David, you're the first person to really *explain* to me what it is about Halo that sets it apart from others. I'm very intrigued by what you had to say; so much so, in fact, that those Blockbuster Value Cards burning a hole in my wallet just might get used this week. Thanks for the info.

Oops... I meant I hadn't opened whatever the 3D PS2 Castlevania was called. Stupid Castlevania names all sounding alike. Give me my membership back.

Still... although I opened it, I never finished SOTN, and my copy is still packed away somewhere. But I did finish all the (excellent) GBA Castlevanias! Is SOTN still readily available as a GH title?

In most RPGs, I come to a point where it's a good leveling spot, or where I need to level to advance, or a spot where you can freely go around and get all the secrets, and I just sit there on that save, thinking I'll spend a few hours leveling someday (which I used to do all the time). Of course, that day rarely comes, and by the time I get back to the RPG, I forget what happened with the storyline and what compelled me to play in the first place.

In most action games, I get stuck in later levels because of difficulty, and vow to come back. But then when I come back, I forget all of the skills that the earlier levels drilled into me, which usually means it's better for me to start over, which in turn makes me want to play something else when I have more time.

This is why I love action games with some kind of level select, like SMB3. For instance, in that GBA Astro Boy game, being able to play through any level I want lets me play for just a little bit at a time, and it held my interest until I finished it and got all the characters...

Good but not great. Way too short as well. Basically like zelda in a futuristic type setting with way less movies and items/weapons to use.

I'll disagree and say it's great. It was short, but length isn't really an issue for me since 10 hours of gameplay equals a good few weeks of time. I don't have time to invest in games and I pass on games that are really long because a 50 hour game would be going on for months. Anyways I thought the lack of movies was a plus, the story is incorporated into the actual gameplay. There is a lot of variety to the game, driving your hovercraft and exploring, fighting, taking pictures... and it's all done very well IMO.

I disagree that it's way too short. For me, I found it to be about right -- not too long (as a husband and father, I just don't have the time to put into videogames like I used to, so an hour or two every other night or so was all I could put in), and I think my total game playing time when I finished it was around 12 hours. I know I missed a few of the extra caves and did few races, also. The experience of the game itself was worth it -- nice controls, a good story, and some very intriguing puzzles, none of which I got so stuck on that I had to seek out a FAQ for help.

Highly recommended.

I don't have much time for games either, but there's not many games coming out anymore that remotely interest me so I like a game to last for a long while. Plus I'm poor and like a lot of bang for my buck.

But that still didn't really affect my rating. I just thought it got repetitive as there just wasn't enough moves/items. It made the combat and puzzles redundant, compared to something like a Zelda game where you have a ton of weapons and items that spice up combat and allow for more creative puzzles.

I was actually thinking (while playing) that it was better than Zelda. Yeah, the weapons and stuff don't get updated but it was just more appealing to me than TWW was. Plus the characters in the game were amazingly likeable and the story is very good. I also find the photography of animals highly addictive in a way that none of the Zelda mini-games have been. Ok, I like it better than TWW but not Ocarina...I'm not that crazy.

I hate the minigames in zelda for the most part, but also hated the photography in BG&E.

I'm just not much for doing side things not related to the main quest/moving the story along in general in these types of games

Sheesh - i also have Castlevania: SOTN unplayed on a shelf. Mine is even the japanese import of the game ;)

BG&E as well as SC: Pandora Tomorrow are two that i need to play and haven't. I didn't like the first SC but the multiplayer in PT sounds interesting. BG&E interests me greatly but in the big 4.99 and 9.99 sales i could never find it to pick it up.

Perfect example a couple of hours ago. Went into the store. Looking around. Not probably buying anything, but I could. I see BG&E on the shelf for the good price. Think about buying it. This thread and all, having some bearing on this to. Than I see Killswitch and I start thinking again. And I want Killswitch. I want it bad along with a few others. I got out of the store. 40% through POP so far.

rotfl rotfl

Damn, this disease is bad. ICO was another I thought of from a gaming show that I wanted to play.

Nice write-up. Almost enough to make me consider picking up an X-Box.

