xtrasauce said:
The art style is gorgeous and not used that much in games. Then again, I've always loved Jan Pienkowski.
-
Hey, guest user. Hope you're enjoying NeoGAF! Have you considered registering for an account? Come join us and add your take to the daily discourse.
Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet |OT| of shadowy space spelunking
- Thread starter OnPoint
- Start date
The art style is gorgeous and not used that much in games. Then again, I've always loved Jan Pienkowski.
Bought this along fruitninja and from dust from the Microsoft site. Played it for about 5 min the other day and it seemed incredible, though I had no idea wtf was going on plot wise or gameplay wise (I'm my defense, I was sleepy it was like 3am). I'm waiting till I'm done with Bastion to dedicate my full attention to it. Really excited to get into it, and what a fuckin amazing summer of arcade.
I think people throw out the term Metroidvania way too generously nowadays, as if simply being a sprawling 2D sidescroller were enough. If exploration isn't built around the acquisition of new abilities and progression isn't at least somewhat obfuscated, then a game really isn't really following the Metroidvania formula.
That said, from the smattering of reviews I've read it does seem like this game might fit the bill. I'm interested in playing it, and being able to explore a weird alien planet should appeal to Metroid fans regardless of whether the game is a Metroidvania or not.
That said, from the smattering of reviews I've read it does seem like this game might fit the bill. I'm interested in playing it, and being able to explore a weird alien planet should appeal to Metroid fans regardless of whether the game is a Metroidvania or not.
Leatherface
Member
Anyone know when this is hitting Steam?
Phonomezer
Banned
Leatherface said:
It isn't.
This game is exactly that, but it's much more linear than typical Metroid/Castlevania games. You find upgrades to progress and all that, but it's almost always a charge forward. Also, every time you reach an objective a new marker appears to indicate where you're to go next.Ocaso said:
I hear so many good things about this game.
And then there's things like this
http://worthplaying.com/article/2011/8/1/reviews/82615/
And other user comments.
Not sure if I should get. I loved the music in Bastion and it was amazing. From Dust disappointed me with the trial. But I know trials are poor representations of the entire product. Bastions trial was good but it didn't show you how AMAZING the game could become.
Very hesitant....
And then there's things like this
http://worthplaying.com/article/2011/8/1/reviews/82615/
And other user comments.
Not sure if I should get. I loved the music in Bastion and it was amazing. From Dust disappointed me with the trial. But I know trials are poor representations of the entire product. Bastions trial was good but it didn't show you how AMAZING the game could become.
Very hesitant....
IMACOMPUTA
Member
This looks like Pixel Junk Shooter..
Is it like that?
Is it like that?
Phonomezer
Banned
A27 Tawpgun said:
Think of all the worse things you could spend $15 on. That's like, 3 beers at the pub (and you can't replay those!).
The remarks about loose control, especially over the rockets... are absolutely untrue. The only control issue is with carrying/placing objects with the grapple arm. The ship control and rocket control is fine, there's absolutely nothing wrong with it. The "narrow corridors" mentioned that rockets need to be navigated through give you such a huge margin for error that it'd be tough to fail. Plus each rocket can hit a wall, what, like five times before it blows? That's the very last thing to complain about in this game. Says something about twitch reflexes as well, which is so off. It's a floaty, relaxing game 90% of the time. I can think of maybe two bosses that require quick reactions.A27 Tawpgun said:
It also overestimates length. Took me about four hours to collect all but one object and finish the game.
Bastion is the best of the Summer lineup this year. There's no question about that. ITSP is alright, but it's tough to recommend at $15. There's always multiplayer, which is basically a score attack, but there's no guarantee that you'll personally find value there.
Don't go in expecting a great soundtrack either -- there's only one song in the game, and it plays exclusively during the opening and ending cutscenes.
Crunched said:
So it's like Outland then? The hand-holding in that game took away any satisfaction one could have derived from exploration. It's a shame developers nowadays are so afraid to let gamers figure things out for themselves.
$15 for 4-6 hours isn't entirely unreasonable provided the game remains satisfying. I'll definitely try the demo out with interest, but it doesn't sound like this is the must-buy I would have hoped it to be.
