Games Beaten 2018

[marurun]

I think the key problem is that meatballs reign supreme, and ain't nobody a bad enough dude to win against the meatballs.

[Markies]

Markies' Games Beat List Of 2018!
*Denotes Replay For Completion*

1. The Granstream Saga (PS1)
2. Perfect Dark (N64)
*3. Lunar 2: Eternal Blue Complete (PS1)*
4. Prince of Persia: Warrior Within (XBOX)
5. Donkey Kong Country (SNES)
*6. Pikmin (GCN)*
*7. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time (N64)*
8. Shining Force II (GEN)
*9. X-Men Vs. Street Fighter (PS1)*
*10. Mafia (XBOX)*
11. James Bond 007: Agent Under Fire (GCN)
12. ChuChu Rocket! (SDC)
*13. Super Metroid (SNES)*
14. Final Fantasy II (NES)



I completed Final Fantasy II on the Nintendo Entertainment System this evening!

My first experience with Final Fantasy II came with Final Fantasy origins on the PS1. I was nearing the end of playing through every Final Fantasy game I could get my hands on and that was one of the last one along with V and III. Initially, I was put off by the game even though I eventually finished it. After playing that version several more times, I began to understand it especially once I learned the history and the context of the game. While at MAGFest, I was walking around the Vendor Hall when I spotted somebody selling Reproduction Carts. I saw Final Fantasy II on the NES and I decided then and there that this would be my first reproduction purchase. And this year, I finally got a chance to play it.

I won't compare it to the PS1 version because that would be unfair, but the improvements compared to the original Final Fantasy are so vast. I love that magic is a major factor, there are so many more spells and you have MP instead of just slots. Cid and Chocobos make there first appearance here as they eventually become series staples. Characters are introduced, killed and even brought back to the party as they actually have development instead of just D&D archetypes. Dungeons seem more fleshed out and the world even seems larger.

Going back to play the original after a remake is tough. Auto-Targeting is just so nice along with being able to do a Quick Save. With that being said, the original game has some flaws. At the beginning, you are completely broke, but you have like 5 towns to buy stuff. And that's basically it. The rest of your equipment, weapons and magic is found in dungeons and you use all of your money to stock pile Elixirs for the final dungeon. The game has a great way of just killing you out of nowhere. Whether from confusion or death spells, you are doing fine and then you just die. Status ailments are everywhere and it's frustrating to deal with them. But, the leveling system is just a grind. Everything uses 2 Experience points, no matter what your proficiency is.

Obviously, there are aspects that I enjoy and some frustrations with the game. It is a very solid 8-Bit RPG, but it is the obvious weakest in the Final Fantasy series. It is worth a play, but either do the PS1 or the GBA remake to make life easier. The NES version is for fanatics and masochists only, which I happen to be both.

[ElkinFencer10]

Games Beaten in 2018 So Far - 53
* denotes a replay

January (16 Games Beaten)

1. Phantasy Star Portable - PlayStation Portable - January 1
2. Middle-Earth: Shadow of War - Xbox One - January 9
3. Duck Tales - NES - January 10
4. Yakuza Kiwami - PlayStation 4 - January 14
5. Xuan-Yuan Sword: The Gate of Firmament - PlayStation 4 - January 20
6. Doki Doki Literature Club - Steam - January 20
7. Deep Space Waifu - Steam - January 21
8. Turok: Dinosaur Hunter - Steam - January 21
9. Duck Tales 2 - NES - January 22
10. TaleSpin - NES - January 22
11. Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers - NES - January 23
12. Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers 2 - NES - January 24
13. Global Defence Force - PlayStation 2 - January 24
14. Darkwing Duck - NES - January 25
15. Tiny Toon Adventures - NES - January 26
16. Poi - Steam - January 28

February (18 Games Beaten)

17. Galaxy on Fire 2 Full HD - Steam - February 3
18. Final Fantasy Legend - Game Boy - February 5
19. Valkyrie Drive Bhikkhuni - Vita - February 5
20. Super Little Acorns 3D Turbo - 3DS - February 8
21. Adventures in Equica: Unicorn Training - Android - February 8
22. Final Fantasy: Mystic Quest - SNES - February 10
23. X-COM: UFO Defense - Steam - February 14
24. Ys IV: The Dawn of Ys -TurboGrafx-CD - February 18
25. Army Men - Game Boy Color - February 19
26. Army Men 2 - Game Boy Color - February 19
27. Army Men: Air Combat - Game Boy Color - February 20
28. Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA 2nd - PlayStation Portable - February 22
29. Army Men: Sarge's Heroes 2 - Game Boy Color - February 22
30. Army Men Advance - Game Boy Advance - February 24
31. Dynasty Warriors Gundam Reborn - PlayStation 3 - February 25
32. Army Men: Operation Green - Game Boy Advance - February 26
33. A Night Out - PC - February 27
34. Army Men: Turf Wars - Game Boy Advance - February 27

March (10 Games Beaten)

