2012 Video Games Thread

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by Atocep

A friend has it and says that combat is probably the weakest part of the game, but there isn't a big focus on combat so it's more of an annoyance than a major issue.

I just picked it up on steam. I should have some time to play around with it late this evening.

Don't forget to let us know...

[MizzouRah]

I'm not much on mortal combat type games, but this looks fantastic..

[mckerney]

Originally Posted by DaddyTorgo

Don't forget to let us know...

I'll make sure to play some today, got too caught up playing Dota the last couple nights.

[MizzouRah]

Ok, who's played Lego Batman 2 and how is it?

[whomario]

as for Pro Cycling Manager, @ DT : Do you (or anyone else) know if the tours actually change shape from year to year by now ? Meaning that the 2013 TDF in a career will have different stages than the default 2012 one ?

I know there was a way to change that yourself in 2010 (i think) but i remember it being very complex.

How well do the simmed stages work and is season planning really more easy ?


Also, would anyone be willing to gift me the game and get paid back via paypal ? Would save me quite a bit in this instance.

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by whomario

as for Pro Cycling Manager, @ DT : Do you (or anyone else) know if the tours actually change shape from year to year by now ? Meaning that the 2013 TDF in a career will have different stages than the default 2012 one ?

I know there was a way to change that yourself in 2010 (i think) but i remember it being very complex.

How well do the simmed stages work and is season planning really more easy ?


Also, would anyone be willing to gift me the game and get paid back via paypal ? Would save me quite a bit in this instance.

1) Not sure, haven't gotten that far ahead in my career.

2) Simmed stages seem to work fairly well - I don't get a ton of "weird" results...I can sim some more today for example and let you know.

In fact, as far as answering your questions maybe I should just run a season and sim the TDF and speed through everything else to see, and tell you who the individual stage and overall results for "normalness."

As far as your last question - sure thing.

[Atocep]

Originally Posted by DaddyTorgo

Don't forget to let us know...

I didn't forget. I just haven't had a chance to play as much as I expected.

What I have seen is impressive. The UI is the best I've seen in a 4x game. It's clean, it's simple, and it holds a ton of data. The races are distinctly different from one another and each looks like they'll play differently. The research tree is huge and each race has a few techs that are unique to them.

I can't really comment on combat yet. Overall, I'm enjoying it and I'm excited to get deeper into the game.

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by whomario

as for Pro Cycling Manager, @ DT : Do you (or anyone else) know if the tours actually change shape from year to year by now ? Meaning that the 2013 TDF in a career will have different stages than the default 2012 one ?

I know there was a way to change that yourself in 2010 (i think) but i remember it being very complex.

How well do the simmed stages work and is season planning really more easy ?


Also, would anyone be willing to gift me the game and get paid back via paypal ? Would save me quite a bit in this instance.

Haven't yet seen if they do organically, but I saw that there's at least one pack that Cyanide is releasing that will have 100 new stages, including 3 new alternative maps for the GT's. And I imagine the community makes them too (don't know to be honest).

Running a game as FDJ right now where I'll just try to sim through a couple years and see how things go.

[whomario]

thanks, much apreciated. Definitely want to find some more info on the game before purchasing, maybe i´d better wait for it being on sale later in the year anyway.

also thanks @ Atocep for keeping us in the loop. From what i´ve read in terms of reviews (IGN has a good one here : Endless Space Review - IGN ) it´s a serious time consumer. Yeah i know that isn´t much of a surprise
Still might be a reason to wait until after summer for me, especially since i´m currently not exactly good at keeping concentrated on a single thing/game for long, given up on CK2 for now and haven´t touched FM12 in weeks.

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by whomario

thanks, much apreciated. Definitely want to find some more info on the game before purchasing, maybe i´d better wait for it being on sale later in the year anyway.

also thanks @ Atocep for keeping us in the loop. From what i´ve read in terms of reviews (IGN has a good one here : Endless Space Review - IGN ) it´s a serious time consumer. Yeah i know that isn´t much of a surprise
Still might be a reason to wait until after summer for me, especially since i´m currently not exactly good at keeping concentrated on a single thing/game for long, given up on CK2 for now and haven´t touched FM12 in weeks.

To your question about how the simulating goes: I've been exclusively quick-simulating a year with FDJ, and just won the 5 Jours de Dunkerque with Steve Chainel by 11 seconds. My sprinter Arnaud Demare won the first 2 stages in massed sprints but had to withdraw with a broken wrist.

