RF Generation Message Board

Gaming => Community Playthroughs => Topic started by: singlebanana on January 04, 2015, 07:51:36 PM



Title: Episode #9 - RF Generation Playcast
Post by: singlebanana on January 04, 2015, 07:51:36 PM
Coming to you at midnight server time!


Title: Re: Episode #9 - RF Generation Playcast
Post by: Fleach on January 04, 2015, 08:00:02 PM
This was a fun episode. Hope everyone enjoys it and Shares their favorite games of last year.

I've accumulated a bunch of unredeemed games from Humble Bundles, so the first three people to post their favourite playthroughs will get a free Steam game.


Title: Re: Episode #9 - RF Generation Playcast
Post by: Disposed Hero on January 05, 2015, 10:36:05 AM
Great episode guys.  It was very interesting to hear everybody's take on their favorite and least favorite playthroughs of the year, and some of your picks surprised me.

Anyway, I was made aware that you guys were planning on doing a 'best of 2014' podcast a while back, so it's something I've given some thought over the last couple of months.  I was originally going to make a ranked list of all the playthroughs I participated in this year (all 16 of them!), but it was getting way too long winded, so I capped it at five.  Interestingly, this changed up my list a bit to allow for more games that I had never played before, or had at least been a very long time since I played them.

My criteria for my ranking was basically the games that I had the overall best experience playing during the community playthrough (not necessarily my favorite games of the bunch), and I also excluded playthroughs that I didn't participate in (so Super Metroid and SoTN are excluded from my list, despite being two of my all time favorites).

So without further ado, my list, starting at number 5 and ending with my top favorite:

5.
Spoiler (hover to show)

4.
Spoiler (hover to show)

3.
Spoiler (hover to show)

2.
Spoiler (hover to show)

1.
Spoiler (hover to show)

And there you have it guys!  Thanks to the community playthrough guys for hosting a year full of awesome games and giving me an excuse to replay some classic titles and experience some new ones.  Here's to another great year!   :)


Title: Re: Episode #9 - RF Generation Playcast
Post by: singlebanana on January 05, 2015, 10:52:41 AM
Wow! A complete shocker there at the end, but really glad you enjoyed the playthroughs this year. I really enjoyed reading your list and about the experiences you had with the games. Looking forward to kicking ass and taking initials with you some more in the great games we have in store for 2015. Initials? That's right, we don't stop kicking ass long enough to take down full names! Thanks Beast. :D


Title: Re: Episode #9 - RF Generation Playcast
Post by: wildbil52 on January 05, 2015, 08:48:27 PM
I'm with Sean 100% on Gradius and similar games.  "Thinking about getting a high score too much", "You have to become a perfectionist [instead of just playing the game]"  "If you die you have to reset, that's not fun"  It's like he was reading my mind.

More thoughts to come, whether you want them or not..


Title: Re: Episode #9 - RF Generation Playcast
Post by: singlebanana on January 05, 2015, 11:01:54 PM
Older games were all about high scores. You didn't put your initials in the arcade cab for finishing games back then. I think there's a lot more to these games than finishing them and that includes working out strategies to earn higher totals; it's a big part of what also makes these games special. It's too bad we've gotten away from the spirit of competition and having some fun with each other. If it's one complaint about modern gaming that I have is that it's too self-centered and individualistic. Community was what made older games great and it's a shame we've all but lost that. And that's the old guys 2 cents.


Title: Re: Episode #9 - RF Generation Playcast
Post by: Fleach on January 05, 2015, 11:09:54 PM
I have to agree with Rich on this one. I think with the shift away from arcades the high score challenges aren't as popular. So many games still have leader boards, but who checks those?

On a related note, The Blue Flamingo looks amazing! Too bad it's PC only (and digital).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2eJ5onvMeE


Title: Re: Episode #9 - RF Generation Playcast
Post by: techwizard on January 07, 2015, 03:01:55 AM
really enjoyed reading your list Disposed! i think i was more surprised about system shock 2 than i was about kingdom hearts.


Title: Re: Episode #9 - RF Generation Playcast
Post by: Disposed Hero on January 07, 2015, 01:48:19 PM
really enjoyed reading your list Disposed! i think i was more surprised about system shock 2 than i was about kingdom hearts.

Yeah, I wish System Shock 2 got more love than it did during the playthrough, but I can totally understand why some people just couldn't get into it.  I didn't even like it when I first started it.


Title: Re: Episode #9 - RF Generation Playcast
Post by: Fleach on January 08, 2015, 06:01:18 PM
Nobody wants Steam games? Diposed Hero got something cool for posting his favourite playthrough games.

