Yea this is gonna be a long post.... One I've been pottering away with for a while as I've gone through the OG Xbox games (First Post, Second Post).
The thing with game lists, the 'best games of X,Y&Z' is that they are incredibly biased and perspective based. No list will have 100% of what someone else likes. I've read a lot of OG game lists and of 10 listed usually 2 or 3 will stand out for me. The list of game that I picked and bought are the ones that I looked back on with nostalgia, memories of old hype and now cheap prices making them worth seeing. Some games like this live up to the hype, others a let down and the rest in the middle.
I've found more and more that hardware failure is the cause of more and more nostalgic pain. From old materials crumbling to mechanisms sticking/failing etc. And I look after my old systems really well! Better to use and maintain than never use and miss the chance to use and enjoy.
The second hand crystal Xbox has been working without incident. Even if the tray is starting to stick every now and then. If it gets worse I'll start removing the rubber drive rings and cleaning etc...
I'm also saving anything new to an external usb rather than the internal drive. Lessons learnt.
My original Xbox is still 'acting up' and I've still a fear based on nostalgia(for the drive content and the hardware) that isn't letting me open it up to diagnose/fix. Maybe I'll overcome that in the future but not with this latest bout of super nostalgia. It really would be nice to get my old saves (nostalgia 101) more to have than for any massive replay reason. Again I think I'm "O.K." with it..... (still very not like me). It's a kind of 'Schrodinger's cat' for saved games; As long as the games are in the box they are 'fine', open the box and confirm they are 'not fine' and nostalgic disaster 'could happen'...... Or is it a head in the sand moment..... Perspectives eh!
The 'good' look of my S controller has proved to be very deceiving. Using it is very unreliable; Stick movement is erratic and buttons not registering clicks etc. I've taken it apart and cleaned etc but still no go. Board looked fine.... The 'bad' looking second hand crystal S controller is also deceptive because it's in fully working order. I tried to take it apart to swap the thumb sticks from the normal S but I now know why there were only 3 screws in the crystal version and why it was still staying closed. The previous owner had super glued the entire seem of the controller shell. They must have used a gallon of glue. So no hope of swapping out the thumb sticks from the other controller. Pity but I don't want to cause more damage than necessary. It works, I'll live with things as they are.
I've had no luck getting my paws on Otogi or Otogi 2. I'm really after the first game rather than the second. Prices for both are insanely over the odds online. The second hand shop/chain I've been using has both listed for €3.50 and €2.00 respectively. That's good! €20-80 online elsewhere in the world is not. They may be rare games in the wild but not worth that kind of crazy money! Ruled out further due to the price being doubled or more with postage and packing added on..... Not worth it at all.
Ninja Gaiden Black is a game that surprised me because of how 'modern' it feels. If your thinking it's too retro looking it doesn't take a moment to accept it as a visual style choice. No wonder gamers say it's 'that' good. If this was a game I'd gotten when it came out my mind would have been blown my mind. Maybe I was to busy being wowed by the other games I had.
How it handles takes some getting used to. Like the bulk of original Xbox games they have their own control schemes.
It's a game that has a massive feeling of satisfaction with it's combat. It's no button masher. Different enemies need to be handled in different ways. You need to avoid attacks, you need to use all the abilities you can. That's not to say it doesn't have it's frustrations. Add in multiple enemies and that alone is a difficulty multiplyer. I'm no Dark Souls fan but this game reminds me so much of that style. As good at all that is it's that more than anything that's off-putting for me. That and getting my áss handed to me many, many times. The A.I. can be harsh, they know how to play the game! Bosses are unforgiving.
Between it and Otogi, if I'd gotten and played both I might have been a Dark Souls fan today!
I wonder how Dark Souls would play out with a time limit on boss fights!
A game I'm glad to have experienced for myself. I might have appreciated it more back in the day.
I've heard/read that the later games are even better in the same way that Dark Souls 2 is better than Dark Souls 1. Some people will 'enthusiastically' agree, some will 'vehemently' not. I'll appreciate it all from afar!
I'm a Battletech fan, I've played and loved the first Mechassault when it came out. Still is a great game. The second game had off-putting reviews on it's release but I had to get and try it out now.