So I'd say simulating is giving good results. Seeing people winning races that I'd expect to see win. TDF finished A. Schleck, Evans, Wiggins, Nibali, Menchov. David Moncoutie won the KOTM, and Boonen (who doesn't believe in the Olympics in this game), absolutely DESTOYED Greipel for the Green jersey (368 to 272), with Roman Feillu in 3rd. My sprinter managed to place 8th in the Points competition. Yay for me. And Pinot placed 2nd behind Wout Poels in the White Jersey competition.

Will let you know after this season how the offseason and the next year's races go as far as if the Grand Tours are different routes.

[mckerney]

Originally Posted by Atocep

I didn't forget. I just haven't had a chance to play as much as I expected.

What I have seen is impressive. The UI is the best I've seen in a 4x game. It's clean, it's simple, and it holds a ton of data. The races are distinctly different from one another and each looks like they'll play differently. The research tree is huge and each race has a few techs that are unique to them.

I can't really comment on combat yet. Overall, I'm enjoying it and I'm excited to get deeper into the game.

I could not agree more on the UI, they absolutely nailed it. Not only is it minimalist without taking up too much screen space it looks fantastic and also does a great job displaying all the relevant info you want on each screen.

[mckerney]

Played a couple hours of Endless Space, I've been enjoying it quite a bit, but still learning and getting the hang of the mechanics. I really like the research and resource systems so far, haven't figured out how to best go about using them though.

As great as the UI overall there are a few instances where it doesn't give you the information you need. There were a few times when I tried to move my ships from one area to another but wasn't able to and there was absolutely no feedback about why this was the case. I had to find answers by searching online, and even then I wasn't completely understanding why it was happening.

[MizzouRah]

Thanks for all the Endless Space feedback.. I'm contemplating that one myself.

I've been wanting a turn based strategy game for my pc for quite some time. Definitely looks interesting.

[Scoobz0202]

Are the FIFA games good on PC? $9.99 on Amazon is enticing.

[jaygr]

Originally Posted by Scoobz0202

Are the FIFA games good on PC? $9.99 on Amazon is enticing.

I just bought it for the PC a week ago (for $20 ) and have really been enjoying it so far. It plays great on my PC. Also, everything I read has said that the PC version this year is identical to the consoles.

[General Mike]

Originally Posted by MizzouRah

Ok, who's played Lego Batman 2 and how is it?

I have it. It's fun like all the other lego games. Voice acting adds a lot to the presentation. Pretty good original story. Open world is fun, but they could have done more with it, but that's what Lego Justice League or whatever's next is for.

[CrimsonFox]

Originally Posted by MizzouRah

I'm not much on mortal combat type games, but this looks fantastic..

now THAT is a Sandbox!

[Scoobz0202]

Originally Posted by jaygr

I just bought it for the PC a week ago (for $20 ) and have really been enjoying it so far. It plays great on my PC. Also, everything I read has said that the PC version this year is identical to the consoles.

Nice. Wasn't sure if it was gimped version or not. $10 sounds sweet.

[MizzouRah]

Originally Posted by General Mike

I have it. It's fun like all the other lego games. Voice acting adds a lot to the presentation. Pretty good original story. Open world is fun, but they could have done more with it, but that's what Lego Justice League or whatever's next is for.

I played the demo today and thoroughly enjoyed it. Being able for either myself or my daughter jump in and out when we want is co-op icing on the cake.

Going to order it from Amazon tomorrow, hopefully it's still $10 off. (waiting on my trade it to get credited to my account)

[Icy]

i have purchased PCM12 too, but still have not played it, i whish i was a 18 years old kid in college again, now that i have the money to buy all the games i want i don't have the time to play them

[mrkilla22]

Originally Posted by Scoobz0202

Are the FIFA games good on PC? $9.99 on Amazon is enticing.

Is a controller recommended or will the keyboard and mouse be enough?

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by mrkilla22

Is a controller recommended or will the keyboard and mouse be enough?

from past experience - i'd argue strongly for a controller i think.

[MizzouRah]

Originally Posted by mckerney

Played a couple hours of Endless Space, I've been enjoying it quite a bit, but still learning and getting the hang of the mechanics. I really like the research and resource systems so far, haven't figured out how to best go about using them though.

As great as the UI overall there are a few instances where it doesn't give you the information you need. There were a few times when I tried to move my ships from one area to another but wasn't able to and there was absolutely no feedback about why this was the case. I had to find answers by searching online, and even then I wasn't completely understanding why it was happening.