Regarding System Shock 2, it's not a bad game but it's certainly not for everyone. I enjoyed and thought that many design choices were fantastic, but the game just got the better of me. I couldn't finish it.


Title: Re: Episode #9 - RF Generation Playcast
Post by: bombatomba on January 10, 2015, 12:23:23 PM
I liked System Shock 2, despite the numerous problems I had with it (pacing).  I fully agree with Disposed, it has a great atmosphere and really keeps you on your toes.  I think if I had played through it slowly I would have liked it more.


Title: Re: Episode #9 - RF Generation Playcast
Post by: shaggy on January 11, 2015, 10:59:11 AM
Has there been a change as to how the podcast is "assembled" now?  I listen on my iPod Touch on the podcast app and the interface is different and as soon as you close the app the audio shuts off.  Your older podcasts didn't do this and the other podcasts I listen to do not do this.


Title: Re: Episode #9 - RF Generation Playcast
Post by: techwizard on January 11, 2015, 07:42:03 PM
Has there been a change as to how the podcast is "assembled" now?  I listen on my iPod Touch on the podcast app and the interface is different and as soon as you close the app the audio shuts off.  Your older podcasts didn't do this and the other podcasts I listen to do not do this.

early on we had it setup with "chapters", which means you could hit next/previous to jump to the various segments of the show. we decided to remove those for a couple reasons:
1. it more than doubled the filesize of each episode for some reason, and Podomatic has very limited storage space.
2. it actually broke the download versions of the files for anyone not using Apple devices, as chapters are apparently only supported by Apple.

it's unfortunate for those who used the chapters feature, but our thought was that it was excluding other listeners from hearing the show easily, which isn't fair.

that's the only thing (to my knowledge) that changed since the early episodes, at least from our side of things. as for the app itself and it's interface, that would be on podomatic's end and i don't know if the chapters had any effect on that or not, it's possible but unlikely.


Title: Re: Episode #9 - RF Generation Playcast
Post by: Fleach on January 11, 2015, 07:45:33 PM
Is episode 9 acting up for you? The problem could be that I accidentally uploaded an mp4 at first. It's since been replaced with an mp3 so everything should be OK now.

Let us know if you're still experiencing problems.


Title: Re: Episode #9 - RF Generation Playcast
Post by: MetalFRO on January 12, 2015, 12:14:43 PM
I only participated in the December shmup-a-thon, so by default, I'll have to say that was my favorite.  I would say, had I been here to play through Parasite Eve (great game!) and SotN, it would have been hard to choose, because I love both of those games.


Title: Re: Episode #9 - RF Generation Playcast
Post by: shaggy on January 12, 2015, 02:44:05 PM
Is episode 9 acting up for you? The problem could be that I accidentally uploaded an mp4 at first. It's since been replaced with an mp3 so everything should be OK now.

Let us know if you're still experiencing problems.

That's what I was wondering.  If it was only me or not.  I have the Podcast app on the iPod Touch set to autodownload when the podcast because available.  I'll have to see if I'm able to download the new one.


Title: Re: Episode #9 - RF Generation Playcast
Post by: shaggy on January 12, 2015, 02:45:37 PM
Has there been a change as to how the podcast is "assembled" now?  I listen on my iPod Touch on the podcast app and the interface is different and as soon as you close the app the audio shuts off.  Your older podcasts didn't do this and the other podcasts I listen to do not do this.

early on we had it setup with "chapters", which means you could hit next/previous to jump to the various segments of the show. we decided to remove those for a couple reasons:
1. it more than doubled the filesize of each episode for some reason, and Podomatic has very limited storage space.
2. it actually broke the download versions of the files for anyone not using Apple devices, as chapters are apparently only supported by Apple.

it's unfortunate for those who used the chapters feature, but our thought was that it was excluding other listeners from hearing the show easily, which isn't fair.

that's the only thing (to my knowledge) that changed since the early episodes, at least from our side of things. as for the app itself and it's interface, that would be on podomatic's end and i don't know if the chapters had any effect on that or not, it's possible but unlikely.

It's nothing with the app because all my other podcasts are "normal".  I'm pretty sure it has to do with this particular episode.


Title: Re: Episode #9 - RF Generation Playcast
Post by: JerryGreenwood on January 12, 2015, 02:57:51 PM
I'm with Sean 100% on Gradius and similar games.  "Thinking about getting a high score too much", "You have to become a perfectionist [instead of just playing the game]"  "If you die you have to reset, that's not fun"  It's like he was reading my mind.
I disagree 100%. You pretty much need to do those things in order to beat the game or get far in it. I don't know who Sean is, but judging by the scores, unless he's MetalFRO, Me, RetroRage, or Banana, then he was pretty terrible at the game regardless. No offense, Sean.

