Final Fantasy

[greg]

I've always liked the architectural and landscape extravaganzas in a number of these games, but never had the patience or inclination to get involved beyond some initial disjointed half-hour sessions in friends' houses.

oh, you'd love this book:

http://www.amazon.com/Art-Final-Fantasy-IX/dp/0744000505/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1217005635&sr=8-3

they have a preview, but sadly, not of the cities.
I'm starting to keep both this book and a score of Mahler's 9th on my keyboard while composing for inspiration/encouragement, since they complement each other so nicely. 

Somehow, I'm not surprised that you're the Zork type. Although I'll have to admit that probably the only game I have ever played to have entirely and decisively overwhelmed me in the most negative sense was Myst!

It was likely that I as very young at the time; but the thought of returning to that eery, claustrophobic puzzle-world still distresses me. I prefer my adventure games with a dose of either humour or reality. Or preferred: may that noble genre rest in peace...

there was once a Gamepro article (April Fool's version) that did a review of an imaginary game called "Pyst". 

Earthbound was the weapon through which a good friend finally succeeded in making me feel guilty for not having touched a console before the Playstation (in 1999 - I was an exclusive PC gamer until that time, and I still won't trade the PC for anything else, as a platform).

You, sir, are a discerning individual; what a jewel of a game!

I still haven't gotten past the beginning..... it seems like no matter what you do, you just end up dying constantly, so i lost interest....

About Final Fantasy, Greg, since I've only just discovered this thread and am still every bit as tired as I complained of being in another thread a few minutes ago, I'll put it on the list of threads to post in properly once I hold my cognitive capacity as up to the task, again.

P.S.: Suffice to say, the reason I finally did yield and got my hands on a console was Final Fantasy VII, and no less!

Great! 

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

Somehow, I'm not surprised that you're the Zork type. Although I'll have to admit that probably the only game I have ever played to have entirely and decisively overwhelmed me in the most negative sense was Myst!

It was likely that I was very young at the time; but the thought of returning to that eery, claustrophobic puzzle-world still distresses me.

Well, the funny thing is - the whole phenomenon of text adventures passed me by in the 1980s. I wasn't interested in computers then (I first started using one only in 1994). Myst was my first computer game, and I was already into my 30s then. I loved it. I played Riven on the computer of a a friend, as mine was too old... I borrowed Zork Nemesis from the local library, and only then, at the start of 2002, I discovered Zork the text adventure series! I must confess I did use hints and clues sometimes - the games are fiendishly difficult. Contemporary Interactive Fiction is far more forgiving (or less 'cruel' in IF parlance).

Edit: re 'eeriness' - Myst is eery and lonely. But I like that...

[Peregrine]

Anyone remember Jet Set Willy and Manic Miner?

Now those were the days...

[Philoctetes]

Best section of FF VII:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HohI3xfjJPQ&feature=PlayList&p=33E5B0D8CDCA47F2&index=4

[Renfield]

I didn't notice that Myst post first time round. As this has turned into more general computer game discussion, I'd like to praise the similarly-styled puzzle adventure game The Longest Journey. A few moments in it were a bit of a pain, but generally it was fun to play and had a great setting. It was also stylistically quite nice and immersive - a lot of older games in this genre could become like viewing a slideshow of attractive locations rather than feeling part of them. I can't speak for the sequel, but from the sounds of it, it was at least decent.

Indeed, I've heard a lot of great things about this game. Unfortunately, I managed to miss playing it the first time around (when it came out), and then came the great adventure game crash, meaning further opportunities for me to make the acquaintance have been somewhat scarce...

Edit: re 'eeriness' - Myst is eery and lonely. But I like that...

Well, I suppose it could work for certain people: in fact, it certainly has. But I seem to prefer eeriness of a different, less oppressive kind. Then again, I am first and foremost an RPG (and strategy game) player, so that might have something to do with my wanting more freedom.


P.S.: "Pyst". Ha!

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

Well, I suppose it could work for certain people: in fact, it certainly has. But I seem to prefer eeriness of a different, less oppressive kind. Then again, I am first and foremost an RPG (and strategy game) player, so that might have something to do with my wanting more freedom.

That explains it, perhaps. I don't really like strategy games. I prefer being alone in a world, and solving its riddles, with a 'railroading' intelligence working behind the scenes...

[Renfield]

That explains it, perhaps. I don't really like stragey games. I prefer being alone in a world, and solving its riddles, with a 'railroading' intelligence working behind the scenes...

