Messages

1

General / Re: November 2023 - Recently Added to Collection/Recently Purchased New

« on: November 29, 2023, 06:43:06 am »

Odd bits here and there, I did get some Black Friday stuffs but a lot of that is for gifts for next month

PS5:
The Callisto Protocol
Forspoken
Werewolf: The Apocalypse - Earthblood

PS4:
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain (Day One Edition)
Prototype Remaster (Digital)
Prototype 2 Remaster (Digital)

PS2:
Wipeout Fusion

Xbox One:
Resident Evil Remake HD (Digital)
Resident Evil 0 HD (Digital)

Xbox 360:
Fable Anniversary (Promo Version)

2

Video Game Database Discussion / Re: Duplicate List 2023

« on: November 08, 2023, 03:01:54 am »

Already listed - MY BAD!
https://vgcollect.com/item/256480

3

Video Game Database Discussion / Re: Duplicate List 2023

« on: October 22, 2023, 02:30:01 pm »

Someones now startign to put Xbox Enhanced games as a listing...?:
Dupe - https://vgcollect.com/item/255862
Actual lisiting - https://vgcollect.com/item/162259

Dupe -https://vgcollect.com/item/255861
Actual Listing - https://vgcollect.com/item/170673

Can they be changed to digital versions?

4

Video Game Database Discussion / Re: Developer/Publisher Requests

« on: October 21, 2023, 05:05:58 am »

There isn't a publisher listing for Playstation Studios, I needed it for the recent release of Hoirzon Forbidden West Complete Edition.

5

Video Game Database Discussion / Re: Duplicate List 2023

« on: October 21, 2023, 05:02:59 am »

Saw this just listed, we already have multiple listings for this in different EU regions. This listing doesn't state ANY region or details to identify it so I'm not sure it is needed:

Dupe - https://vgcollect.com/item/255824
Search showing multiple versions - https://vgcollect.com/search/sly%20trilogy

6

Video Game Database Discussion / Re: Duplicate List 2023

« on: October 15, 2023, 04:39:03 am »

Think this was double listed as an Error:
Real - https://vgcollect.com/item/255570
Dupe - https://vgcollect.com/item/255569

7

General / Re: October 2023 - Recently Added to Collection/Recently Purchased New

« on: October 08, 2023, 05:24:36 am »

I've been a way in the USA for a month, so catching up with the games I purchased overthere 1st:

PS2:
Final Fantasy XII Collector's Edition (Steelbook) x2
Kingdom Hearts Re-Chain of Memories
Shadow of Destiny

PS1:
Chrono Cross
Final Fantasy VIII
Wild Arms 2

Xbox One:
World of Final Fantasy MAXIMA!

Very happy to get some of these releases we never got in the UK!

Upon returning in the Post I had:

PS4:
Psychonauts 2 - Motherlobe Edition

Soundtrack:
Final Fantasy XVI Ultimate Edition - With Bonus case & Eraser

Movies:
Resident Evil Degeneration Blu-Ray

Misc:
Shenmue 3 Kickstarter Signed Print by Yu Suzuki

Probably be holding out for this month as Black Friday is just around the corner!

8

General / Re: Warning!!! (do not toss or sell your OG Xbox Consoles)

« on: October 07, 2023, 02:44:33 pm »

Just tested my Xbox 360, there was no update. I ran Dead Or Alive 2 Ulimtate and it worked fine.

9

General / Re: How do you feel about Store Exclusive CE's?

« on: October 07, 2023, 06:31:52 am »

It troubles me immensely! The biggest problem I have is that with the UK GAME store, they get bonus exclusives - often a Steelbook. The problem is they're price is usually £20+ what I can get on Day One through an online retailer! With Final Fantasy XVI I had to get the Deluxe Edition (Which was also overpriced for a steelbook and cloth...) I got it online but GAME has a 2nd Steelbook. Luckily I asked nicely and managed to snag one from GAME but I might not always get so lucky! I already see the same set up for Final Fantasy VII Rebirth ahead and feel nothing but dread!

I don't tend to go for the huge box editions for games any more, they're just too much but I do at least like to collect Steelbooks but the price of the industry has spiked for certain new releases - £69.99 for a top-tier PS5 game is taking the p'. It's put me off buying games Day One  Unless I consider them essential but then the onslaught of what extras to get and from where becomes too overwhelming.