I said it in the shump thread. If you play well, you'll have a good score. Beat the level. Score is the last thing to worry about.


Title: Re: Episode #9 - RF Generation Playcast
Post by: singlebanana on January 12, 2015, 02:58:10 PM
Is episode 9 acting up for you? The problem could be that I accidentally uploaded an mp4 at first. It's since been replaced with an mp3 so everything should be OK now.

Let us know if you're still experiencing problems.

That's what I was wondering.  If it was only me or not.  I have the Podcast app on the iPod Touch set to autodownload when the podcast because available.  I'll have to see if I'm able to download the new one.

If you had it set to autodownload, then you would have gotten the mp4 version. Try to redownload the last episode, since it is in mp3 format now and let us know whether that works. Sorry for the inconvenience.


Title: Re: Episode #9 - RF Generation Playcast
Post by: shaggy on January 12, 2015, 02:59:46 PM
Is episode 9 acting up for you? The problem could be that I accidentally uploaded an mp4 at first. It's since been replaced with an mp3 so everything should be OK now.

Let us know if you're still experiencing problems.

I deleted the podcast and downloaded it again.  It works as it normally should now.  the .mp4 file must have been causing the problem.


Title: Re: Episode #9 - RF Generation Playcast
Post by: GrayGhost81 on January 12, 2015, 03:01:55 PM
I'm with Sean 100% on Gradius and similar games.  "Thinking about getting a high score too much", "You have to become a perfectionist [instead of just playing the game]"  "If you die you have to reset, that's not fun"  It's like he was reading my mind.
I disagree 100%. You pretty much need to do those things in order to beat the game or get far in it. I don't know who Sean is, but judging by the scores, unless he's MetalFRO, Me, RetroRage, or Banana, then he was pretty terrible at the game regardless. No offense, Sean.

I am Shawn, and I am in fact terrible at Gradius. That doesn't mean I can't tell you why I didn't find it to be fun.


Title: Re: Episode #9 - RF Generation Playcast
Post by: JerryGreenwood on January 12, 2015, 03:07:44 PM
I didn't say you're not allowed to tell me. I disagree with your focus. It seems like you're blaming the high-score competition for the reason you don't like Gradius. No. You just don't like Gradius as a game, period. And that's perfectly fine. I don't think it's that great either.


Title: Re: Episode #9 - RF Generation Playcast
Post by: singlebanana on January 12, 2015, 03:15:18 PM
Is episode 9 acting up for you? The problem could be that I accidentally uploaded an mp4 at first. It's since been replaced with an mp3 so everything should be OK now.

Let us know if you're still experiencing problems.

I deleted the podcast and downloaded it again.  It works as it normally should now.  the .mp4 file must have been causing the problem.

Thanks for doing that shaggy. Helps us rest easier knowing that was the issue. We had another member with a similar issue, so hopefully that won't happen again. ;)


Title: Re: Episode #9 - RF Generation Playcast
Post by: wildbil52 on January 12, 2015, 03:29:52 PM
I didn't say you're not allowed to tell me. I disagree with your focus. It seems like you're blaming the high-score competition for the reason you don't like Gradius. No. You just don't like Gradius as a game, period. And that's perfectly fine. I don't think it's that great either.

I can't speak for Shawn but since I did agree with his views, I will respond.  It's not that I don't like games that are score based or that I don't like high score competitions, I just don't think about the score when I'm playing.  I've played Life Force/Salamander a whole lot more than Gradius so I'll use that as an example.  

I play Life Force because I think it's fun.  Just playing the game is fun for me.  The music is great, I love playing with a friend, I love the weapon upgrade system, It's just a great game.  I like the game enough that I would totally enter a high score competition and I would totally lose and I'd be totally fine with that.  I just don't think about score when I'm playing, I think about hitting the next enemy or getting the next upgrade.  When my run is done, my score is what it is and I'm fine with that.  The people who take that to the next level and try to find the most efficient ways to the highest scores possible aren't wrong, they just play differently than me, and that's fine.


Title: Re: Episode #9 - RF Generation Playcast
Post by: MaterialHandlerMike on January 12, 2015, 03:38:07 PM
If it's one complaint about modern gaming that I have is that it's too self-centered and individualistic. Community was what made older games great and it's a shame we've all but lost that.

Too self-centered and individualistic. Sounds like you are describing my favorite game genre, The RPG.