I've only played through the first parts of BG&E and Viewtiful Joe. Great games but I just keep buying new ones.

I just got Burnout 3, bought and sold SW: Battlefront, and I have X-Men Legends new in the package. I'm debating about opening it, since I plan on getting GTA: San Andreas in a few weeks.

Too many new games competing with older "classics."

80% through PoP but stuck on a rerouting light puzzle. I will finish this but it is turning into a bit more of a chore than fun. I do not finish this now it may fall by the roadside. Today I want it done. The disk has acted up a bit. Wonder if it may not be working fully. Along with some repetitive gameplay is some wall and audio glitches that are taking away from the game and making me analyze some issues I would normally not be bringing up. Too often the dialogue between the characters disappears no matter where I turn . And the occassional body lying through a wall. Unacceptable for a game of this quality if it is not just my CD. I give the game the highest rating for for much of it, the small details are often brilliant and well played but when there are glitches it takes away from the product and you remember you are playing a video game.

Last 20% is important. Just gotta figure out the last part of this light beam thing without cheatin'. ;)

I find myself cheatin too often now, if I didn't I would never get too any of the games I have just sitting there waiting to be played.

Those rerouting light puzzles were sometimes a pain in the neck (which one are you on? the hall of mirrors one?), but I found that PoP puzzles were extremely intuitive, and added to the fun of the game so much that I almost preferred the puzzles to the combat. Truly, a sign of a well-planned game in that I didn't look at an FAQ once. Sure, I probably missed some life-ups here or there, and the flashbacks give you hints on what to do, but still...

Now, classic Prince of Persia, I still can't beat, at least on the console.

I have perfected the art of walking away for 10-15 minutes and coming back to find the answer. A couple did take a bit of time. I am working on the one in the hall of mirrors at end. At the very end there is something I am supposed to do but so far ..... even the hints offer nothin'. A few that took too long were just my making it harder than it was. Looking at a gap or a jump and figuring the answer had to be there somewhere. I am probably over complicating this one. The control of time is just a heck of a lot of fun. Isn't it? :lol:

Metroid Prime, Silent Hill 3, Final Fantasy X-2 for me!

That hall of mirrors, with that one beam of light going into the room, was a little difficult, especially because at first I had no idea what you're supposed to do. Figured it out ok, though. At least there are a finite number of moveable mirrors, and you don't have to rotate them or anything.

I tooka bare peek but will read it when done. Not sure if it is safe, saw something about "the end" and left. :lol:

Got through the mirrors. HaHa.

PS: Metroid Prime, Silent Hill 3 also.

The one game I'd have to add to this list is Freedom Fighters . This game was released last year to little fan fare and it managed to surpass everyone of my expectations. Alot of people shyed aways from it, mostly I think because of the lack of any online modes of play. But it's a great single player game at any rate.

I need to beat

BB&G
both Devil May Cry games
ICO
Otogi
Vidoo Vince
JSRF
Odd Parents
Dark Cloud 2
Chaos Legion

I could list more but to lazy. That CC sale put me way behide.

Bah, I've got 61 games on tap to play--you're not behind!

Most of mine are RPGs, so I am glad I have freed up part of my life recently to spend on gaming. Hey, that's more important to me than some stupid PT sales job!

Some I can't believe I haven't played yet are:

.hack series
Star Ocean 2 (old PSX one, started and never finished)
FFIX
Kingdom Hearts (1/4 way done)
Arc the Lad collection
Skies of Arcadia (1 hour in)
Xenogears (2 hours in maybe)

...bah, I need to quit typing and go game!

Played the first Devil May Cry and the second one is on tap soon , after BG&E ;) But the 2nd one is still to come and so are Ragnar and Kingdom Hearts (very good edition to my list). At 85 % on PoP right now. Off to play.

Well add at least 6 more games to my list. I'm to lazy to list all them games :P I don't mind I'm skipping the next gen for a year so while I wait for price drops I will play the games I got for super cheap this gen.

Finished. Yes, what you say is true. That happened often. Must buy one of the list tomorrow. BG&E is my next one.

Great game and some brilliant work. And a few damn hard puzzles. :lol: