The Old Skool Cult of Kefka, bitches!

[Jin]

See, my thing with FFXII is this...

In most FF games, theres a challenge up until level 50 or so. Then, you have two options. either beat the thing, or level up to 99 and do all the top stuff. From 50-99 - You are bored as hell. With FFXII, there is constantly something out there to challenge you every 5 levels or so. That alone, is why I like it. I never get tired of leveling and whatnot. Sure, the story sucks, the license grid needs work, and most of the characters are one-dimensional, but I simply don't get bored with it. Nothing more, nothing less....

To agree w/ you guys one more time... SF2 is the shit. I am on my like, 900th time through. That doesn't get old either.... m

CP : ( see 3 posts up or so )

From that perspective, yeah, I can agree with you, it's definately been challanging enough. I don't know, challange has always been second to me when compared to the fun of just playing the game itself. I really didn't mind the fact that 7-10 weren't terribly difficult. I mean, there's a limit obviously, but you get my drift. I think.

[Dauragon]

Hey all.

I'm still around and what not. I usually only get around to checking the site once a week, and even then, I don't look at many threads. Ehh. That's life. Most of my time these days has pulling my hair out when I hear people talking about "300" like it's history. It's okay though, I'm remaining calm and explaining to my peers the facts.

Anyway. Not much old skool happening lately. Hell, not many video games lately either. Most of that time has been replaced with writing, composing, and playing music. With that in mind...

CP: Hammond Organ. It is quite awesome.

[azrafel]

I haven't been playing much of anything lately....

Except for Star Ocean 3

I love the star ocean series.

CP : SO3

[Georg Prime]

Yeah I love the Star Ocean series too, probably my favorite...of all time..er till the end of time. I'm really curious and anxious to see what they are going to do with Star Ocean 4, though that's really getting ahead of myself seeing as it's not even been announced or anything.

Well I finished Rogue Galaxy and have been making lots of game purchases off of amazon lately so I've been swamped with games. Along with my N64 and SNES games (AKA non stop Harvest Moon 64, and multiplayer SNES games), I ordered Xenosaga II, Xenosaga III, Radiata Stories, Dragon Quest VIII, and Disgaea. I'm going through Xenosaga II and III first, but of course I still have Okami and Grandia on the backburner to finish as well. So needless to say I'm gonna be pretty busy with games for awhile.

Currently playing..see sig.

[Cloud Strife X]

I've... uh... never played any Star Ocean games before. *cough* I've heard good things about the series, though, mostly from, uh, people on this forum. I guess I can try to find a copy of one of the games somewhere this summer, or download the original for my SNES emulator.

In the meantime, i've had the usual assortment of multiplayer games to keep me company, plus my ex-roomie and I have been getting together to play Mario Kart 64 once again, which is a blast, as always. I've played very little in the way of true old-school games, though. Shame on me!

CP:
Starcraft: Brood War
CounterStrike: CZ
Neverwinter Nights
Mario Kart 64

[Jin]

I never really got around to playing much Star Ocean. I've seen the 3rd one played and it looked alright to me, but I have yet to see much of any others.

I nearly was able to do some old school gaming today. I found that I had Buhumat Lagoon and Romancing Saga 3 via emulation on my laptop and I thought to myself, hmmmm, why am I not playing these? Then I started to play them and it hit me. The former is still in Japanese and the latter has odd bits of characters that I'm not even sure computers can make instead of text. That was nice and not dissapointing at all. Oh well. I have a huge essay due on wednesday so most of my time is being given to that as of late. I did manange to get some Civ 4 in today, but that's hardly old school, so I guess it's irrelevant.

CP:
Civ 4
Essay

[Georg Prime]

Ha, Mario Kart 64 is kinda old school..still a classic game though.

I'd definitely recommend playing Romancing Saga 3 and Bahamut Lagoon though, they both are GREAT rpgs, though certainly a lot different. Bahamut Lagoon is a strategy RPG, while Romancing Saga 3 is a really open ended adventure with a crap load of characters you are able to recruit and pick from. My ending party was great with my lobster, the vampire, and I can't remember who else...Mikhail was my main character. If you can find *cough*couugh* english patches *cough*cough that'd be great.