Title: Re: Episode #9 - RF Generation Playcast
Post by: singlebanana on January 12, 2015, 03:54:23 PM
If it's one complaint about modern gaming that I have is that it's too self-centered and individualistic. Community was what made older games great and it's a shame we've all but lost that.

Too self-centered and individualistic. Sounds like you are describing my favorite game genre, The RPG.

Noooooooooooooooooo, I said "modern gaming" and was referring to how we now either (A) only play alone or (B) only interact and socialize through headsets.  My point is not that it's wrong, it's just a shame that the more communal aspect of gaming is basically non-existent in that sense of personal, face-to-face interaction. Just good memories of going to peoples' houses and gaming as a kid, that's all. :)


Title: Re: Episode #9 - RF Generation Playcast
Post by: wildbil52 on January 12, 2015, 03:57:28 PM
Yeah, we were talking on the Collectorcast last night about couch co-op, the best kind of co-op.


Title: Re: Episode #9 - RF Generation Playcast
Post by: MaterialHandlerMike on January 12, 2015, 05:00:45 PM
Yeah, we were talking on the Collectorcast last night about couch co-op, the best kind of co-op.

I am liking that term, couch co-op. Heard it being used by another Game Quest customer, when we were discussing co-op gaming.


Title: Re: Episode #9 - RF Generation Playcast
Post by: douglie007 on January 13, 2015, 07:58:21 AM
my top was,
1. Phantasy Star
2. Atari Activation
3. Castlevania Symphony of the Night
4. Fragile Dreams
5. Castlevania 2 Simon's Quest


I wish I got to play more games ( or at least finish them )


Title: Re: Episode #9 - RF Generation Playcast
Post by: Fleach on January 13, 2015, 08:38:23 AM
I made the same mistake. Fragile Dreams was 2013, but who cares, it's an excellent game. If you have Steam Douglie, I'll send over your game.


Title: Re: Episode #9 - RF Generation Playcast
Post by: singlebanana on January 13, 2015, 09:55:16 AM
my top was,
1. Phantasy Star
2. Atari Activation
3. Castlevania Symphony of the Night
4. Fragile Dreams
5. Castlevania 2 Simon's Quest


I wish I got to play more games ( or at least finish them )

Great list! I enjoyed the Activision month as well, but my list only consisted of games I had never played before. :)  Glad you had fun with it douglie.


Title: Re: Episode #9 - RF Generation Playcast
Post by: shaggy on January 13, 2015, 02:05:55 PM
Yeah, we were talking on the Collectorcast last night about couch co-op, the best kind of co-op.

Agreed!


Title: Re: Episode #9 - RF Generation Playcast
Post by: shaggy on January 13, 2015, 02:07:00 PM
Is episode 9 acting up for you? The problem could be that I accidentally uploaded an mp4 at first. It's since been replaced with an mp3 so everything should be OK now.

Let us know if you're still experiencing problems.

I deleted the podcast and downloaded it again.  It works as it normally should now.  the .mp4 file must have been causing the problem.

Thanks for doing that shaggy. Helps us rest easier knowing that was the issue. We had another member with a similar issue, so hopefully that won't happen again. ;)

No problem.  Glad to help.


Title: Re: Episode #9 - RF Generation Playcast
Post by: MetalFRO on January 15, 2015, 02:48:17 PM
"That cheater MetalFRO" - LOL, who said that?  I certainly am no cheater, but as I mentioned in another thread, I've been collecting and playing shmups for a long time, though admittedly I'm nowhere near an elite player.  I guess I should be glad I had ruffled some feathers by that point in the competition already  :slick:


Title: Re: Episode #9 - RF Generation Playcast
Post by: GrayGhost81 on January 15, 2015, 02:50:48 PM
I was just messing around. You rightfully earned the title. Be proud of yourself.


Title: Re: Episode #9 - RF Generation Playcast
Post by: singlebanana on January 15, 2015, 02:52:46 PM
I've never seen him cheat, but I'm pretty sure he's a pumpkin eater. :P

(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3517/4013232610_f0e2920e55.jpg)


Title: Re: Episode #9 - RF Generation Playcast
Post by: MetalFRO on January 15, 2015, 03:55:59 PM
^^ LOL, you wish!  Actually, I'm one of the 18 Americans who doesn't like pumpkin pie.  Or pumpkin food of any kind.

I was just messing around. You rightfully earned the title. Be proud of yourself.