10

General / Re: August 2023 - Recently Added to Collection/Recently Purchased New

« on: August 30, 2023, 06:58:27 am »

Pretty busy month actually...

PS5
Dark Pictures Anthology, The: House of Ashes
Kena: Bridge of Spirits - Deluxe Edition
In Sound Mind - Deluxe Edition

PS4
Dark Pictures Anthology, The: Man of Medan
Resident Evil 7 Steelbook Edition

PS2
MagnaCarta

PS1
Tomb Raider II
Tomb Raider III

Xbox 360
Driver: San Fransico
Lord of the Rings: War of the North
Monkey Island: Special Edition Collection
Peter Jackson's King Kong
Red Faction: Armageddon

Xbox One/Series (Digital)
In Sound Mind
Remothered
Remothered 2

Xbox 360 (Digital)
Burnout 3: Takedown
Crash Bandicoot 4: The Wrath of Cortex...
Fable 1
Metal Gear Rising DLC - VR Missions

PC
Shenmue III Kickstarter Edtion

Blu-Ray Movies
Dead Space Downfall / Aftermath Double Pack
Resident Evil: Degeneration
Resident Evil: Damnation

11

Video Game Database Discussion / Defining Editions with Dash or Colon?

« on: August 25, 2023, 09:47:55 am »

Hi,

Quick Q. I recently tried to add a game to the Database & missed the Edition details, I went to add them and noticed the request was denied and it was changed to something different:
In Sound Mind - Deluxe Edition (My version)
In Sound Mind: Deluxe Edition (Their Version)
https://vgcollect.com/item/252853

I always thought a Dash was used to seperate the identification of the Edition & a Colon was used should a game have a subtitle like Wolfenstein: The New Order - has this changed at all? Because I don't believe the Full title of the game is In Sound Mind Deluxe Edition. Same geos for a digital title which I just posted:
https://vgcollect.com/item/252852

I have looked at the Official Style Guide to before posting this - https://vgcollect.com/forum/index.php/topic,22.0.html

12

General / Re: 52 Games Challenge 2023!!!

« on: August 20, 2023, 04:00:30 am »

My stance on XVI is that it is a very good story trapped in a terrible game!

The combat is terribly basic, I had an attack pattern for normal enemies & a pattern for bosses, this needed no variation. This could have easily been solved if they put Elements into the combat system. Take the Bomb Enemy, usually it is weak against Ice but in XVI there are no elements intergrated into the combat system so its just attacks - What's worse is that you gain summon abilities which have no elemental attributes either.

The sidequests are as generic as generic can get, fetch quests or monster hunts - Oh and the seperate monster hunts are all re-skins of enemies you've already beat with the basic combat layout wokring again. As soon as I would advance the story and see al new sidequests appear I'd sigh, it owuld take 2-3 hours to get rid of them at times.

The biggest offence is the Map system. The game isn't open world, which is fine but the game doesn't even have areas that connect - Like in Final Fantasy X or XII. You reach the end of one area and then are thrown onto the map and have to select the next area. This gameplay structure ruins all sense of adventure & journey, it felt like experiencing a heavily cut movie.

XVI is ranked in the lower end of FF games for me, I just found it a chore to play in the end.

13

General / Re: The Masters of Remasters

« on: August 16, 2023, 06:48:46 pm »

The point of this topic is to pay respect to good Remasters?

- If so i have to tip my hat to the Resident Evil 4-6 HD ports on PS4 - Next to no changes to the game but upscaled to 1080p & the perfect way to experience them games (yes, I like RE6!)

- Another series which has done well is the Yakuza series. The Yakuza 3-5 Remasters are wonderful - Once again preserving the orignal experiences but upscaled and with better framerates. Many are wishing for a Yakuza 3 Kiwami, I loved the game but I am content with what we already have with that collection - Unlike 1 & 2 Which have REALLY benefitted from the Kiwami treatment!

- The Kingdom Hearts compilations are great too - I'd say the PS4 version of Birth By Sleep really enhances the experience. All these games look so crisp and lovely & at least now we don't have to jump around handheld consoles to experience the series - However since these releases there are a lot of complex lore within mobile games...

