again with him.

Mother 3 - JGBA - I so totally love the combat system in this game, the music is great and rhythm fighting adds a lot to the experience IMO. A real work of art this thing and not having played Mother 1 and 2 it makes me realize where the inspiration for Popolocrois came from...there are a lot of similarities in art style between the two titles (but of course that is where the similarities end...it's enough though to make one wonder).

Oh wait! Where's the DS in all this?!

It's still got Super Robot Wars W in it from earlier. Finally an SRPG!!! Anyway, I still hold the opinion that this is the BEST damn super robot wars to date. I think I'm going to take that out tho and put in Etrian Odyssey for bed.

Luminous Arc, The Home Stretch

I'm only a couple of chapters away from finishing this addictive game. I say addictive because for all Luminous Arc's problems I keep coming back to it. Of the more glaring issues right now is the inconsistency of challenge, it's all over the place. One battle can be very tight while the next is a piece of cake. This is particularly apparent as we approach the end game. Meh, I've invested this much time into it and it's only a matter of a bit more before I complete it so I'll definitely stick with it.

I've been dabbling in Sentou Kokka Air Land Battle as well and having a good time of it but I decided to pop Global Force in and OH what a difference a year makes. Global Force is so much cleaner looking, it makes me want to shelve Air Land Battle. I'll report on whichever game I end up playing with vigor when that time happens.

Panzer Tactics DS is looking really good and since I'm loving the DS these days (don't ask me why, my enthusiasm for the device has always been muted until this past week) I'm all excited about this game. Here are some videos at gametrailers and the play looks really smooth.

Luminous Arc Halfway Point

I'm starting this blog off already over halfway into a neat little SRPG for the Nintendo DS called Luminous Arc. The game has problems galore and is decidedly early-generation when it comes to its technical aspects but it has enough charm and ease of play to keep me coming back. In fact, I've been somewhat obsessive about the game over the past week and am (at Chapter 18) doing some serious leveling and completing of Intermission scenes.

This neat DS title is a Strategy RPG in the style, though without the depth, of Tactics Ogre and Final Fantasy Tactics Advance. It has, of all things in a DS game, voice acting. It's not persistent but every once in a while the dialog is spoken and it's very, very well done. The most annoying character in the game voice wise can be said to at least have a world of talent in the voice acting department.

The item and equipment system in the game is messed up, confusing, and honestly a complete pain in the ass. I'm having to write down lists just to keep track of the items. Stylus control is beyond bad, fortunately the solution is to just turn it off and use the buttons. Much better that way.

Anyway, there's lots of fights to do in the game. My characters are all mid-40s in the level department right now which as I understand it is close to end-game levels (and again, I'm only 1/2 way through the title!) I am spending a LOT of time in this chapter, trying to get my party ready for Vivi's sidequest. Perhaps I'll post progress on that particular element tomorrow.

I will keep you posted on my progress, which is daily, at any rate.

Some other games I have to look forward to are: Daisenryaku VII Exceed for the US PS2 (should be out within the next few months); Shin Sentou Kokka Kai, a terrific modern era strategy game for the Japanese Playstation; Super Robot Wars W for the DS; and a few other surprises I'm keeping secret right now. Lots of info coming your way, keep peekin! I am a strategy/SRPG game fanatic!