I figured as much, but I literally laughed out loud when I was listening to the podcast and heard that!  I was on my porch putting my snow shovel away on my lunch break, and just burst out laughing, because I thought it was funny that 2 weeks in, I had already caused a ruckus  :slick:


Title: Re: Episode #9 - RF Generation Playcast
Post by: MaterialHandlerMike on January 16, 2015, 03:45:32 AM
My favorite Playthroughs last year were:

1. Castlevania 2: Simon's Quest
2. Chrono Trigger
3. Phantasy Star
4. Castlevania: SOTN
and
5. Shadow of the Colossus


Title: Re: Episode #9 - RF Generation Playcast
Post by: singlebanana on January 16, 2015, 07:15:01 AM
Very nice list. Though Simons Quest was in 2013. ;)


Title: Re: Episode #9 - RF Generation Playcast
Post by: Fleach on January 16, 2015, 08:55:50 AM
We're getting a lot of 2013 games. Even I mentioned one. It must have been a great year.

^^ LOL, you wish!  Actually, I'm one of the 18 Americans who doesn't like pumpkin pie.  Or pumpkin food of any kind.

That's OK. I'm Canadian and I'm not to fond of maple syrup. ;)


Title: Re: Episode #9 - RF Generation Playcast
Post by: singlebanana on January 16, 2015, 09:03:21 AM
We're getting a lot of 2013 games. Even I mentioned one. It must have been a great year.

That's OK. I'm Canadian and I'm not to fond of maple syrup. ;)

I think the maple syrup up there is causing you guys to forget what year you're in. Must be good stuff. Can you send me a box?  ;)


Title: Re: Episode #9 - RF Generation Playcast
Post by: MaterialHandlerMike on January 16, 2015, 08:35:49 PM
Very nice list. Though Simons Quest was in 2013. ;)

Crap! I thought so! EDIT:

1. Super Metroid
2. Chrono Trigger
3. Phantasy Star
4. Castlevania: SOTN
and
5. Shadow of the Colossus


Title: Re: Episode #9 - RF Generation Playcast
Post by: MaterialHandlerMike on January 16, 2015, 08:39:37 PM
Seriously though, I think my three favourite playthroughs so far, are all 8-bit. Simon's Quest, Kid Icarus, and Phantasy Star. All classics that I had never played before (Phantasy Star) or beat legitimately before the Community Playthrough.


Title: Re: Episode #9 - RF Generation Playcast
Post by: singlebanana on January 17, 2015, 01:29:11 AM
I agree. The challenge that the classics present makes them a lot of fun to check off the list.


Title: Re: Episode #9 - RF Generation Playcast
Post by: Fleach on January 17, 2015, 09:22:56 AM
How do those games look on your Retron 5? I've been itching to fire up mine but I'm waiting for the right game to come along first.


Title: Re: Episode #9 - RF Generation Playcast
Post by: singlebanana on January 17, 2015, 09:39:50 AM
It looks amazing!!


Title: Re: Episode #9 - RF Generation Playcast
Post by: MaterialHandlerMike on January 17, 2015, 11:24:17 AM
How do those games look on your Retron 5? I've been itching to fire up mine but I'm waiting for the right game to come along first.

Compared to RF, the NES in HDMI is amazing. A/V seems just as good. Just not as clean I suppose.


Title: Re: Episode #9 - RF Generation Playcast
Post by: gbpxl on January 17, 2015, 01:03:31 PM
How do those games look on your Retron 5? I've been itching to fire up mine but I'm waiting for the right game to come along first.

Compared to RF, the NES in HDMI is amazing. A/V seems just as good. Just not as clean I suppose.

My NES with composite scaled to HDMI still doesn't look as good as the Retron 5, but from what I've seen, RGB scaled to HDMI looks just as good as the Retron.

RF going to my HDTV without a scaler makes my eyeballs bleed.


Title: Re: Episode #9 - RF Generation Playcast
Post by: zcrich01 on January 17, 2015, 06:12:26 PM
I broke down and bought a Retron 5 today. Eagerly awaiting its arrival


Title: Re: Episode #9 - RF Generation Playcast
Post by: MetalFRO on January 19, 2015, 09:36:05 AM
I may have to ask my wife, brother, and parents to go in together on a Retron 5 for my birthday later this year...


Title: Re: Episode #9 - RF Generation Playcast
Post by: zcrich01 on January 19, 2015, 12:40:51 PM
I may have to ask my wife, brother, and parents to go in together on a Retron 5 for my birthday later this year...

Mine will apparently be delivered Wednesday. I'll let you know what I think. It'll be nice (assuming it works well) to not have to fight my various NES consoles to get them to work and/or pray that my againg Genesis power adapters don't crap out in the middle of a game.