Messages

736

General / Re: Your favorite and least favorite console you've collected for

« on: January 15, 2019, 04:12:31 am »

The least favourite console I have collected for is... PlayStation 1

There main reason for this is acquiring games in decent condition is more of a challenge than finding a decent price! I had to buy the original Resident Evil 5x before I got one that was actually in Very Good condition! Which was a joy to play finally but my gosh how furstrating it was. I have a pile of PS1 FF games in my cupboard all from sellers who have ****ed me over with scratched discs, I still need to get a Very Good copy of FF7 - I do intend to take these CD's to the CD Cleaner and at least maek them worth something but at £2 per disc it will be costly.

Last year I bought a mint copy for both Fear Effects, All 4 discs of both games were absolutely pristine! I wrote a mesasge to the seller thanking them so much as I was really worried that at least one disc would be trashed. But yes the biggest frustration I haev had in colelcting is getting older Discs in Mint condition, this applies to PS2 as well as so many sellers are dishonest on eBay.

My favourite console to collect for is... PlayStation 3

While not containg many of my favourite games collecting for the console has been an absolute triumph! Why... because Blu-Ray solved the biggest issues I had with previous generations, the discs are scratch reistant! I remember hearing that they would be before woning the console and I didn't believe it but over the years it has proven to be true and the pure awesomeness of this cannot be understated! It's wonderful to be able to go to cheap 2nd-hand stores and buy PS3 games in confidence - Which has lead me to play a more diverse range of games.

Also, many of the games in recent years have gone for dirt cheap, now is the time to really nab up all them PS3 games. It's the console I have most games for and I have also bought many games for for friends.

737

General / Re: Coolest Gaming Art Book or Book Series?

« on: January 15, 2019, 03:51:31 am »

I adore Artbooks! Really do and I'm thrilled that they're far more readily available these days.

My favourite one is a little biased but it still astounds me to this day
https://imgur.com/S0dQbtC
As I said, a bit biased considering Final Fantasy IX is my favourite game of all time! But this book is just such an oddity! It was published by BradyGames - A company who made Strategy Guides! & At a time where Video Game Artbooks weren't really published outside Japan it's wild to think how we got this near the release of the game.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_iuR1ID8UIE
But what is also amazing is the content! The wonderful thing about this books is that it doesn't jsut cove the traditional Amano Art and character Profile Art we've all seen before. Teh best way to describe this book as if some went into Square's office with a massive vaccum, sucking up all the illustration works and let it flourish on the pages of this book! It covers all sorts of designs from Location Artwork, to NCP designs, creatures, monsters, weapons - It really offers all you could ask for in an Artbook & I treasure it as one of my favourite items I own!

Digi-Cube's Visual Arts Collection

A book Series I also adore is called, the Digital Arts Collection. while thin on Pages the print quality is devine! Lovely full pages of Artwork that are so pretty to look at, they covered Final Fantasy IX, X, X-2, Kingdom Hearts, Unlimited Saga and... THE BOUNCER! - If I haven't made it clear already I adore this game and to have an Artbook dediced to it is just wonderful!






Also, a Shout out to Dark Horse and all there work on brining Japanese Artbooks over here, I love there Final Fantasy, Metal Gear Solid, Wolfenstien Artbooks!

738

Off Topic / Re: Are You Ever Considerate Of Other Collectors OR Do You Only Think Of Yourself?

« on: January 14, 2019, 03:31:19 am »

I have been considerate of others before and it back fired. I've sold games for a very generous price on eBay only to find the next week they're selling it for more  - Since then i've just not bothered.

I do often give my spares or cheap games I don't need to chairty stores though.

I can't say I've ever been in the postion to deprive something from someone really.

739

General / Re: Why Do Some Of You Have 2 Of The Same Game In Collection? Or Console Version?

« on: January 12, 2019, 03:25:17 am »

Like many have said, if I pass a game store and see a striking deal I can't resist - Bougth another copy of Tekken 4, mint for 49p the other day!

Beyond that I will have different variations of games, Steelbooks, Special Editions, HD Remasters etc.

i think the only time I've ever bought a 2nd copy of something that wasn't a DEAL was Shenmue II on Xbox, as I genuinely wanted a backup copy incase current one tanked.

740

General / Re: Collectors on Ebay acting like morons

« on: January 12, 2019, 02:39:30 am »

I personally never bid on eBay, very very rarely has it lead to pleasant results - Often having the item swept away at the last moment. I think the only thing in recent memory I won via bid was a guide to Kingdom Hearts Birth By Sleep - As i had not seen it on sale for a good price in months. But it's not soemthing i even consider an option usually.