I'd defintely tell people to check out Star Ocean series too, especially if you love the battle systems from the early 2D tales games like Tales of Phantasia (since they are basically the same). Sci fi storylines that all take place in the same universe, a great cast of characters (all have certain requirements for getting though, thus forcing the player to play the game two times or more to get them all), multiple endings, long end of game dungeons with extra tough boss battles, plus throw in difficulty settings once you beat the game. Some of the boss battles in these games even not on the highest difficulty can be pretty tough. But Indalecio (from Star Ocean 2), with his limiter off on universe mode (highest difficulty) has to be hands down the hardest boss battle in an rpg. I don't anything else could come close.

Yeah Cloud, Star Ocean 1 you should be really impressed with considering it's an SNES game. It's amazing everything they could fit into this cart. I think it and Tales of Phantasia are the only two games to have 48 mb carts which is the limit. The recorded voices is what really did it though. It's one of my favorites of the series, I don't like a lot of the changes they made with 3 but it's still a great game.

[Scorpian]

Ok, so i have no idea what you guys are talking about ^^;
But, I r Still amongst the land of the living. Somehow o.O
Not much doing in the way of gaming...EXCEPT
I am Admin of FFL. And i invite all old skoolers ( especially OSCoK ) to play with meh. I will totally hook you up. Just ask DD and Zro ( who hasn't come back since i hooked him up lol )
get the server at byond.com then go here :
byond://72.138.177.132:9868

i'll be lookin for yas!

Peace out!

[Georg Prime]

Sounds cool, but slap my ass and call me a n00blet, but I don't know what FFL is. I assume it stands for Final Fantasy..something. Legend? *scratches head* Do tell though, do tell.

Not A LOT of old school news to report on. I've still got my SNES in action for the occasional multiplayer game with my friend, but mostly I've been swamped with PS2 rpgs still. I must say Xenosaga II is a disgrace to all that is old school rpg gaming, and to anyone who is the "gameplay over graphics" kind of person. I beat this game in like four days, it took me 20 hours. If that wasn't short enough, take in to account how many hours of cutscenes there are in this game (I'm guessing somewhere around half of the game or slighty less), and you'll see you're definitely not getting much bang for your back. Great story but man..boring and repetitive gameplay, and I hate the battle system. That final boss was sure one tough cookie though.

Anyhoo, that is all, starting Xenosaga III soon. I'm happy to hear that this game is much better, and about twice as long as II.

[LocoColt04]

Envy me, for I am thy master.

Valkyrie Profile. The original. For the Playstation.

And I'm getting it for under $15. How?

I love my store's nationwide lookup. I searched the SKU for the game, and the closest one was in a store in Virginia. I promptly whipped out my cell phone (as to not charge my store for the long-distance call), ran into the back room, and dialed the store. The store manager picked up and I asked him if he happened to have a copy of the game. Sure enough, he found it... and he's shipping it to my store first thing in the morning. It should be here Monday or Tuesday.

So then, the price? GameStop sells Valkyrie Profile for $60. We're running a sale for 75% off all PSX and N64 games. Ta-da! Pile on the employee discount and I'm paying pennies.

Bids on the original game on sites like eBay tend to start around $50 and rocket up to $150 or higher. I'm fucking lucky.

[Scorpian]

Close Cyrus. FFL stands for Final Fantasy Legacy. What it is, is a free online MMORPG based on FFIV. Where you can team up to play in the worl of FFIV using anyclass from that game.

It used to be quite the Old SKool staple during our SU days, ZRO even made a comic out of it. And what I'm trying to do ( now that I'm basically in charge there ) is bring some of that spirit back. SO please come check it out. I'm not hard to find on there lol

PS. LC..you lucky basted XD

[Georg Prime]

That is pretty damn lucky LC, I own the original copy of the game as well. I was gonna say I was lucky that I got that game when it was originally out, so I didn't have to pay 70-150 dollars for it, but not I even got it at that cheap.