I read the manual last night and it explained some situations when this might happen.

Anyway, I don't have $30, so tell me this game isn't good.

[mckerney]

Originally Posted by MizzouRah

I read the manual last night and it explained some situations when this might happen.

Anyway, I don't have $30, so tell me this game isn't good.

I figured what the reason probably was for it, but there really should be in game feed back to tell exactly why.

[MizzouRah]

Originally Posted by mckerney

I figured what the reason probably was for it, but there really should be in game feed back to tell exactly why.

I agree.. although I meant to post what it said and wondered what you thought it was?

[whomario]

I bough Endless Space and so far all i´ve done is click through all the pretty screens. I´m not even close to having any idea on how to get started. If anybody ever has the time or knows of a site that really, really dumbs down things, let me know please. Will have a read through the manual and the official forums tomorrow, hope that helps. But a move-by-move type description would be pretty neat.
I never played a turn based game to begin with and while with games like EU or CK i could use my own mix of common sense/historical knowledge, this one is just (pun intended) alien to me.

What do i research ? Do i start off into space immediately ? Do i save money first ?

Will likely be a couple weeks before i can say anything about the quality of the game, so far all i can do is laud the pretty design

[Atocep]

In your typical 4x game the first thing you'll want to do explore and and colonize. You'll need multiple colonized areas (and 2nd quickly and then a 3rd as things settle down a bit and then keep going as you feel comfortable from there) producing for you before your economy is strong enough to really get into working toward whatever goal you have.

I still haven't gotten all that far into Endless Space yet either, but I'd assume getting a 2nd colony quickly is a priority. Researching early expansion-type techs is generally a good strategy unless you're experienced enough to look for an early war or know something specific that you want to work toward. For a beginner, though, I'd stick with techs that improve colonization options and things that strengthen your economy.

Finding what size empire works for you comes down to some trial and error as it depends as much on playstyle as the game itself.

[EagleFan]

Originally Posted by Scoobz0202

Are the FIFA games good on PC? $9.99 on Amazon is enticing.

Made the jump and it seems well worth it for ten bucks.

[MizzouRah]

Lords of football?

INTRODUCING LORDS OF FOOTBALL | Lords Of Football

[Matthean]

Defense Grid 2 is on Kickstarter.

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...defense-grid-2

[gstelmack]

Defense Grid did not make enough to fund a version 2, really?

[whomario]

Originally Posted by MizzouRah

Lords of football?

INTRODUCING LORDS OF FOOTBALL | Lords Of Football

looks a bit like the pimped up version of New Star Soccer meets The Sims, doesn´t it ?

Image Gallery | Lords Of Football

[DaddyTorgo]

Yes - I thought "Sims Football" right away.

Will you be able to have a beer tent though?

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by whomario

as for Pro Cycling Manager, @ DT : Do you (or anyone else) know if the tours actually change shape from year to year by now ? Meaning that the 2013 TDF in a career will have different stages than the default 2012 one ?

I know there was a way to change that yourself in 2010 (i think) but i remember it being very complex.

How well do the simmed stages work and is season planning really more easy ?


Also, would anyone be willing to gift me the game and get paid back via paypal ? Would save me quite a bit in this instance.

So yes - the latest patch (or the next one, I'm not sure) will have 100+ new maps, including 3 complete new grand tours.

Simmed stages seem to work good, and I think the calendars help make season planning more easy (although I didn't get too deep in careers in the last version I had to really know for sure).

Let me know if you want me to gift it to you on Steam anytime.

[JPhillips]

Originally Posted by gstelmack

Defense Grid did not make enough to fund a version 2, really?

This.

[whomario]

Originally Posted by DaddyTorgo

So yes - the latest patch (or the next one, I'm not sure) will have 100+ new maps, including 3 complete new grand tours.

Simmed stages seem to work good, and I think the calendars help make season planning more easy (although I didn't get too deep in careers in the last version I had to really know for sure).

Let me know if you want me to gift it to you on Steam anytime.

thats great news 3 different sets of grand tours (i just hope it´s really as easy as just putting them into a folder) should be enough for me.
I´ll propably wait until after the steam summer sale and then make up my mind on the game but maybe i´ll get the urge soone, will let you know !

2 versions ago season planning was a freaking pain, having to do everything outside the game with extra tools and spreads ...