741

General / Re: 52 Games Challenge 2019

« on: January 10, 2019, 04:20:43 am »

Haha no, just numbered it as the 2nd game I beat this year

Considering how many people seem to have got Kingdom Hearts III early I wouldn't be surprised if many have already. I'm still undecided if I will have time to beat RE2 Remake before I dive into KH3. I should have a solid weekend to play it during the 26th & 27th - which I have booked Holiday off for anyway, along with the following week, really want nothing to get in the way of Kingdom hearts III & as that is released on the 29th, I reckon I should be able too

742

General / Re: 52 Games Challenge 2019

« on: January 09, 2019, 06:20:07 am »

Just Beat:
2.Resident Evil Remake:
I'm awful at survival horror games, I have a bad habbit of saving every chance I get which these games scorn, I also just seem to be torn up and lack ammo most occassions. I admit I accidently played this on Easy - The difficulty selection menu was not clear, I genuinely thought I selected Normal. I managed to get through the game with ease... but I did have a good time I can see why thise Remake is well regarded. Graphically it is phenominal for the time and holds up very well. The analogue input instead of the classic tank navigation is very welcome and I liked the addition of the Crimson Heads and character development they built around a newly added boss.

I haven't beat Chris's campaign yet, but I will do so before I play the upcoming RE2 REMAKE, but now it's all about Kingdom Hearts & beating the series backlog before KH3 in a couple of weeks

Playing:
Kingdom Hearts: Dream Drop Distance (PS4)

Plan to play:
Kingdom Hearts III (PS4)
Resident Evil 2 REMAKE (PS4)
Final Fantasy V (PC)
Ni No Kuni (PS3)

List of games beat by the end of 2019:
36. World of Illusion (Mega-Drive-Mini), 35. Lost Planet 3 (PS3), 34. Lost Planet (360), 33. Dead Rising 2 (PS4), 32. Virtua Fighter 5: Showdown (PS3), 31. NeverDead (PS3), 30. Shenmue III (PS4), 29. Shenmue II (PS4), 28. Shenmue (PS4), 27. Team Soinc Racing (PS4), 26. Sonic All-Star Racing Transformed (Vita), 25. DOOM-Original (PS4) 24. AER Memories of Old (PS4), 23. Catherine: Full Body(PS4), 22. Man of Medan (PS4), 21. State of Mind (PS4), 20. Dragons Crown PRO (PS4), 19. Judgment ( PS4), 18. Devil May Cry V (PS4), 17. Devil May Cry 4: Special Edition (PS4), 16. Devil May Cry 2 HD (PS4), 15. Devil May Cry 1 HD (PS4), 14. Spyro The Dragon - Reignited (PS4), 13. Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus (PS4), 12. Wolfenstein: The New Order (PS4), 11. Wolfenstein: The Old Blood (PS4), 10. Final Fantasy V (GBA), 9. Firewatch (PS4), 8. Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise (PS4), 7. The Simpsons Game (PS3), 6. Devil May Cry 3 HD (PS4), 5. Kingdom Hearts III (PS4), 4. Resident Evil 2 REMAKE (PS4), 3. Kingdom Hearts: Dream Drop Distance (PS4) 2. Resident Evil REMAKE (PS4) 1. Kingdom Hearts RE:Coded (PS4)

743

General / Re: Rumors You Heard Before That Kept You From Buying A Game

« on: January 09, 2019, 06:10:19 am »

The whole fiasco with Spyro Re-Ignited Trilogy - in how the majority of the game isn't on the disc.

As someone who buys physical media I understand these days that games often have updates & Patches, but I still but the disc so that I can install the game quickly and have some consumer confidence of Future Proofing - If I buy a game that has a Complete Edition Re-released later I will be first in line to trade my old version for the updated Edition.

But with Spyro, there was an on going back and forth enquiry to if the game will be on disc -the main claim being there was too much data to fit on the Blu-ray disc, which upon the release was revealed untrue. They later chucked a few levels of Spyro 2 & 3 but this wasn't good enough as the majority of them games still had to be download - it just makes me question the point in buying it on disc. I am secretly hoping for a Re-release, like how Crash Bandicoot N.Sane Trilogy seems to have had an updated version with the extras levels added.

It's a shame as I was genuinely interested in getting the trilogy - I 100% Completed the PS1 version, but all that nonsense and the release of a lacking product just hasn't won me over.

744

General / Re: What is the main focus of your collection if you have one?

« on: January 03, 2019, 09:15:55 am »

I don't really have a main focus to be honest. I collect things I want to play someday, not going for a complete collection of any system. I've been expanding my collection from just games to art books recently. But that goes mostly for my favorite games. But in the near future I want to get my hands on a Dreamcast.

What are some of your favourite Artbooks? I enjoy looking at all the concept designs and seeing how the ideas were formed - My favourite is BradyGames - ' The Making of Final Fantasy IX' ... A little biased I know but it's a wonderful book which acts as a vacum in S-E's art department and flourishes with all sorts of sketches, NPC designs and background art, there aren't many FF artbooks like this sadly but I'm grateful there is one to my favourite game

745

General / Re: What are your guys new years resolutions?