Then Myst was practically made for you, sir! Congratulations are in order: you must be the first person I've known whom I can confidently say deserves Myst (and I mean that in the very best of senses).

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

Then Myst was practically made for you, sir! Congratulations are in order: you must be the first person I've known whom I can confidently say deserves Myst (and I mean that in the very best of senses).

I know - Myst was made for me. That's why I don't like Uru, the online game which evolved out of Myst, where you have to interact with others... 

(I like to do that here, of course!)

[Renfield]

I know - Myst was made for me. That's why I don't like Uru, the online game which evolved out of Myst, where you have to interact with others... 

(I like to do that here, of course!)

I'm not sure anyone likes Uru. Then again, you never do know...

[greg]

Best section of FF VII:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HohI3xfjJPQ&feature=PlayList&p=33E5B0D8CDCA47F2&index=4

I always thought the beginning of the game was very weird and gloomy, especially the motorcycle race. Usually RPGs start out in a happy, safe, village and then something goes wrong and you have to save the world- but this one starts out in a ghetto. lol

[Kullervo]

Earthbound was the weapon through which a good friend finally succeeded in making me feel guilty for not having touched a console before the Playstation (in 1999 - I was an exclusive PC gamer until that time, and I still won't trade the PC for anything else, as a platform).

You, sir, are a discerning individual; what a jewel of a game!

Isn't it just? I was pretty obsessed with it after I got it as a Christmas gift one year (I think 1996 or so). It's funny to think that it was on sale for $17 (player's guide included) because no one would buy it. Now it's hard to find a copy for less than $100! Mother 3 was released in Japan a couple years back, but I am not interested enough to wait for an English translation — even if one appeared I probably wouldn't bother with it. I played EB through a few months ago, but it really isn't fun for me anymore. At least I have my memories.

[Philoctetes]

I always thought the beginning of the game was very weird and gloomy, especially the motorcycle race. Usually RPGs start out in a happy, safe, village and then something goes wrong and you have to save the world- but this one starts out in a ghetto. lol

I like the backstory of Tifa and Cloud.

[Philoctetes]

Then Myst was practically made for you, sir! Congratulations are in order: you must be the first person I've known whom I can confidently say deserves Myst (and I mean that in the very best of senses).

Phantasmagoria shares some traits with Myst, but it is highly slanted more towards pure horror than subtlety.

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

Phantasmagoria shares some traits with Myst, but it is highly slanted more towards pure horror than subtlety.

I remember Phantasmagoria coming out - on 5 CDs (was it?), which was unheard-of in those days, the middle of the 1990s. I didn't have the machine capable of playing it, so I never did... I don't think I would have liked it, though.

[Philoctetes]

I remember Phantasmagoria coming out - on 5 CDs (was it?), which was unheard-of in those days, the middle of the 1990s. I didn't have the machine capable of playing it, so I never did... I don't think I would have liked it, though.

7cds. It really was quite a feat. It's a very enjoyable game. Though it can make the soft at heart queasy.

Have you played Syberia? I think that is similar to The Longest Journey and Myst. That might be more up your alley.

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

7cds. It really was quite a feat. It's a very enjoyable game. Though it can make the soft at heart queasy.

Have you played Syberia? I think that is similar to The Longest Journey and Myst. That might be more up your alley.

I own it, but still have to play it... Do you know an earlier Sokal game - Amerzone? I did play that - very enjoyable. (I also like Dark Fall, which is more of a horror game.)

[Philoctetes]

I own it, but still have to play it... Do you know an earlier Sokal game - Amerzone? I did play that - very enjoyable. (I also like Dark Fall, which is more of a horror game.)

I cannot recall Amerzone. I probably knew it at one point though.

[greg]

I like the backstory of Tifa and Cloud.

I don't remember much of it. So I started a new game, put in the first 15 min. on my second time through it. 
The most confusing part of the whole thing was when you go into Cloud's memories.... i had no idea what was going on.

[Renfield]

Amerzone, another blast from the past. Ditto Syberia.

And like The Longest Journey (and Phantasmagoria, since Philoctetes mentioned it), games I missed when I should've picked them up, and only read about, ultimately. Then again, I was playing my Warcrafts, Starcrafts, C&Cs and Baldur's Gates, at Amerzone's time: I don't regret it!

[Philoctetes]

I don't remember much of it. So I started a new game, put in the first 15 min. on my second time through it. 
The most confusing part of the whole thing was when you go into Cloud's memories.... i had no idea what was going on.

If you watch that link I posted; it will fill you in on the backstory.