Thanks for the Updates

On the Endless Space side of things, the screens are still really pretty (i did manage do go like 5 turns yesterday, so i´m getting there )

[mckerney]

Originally Posted by gstelmack

Defense Grid did not make enough to fund a version 2, really?

Between Defense Grid and Counter Strike: GO you would think they'd have the revenue to fund Defense Grid 2 on their own. I especially don't like that the project is funded at $250k but they only promise to release Defense Grid 2 at $1 million.

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by mckerney

Between Defense Grid and Counter Strike: GO you would think they'd have the revenue to fund Defense Grid 2 on their own. I especially don't like that the project is funded at $250k but they only promise to release Defense Grid 2 at $1 million.

Yeah -that's a little weird.

I don't like all the video games on kickstarter at the moment to be honest.

Just...bugs me I guess.

[mckerney]

Originally Posted by DaddyTorgo

Yeah -that's a little weird.

I don't like all the video games on kickstarter at the moment to be honest.

Just...bugs me I guess.

I think it has been great for smaller developers who are able to work on a game full time or avoid using a publisher on their first release. But when it is a dev who had a fairly successful self published first release and also partnered with a major developer on a big release I'm less of a fan of it. Even more so with the way this one is structured.

[Nogram]

Endless Space = 8.5/10

Best 4x space game in a while.

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by mckerney

I think it has been great for smaller developers who are able to work on a game full time or avoid using a publisher on their first release. But when it is a dev who had a fairly successful self published first release and also partnered with a major developer on a big release I'm less of a fan of it. Even more so with the way this one is structured.

Agreed. I probably should have been more specific in what I disliked, because it's exactly this.

[Fidatelo]

Originally Posted by DaddyTorgo

Yeah -that's a little weird.

I don't like all the video games on kickstarter at the moment to be honest.

Just...bugs me I guess.

+1

[spleen1015]

It seems like everyone is jumping on the Kickstarter bandwagon now. Some were successful with it, so others have to try it even when they shouldn't.

[MizzouRah]

Originally Posted by whomario

looks a bit like the pimped up version of New Star Soccer meets The Sims, doesn´t it ?

Image Gallery | Lords Of Football

That's what I thought..

[MizzouRah]

Originally Posted by whomario

On the Endless Space side of things, the screens are still really pretty (i did manage do go like 5 turns yesterday, so i´m getting there )

Keep playing and let me know.. I'm so close to taking the plunge.

What about sins of a solar empire, did you play that one?

[MizzouRah]

Originally Posted by Nogram

Endless Space = 8.5/10

Best 4x space game in a while.

Expand on that.

[Scoobz0202]

Originally Posted by gstelmack

Defense Grid did not make enough to fund a version 2, really?

Here is what they said regarding the matter:

"We've heard your requests, read your emails, seen your posts, and we have been investing for a while in a brand-spanking-new Defense Grid engine with all sorts of cool features and abilities, but we don't have enough internal financing to finish the full game development on our own. Knowing this, we decided to approach publishers to see if they wanted to partner on a Defense Grid sequel, and while everyone we talked with got very excited about it, over time, they didn't end up doing a deal with us as the profit model they were looking for was simply much larger than the what indies often make."

[gstelmack]

I would argue they are overshooting on what they want to do then. Do some more DLC, or don't jump all the way to the overwhelming engine right away, to raise more capital.

[Mota]

Originally Posted by whomario

thats great news 3 different sets of grand tours (i just hope it´s really as easy as just putting them into a folder) should be enough for me.
I´ll propably wait until after the steam summer sale and then make up my mind on the game but maybe i´ll get the urge soone, will let you know !

2 versions ago season planning was a freaking pain, having to do everything outside the game with extra tools and spreads ...

I agree here 100%, I have the 2009 version I believe and it was a bit hard to use for a non-cycling guy. The new version looks a lot more accessible and hopefully it'll be on Steam sale! It's a good $10 game for me, but not $40.

[Peregrine]

I am really enjoying Endless Space so far - it seems really polished and I love the graphics and the way the screens are laid out. I haven't played a 4X in a while but this one has really impressed me as not being like the very dry, spreadsheety games I have played in the past - or at least it has added nice graphics to the spreadsheet.

Only thing that is driving me crazy so far that I don't understand is why my scout ships can move along some strings but not on others, and it doesn't explain why? Is there some kind of technology I don't have yet? If so it would make sense just to not display them at all until I get it.