« on: January 03, 2019, 05:03:43 am »

Mine are
-to draw more
-play more of my video games instead of the same ones
-surpass 400 owned video games this year

What sort of drawing do you do?

I need to focus on my drawing more, it has gotten better recently, me and a friend who is also aspiring to illustrate meet up once a week and at our local library and draw, been doing that for the last 4 months or so and I'm getting stuff done We used to go to an evening session when we would draw models, but after a while we felt it we just weren't progressing with our own project ideas enough.

The problem I am facing is that it take me a good hour or so to do the sketch work on an A3 piece. By the time I am done I am too precious about it to go over it with colour - This if anything is what I need to work on this year, find a good method for colouring! I did recently Buy ProMarkers on sale, so I am hoping to experiment with them as my attempt with watercolour pencils tanked!

My main gaming Resolution it to play and beat Final Fantasy V! I've never done so before, admittedly the Job system is something that doesn't appeal to me which I've heard is the games main appeal. but it is one of them games I've had no good method to play it (Sorry but the PS1 Anthology version hardly cuts it!) So I am going to Emulate the GBA version on my PC. I've been meaning to do this for a while but after Kingdom Hearts III is all settled I will have the time.

746

General / Re: Holiday loot thread 2018!!!

« on: January 03, 2019, 03:13:51 am »

Fun stuffs:



I also got some games, Shantae & HellBlade were gifts, there rest I jsut gathered:

747

Classic Video Games / Re: What is the best deal you have ever gotten in the wild?

« on: January 02, 2019, 04:54:21 am »

I think probably last year getting an Xbox 360 for free

I paid £40 for the Xbox 360 Slim console, two controllers, 20 games, Kinect, Big Skylanders Bundle, Disney Infinity Bundle:
https://imgur.com/RbYLk8c

I sold the majority of the extra stuff and even had enough to pay for my charging batteries & 500 GB Hard drive!

Never had a 360 before and there are some exclusives which I am eager to play like Blue Dragon + happy to have the 360 ports of games that were on the PS2 like Cars, Gun & Crash Mind Over Mutant.

748

Modern Video Games / Re: How important are graphics to you?

« on: January 02, 2019, 04:37:21 am »

I don't think Graphical polygons are what is important to me, what bothers me more is the way the games are displayed via the output. I can play a PS1/PS2 era titles and admire them still but the resolution is where I get VERY up tight. I cannot stand playing older games and seeing them washed out or with tons of interlaced jaggies - this is why HD Remasters/ports are very appealing to me.

The best example would be Shadow of the Colossus, it got a fancy PS4 Remaster last year which I played and adored but I am still very content with the PS3 Remaster of the original game - Which took the original textures and gaming experience just up-ressed them. Both variations are still valid and accessible to my standard, yet I would never consider playing the original release on PS2 again. I recently bought the Pound PS2 HDMI cable and after 10 minutes with it already decided it was pants - My component cable offered a better visual than it. So my poor PS2 games yet again remain boxed up in the dungeon that Is my storage cupboard.

749

General / Re: What is the main focus of your collection if you have one?

« on: January 02, 2019, 04:05:31 am »

The Majority of my collecting focuses around PlayStation, which simply is my console of choice (Though I do own other consoles a 360, Wii, DS, 3DS even a Dreamcast). I just like to have a selection on my shelf that I can go back to and decide to play. Having a game on my shelf just settles that assurance that it will be available should that desire crop up to play a certain game. the truth is, like the majority of you my games spend most of their time sitting on their shelf but when that time comes and I decide to pull it off for use it's just nice to know I can pop the disc in and it's ready to play - Recently I've been playing through the Kingdom Hearts series and to have all the games bundled in to the PS4 Remix is a joy and a prime example of something become relevant to me need and readily available.

Beyond that I suppose the next best thing I would say I "collect" are Final Fantasy related items - Nothing excessive but I have plenty of Guides, Soundtracks, Figures, Artbooks & have even been to a Distant Worlds Orchestra concert (Got tickets to go this year too!). I'm not someone who is aiming for a complete collection or anything but I've got a decent gathering which I'd say is beyond the normal consumer and fan noteworthy.

750

General / Re: What is your biggest collecting regret?

« on: January 01, 2019, 03:47:11 pm »

On a similar theme to having so many games so little times - Portable games.... I just never get around to them.

I played the heck out of the PSP in my college years but now when I am out I simply never have the need to play a gaming system. I have a DS & 3DS too as many of the games seem like ones I'd love to get around to (the Dragon Quest's being a main example.) But sadly I just never get the time to sit down and experience them. Mostly due to being so busy with my PS4, I'm never short of games to play on that system and usually moving onto another new release/title monthly. I had the exact same problem with the Switch, it was a decent console but I was just too busy with the PS4 to give it the time of day and after a year of it sitting on the shelf I decided to sell it - I think a big part of that was to being dissapointed by Xenoblade Chronicles 2 after i fell in love with the original on Wii.