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DuckandCover

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Posts posted by DuckandCover

  3. Posted

    I think that the argument for Crypts of Chaos as an early RPG could be made. You have "hit points" and accumulate charges for items and treasure as you traverse the crypts, doing battle with a wide variety of monsters. It's a fun dungeon crawl, one that I still find addictive. The game's prgrammer John Marvin indicated in an interview on CyberRoach that he was an avid Dungeons and Dragons player, and that D&D heavily influenced the game's design.

  4. Posted

    I have to agree with the argument that much of a given system's popularity has to do with what developers create for it. If my memory is correct, wasn't there an enormous surge of 2600 sales associated with the relase of Space Invaders for the system? A lot of consumers wanted to play that game in their own home.

     

    Intellivision and Colecovision both had some incredible games, but with the ongoing popularity of the 2600, I never thought that their catalogs could compare with the number of Atari offerings. Back in the day, I remember admiring those other systems, but never being really eager to obtain one of them. I was pretty content with the variety of 2600 games.

  5. Posted

    The only "current" games I purchase are titles for the PC, but even those I wait on until they're going for $19.99 or less. I've looked on Ebay for used Gamecubes and have thought about taking the plunge, but I haven't committed yet. For some reason, most modern console titles don't really appeal to me. Stiil, I'm sure there are some GC treasures out there. I'm just willing to wait until they're good and cheap. :D

  6. Posted

    H.E.R.O. is one of the best 2600 games ever. Definitely worth the search and expense. Crazy Climber is the only cart I've paid what I consider a large amount of money for. Unlike many other rare carts, Climber offeres some great gameplay. I'm also glad to see that someone mentioned Room of Doom. It's quite an addictive game. Being a big Berzerk fan, I really took to Room of Doom quickly, and have burned up many happy hours with it.

  9. Posted

    I agree that we should own our possessions, not the other way around (although, as a new homeowner myself, I can totally relate to the "home owning you" idea). For the most part, as much as I enjoy material possessions, I really want the things I value most to be family and other important relationships...people. I can understand perhaps having to give something away to prove that it doesn't rule you. If I felt that was what I needed to do, I believe that I could. Having already given away systems and game collections, I can honestly say that it would hurt, but if I honestly believed it was necessary for my growth, I could follow through.

  11. Posted

    Over all, the game has to be easy to pick up and play (no instructions necessary)  Hard to put down, and not overly easy/hard.

     

    Although there are a few exceptions (F-14 Tomcat, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Crypts of Chaos) for the most part, there is a real beauty to the plug and play simplicity of many 2600 titles that's hard to beat. The outstanding gameplay that the best 2600 carts offer has enabled them to endure and be enjoyed by discriminating (and nostalgic) gamers decades later. In a day where 3D graphics and "immersion" rule most game designs, I wish more designers would recognize the value of solid gameplay.

  12. Posted

    I'd certainly second the nomination of Gravitar. That's a tough one, even for the reflexively gifted! :) I never could get far with Double Dragon either. I always felt like the bad guys were having a field day pounding me into the concrete. Frustration put a stop to my attempts on that one, but I'm sure I'll give it another try sooner or later.

     

    I'm also a fan of Dragonfire, but once you hit the higher level the game is insanely (impossibly?) fast.

  14. Posted

    I hate to admit it, but I've also been on something of a modern trip myself lately. Most of my gaming time seems to be devoted to my PC. I've devoted time to a variety of FPS games, as well as Terminal Reality's Nocturne, which I recently scored on Ebay for a measly $1.75. It's a pretty intense, creepy game. That's not to say I've abandoned classics. I've also been trying to solve Infocom's The Witness and, during Atari sessions, I've experienced a readdiction to game 9 of Haunted House. :ponder: The NES is hooked up, but lately my son's taken it over playing Kirby's Adventure. :)

  15. Posted

    I know I'm in danger of getting roasted for this one, but what the heck. I believe that what you dwell on cognitively can have a strong impact on your subsequent actions. Psychology owns out that what many individuals, particularly children, see modeled tends to influence their behavior. Mind you, I'm not saying that the GTA3 playing teen is going to go out and shoot and run over innocents, but I wonder if, over time, aggressive responses might be more natural to him or her? Sort of a breaking down of previously held taboos. Blasting away at starships, chomping ghosts, and even doing battle with the nazis don't impact ones thinking the same way that a game that encourages flagrent lawbreaking and harming unarmed bystanders in a virtual "modern world" does. Just my two cents. I'm off to put on some flame retardant clothing.