I F***ing love that game though..and I recently got Valkyrie Profile 2 off of amazon, even THAT game is getting expensive though. I'm pumped to play it once I'm done with Xenosaga III, I've heard its got a bit of a challenge to it which is good. A 75% off sale though? That's insane, there are quite a few games for the N64/PSX I wouldn't mind using that on..Ogre Battle 64 and Saiyuki: Journey West just to name a few.

Damn a MMORPG based on FF IV? That does sound awesome..AND old skool of course! I've never gotten into mmorpgs much at all, but I mite just have to check that out. Dark Knight FTW!

Yeah not much else to report..look above (or below in my sig) for games.

[Cloud Strife X]

Envy me, for I am thy master.

Valkyrie Profile. The original. For the Playstation.

And I'm getting it for under $15.

I hate you sometimes.

Hmmm... anyway, not much to report here, just pluggin' away at Phantasy Star IV, which I got my hands on recently. I'll check out the FFL link when I get some spare time, I guess.

CP:
Counter-Strike (PC) (as usual)
Mario Party 2 (N64)
Phantasy Star IV (Genesis/Mega Drive)

[LocoColt04]

I F***ing love that game though..and I recently got Valkyrie Profile 2 off of amazon, even THAT game is getting expensive though.

You kids gotta learn to shop at GameStop. I bought Valkyrie Profile 2 used (a SPOTLESS perfect copy, at that) for $30 yesterday. Add on the 10% from my discount card and the 15% for my employee discount, and I only paid $22.94 for it, pre-tax. (Even without the employee discount, realize that you could save $3 with the card.)

By the way, if there's ever anything you guys are looking for, let me know. Though GameStop as a company technically doesn't carry anything older than last-gen stuff any more, there are still stores that have PSX/N64 games as well as the rare SNES/NES/GEN games. I can't guarantee that you'll get flawless discs, but at least with cartridges you don't have to worry about it much. You guys let me know what you're looking for and I'll buy it for you -- then all I ask is that you reimburse me. I'll even ship it off for free... all I want from you is what I paid (that includes my discount, so you're paying what I'd pay, basically).

I can get any store to ship anything to me, assuming it's in stock somewhere.

Oh, and I also picked up Romancing Saga and FFIV-A while I was spending money. I just can't wait for next week when my Valkyrie Profile comes in with the shipments. ^____^



You guys have to realize that I never had a PSX. The only PSX games I own are FFT and FFIX. There are a LOT of amazing games I missed out on.

[Georg Prime]

Come again? You've never owned a PSX? Wow, so how many PSX rpgs have you played? It's definitely got a lot of great games, and more specifically, it's a damn good rpg console. I think the SNES was the original badass rpg console, followed by the PSX, and of course now it's followup the PS2. If you need any good recommendations for good rpgs aside from the Squenix norm, let me know because I've played/beaten atleast 75-85% of the rpgs for the PSX.

Yeah and that Gamestop hookup sounds nice. Is that on the online store too? Usually I can find good deals on amazon/ebay, but I am reluctant to buy used CDs, because they are so delicate and I've gotten some used Dremcast games that didn't even work. Used cartridges are fine, but sometimes I'm reluctant to buy used cd based games (online atleast). I've found some great deals even on new ps2 games though, I'm getting a handful of new games each one for between 5-10 dollars.

Not much more gaming news to report. Still working on Xenosaga III, got a million other rpgs to play/more on the way as well. I'm kinda sad because I've been house sitting the last few days watching a neighbor's dog. They have the ultimate home theater system, and I brought over my PS2 and all my games to take advantage of it. I'm going to miss playing on their 60" HD plasma screen and surround sound. It's not going to be the same now that I'm done with the job and going to have to play on my normal sized tv.

[LocoColt04]

Please do; I'd love some suggestions for PSX RPGs.

As previously mentioned, I own FFIX and FFT. I'm about to have Valkyrie Profile. I'm seeking a copy of Suikoden II.

I've played FFVII and Chrono Cross... and that's pretty much it.
I'd like to get my hands on a copy of FFVIII as well, just to have.

i r teh nub

Help plzkthx?

