Racketboy forums’ Summer Games Challenge 2019

[MrPopo]

You've just discovered why I didn't recommend it

[Ack]

Ha, I don't mind. One of the perks of this challenge is that it always makes me think about the context under which the game was created. It's not a bad thing to go back to look at this stuff from a purely historical perspective.

[pook99]

1) Started playing Super Mario RPG today, I'm glad I finally am, the game is pretty terrific so far.

2) The hate for dracula x on SNES is real, and I will continue to contend that SNES dracula X is the most under rated game of all time, and that rondo of blood on PC engine is the most over rated. To be clear, I love rondo of blood, it is an amazing game, but I also feel dracula x is. If I'm ranking the 2d non metroidvanias I would go

1. Super CV 4
2. Castlevania 3
3. Rondo of blood
4. Dracula x
5. Castlevania
6. CV the adventure rebirth
7. Bloodlines
8. CV 2

It is worth noting that I love every one of the above games, so bloodlines being 7 on my list does not make it a bad game, I just don't think it holds a candle(har har, bad pun) to the rest of the series. I'm putting that disclaimer because I know that bloodlines has a pretty rabid fan base.

[MrPopo]

I'd be willing to agree with Dracula X being the most underrated in that everyone utterly hates it for being stripped down Rondo, but at the end of the day if you look at it objectively you have a competent 16-bit 'vania. Sort of like how Zelda II gets a ton of hate for not being a gameplay follow up to Zelda 1, but taken alone it's a pretty decent platformer RPG like Faxanadu.

[prfsnl_gmr]

I'd be willing to agree with Dracula X being the most underrated in that everyone utterly hates it for being stripped down Rondo, but at the end of the day if you look at it objectively you have a competent 16-bit 'vania. Sort of like how Zelda II gets a ton of hate for not being a gameplay follow up to Zelda 1, but taken alone it's a pretty decent platformer RPG like Faxanadu.

Agree. Dracula X on the SNES is a fine game. From a gameplay perspective, it’s both a step forward and a step back from previous games in the series, and the graphics are great. Zelda II just flat out rules. I would be delighted to see another game in the series like it. (A side-scrolling, LoZ-themed Metroidvania game! <swoon>)

You know what game doesn’t rule? Phantasy Star III, the first game I’m playing for my summer games challenge. It compensates for some of Phantasy Star II‘s issues (i.e., it’s way less grindy), but the combat is so, so dull.

[pook99]

Zelda 2 is a great game, I feel like most people nowadays appreciate it for what it is. The combat in that game just rules and I don't get why it has never really been emulated.

I have never played any phantasy star games, perhaps I should add one to my list, although 2 RPG's may be a bit much for me. From everything I heard if I'm going to play one of them 4 is the one to play.

[prfsnl_gmr]

The first Phantasy Star game built up so much goodwill with me that I’ve played through PSII and will play through PSIII. PSIV is supposed to be the classic series’ crown jewel, though.

[BoneSnapDeez]

Mieu = best girl

[prfsnl_gmr]

Mieu = best girl

This is true, actually. She’s the best thing about he game so far. She attacks twice in one round; she can heal the other characters, and she’s a redhead. The total package.

[pook99]

So from my original list I am going to definitely play:

1) Mario RPG (currently playing)
2) luigis mansion
3) Guardian legend

I'm starting with those 3, probably in that order, and than I will revisit my list to find the next 7.