And see for myself I have. My initial reaction to loading up the game was more negative than I thought it would be. I think the critics were right!
As well done as it is I dislike the 3rd person lobby system as a main menu. I dislike the way the game has changed so that it is the 2005 version of Titanfall. You spend far too long outside of a mech. Too much time wandering around as a human or a human in battle armour, or a human in a tank.... Oh no a massive door blocks you way!! You need to exit your mech, wander over to a panel through a small doorway, do the mini hack game, get back out and back in your mech and go on. I never knew there was this much of a change from the first game. I'd rather blast the door. If I can blast larger buildings I can blast a door. Or jumpjet over it, that might work as well.... But I'm waffling.
Mechassault 2 has what made the first game great but adds new overused additions that take away from that greatness. IMHO. Maybe a tad bit harsh but true enough. I'm sure a Titanfall fan would pick this up as a fantastic retro game.
When you do get into mech on mech combat it's as good as the first game. There just isn't enough of it. Switching what you pilot is a lot like playing a Formula 1 game but pit stops every lap where you need to get out of the car, run inside and complete a minigame; Then back into A car..
This game leaves me constantly wanting to return to the original.
I like the hacking mini game but it's used in ways that take away from the rhythm of good action.
If the full gameplay experience was better it might make up for the story and voice acting..... It's one of those games that you instinctively press skip on scenes. But maybe I'm stuck in a negative feedback loop now..... Glad to have seen the game but nothing for me to come back for.
I was always a Robotech (TV series) fan and Battlecry was another game I missed out on. Another game to see for myself, this was hyped as being 'good'. From what I've seen, it's a great, great game. Justice has definitely been done.
The downfall for me with Mechassault 2 is the transition of modes; Battlecry on the other hand gives you the freedom to do things your way. Even at the beginning tutorial stage where you are fixed into one mode you feel like you have enough freedom. Being able to transition modes for tactical reasons is far better than mechassault 2 forcing you.
The GERWALK mode(half jet, half mech) is a bit cumbersome to use; But that was more me struggling with the older control system. Up is down, Down is up and I can't change that or my muscle memory... Left is right, Right is left..... Full flight mode was very easy by comparison.
The Veritech fighters look and handle so well it's all nostalgia systems go. The cell shaded nature of the game lends itself really well to mimic the cartoon. I've been hit with nostalgia left, right and center. The series music with the original voice acting cast and the game acts like a time machine to the original series... Epic. I keep finding myself gushing about this game!
The auto targeting nature of the game is a great help to playing it more 'intuitively'. Very much a game to jump into and have a blast.
Playing it now as a fan I have to say that I really do regret not having played it before.
Taking a break from Mech's and Veritech's I chose to visit The Hobbit next. I'd not heard about this game till recently. It seem to be a middling game according to old reviews but others with the retrospect of time seem to recommend it a bit higher. Might as well have a look. I love the films if that counts.... But really it was it's style that looked interesting. I probably dismissed this game in the past because of that 'style'.
There's fun to be had, game mechanics may be on the more simple side, but that's all part of the charm. A platform jump that can just about be made is used well but not overused. Character non-peril, peril. Effort where no effort is really needed makes everything part of the journey. The style draws you in and makes you part of the world. That's a good thing. The games looks can at times reminds me of early WoW in a way. The sound of collecting items mainly gems is satisfying. As cute and charming as things may be, the enemies do look properly ugly. They haven't been 'cutified' for the sake of it.
The Hobbit is very much a Lego game of it's day, just without the brand name here. A cute stylised game that takes all the liberties on all the angles it can. There's no way a game of this style can be taken seriously unless you are a younger player(it is rated 7+ after all).
The game can be 'odd' with it's controls. But it's the same with most OG Xbox games.
I found camera angles annoying at times. Some parts of levels switch to a fixed camera which makes you suddenly detached giving a very disconnected and disorientating feeling. Like your suddenly a CCTV camera on a wall watching a hobbit run off into the distance.
It's a decent looking(even today), platform jumping, jewel gathering, penny pinching, vendor spending, Sting welding, stick bashing, Hobbit Story telling jaunt! Maybe not a longterm game to get stuck into for me but the more I played the more it felt like a "guilty pleasure".
Splinter Cell: Double Agent was a different game on OG xbox than it's 360 release(Double agent's Sixth console generation & Seventh console generation versions). I've fully played the 360 version and I wanted to see the OG version for myself.
Seeing it now I'm only reminded of how much I don't remember about the 360 version. So much so that I was only making myself more confused as I went on. I really don't want to spend the time to go back and play the 360 version(as much as I love the Splinter Cell games). Critical Nobody's video is a more in depth analysis and comparison. What I do remember and from what I've played in the OG version I agree with him. Anyway these nostalgia blogs are more about my thoughts and nostalgia.... Bucket of salt on standby....
So with memory failing me I found myself looking at this game as if it was from an alternative reality. It looks different, console generations will do that to game versions.
What I noticed more than anything else was the difficulty. Even on the normal setting it was hard. I can't even blame the control systems much for mistakes. From the get go I was being constantly killed. tutorial level my áss. It felt like there wasn't much leeway for mistakes. It's hard work to sneak up on NPC's and remain undetected. Great for a challenge, not so great when your trying to quickly experience what the game has to offer.
It's a very dark game, to dark even for Splinter Cell. The standard Shadow Calibration is almost a black on black look. More akin to a hardcore dark mode than anything else. So that was one of the first things that needed to be changed.
The maps may be 'large' but the game area's around Sam seemed small, almost cramped at times. That does lend to atmosphere in practice but then again console versions and system memory... Just saying.
I don't mean to sound negative about the game. It has the sound and atmosphere that makes a Splinter Cell game. It has Michael Ironside! He is Sam. It's a good Splinter Cell game. I just remember the older Splinter Cell games on the system being 'better'.... Maybe that's just nostalgia and time....
I don't feel a need to complete it. For me it's been nice to visit not to stay.
This may be a good game but I had to go out of my way to play it. If the stars align and you have the chance/opportunity and want a Splinter Cell challenge then you'll enjoy this version!
Under-rated at the time I recall it having some hype back in the day, which didn't quiet live up to it at release. But in the here and now....
The animations/moment and graphics were good for the time. Cut-scenes as well.... But for now.... It's all very 'meh' to me. Time has not been kind to this game, it's all been surpassed.
Brute Force is a fun jump in and blast fest kind of game. Your not here for any super detailed story but that side isn't bad either. Some funny one liners.
It's a decent game. It's not rocket science..... But it's a decent game...... That I'd not recommend.....
DoA Xtreme Beach Volleyball is 'that' silly - yet 'good'. It's beyond ridiculously silly as a gaming theme for a sport, but kind of addictive fun to play. It might take a long time to 'complete' the game re currency for items and items for your characters 'interests'.
How can I best describe this games mechanics. It's a volleyball sports game wrapped within a vacation simulator....
There isn't that much jiggle physics!
The mini games like the pool hop can be annoyingly skill based with the slightest button press sending your character to the start again.... Even setting the sensitivity to try and compensate.
The casino seems to be 'fixed'.... It's more the A.I. rather than an intentional game mechanic.... That can still be gamed with some luck.
The volleyball matches themselves can be like any other sports game, tough at times but luck based.
A game I couldn't fully get into. It's to bubbly and nice..... With a hint of American Pie. I refuse to be assimilated!
It's a game you really need to be into long term to get everything done/completed and that's far too long for me. I think I lasted 7 day's in game and that was really pushing it for me. It's a game you would have more fun with if you had a second player.
Glad to have seen the game for myself. To see what all the fuss was about, but there's not that much fuss at all for me.
So of the games I got I've two I want more of. Ninja Gaiden Black and Robotech Battlecry.
Two I could possible see myself doing more with, if I'm in the right frame of mind. The Hobbit and Splinter Cell Double Agent.
And three I'll be sticking on a shelf. Mechassault 2, Brute Force and DoA Xtreme BV.
I'm glad to have gone through this process.... A bit of a long winded retro nostalgia trip but worth it.
Maybe I'll get to play Otogi/II and maybe I'll get my old OG Xbox back up and running. For now I'll enjoy more of the top 2 games and then put my OG collection back into storage mode....
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