[Georg Prime]

Hmmmm, well aside from the squenix rpgs, I'd recommend..

suikoden I and II (which you mentioned), Vandal Hearts which is a really fun strategy rpg, Kartia, another strategy rpg which was pretty much an unheard of rpg, it feature character designs by Amano. Star Ocean 2, which is one of my favorite rpgs on the system (big star ocean fan and this is probably the best in the series), Grandia of course, I am still playing through it right now though. Alundra is a must play action rpg, think something like zelda, but a lot weirder and a lot harder. If you're looking for something different, either of the Persona titles would be good, or Thousand Arms. I've noticed you like Tales games, I thought Tales of Destiny was decent, I liked Tales of Destiny 2 (Eternia) a lot more though. And Arc the Lad Collection is a great deal with three games (even though the first is short as hell and almost like an intro to 2).

..that only scratches the surface there, there are many other good possibilities out there for PSX rpg gaming.

[Scorpian]

Great Satan! 14days and NO ONE has posted here?! o.O Wtf is up with that guys? You should all be ashamed.
Also..not a ONE of you has shown thyself on my FFL....sad days indeed for old skool gamers everywhere...tsk tsk tsk

*kills Zro, hurts Jin*

[ZRO]

We do that specifically to wait for you to post and yell at us Scorp, ya didn't know? ^^

Besides, all I do lately is play FFXI, WoW (trial ftw, not impressed enough to start paying for it tho I don't think), and Counter-Strike:Source, tho I'm busy appropriating a copy of S.T.A.L.K.E.R.-Shadow of Chernobyl atm. It sounds to be interesting, so I thought I'd give it a whirl. Oblivion type game with FPS style? Hellz yeah. ^^

CP:
See post.

[maxpower]

Hey sorry that I have been totally MIA lately but I finally got a real guy job and it is sucking my will to live. NNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOO...................... I am hoping to find a job that involves more video games and random "what ever I want to do time" but until then I suck.

Anyhow I recently picked up a copy of Saga Frontier because I have never played it and it was made by Squaresoft. I would like to say that it was a bit of a disappointment. Has anyone else played it? And if so does it get better? Please say it does.

[Rasler]

(Formerly Wyatt Arkham)

Cripes, It's been a bit since I've posted in this club.

I have a bit of awesome real-life happenings going on.

I received a letter from Cambridge University in England inviting me to study there for about 3 weeks. I get to choose two of their 75+ classes to take and there is one class they're forcing all invitees to take. Once there, several trips will be made, including trips to: Warwick Castle, the city of Bath, Stonehenge, Stratford-upon-Avon, and so on. I also have the opportunity to spend another decent chunk of cash to go on a week long trip to France.
So I'll be away July 18-August 14. If I can get internet access there, I'll make a thread for pictures and such on the forum somewhere.
So...yeah. All sorts of paperwork and money reorganization.

Also prom on Saturday. I got myself a fancy silver suit, because I figured no one else had picked one like it. Pictures will be up in the next day or so. Expect the usual random gauntlets/sword-fights in my photographs.

Also near graduation time. School has already begun winding down and preparing for graduation festivities and the like. As long as I pass, I've earned an Advanced Diploma with additional Computer Science awards.

So other than my very essence being stretched thin, life is good.
although...
Busy, busy, busy.

CP: FFV-A (Still haven't beaten it! Red Mage is a bitch to level up!)

[Psiko]

ZOMG he is alive!

At least he wants you to think that!

Really his body is in a numb state and his mind is overwhelmed by these constant 14 hour days of brutal work.

But hey, if the pay is good why complain about the hours, right? XD

That being said, most days I don't have enough time for sleep, much less anything else. But on those days where that is not the case, you can find me whoring myself to FFXI or FFIV right now. Or my new SEGA Genesis. Oh yes, Road Rash III, Lemmings, Mortal Kombat II, Golden Axe, Sonic II...who could need more than those five to pass the time? Well, if I had Streets of Rage III...

CP: See above paragraph.

[Jin]

Oh boy. So sorry for my incredibly long inactivity as far as this thread goes. I haven't been in the best of spirits as of late and just didn't feel up to posting. Pulling the sword out of one's heart seems just as painful as when it was plunged in, if you get my drift; but I won't bore you with my problems. I'm alive, so yes.

I finished my univeristy exams up last week and did...decent I suppose. I don't have my marks back yet, save one, but I feel I did acceptable enough. In my history courses, I did pretty well, I'm fairly certain (well, I know I got a B+ on one of them), so that's the most important thing. Stats was killer, and I certainly don't want to go into that. Suffice it to say I'm going to a cabin this weekend and I will be burning my Stats notes.

Gaming: Well, I have been on massive KOTOR2 runs. I mean massive. Like, in the last 2 weeks I've gone most of the way through about 6 files. I always had an idea for the next character before I finished unfortunately and it caused me to never finish once, heh. I've got Peragus and Telos (the first part of the game) down to a science I've done it so much. On the old skool side of things, I've started up Shining Force 2 again. I've been wanting to for a while, but I finally got around to it. I'm going through my usual stallage though as I'm about to fight the Kraken who, knows anyone that's played the game, is an absolute bitch to fight. That and after him the experience starts to greatly drop off. I'll be lucky to get 20 experience for killing a gargoyle. Bloody things. For some reason May and Jaha always end up being really good versus those things though I'm not sure why.

So anyways, yes, I'm alive, that's my situation. Cheers.

CP:
KOTOR2
SF2

[LocoColt04]

As most of you already know, I've been swamped with work and a girlfriend and a social life and videogames, in that order. My gaming has taken low priority at the moment, at least until the crazy spot that is my life decides to lighten up a bit.

Gaming includes:

Pokemon Pearl (NDS)
Valhalla Knights (PSP)
Sonic the Hedgehog (GEN via Wii)
LoZ: A Link to the Past (SNES via Wii)
The Godfather: Blackhand Edition (WII)
EVE Online (PC)

...a good little variety of new and old school stuff, but the focus this past week has been mostly on my shiny new PSP and the new Pokemon game I snagged for my DS.

My PSP has the most blasphemic background ever, though.

Put this into perspective.

It is a SONY PLAYSTATION PORTABLE, and THIS is the wallpaper.

[Cain Highwind]

As most of you already know, I've been swamped with work and a girlfriend and a social life and videogames, in that order. My gaming has taken low priority at the moment, at least until the crazy spot that is my life decides to lighten up a bit.

Hey if you're afraid to challenge me in Chocobo Tales, just say so, no need for the farce

Actually I haven't played much of that lately because my sister is borrowing my DS playing Phoenix Wright.

I just finished up Super Paper Mario aside from some of the extra things. I'm wondering if I should spend 10 dollars on playing Mario 64 via VC (I have beaten it, but it's been several years since), or if I should spend a little more and get Mario Sunshine which I haven't played at all. I'm in a real mood for a platformer.

(or if I should get my act together and finish DQ8, I just don't have the drive to finish it anymore)

(or if I should beat Zodiark and Yiazmat and the other Uber bosses in FFXII which I don't have much of a drive to do either)

[LocoColt04]

Hey if you're afraid to challenge me in Chocobo Tales, just say so, no need for the farce

Actually I haven't played much of that lately because my sister is borrowing my DS playing Phoenix Wright.

My sister's played my copy of FFF:CT WAY more than I have. In fact, I think I booted up the game, started a file, and that was all the more I got into it at the time.

That's why I'm buying a new DS Lite for myself and giving her my current DS when the next paycheck rolls around.

No point in signing FFF:CT or Pokemon, for that matter, to this system if I'm just going to end up getting a new one. I'd rather not have to start the games over.

[Georg Prime]

Hey, nice to hear from some of the cult members.