  16. Posted

    I downloaded the PC demo and found it pretty playable. It definitely reminded me of the old arcade games. The graphics are pretty to look at, they look just like the new cartoon. I'll probably end up purchasing it, in part because I enjoy a good beat 'em up game once in a while, and also because my five year old really digs the Turtles right now. :)

  17. Posted

    I've honestly wondered if part of the fascination with violent games like GTA3 and Postal 2 has to do with the fantasy of being able to do whatever one wants without any real consequences. I recently played through the Postal 2 demo out of curiousity about all of the controversy about the title. Honestly, the game struck me as one that aims for the lowest common denominator. Juvenile humor runs rampant throughout. Yet, the player is able to do all manner of violent actions with little real repurcussions. Sure the cops come after you, but you've got access to guns galore and can take more hits than a tank. It made me wonder if part of the draw isn't about being able to act in societally unacceptable ways without any fear of punishment. I guess, at a baser level, a power fantasy.

     

    But I could be wrong. I find the violent/crime games repugnant. Sure, I love FPS titles, but I generally like knowing that I'm acting on the side of light. I just don't get any enjoyment out of harming innocents on a game screen. But, from a behavioral viewpoint, the surge of popularity amongst the "antisocial" games is one that definitely interests me.

  19. Posted

    I've been toying wit the idea of buying a GC for quite a while now. The new price makes the idea more attractive, but I may hold out a while. If the system really is beginning to fade, catching the sellout when it plummets would be a pretty good situation, especially if you could get hold of GC games for around $9.99. :D

  21. Posted

    I think Threshold has gotten overlooked. It's really an outstanding 2600 shooter. I love the variety of enemies the game offers and how challenging it can be. Definitely a good test for the reflexes. :)

     

    As far as comparing it to Megamania...I love both games, but for me, Threshold was always the more challenging of the two. Both are very addictive with regards to game play, but it took me longer to cycle through Threshold's enemies.

  22. Posted

    Wow, so many awesome DOS games, so little time. :D I'm glad to see someone mention Abuse. I still love to fire that game up and blast away the mutant monstrosities. If you're in a military/tactical mood, Microprose's Airborne Ranger is a good bet. It's a nice blend of action and strategy. So is EA's Seal Team, which involv special forces actions in Vietnam. It can be pretty tough, but it's quite engrossing once you get into it. Just the other day, I found several Seal Team cd's at the local EB Games for $1.99 each! Staying with the warfare theme, Accolade's The Train:Escape to Normandy is a blast (literally). IF you're more in an RPG mood, Paragon Software's Twilight:2000 remains one of the best computer RPG's around. It's very challenging and involving.

     

    Speaking of Paragon, if you dig the superhero thing, you might give The Punisher a try. It's a great game that's very true to the source material. Dr. Doom's Revenge, a fighting game starring Spider-Man and Captain America is also a hoot. Activision's Die Hard for PC is an interesting 3D action title that's very true to the movie. Just be prepared to spend some time with it, it's quite a challenge to finish.

     

    When it came to adventure games, I really enjoyed the early entries in Sierra's Police Quest series. Being a big fan of text adventures, I also enjoyed just about anything Infocom produced. The detective games are particular favorites of mine.

     

    Although it isn't a DOS title, an older FPS that's still worth checking out is LucasArts' Outlaws. If you like the old Sergio Leone/Clint Eastwood spaghetti westerns, you'll really get a kick out of it. Great fun.

  24. Posted

    I'm also of the opinion that the poor Coleco 2600 games were the result of rushed or sloppy programming, not a deliberate corporate attempt to produce inferior product. There are several 2600 Coleco titles I've enjoyed, including Time Pilot, Front Line, Mouse Trap, adn Venture. I also honestly like Donkey Kong as well and still find myself playing it from time to time. As arcade adaptations for the 2600 go, it isn't as horrible as some people make it out to be.

  25. Posted

    If you really enjoy this type of game you should try Spitfire Attack' date=' it is EXCELLENT especially when using a real joystick instead of the controller it came with :-) and it has ground AND air targets :-) nice 3d effects too.

     

    I agree, though, I've always loved the way Air Raiders played. But I definately agree that it's ammo rules greatly inhibt its fun and replayability.[/quote']

     

    I'm a fan of Spitfire Attack as well. One of the first games I reach for when I want a good dogfight. To me, Spitfire is more of a pure action game than Air Raiders: you only have to worry about avoiding enemy fire and blasting the bad guys to smithereens. Air Raiders requires a much more careful approach to succeed. Still there are times when I really enjoy the challenge Air Raiders offers. I guess it just depends on what you're in the mood for at the time. :)

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