I haven't finished Outland, but from what I played it seemed to be level-based? There are loading screens in ITSP, but it's not broken up into the same sort of named "zones." I mean, there are different themed areas, but they're nearly all built into a seamless world.Ocaso said:
And there is still a bit to figure out in ITSP. Bosses, for instance, are usually puzzles in themselves (and happened to be my favorite part of the game after the visuals). There's no text at all outside menus and titles, so you're left on your own to figure out what to do (just not where to go).
That said, the game does a very respectable job of priming you for upcoming puzzles through environmental clues.
The markers are closest to Metroid Zero Mission's, if we're comparing games. But the world is more enclosed than most Metroid titles. Think something like Metroid Prime 3 or Other M, where a branching path is typically not more than a room or two containing a hidden collectible.
Feep said:
>_> I wasn't making a comment on XBLA, I was making a comment on the fact I don't have a 360 and am not buying one for 3 XBLA games I want.
Basically when it was first previewed I had hoped beyond hope that PC would be a release platform, but alas as we can see now it is not, Ergo I can't play it
Infamous Chris
Banned
Cerepol said:
360's are cheap and XBLA is a goldmine. There is no excuse.
Well you don't buy it just for three games you want. You buy it and get those, but I would guess there are far more than three titles you would enjoy on XBLA. Then there's the Indie Channel, which has been a little rough in quality over the last month but is also an incredible (and cheap!) source of great games.
Pretty sure you can find Xbox 360s with broken disc drives for super cheap.
Pretty sure you can find Xbox 360s with broken disc drives for super cheap.
Yeah Cerepol, I'm not going to suggest you run out and buy a $200 for 3 games, but if you ever see a discless 360 for cheap, like ~$100, jump on that. XBLA is one of the best things to come out of this gen's consoles.
I understand the concern about game prices, though. Steam has us spoiled.
The grapple arm, though? Man, was it frustrating during the
That's not to mention when it flat out doesn't work, and you're clutching madly at objects that seem to fade right through your claw. It was the only mechanic in the game that really frustrated me, and it was one of the most used.
I did like that you could grab enemies and smash them into each other, though. Nice touch.
I liked the game as well, don't get me wrong. Glad I played it. But I think it has some problems, and that a few mechanics don't quite live up to the art.
I understand the concern about game prices, though. Steam has us spoiled.
Well that's completely bizarre to me. Rockets controlled perfectly, I can't imagine them functioning better. They steer from the rear, just as they should.OnPoint said:
The grapple arm, though? Man, was it frustrating during the
electric zone, trying to get the battery lined up to sockets.
I did like that you could grab enemies and smash them into each other, though. Nice touch.
I liked the game as well, don't get me wrong. Glad I played it. But I think it has some problems, and that a few mechanics don't quite live up to the art.
ProtoCents
Banned
From Dust was available last Tuesday night... I'm hoping ITSP goes up early too... even though I know it already did.
corrosivefrost
Member
Is it time yet?! 
MaximusNeo701
Member
some nice art, i should jump into the franchise considering the games are on the shelf waiting to be played
Washed_Out
Member
Two hours in, 55% completion. I described it to my friend as a space shooter with little shooting in a metroid map. Enjoying it for the time being, but I see myself forgetting about this game in about a week.
Steve McQueen
Member
_Alkaline_
Member
I have some really high hopes for this game. Some of these impressions aren't great but I'm still totally willing to give it a shot. At the very least, it looks gorgeous.
Captain Bluey
Member
Trying to buy it, but keep getting an error message.
MS obviously doesnt want my money. ;-(
MS obviously doesnt want my money. ;-(
Just bought it, on EU MP.
Played like the first 10 minutes or so,
Hoped that the exploration would ramp up, sad to read it doesn't. I still really like the look and feel of the game through, I'm looking forward to playing more.
Played like the first 10 minutes or so,
the homeworld portion before you get to the shadow planet itself.
Hoped that the exploration would ramp up, sad to read it doesn't. I still really like the look and feel of the game through, I'm looking forward to playing more.
bigdaddygamebot
Member
Cerepol said:
Lately...my 360 has been nothing but an XBLA player and I'm completely satisfied with that.
XBLA is a fucking goldmine, sir.
OldJadedGamer
Banned
_Alkaline_ said:
With a demo for every game, it is easy to give each game a shot. Downloading now.