I have to say I've been pretty busy too, between friends, my new job which I've been working fulltime, and of course, a shit load of rpg games. I've been buying a lot of games off of amazon, so that has really kept me busy. I recently finished Xenosaga II, Xenosaga III, and Arc the Lad: Twilight of the Spirits. Now I'm deciding which rpg to play next: Dragon Quest VIII, Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria, Disgaea, or Radiata Stories. So I've started new games in all of them in order to test them out and make up my mind. Right now I'm leaning towards DQ VIII and VP 2: Silmeria (I love this game and it's hard difficulty). Aside from the rpgs though, I've had some Okami and Mark of Kri on the side.

But of course let's not forget the old school stuff. My friend and I recently finished Donkey Kong Country and are getting into Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy Kong's Quest on the SNES. I've also purchased some beat em ups, Final Fight 3, Maximum Carnage (damn that game is hard), and TMNT IV: Turtles in Time, which we both have been playing together as well (besides Maximum Carnage which is 1 player).

Sooo..CP:

1. Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria - PS2
2. Dragon Quest VIII - PS2
3. Radiata Stories - PS2 (on standby until I finish top two rpgs)
4. Disgaea -PS2 (on standby until I finish top two rpgs)
5. Okami -PS2 (on temporary standby)
6. Mark of Kri -PS2 (on temporary standby)
7. Grandia -PSX (on temporary standby)
8. Day of Defeat: Source - PC
9. Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy Kong's Quest - SNES
10. Spiderman and Venom: Maximum Carnage - SNES

..I will end with saying that I think every ps2 rpg fan owes it to themselves to play through the Xenosaga trilogy, even though it is very non old school. Probably so far my most enjoyable rpg experience on the console. And Arc the Lad, a beloved series to me..more people should appreciate these games.

[Psiko]

Teh Dragon Quest III is full of all kinds of win! Oh yes, this is my latest gaming frenzy and I am enjoying it. I've owned this game...started a file once before...never played it much at all until the other day.

What prompted that was reading this last week. I mean, they placed DQIII above IV! WTF? How could it get any better than DQIV, right? Curiousity wins out, and now I'm busy trying to discover if this is another timeless classic that can stand among the titans at the top of MY list. Speaking of which, I need to redo that old list. Yes, very much need to do so soon!

Oh, and I decided to change my name. At least for now. Why not, right? Go with something new for a while!

CP: A whole bunch of NES games in between the DQIII-fest! I forgot how fun Track and Field was!

[Georg Prime]

Dragon Quest FTW!

I have to say I don't have a lot of DQ experience..I've played through/beaten DQ VI for the SNES (unofficial english translation), and briefly played Dragon Warrior I & II/III in their Game Boy Color editions briefly while borrowing them from a friend. Dragon Warrior III was probably the most fun I had of all those games, I was really surprised to see that IGN gave the game a perfect 10 though. It's the first time the series uses the job system, though it returns in VI. I haven't played IV though, so I can't comment on it. I recently ordered the hard to find VII for the PS off of amazon recently though, so I'm pumped about that.

Speaking of DQ, I am playing through VIII right now and not playing much of anything else. I gotta say, thus far of all the ps2 rpgs I have played, this is probably my favorite. Comparing this game to FF X is just funny to me.. I'm not sure how anybody in their right mind could say FF X is a better game than DQ VIIII. Then again, that's coming from the old school point of view!

[LocoColt04]

A lot of people regard DQVIII to be the best RPG on the system. Hell, one of my co-workers claims FFX is his favorite PS2 RPG but notes that DQVIII is still a better game.

I've noticed that most people have a hard time clarifying the line between "best" and "favorite" -- they're two completely different things! My favorite game of all time, as most of you know, is Uniracers for the SNES. It is FAR from the best game ever; I don't even think I'd put it on a Top 25 list.

Did I just go off on a tangent? Heh, oops. I've been out of it lately.


Currently Playing:
Pokémon Pearl (NDS) - oh, and I got my DSLite!
Pokémon Leafgreen (GBA via NDS)
Valhalla Knights (PSP)
LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy (PC)
Valkyrie Profile (PSX)
Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (SNES via WII)


I'll get into my little tangent on PS2 RPGs at another time. We should have a discussion about it at some point. You know, one of those full, drawn out things. I, for one, personally don't agree that DQVIII is the best RPG on the system, but it's damn close.