Stevie Grant’s “What we’ve been playing”: Week of 7/11/2010

Hello and welcome to the post Halloween special of that thing where I tell you what the Sega Addicts folks have been playing in the past week. Are you excited? Well if the answer was “no” then stop reading this and never come back. I don’t want your business (actually I do, remember to tell your friends about Sega Addicts!).

So yeah hit the jump button and read about what we’ve been playing. If you don’t then I’m sure nothing bad will happen as a result. But just in case I think you should read it, as we don’t want anything happening to our favourite reader (that’s you!). So as I said, hit the jump and begin your magical adventure!

Stevie Grant- Writer of Top 10 Worst and Reviews of Games I Haven’t Played:
The other day I got Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door at the local CEX trade in games shop, so I’ve been playing that. I had very good memories of it and I’m glad to say, my memories weren’t wrong. Great combat system, the story is whimsical and funny, and an overall joy. If you haven’t played it then you should get on that. I haven’t played any Sega games recently, so whatever. Maybe next week I’ll play something relevant to the website I write for! That’d be a neat gimmick!

Brett Hatfield- Community Manager and writer of Megadriving:
Got Resonance of Fate going right now. What more can I say about that? Also played some BlazBlue, and a few games of NBA Jam Tournament Edition as well. I’d explain why NBA Jam is so great, but, y’know, go read my article if you’re so curious.

Alex Barbatsis- Writer of Retro Reviews and Freaky Fridays:
Holy cow, I’ve pretty much fallen in love with The Grinch for the Dreamcast. Talk about unexpected. I mean, one minute we’re at the Lazy Ox Canteen, the next we’re driving to Vegas. If it tries to get me to marry, I think I may just faint. Also, can anyone tell me if its worth it to collect all the green stars in Mario Galaxy 2? I do try to have a life at times and that quest may hinder certain getting laid aspects I like to explore on occasion (ie daily, nightly, and ever so rightly).

Josh Newey- Writer of With Great Power Comes Great Games and Underappreciated Gems:
I been playin’ a whole lotta nothin’. ‘cept Short Hand Typing: Da Game.

Alexander Sargeant- Writer of Retro Reviews:
Remember 11 – The Age of Infinity – as a translation patch was finished recently, I just cleared Galaxy Angel (Incredibly easy as it is) and I have horrible craving for as many visual novels as I can get my teeth around at the moment. I also adore KID’s adventure games apparently, as Ever 17 was a fantastic if oppressive read. Remember 11 is like that, only with a much more dire situation, the first route is pretty damn harrowing.

Aside waiting for Sonic Colours next week (YES!!!) and being bunged up coldy gross ill, I’ve also been playing ZHP: Unlosing Ranger Vs Darkdeath Evilman. It’s probably the most innovative rogue-like I’ve played since Spelunky. Fantastic that they kept all the Dengeki cameos too, so I’m currently wielding the Neko Neko Knuckle from Okami-San and hunting for Celty’s helmet from Durarara! Buy it. Buy it nine times.

Pat Reddick- Community Manager/ Writer of Forum News and Not-so Classics:
I’ve been playing Cry In a Corner Doing Essays While Everyone Else Has Fun. Worst game ever.

Matthew Jay- Writer of 10 Things That Aren’t Sonic and Radvertisements:
Oh my gosh I actually have something to contribute this week. XSeed sent me a review copy of Ys: The Oath in Felghana which I’m really enjoying. Expect a review soon. A positive one.

Tom Kyzivat- Artist and Podcast Co-host:
All the spoooooky talk of the Halloween episode got me itching to play Night Warriors on the Saturn again, and it was amazingly amazing. The computer was no match for my insatiable battle lust, though, so I look forward to facing Mike in some vs action soon. Of course, you can’t play Night Warriors without playing the game that started it all: Battle Monsters! I played it again and it was even worse than I remembered it. It was so bad it gave me polio. Thanks a bunch, Acclaim.

Kris Knigge- Reviewer and Podcast Co-host:
Nothing good, sadly. I play bad games to write about as things like Lords of Shadow sit on my shelf for me to stare at longingly.

Alex Riggen- Editor in Chief and Podcast Host:
I’m still playing Fallout: New Vegas and only Fallout: New Vegas. My goal is to finish this game off before Sonic Colors arrives and I’m not too sure that will be possible. I have so much more to do! I have to take out the rest of Caesar’s Legion, decide whether Mr. House is worthwhile partner, kill some Nightkin, gather eggs for Lucy, and that’s just beginning. It’s a lot of work saving the wasteland.

Well that was magical! Oh and to answer Mr. Barbatsis’s question, it’s only worth it if you want 100% completion’s (which unlocks the hardest stage in the game). I suggest going on game FAQ’s and looking up where the green stars are. Some of them are a real bitch to find.

And with that business concluded, I dare say it’s time to wrap up this weeks issue of ‘What we’ve been playing’! Thanks for tuning in or whatever you internet people do. Remember to tell me what you (yes, you!) have been playing in the comments as well. I’d love to hear it (honestly)!