35. Phantasy Star - Master System - March 10*
36. Grand Kingdom - PlayStation 4 - March 17
37. Bit.Trip Beat - Wii - March 18
38. Bit.Trip Core - Wii - March 18
39. Bit.Trip Void - Wii - March 18
40. Bit.Trip Runner - Wii - March 22
41. Bit.Trip Fate - Wii - March 22
42. Bit.Trip Flux - Wii - March 24
43. Bit.Trip Runner 2: Future Legend of Rhythm Alien - Wii U - March 25
44. My Nintendo Picross: Legend of Zelda - Twilight Princess - 3DS - March 28

April (7 Games Beaten)

45. Gundam Breaker 3 - PlayStation 4 - April 4
46. Night Trap - PlayStation 4 - April 5
47. Corpse Killer - Sega CD 32X - April 9
48. Corpse Killer - Saturn - April 11*
49. Area 51 - Saturn - April 16*
50. Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers - Sega CD - April 17
51. SD Gundam G Generation Genesis - PlayStation 4 - April 28*

May (2 Games Beaten)

52. Detention - PlayStation 4 - May
53. Guacamelee - Wii U - May 6

53. Guacamelee - Wii U - May 6



Guacamelee is an indie side scrolling beat 'em up in the Metroidvania style themed around the Mexican celebration of el Dia de los Muertos (the Day of the Dead). I got it, if I remember correctly, from a Humble Bundle a couple years ago with a bunch of Wii U and 3DS games.



You play as Juan, an agave farmer, preparing for the Dia de los Muertos festival when an undead charro named Carlos Calaca attacks the president's mansion in an attempt to kidnap his daughter for use in an evil ritual. While trying to save the president's daughter, Juan is killed by Calaca until a magical luchador mask resurrects Juan with the legendary power of a Mexican wrestler. You then dedicate yourself to following Calaca, taking out his minions, and hopefully stopping his evil plans and saving the president's daughter. Whether or not you're successful in that last part depends on your play throughout the game as there are multiple endings to the game.



There are a fair variety of different dungeons and environments in Guacamelee, and there are abilities that are unlocked throughout the game that will allow you to access previously restricted areas. This not only gives the game some more variety but also gives some reason to go back to previously cleared areas to try to access new secrets with powerups and money that can be used to unlock improvements and new costumes. Each costume has its own abilities and detriments, so it's totally worth it to try to farm silver and experiment with the different costumes.



Guacamelee isn't a stunningly revolutionary game, and its theme revolving around a Mexican festival is probably its most unique feature. Despite that, however, the game is a TON of fun with some interesting dungeons and some engaging boss battles. If you find it on sale and are a fan of beat 'em ups, definitely give it a download. It should be getting a release on Switch soon, as well, so if that's your platform of choice, you'll soon be in luck.

[BoneSnapDeez]

I don't think Final Fantasy II is nearly as bad as some claim. I like the core gameplay engine, and the visuals and monster designs are quite nice. It has tons of problems, but ultimately ends up being a 5/10 or 6/10 game, which is probably where I'd also rank something like Phantasy Star II.

[Sload Soap]

I like FFII a lot. Sure, if I gave out review scores like Bone it'd be a 6 or 7 but for what it attempted at the time I think it's fairly successful. There's this melanchony feel to the game which I enjoy. I always thought the Emperor was a good villain as well.

[prfsnl_gmr]

I like FFII a lot. Sure, if I gave out review scores like Bone it'd be a 6 or 7 but for what it attempted at the time I think it's fairly successful. There's this melanchony feel to the game which I enjoy. I always thought the Emperor was a good villain as well.

+1

I also really liked it for these reasons. It is a bit awkward, and most of the other games in the series are better. It’s still pretty good, though.

[Xeogred]

I liked the PSP version. The overworld theme is so awesome and somber. I'm glad I played and beat it but it's one FF I don't think I'll ever touch again. Big props to Markies for tackling the original version.

[Markies]

I liked the PSP version. The overworld theme is so awesome and somber. I'm glad I played and beat it but it's one FF I don't think I'll ever touch again. Big props to Markies for tackling the original version.

I had to play the original as I am a Final Fantasy fanboy.
I just had too.

It has tons of problems, but ultimately ends up being a 5/10 or 6/10 game, which is probably where I'd also rank something like Phantasy Star II.

I might rank it a bit higher, but that is not a bad description for the game. For me, it's an important step in the series, but if you take away its historical significance then that is where I would rank it.

But, yes, please pay either the PS1, PSP or GBA versions if you are going to play it. Makes the game so much better and easier to play.

[Xeogred]

Which ones do you have left to play, if any? I loved FF3 NES! Overall my favorites are FF4-FF7. I dig FF8 and FF12 a good bit and really warmed up to FF10 when I replayed it with the HD remaster.

[Markies]

Which ones do you have left to play, if any? I loved FF3 NES! Overall my favorites are FF4-FF7. I dig FF8 and FF12 a good bit and really warmed up to FF10 when I replayed it with the HD remaster.

Let's see...

I have played FF3 on the NDS once.
But, I also own a Repro of FF3 NES, so I will be playing that.

And I think that is it.
I have not played FFXI, FF13's, FFXIV, XV or many of the spin offs besides Tactics and Mystic Quest.

My main focus was on FF1 - FF12. I will work on the other and later iterations in the system later on.