- Lastly a shout out to the TOSE ports of RPG's on PSP. Star Ocean 1 & 2, Final Fantasy 1, 2 & 4 - All these ports are wonderful - The FF ports arguably look leagues ahead of the Pixel Remasters IMO opinion.

I personally love good Remasters/Ports. I would rather the original experience of a game ported and upscaled than this phase of Remaskes we're in now - I see remakes as an indulgence incomparison, I mean i have enjoyed some but find there is too much focus on them these days. Of course nostalgia sells, so it won't stop anytime soon, but at least with the Metal Gear Solid 3 Remake we're getting the Remastered Collection beforehand, this way I feel content as I have my original game upscaled, so they can do whatever with the remake.

14

General / Re: 52 Games Challenge 2023!!!

« on: August 08, 2023, 05:12:33 pm »

I'm actually playing through the Klonoa games too! There are also GBA games, I just beat Klonoa: Empire of Dreams - A Klonoa 1.5 really. It's a decent platfomer! Very tricky at points but overall enjoyable. I think the story is self contained as it happens in a Limbo area between Klonoa 1 & 2 - I can't see the characters from this GBA game returning in Klonoa 2 anyway.

There is a 2nd Klonoa GBA game set after Klonoa 2 called Klonoa 2: Dream Champ Tournament Which is another platformer Game set after Klonoa 2 on PS2.

The following game seems to be more like an RPG Klonoa Heroes: Legendary Star Medal adventure - This game has been translated online but is meant to be a lot longer than the other games! Further research has stated it to be non-canon.

Also to answer your question I am counting them as seperate games for this list.

15

General / Re: 52 Games Challenge 2023!!!

« on: July 21, 2023, 03:58:45 am »

20. Final Fantasy XVI (PS5)
I beat Final Fantasy XVI this week after 63+ hours... the best way I can summarise the experience is a brilliant Final Fantasy Story stuck within a poorly made game!

The games structure is horrible for an RPG (Certainly for 2023). Rather than navigate through areas after a scenario ends you are given a Map Menu to where you have to select the next area - even if there is only 1 areas to go to... The problem with this structure is that it condenses the traversal element to an RPG & diminishes the sense of adventure! It's more like experiencing a condensely edited movie. Where in previous FF games it's experiencing the parties journey which gives us the time to engage with them.

Second point is the combat. It is terribly basic. I found once I unlocked Lunge & a Monsters Ability to topple an enemy over when their Stagger Bar is half-way I could beat all encounters without thinking. There was a normal enemy pattern & a Boss patern, that was it. Sadly the game doesn't incorporate elements into the Battle System, so there really is no depth at all.

Sidequests... Geez! The game is full of the most monotonous side material you can think of. Most are just generic fetch quests for random NPC's you don't care for - A couple worked for world building and presenting slavery in the world but  the lack of budget and variety left this to feel like chores - Got burnt out after 3 hours of sidequests one evening. The game has Monster Hunts but they're boring too as they're ALL re-skins of enemies you've already seen appear 4-5 times in the game - Really, you'll encounter a Boss in the Story Route & it will appear again & again in the story routes for the game.

So... what's to like? The story is VERY compelling! The world and it's peril is very well realised. I don't typically like Medieval Fantasy settings but the story was well presented - even if heavily inspired by Game of Thrones. Clive is a decent FF protagonist & like all good FF games carries a well crafted character-focused story on his back. You feel for his past and later I was engrossed and keen to support him on his quest. The other characters aren't quite as interesting but they make for a good posy and assist the journey. I won't go into spoilers but it is very well paced (Unless you go through all the sidequests...) and engrossing for start to finish.

Soundtrack is also a highlight! Much more memorable than the last games and genuinely exhilarating.

So... while I found every second of the actually story a delight, I simply did not enjoy playing the actual game... which is an odd polarizing experience to feel. Usually I am more for having a good story within a game but the gameplay is so unremarkable & side content so tedious that i really brings the overall experience down. If playing I would avoid most side content - You can tell the important ones as they have a + icon on the map, beyond that right at the end of the game there are a few character focused ones which are decent but i regret wasting so much time on games poor side content. Sadly for me this sits on t he lower end of the FF Series Ranking for me.